figs & oysters
2007-08-29 11:04:00
*squish*
Saturday is the Aptos Farmers market, with 90% organically grown produce. Woo Hoo! I noshed on figs and sipped fresh coffee, we watched 5 year olds rock out to the fiddle player who played for produce. His violin case was filled with eggplants instead of dollars.
We sampled local white cheddar, sniffed at heirloom tomatoes, and purchased enough purple basil to make caprese salad for 20 people.
Then, I bullied Ryan into eating oysters at the seafood bar. He really did not want to. I pushed. I huffed. I told him he was a gastronomic wimp. So, finally he agreed.
" 2 Myagi oysters for $1.50 each, please." And I made him pay.
Smooth and CrispySoft LOVE oysters and we do not share the same enthusiasm. Every time oysters are on the menu, or we pass a fresh bar like this - I make the effort to try to sample a new variety. I haven't found one I liked yet. And after Saturday-
Ug, no more. Never again. It's over. I'm breaking up with oysters. I can't cont
being naked
2007-08-27 11:34:11
I spent most of this weekend being, or itching to be naked. The moment my gold flip flops hit the sidewalk, of our favorite little beach village, the sun began to warp my brain of all common sense. This Saturday morning I was enjoying that I had nothing to do all weekend but spend time with Ryan. So I soaked up the delicious warmth, breathed in the salt air and let go of Ryan's hand, as we strolled the village, to take off the tee I had on over my camisole.
This was our first weekend alone, to celebrate our anniversary, before harvest season starts. (Which means 8 day a week work loads for Ryan until December.) We drove to Marina's kitchen to pick up a clone of the top of our cake from last year. (I was foolish enough to think that it would be decorated similarly to my actual wedding cake, but beggars can't be choosers. No purple and white polka dots or sugared champagne grapes for me.) The cake tasted exactly as we remembered it. A marble swirl batter with a mocha gan
sometimes the boy makes dinner
2007-08-30 11:09:00
Read more: makes
it's good to be queen
2007-09-24 13:08:22
This new "Director of Events" gig is only a week old and already I can see that I was meant for this sort of work. The Four Seasons of East Palo Alto is an excruciatingly beautiful hotel. Masculine amber colored wood accents, rectangle fainting couches, marble floors polished to a high shine; this hotel is so divine. Elisabel escorted me through the available spaces for my event, and showed me to the bar after I had booked my event.
(Smooth, CrispySoft, the Boy & I play "the bathroom game". Whenever we go somewhere together, we take turns rating the bathroom. We do this subtly. Returningto the dinner table, or the bar, you delicately drop your napkin to you lap and as you scoot in your chair, mummer the number that best represents the quality of the bathroom. This, of course, brings the conversation to a pause while the number is repeated by the person on your left, eyes all darting around the table at one another in scrutany. Meanwhile, the person acros
why i love ashton kutcher, besides being clever and hot
2007-09-20 14:43:27
I've recently discovered Orla Kiely, who's laminated canvas hand bags are not only weather proof, but drenching the photos of fellow flickr friends. Like my auntie, this is not a fashion blog, but Orla's form-follows-function designs can not be ignored. I usually trot out my, soon to be vintage, red canvas Coach purse from 2002, with over sized C logos and chestnut leather details, each winter. Rain drops and suede hobo's don't mix, so patent leather and canvas are what I take with me on rainy day errands.
I'm young and don't have babies so this is one of the distractions I spend my time thinking about.
(I gotta get a little preachy here, so please feel free to zip past this if my attention to trends ain't your thing.
And not to be a Snob, but I am so over outlet brands Coach and Cole Haan (owned by Nike). Fashion Accessories support you and your over all look, with their quality, attention to detail and the designers own unique charm. Quality and unique charm do not ex
a strange gift
2007-09-17 18:19:12
I have a silent reader who is very disappointed in me. (So says my aunt Andrea, who is married to this silent reader.) Angelina sent me an email that made me cry, Michelle's made me shut down my computer and leave the house because I just felt so terrible. But I was determined to not write any more, take a break, focus on other things. Then the universe sent me another email. (If you followed me on my previous blog, the first email I recieved from the Universe was an instant response to my shouting in frustration over a great many things. So it gave me Wine Maker Magazine.) This time it had enrolled me in an expensive on line writing course, focusing on food and wine reviews. The class costs $750 dollars.
I read my enrollment email over and over, then I called the writing program and admitted that I had not signed up for the class or paid for it. The girl on the phone assured me that it was paid for, and I was enrolled. "Relax, just take the class!" She cheered into the
picnic in the park quilt kit
2007-09-07 15:46:42
Introducing my very first Quilt Kit, Picnic in the Park!
My shop is now open! Though I had spent a great deal of time building a larger e commerce store, I realized that I wasn't ready yet. In many ways. Bonfire Vineyards is growing into a full fledged business, and Ryan and I need to focus on crushing grapes, designing labels, attending and pouring at tasting events and my favorite: developing our palettes. But, I promise to keep my esty shop full of treasures from my Antiquing trips in Oregon, or small kits I put together for quilts, table tops and pillows. Thanks to all my the readers who have expressed encouragement and support through out the summer as I struggled to open the shop.
terrible twos
2007-09-30 23:28:25
If you look up "Miyabi" online, in a Japanese baby name dictionary, it translates to "Graceful, elegant and gracious". Staring at Miyabi, as she writhed on the floor of Pechetti winery, her belly and pelvis thrusting toward the oak beams, face scrunched into a 3pm meltdown; I could only wrinkle my nose with the skeptisism. Laying on her back, Miyabi's brown curls splayed across the wooden floor, her chestnut eyes burning into the walls, her little fists pumped the air. Hiroko looked at me, with a practiced laugh, in an embarrassed "What can I do?" Japanese sort of way. I patted her shoulder compassionately. "Hiroko, you are right, she may have your looks, but she is all David." Then I shook my head with pity.
David, a Greek from Connecticut, is one of Ryan's wine partners for Bonfire Vineyards, and Hiroko is his Japanese wife. Ryan calls David at 8pm to talk "Bonfire" and all we hear is "Yaaahiaaahaaaayaaaaaaaaaaaaa
sunflowers for viognier / alton for fruitcake
2007-09-27 12:01:08
Hearing The Boy's car crunch the gravel in the driveway at 9:30pm last night, I raced down the stairs to greet him. He was accompanied by 4 buckets of Viognier grapes, complete with visible creepy crawlies escaping from the top. But, before I could freak out, he gave me this:
Oh. Well, OK then.
He explained that he needed "toping" juice for his wine as it fermented. This is sometimes called the "angels share". When wine ferments in oak barrels, often times 1 to 5 % of the juice evaporates. (you oak ferment for a number of reasons including imparting the toasted flavor of the oak into the wine) and to keep then amount of oak that is imparted into the juice, you want to be consistent and not have one barrel of wine be more concentrated with oak flavor then another. But, Ryan doesn't need the Viognier grapes yet, or rather, he doesn't have time to press them for the juice. So, they need to be kept cold, until he is ready to sue them.
I happily trimmed the
help wanted: grand marnier mustard recipe
2007-10-11 13:16:44
A year ago I discovered Grand Marnier Mustard at Market of Choice in Eugene, Oregon. Mostly an egg based spread, the mustard
is fantastic in home made dressings or on thick slices of bread for a turkey cranberry sand which! But, alas! I searched high & low for this mustard on my recent visit and was unable to find it. City of roses sells the mustard on-line, but The Boy has given me a new idea. Make my own. In a way, I believe he's trying to trick me into making him stone ground mustard with Stout ale. (Sierra Nevada Brewing Company makes a fine example.
So, I'm asking for advice on where to begin. Have you made mustard before? Tips, suggestions? And, best of all, could anyone get me started on how to make the egg based Creamy Grand Marnier mustard?
Read more: wanted
how do you like them apples
2007-10-10 16:21:00
Hey! What do you think? *looks around* It may change a bit... I need to live with it for a few days. I love that my favorite Illustrator, French Artist, Marie Perron, is sketching svelte clones of me.
I want to thank my dear friend Merisi of Merisi's Vienna For Beginners, for awarding me with the "Break Out Blogger Award". Her sentiments really brightened my day.
Returning the favor, I want to continue on the award by recognizing two outstanding blogs that I read daily.
Clarice of Storybook Woods is a California girl at heart. Her blog is a soothing oasis of inspiration and all things cozy. If her "about me page" doesn't charm you, nothing will.
Mary of Alpineberry is a San Francisco native with an unpretentious baking blog. I can't tell you how refreshing this is to not read a baking website where the cook thinks they are the only ones on the plant who can make a pear cobbler. Mary is a real domestic goddess. Her recipes are challenging, but she walks you th
the gargoyles
2007-10-09 13:33:05
When I was a little girl, five years old, we moved to a big, new house. This house was on a hill, far away from our old house, and all of my friends. Each room of the house was bigger then the next, and there were three floors, hidden closets, tucked away bathrooms, and tall stairs that led up to the front door. On the third floor were the bedrooms. My brother had a studio with windows on three sides, four carpeted steps lead up to his bedroom door and it reminded me of a tree house. the room was surrounded by oak trees that would wave and bend in the wind. My room was odd, but close to my parents room. three times the size of my old bedroom and when you entered through my bedroom door you had to walk through a hallway of closets to get to my bed!
My parents room was best of all, a little deck with a sofa that rocked, just like the oak trees, and a vast bathroom with a tub for sinking into. There was a fireplace in their bedroom, and above the mantel my father had bought and f
back from eugene!
2007-10-08 15:09:13
My auntie says it best! Please visit her site for an update on our road trip to Eugene, Oregon. Here are a few images from my camera...
Above we have cut your own flowers at Lone Pine Farms, and here we have the glorious Willamette (will-am-ete) River. There is a restaurant nearby called Mcmenamin's that over looks the river. I could sit there all day, nursing a cup of tea or a glass of Lorraine Valley Pinot Gris, and watch that river flow North to Portland.
Max, aka Maximum Chaos, leads our walk through Alton Baker Park in downtown Eugene. What I love about Eugene, and the list has numerous items, is that 80% of the city is dedicated to parks and natural forest. Citizens are motivated by the cities beauty to continue to strive for being as eco friendly and "green" as possible.
Becca has one room in her living room painted Matador Red. On her mantel are her seasonal decorations.
Pumpkins trundled in from the farm...
from jack with love
2007-10-03 10:52:36
My good friend Michelle, of All Things Michelle, sent me a care package in the mail yesterday. It was my idea to swap, after hearing what sounded like a rough couple of weeks that she had. She is a true friend, and so very thoughtful. Michelle sent me a gorgeous teacup I was collecting, to cure my birthday blues. Her butterfly garden, and weekend gardening posts are so inspirational, they make me long for my own place someday, to create such beauty all around my home as she does.
So last night I was sitting on my couch, alone, watching my favorite cozy Mystery on PBS (Rosemary & Thyme). I'm wolfing down a bowl of Brussel sprouts, when someone is banging my door knocker!! We don't have a bell. EEEeeeek! I shout."Sorry!" Says a voice from behind the door. I scramble to put my plate down, turn the telly off and to unlatch the door. When I open the door the UPS man is walking back to his truck and there is a HUGE box on door step.HURRAY my package had arrived!!!
eugene, oregon
2007-10-02 12:40:15
Thursday Morning, Andrea and I will pack our bags and hop into the Mini for a weekend getaway! Much deserved for Andrea, and much desired by me. Eugene is my home away from home. The same feeling of calm hits me,whether the tires of the plane hits the runway at Narita Airport or Eugene Oregon. My best friends have picked my two favorite places on the planet to reside, and so I visit each place as often as I can. While Tokyo invigorates me, Eugene is comfort food for my soul.
Bec lives across town from her mother, and my friend Cheryl, in an area of Eugene that is hilly and forested.
While Cheryl lives closer to the University and downtown.
I'm looking forward to:
Waving to Mount Shasta as the Mini drives by
Shamrock's Flowers & Gifts
5th Street Market Boutiques, including Miss Meers shoes, Modern, Marche, Provisions and French Quarter
Savoure tea shop
Antiquing in Coburg
Market of Choice, a grocery store committed to the quality of life and organic, local prod
gratuitous wine & puppies
2007-10-17 16:18:32
THE wine maker, and not my wine maker, sent Ryan home with a gift just for me! A bottle of his own wine made with grapes from my favorite vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Thank you! (With gifts like this you can keep him as long as you like! *wink* )
"Tell Sara I'm sorry that I'm keeping you out late every night and that I hope she isn't mad." I think this was a half joke.
Harvest up at Fogarty Winery seems to be better then usual. Ryan works 12 hours, every day of the week, and gets home at about 7:30pm. Not bad in comparison to last Harvest when my groom seemed to ditch me after the honeymoon and slave away for 15 hours a day for two months straight. Sadly, that is not an exaggeration. The difference this year, as it seems to me, is the volume of grapes. Harvest helpers and winery staff leave each day with a sense of accomplishment and not the sinking dread of unending work that needs to be done. Without jinxing Ryan , I'd like to assume that Harvest wi
Read more: puppies
bella rose
2007-10-16 11:32:50
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADELINE!!!!
Today you are 20! Gone are the days of reading Where's Waldo, to my little cousins, in the Toy Box Room.
We are so proud of you and wish you all the best with your new job! (?) Did you get it yet??
Read more: bella
costumes and macaroons
2007-10-18 16:10:51
(Sisters, and my cousins, Camille and Emily show off their very different personalities.)
Halloween is upon us and each year I look forward to my family's Halloween party. Held at my Grandfather's house, this party is in it's 15th year! Prizes are awarded for Most Effort, Scariest, Best Couple, Funniest and Best of Show. Ryan wins every year. To see more of our costumes please check out my Mom's blog, Sister's Choice Quilts for more photos!
Switching topics, let's talk tea and french things.
Thought I'd share a recent on line discovery. Laduree' of Paris is a bakery come tea-shop-home-decor line that began in 1862! Each season Laduree' takes on a theme for its shops, baked goods and home accessories. This Fall is "Theater". And French Theater at that. Seasonal flavors come into play for their macaroons. Ruby Kiss is the color of a lit jack o'lantern with the flavors of "chocolate, berries and spices".
I was recently given a book on Modern
cinderella pumpkins
2007-10-22 18:46:27
(garden guides)
(poshtots)
(credit Quan Nguyen)
Loads of good news today. Best friends, Ben & Lisa are moving to our neighborhood, from Napa!
And, I've lined up a Holiday job at a high end boutique. Pray for me. I mustn't spend my pay check in a store that sells hand bags for $600 minimum, right?
(image from Shopgirl)
P.s. Ryan and I are going to be anime characters for halloween... can you guess which ones?
busy, back soon
2007-10-30 10:38:42
halloween 2007!
2007-10-29 10:59:50
Big enough hint?
We had such a great time at the Halloween party, Saturday night. Here's the Wine Maker and I, with Death (aka my father) lurking from behind! (Does anyone know what the M on Trixie's outfit, and the G on Speed's stands for? ) We won the costume contest for "Best Couple" and Dad won for "Scariest".
My aunt Kate won "Best Over All" and my cousin Eric won for "Funniest" as a Miami Vice wanna be. Looks like the Corpse Bride is rather smitten with him!
Stephanie, one of my most stylish cousins, arrived as a husband scouting "Gold Digger"! She lamented that she had forgotten her shovel, but at least she had the head lamp!
CrispySoft "Sumo-sized" himself with an inflatable costume, complete with battery operated fan, while Smooth was an adorable pear shaped tourist. CrispySoft almost won for Funniest!
For more photos please check out Sister's Choice Quilts!
getting ready for the party
2007-10-26 13:47:10
Last year's Family Halloween Party picture. Mom and I both look pretty good as red heads don't we? As I mentioned in a previous post, our costumes for the Halloween party are always top secret, not to be divulged to anyone, for any reason. No exception. CrispySoft doesn't know this rule and I took advantage of that by asking him what he planned to be. Man, am I impressed. For a kid who doesn't enjoy Halloween, he is putting in a great deal of effort. I wonder what his girl, Smooth, will dress up as... Great effort and deail goes into these costumes and prizes are awarded at the end of the evening. CrispySoft may sweep the contest!
As for my costume, well, I tried it on yesterday and there was a wardrobe malfunction. Apparently it was made for people at least 5 inches shorter then I am. Meaning that I can either go with an exposed midriff, on purpose, or wear a dorky leotard underneath. Cold weather and my white belly are motivators for the leotard option. Ryan looks adorable in
Read more: ready
|
Recommend Site To A Friend
