A cool and free weekend destination

An economic Depression sounds too pessimistic? I hope it does not ever come to that point. But anything can happen under the sun. Dow closed at  419 points down today. Not good. In this shaky economy, it is smart to keep what you have intact. To wear a tight belt is necessary, making sure that when ALL things go wrong...you got enough to pack your bags and maybe start a new life, with whatever you have somewhere..maybe in an island LOL. Or stay here and be okay with what you have saved up.  One of my friends has made his giant leap, and is now enjoying blue warm waters, managing his online business, and putting up another one in the tropics where he now calls his home.

Here in pricey Silicon Valley, it's great to hear  that a cool place is still open for free. A penny saved is a penny earned. So why not?! America has many great things to see. Big land area, and years ago, had more than sufficient cash flow,  good thing the government invested a lot on infrastructure . Because of this, there are beautiful places to visit that the whole family can enjoy at no cost. Some museums, parks, beautiful piers, well maintained beaches, etc. And  places like NASA too.   A part of the NASA Ames Research Center is a great family destination and is open to the general public.

We enjoyed our visit, and although the place is small, it's  great for the curious little minds. My little one had fun exploring what they have on exhibit. I did too.

If you find something beautiful, take it before it is gone :)

I like driving around and do some shopping on weekends, I find it entertaining and I see a lot of things on the way. One Sunday, I found this beautiful coffee set.  I've always wanted one. It was something that was not planned to be bought, but  I know is a great deal and probably won't ever find again.  $24.99  for the whole 15 pc. set of porcelain beauty. Got it from an estate sale. Sealed, unopened, unused.

I think that if you find something beautiful, take it before it's gone..but only if it is a good deal!
I love and  live by this saying always, not just for goods and services. :)

 I saw this set at an online auction site after I bought my set:

It is for sale for $450.00  here. 

Now look at my find for $24.99......

Is that a FGAP (feel great after purchase) or what?!

So it must be true, daughters will become their mothers.
My mom is a collector. I try not to be. (Peace,  Ma LOL)
I couldn't stop smiling at myself when I realized that my mom has a very similar set.
I wonder what my little girl's FGAP for her own place in maybe 13 years :)
But before and after that happens, the three ladies and a gentleman and their friends and families will enjoy many cups of coffees and teas  for many years using this fabulous find.

A great snack for $3.50 worth of ingredients

"Oh, do you have crackers?"

"Oh yeah, wait, I have a log brie cheese too"

"Hmm,  let me grab 1 tomato"

"Oh, and mushrooms, I have to eat them before they go bad"

"Wait, do you have Basil?..perfect...can you slice and sauté 3 mushrooms  please?"

"Huh? For?"

"Just do it "(LOL)

It's always good to step away from your kitchen and let a master take over

The results? A snack that tasted so fresh and delicious I did not add any sauce or seasoning!

Ingredients:

Sliced Mushrooms

Very thinly sliced Log Brie Cheese (1/2 log)

Kellogg's Special K crackers -Savory Herb flavor

Fresh Basil leaves

Sliced Tomato

2 Large Live Dungeness Crabs for $17.27 - How I cooked and enjoyed it

There are many ways to cook a crab. I usually do it by boiling (cause it's fast and easy), and then season with salt and pepper. But as much as I like being in the kitchen, I like to make quick meals for lunch and dinner. Because I'm always hungry while cooking!
But this time I decided to munch on chips while thinking about what else to make, amazing how 5 pieces of tortilla chips gave me one hour of patience while experimenting with the crabs! LOL
Some barbecue crabs, some I heard bake them? I don't know about that haha, I wonder what the kitchen will smell like after.

I always start cooking crabs by adding some crushed garlic  to the water  and then let it boil.

 I love anything with mild  tart or sour flavor, esp with seafood...

so I added a tamarind soup mix to cook the crabs

Crabs done, now what ? :)

Time to break the shell and take the delicious  meat out

I wanted something spicy, bursting with exotic flavors to go with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc..

In a pan, I sautéed garlic in olive oil, big slices of onions, then let it cook

 And then I added the crab meat. 

 I poured 1 cup of the water that I cooked the crabs in, then let boil

I lowered the heat and then added a $2.49 Red Thai Curry Sauce - 1/2 of the 11 oz. bottle 

 Added Okra - I love Okra! I simmered it for 10 minutes.

I used frozen because I had no fresh ones available, it turned out great.

I think Green Beans or Squash and some bell peppers will also be good addition to the dish

Or replacement to the Okra. 

Sprinkled dill, and dried basil leaves

Added salt and pepper to taste.

I enjoyed it with Basmati Rice.  (' ',)

Cooking is self- expression, definitely should not be viewed as a task.

If I mess up with my cooking, seafood or not, I don't stress out! 

That's where the fun is, messing it up and learning from experience

If the dish is impossible to save, grab a bowl of cereal and then call it a night

I've had those days... Luckily now my dishes turns out yummy :)

Share your delicious crab dish!

One simple act of kindness= the third reward

Over 8 pounds of strawberry for $5

I took it off a tired woman's hands,

and for that I got pleasure in many ways in exchange :)

The third reward:

I wanted to make something really sweet that I can enjoy creating and eating with my loved ones

Something with heavenly deliciousness and close to my heart..CHOCOLATES!

Thanks again to Trader Joe's, I did not have to spend a lot on a pound of

 my favorite dark ones and some white ones too...

This is so fun to make

My assistant :) dipped some in white chocolate, and drizzled some on top of the brown ones :)

what a fun project from start to finish

I colored the sugar red and coated some of them

Here are the ones we enjoyed with champagne :)

They were heavenly..

So they sell it for $7 a piece at the Godiva store in Valley Fair? That's expensive

I spent less than $6 for all the chocolates (dark and white)

Everybody had fun :)