Memory Keeper

Memory Keeper

I'm not the most sentimental person you'll ever meet, but I really do have a soft spot for the little things from my childhood that meant something special to me.  I keep my beloved, now in tatters, baby blanket "Stinky" in a box close by.  He traveled with me across the country and through Europe when I was growing up, and made an excellent tear catcher when I needed a good cry.  I love to see pictures of me, thumb in mouth cuddling with my constant companion. 

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North By Northwest

North By Northwest

After 4 long months, we finally got away to do some wine tasting, this time up in Healdsburg.  Adam and I used to make monthly trips before we had the boys, but even now that we find ourselves at the edge of two wine regions, we tend to visit the grocery store for wine and craft beer.  This obviously needs to change.  To be honest, I really prefer European style wines, and we were in jam jar zinfandel country, but we found a handful of places that knocked my socks off. We began our day at Quivira, a Demeter certified biodynamic winery, with farm grounds nearly as impressive as their wine. I LOVED their Refuge Savingon Blanc, and Grenache.  They sent us to Preston, a family owned and operated biodynamic vineyard.  On Sundays they bake bread in their hearth and pour Guadagni, a Zin blend table wine, into jugs straight from the barrel.  We picked one up for our pumpkin carving party.  Preston is quirky, and all kinds of awesome; a must visit, with tasting room that looks like it was designed by Jonathan Adler's country cousin.  You must try their Cinsault and  GSM.  We stopped off for a bite at the Dry Creek General Store, and made our way to UNTI.  Adjacent to their small tasting room they were processing

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DIY FRIDAY: Pumpkin Recipes

DIY FRIDAY: Pumpkin Recipes

This weekend I turn the big 35 and my parents are coming to celebrate their accomplishment by watching my children so I can dig in at Central Market and spend Sunday wine tasting. To make it easy on them, I created two new dishes to feed the kids while we're gone.  For breakfast they'll have a pumpkin spiced granola made from oats, pepitas and shaved almonds.  For lunch they'll have macaroni and cheese made with goat cheese and pumpkin puree (a cow milk free recipe). Using pumpkin puree adds sweetness and color without a distinct flavor, and softens the bite of the goat cheese, while adding vitamin A and iron.  My little helper Wylie tried both dishes today and they got two tiny thumbs up. Recipes below.  Have a happy weekend!

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PEOPLE WITH GLASS HOUSES

PEOPLE WITH GLASS HOUSES

I've long fantasized about having a tiny kit house studio out back, ala Modern Shed or Modern Cabana, but they are not really all that tiny in price, and I do sometimes question whether or not I'd like to have a super modern design behind my not so modern home.  When I was poking around Etsy this week, I was thrilled to find this shop that makes backyard studios/greenhouses using some reclaimed materials, clean lined, but not particularly modern.  They are handmade by Seattle based, and aptly named Schuan Carpenter of Little Mansions Designs.  Pricing is in the $2-3K range, with free delivery in the greater Seattle area, but he ships anywhere in the US and Canada. It's funny, I tend to think of Etsy as a place to find handmade gifts and vintage pieces, but it can be so much more than that.

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The Youth Vote

The Youth Vote

In 1984, when I was 6 years old, my dad had the talk with me.  No, not that talk you weirdo, the one about elections and politics. It was the summer of Reagan's big re-election campaign and "It's Morning In America" was all over the airwaves (written and narrated by my future boss Hal Riney). It was my first election cycle, and I had lots of questions.  Fast forward to 2012 and I'm finding myself having the same conversation with my own 6 year old.  While he's not sitting and watching the debates, he is exposed to the occasional attack ad, and parental grumbling about their opposition candidate.  I struggle to find the best way to teach him about elections, party platforms, and the bigger questions like "why don't you like that guy". 

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