Good evening!
I hope everyone had a fairly productive Monday. I honestly cannot fathom that last week at this time I was here (although why I ever thought it was a good idea to wear a white shirt wine tasting, I still don’t know and I still have the stains to prove it….)
Time sure does fly, no?
Anyways, I was fairly productive today. I snacked on a yogurt before meeting Sarah for coffee, which ended up being an hour and a half girl chat session. I’m very excited because I’m joining the women’s bible study at our church with Sarah, since our Esther study ended last Spring and I need another. Its every other Monday night and consists of about 12 young women from church; I need the fellowship!
At Starbucks I had a tall soy Awake tea latte but they forgot the sugar syrup. I probably should have had something but I really didn’t care.
My mom got me this book on SF today! I can’t WAIT for my big race in October!!! I seriously have California fever, and for some reason have this obsession with San Francisco. I’ve only been to the airport (and across the bridge) but I love it already. I’ve had a strange fascination with SF since I was a little girl actually (random, I know), and I even have a framed picture of downtown in my bathroom. 🙂
As for dinner, I ended up cooking since my mom was working. I made buffalo shrimp again from the latest issue of Gourmet. Of course the chef needs wine! This was a delightful glass of Cabernet from Argentina ( + a few Kashi crackers hehe).
Hot sauce and butter make up the buffalo sauce for the shrimp and let me tell you, its freakin’ fabulous. I don’t have the recipe (its at my parent’s house) but I’m sure you can find it online. My mom made this killer homemade blue cheese sauce for dipping and it was heaven on a plate.
My plate with grape tomatoes, ‘cado slices, shrimpies, celery and sauce! mmmmmm
But of course I busted out my favorite cookies on earth for dessert!
One cookie and I am instantly transported back to my tiny Parisian kitchen, flipping omelets, drinking red wine and eating cold Petit Ecolier cookies straight from the fridge. Those were the days!!
I’m off to take an extremely long bubble bath and then catch up on MORE emails! I promise I’m getting there…slowly but surely! Have a wonderful night, folks 🙂
Julia
July 27, 2009 at 8:52 pmThose cookies look delicious, can you find them at most grocery stores or do you have to go to a specialty store to get them?
Megan (Runner's Kitchen)
July 27, 2009 at 8:54 pmMmm, buffalo shrimp looks good! I love to add buffalo sauce to everything. A few nights ago I dipped my veggie burger in my boyfriend’s wing sauce.
Mandy A
July 27, 2009 at 8:56 pmMajor yum on the buffalo shrimp! 🙂
Still Life in South America
July 27, 2009 at 8:56 pmSounds like a very satisfying day. 🙂
I’m going to echo Julia’s question: can one buy the Ecolier cookies at a U.S. store? I would love to try them.
leslie
July 27, 2009 at 8:56 pmi love those cookies!! takes me right back to europe too. sigh!
Rebecca
July 27, 2009 at 8:56 pmI love blueberry oikos!! It’s my favorite one!! Those cookies look delicious!
I am so obsessed with California! I say this every time you post about it but I really want to move there!!
Allie Katie
July 27, 2009 at 8:57 pmI am off to read a book in the bath myself!! Also, San Fran is one of my favorite cities (and my parents retirement destination)–you’ll LOVE LOVE it. Be prepared to walk (and of course, run 13.1 miles!)!
Julie
July 27, 2009 at 8:58 pmI’m going to be running the Nike Half in San Fransisco this October too and I can’t wait to see the city! I would love to hear if you think that book is useful 🙂
Whitney
July 27, 2009 at 8:59 pmThe bible study sounds great! I love fellowship time, it’s my favorite part of the week…or every two weeks. Whatev!
Nina
July 27, 2009 at 9:01 pmI love buffalo sauce! I’m pretty sure I would eat buffalo flavored shoe if it was put in front of me.
Your apt in Paris was so cute!
Cynthia (It all changes)
July 27, 2009 at 9:01 pmI love those cookies. I bought them in Paris while traveling with my friend and they always remind me of my trip. And your little Parisian kitchen reminds me of the tiny kitchen in our Seville apartment while studying in Spain. Fun memories 🙂
Stacey
July 27, 2009 at 9:02 pmLooks like a great night 🙂 Enjoy your bubble bath!! And your new book too 🙂
Jessica
July 27, 2009 at 9:03 pmI just went to San Francisco for the first time last month, and wow, what a cool city! I actually bought that book for my trip, and it was quite useful 🙂
Spotty Prep
July 27, 2009 at 9:07 pmHooray for girl talk coffee dates! I love the kitchen in Paris 🙂
katie s
July 27, 2009 at 9:09 pmDinner looks awesome and you are totally making me want to go back to California…. such an awesome place!!!
Maria
July 27, 2009 at 9:23 pmMmm dinner and dessert sounds fabulous! Love the cute little Parisian kitchen 🙂
Fellowship is absolutely fabulous! The reminds me, I need to join my church’s Bible study group too!
Jessica
July 27, 2009 at 9:23 pmi really want to go to california too … it just seems so amazing! and healthy!
-muffy
Amelia
July 27, 2009 at 9:24 pmOoo buffalo shrimp! Those sound really good.
Adorable Paris kitchen…even if it is on the tiny side. 🙂
Leianna
July 27, 2009 at 9:27 pmA bible study group with a wonderful group of women is a great fellowship and wonderful girl time! I need to find me one too, I miss my college girls bibile study!
Amanda
July 27, 2009 at 9:34 pmyum! i heart petit ecolier 🙂
MarathonVal
July 27, 2009 at 9:38 pmSan Francisco is SO much fun, and they have some absolutely fabulous restaurants that you are going to love!
Kristina
July 27, 2009 at 9:40 pmOh how those buffalo shrimp look deliciouso!
Enjoy exploring SF! It is an awesome city!! I’m lucky to only live only an hour away and love going when I can. Also, enjoy the Tiffany necklace…I mean the run, in October. =) It’s a great one!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
July 27, 2009 at 9:42 pmThat’s so exciting about San Francisco… you’re going to have a fabulous time there!
The shrimp looks just delicious. What a yummy dinner spread!
Enjoy your relaxing evening!
kelly
July 27, 2009 at 9:43 pmDinner looks wonderful! Congratulations on starting up a new Bible study. I hope to find the Esther study somewhere this fall.
Stacy
July 27, 2009 at 9:45 pmThose shrimp look amazing!! Going to have to try them next week!
I live in SF if anyone wants advice, ideas on where to go let me know!
Lizzie
July 27, 2009 at 9:47 pmJenna: How good are those Kashi crackers?? Have you tried the Asiago Cheese ones? They’re really good. We have a Bosnian friend who craves those Petit Ecolier biscuits. San Fran is one of my fave cities. We had such a good time there (lucky to have a friend living there who took us to heaps of cool places and set us up on some of the touristy things). Get your walking (and obviously running) shoes on b/c those hills are steep 🙂 There is one thing I want to tell you to watch out for, but I won’t – b/c if it happens to you, you’ll find it funny and I don’t want you to be looking out for it or it would ruin the concept.
You are going to have such a great time!
Runeatrepeat
July 27, 2009 at 9:58 pmI love San Fran too! This is morbid but, I actually watched a documentary about how many people kill themselves on the bridge every year. It’s a downer, but I wanted to see another thing about SF!
Casey
July 27, 2009 at 10:01 pmYour dinner and dessert look delicious!
San Fran is so much fun. My sister lived there for a few years and I went to visit. I have to say it is so easy to get around town. There’s so much to see and do, eat, drink and shop for — it’s heaven. Plus the food tastes so fresh and Cali just has a different wholesome vibe. Only thing – it was in the 50s in May when I went! That’s a Florida winter in spring. But I loved every minute of it.
Taylor
July 27, 2009 at 10:06 pmYummy buffalo shrimp! Love hot sauce too! I went to Savannah a few months ago and ate at Bubba’s Oyster Bar, yes prob. very fattening since it is owned by Mrs.Paula Dean….. but anyways she has the BEST hot sauce!
emily
July 27, 2009 at 10:07 pmIf you have an sf obsession you should read (any) books by Francesca Lia Block. Not only is she a terrific writer with a really individual style but she builds sf (and california in general) into a wonderland in her stories. She was my favorite author for a long time and definitly my inspiration in all of my creative writing classes.
Jess
July 27, 2009 at 10:10 pmEnjoy San Fran – it’s one of my favorite places on earth!
The buffalo shrimp looks amazing! Yum!
MMiller
July 27, 2009 at 10:15 pmWow, buffalo shrimp are one of my all time favorites! Most times when you order them out, the shrimp are fried! It’s just not the same!
megan
July 27, 2009 at 10:15 pmThe Bible study sounds wonderful and having fellowship with other women from church sounds great too 🙂
Your shrimpies look yummy…bbq anything and I will pretty much love it. Enjoy the rest of your night, love.
Michelle Hisae
July 27, 2009 at 10:16 pmMy current kitchen is about 2 feet by 5 feet galley style so I know how you felt!
Daria (Summer of the CSAs)
July 27, 2009 at 10:25 pmI need to try to make buffalo shrimp. I love to order them when I go out but I’ve never tried to recreate them.
Linda
July 27, 2009 at 10:30 pmOh! I saw those cookies the other day when I was shopping…and I remembered you posting pics of them before. I didn’t buy any cause right now, I’m trying to shed some weight, and I was afraid that I would not be able to stop at just one ;/ but I will get them to try one day soon. Your meal looked so delish!
BethT
July 27, 2009 at 10:31 pmOf course I heart SF! As a total foodie I would be MORE than happy to share my fave restaurants, including some that are off the beaten path…email me anytime!
Kelly
July 27, 2009 at 10:33 pmI used to love Francesca Lia Block when I was a tween and teen. I loved her books. They definitely paint California in a glamorous life. I think San Francisco is a city worth being obsessed with. I am as well but for different reasons. We almost moved there when I was 13 (to the point my parents were looking at houses) so I feel like I have unfinished business. When you’re out there I highly recommend The Slanted Door & Pizzetta 211. I read about the later in American Pie, Reinhardt’s book all about pizza and it was sooooo good. We had a pizza with pancetta and an egg that was fabulous.
Dara
July 27, 2009 at 10:35 pmHi Jenna! awesome shrimp. quick question, how did you modify the gourmet recipe? i have it and wondered if you did any modifications. thanks! (i love buttah-just not a half cup!)
jenna
July 28, 2009 at 7:50 amDara,
LOL I didn’t modify it at at all. it was a half stick of butter and served 4 people. I figured it was fine 🙂
Sarah
July 27, 2009 at 10:53 pmHave you decided to take the job in CA yet?
Din looks lovely. Buffalo anything is good!
Amanda C
July 27, 2009 at 10:54 pmToo funny….I grew up right next to San Fran ( just across the Bridge ) but I always had an obsession with Florida instead. I had pictures of the Keys and Sanibel Island hanging up in my bedroom growing up! So happy I finally got to Florida this year!! hahaha…The grass is always greener huh!
Aloha, Amanda C
Help Meghan Run
July 27, 2009 at 10:56 pmI can’t wait for San Fran! 🙂 I haven’t been there in a long time.
Deva
July 27, 2009 at 11:03 pmI have been to San Francisco twice and it is one of my favorite cities. It’s beautiful!
Angharad
July 27, 2009 at 11:16 pmAghh! Those cookies are so reminiscent of childhood vacations in France. LOVE them!
I also absolutely love San Francisco – totally jealous that you’re going! ha. Such a beautiful city and so many good eating options!!
Mrs. Myers @ Eat Move Write
July 27, 2009 at 11:24 pmWow! What cool experiences you’ve had. Paris! I’ve only visited. I’m jealous. Do you speak french?
JocelynEatsFresh
July 27, 2009 at 11:40 pmyay to a bible study 🙂
You should check out Captivating (it’s a book..you read it and then lessons take place from the bible) <3
Lauren (Runandrejoice)
July 28, 2009 at 12:00 amHow cute is that kitchen! Reminds me of mine in Spain, le sigh…
amani
July 28, 2009 at 12:03 amI love the petit ecolier. I’m so blessed that my local Farmer’s Market carries them. Glad to hear you’re getting into another bible group. More people need to get in touch with their spiritual side. It makes life so much more fulfilling.
~C~
July 28, 2009 at 12:12 amJenna,
Any questions you have about SF let me know! I am 30 minutes outside of downtown. I am so fortunate to live so close to the City that I think most closely represents many European cities!!! I love, love, love it here…and I am a native 🙂
Also, I just ran the 1/2 marathon this past weekend. The San Francisco marathon was this Sunday. It was challenging but it was great! It does not sound like you will have any trouble conquering the half in October.
WholeBodyLove
July 28, 2009 at 1:43 amYou have been serving up some beautiful shrimp dishes lately! Where do you get your cookies?
Kiki
July 28, 2009 at 4:41 amthat scrimp dish looks gorgeous! and the kitchen looks so typically parisian! maybe it’s not the spacious, modern kind we’re used to but it certainly gives it an extra something ‘je ne sais quoi’. xx
Andee (Runtolive)
July 28, 2009 at 11:15 amJust came back from a race in SF! Love that city, when you visit, you have to check out North Shore, it’s Little Italy and all the restaurants are amazing for a good carbo-load before the big day!
The Healthy Apple
July 28, 2009 at 2:33 pmJenna,
You’re going to loooooooooooooove San Fran..I was just out there last August and it is amazzzzzzzzzing!!!!
Your shrimp dinner looks yummy–I mad a similar shrimp dish last night, as well..
Have a great day.
Best,
Amie
The Healthy Apple Blog
Sarah
July 28, 2009 at 3:12 pmGood for you for finding a Bible study. I need to do that myself, it’s been too long since I’ve been to one! 🙂