8.07.2011

Weekend of BUSYBUSY (And the Big Cheese's Birthday)

Saturday was RIDICULOUS. The patio was filled before we even opened the door and we stayed 30 minutes behind on sandwiches the entire day. We also closed early as soon as we saw the Giants fans filing back from the game. (After-gamers are hella scary...) I ALSO MANAGED. Yea, that's right. I had RESPONSIBILITIES. (You know you're impressed.)

But the best reward for such a challenging day was coming home with ribs awaiting us. Nate spent nine hours smoking these delicious, savory hunks of dead animal. That's a loving description, deal with it. IT WAS DELICIOUS. I kid you not.

Today was a slow-ish day at the restaurant, but it was a shift full of the new people and a couple of us went around asking customers their favorite pick-up line. The looks we got were fabulous.

The added incentive today? Going over to Nikki and Elvis' to watch the newest episode of TRUE BLOOD. Oh baby, was it good. Nikki also had grabbed some awesome raspberry chocolate cake to celebrate Nate's birthday! *happybirthdaytoyouhappybirthdaytoyouhappybirthdaydearnathanhappybirthdaytoyou*


Love,
Henna

8.05.2011

A Vlog... To Reward Your Patience With Me.

I feel like all my posts have been starting with, "I'm a bad person..." because I'm too lazy to update. But since you're all beautiful, loyal followers... I have decided to reward your patience! An awkward VLOG! Hoorah!

7.21.2011

Mario Lopez?

I went to LA for a college visit. Oxy, to be specific. (Now ain't that cool? I like visiting new places.) But yea, it was my first time in LA and I'm not sure I liked it all that much. It was all flat and stuff... and... HOT. I didn't like the heat.

BUT GUESS WHO I SAW! Mario Lopez. That means I had the entire LA experience because I saw someone famous. He's really pretty five feet away. (Yea, that's right girls, be jealous.) Then I had to fly home. It was wicked tiring. My Hello Kitty band-aids helped.

And today was the first day back at work again! So I took a new profile picture waiting for the bus home and drank some more Mtn Dew. Maaan, I love that stuff.

AND TONIGHT NIKKI AND ELVIS COME STAY WITH ME! WOOOO!

Love,
Henna

7.19.2011

A Weekend FULL of Music!

So Friday night Nate's band had a gig! (At Ireland's 32... remember that place from last year?) It was a load of fun and there was dancing aplenty. Heidi captained the dance floor and by the end of the night a bunch of metalheads were rocking out like no other. The weird thing is... they knew all the songs too. They were head banging to Michael Jackson.

Saturday was a very busy day at work. I was on the opening shift so I got to make sure everything was awesome and stuff for... well... opening. We went to a friend's house for dinner and Heidi make lemon roasted chicken and a delicious crab soup. I brought the cheese sampler and we played Presidents (great card game) till late.

Sunday was the chillest day I've ever had working there. There was no game that day and nothing going on in the neighborhood, so it was pretty slow.

Monday was just a typical Monday. Not too busy, but not slow enough to just stand around. Nate and I went to band practice and I just listened and played with the dog. (Morrison) He's wicked sweet, very lovey.

And today! Hoorah! I'm going to a college visit at Occidental!

Love,
Henna

7.15.2011

Oops...

SORRY! I DIDN'T ABANDON YOU, I SWEAR! (Maybe I did... a little bit...)


Crap... I guess I should do a recap? *cue cheers from crowd*

I did a tiny bit of sightseeing in the evening when walking the dogs... I have a picture of the Painted Ladies and a very foggy skyline that I'll post when I hook my phone up to my computer. Mostly I've been going into work and eating a fresh muffin and drinking an iced coffee for breakfast. (Much of this breakfast action can be seen on my twitter. I like taking pictures of my food.)

Heidi and I went out to Ebiza(?) and had some lovely sashima, including kobe beef. Totally delish. Tilly started obedience class this week and we went out to a great burger place in Westportal called Bullshead. They have buffalo burgers there. It was a dream come true. (omnomnomnom)

I had two days off this week (Tuesday and Wednesday) and went out grocery shopping on the Haight with Georgy on Wednesday. It was a lot of fun and we ran into... *insertdrumrollhere*... AMBER! Amber worked at The American last summer, she's a college student, a lot of fun, nice. It was very random. Heidi went to get her hair cut as Grasshopper, a salon very close to the restaurant. Afterwards we went to Zaza to get pedicures.

I have green toenails! Merherher.

And last night was band practice, which means tonight... DUM DUM DUM! Is a gig! Woooooo!

Love,
Henna

(I'm sorry this is a rushed entry, my mind is going as I get older. Everything jumbles in my brain :P )

7.06.2011

Lasagna Night!

As some of you know, I often go grocery shopping for dinner that night of. This means that every once in a while, I get a grocer who chats me up (refer to "Sickness DAY 2") about what I'm making for dinner.

Tonight, Nikki and Elvis came over to cook and eat with us. Nikki and I made LASAGNA! (Oh, Garfield would loooove us.) This cooking party meant that I needed to go shopping for deliciousness. And I got the cute grocer again. Tall, blond, ridiculously skinny, nose ring. 

ScrawnyGrocer: Pasta night?

Henna: Oh yea, making some lasagna...

ScrawnyGrocer: Nice! I love lasagna. 

*insert other pleasantries here*

I've never had to tell this guy that I live nearby and therefore am a member and get member sales, he just inputs them automatically. I love saving money.

But the lasagna was delicious... so filling and yummy.

Nikki's Homemade Lasagna
  • 1/2 box lasagna noodles
  • 2 lbs. ground beef chuck
  • 2 jars marinara sauce (Newman's Own Cabernet Marinara works quite well)
  • 30 oz. ricotta cheese (don't go for the skim stuff, that has no flavor)
  • 2 eggs
  • Red pepper flakes (to taste)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Papper (to taste)
  • Basil (to taste)
  • 1/2 parsley bunch
  • 1 bag of italian cheese mix (mozarella, parmesan, gouda)
  • An open bottle of wine for the meat

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cook the lasagna noodles for approximately 9 minutes.
  3. Drain the noodles.
  4. Throw the beef into a pan on high heat, breaking it into pieces and stir them around.
  5. Put salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and basil into the beef, continuing to stir.
  6. Drain juices from the beef when browned and pour in some wine.
  7. Turn the burner to low heat and mix in the marinara sauce.
  8. Scoop the ricotta cheese into a bowl and crack both eggs into it, stirring until smooth.
  9. Throw most of the parsley into the ricotta mix, leaving a little out to season the finished lasagna.
  10. Put some salt and pepper into the ricotta, stirring until completely blended.

Assemble the lasagna as follows:
  • One layer of noodles
  • Layer of ricotta
  • Layer of meat sauce
  • Layer of cheese

When you are finished, there should be about three layers. Sprinkle the rest of the parsley on top and cover with foil. Put in the 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes with the foil on top. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another ten minutes.

EAT IT!


7.05.2011

Back From The Playa

So this weekend was quite relaxing because I was in a desert (Black Rock to be specific) in Nevada. I sat around all day, drinking soda (and water, because that's healthy) and reading. I also started my driving lessons! Wooooooooooo! I actually went up to 60 mph I've never done that before.... But the best part was late in the day when the sun was less intense. Especially when it looked like this:

Yea, yea... could be anywhere. But it's still beautiful

On our way back home, we drove through Sparks (?), Nevada and stopped at the Applebee's. Oh man, that was true family style eating right there (gag). Being a bit suntoasted, I was not in the mood for not so good food. I was disappointed. (No I wasn't... I just didn't care. Heidi and Nate were saddened by the quesadilla burger.)

Today was the first day we were opened after the long weekend. (Oh yea, Happy Fourth of July to all y'all 'mericans.) And I met, completely randomly by-the-by, one of my friend's older brother. He came up to the register and the first thing that came into my head was, "Holy *insertexpletivehere*! He looks exactly like her! Miiiiind_________" So I nervously waited a little bit before asking him outright. Crazy random happenstances all over the city :D

Tonight we went to Tsunami, a great sushi place on Divisadero. I got some fried baby octopii and went to heaven. Sometimes, fried baby things are the way to go.

Love,
Henna

6.30.2011

Sickness DAY 2

I woke up a bit earlier yesterday... (something to be said for sleeping 18 hours) and turned on my phone for instructions to walk Stella. Tilly was, unfortunately, at the dog shrink, for trying to eat a Pomeranian. (I mean, come on, doesn't that sound like an appetizer? I'd eat a Pomeranian too if it was on the menu...)

Stella and I went out for some lo-key, slow moving walkies. Pretty seed* if I do say so myself. We got back and both of us lounged on the couch. All day. Because I hate moving when my throat hurts.

I watched How I Met Your Mother *extremeexcitement*! I love that show!

When Heidi and Tilly came back, we made plans for some risotto along with some awesome roasted cauliflower for dinner. To get the goods to make this awesome dinner, Heidi dropped me off at the Haight Street Market. Enter awkward grocer who has no idea how to pick up women.

Grocer: Hey, whatchya doin' with those prawns?

Henna: Making dinner...?

Grocer: Oh yea?

Henna: Yea?

*Insert another awkward man who unwittingly tried to cut everyone else in line*

Grocer: Oh man, people like that. So unaware of everything, you know?

Henna: *awkward laugh* Yea, totally... I deal with people like that at my job too...

Grocer: *insert awkward "Oh, where do you work? Grilled cheese? Awesome man! I love grilled cheese, I'll have to come check you out." here*

Henna: Oh... yea... you definitely should...

*side note: I don't blame the man who accidentally cut in line. This grocer was chaaaatty. Couldn't get away without it being totttaaallly awkward.

So dinner was yummy, then I swallowed some Ben & Jerry's cherry garcia fro-yo, because that %&$@ is awesome for sore throats!

Love,
Henna

*seed: awesome, legendary, etc.

6.29.2011

Mini Food Post!

Some food from work that I have consumed for lunch. Yuuum.

 Mousetrap with tomato soup and the ginger lemon soda

Butterscotch Pecan Blondie (My weakness)

I'm Skipping Monday 'Cause I Don't Remember

As you can see from the title of this post, I don't remember much from Monday. SO THIS'LL BE QUICK.

Monday:
I went to work with my new shoes and had a lovely lunch of Mousetrap and tomato soup. I made part of the mac n cheese for Tuesday and went home. We went to Nopalito for dinner. (Yum.)

ON TO TUESDAY! (This will also be unfortunately brief.)

I GOT SICK! Sore throat, swollen glands, spacey-ness, the works. So I passed out on the couch and slept for most of the day while chugging glasses of water. Don't remember much. Woot!

Love,
Henna

Don't Judge?

I had this totally awesome walk at work on Sunday. It was a hobble-bounce-flounce around the restaurant. My shoes were still giving me trouble so I went to Sketchers after work. I needed something with cushy stuff, so I got the shoes with Kim Kardashian advertising them. Yes, I got Shape-Ups.

NOW, before we go into heavy judgement mode, I'd like to mention a couple of things. 1) They make me about 5'4" 2) They have arch support, which my other shoes did not have. SO YEA. (I'm currently looking for a sharpie to erase "Shape-Up" on the front and sides.)

So now I can walk! Hoorah!

Heidi and I took the dogs for a walk through the Castro, which was many varying shades of drunk. Very, very drunk. For those of you who didn't know, the Gay Pride Parade was on Sunday. One guy excitedly stopped us to pet Stella.
"His name is Smokey! He's the reincarnate of my dog, everything! I love this dog. I mean, I like [Tilly], but this dog is my favorite."
"Her name is Stella--"
"No it's not! It's Smokey!"

Yeaaaaa...

As we turned around to head home, we walked through the Lower Haight and came upon the very new restaurant, Wing Wings and got the orange miso and the buffalo sauces. The orange miso was freakin' delicious.

After consuming the delicious bit of dead bird, Nate persuaded us to watch Anvil: The Story of Anvil with him. Don't ask me what it's about. I fell asleep. :)

Love,
Henna

6.26.2011

SPOON!

So after waking up at the crack o' dawn after the wedding party and heading to work, I discovered something completely and totally tragic.

My shoes suck.

Why do they suck? (I know you're probably wondering desperately.) It's because I wear converse. SHUSH, CONVERSE LOVERS, LET ME FINISH. It's because there is absolutely no cushioning/padding/anything to support the arches of my feet. Therefore, my feet hurt like a canine of the feminine persuasion. mehehehe, did you catch that?


But the crowning moment of yesterday was a midnight showing of "The Room" at the Red Vic on Haight Street. "The Room" has been credited as the worst movie ever made. Tommy Wiseau spent 6 million of his own dollars on this film because no studio would take it (he always wanted to be the lead actor, the director, the producer and the head writer... strange man).

IT WAS LIKE ROCKY HORROR. Audience participation out the wazoo, throwing spoons all over the place, yelling things like "Sestoterone" and "Cancer". It was hysterical, but also sad. It was the last time "The Room" will be shown at the Red Vic because they are going out of business. The last movie they're showing will be "Harold and Maude". "Harold and Maude" is the story of the original cougar (to quote Heidi).

Simple Awesomeness.

Love,
Henna

6.25.2011

My Feet! I Can't Feel My Feet!

I woke up pretty early, considering that my shift started at 6:30 PM. But I had a MISSION! A mission not all that exciting or impressive. I needed to get a black shirt. So I walked the dogs, hopped on the 71 Haight Noriega and went to Old Navy. Strangely enough, they were having this wicked cool sale... so my shirt was 5 buckaroonies.

Then I had no idea what to do. So I ate yogurt and drank coconut water for lunch. Yuuuum. But the mall has this weird thing called a "lunch rush" in the food court... so I couldn't snag a small table for myself. Across from a very sweet elderly woman. She started a conversation by asking me where one might find PLAIN COFFEE (not that crap those fancy-schmancy places serve) and I told her I didn't know. (Surprise!) So then she asked me about what I was studying or something about school, I couldn't really hear her. But somehow she figured that I was in college, so we talked about neurosciences and stuffs (she used to be a nurse in ICU) as well as her granddaughter's schooling and her nephew's. 'Twas great fun.

But tonight was the good stuff. It was Junior's first day of work! Yahoo! And it was catering a wedding. The song for their first dance was "Love You 'Till The End" by The Pogues. It was all that gooey, romantic-y thing that people love so much. But it actually ended at 1 (just an hour ago) and I would love to tell you more, but I have the 10 shift tomorrow morning and it's Gay Pride weekend in San Francisco. Translation? Walking would be faster to get to work...

Love,
Henna

Step Right Up!

So yesterday (I know! I'm already behind) was a leisurely day of no work and relaxing. I, of course, being delightfully jetlagged, woke up around 7. No wait, exactly 7. Lovely.

We took the beautiful doggies for a walk a bit later and went shopping to get stuff to make... CREPES! We made savory crepes with chicken sausage (kosher), spinach, cheese (a smoked gouda-ish), avocado, and onions! Delicious... om nom nom.

The sweet crepes were a whole new deal. Peaches and blackberries with homemade whipped cream and a rainier cherry on top. (I'll post a picture tomorrow, I promise.)
Doesn't it look delicious?

Then we ran some errands to prepare for a catering job for Friday! Such as going to the amazingly awesome restaurant supply store. Which was awesome, did I mention awesome yet? It was like the hipster version of BJs.

And I know you're all eager to know what we had for DINNER. We actually walked to Lower Haight to indulge in good eats at the carnival-themed restaurant, Straw. We had such delicacies as sweet potato tater tots, mini corn dogs, a salad called "Dark and Gruesome" as well as a turkey leg and empanadas.

Delicious day full of delicious food, ey?

Love,
Henna

6.22.2011

Gloomer....Crashing Bore....

Why is the title of this post "Gloomer....Crashing Bore...."? Because I did the thing you're never, ever supposed to do on a walk. I looked at my feet most of the way. WHY did I do this? Well why not?

Haven't you ever heard of graffiti and tagging? I hope so.

"Gloomer... Crashing Bore...." 

 And this, Benjamin, is what a "tag" is.

 Kinda like the tablets parents do for their children... except on PAVEMENT.

Look! Birdy feet!

So this morning I woke up at 7:00 and couldn't get back to sleep... what a pity. So I woke up and did all that morning preening stuff some peoples do. Then I decided to go stalk down some BREAKFAST! So I went to the Haight Street Market and got myself a coffee and chocolate croissant. So delicious.

Lunch was at The Little Chihuahua where I had a lovely, fabulous burrito. Yum.

I eventually moseyed on down to the AMERICAN and chilled out with new and old faces. THEN I came back home and found myself back at the Haight Street Market with chocolate yogurt, grocery store sushi, and peaches in hand.

All in all, solid meals for a day. Am I right? Of course I am.

Heidi and I went out to Treasure Island tonight to go see top secret awesome stuff. I can tell you no more. I think... But I got to see Alcatraz in a very pretty light. The entire sky was cloudy except for one spot where is shone directly on Alcatraz. It was beautiful. And the skyline from the other side of the Bay looking at San Fran was also absolutely GORGEOUS.

It's weird, I did a lot in one day. I guess I should always wake up wicked early.

Love,
Henna

Mini Post!

It's time for a...

MINI POST. (Mini post: in which not enough time has passed for there to be a huge, interesting post about an entire day.)
So last night, after getting into the airport, we came back to the house and took those big, beautiful dogs for the favorite thing. WALKIES. We walked around Divisadero, hauling Stella and Tilly away from nasty people food as we went.

We then decided that Ragazza was the place for us! (Apologies that this is a yelp page. I don't really like yelp, but Ragazza doesn't have a website.) We ordered delicious things like squash blossom pizza, nettle pizza, fava beans with anchovies, lemon, and flatbread; and green beans with cheese and I think lemon as well. Then we had a cannoli! (My first one, EVER.)
All in all, it was quite a delicious welcome meal, and it's awesome to be back.

Love,
Henna

(Did I mention I thought I saw Neil Patrick Harris last night?)

6.21.2011

ROUND 2 (Surprise Post!)

Greetings, Fellow Cheese Lovers!

I know, I know... this is a post WAAAYYYY too early. I haven't even boarded the plane for my first flight. But I figured that it's close enough, I'm on my way, you're eager...

SURPRISE! Henna has returned to the awe-inspiring BLOGOSPHERE. (I know, how awe-inspiring was that?)

A few changes from last summer. (Or one...let me think of them)

1) Mobile view is now ENABLED. That means that if you're on the road and looking for a Henna Fix on your smart/stupid phone, Blogspot has made is easier than ever to do so!

2) It's 2011? Yea, I think that's a big enough change. And for all of you who didn't know it was 2011, sorry to burst your bubble. I understand if you unfollow this blog. (Even though it'll make me cry.)

3) I have a camera on my phone with awesome uploading capabilities! So you can see my summer if I'm not too lazy to take pics!

And that is all. (Did you expect more in this post? Greeeeeedy, that's what you are.)

With much excited love,
Henna