Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's the food. Yes, really it's all about the lovingly prepared and deliciously slow cooked goods — oh and the wine too. Then it's the fun of spending so many uninterrupted hours with friends and family. Lastly it's the colors. The late autumn palette is so beautiful.

Little bunny and I just can never get enough of our father's fabulous and practically famous Scarborough dressing. Here is the recipe for all (and mostly so we all have access to it!)

Simon & Garfunkel Dressing

1 ½ - 2 large loaves sourdough
1 egg slightly beaten
Generous quantity of fresh parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme finely chopped
1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion
1 head garlic chopped fine
¾ cup celery chopped fine
1 ½ cups chicken broth

Sauté onion, garlic and celery in olive oil until soft
Cut or pull bread in small cubes
Pour sauté over bread
Add broth, herbs and mix by hand
Mix in beaten egg
Stuff turkey

Turkey Sauce

Sauté giblets in olive oil
Deglaze pan with zinfandel
Pour into sauce pan with browned giblets
Add two cups chicken broth
Add a bouquet of herbs, sage, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper
Cook one hour at simmer
Strain and add port wine to taste
Thicken with burre blanc
Salt and pepper to taste

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When I picked Max up from school today I got a big "milestone" surprise. Max has started writing words! He sort of jumped right over writing single letters and is busting out with full words. He bragged to me during the ride home that he can indeed write all the letters — all the ones in the alphabet. He gave me this adorably smug grin and happy head nod. Amazing! Above you'll see his playground chalk words "MAX, LUNCH, CAT & CAKE."

This morning I came across this great parenting site titled, Half Full, Science for Raising Happy Kids. The first article I read on welcoming conflict and how to deal with it was fantastic and left me wanting more. The site is deep with information and help and I will defiantly be referring back to it and visiting often. Two other sites I want to keep tabs on are Practically Speaking (by the woman who started the Works for Me — working mothers yahoo group) and this new blog by two moms called Parent Grapevine.

Technorati Tags: Bay Area, blogging, motherhood, parenting

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Just been browsing around the web while Vivi naps (finally!! she gave me quite a fuss this morning) and came across a few inspiring artists I want to note and check out later. Above is Annora Spence. I like the her figures and drawn line quality as well the quirky subjects and strange landscapes. Sewing illustration by Janet Bolton and another example here too. Embroidery as illustration by Louise Baldwin. [tracing threads exhibit] Lovely kids clothes and a gorgeous website design by catimini. Visit Kirin's Notebook blog with hand painted textiles by Ink & Spindle. Crafting and illustration blog by Bella Dia (free gift tag list) & two straight lines. Vivi is now awake, ciao.

Technorati Tags: art, craft, embroidery, illustration

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Family's smiles from the photo booth at Chuy's in Austin.

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We had a lovely, really, truly, deeply, relaxing weekend far away from our real life. We spent it at the Sonoma Mission Inn, ahhhh. I indulged in a massage and facial (thank you Sherry!!) and we ate really well at Sante, the poolside cafe, the Big 3 and the Girl and Fig. Plus the weather was marvelously warm and the fall colors were stunning. Thank you to Maga, Paga, Aunnie & Yaya for taking care of our little ones so that we could rejuvenate.


Our lunch at Bouchon in Yountville was the most amazing meal of the weekend (though Big 3's french toast is a close second). We were seated in a romantic corner table where we could watch the entire restaurant bustle. I love the red velvet booth seating and parisian brassiere details. We shared a frisse salad with poached egg and lardon with a mustard dressing and washed it down with local bubbles by Domain Chandon. Next, I had the lobster roll special served on a brioche bun with frites and Mr. C had the earthy "tastes like fall" Boudin Noir. For dessert we had the bouchon corked shaped chocolate brownies with peanut butter ice cream and peanut brittle shards. Somehow we managed to roll ourselves home afterward.

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Look who is ready for her close up! A million thank yous to aunnie and yaya for taking care of the sweetest, but so hard to get to sleep, baby. xxoo

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Rumored to be posted in the Obama headquarters are these profound words:

Rosa sat so Martin could walk
Martin walked so Obama could run
Obama ran so our children can fly

I partied with my fellow San Franciscans on the streets of the Mission last night, go “o” mama. It was wild and exhilarating!! The crowds closed the streets from traffic and captured the 22 Fillmore — the patrons had to get off and catch diverted buses. People were dancing on the top of the bus, running through the crowds with American flags, screaming out of apartments, spontaneous drumming circles erupted, patrons of the bars were in the streets with pint glasses, there were high fives, whoo hoos and general happiness and lots of love in the mayhem. All that, and the cops just smiled at us all!

We were all so happy to be Americans again. I'm so relieved, I keep crying tears of joy.

Plus my dad won the most votes for his re-election to city council!! Go daddio! xxoo

Check out the renaming of Bush St.

Technorati Tags: San Francisco

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While playing freeze tag through Union Square, Max and I happened upon this heart sculpture with the Golden Gate Bridge painted on it. Turns out this one was designed by Tony Bennet! We've seen hearts designed by various artists throughout the city for many years now. It's part of a genius, on-going fundraiser for SF General Hospital. Luv 'em!

Technorati Tags: art, San Francisco

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