A backyard is a place of sanctuary and recreation. Whether you want to relax, play in a pool, or have a barbecue with friends, there are many ways to enhance your backyard experience. Here are a few items you can add to your home’s outdoor space to make it even more enjoyable.
Celebrating Cinco De Mayo From Home
Happy Cinco De Mayo! If you want to enjoy some authentic Mexican cuisine from home today and support local restaurants, check out some of the best dishes (and deals) in town!
Zocalo in midtown, which dubbed Tuesday “Cinco de Quarantino”, offers both pickup and delivery, and continues to serve up its taco Tuesday special, which includes a margarita, taco bar, chips and salsa, serving two for $25.
Rey Azteca in Carmichael, which was voted KCRA’s “Best Mexican Food” in 2014 and 2016, also offers both pickup and delivery. They have some great deals going on this week including an “Emergency Family Meal” that feeds a family of five and includes 1 pound of Carnitas, 1 pound of Carne Asada, 1 pound of Marinated Chicken, Beans, Rice, Salsas, Chips, and most importantly, 1 roll of toilet paper! Talk about a deal… Check out their full online menu here.
Mayahuel, downtown on K Street, is open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily, offering a variety of meals as well as delicious cocktails to-go. Click here to browse their online menu. After placing your order, you can give them a call at 916.441.7200 when you are parked outside and they will bring out your food.
Chando’s Tacos is also open at its locations on Arden Way, Power Inn Road, as well as in Roseville and West Sacramento. They are serving up family-style taco kits and survival kits in varying sizes. Click here for Cinco De Mayo deals and to place your online order.
Yard House: Thirsty? Yard House is offering two types of margaritas available to-go for $6 each this Cinco de Mayo. It’s also offering 15% off all takeout orders for pickup through May 17. Click here to see their full drink and food menu.
La Terraza in Old Sac has a great deal going on for party trays today. Choose from Carnitas, Chicken, or Steak Fajitas that are all paired with beans, rice, tortillas, sour cream, pico de gallo, and chips and salsa.
Do you have a favorite local spot that is serving up some delicious Cinco De Mayo dishes? Let me know in the comments section below!
Stuck at home? Here’s how you can stay connected, healthy and happy!
In an effort to contain the outbreak of the new coronavirus, most of us are self-quarantining in the comfort and safety of our own homes. And while we are all doing our part to protect our family members, friends, and community, it’s safe to say that we may be feeling a bit stir-crazy.
That’s why we’ve put together some of our favorite ways to stay connected with friends and family, give back to our local community, and stay entertained (and yes sane) during this period of social distancing. Just remember that while we may feel alone at times, we are all in this together.
Wondering how you can give back to your community? Check out some of the ways that you can help those affected by this pandemic.
Foster a furry friend: Social distancing can be lonely but many Americans have found the perfect solution—fostering a pet in need. While some local organizations are reporting a rise in foster applications, many have been forced to shut down and are in dire need of fosters, donations and much-needed resources. Click here to find a shelter near you.
Donate masks and supplies: Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), Sacramento County has started accepting donations from the community to give to health professionals and emergency responders.
- The county is accepting the following unused items: • N95 mask of any type
- Surgical or procedural masks
- Non-latex medical gloves
- Hand sanitizers
- Disinfectant sprays
The donation site is at 9680 Conservation Road in Sacramento. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health and UC Davis Medical Center are also accepting community PPE donations. Each hospital has a list of items needed from the community. Click on the above links to learn more.
Give the gift of blood: Now more than ever, blood centers are in need of life-saving blood supplies. Sacramento-area residents can donate blood through Vitalant by making an appointment online or calling 877-25-VITAL. The American Red Cross is also holding community blood drives throughout the greater-Sacramento area. To find a blood drive near you, visit the American Red Cross online.
Blood centers encourage donors to make appointments in advance so staff can prepare and ensure there is adequate space for social distancing. Trips to blood donation sites are generally permissible even in areas with “shelter in place” directives, as they are deemed medically necessary. The coronavirus does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process, according to AABB, a national organization advancing transfusions and cellular therapies. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has reiterated that there have been no reported or suspected cases of transfusion-transmitted coronavirus.
Have you been binge-watching Netflix a little too much lately? Below are some ideas to keep your mind, body, and home healthy during this time.
Read something new: Escape reality for a bit and enter into a world of action or adventure. Download a free eBook at manybooks.net or buy books, magazines and newspapers straight from your Nook, Kindle or iPad.
Take up an exercising regime: Feeling restless? There are plenty of virtual fitness programs and apps being offered right now. There are also lots of beautiful hiking and walking trails in the Sacramento area. Click here for some inspiration and be sure to practice social distancing.
Start prepping your garden: Soak in the sunshine and prep your garden for spring! Here are ten tips to get your garden in tip-top shape.
Do some spring cleaning: Being stuck at home means there’s no excuse to put off cleaning. Check out these five tips for spring cleaning this year.
Spruce up your walls with some fresh paint: Now that you’ve had more time to stare at your walls, you might be considering a fresh coat of paint. Check out this year’s most popular paint trends here.
Go Down the Pinterest rabbit hole: Check out the Pinterest “Stay Safe. Stay Inspired” Board where you will find 26 sections with delicious recipes, activities for kids, home teaching ideas, ways to organize your home, happy hour recipes and much more!
Visit a virtual museum: Thanks to technology, we can still visit a museum even if we can’t leave the house. Check out Travel and Leisure’s list of 12 museums that offer virtual tours. You can “visit” famous locations in the US or abroad in Seoul, Berlin, Florence and more. You can also get your art fix with the Google Arts and Culture app for iPhone and Android. The app lets you view paintings, read up on masterpieces, and find your famous painting doppelganger. The Georgia Aquarium and the Monterey Bay Aquarium have turned on webcams so you can still watch otters, fish, and penguins without the crowds. Last but certainly not least, be sure to check out this video of a puppy field trip at an Aquarium!
Host a Netflix viewing party: If you and your friends have a Netflix subscription, you can schedule a time to watch a movie or show synced together. A free Google Chrome extension called Netflix Party syncs video playback so you can play and pause at the same time. It also has a group chat feature so you can keep the conversation going while you watch.
Stream a virtual concert: As we adjust to this new norm, many artists are taking their shows online. Check out Billboard’s list of live streams and virtual concerts to watch here. Also be sure to visit Live Nation’s website for additional live concerts, streaming and virtual events.
Support your local restaurants and shops: If you’re not in the mood to cook, now is a great opportunity to support your local restaurants and shops. Many restaurants are offering takeout or no-contact delivery options.
Interested in learning more about the current real estate market? Contact me today!
You’re in Luck! Sacramento has lots in store this St. Patty’s Day!
March is in full swing and lucky for us, Sacramento has lots of Saint Patty’s Day celebrations in store! Read on for a full line up of local events and activities, plus ways that you can celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day at home.
Whether you’re looking for some festive ways to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day around the Sacramento area or are simply in need of some weekend plans, you’ve come to the right place. Click on the below links for a round-up of exciting ways to live it up this St. Patty’s Day!
Events and Happenings:
- Sacramento Kings Game Schedule
- Pre-Saint Paddy’s Day Parade (March 12)
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Old Sacramento (March 14)
- Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration University of Beer (March 14)
- St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl (March 14 & 17)
- St. Patrick’s Day Alive After Five Cruise (March 14 & 17)
- St. Patrick’s Day Rock on the Yacht Cruise (March 14)
- 15th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl (March 14)
- Shamrock’n Roll Festival & Beer Garden (March 14)
- Shamrock Shimmy Presented by Discovery Play (March 14)
- Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Firefighter After Party (March 14)
- Shamrock’n Half Marathon, 5K 10K & Leprechaun Dash (March 14 & 15)
- St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland @ Harris Center (March 15)
- Wil O’Mylar and The Langers St. Patrick’s Celebration (March 17)
- Cahersiveen St. Patrick’s Day Celebration (March 17)
- Dúlamán: A St. Patrick’s Day All Choirs Concert in Sacramento (March 17)
Do you plan on celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in the comfort of your own home this year with friends and family? From appetizers and mains to creative cocktails and desserts, we’ve put together a list of fun recipes that will be sure to impress your St. Patty’s Day crew.
Festive Drinks: Get the party started with these festive beers, mixed drinks, and mocktails!
- Green Beer: It wouldn’t be Saint Patrick’s Day without green beer. With just a couple drops of green dye, you can make your own. Get the recipe here.
- Irish Coffee: Celebrate the occasion with this Spiked Irish Coffee!
- Lucky Charms Shots: Try out these “magically delicious” shots with Bailey’s Irish Cream and Lucky Charms!
- Shamrock Sour Cocktail: Whiskey sour gets a festive makeover by going green.
- Jameson Jello Shots: Saint Patrick’s Day isn’t complete without jello shots! Try making these Jameson Jello Shots.
- Fuzzy Leprechaun: This yummy fruity cocktail is made with peach schnapps, blue Curacao, and vodka. Learn how to make it here.
- Lime Sherbert St. Patty’s Day Punch (Non-Alcoholic): This delicious lime sherbert drink packs a punch! Learn how to make it here.
- Irish Car Bombs: End the night with an Irish Car Bomb!
Bring on the Appetizers: Looking for some tasty appetizers to go with that green pint of Guinness? Check out these St. Patty’s Day approved dips, bites, and sliders.
- Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders: This ridiculously easy app is taken to the next level with Guinness-braised cabbage. Learn how to make it here.
- Pretzel Dog Beer Cheese Dip: You can’t go wrong with beer, cheese, and pretzels. Click here to make this crowd-pleasing app.
- Irish Nachos: If you haven’t tried Irish Nachos, you’re missing out. What’s not to love about a heaping pile of potato chips, slathered in beer cheese and topped off with crunchy bacon and fresh chives? Get the recipe here.
- Bacon-Wrapped Cabbage Wedges: When in doubt, add bacon. Learn how to make this recipe here.
- Irish Pub Cheese Recipe: This creamy cheese pairs well with pretzels or pita chips. Learn how to make it here.
- Saint Paddy’s Dill Dip: Serve this delicious dip with raw vegetables or crackers of your choice.
Mains: These Irish-inspired dishes will take your Saint Patrick’s Day celebration to the next level.
- Soda Bread: Soda bread anyone? Learn how to make this quintessential Irish side here.
- Corned Beef in Beer (Crockpot): Let your crockpot do the work by trying out this tasty Corned Beef in Beer recipe.
- Irish Cabbage and Bacon: There’s nothing boring about this cabbage dish, which is loaded with bacon, onions, chicken broth, and mustard seeds.
- Irish Pan Haggerty Potatoes: This classic Irish potato dish is loaded with sliced potatoes, bacon, onions and lots of cheese. Check out the recipe here.
- Irish Stew: This comfort dish features tender lamb, hearty carrots and potatoes topped off with herb butter.
Desserts: Don’t forget the dessert! Consider making one of these holiday-inspired treats.
- Pot O’ Gold Cups: These little brownies prove that you don’t have to go to the end of the rainbow to find the perfect St. Paddy’s Day dessert.
- Lucky Charm Eclaires: As if eclairs couldn’t get any more tasty, this recipe swaps your standard chocolate fair for a citrus filling topped with Lucky Charms.
- Green Velvet Pops: Forget red velvet — green velvet will be your new favorite rich (and seasonally appropriate) flavor.
- Irish Chocolate Pots de Creme: Not only is this dessert gorgeous but it’s also “melt in your mouth” amazing! Add two tablespoons of Baileys for that Irish touch. Check out the recipe here.
- Shamrock Shake Cupcakes: This minty cake topped with fluffy whip cream mousse is what dreams are made of! Get the full recipe here.
Six Taco Places in Sacramento to Check Out for Taco Tuesday!
Happy Taco Tuesday! In honor of this delicious weekly tradition, I scoured the Sacramento area to find a few of my favorite taco spots. So, bring your appetite and get your taco fix on by visiting one of the below places today.
Zocalos: With two nearby locations in midtown and University Village, Zocalos is the perfect place to celebrate Taco Tuesday in style. This upscale restaurant and bar serves up some delicious handcrafted margaritas, mouth-watering tacos, and a lovely dining atmosphere. Kick-off your meal with their freshly prepared guacamole starter. Because why not? For entrees, try their Baja Fish Tacos or their popular Carnitas Tacos. Their robust drink menu features everything from classic margaritas to mojitos and Palomas. They also have a great happy hour menu for drinks and tacos.
Mesa Mercado: If you’re a fan of the finer things in life, like freshly muddled margaritas and authentic Mexican cuisine, then you may want to make Mesa Mercado in the Carmichael Milagro Centre your new go-to Taco Tuesday spot. For a margarita with a little kick to it, try their Pepino Picante, with muddled cucumber, chili powder, fresh lime juice, and 100% blue agave tequila, and mescal. For a sweeter margarita without a headache, try their Mango Margarita, with pureed mango and chile, their secret margarita mix and freshly sliced mango, and chile spice topped at the rim. If you want some food to go with that margarita, you can’t go wrong with their roasted pork tacos.
Chandos Tacos: If you’re looking for the authentic taco experience for a great price then look no further than Chando’s Tacos. Enjoy your choice of Chando’s Signature Meats topped with cilantro, onions, guacamole, and salsa. They also have a large menu with burritos, tortas, quesadillas, you name it! Check out one of their five locations here.
Midtown’s Cantina Alley: Voted the KCRA List A Winner for “Best Mexican Restaurant” and “Most Trendiest Bar”, Midtown’s Cantina Alley continues to raise the bar for Mexican cuisine and drinks. Try their Chorizo Street Taco or their Crispy Papa Taco loaded with potatoes, green salsa, cotija cheese and a raddish garnish…you won’t be disappointed! They also have a great selection of margaritas and oversized tropical drinks like their Pina Con Chile, which is served in a large pineapple. Check out their menu here.
Mas Taco Bar: As their name suggests, Mas Taco Bar is the place to visit if you’re craving tacos. This popular restaurant features unique, untraditional tacos ranging from pork belly and duck confit, to Korean fried chicken and fried oysters, to name a few. The tacos run the gamut of flavors, and the menu also features appetizers, a handful of “not tacos,” bowls and desserts. The cocktail menu offers specialty margaritas and craft cocktails handmade with fresh ingredients, easily paired with any taco. Enjoy a drink menu with 25 beers and more than 50 tequilas to explore and taste. Click here to find a location near you.
Taco Bell Cantina: Ok so this isn’t your typical sit-down restaurant with upscale food and tacos… but it is one of just a few Taco Bell Cantinas open across the United States and it just opened its doors so it’s worth checking out. Wondering what makes this location so special compared to other Taco Bell locations? Well for starters, it’s the only Taco Bell restaurant in the area where you can buy beer—including two local beers from Knee Deep in Auburn and Heretic in Fairfield—and freezes spiked with Tahoe Blue Vodka. They also serve up special Cantina Nachos that are not offered at any other location.
Do you have a favorite Taco Tuesday spot that you don’t see on the list? Let me know in the comments section below!
Sacramento has some sweet surprises in store for February…
Hello February! Lucky for us, Sacramento has a lot of sweet surprises in store this month in the form of food, festivities, and fun. From Kings games and concerts, to indulgent wine and chocolate tastings, to Valentine’s Day activities, we’ve got you covered.
Love is in the air…and Sacramento is gearing up in true style with events and activities that will be sure to sweep you off your feet. Click on the below links for a round-up of exciting things happening in and around the city!
Cue the chocolate and roses because Valentine’s Day is just around the corner… but don’t fret! Whether you have a special someone that you’d like to treat to a romantic dinner or you want to paint the town red with friends, we have some fun restaurants and hang out spots for every occasion!
For the total romantic: Located in the heart of Old Sacramento, just steps away from the iconic river setting, small boutiques, and more, The Firehouse Restaurant exudes romance on every level. But it’s not just its location that impresses – this intimate restaurant features an unparalleled menu highlighting the freshest local ingredients and they showcase the region’s most extensive wine collection. Indulge in their four-course Valentine’s Menu and choose from delicious dishes with options including their filet mignon, garlic potato croquette, and rich brownie cake. Click here to reserve your table!
For the perfect “ladies night out”: Planning on having a “Galentine’s” night with your favorite ladies? Located in the Pavillions, Wildwood Kitchen & Bar is a must-visit! This trendy restaurant features a beautiful indoor venue with bar and booth seating, an expansive patio area with twinkling white lights, and delicious food pairings. If you’re opting for something lighter, try their Chicken Salad, which is packed with rotisserie chicken, mixed veggies, and goat cheese, then topped with a six-minute egg and drizzled white balsamic vinaigrette. They also have a wide array of vegetarian and gluten-free options and will be offering Valentine’s Day specials. Just be sure to call for reservations ahead of time as they tend to book up quickly. Click here to plan your night!
For a memorable “night out with the boys”: If you’re planning on spending a low key night out with the guys this year, head on over to Punchbowl Social. Just steps away from the Golden 1 Center, this popular hangout spot always seems to attract a fun crowd. For starters, their kitchen whips up some delicious culinary delights including Green Chorizo Fries, Chicken ‘N’ Waffles, and Five Layer Beef Brisket Chili. Need we say more? As for beverages, the sky’s the limit! Choose anything from a handcrafted cocktail to your favorite beer. Their featured “Shot Through the Heart” drink is said to pack a punch. The best part? There’s games – and lots of them. From bowling and shuffleboard to karaoke and arcade games, there are activities here for everyone to partake in.
According to CNBC, weekly mortgage refinance applications spiked 15% last week as interest rates plunged to their lowest in nearly 4 years. Click here to read the full article and see how this change could affect real estate market!
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- Next Page »