Take 38 - Rescued love from Taiwan and Leo

Recently we adopted another Golden. Leo, formerly Homer, is about 7 years old and a rescue from Taiwan. Thanks to Rescued love from Taiwan and Norcal Golden Retriever Rescue, he was brought to California, along with many of his pals.

 In Taiwan, Goldens are the most popular dogs. The are the favorites because of their temperament and beauty and because of the symbol of the word "gold" to Asian people the world over. However, once grown, they are let go, set free, abandoned on the streets. One common excuse is they are too big for the small apartments. Thanks to rescue groups in Taiwan who are in contact with rescue groups in California, the dogs are rescued, cared for through medical needs such as neutering/spaying, cleaned and groomed, fed and then flown to California where they are in great demand. They often have a temperament that is more akin to puppies because they lack the proper training and do not understand English commands.

 We had been thinking of adopting another Golden and when we were told there was one from Taiwan, we decided to go have a look at him at the foster home in Burlingame. Homer, now Leo, was smaller than Rocco. He was very friendly. Maybe too friendly as he immediately started chewing on David's shoes and jean bottoms. Regardless, I was in love. I knew I had to keep my head and my heart in check but hey, how can you with a Golden. We got acquainted for a while and then went to get Rocco who was waiting in our car. Rocco was not impressed and started humping Leo, a sign of control and domination. To diffuse any further battle of the top dog, we decided to go for a walk with both of them. The walk went pretty well so we decided to adopt him and take him home. Papers were signed and a donation to Norcal given and we were on our way.

Things went very smoothly and Leo arrived at his new home. It has now been over a month and while we are keeping an eye on any change in their behavior, all is going very well. Leo adapted very easily to our routine and to his place in the dog pecking order. Rocco has also been most generous and he seems to understand that Leo is new and needs a bit more attention. Walking with them was a lesson too. At first I thought a Y attachment would be the solution but I was quickly made aware of the contrary. Because Leo was not used to walking on the left as Rocco, he would go to the right and I would end up with the Y behind my knees. I changed both leashes for leather ones and got two leashes. Strangely enough, I suddenly had more control holding both leashes with one hand and they got the hang of walking side by side on the left. So what was challenging at first soon worked itself out. Going for a bath at Pet Food Express was another question I had. I had seen a lady there once with Labs and here is how she did it: she tethered one dog to one of the metal loops while she bathed the other one. When she was done, she would simply switch dogs. I tried the same thing and it worked wonderfully for me and they too.

Having two dogs is not double the trouble as one might be inclined to think. You just have to think creatively and it becomes as easy as having a single one. Ok, double the food bill and double the vet visit bill but it's all worth it. They are angels put on this earth to enrich our lives and to entertain us. Both of ours are real clowns in a Golden suit.

So having two dogs is a double blessing and now our house is doubly filled with Golden love.

For more information on adoptions, Google
Rescued love from Taiwan or
Norcal Golden Retriever

Take 37 - Living the California drought

What can I say about the California drought that has not already been said. Friends from different countries often ask me: what does it mean for your everyday life and how do you save water? Well, here is a longer version of my usual answer.

When we first moved here from Canada, 3 1/2 years ago, unbeknownst to anyone, this drought had already started. To be totally honest, not being used to so much sun and so little rain after living in Vancouver for over a decade,  we were really clueless. We just loved that every day was sunny and warm, winters were practically nonexistent and we couldn't believe our luck of living in California. And time and life went on and so did the sunshine, the warmth and the lack of rain. During that time, we lived in an apartment, watered our plants, took showers, did laundry and used water in the kitchen for cooking, cleaning and rinsing stuff, unaware. Well,  the years went by, we left the apartment for a house we bought and started paying for water with an actual bill and not charges hidden into our monthly rent payment. This bill showed us our monthly usage. Wake-up call! News bulletins started mentioning water waste more and more and we decided to do our part and become water wiser.

We covered all unpaved areas with landscape fabric and mulch (wood pellets). We installed rain cisterns to gather the rare raindrops that would accumulate on our roof and modified a rain drain to drop each precious drop into a covered garbage tub with a hole. We became mindful of the length of our showers and made them shorter. We bought 4 flexible plastic tubs and use them in our showers to gather what would otherwise become waste water. Gallons and gallons are saved this way each time we take a shower. We rinse fruits, veggies, etc over another smaller tub in the kitchen. There too, the quantity of grey water saved is phenomenal. In toilets, we have put full plastic water bottles in the toilet tanks to diminish the amount of water used with each flush. Also, as the saying goes here, if it's brown, flush it down and if it's yellow let it flow. We become immune to the number of times we flush a toilet per day.  If I make pasta or cook veggies in water, I scoop out the food when it is ready and let the water cool on the stove until I can transfer it to a tub. All of this saved water goes for my trees and plants. We do feel a spot of guilt when it comes to our pool. However, here is how we rationale this situation. We did not have the pool built. it was there when we bought the house. We were told that we can't let the level go below the filter pump intake, otherwise the pump cannot work.  If it cannot work, the pool becomes stagnant and a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitos.  That is why, the Government isn't asking pool owners to stop filling them up, just to limit to less than one foot at a time and if you empty it completely for, say,  cosmetic repairs, you can't fill it up again. Since we need to have the pool resurfaced, that is part of a cosmetic repair and we are waiting until the drought is resolved before having it done.

These days, each time we turn on the faucet or flush the toilet, we stop and think before we do it. That's how we are doing our part to help this situation but truly, I cannot wait for a regular rain season and long days of nothing but rain making everything peaceful and fresh again.

Take 18 - A New Year with New Toys !

 A NEW YEAR WITH NEW TOYS  !


Happy New Year to all of you ! And what a great year it will be if only for the fact that during the Holidays in Monterey (more on that later), I discovered the online game, Words with Friends. I knew of the game through the Alec Baldwin incident on a plane and all, but until I actually tried it, I hadn't experienced the thrill. Total disclosure ? I am lousy at it. Oh, I come up with great words but I am no strategist. David, on the other hand, is a great strategist, with simpler words.  So, most of the time I lose but still, I love the game and I am probably slightly addicted to it. Ok, totally addicted to it. I will keep at it and hopefully, I will improve and beat my husband at it.

So now on to Monterey. I know, at the risk of boring some of you to tears, we love our Golden Retriever, Taylor and we often plan our free time with him in mind. So this time we headed to Monterey (next to Carmel). While I would not recommend the hotel I chose (Mariposa Inn)  with creaky floors and a huge charge ($40 a night) to have Taylor stay with us, I highly recommend Monterey where your dog, large or small is welcome into almost all stores including Crate & Barrel, H&M, Pottery Barn and too many other stores to list here. I think it's wonderful to be able to go on short vacations and to include your dog. To walk the streets, stop for a coffee or a meal at a terrace, stroll parks and visit sites with your pooch is a great thing.

For Christmas I was given a Fitbit. Ok,  I asked for a Fitbit as a Christmas present and frankly, here is another thing that is totally addictive. Fitbit is a device that tracks all kinds of things you do from the number of steps you take, the calories you burn, the stairs you climb, etc. you clip it to your t-shirt or bra, you sync it with your laptop or pad or both and this way every day you get a full report of your physical activities. The aim is to reach or do better than 10,000 steps a day. Steps can be reached through walking, of course, but also if you are pedaling on a bike at the gym or if you are standing you can step, discreetly or not while you wait around, so why not step and be active. And while we are on the subject of fitness, I have joined a gym. A recent bone density test forced me to finally take the plunge. I had looked into joining a gym since I moved here to California but I was not satisfied with what I saw while visiting several places. I didn't want the usual muscle building factory. I wanted something better. So, one day,I came across Club One at Santana Row here in San Jose. OMG, I fell hard and with good reasons. Located on the third floor of a building in fantastic Santana Row, the elevator doors opened into a huge reception area with large windows that let the sun shine in. The place is clean and modern and looks more like a spa than a gym. The ladies' locker room is great with all you could need to get ready after your workout. Everything is supplied including cotton balls, Q-tips, mouthwash, body wash and lots more. This locker room also includes also includes a sauna and a steam room. There are loads of classes, the equipment is top of the line and at the time I go, there are no waiting lines for any machine. Anyway, what I'm getting at is, I started in mid-December and love going there. I believe the trick is, choose your gym carefully. Visit many and choose the best you can afford. This place isn't cheap, but if you love it you'll go. At least, that is my philosophy. It's simply a pleasure each time. The minute I walk in, you feel like getting on with business.  And did I mention the personnel is outstanding. Ok, enough on my wonderful gym !

To help you get through Winter, how about a warming drink ? This is Dr. Sanjay Gupta's favorite concoction and it's also good for your brain. I tried it and loved it.

Dr. Gupta's Creamy Turmeric Tea
(1 serving)

1 cup almond milk
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Ginger
1 teaspoon Honey to drizzle on top

Pour milk in a saucepan and add the spices. Over medium heat and as the milk warms, whisk it all together. When milk is warm enough to drink and before boiling, pour into a mug. Drizzle honey on top.

ENJOY !

My first post !

How scary, my first post, so bear with me ! 

I live in Silicon Valley, California, and yes, I do have blue eyes.

I moved here to California almost two months ago from Vancouver British Columbia, Canada. In this country, I am what is known as an H4.  An H4 is a type of Visa where you are the spouse and/or dependent of a (H1B) which is another type of Visa that allows a non-american to work in the U.S.   My husband was hired by one of the big players here in Silicon Valley and in this blog, this big player shall not be named, for many obvious reasons, but rather surnamed The Big Cheese. In this blog I will not be giving advice on how to land a job in Silicon Valley, revealing big corporate secrets nor criticizing our American cousins, though sometimes very tempting. Rather, I will tell funny anecdotes and explain what was involved for us in moving from Canada to the USA. I will also include recipes I have sampled, tell you about little holes in the wall and inexpensive restaurants located here, in the Bay Area,  where my husband and I enjoyed the food, share some local photos, photos of our pets, tell you about dog friendly places and businesses and great places to visit. So let's get started !

After getting over the shock of actually receiving an offer from The Big Cheese, a company my husband David had been dreaming of for years,  we went out to dinner, to celebrate. We kept saying, as if to convince ourselves and make it more tangible: <we are moving to California>. Let us hope our waiter, that evening, did not think we were too weird. Being originally from Quebec, California had always had a dreamlike connotation to us and this, even after visiting this state on many occasions. However, the celebration was short lived when we started receiving all of the different forms to fill and believe me, they were numerous. A few trees' worth of paper. Of course, I exaggerate, but barely.  We kept several files with all of the documents involved and kept going back and forth to make sure we had everything needed for the move.  A paper nightmare in a computer world!


On top of a property to deal with, a home full of furniture, clothing and various objects, we had a car to move and, more importantly two 4 legged children. And all of this in a very short period of time.  After looking at and weighing different scenarios, Constance the cat would travel with David and Taylor the Golden Retriever would travel in his own condo-sized crate. To be continued in a next post ..........

For now, here is the first recipe.  It has to be one of the best and easiest salad dressing I have ever tried. It can be used as a salad dressing as well as a sauce for fish, or chicken, or pork or whatever you choose.  I found it in the owner's manual of one of my small appliances and have tweaked it a little to suit my taste.  I hope you will enjoy it.

Parmesan and Pepper Dressing

1Tablespoon black peppercorns
1 ounce Parmesan, cut into small pieces
1 shallot (1ounce), peeled and cut into small pieces
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar

Place whole peppercorns in blender and blend 10 seconds. Add Parmesan and blend 20 seconds. Scrape sides of jar. Add shallots and garlic and blend 10 seconds. Add remaining ingredients in order listed and blend 30 to 40 seconds or until all is homogenous and emulsified. Transfer to resealable container, preferably a glass jar, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavours to develop.

Bon appétit !


Lori