Last night of the year and last night of Bar Bambino, 16 years for us!

Late night we hooked up with the MacNiven brothers who were lighting lanterns in Dolores Park — it was a beautiful way to welcome the new year.

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I had a perfect day skiing with my beloved daddio yesterday. It was an up at five and home by 7 day so lots of highway 80 driving, but totally worth it. There was fresh snow from just days earlier, the sky was blue and the sun shone bright and hot. Dad and I ski well together and enjoy each others company which makes the day breeze by. We both love some challenging runs but also like to chill and feel masterful on more easy glamour slopes. Fun fun fun! I can't wait to do it again. A zillion thank yous too xo!

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I want to post this so I can remember to look back and reread the list. 12 things people who are happy do differently. Looks like some of the related posts will be an interesting read too. Must re-read and re-visit these too: top five regrets of the dying.

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We had a delicious dinner at Ravenous to celebrate Mr. C's "happy" birthday.

Had to add in this one of Vivienne who loves to over gloss her lips.

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How lovely of Mr. C to have tulips on the table for our return from spring break. Thank you dear!

Posted by big bunny at 11:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For the holiday coming next — yes that'll be twenty ten, I'd like to make these two gorgeous chocolate cookie recipes found on the Thimble blog, so yummy:

Salty Chocolate Shortbread
adapted from Essence of Chocolate by John Scharffenberger and Robert Steinberg

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon sea salt (I used coarse kosher salt and this seemed to work well also)
12 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Mix together the flour and cocoa powder in a bowl and set aside.
In another bowl beat the butter and sugar together for about 5 minutes until light colored and fluffy. Add in the vanilla.
Slowly add half of the flour-chocolate mixture and mix on low speed. Add the rest of the flour and cocoa and mix until just combined. Stir in the salt. The batter should form a kind of doughy ball. If needed, at this point you can refrigerate the dough for up to a week, but no refrigeration is required.
Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to 1/4-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters or a knife, cut the dough into whatever shape you want. I used a small glass to make circles. Sprinkle a few grains of coarse sea salt on top of the cookies for extra salty deliciousness.
Place the cut-out cookies onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes, rotating halfway. They should be slightly firm but not hard when done. Let cool on wire racks.
You can store these in an airtight container for up a week. They are nice warm and soft straight from the oven, but also develop a deeper flavour and texture over a few days.

Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps
from Martha Stewart

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 teaspoons instant espresso
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg
4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
1 tablespoon milk
Confectioners’ sugar, for coating
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, espresso, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until well combined; mix in cooled chocolate. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; beat in milk until just combined. Flatten dough into a disk; wrap in plastic. Freeze until firm, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Pour confectioners’ sugar (about 1/2 cup) into a medium bowl; working in batches, roll balls in sugar two times, letting them sit in sugar between coatings.
Place on prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies have spread and coating is cracked, 12 to 14 minutes; cookies will still be soft to the touch. Cool cookies on a wire rack.
Makes 18

Posted by big bunny at 9:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is what we should make with all the zucchini's papa gives us — looks so yummy. The closet cooking blog I found this on is AMAZING! There are a zillion recipes I want to try and the photography makes all the food look so delicious. This guy can cook and style his food what a combo. I bet he'll have a book deal shortly.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

(makes 1 loaf)
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup zucchini (grated)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1 egg
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Mix the zucchini, sugar, oil, yogurt and egg in a bowl.
2. Mix the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. Mix the wet and dry ingredients.
4. Mix in the nuts and chocolate chips.
5. Pour the batter into a greased 5X9 inch loaf pan.
6. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until a toothpick pushed into the center comes out clean, about 50-70 minutes.

Technorati Tags: eating, cooking

Posted by big bunny at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sadly this iphone photo doesn't do justice, but in this snap on stage at the Greek in Berkeley is Earth, Wind & Fire. We had such a good night. They were AMAZING and the show was a blast — I had to dance to almost every song and apologize to the row behind me cause I just couldnt stay seated. It was so fabulously fun and funky. They played some great hits and yet they had so many more they could have played too. Chicago performed as well, both on their own and together with Earth Wind & Fire. They also rocked but not with the same natural intensity and groove as Earth Wind & Fire (ok I'm such a fan eh?!) My father also spoiled me so by chauffeuring me to and fro as well as filling my belly with delicious Italian food and wine before the concert — THANK YOU!! This was a night to remember!

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Mr. C has been wearing variations on this outfit: blazer, polo shirt, shorts and loafers for years. He's even worn it in the snow — seriously remember Reno darling?! If you stick with what you love it comes into fashion, favor and appreciation at some point during your lifetime, perhaps even more than once. So it didn't shock me that he was spotted by a fashion lover and posted on their blog. Apparently the site will be doing a profile on him soon which will reveal his fashion tastes and sensibilities. I've always called him a dandy! He loves it and gets away with it.

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I heard the poem Foreseeing, which I've pasted in below, this morning. It was read aloud marvelously (as always) by Garrison Keillor during his NPR show the Writers Almanac. I took a serious pause as I heard it because it describes perfectly the moment I've been living for the past few months. I've been feeling as though I can see the end, or really just that I know and feel it's truly there, and I want to choose carefully the path I'll take to get there. However, I can not seem to decide which way to go. I am equally compelled by so many of the outlines and the possibilities that I just stand here a little dizzy and totally mesmerized by the view.

Foreseeing

by Sharon Bryan

Middle age refers more
to landscape than to time:
it's as if you'd reached

the top of a hill
and could see all the way
to the end of your life,

so you know without a doubt
that it has an end—
not that it will have,

but that it does have,
if only in outline—
so for the first time

you can see your life whole,
beginning and end not far
from where you stand,

the horizon in the distance—
the view makes you weep,
but it also has the beauty

of symmetry, like the earth
seen from space: you can't help
but admire it from afar,

especially now, while it's simple
to re-enter whenever you choose,
lying down in your life,

waking up to it
just as you always have—
except that the details resonate

by virtue of being contained,
as your own words
coming back to you

define the landscape,
remind you that it won't go on
like this forever.

photography by Lynn Geesaman

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Mr. C is so good in the kitchen! We woke up to find these beautiful petits fours glacés in our kitchen. We hiked them all the way out to Lake Lagunitas for the double birthday fete for Paga & Daddy before devouring them! They tasted as lovely as they look.

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Even the packaged cookies (this one a light wafer sandwich with a delicious vanilla cream center) from Japan are gorgeous works of art! I had to consider not eating it because it was too beautiful, but you know my mouth won out.

Technorati Tags: asia, eating, japanese

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Max & Dada went to wondercon/comicon (Max's first convention as daddy pointed out!) and they brought me back this darling print by Nan Hockin of Nanamation. Her artwork is adorably sweet and I love that she is also a knitter, baker and all around crafty type.

Technorati Tags: art, design

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And what a snow day it was!! Daddio spoiled me so, starting with a 5:30 am pick up, driving up and back (through a crazy snow storm too!) ski gear, ticket, and meals—a million thank yous xxoo smooch! Man-o-man was this a perfect day for skiing too. It was super cold and lightly to moderately snowing throughout the day so we had fresh snow on every run. Plus it was mid-week so hardly anyone was there — no waiting ever! We chatted on the way up and swooshed on the way down. By the end of the day I had serious thigh burn, creaking knees, and I was officially toasted. So fun! I can't wait to go again.

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I'm so in love with all the pink petals in full bloom on the streets of San Francisco.

Technorati Tags: San Francisco

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Oh my gawd, these 30 second bunny re-enactments of major movies are pretty darn funny. Merry Christmas!

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One should never direct people towards happiness, because happiness too is an idol of the market-place. One should direct them towards mutual affection. A beast gnawing at its prey can be happy too, but only human beings can feel affection for each other, and this is the highest achievement they can aspire to. — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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Yaya sent me these portraits of "us"— the blank spot was for Mr. C. but sadly the site broke while he was in progress.

Tee hee, my "mangatar" self portraits — day to night.

Do it yourself at Face Your Manga.

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While touring The San Francisco School today I listened to Maggie talk about their teacher enrichment programs and she mentioned a program started by Harvard in 1967 called Project Zero. Project Zero's mission is to understand and enhance learning, thinking, and creativity in the arts, as well as humanistic and scientific disciplines, at the individual and institutional levels. She explained one application, for example, a thinking and processing exercise for a kindergartner or first grader might be something like : : see - think - wonder : : so you'd ask them to remember witnessing something, think about what they saw and then explain what it made them wonder. Sounds simple right, so just try to do it right now. How'd that go?

Next, she turned the teachings on us and asked this, "So, you just finished touring our school. Tell me something you saw, what you thought about it and what it made you wonder." It was a genius 'right back at you' move. At first I drew a blank. Seriously, I think I'm so used to processing everything in a nano second that I couldn't remember how to think slowly and reflectively. Yes, indeed, I really do have this problem. So like I said, I sat there feeling stuck (ok really it wasn't a total blank that I drew. I got stuck thinking about how my tour guide said the kids often hold and hug the geese who roam freely through the adventure playground. I was wondering if that was a health hazard — bird flu anyone?!) so, obviously I wasn't one to raise my hand and expose my random paranoid thought. However, the experience has left me with a wonderfully simple mental exercise which can help me slow my mind down and process my experiences more deeply — thank you Maggie!

Posted by big bunny at 8:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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

Posted by big bunny at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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

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Shoemaking has a long history and one that is rich in tradition. Within the trade itself--among shoe and bootmakers--the legends, the traditions, and the history really begin with St. Crispin. St. Crispin is the patron saint of shoemakers. Since medieval times, October 25th has been celebrated as St. Crispin's Day and the Shoemaker's Holiday. In the past, boot and shoemakers traditionally closed their shops on this day, in celebration and commemoration.

Who is (are) St. Crispin?

Crispin and Crispinian were once the Catholic patron saints of cobblers, tanners, and leather workers. Born to a noble Roman family in the 3rd Century AD, Saints Crispin and Crispinian, twin brothers, fled persecution for their faith, winding up in Soissons, where they preached Christianity to the Gauls and made shoes by night. Their success attracted the ire of Rictus Varus, the governor of Belgic Gaul, who had them tortured and beheaded c. 286. In the 6th Century, a church was built in their honor at Soissons.

The feast day of Saints Crispin and Crispinian is October 25. However, these saints were removed from the liturgical calendar (but not declared to no longer be saints) during the Catholic Church's Vatican II reforms.

The reasoning used by Vatican II for this decision was that there was insufficient evidence that Saints Crispin and Crispinian actually existed. Indeed, their role as shoemakers, their relationship as twins, and the timing of their holiday are suggestive of the possibility that they could have represented a local Celtic deity (Lugus-Mercurius) which had been made into a saint as a result of syncretism.

What does this all mean?

Thanks to Mr. C's LOVE of shoes, every year we celebrate St. Crispin's day. This year the party was at Orson, and all the shoes in attendance can be seen on this flicker set. Below are the shoes I wore that evening— pale pink, shimmering and super soft leather strappy heels by AF Vandervorst.

Posted by big bunny at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is the fabulous group of ladies who attended my sister's "Happily Ever After" bridal shower. We all took an easy 3 mile stroll out to Tennessee Valley Beach and then had a luncheon at the Dipsea Cafe. The Dipsea had huge portions so we were all very well fed. We enjoyed platters of fruit and pastries followed by pulled pork, turkey and veggie sandwiches, potato salad and chinese chicken salad, and onion rings. All that followed by chocolate cake and coffees.




It was wonderful to listen to all the marriage advice, words of wisdom and stories about the bride and groom. My favorite part was watching her open present after present filled with sexy lingerie. She now has at least a weeks worth of slinky items to slip into— happy honeymooning!!

Posted by big bunny at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There's a new coffee contender in our slice of the mission. Four Barrel's coffee is delicious, the space is industrial chic and the clientele are causally hip. Other than the pure coffee and espresso drinks on their 'get to the point' menu, they also serve dynamo donuts — yummy. There are many details in the physical space which I love, like the shellacked wallpaper floor in the loo and the wickedly thick dark rope knots hanging above the window counters. Lots to like about this new spot.

Technorati Tags: cafe, eating, San Francisco

Posted by big bunny at 8:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cupcakes are the start to a perfect day! Especially when they are delivered from Citizen Cake (sweet Sabrina!) Oh my, the decadent ding dong inspired chocolate one had me making all sorts of yummy noises —which of course intrigued Vivi to no end. Thanks to Mr. C for making this happen all the way from NYC.

For my birthday I requested Max make me a painting. He did not disappoint! With the help of teacher Tina, Max painted a gigantic birthday card for me — it's huge! And it's super sparkly. I love it! They also made me a birthday crown, but Max is having a really hard time sharing it, tee hee.

A little Sherry birdie told me this was on the way, and I've been holding onto the box for days now just waiting to open it. This lovely embroidered animal pillow by K Studio does not disappoint. It's stunning! It's made with a super soft brown linen fabric which really shows off the shiny illustrated thread plus it's very well constructed. I love it! It's has a bunny on it!! And you are so sweet for noticing exactly what I like and giving it to me — awe thank you so very much. I will cherish it always and try so hard to keep in away from the sticky little fingers and sharp claw dangers that lurk about my home. xxoo

I received many wonderful birthday wishes, even a few daring singers who left me happy birthday songs to make me smile. Voicemail has never been so fun! I also had many emails and even Facebook wall to wall greetings. I'm so impressed with everyone (and I really need to get better about adding birthday reminders to my calendar, sorry I suck at that!)

After a delicious and decadent lunch with friends at Bar Bamino (!), my super sweet sister and her fiancee (ohh I just had to type that word!) took the kids and I out for a comfy and casual dinner at Chow. Plus Yaya spoiled me with these gorgeous and colorful flowers. My kitchen is looking so lovely. My eyes are so happy when they rest on the above beauties.

My lovely friend Patty dropped by these yellow sun shiny flowers too with a delightfully warm card that is so stunningly beautiful. What a gorgeously painted handmade masterpiece.

Apparently the super famous (but a bit before my time) comedian Jack Benny insisted he was 39 years old when asked his age ( he celebrated his 39th birthday 41 times). I think I will follow in his brilliant footsteps.

Technorati Tags: eating, embroidery, inspiration, textile

Posted by big bunny at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Odd, not at all arousing, but totally lowbrow fabulous — these film super-shorts called Green Porno by Isabella Rossellini about bugs having sex are really quite cute, clean, and accurate "paper-does-nature" fun.

Technorati Tags: film

Posted by big bunny at 10:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While sipping chilled ginger mint tea at Samovar and drinking in the excessive heat and wild fire smoke I happened to read the paragraph in the crowded lower right corner of the menu (and found on their blog):

In slowness we are forced to experience the fluctuations and vacillations of our thinking mind, our patterns and habits, the world around us. Through slowness we witness the blowing of the wind, the honk of a horn, the smile of a passerby, the aroma of a cup of tea, the good morning kiss of a partner, the strength in our body, the beauty inside our home.

Slow things have more value, they take more time, and they deliver more. Slow food tastes better than fast food. Slow breathing makes makes you more relaxed than hyperventilating. Slow loving feels better. Friendships take time. A good meal takes time. Wild salmon takes time to grow up big and strong. Delicious produce take time to go from seed to sprout to full grown and edible. Deep meaningful, lasting companies take time to evolve, develop and prosper.

How do you live slower?

Technorati Tags: slow food, San Francisco

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I recently picked up these cute navy polka dotted Toms Shoes from SunHee Moon. They have been comfortable from the moment I put them on. In fact I am wearing them right now. The soles are rubbery soft, the interior is leather (or leather like) with arch support and the upper is a stretchable soft canvas with interesting seams that don't rub on your feet. I bought one half size down and am pleased because they have stretched, but without any breaking-in discomfort. I really can't say enough especially because for every pair you buy they will give a pair to a child in need.

Technorati Tags: philanthropy, shopping

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It's still so hot. On top of wanting a kiddy pool, now I want a hammock (a white sandy beach, clear blue ocean and a corona too!). Fortunately my wish came true. I remembered that we had been given a beautiful handmade hammock by our roommate Nancy as a wedding gift — we'd never hung it. I knew we'd kept it, but couldn't tell you which unopened box from which move it was in, we are talking 12 years later, but Mr. C knew exactly where it was. I begged and nagged for him to run to the hardware store so we could hang it. After all today was the perfect day to listlessly lay about in a hammock. He obliged, xxoo.





Mr. C masterminded the perfect "tree sling" as he called it. It's fancied from nylon rope and twisted into one of the climbing/boy scout knots he knows and then affixed with carabiners. It's hanging between our Italian pine and yucca trees. We each took turns swinging in it. And all I can say it "AH" it was lovely and I so look forward to another afternoon of cloud watching while swinging in the afternoon breeze.

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This photo does not do justice. Go to Lolo's, order this jicama fish taco and enjoy it. It's so spicy yummy. Then order more.

Afterward we went to see Theodora She Bitch of Byzantium by Charles Busch (check out this NYT article and see the slideshow) performed by the Thrill Peddlers. What a fantastically fun surprise this was! We knew we were in for a wacky ride — the title alone was a hint, but these thespians did not disappoint. The space was marvelous and troupe superb. The ridiculous manifesto by Charles Ludlam was a highlight as well as a really weird physic trick involving my left-leaning sister and some Indian shaman magic. Quite odd.

Technorati Tags: eating, restaurants, San Francisco, theater

Posted by big bunny at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I heard a couple of great quotes on the radio today...both felt very profound.

"Laws are like sausages. It is better not to see them being made." — Otto Von Bismarck

"Appeasement means you are feeding the crocodile hoping he'll eat you last" — Winston Churchill

On an unrelated but still profound note...Later this afternoon when I was driving Max to karate, he was saying how much he likes Alanna our new nanny, so I asked him if I should have her babysit he and Vivie one day soon and he said "mom, grown-ups don't sit on babies". What a comedian!

One more kidism to report before I hit the hay so to speak. On the way to Gabriel's house for a playdate on monday I told Max we had to leave by 6 pm so he'd be prepared. He then said, "but mom, I want to stay until one hundred o'clock!"

Posted by big bunny at 10:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I don't like to be given advice and I often harshly judged those who give it too readily. I feel that advice is something you should give only when asked. I've just been reading Real Simple (May issue), uh hem, yes I feel so middle-aged admitting that, but some of the articles are so satisfyingly cleansing. Plus the tag line gets me every time, "life made easier"! Yes, I too wish that by reading these articles my life would be easier and simplier. I also love attempting to have an organized house and those perfectly styled photos of everything from closets to table settings really please me. Anyway, there's a whole slew of mother articles in this issue since sunday is mother's day and of course they are filled with copious amounts of — advice. Apparently that's what mother's are best at? But there are some I really liked...

No one is paying attention to you, they are all busy thinking about themselves.

Everything tastes better served by candlelight.

If you must leave a party, spill something on yourself.

When you're sad, don't fight it — get some gin and cigarettes then play Edith Piaf — repeat as needed.

Manners matter.

Occasionally do naughty things because that actually makes you happy.

Love and be loved.

The back way is longer but faster.

It's important to write thank you notes.

Whom not who.

Your chance might be miniscule, but that doesn't mean you should give up hope — someone has to win and it could be you.

It's not the last sweater you are going to buy.

The cheap caviar is still quite good.

Technorati Tags: motherhood

Posted by big bunny at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I recently bought a "yoko" nursing cover from natural resources on Valencia St. The company that makes them is called bebe au lait. While at Thanksgiving dinner my soon-to-be brother-in-law's sister, who is from Texas, asked me if I owned a "hooter hider?" I chuckled, in fact I do have one I said and I thought how very "Texas" it was to call it that. Well, turns out it's not simply so "Texas" after all. The company that makes 'em calls the same product lines by both names— hmmm a strange marketing ploy. So, they market the frenchy high brow "bebe au lait" name to city dwellers and the daisy duke-like "hooter hiders" brand to others? They explain it as: "Hooter Hiders for tongue-in-cheek and Bebe au Lait for mama chic. "

Technorati Tags: baby, motherhood

Posted by big bunny at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My fabulous friend and colleague, we'll call her "pony" (neigh neigh!) sent me these glamorous painted copper dangly earrings from Bangkok. She got them at the night market. I love them! The colors are so bright and shiny and the painted details are darlingly delicate — a perfect combination. Thank you, thank you for sending them! xo * bunny

Technorati Tags: asia, shopping

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Sadly we had to move this spider, as it had spun this giant web right across the path to our downstairs entrance. But we all stopped to admire the beautiful work and marvel at nature's magic.

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Just wanting to post this because the graphic is so darn cute. The cookbook and rub seems too silly and gimmicky (though I do get sick of salad only type girls) and the website has been totally abandoned, but isn't the embroidered butcher cow darling?

Posted by big bunny at 2:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been a whole year since I started blah blah bloggin'. I've hardly made a dent in my new year's resolutions and I blame this blogging addiction! I've spent endless hours taking and prepping photos, writing, linking and re-editing this online diary. But I must confess that I have truly and deeply enjoyed the process. I love scrolling through old entries and remembering where I've been, what I've seen, that which inspires me etc. I hope you have enjoyed it too. Now I must bite into that yummy eclair!

Technorati Tags: blogging

Posted by big bunny at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Lookie what a group of techie lushes put together to make our happy hours easier to locate. Love it. Thirsty? Go get Unthirsty. drink. drank. drunk.

Technorati Tags: travel

Posted by big bunny at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can excel at any sport which allows you to hold a glass of wine while playing. As an end of summer activity idea, I want to share these bay area local wineries with bocce courts that invite you to toast and taste while aiming to kiss your ball with your opponents. It's so totally civilized, roll yourself there!

Armida Winery, Healdsburg
Seghesio Family Vineyards, Healdsburg
Byington Vineyards, Los Gatos
Diamond Oaks Winery, Oakville
Pedroncelli Winery, Geyserville
Summers Estate, Calistoga

Above is one of the logos my husband and I designed for the SF Bocce Club. Here's an article about the aquatic park club, volo newsletter highlight and locations to play throughout the states.

Technorati Tags: Bay Area, bocce, travel, winery

Posted by big bunny at 9:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Seriously having too much fun with the built-in camera. It's reminding me of all those years I spent doing self portraits while in art school and beyond. I forgot how fun it is to monkey with my self image. Ah ha ha, computer as mirror. Figures I'd go there.

Posted by big bunny at 9:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Happy Birthday little bunny! We all had such a fun night gossiping and teasing each other. It's so nice to catch up and spend time with the ones you love. Last nights festivities centered around the sold out ABC concert at Red Devil Lounge. The lounge bouncer turned out to be a recognizable SF character named Vice (André Brazeau). Hubbie knew him from the band Heart Attack and that he'd written the music and conducted the band in the movie The Game - obscure trivia for sure. I enjoyed the Lounge's space cause it felt intimate and the sound was pretty ok. Then ABC came out and whoa do they need a hair stylist! It's really that bad so I hope someone will do it for free. Martin wasn't wearing his signature gold lame suit by the way, wah wah. They all look pretty old ('cause they are) and there were moments when I couldn't help feeling sad for the aging rockers. I tried to suspend judgment and just enjoy the music and hope they were truly having fun. I kept telling myself that age shouldn't matter, but then I couldn't help sliding right back into my critical thoughts when any one of them would sweep back their thinning Don Johnson meets Fabio hair do. So they did play Millionaire, Look of Love, Poison Arrow thank you but damn them for not playing my favorite Vanity Kills.

Posted by big bunny at 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's always novel to have a night out once you're a parent. However, I always have to weigh the difficulty of never being able to sleep in and likelihood of a hangover against the potential fun factor. Having said that, last night was a good time. I think I like going out with a bigger group 'cause there's lots of little factions to chat with and always someone who offers to get you a drink. We went out with a group of 14, on a Friday night, and with no dinner reservation. I think an ordinary host and hostess might have panicked, don't you? We ended up choosing the low key, cheap and delicious Osha Thai - their original divey location on Geary & Leavenworth. I admit it was rather stressful to coax the restaurant staff into making sure they saved the only two tables that could possibly work for such a large party until our whole party actually arrived. After that it was all a downhill slide, gulp gulp gulp.

The above image is of the guests of honor Ladytron; Danny, Ruben, Helen, and Mira just after the appetizers arrived. If you look at the far top right hand side you'll see hubbies statuesque shnaz too. The image above that is from the sold out show at Mezzanine. It was packed and full of trendy club goers, lots of fun people watching. Being VIP only gets you so far apparently, so we ended up spending lots of time chilling on the smokers patio chatting with a really interesting guy named Ricky. His energy was pretty intense as he had lots to tell me about how I should be getting out even though I'm a new parent. The next morning boy bunny tells me that guy was the original drummer (and recently rejoined) for the Brian Jonestown Massacre. I want you to know — that meant nothing to me. So while Max was napping Saturday afternoon, he whips out a DVD from his recently acquired PALM Pictures collection called Dig!. At first I'm not feeling this 60s psychedelic revolutionary music vibe, but as the movie rolls on I got so totally sucked in. This documentary is amazing. For over seven years they followed the bands comparing and contrasting the successes, failures, and musical experiences of Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Dandy Warhols. They interview so many poignant record industry people and delve deeply into the psychological issues of each artist, band dynamic, and the industry as a whole. And there's incredible comic relief by Massacre's tambourine man Joel Gion. Seriously, all fingers up, it's that good.

Posted by big bunny at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

boing boing, lookie which rabbit hole I've hopped into...the essence of rabbit {darling you're salivating right now, aren't you?}

No other living creature features as heavily in contemporary character design and art as the humble hare. But what exactly makes bunnies so irresistible to artists, designers and illustrators worldwide? Depending on the viewers’ cultural context rabbits can symbolise anything from insanity, alertness, defencelessness, all the way to promiscuity, magic powers and utter innocence. By condensing the endless variations of the rabbit motif into one ultimate system - a perfect bunny mandala - the true nature of the beast emerges: the eternal essence of rabbit.

sadly, the rest of the world outside of Germany & Europe can't order a bunny mediation mandala, wah.

Posted by big bunny at 3:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just back from a funsie fashion event Discarded to Divine a benefit for St. Vincent DePaul and a showcase for the Fashion Institute of Design & Marketing (FIDM). It was a local yokel type of thingee showcasing emerging talent in a cool architectural space. Gensler's office does rock. And apparently working there is the best thing ever if you believe the hall monitor spokesperson who said "they all get along all the time and they only hire people who work out." Uh ya, real life isn't so utopian, but glad YOU think so since YOU work here. Do you think they are drugging him? Anyway, the fashions were all over the map and most unwearable. But a few were truly inventive and well executed like the men's dress shirt collar and sleeve skirt bustle, the bleached until almost white blue jean and plastic grocery bag wedding dress, and the exquisite leather coat reconstructed with a delicate ruffle silk-like blouse and an amazing layered lining (you'd have to see it to appreciate just how chic it was). But what was most fun was the attitude of all the models. They pranced around the office in real style with absolute confidence and pride. And that made all the designers winners. Really, the energy of the students made it worth the visit.

Posted by big bunny at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My new favorite treat is lying in a gigantic white bed while listening to a lovely concert, dining on scrumptious lobster soup and three hearts salad, sipping champagne, laughing with new friends and snuggling with mr. bunny. ahhhhh valentine's night was truly a slice of the good life. We luxuriously lounged for hours in the best corner bed at the supperclub and had the great fortune of hearing the brazillian darling bebel gilberto singing her lovely sambas and a beautiful duet with guest artist apallonia (who, by the way, hasn't aged a day since I last saw her during Prince's purple "reign"). Yummy yummy smooch smooch it was a wonderful night, xoxo thank you darling.

p.s. an extra smooch to auntie and ray ray for bebe sitting master maximillian.

Posted by big bunny at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A meme. Seen everywhere, swiped from here: suburban lesbian.

1. My uncle once: belonged (and still might?) to a freaky exctasy induced cult led by Da Love-Ananda Samraj.

2. Never in my life: will I surrender to all my doubt, anxiety and fear.
I have to practive everyday.

3. When I was five: I had beautiful long golden curls which my step mother cut off and shaped into a Dorothy Hamill, just can't forgive that.

4. High School was: too long and I really should have paid attention.

5. I will never forget: what I haven't remembered.

6. I once met: Jack Nicolson and he gave me his infamous raised eyebrow look.

7. There's this girl I know who: can read my mind. (yes, it's you dear lil' bunny)

8. Once, at a bar: I made out with a random passerby (who looked like a young Sting) after asking him for a stick of gum.

9. By noon, I'm usually: feeling like it's 5 p.m. Motherhood realigns your sense of time and makes you constantly tired. Sad but true and still ok.

10. Last night: I fell asleep on the couch again. (See no. 9 above )

11. If I only had: my art barn, more me time, and a personal valet.

12. Next time I go to church: it'll be to pay my respects or to admire the architecture.

13. Terry Shiavo: a sad story that went on way too long.

14. What worries me most: over population, and death bed regret.

15. When I turn my head left, I see: the japanese MTR pushpin bunny heroine, yeah stab 'em babe.

16. When I turn my head right, I see: one of the loves of my life, snaggle-tooth Miro.

17. You know I'm lying when: I over explain it.

18. What I miss most about the eighties: my blissful world ignorance and fitting in those skinny jeans.

19. If I was a character in Shakespeare, I'd be: Katharina in Taming of the Shrew, hee hee

20. By this time next year: Max will probably weigh 50lbs, yikes my aching back.

21. A better name for me would be: Vivian.

22. I have a hard time understanding: quantum mechanics.

23. If I ever go back to school, I'll: never leave.

24. You know I like you if: I call you back.

25. If I ever won an award, the first person I'd thank would be: my father.

26. Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro: awards, genius, nothing much left & couldn't we have found a better candidate to represent?

27. Take my advice, never: go against your instincts.

28. My ideal breakfast is: The New York Times style section, poached eggs on sourdough toast, a double latte and a double mimosa all enjoyed while in a fluffy white hotel bed with no where to go but back to sleep.

29. A song I love, but do not own is: Dolly Parton's coat of many colors. ( urg, I admitted that?!)

30. If you visit my hometown, I suggest: not wearing shorts in the summer.

31. Tulips, character flaws, microchips & track stars: orchids, crooked teeth, remote controls & I don't follow sports.

32. Why won't people: respect each other, after all, we are all connected.

33. If you spend the night at my house: you'll eat and drink very well.

34. I'd stop my wedding for: not so much, seeing it's over.

35. The world could do without: suffering, intolerance and discrimination.

36. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: take the SAT, GRE or any other standardized test. (but I love waisting time on emode tests)

37. My favorite blonde is: Barney Rubble

38. Paper clips are more useful than: staples becuase you can reorder the sheets.

39. If I do anything well, it's: critique.

40. And by the way: I may not say it often, but I do love you.

Posted by big bunny at 10:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can't help thinking of Poi Dog Pondering each thanksgiving. The Poi Dog I remember was pretty much an entirely differnent band than they are now. We made the mistake of going to their Fillmore show a few years ago and were sadly disappointed to hear the freaky wannabe world hippie music they were playing. Turns out people call the band I remember "the austin days". Back then they sang this beautiful sleeper of a song called thanksgiving. It's the best explaination of forgiveness I've come across. It reminds me to be thankful for what I had and for where I am now.

Somehow I find myself far out of line
from the ones I had drawn
Wasn't the best of paths, you could attest to that,
but I'm keeping on.
Would our paths cross if every great loss
had turned out our gain?
Would our paths cross if the pain it had cost us
was paid in vain?
There was no pot of gold, hardly a rainbow
lighting my way
But I will be true to the red, black and blues
that colored those days.
I owe my soul to each fork in the road,
each misleading sign.
'Cause even in solitude, no bitter attitude
can dissolve my sweetest find
Thanksgiving for every wrong move that made it right.

Posted by big bunny at 9:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Got another fabulous hair cut from fancy ass Dwight last night. He's so good it hurts. Walked out looking fresh off the set of CQ and ready to divine something from my closet befitting a sushi groove meets rx gallery night mingling with rockstar djs. Oh my god, I'm thinking, who-am-I? Had to pull out the pink sparkly sjp-esque vandevorst heels and suffer through the night just because of the do. 1-2-3-4 saki's later I was doing fine, guess they aren't that hellish once you're under Onigoroshi's devil killer spell. Mira was stylishly adorable and I see why my hubby was raving on about her. And yes, today I had to hear how she speaks Bulgarian, Hebrew and English, cooks like her grandmother, loves to make dolma, and was recently studying to be a molecular biologist all but gave it up to be a rockstar. La la la she's fabulous — over achiever! Best part of the night was just being with my ever wondrous little sister. There's never enough time to hang together anymore, what with her saving the world one step at a time and me tethered to my darling little bean. Just driving around the loin was good fun let alone my impudent attitude toward the guest list mistress, combined with a toxic purple saki "pom pom" and a quick shimmie. Of course sassing what or whomever comes into our crosshairs never ceases to be a good time. Ah, we seem to be able to go there whether we're 25 or 35. It's refreshing. What's not refreshing is the axe chopping headache I woke up with. Damn Scarlett and her cancer sticks, but thanks for sharing.

Posted by big bunny at 3:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is so cool I finally have a blog and I can start blah blah blahing again.
Thanks darlink.

Posted by big bunny at 11:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)