Living

Seaport Village is Waterfront Destination 

Seaport Village is Waterfront Destination in San Diego, California! Laughter fills the air as hand-carved animals move to and fro on an 100-year-old lighted carousel. Anyone can ride, you know. Nearby calypso music captivates passersby crisscrossing the food court on a quest to step into the fudge shoppe for a tempting sample. Will it be a ‘Cookies and Cream’ concoction or the ‘Traditional Chocolate’? Perhaps both. Several walking paths wind past marble statues in waterfront fountains, yachts awaiting carefree guests, open-door shops, interesting art galleries, and aromatic eateries. Entertainment takes all forms from sword swallowing to pet cockatoos and parrots perched on the shoulders of a jolly pirate. As you meander towards the bay where the sunset is mesmerizing, the lapping waves provide sound therapy. 

Some Like it Hot

Some Like It Hot!  The Hotel del Coronado, a famous resort on the island of Coronado, greets visitors with its iconic red turrets sitting high above the sea. Whether you stroll along the winding boardwalk where sand meets wave or pause in the shade of the expansive veranda for a sip of lemonade, time seems to stand still. And then it begins; that feeling of nostalgia when legendary film stars like Marilyn Monroe created waves of excitement. As though hypnotic, the air fills with wonderment and awe. 

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

Pay a Visit to Sunny San Diego, California 

Pay a Visit to Sunny San Diego, California! Just off the coast of Southern California sits a city that is high in adventure and easy in the eyes. Whether you’re captivated by the flurry of activity along the marina with the fishermen returning from their catch-of-the-day or the military jets soaring high overhead, it’s exciting to absorb the sights and sounds in every direction. The bordering exotic Bird-of-Paradise flower showcases its colorful foliage as though it had feathery plumes. From cloud-bursting sunrise to breathtaking sunset, all one can do is marvel at the beauty of this city known as San Diego. 

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!

Dining Outside the Home: Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market San Diego, California 

Dining Outside the Home: Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market San Diego, California! Three city blocks were filled with artisans and tent vendors. California growers sold bushels of farm fresh produce while gourmet chefs filled platters of specialty foods offer tempting samples for patrons walking by. Wide selections of fresh cut flowers and seasonal arrangements brightened up street corners. From European linens and handmade soaps to sushi-filled sea urchins and artisan breads, the weekly Little Italy Mercato Farmers’ Market is well worth the walk. 

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.