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Puff Pastry Appetizers for Entertaining: Recipe 1 of 3

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My husband knows how much I miss my friends in Socal. I also miss the warm weather year-round. I’ve been sick with a cold, fever and cough twice in a month in a half after moving to Norcal. I blame the cold. I was in dire need of comfort food this weekend.

What is toasty and fun to eat on a cold evening? Hot appetizers!

There is one good point about living near San Francisco. Before I had to travel about 1 hour 20 minutes to Monterey Park from Santa Monica.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol SF Chinatown Cable Car

This weekend, my husband drove me to his favorite Chinatown bake shop, Eastern Bakery to share baked BBQ pork buns, coconut filled cocktail buns and lotus seed mooncakes. 

His mom and dad would take him on family trips to SF museums, then they’d dine at Four Seas Chinese Restaurant. Hubby Nik is from Sacramento.

Why do I mention this?

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Puff Pastry Appetizers with Asparagus tips

Imagine dim sum and these Chinese bakery items as appetizers. 

Since he gave me my childhood comfort foods on Saturday, I felt my husband deserved some of his culture’s comfort food  on Sunday.

Therefore  I made this Puff Pastry Appetizer for him for Sunday before dinner.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Gluten free Pumpkin Ghiradelli Chocolate Chip Pancakes

I call it his Western dim sum. For Western sweets, I made him gluten free, pumpkin, Ghiradelli chocolate chip pancakes! That’ll be in another post.

Hint: It is also a good way to clean out your fridge!

Renee’s Puff Pastry Appetizers

4 frozen puff pastry cups
2 chicken apple sausages diced
3 TB low fat Mexican shredded cheese
1 TB pesto

4 fresh basil leaves
2 TB sun dried tomatoes diced
2 oz cubed farmers cheese
1/4 tsp unsalted butter and a sprinkle of sea salt

5 fresh asparagus tips
2 TB vegetable oil
butter spray

1. Mix the vegetable oil, Mexican cheese, pesto and sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl. Tear the basil leaves and combine. Set aside.
2. Spray your oven-safe pan with butter spray.
3. Bake the puff pastry at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
4. Use a knife to hollow out the cups.
5. Layer the cups with meat first, herbs and cheese second.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Puff Pastry Appetizers with Basil and Sausage

6. Fill and bake for 10 minutes until cheese melts.
7. Decorate with sauteed asparagus tips.* The asparagus doesn’t bake well in the oven so saute them in a skillet with salt and butter for 5 minutes.

Morgan’s Travels to France: A Guide

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I’m sick with the flu today. It’s been difficult for me to face 50 degree chilliness in San Francisco after living in warm and mild year-round 70 degree Santa Monica climates. However, I persist in pondering about home decor. 

I might have mentioned before that I’m reading Annette Tatum’s The Well-Dressed Home this summer. Tatum inspired me to ponder: How does travel memorabilia impact my home decor?

Fortunately, my friend Morgan is guest posting today with lovely images of food and travel, while I am under the weather! Such vibrant images help me recover faster. For readers like you, her ideas can be thought-starters for destinations to add to your bucket list.

I asked Morgan to tell us about her travels to France and her recommendations what to wear in that climate.
Where else would SmartyGirlHome readers like to travel? Comment below.

Hello! My name is Morgan and I am the editor of the blog la chapstick fanatique where I blog about food, style, and little tidbits of my life.

The fall that I studied abroad in Bordeaux, France was one of the best experiences of my life. I improved my French by taking classes with French students and stepped out of my comfort zone by living very far from home. But I learned so much more than that.
I obviously had French friends and learned about the French culture and language but I never imagined that I would be opened up to so many more types of people. I actually met, Nezia, on the plane on the way there. I doubt we would have bumped into eachother on St. Mary’s campus (my alma mater) but we became so close living together and traveling while I France. She was Burundian and taught me about a different type of cooking and what is was like living as a refugee in Tanzania. I also had a roomate from Cameroon whose brother and sister were over all the time. They taught me about pepper sauce, fresh peanut butter, and how different African cultures are.
I also started to take notice of the clothes I wear. All the French girls were always so put together and, despite the fact that everyone dressed differently, they all had a true sense of style. And my style was, well, I didn’t really have style. It taught me to invest in pieces that were timeless and to stay away from trendier items unless they really fit who I was. A lot of French girls do not own a lot of clothes depsite what people may think. They stick with classic pieces and accessorize to change it up.
On a similar note, it taught me that when it comes to make-up – less it more. French girls do wear make-up but they do not wear much. They accentuate their good features as opposed to covering up what they don’t like. And they own much more skin care than make-up, making the investment in their future skin so they don’t need more make-up as they get older.
I also was lucky enough to travel and see so many different places and learn so much more about the world. In France, I went to Arcachon, St. Emilion, Toulouse, Nice, Cannes, Monaco, and Paris. I went to Barcelona and Madrid in Spain. And I spent some time in a little town above Oslo, Norway.
And I think greatest of all, I finally learned to be flexible. I learned that things do not always go as planned and that is okay. And that was a big step for a planner like me!
If you ever get the opportunity to study or live abroad, do it! And if that is not an option, travel, travel, and travel some more. It will open your eyes and heart in a way that you could never do reading a text book or watching a documentary. I think if we all took the time to learn more about the cultures around us, we would not only be nicer people but a nicer world.

Thank you so much to Renee for allowing me to share my experience with you today. And stop by my blog sometime and say hello!

Dating Your Spouse: 5 San Francisco Attractions

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What do SmartyGirlEntertainment readers like to do on Saturday? What’s your wish list for the weekend if you live near San Francisco? Write your comments below.

This Saturday, my husband asked me out on an all day date. What did we do? Where did we go?

Part of the fun for me is the anticipation. I thought, “Will he take me to some of the San Francisco sights that I mentioned during my work week?”

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol 21st Amendment Bar in San Francisco
Photo Credit: Renee Marchol The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen in San Francisco
Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Palace Hotel Chair in San Francisco

I was thinking about the popular bar that I see people flock to near AT&T ballpark. It’s right across from a gourmet grilled cheese place that seems so perfect for chilly San Francisco. Would he take me to brunch at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel that I walk past, to work, every morning?

Photo Credit: East Bay Regional Parks Redwood Forest
Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Blue Feather at Redwood Regional Park

Instead he took me to hike a Redwood Regional Park Forest just six miles from our home. We caught up with each other. I told him about my upcoming guest blog posts by Morgan of La Chapstique Fanatique on fashion and home decor. Then I asked him about the status of his farm in Farmville. He’s growing more dinosaurs and mongoose salesmen! I also inquired about his goal of acquiring the Emma Frost character on Marvel Avengers Alliance.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Hubby Nikolas at Redwood Regional Park

I stirred up the Marvel conversation because I’ve been bugging him to come with me to The Cartoon Art Museum. I enjoyed my first visit solo to The Cartoon Art Museum of San Francisco. It’s an attraction that SmartyGirls shouldn’t miss. Besides viewing the original drawings for Darth Vader and Son, it’s where I learned about the character The Black Panther. Nik tells me in some drawings he looks like Superman. My friend Karrie told me about the virtues of The Black Canary after my trip. Interesting character analysis to explore!

Back to the hiking.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol in the Redwoods
Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Ferns on the Bridle Trail

The Redwoods are near Oakland. This one featured a fishway. It is famous for rainbow trout and golden newts. I love newts and salamanders. But I didn’t get to see one today. Once, when Nik took me to wade in the American River in the old goldmining town of Coloma I got to visit a newt in a terranium. Nik tends to choose a good mix of city and outdoorsy dates for us.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Outdoor Grill in Redwood Park in Old Church Picnic Area

We walked the Bridle Trail and the Fern Trail. It was before noon but the two picnic areas we explored were already reserved. One of these days, Nik says we’ll bring something to grill there for a fun bbq!

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Kabab Burger Cafe in Lafayette

It was a light hike that only required a bottle of water each and a column of peanut butter crackers. We ate chicken schwarma like the Avengers at a local restaurant by Lafayette’s Trader Joe’s.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol and Nik Marchol Home Office Boardgames

Nik played an hour of volleyball at his company picnic on Friday so his arms were a bit sore.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Wild Raspberries at Redwood Regional Park

He still wanted more of the outdoors so he planned our date day at the Redwood Park. Instead of exploring San Francisco attractions this week, we took advantage of the hiking near our home and a bite from a local eatery.

There will be time to visit The Cartoon Art Museum, AT&T ballpark, the 21st Amendment Bar, the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen and the Palace Hotel in later weeks. Give me your review of these San Francisco attractions, in the comments section, if you have been to these places this summer!

We weren’t used to 60 degree temperatures in July, after living in Los Angeles, so we decided to play Heroscape and other boardgames this evening and homemade baked spaghetti.

Barefoot Cab Baked Spag
storebought spaghetti sauce
half a tray of ground turkey
1 tsp fennel seeds
1/4 tsp seasoning salt
3 cups fresh spinach
1/4 cup half and half
1/2 cup lite shredded Mexican cheese
3 TB red wine (i.e. Barefoot Cabernet)
3 TB olive oil
1 tsp low sodium soy sauce
2 servings of cooked pasta noodles

Step 1: Brown ground turkey in olive oil. soy sauce and seasoning salt.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Heroscape Krav Maga Agents and Marro Warriors
Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Heroscape Two Remaining Krav Agents and Marro Warriors

Step 2: Add fennel seeds, red wine and spaghetti sauce to meat in skillet. Cook until meat is no longer pink about 12 minutes.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol vs. Nik Marchol Heroscape Samurai, Marro Stingers and Krav Maga Agents

Step 3: Add spinach and allow to wilt into sauce 5 minutes. Add cooked spaghetti noodles and heat through in sauce.
Step 4: Pour meat sauce and pasta into an oven safe dish. Pour half and half over noodles and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until cheese melts.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Heroscape Sgt. Drake, Marro Warriors and Samurai

Hot pasta on a cold evening and a cozy boardgame with Marro Warriors and Samurai! On this chilly Saturday, a hike, a homecooked meal and a science fiction/fantasy boardgame was just was we needed!

Share your “dating your spouse” stories!

5 Tips on Hosting Mini Spiritual Retreats: Being a Guest in Lafayette

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Photo Credit: Renee Marchol SF Wonka Ice Cream Truck Norcal Culture

My acquaintance-friend, Editor-in-Chief Erica Galindo of Sonoma Christian Home, features a guest blog post titled, “Hidden Gardens of Santa Rosa“.

I want to use this illustration too. However, it would be figurative rather than literal. I would call it Hidden Gardens of Lafayette. Deepening a new friendship can feel like stumbling upon a hidden garden!


As I mentioned in my article about reflections on Socal culture v. Norcal culture, I was unsure how successful I would be at making new SmartyGirl friends. 

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol SF Lucky Strike Bowling

It’s only been three weeks since I moved from Los Angeles. 


I admit I miss Apple Pan, Hollywood’s Lucky Strike bowling, and Santa Monica Pier. I miss coffee with girlfriends at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Santa Monica’s La Monarcha Cafe. 

After the work day, a new friend H. invited me to her home. It was spontaneous! It turned out to be a mini spiritual retreat for me. Just what I needed.

How did it come about? We were texting back and forth to ask each other about our day when I ended up calling because both of us didn’t know where are phone chargers were and we were both running out of battery life. She surprised me by saying, “Why don’t you come on over?”

When did I meet her? I met her three weeks ago at church and we’ve been texting and calling ever since.

Who else was there? The brief visit with her, her child L. and her white poodle Jack was like a mini retreat. It made me think of the women’s retreat I held a season ago.

How were we dressed? I was surprised that we both were in shorts and wet hair. It put me at ease, instantly that she was “as is”. No artifice.

Why was her hair wet? She was playing with her toddler in the sprinklers. Why was my hair wet? I just dashed out of the shower, after her impromptu invite, because I was sweaty from running errands. Just an hour before I was: doing laundry, finding out I didn’t have enough quarters and going to the bank to get some..

What did we eat? She made instant coffee and I made myself comfortable on her cream colored contemporary area rug. She were barefoot and she left the door open to let in the breeze. Most of Lafayette, though hot in August, is without air conditioning. I learned about her childhood, her travels to Costa Rica and life in Peru.

How did I identify her as a potential friend/SmartyGirl? Three weeks ago, we clicked because we asked about each other’s exercise routine. I remarked on her lean, strong arms as she lifted her healthy toddler on Sunday. She runs the reservoir with one of the other moms from church. The other woman has been in mud runs!

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Degas Notecards from a Lafayette Garage Sale

What might be some future visits? As we talked about my first mud run coming up this October, we also talked about people we cared about and our own goals and wishes. She asked me to stay for dinner.

First her toddler fed me grains of organic vanilla granola cereal and then gave me presents of owl pellets from the yard.

Since H. was on a 10-day fruit cleaning fast, I didn’t want her to cook for me and then sit without food while I ate. Another time I suggested after her fast and then I could bring over a potluck dish to share.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Lafayette Library Sculpture

How did I get to her home? Before I got into my Honda Civic to drive back up the gravel road to my apartment, she blessed me with concentrated prayer: thanking God for our new friendship and that all would be well with me.

Is this a religious article? I understand that SmartyGirl Readers include atheists as well as those of differing spiritual beliefs. However, can you think of hospitality more kind and welcoming? Comment below of your experiences and new friendships with SmartyGirls.

The list below is modeled after what I witnessed from my new friend H.



5 Tips on Hosting a Mini Christian Women’s Retreat

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Statue of Baseball Legend Willie Mays in SF by AT&T Park

1. Listen. Don’t prepare a heavy book talk. Don’t have an agenda. Ask open ended questions of your guest such as, “How was your day?” Wait and really hear what the guest is saying.

Don’t pressure the SmartyGirl to be artificial. Let her give real answers. For instance, her day may have been less than a 9/10. Listen. Don’t give advice.

2. Tell your guest something about yourself. Don’t sell anything. Don’t push your beliefs. Don’t push any diet you and your spouse are into (i.e. raw diet, fruit cleanse). Simply share a few interesting details about your life to start the conversation. If you’ve traveled somewhere, mention a few countries. If you like sports, talk about your Willie Mays baseball memorabilia.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Canneles from Lafayette La Boulange

3. Show hospitality. You don’t need to make a big fuss. Your gift to your guest is your open home and authentic self. Sharing a box of granola, instant coffee and raw fresh fruit is more than enough for refreshments. You don’t have to make canneles. If you insist, you can buy them for $1.89 a pop at the local La Boulange.

Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Local Lafayette Cooking School Back to the Table

4. Be authentic. Don’t boast. As Shirley Manson, the front woman for Garbage, in an interview with Lucky magazine says: Just be your smelly old self!

In other words, I (Renee) say don’t wait to host a sweet retreat for a fellow SmartyGirl. For example, don’t think that you must go to a local cooking school course first.

5. Pray. Some non-religious girlfriends call this “sending good thoughts”. Others who are religious are interceding and asking their God to bless their guest. Your guest feels truly cared for spiritually when you do this as a hostess.

http://smartygirlreviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/california-womens-retreats-review-1-of.html