Sunday, July 26, 2009

Off to the Motherland

Flying above the fog as it is rolling in over San Francisco

We are off to Sweden for the pending nuptials of Magnus and Johanna!  We could not be happier for them!  We are looking forward to spending some time with family and some much needed time off!  Posts may be scarce in an attempt to 'disconnect', but we are thinking of you!  Skål!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Best. Sister. Ever.

My sister and her husband Chris came for a visit over the 4th of July weekend, which of course, I have yet to post any pics.  She was sitting at the kitchen counter and we were talking about the fantastic cookbook she put together for us at Tastebook  for Christmas a couple of years ago.  I always wondered why one of the recipes was marked in the book, and she said it was specific to go with the accompanying gift.  To which I replied, "what accompanying gift?"  She was absolutely mortified and then realized she forgot to send us said gift, and would not let it go.  I told her it was no big deal and that we loved the cookbook itself.

After some good times and sisterly shenanigans during their visit, she said she would send me copies of the pics that we took on a thumb drive.  I waited, and waited (thus the delay in post) and checked the mail, but alas, no thumb drive.  To my surprise, the other day I found a giant box sitting outside the gate from her.  In it were a couple of fantastic serving plates (not pictured) which I loved!  Perfect for pancetta goat cheese crisps topped with fig and honey. (recipe to follow)  She even wrapped it in X-mas paper with a tag that said Merry X-Mas 2007!  She is too much.  This is only one example of why she has earned the title:  Best. Sister. Ever.  Miss you Peen!

Note the thumb drive being conveniently used as an adornment to the gift tag.  
Again, too much!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Mill Valley Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting

Last weekend we went to the Mill Valley Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting.  The weather was perfect, so what could be better than drinking a little wine in the sun?  There were over 70 wineries, and several local restaurants cheffing up some quality snacks.  Tyler Florence was also there and he was grilling up a fantastic strawberry sandwich with some Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam cheese (pictured above).  Deelish!

P. getting after some pasta while trying to determine who had the best Rosé.

Trace and Devon classic self portrait

Buttonwood Winery.  I was really more impressed with the presentation than the wine.

Rob and Devon are always up for a good time.

As I was waiting in line for my aforementioned grilled strawberry cheese sandwich, there was a girl behind me that was disappointed she forgot her camera.  I, having mine with me, turned around and offered to take a picture of her and her husband.  To which she replied, "oh, I don't care about taking a picture with my husband, I want my picture with Tyler."  So, of course I couldn't resist jumping in the picture with her.  I e-mailed her a copy, and I am sure I am sitting on her mantel.    

Lydia and the picture with her husband she could care less about.  

Kodak moment with Tyler Florence

Personally, I am a bigger fan of Bobby Flay, so of course I had to bust Tyler's chops for being too hard on the contestants of The Next Food Network Star, but that's another story.  

I'd rather have my picture taken with this guy any day!

Live jazz band

Is it hot in here, or is it the Mill Valley Fire Department??

Good times were had by all.  See you next year!