One Busy Bee

It feels like another year has blown by. Many wonderful things have happened and I am so appreciative for people that were right there with me, those who have played a part in them and for the long lasting memories. I haven't really been one for resolutions but a new life will commence in 2015 and I should kick it off on a positive note and end it successfully. They say it's best to write your resolutions/goals down so here they are in no particular order: - Continue to go international at least once a year. --- 2/19/15 --- Update: Mexico is in the works for late March. --- 12/21/15 --- Update: Mexico did happen in late March.  - Continue to hike once a month. --- 2/19/15 --- Update: January - done! February - Angel Island! --- 12/21/15 --- Update: Lake Chabot, Oakland hills twice (May & Nov), the Bay Bridge Trail (Oct), the Presidio (Dec)... Have some making up to do. - Lower my BMI and maintain and maintain it by exercising and being more cautious

Last year, I tried to hike once a month. It's good exercise, you're breathing fresh air, being social and seeing the world.  I just started a private Facebook group called Let's Hike to help with coordinating and scheduling the monthly hikes. Below is a log of hikes so far! Can't wait for 2015! 2012 Mission Peak, Fremont, California This is right in my backyard and a strenuous hike for me. My friend, Ji-Young, has done it many times before and without water. I couldn't suck down the stuff any faster! But I did it! It was quite an achievement for me, the then-non-hiker. We rewarded ourselves with a drink and lunch at Claim Jumper's in Fremont. 2013 Alamere Falls, Pt. Reyes National Park, California Nu'alolo Trail, Kauia, Hawaii 2014 Mt. Tamalpais, North Bay, California San Rafael, California The Sutro Tower, San Francisco, California Lafayette Reservoir, Lafayette, California The Dish, Palo

It was another great evening with wonderful company and deliciously creative cocktails. The Financial District of San Francisco was calm - not a cloud in the sky, nor strong gusts of wind. But 83 Proof was stirring, filled with the smiling faces of the people we have a great appreciation for since the beginning of this adventure of opening DWSF . Coming from all different professional backgrounds such as finance, architecture and design to even film, they share a common interest in the experiences where food and drinks are the catalysts.   Our Mixologist, Zachary T., greeted each one of us with a glassful of his punch. Throughout the night, he made three cocktails from DWSF's newly created menu. This was their first taste. Without revealing too much too soon, one cocktail in particular did receive more praise. No doubt it was pleasant to the taste buds. I loved the name and based on where we are located, it belongs on our menu.   A few individuals were missing but it was

I am a day late in participating in this year’s # GivingTuesday  but today I made a small donation to the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation. This was my second donation this year. I initially donated for a celebrity pool plunge for AJ Kirsch , a pro wrestler. 2015 will be full of changes for me and I will be involved with that neighborhood and neighboring areas. I want to help improve the area that gets such a bad wrap. I will consider volunteering in the future as well! “Dear Bernadette, We are deeply grateful for your generosity and support of our efforts to make a home a reality for the lowest-income residents of our city.   Your gift makes a difference — it enables us to provide the on-site social work services that help tenants stay housed, our free after-school program for 250 youth, and the community organizing programs that empower residents to get involved and make a positive impact in their neighborhood.   We count on the support of donors

Though it is nearly December and I am enjoying experiencing the many different wines from around the world, I thought I would start a log. I suspect 2015's will be much more extensive. I have also began to read the New York Times bestseller, Setting the Table by Danny Meyer . Though I write reviews of restaurants and other businesses via Yelp as a 7-year running Yelp Elite , I do enjoy documenting my experiences and he has inspired me to take it a step further. With DWSF opening soon, I really should be more in touch and be able to communicate what exactly I do and do not like about my restaurant, food, cocktail, beer and wine experiences. Here is a my first attempt. I should say that I thank my good friend, Kristian, to exposing me to the wonderful world of wine.  I reluctantly wanted to learn at first in 2006 because I claimed I did not like it. Eight years later, I have my own collection of wine bottles and am reading as much as I can about all things restaurant, especially

I made dessert cocktails last night for family, using what my uncle had on hand. This is Smirnoff's Iced Vodka, Bailey's, Kahlua poured over a scoop of Rocky Road ice cream and topped with whipped cream. It was tasty! Family requested margaritas but we were lacking limes. As a test, I made kalamansi  margarita shots. The fruits smaller than kumquats and has seeds. I had to strain the kalamansi juice into a shaker, added my uncle's Jose Cuervo tequila and Dekuyper Triple Sec. I filled the shot glasses and topped it off with Crush. The family enjoyed it.  These aren't the greatest of ingredients but when the first thing your uncle asks when he see you is, "Are we mixing?" you have to work with what you've got. Perhaps I'll buy him a nice bottle of fine liquor for the holidays.

Win an engraved necklace from Stella & Dot by telling your love story! I want to hear about it too! Follow the instructions below but also mention me on Instagram (@bappletree) so I can read it too. Winner to be announced on Nov. 17th. As I am currently single, my love story is meeting my newest niece, Arya, who recently turned one-year-old. Born on September 10, 2013, I first held her just hours after she was born and I was overwhelmed with emotion. She was undeniably perfect, her mother, my best friend, was fearless in the process of bringing her into this crazy world, but maybe it was a combination of maybe also feeling that fear that I will never have that moment with my own child. Nonetheless, I am in love with my nieces and nephews. Below are photos of when I first held her, at her first birthday party and how she just makes me smile. If I win, I'd like to gift the necklace to  a well-deserving mother to read: 9-10-14 & "AAS"

I have been on my Divorced World Tour and on the go for some time now, so I haven’t cooked in God knows when. Things have slowed down after a fun-filled almost month and a half. It has been slow to get back to the working out routine as I have been sick, which my roommate jokingly has nicknamed me Ebola. And I am ready to start eating better and cooking more.  Last night, I kicked it off with the delicious broiled tilipia parmesan with steamed broccoli. See recipe below. I bought a pound of tilapia for $7.99 at Safeway and had enough for two lunches. Will was too full from his delicious order of Indian food from Favorite Indian restaurant to try a bite, but Megan enjoyed it today. I’m not a fan of leftovers but this was alright. Tonight, Christina will be coming over for me to try out a pancetta and sage chicken recipe in wine sauce. Mmmm, wine. Mmm, pancetta. After three days in wine country and five days off, I think I’m ready for wine again. I have a bottle of Chateau St.J