Family

Have Faith in Yourself 

“One of the things I learned

the hard way was that it

doesn’t pay to get discouraged. 

Keeping busy and making optimism

a way of life can restore 

faith in yourself.”

~ Lucille Ball

Dining Outside the Home: Little Italy’s Civico 1845 of San Diego, California 

Dining Outside the Home: Little Italy’s Civico 1845 of San Diego, California! Nestled on the corner where the air is filled with aromas of Southern Italy is a quaint place to relax with a glass of wine and a plate of pasta. The exuberant staff at Civico 1845 is as passionate about their food as they are about family traditions. Everyone abounds in vitality as the steady stream of Italian floats from table to table overflowing through open-shuttered windows onto the terrace. The most difficult decision is choosing what to order, although the chef can modify any dish to appeal to personal favorites. Mine was the vegan potato gnocchi topped with spicy grilled shrimp in a fabulous white sauce that was to die for. My husband, on the other hand, ordered raviolo classico with a polpette (homemade meatball in neopolitan ragù) on the side. The flavors were just right. Favoloso!

Appetizers to Desserts 

Everything has a beginning and an ending. Food is no different. It sets the stage for informal gatherings, romantic interludes, festive celebrations, and grande finales. From the first bite of crudité to the last sip of coffee, the entire experience can be extraordinary. If you agree with me, pull up a chair for “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Appetizers to Desserts!” In less than a year of blogging, the response continues to amaze me on this journey of the palate. Thanks very much to all of my followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and moving words of encouragement. What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? It’s as simple as reciting your A-B-Cs. One of my passions is being at home in my own country kitchen. I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often. Now more than ever, since I am retired, I relish the thought of creating something delicious from scratch. I adore time-honored traditions using tried-and-true recipes. Yet, I often never think twice about tweaking old favorites or modifying others to suit the inner craving of the moment. Most of the recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be altered in any direction. The leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten again later or shared with others. And I love to share. To me, seeing a smile in gratitude is thanks enough. The recipes you will find here in the next several weeks can be prepared very easily. Feel free to contact me with questions. Now take a deep breath, inhale the aromas, and join me on a tasteful journey entitled, “EATING MY WAY THROUGH THE ALPHABET: APPETIZERS TO DESSERTS!”

Dining Outside the Home: Leroy’s Kitchen and Lounge on Coronado Island San Diego, California 

Dining Outside the Home: Leroy’s Kitchen and Lounge on Coronado Island San Diego, California! There’s no better feeling than being on a island and eating fresh, local, sustainable food. That’s exactly what Leroy’s Kitchen is all about. They partner with local farmers to create specialty dishes from seasonal ingredients for a flavor explosion in every bite. It doesn’t hurt that they’re a block from the ocean and dishes appear served farm-to-table on a salty breeze. Portions were so generous I didn’t dare take a peek at the Dessert Menu. Sounds like a great reason to return. 

Dancing With Goats

“I think most of us are raised

with preconceived notions

of the choices we’re supposed to make. 

We waste so much time 

making decisions based on someone else’s idea

of our happiness—

what will make you a good citizen

or a good wife or daughter 

or actress. 

Nobody says, ‘Just be happy;

go be a cobbler or

go live with goats.'”

~ Sandra Bullock 

Dining Outside the Home: Point Loma Seafoods in San Diego, California 

Dining Outside the Home: Point Loma Seafoods San Diego, California! Quality fish and other creatures of the sea are caught straight from the boat, directly bought from local fishermen, and sold at the market the same day. It doesn’t get any fresher than that. What began as a family business of simply processing and selling sport-caught fish over 50 years ago, turned into a place to gather and nibble on the salt-water delicacies prepared with secret recipes. From flaky crab cakes and shrimp cocktail to breaded clam strips, seared ahi, and smoked salmon on bakery fresh sourdough bread, the selection is overwhelming. What a unique experience for the heartiest eaters. 

Look Up Through the Treetops 

“The sensitive ear of the musician

detects a certain musical note

in every city which is different

from that of another city. 

He hears in each little brook

a new melody, and to him

the sound of wind

in the treetops of different forests 

give a varying sound.”

~ Max Heindel