I have had such a good time sharing my experiences with you here at katherinejhan.com. Thanks for sharing with me as I took my first steps into the blogosphere and really started to explore my interest in food, books, photos, art, and … food.

What once started as a subsection of a personal website has taken on a life of it’s own. So D has been nice enough to put together a new website for us that is so beautiful it makes me smile whenever I see it. So please join me at the new site, A Flavor for Life, and if you find that you like it, maybe you can subscribe to the RSS feed, and tell your friends, too!

At times, your life will have moments, days, even weeks of despair. Trust me: there is no bout of blues that a rich Bolognese sauce, filling every cubic inch of kitchen air, cannot cure.

- T. Egan

G visited town this weekend, and as A would have it, she brought some of God with her, too. We had a fantastic time traipsing around town for the two days of our first sunny weekend here in Boston. And on each of these day-long journeys on foot, we discovered hidden gems nestled in the city.

On our first day of venturing into the city, I rediscovered old haunts with G as well as some new ones as we walked the freedom trail. G and I wasted no time revising the freedom trail itinerary, as we bypassed  some of the cemeteries on the itinerary, opting instead to take scenic routes in order to revel in the cherry blossoms and spring foliage.

On the returning leg of our foray across the river to the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument, my nose caught a whiff of the most delicious aroma of freshly baked bread as we were walking through the North End. I followed my nose straight into Bova’s Bakery, hopped up to the counter, and carefully selected a petite scala straight out of the oven. Just one, please. Mind you, there was nothing petite about the scala neither in size nor flavor, as G and I broke bread in front of The Paul Revere House. It was still warm from the oven, and it had a crackly crust spackled with toasted sesame seeds and a moist interior that gave way just enough upon first bite. It was the most simple, delicious, and well-appointed dinner to wrap up our day’s forays. And for $1.75, it was a steal.

The next day, G and I took a winding walk across and down the Charles in our cheerful sundresses, finally ending up at Newbury Street. It was here that we chanced upon the Natural Bean, which promises to become my favorite coffee house in the Back Bay area. It operates on a great eco-friendly concept, using all recyclables, and it makes fantastic light and dark roast coffees. The difference really is in the details, and Natural Bean does a great job at it. In fact, they even distill their own water and infuse it with minerals on the premises. That attention to detail and consideration for their patrons and for the environment gives them major points in my book. Plus, they’ve been offering a “grand opening” special of free coffee and tea for the past month and a half. So go and enjoy before the special ends!

Craving … a sliver of chong gak kimchi on top of a steaming spoonful of sticky rice – all washed down with iced barley tea.