1/2 cup pine nuts

2 cups basil

1/2-3/4 cup really good olive oil

Juice from 1 lemon

4 cloves of garlic

2/3 cup of romano

salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over thick egg noodles (trader joe’s has a terrific one)

Quick, easy, healthy, and DELICIOUS!

There are 7 parts (and 1 extra for California).  I think I should try to take an exam every couple of weeks.  Hopefully, I will complete most of the exams by early next year.  I plan to take Structural Systems in two weeks.

Programming, Planning & Practice
Contains 40 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for one sample vignette, and a list of references.

Site Planning & Design
Contains 39 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for two sample vignettes, and a list of references.

Building Design & Construction Systems
Contains 37 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for three sample vignettes, and a list of references.

Schematic Design
Contains one passing and one failing solution for two sample vignettes and a list of references.

Structural Systems

Contains 38 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for one sample vignette, and a list of references.

Building Systems
Contains 42 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for the sample vignette, and a list of references.

Construction Documents & Services
Contains 48 sample multiple-choice questions, one passing and one failing solution for the sample vignette, and a list of references.

“GRILLED” CHEESE: Walnut/blue cheese toast toasted with parmesan cheese.  After it is toasted, spread basil goat cheese and top with thin slices of fresh dry farmed early girl tomatoes.  Sprinkle with chopped basil.

…Add a side of avocado seasoned with a little dash of sea salt.

Comfort food!!!

In one giant pot, I planted 5 red beet plants (with a couple of chive plants, here and there).  They are still tiny but beautiful.

In another giant, plant, I sprinkled a bunch of carrot seeds.  They’re about 1 inch high and I think I need more pots to separate them.

In a wooden box, I have a oregano, mint, thyme, and sage plant.  I’m excited to watch them grow.

On my table, I have two varieties of basil and now they are growing roots…I’m not clear about when I should transfer them into pots.  Hmmmm..  Research time.

…Topped with roasted brussel sprouts, fresh organic sweet red pimento pepper, one avocado, dry farmed early girl tomatoes (ridiculously sweet), baby heirloom tomatoes, shaved parmesan cheese, and

…a delicious homemade dressing: 1 lemon, a dollop of basil goat cheese, salt, pepper, herbes des provence, really good olive oil, finely chopped shallots, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar…

…and a giant “crouton” (super toasted walnut, blue cheese toast) on the side.

yummy

1) In the morning, I did an hour of vinyasa flow yoga.  It was rough waking up in the morning but

2) Then, I did a quick run on the tread mill–15 minutes.

3) Did my morning routine of making calls, sending out e-mails.  Went to EDD to check up on the status of unemployment extensions.  In CA, I believe that I will be eligible for the 2nd and 3rd extensions–phew.  Sending out so many resumes and not getting even a courtesy, “thank you”–I need a break.  In the afternoon, I took a free 1.5 hour tennis class, courtesy of the City of San Francisco.  There were 5 people in the class and I got to work on my forehand, backhand, serve, volleys, smashdowns (I’m not sure what to call this stroke–it’s when the ball bounces really high on your side and then you smash down on the ball vertically), and finally the doubles game.  I guess I never realized how the position oneself in a doubles game.  The coach, Ron, absolutely loves what he is doing.  Everyone in the class is very appreciative because it is, after all, free.  No sense of entitlement, here–folks are genuinely appreciative.

4) After tennis, the driving range!  I have slicing the ball to the right–I’m a right-handed golfer so I’m confused by this development in my swing.  I think the problem stems from not rotating my wrists at the right time and from not turning my hips at the right time.  When I can get these fixed, I seem to drive about 140 yards with my 7 iron.  When I don’t, it’s like 100 yards.  Little movements sure make a big difference.

5) After the driving range, came softball.  During the first inning, I played 2nd base.  I was a bit hesitant because my left thumb is messed up; however, I was able to make the third out during the first inning.  A short, weak grounder came my way and I was somehow able to throw it to the first baseman.  I throw like a girl so it was quite surprising.  Then, during the second inning, I think someone was throwing the ball at me and I didn’t quite react in time.  The softball hit me square in the left cheek.  OUCH!!! I cried.  My whole left side of my face became numb, including my teeth–it was like I got a shot of Novocain at the dentist’s office, except my whole face pounded like crazy.