Quirky tag

I've been tagged by Liz at Love Those Cupcakes, to write six quirky things about me.
I think some of these are a lot of fun,and they can reveal a lot of things about our fellow bloggers:)

How to play

1. Link the person you tagged.

2. mention the rules

3. Tell six quirky, yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.

4. Tag six other bloggers by linking them.

5. Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that lets them know they've been tagged.

Please only play if you really want to and haven't done this already.


Here are my quirky things.

1. I have to have the end piece of a baguette, Always!

2. I always do my eye makeup first, before foundation.

3. I really dislike cheese so much, that if someone were to make me eat a slice of cold cheese on a sandwich I would break out into a cold sweat.

4. Things always have to be even. I can't buy 3 apples, it would have to be four or six.

5. HATE how we Americans over use the word Awesome, it sends me over! The Grand Canyon is Awesome. But not something like: "Hey, thats awesome, you get off work early." NO!!!!

6. Stamps on letters HAVE to be perfect in the corner of a letter. Thank goodness for these new stamps that you can reposition.


I think I will tag.

Nicole at Fashion Forestry

Caitlin at Feather

Amy at Bura ellen

Nerm and Kitty at Nerm and Kitty

Valerie at Un arc-en ceil-dans le lavabo

Annie at The Bunny Bungalow

Real letters and old friends

Remember the time we actually wrote pen and paper letters to one another? I really miss that. I don't miss how long it takes to get a letter though. That is probably the only thing I love about e-mails. The fact that you can fire one off to someone clear around the world in a matter of seconds. It will not however replace the feeling you get when you see that handwritten letter in the mail box.
The above letter in the picture, is from my pen pal.
When I was in fifth grade, we had to do a report on one of our fifty States,and I got Iowa. After we chose our State, we then had to choose a town or city in that State, write to the chamber of commerce to forward the letter to a local school,and hope that one of the students wanted to be your pen pal. I just couldn't wait to hear from someone! Then one day I looked in my mail box,and lo and behold, there sat this letter that you see above. I was so excited I instantly wrote back and mailed it the next day. By the way, check out the 8 cent stamp, and how I scrawled "letter number 1 on the top!
My pen pal is named Carolyn. I say it in the present, since we still to this day, after 35 years, still write to each other. We have never met,but still keep in contact. We stopped sending handwritten letters, and drifted for a very short time, until we started e-mailing and trying to use technology to our advantage. All the things we have shared through out the years could fill a book when I think about it. I can't believe that I still have this letter from 1973!
Recently, I have been feeling a bit out of it, then a few days ago I got an e-mail from Carolyn. It really made my day,and I was able to write some feelings and thoughts to her. As usual, it made me feel so much better, and thought about how lucky I was to have this faraway friendship.
We talk about meeting up someday, and I hope that we do. We have also thought this would be a fun feel good story to have on Oprah. Picture it, us coming on stage and meeting for the very first time after almost 35 years writing letters,then e-mails!
Just for fun, I may send her a piece of snail mail to celebrate our 35 year pen pal friendship, because nothing beats seeing a hand written letter in the mail box.

The last days of summer

We are coming down to the last days of summer. If you think this post will be about how sad I am that is it soon over, you will be mistaken. Happy days for me are around the corner. I have never loved the season of summer, and can only count maybe a very few that I had some good memories of. I wish I could be like the masses and enjoy every aspect of it, but truth be told, there is not too much going for it in my book. Boy do I sound like a gloomy Gus don't I.
For me summer is, heat, food that I really don't enjoy cooking, and not being motivated to do very much. Hopefully, when I turn that calender on to September you will start to see more lively posts and things that I have been working on. Right now I'm still working on the table runner, that is taking an eternity,and finishing the top,so that I don't feel guilty. Caitlin thought the top would look cute for next Easter, with some cute white capri pants. I'll finish it today, then put in the closet for next spring. I'm excited to start on the pillow with Caitlin's illustration too. I just have to get that darn lemon runner done. Cheer me on as I am trying to complete it by the 31st as a send off of summer!!

I love Gien

My first knowledge of Gien, was by a gift of dessert plates given to us by my dad and step mom. They gave us two of the lemon plates and two kiwi plates(not pictured). They also gave us the long tray with the bird on it.
When we took our first trip to France back in 1993, we traveled to the village of Gien, and went to the factory there. It was combined with a small museum and then the factory store that you can purchase their seconds or discontinued patterns. Gien is not cheap, so most of the pieces above, are from the seconds factory. The heart cup I bought back in 1993, the sweet pea cup and the other over sized one above it were purchased when we went back in 2003 while living in France. The demi tasse with the heron on it was purchased in a gift shop in St. Malo in Normandy. We also decided when we visited the factory to add more dessert plates, so we purchased the black berries and cherry plates. I really love most of their patterns, and treasure the collection that we have. If you ever travel to France and happen to be around Gien go to the factory, you will not be disappointed.

In progress

The jury is still out on this top. I still have to put the zipper in and hem it. BUT I tried it on, and I'm not so sure I like the look of it on me. Those are the perils of sewing for yourself!! That is why I much prefer sewing for Caitlin and others. In the store you can try on a million things, then toss them back on the shelf if you don't like it. When you make something for yourself, you spend the time and money, in the hopes that your vision will become real when you try it on. When I did a fit on this, I feel that it poofs out in front and back, not the most flattering. I still haven't pressed it all down yet,so that may make a difference. I have this terrible urge not to finish it though,but then I will feel bad that I didn't complete it. I'll give you an update on what I decide. Everyone really seems to like the chair in my sewing room, I thought I'd reveal that I got it at good old IKEA. I think it is a newer item.

I'm actually using my new sewing table!

I'm working on a top that I cut out last summer! I meant to start on it back in March, and I even posted on it. It got derailed when I had to help Caitlin with all her sewing for her senior project, then her prom dress. That prom dress did me in for a bit, with a sore shoulder. I'm back at it again, and when it is done,I will post a picture. Hopefully by Monday you will see the finished top,unless it turned out hideous!
I bought some really cute patterns the other day that I'm excited about, and those projects will be on here too. Wish me luck on no more distractions, and finally completing this top. To see this project, go to my sewing link, or my March posts. It is the silk aqua top. See ya guys :)

A light dish ,on a hot summer evening

This will most likely be the last of Monday's with Caitlin, as she starts her first year of college on the 18th of this month. I'm not saying that she will stop cooking all together, but I think every Monday may not happen.
This was her latest recipe.

Rice Noodles with Tofu and Bok Choy

1 package (6oz.) package rice noodles

1/4 cup low- sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon dark sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Cooking spray

2 cups (1/4 inch-thick) red bell pepper strips

5 cups sliced bok choy

1/2 pound firm water-packed tofu, drained and cut into 1/2 inch cubes

3 garlic cloves,minced

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion (there called spring onions in the UK)

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (Chinese parsley)


1. Cook noodles in boiling water 6 min(or follow package instructions); drain. combine soy sauce, vinegar,sugar, oil,and crushed red pepper, stirring well with a whisk.

2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add bell peppers; saute 2 min. Add bok choy; saute 1 min. Add tofu and garlic;saute 2 min Add noodles and soy sauce mixture; cook 2 min. or until thoroughly heated, tossing well to coat. Sprinkle with onions and cilantro. Yield: 4 servings

This is very nice for a hot summer day. Also low in calories,281 per serving. As you can see by the empty bowls, we quite liked it!! Caitlin cooks another hit!

Napa Valley has more than just wine

We started here. Bouchon Bakery,owned by Thomas Keller who of course also owns French Laundry and the small Bistro pictured below.
Plum tarts. Very good and light on the pallet.Not overly sweet or butter laden.
Caitlin got an eclair.
Bouchon Bistro, our next destination on another day!
We must have driven by this a dozen times vowing we would go in, we finally did.
How would you like to go to culinary school here?! This use to be Christian Brothers winery.
Inside the CIA,going into their store.
Our next stop was this east coast institution.
Tempting cupcakes
Their spice tins filled with candy.
Food store eye candy
One of our favorite restaurants in San Francsico, but this is the original in St. Helena
Neat retro look from the 1940's
Nice outdoor seating. It was a nice summer evening.
Duck confit tacos.
Heirloom tomato mozzarella sandwich.

We decided on a whim Saturday after lunch, to go to Napa Valley. It was such a beautiful day, that we just had to. It is 45 min away,and sometimes I forget how lucky we are that it is so close. Most times we end up in Sonoma Valley,but this time we had an agenda. You see, instead of doing a wine tour, we did a culinary one instead. We started at Bouchon Bakery in Yountville, next to the bistro Bouchon and down the street from The French Laundry. As explained above, these three places are owned by Thomas Keller. We had been wanting to go to the bakery for a while,and my friend Christine,who has said that she loves a certain cookie there, said we must go in and get something. We bought a treat and a few things for later,like three croissants for Sunday morning and a multi grained loaf of bread. Did we stop there? No! We also wanted to try their macaroons, to compare them to Laduree in Paris. Here is the verdict: All of it was fantastic, and the closest to French pastries that I have tasted since I moved back. The macaroons were right up there with Laduree!!
After pigging out at the bakery, we went for a drive to see a winery that David wanted to visit,but when we got there is was closed. On our way back, we drove by the CIA (Culinary Institute of America). Like I said above, in the past we have driven by this building many times. I saw it when it was Christian Brothers winery,and CIA. I decided to just make us park and go snoop inside. I would love to take some classes there! We looked around the store for a bit,and left empty handed. My kitchen is so fully stocked that I couldn't possibly add another thing.
Another place I have been wanting to visit, was Dean and DeLuca. They are an upscale grocery chain from the east coast. In this one of course, many things were local. Very pretty store, but once again, I left empty handed. Most of the items sold there are at our local Whole Foods, so there was no point in buying anything. Just plain eye candy is all.
It was about 6:00 when we decided that it was time for dinner,and we saw that Taylor's Refresher was just down the road. We always go to the one in the city in the Ferry building,and knew about the original,but had never been to it. I just got my new issue of Bon Appetite and there was an article on them, along with Thomas Keller. So, we had our dinner there. This place is no ordinary burger joint. Sure it sells them, but they are upscale and amazing quality. The buns alone are a thing of beauty. They have a great wine selection and also sell other items that would not belong in a regular burger joint. David and I had both ordered duck confit tacos with mango jicama salsa, while Caitlin had an heirloom tomato mozzarella sandwich on sourdough bread. If you ever go to St Helena in Napa Valley, you must go there,or their sister location in San Francisco.
So folks, that was our culinary tour through the Napa Valley on a beautiful California sunshiny day!

Welcome back to Caitlin cooks on Monday

Last night, Caitlin made vegetable lasagna. She had a lot of fun putting it together, and learning about making pesto from scratch. The recipe called for store bought pesto to be mixed with the ricotta. We decided that she should make her own,since it is so simple and fun to make. It was another Cooking Light recipe, so that means that you have to either follow it to the letter, or do some switching up.She decided to add a bit more veggies. The one other lesson learned last night was, that carrots can be unpredictable. The recipe called for simmering the sauce and veggies for five min. It wasn't quite long enough to soften the carrots up. Even when the lasagna was cooked for an hour, those darn carrots stayed firm! Other than that, it was a very nice,light dinner. If anyone wants the recipe let us know.

Brideshead Revisited

Original duo from 1981 series. Charles to the left, Sebastian to the right
New duo from film, Sebastian from the left, Charles from the right

We went into the city Saturday to see the new "Brideshead Revisited." The only place showing this movie in our area was what I call, "the dome theater." I really don't care for this theater,so off we went to the city to see it in a much better setting. I saw the original series, from the novel by Evelyn Waugh,back in the late eighties. I loved it, and had very romantic memories of it. The most memorable scene from the series was a lunch that Sebastian held for Charles. The tableware was gorgeous and the witty conversation memorable. I was all set to not like the new version,because how could they top the original. While the film did a great job with that scene, I still love the series version the best. Don't get me wrong though, there is plenty of eye candy in the film.
All the way home I went on and on about the series and how magical it was,and couldn't wait to get home to see if there were clips on You Tube of the series, in particular the lunch scene. Caitlin was not convinced that the old version was going to be as magical as I had remembered. She said, "Mom you know it will be dated." She was half right. The lunch scene was still as pretty as I had remembered, but the "windswept" music in the background and the hair styling was very dated!! It is amazing how far the film industry has come, when they can take a period piece and make it look more of that time. I still think the original series was amazing, since it had all the time to flesh out the characters, but the film is a good condensed version of the novel. Which do you prefer, the original duo or the new duo?

Easy Calzone

Friday I made this yummy calzone. Years ago, it use to take some doing to make these,as I would make the dough from scratch,and clean a ton of spinach by hand. Fast forward to now,and I make these in a much easier way. Now that spinach is comes in huge bags or containers cleaned, it makes that part of the process so much faster. I bought some pizza dough from my local Whole Foods. You get that nice tasting real pizza dough that only they can make. Or you can get some from you local pizza joint. Back to the easiness; In a big bowl, combine the spinach, cheese,garlic,and salt. Roll out the dough pretty large,then heap a ton of the spinach mixture,because it will shrink.Fold it up like a little turn over and pinch all the seams very tightly. Then bake in a pre-heated 450 degree oven. I made a sauce to go with it,but you can eat it plain.
Enjoy!!

Can't wait for Sunday

Sunday couldn't come any sooner I say! Usually you would not hear me say this, since Sunday is not may favorite day of the week. BUT, my favorite new show is on that night,and I can't wait. Melissa
knows what I'm talking about. This show is so amazing in its portrayal of 1960's, with the clothing and everything that went along with that era. I didn't see the series when it originally aired last year,but stumbled on it in July. Comcast was running all 13 episodes on demand. It was fun seeing it straight through and knowing that when we were done, the new season was starting on July 27th.
If you haven't gotten to see it, check it out. I think you will become addicted like we are :) They have won a golden globe,and they are nominated for 16 Emmy awards!!
Just look at that picture, they look so cool don't they?!