tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51539228032802308322024-03-21T10:54:38.546-07:0036 Stitches . . .Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-13070791382255428512012-09-11T14:59:00.001-07:002012-09-11T14:59:30.748-07:00Babies...For the past three years we have been seeing a fertility doctor. It has been so hard. I have seen most of my friends get pregnant and now some of them are getting pregnant again. Today has been extra hard. Currently we are in the middle of another IVF cycle and this morning I went to the doctor and my poor eggs are pathetically small and there are only two precious ones.<br />
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We have never completed a full IVF cycle before, though we have started four times already and spent numerous amount of money, time and energy. Before the IVFs we have completed four IUI cycles and all of them have been negative. My husband has been super supportive, but I am exhausted with the roller coaster of emotions and shots and doctor visits. The doctor visits, which occurs two to three times a week, consist of blood works and transvaginal ultrasounds, which are all uncomfortable for me, because the transvaginal ultrasounds are just invasive and sometimes painful, and my veins are small, deep and they move around. Most of the time the nurse have to call another nurse to help out and they usually have to take blood from my hand. (Also I want to note that I drink lots of water before I go to bed and all morning so I am super hydrated. Nothing helps. My veins are just uncooperative and dislike needles, I guess).<br />
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I think this will be our last time to do this, if this doesn't pan out. I talked to my doctor a little bit ago and she said we'll ride this one and try to complete this cycle, since we have never been able to before. On a positive note, she said my estrogen level has increased quite a bit so my two little eggs look very promising. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed and hopefully we will a happy outcome.<br />
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My husband and I have talked about adoptions and other alternatives. We talked about how much does having kids matter to us and how far are we willing to go, but I think we want a break and not think about this for awhile. It's been really hard for me, hormones are horrible. I'm usually a very positive person but today I feel really low. <br />
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<br />Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-73497388298428217352012-08-07T20:51:00.003-07:002012-08-07T22:43:56.385-07:00Eating and Drinking in Napa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRfDN7YFQXSWMeMKzSSWFUKd2O19vUD-RQAjaoWygSqXn1cPm6iqwXa-iEKB6mQ1rRXLrZ3lZlhPXtGGX22fOkBcCR4wNIDd9umSurBiRTHAOPi8U-N-JV3VSxgUwE2DgX6wK1fkvG-k/s1600/Kaspars-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRfDN7YFQXSWMeMKzSSWFUKd2O19vUD-RQAjaoWygSqXn1cPm6iqwXa-iEKB6mQ1rRXLrZ3lZlhPXtGGX22fOkBcCR4wNIDd9umSurBiRTHAOPi8U-N-JV3VSxgUwE2DgX6wK1fkvG-k/s320/Kaspars-27.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I feel ever so lucky to know amazing crazy foodie people that knows all sort of places to go and eat. I'm trying desperately to convince my husband that we need to make a road trip down to Napa before we start having kids. I'm hoping to make it happen in two weeks. Wish me luck.<br />
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In hoping that we will go to Napa, I have asked multiple friends about Napa, Yountville, and Sonoma. One of my friends who has been there multiple of times gave me a four page report of winery, restaurants and things to do there. I love my foodie friends!<br />
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I spent most of yesterday online researching more about each winery and places to stay. I wish we had a whole week to drive down to Napa and back but unfortunately we only have a few days. We are hoping to leave Seattle on Saturday morning - spend the day in Portland and then Sunday early morning drive down to Napa, then spend Monday and Tuesday in Napa and then drive home on Wednesday.<br />
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Okay here we go for some Napa recommendations<br />
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Tips my friends gave me:<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Plan ahead and map out the wineries, Napa is quite big and there is a lot of driving involve<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Check the tasting fees, they can really add up. Certain places will let you do one tasting fee for two people<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Call ahead to see if you need an appointment<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It’s going to be warm at this time of the year, don’t "cook" your wine in the car<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Buying wine at the winery is cool because it’s direct but it tends to be the most expensive way to buy it. The rub is that some wines are only available at the winery.<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>They have <a href="http://www.napavalleybiketours.com/napa-bike-tours/napa-valley-bike-tour.html" target="_blank">biking tours</a> available $139 about 3 - 4 wineries<br />
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<h3>
<b>Wineries That Built Napa</b></h3>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b><a href="http://www.montelena.com/visit/tastingRoom" target="_blank">Chateau Montelena Winery</a></b> </div>
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1429 Tubbs Lane, Calistoga, CA </div>
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707.942.5105</div>
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Tasting Room Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily </div>
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(August 23 - Closing at 3:00 for a private event)
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<ul>
<li>Love the estate cab, one of our favorites, very casual atmosphere</li>
<li>Won the famous 1976 Paris tasting (Judgment of Paris) that put Napa on the map</li>
<li>Tasting price:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>$20 per person, no reservation required</li>
<li>Vineyard Tour: $30 per person, no reservation required, available on Mon or Wed at 10:30 am</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.robertmondavi.com/rmw/" target="_blank">Robert Mondavi Winery</a></div>
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Highway 29, Oakville, CA 94562</div>
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888.766.6328</div>
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Tasting Room Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m daily</div>
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<ul>
<li>Think Chateau Ste Michelle of Napa, high volume producer. Wines are ok, very nice estate, touristy, lots of tradition
</li>
<li>Tasting price vary depending on which tour you go on: ~ $25, no reservation needed but can make a <a href="http://www.robertmondavi.com/rmw/at_the_winery/tour/2" target="_blank">reservation online</a>. Spaced is limited so they do recommend making reservation in advance</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.silveroak.com/" target="_blank">Sliver Oak Winery</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
915 Oakville Crossroad, Oakville, CA 94562</div>
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707.942.7022</div>
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Tasting Room Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9am – 5pm, Sunday, 11am – 5pm </div>
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<ul>
<li>One of the most popular higher end wines right now. The tasting room isn’t much to write about. Go because you want to say you drank Silver Oak.</li>
<li>The Silver Tour and Taste: available Mon – Sat, 10am and 1pm; Sun. 11am and 1pm. 1 hour, $20 per person. <a href="http://www.silveroak.com/visit-us/napa" target="_blank">Reservation required</a>.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://stagsleap.com/" target="_blank">Stag's Leap Wine Cellars</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
6150 Silverado Trail</div>
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Napa, CA 94558</div>
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800.395.2441</div>
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Tasting Tour Times: 10:00 AM and 2:30 PM daily.</div>
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<ul>
<li>Another winner in the Paris tasting, the Stag’s leap appellation in Napa is one of the more famous ones, a little bolder, more stone/mineral .</li>
<li>90 minute tour, $55 per person, reservation needed - call to reserve space</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
<b>Wineries with a View</b></h3>
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<b><a href="http://www.sterlingvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Sterling Vineyards</a></b></div>
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1111 Dunaweal Lane Calistoga, CA 94515 </div>
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800.726.6136</div>
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Tasting Hours: Monday to Friday 10:30 - 4:30 pm, Sat, Sun 10 am to 5 pm</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Take a tram up to the top of the hill overlooking Napa, beautiful. Our friends got engaged there. They said the wines are okay, but the views and overall experience is quite good</li>
<li>Book your <a href="http://www.sterlingvineyards.com/our-winery/visit-sterling-vineyards" target="_blank">tram online</a> (Book through Vino Visit and we will automatically apply a $5 discount. Your tickets will be held for you at Will Call in our Wine Shop at the lower tram station. </li>
<li>Tasting Admission: $25 (Visitor fee includes aerial tram, self-guided tour, complimentary tasting of five wines and a souvenir wine glass)</li>
<li>Reserve Wine Tasting Upgrade: $30, Includes additional tasting of a selected Reserve Wine, plus all of the General Admission features.</li>
<li>Sterling Silver VIP Experience: $35, Customized tasting of Single-Vineyard and Limited Release Wines.</li>
<li>Sterling Gold VIP Experience: $40, A three-wine flight of our "Best of the Best" Reserve wines!</li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.pridewines.com/content/visit-us.html" target="_blank">Pride Mountain Vineyards</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pridewines.com/content/visit-us/location.html" target="_blank">4026 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena, CA</a></div>
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Tour and tasting available at 10 am</div>
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Appointment required via reservations@pridewines.com or call 707.963.4949</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>$15 per person</li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">Beautiful and really good wine for the price. It is higher end but not crazy expensive like you’ll find a lot of wineries are.</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.viader.com/visit.html" target="_blank">Viader Vineyards</a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">1120 Deer Park Road, Deer Park, CA 94576</span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
(About 10 minutes from St. Helena)</div>
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707.963.3816</div>
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Hours: 10 am to 4:30 pm daily</div>
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<ul>
<li>Need an appointment, this is a cult wine, smaller, family run, absolutely stunning views. We sat outside for our tasting and loved it. Finesse, elegant.</li>
<li>Tasting Experiences: Our standard "Portfolio Tasting" includes a flight of 4-5 current release wines from our VIADER estate and DARE by Viader selections for $45/person.</li>
<li>Our "Reserve Library Tasting" (minimum 4ppl) features current releases with a Library selection of our highly coveted VIADER proprietary cabernet blend, and our "V" petit verdot blend for $60/person. Cheese pairing included.</li>
<li>RE lines, information about the history of the winery and each of the wines. Walk-through tours of VIADER's winery and underground caves are available daily at 10:00am.</li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jpvwines.com/tastings/" target="_blank">Joseph Phelps</a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
200 Taplin Road, St. Helena, CA 94574</div>
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(800) 707-5789</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Monday through Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m. with the last tasting beginning at 3:30 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, tastings begin at 10:00 a.m. with the last tasting beginning at 2:30 p.m. There are two Terrace Tasting options, $30 and $60; both include our flagship wine, Insignia.</li>
<li>Reservation required: Email Luba Rusyn, Guest Services Manager lrusyn@jpvwines.com or call <span style="background-color: #fdfdd6; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">707.967.3720</span></span></li>
<li>Another “Say you drank” wine. In this case it’s insignia which we liked but found overpriced. The price has come down but I think it’s still close to $200. They have lower end wines to try as well. Beautiful grounds so worth a stop.</li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.barnettvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Barnett Vineyards</a></div>
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4070 Spring Mountain Road - St. Helena, CA, 94574</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
707.963.7075</div>
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Tours: 10 - 4 daily</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Make <a href="http://www.barnettvineyards.com/appointments" target="_blank">reservations online</a></li>
<li>$40 per person</li>
<li>Small, new family owned winery. Tasting room is just a counter in their barrel room but wow, what a view. It’s on the same hill as Pride, all of the wineries on that hill, Deer something have great views.</li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
Great Experience</h3>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.duckhorn.com/visit/tastings/" target="_blank">Duckhorn & Paraduxx</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1000 Lodi Lane, St. Helena, California 94574</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(888) 354-8885</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">concierge@duckhorn.com</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Hours: 10 to 4 daily</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Duckhorn and Paraduxx are a part of the same company and have a great experience where you sit outside at a nice table in a garden and get served. We loved it at both places. </li>
<li>Duckhorn has fantastic merlot, Paraduxx wines were just ok to us, they were Zin blends and we’re not into Zin that much. Both are worth a stop that is more along the lines of hanging out and enjoying the company than purely wine tasting.</li>
<li>Portfolio Tasting $30, <a href="http://www.duckhorn.com/visit/tastings/" target="_blank">reservation required and available online</a></li>
<li>Directions: From San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge: From San Francisco, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and take Highway 101 North. Take the Napa-Vallejo exit (south of Novato). Follow Highway 37 toward Vallejo, and exit on 121 heading north toward Sonoma. At the intersection of 116 and 12/121 (Schellville) bear right toward Napa. At the intersection of Highway 29 and 12/121, turn left and go north on 29...</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.farniente.com/" target="_blank">Far Niente</a></div>
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1350 Acacia Drive, Oakville, CA 94562</div>
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(707) 944-2861</div>
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Hours: 10 to 3 daily</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">High end wineries, very good overall experience, you get a tour of a fancy facility and sit down and have a tasting of a few vintages. It’s expensive but these are a couple of the premier Napa wineries. I’d say Chateau Montelena wine is just as good but without the pomp… that said, we went to these for the pomp.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">Reservations required, $50 with cheese pairing</span></li>
</ul>
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<div>
<a href="http://www.quintessa.com/visit/" target="_blank">Quintessa</a></div>
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<div>
1601 Silverado Trail, St. Helena, CA 94574</div>
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707.967.1601</div>
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Hours: 10 to 4 daily</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">Reservations required, $65 per person</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>
Really Good Wine</h3>
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<a href="http://www.inglenook.com/" target="_blank">Rubicon or Inglenook Winery</a></div>
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<div>
1991 St. Helena Hwy, Rutherford, CA 94573</div>
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707.968.1161</div>
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Hours: 10 – 5 daily</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">The Rubicon estate cab is fantastic, also expensive. We love the Cask as well which is more reasonably priced at around $70. This is owned by the Coppola family – yes that movie making Coppola family so it’s neat seeing some of the memorabilia they have and they have beautiful grounds. Tasting room is pretty simple, just go to the bar.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">Call and make reservation</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">Price vary per tour</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">This is a link to a great article on how <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/food/article/Francis-Ford-Coppola-restoring-Inglenook-s-legacy-3516346.php" target="_blank">Francis Ford Coppola restored Inglenook Winery</a></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.turnbullwines.com/" target="_blank">Turnbull Wine Cellars</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
8210 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, CA 94562</div>
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800.887.6285</div>
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Hours: 10 – 5 daily
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>$10 Main tasting fee</li>
<li>$20 Reserve tasting fee</li>
<li>No reservation required</li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.shafervineyards.com/tasting/index.php" target="_blank">Shafer Vineyards</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
6154 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
707.944.2877</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hours: Mon to Fri, @ 10 & 2 pm, arrive 10 min early</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Higher end, guided tour then sit down tasting, good experience, we recommend, similar to Far Niente & Quintessa. Very good wine.</li>
<li>Shafer is located at 6154 Silverado Trail, on the east side of the Silverado Trail, about seven miles north of Napa and 3/4 of a mile south of the Yountville Cross Road. Distance from San Francisco to Napa is approximately 50 miles.</li>
<li>VISITS ARE BY PRIOR APPOINTMENT ONLY. For fastest response time, request a visit using the link to our <a href="http://www.shafervineyards.com/tasting/index.php" target="_blank">online form</a>. At the time of reservation we charge your credit card the tasting fee of $45 per person. If you need to cancel your visit and would like to receive a refund, please give us at least 48 hours notice.</li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.corison.com/visit-st-helena-winery.cfm" target="_blank">Corison</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
987 St. Helena Highway, St. Helena, CA 94574</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
707.963.0826</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hours: 10 to 5 daily</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>All about the wine, Cathy Corison leads the female wine making contingent in Napa. The experience is pretty low key and there isn’t much view but they give you a lot of tastes of some very good wine.</li>
<li>Reservation required, prices vary depending on tour</li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<a href="https://www.twomey.com/#!/visit/calistoga" target="_blank">Twomey Calistoga</a></div>
<div>
1183 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515</div>
<div>
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.</div>
<div>
We are closed on some holidays.</div>
<div>
800.505.4850</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Tasting<span style="text-align: center;"> fee is $10 per person.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">O</span>wned by Silver Oak now, very good merlot but that’s about all they taste and it’s very simple.</li>
<li>Appointments by calling or email Tours@twomey.com</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans, Lucida Sans Unicode, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans, Lucida Sans Unicode, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Fancy</span></span></h3>
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</span>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans, Lucida Sans Unicode, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">The following wineries are all about the Disneyland meets vegas type winery they have. We didn’t especially like any of the wines but you should go to one to see just how commercial some of the wineries have gotten. Pretty cool places to take pictures too. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans, Lucida Sans Unicode, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://clospegase.com/visit.php" target="_blank">Clos Pegase</a>: </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1060 Dunaweal Lane, </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Calistoga, CA 94515 </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Phone: 707.942.4981 </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Hours: 10:30am-5:00pm, daily</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.darioush.com/" target="_blank">Darioush</a>: </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">4240 Silverado Trail, </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Napa, California 94558, USA Phone: </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">707.257.2345 Hours: </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">10:30am-5:00pm, daily</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.peju.com/" target="_blank">Peju</a>: </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">8466 St. Helena Highway (Highway 29), Rutherford, CA 94573, Phone: 800.446.7358 Hours 10 - 6 daily</span></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://castellodiamorosa.ewinerysolutions.com//index.cfm" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" target="_blank">Castello di Amorosa Winery</a><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">: 4045 North Saint Helena Highway, </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Calistoga, CA 94515, </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">707.967.6272, Hr: 9 - 6 daily</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Avoid: <i style="font-weight: normal;"> I won't even bother writing any info on these wineries. Visit at your own risk. You have been warn.</i></span></h3>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">V Sattui</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Merryvale</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Grgich Hills</span></li>
</ul>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Sonoma: <i style="font-weight: normal;"> </i></span><span style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16px;"><i>If you have time, you should really consider Sonoma, it’s way less developed than Napa, very picturesque, and will offer better wine value. The following places we absolutely loved.</i></span></h3>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.stonestreetwines.com/experience/tasting-room.aspx" target="_blank">Stonestreet</a>: </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">7111 Highway 128, Healdsburg, CA 95448, phone: 800-355-8008, hours: </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">11 to 4:30 p.m</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.chateaustjean.com/map_and_directions" target="_blank">Chateau St Jean</a>: </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">8555 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, CA 95452, </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Phone: (707) 833-4134; 10 to 5 daily</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.jordanwinery.com/" target="_blank">Jordan</a>: </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">1474 Alexander Valley Road, Healdsburg, California 95448-9003, 800.654.1213; Mon - Sat 11am</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.ferrari-carano.com/visit/map-directions.aspx" target="_blank">Ferrari Carano</a>: </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">8761 Dry Creek Road, </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Healdsburg, CA 95448, phone: </span><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">707.433.6700, 10 - 5 daily</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Restaurants</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.farmhouseinn.com/" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" target="_blank">Farm House</a><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> in Sonoma – quite a drive so may not be worth it, reserve online</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.morimotonapa.com/" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" target="_blank">Morimoto’s </a><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> - reserve online</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cindysbackstreetkitchen.com/" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" target="_blank">Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen</a><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> - reserve online</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thecarnerosinn.com/thecarnerosinn/restaurant_farm.aspx" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" target="_blank">The Farm</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thecarnerosinn.com/thecarnerosinn/restaurant_boonfly.aspx" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" target="_blank">Boon Fly Café</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.adhocrestaurant.com/" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" target="_blank">Ad Hoc</a><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> (do not order the Fried Chicken, Screen Door in Portland is way better, order the steak instead)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.reddnapavalley.com/" target="_blank">Redd</a></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">We heard </span><a href="http://botteganapavalley.com/index.html" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" target="_blank">Bottega Ristorante</a><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> is really good, we’d probably go there next time – Chef Michael Chiarello, celebrity chef. It’s in Yountville where all the Thomas Keller restaurants are including the French Laundry.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">We didn’t like Bouchon but you may still want to go. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Heard </span><a href="http://mustardsgrill.com/" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" target="_blank">Mustards</a><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> is good too, it’s by Cindy Pawlcyn, same chef/owner as Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, she’s a celebrity chef.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Didn’t like the Culinary Institute’s Greystone restaurant although it was neat to go to the Culinary Institute of America.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Tyler Florence has a restaurant in Napa, <a href="http://rotisserieandwine.com/" target="_blank">Rotisserie & Wine</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.coleschophouse.com/" target="_blank">Cole’s Chop House</a> is supposed to be really good if you are in for steak.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">Places to Stay:</span></h3>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thecarnerosinn.com/thecarnerosinn/" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;" target="_blank">Carneros Inn</a><span style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;">
If you have anything else to add this list, please let me know. Any advice, recommendations, or tips would be greatly appreciated!</div>
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<br />Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-4722951837130722152011-07-22T20:34:00.000-07:002011-07-22T20:34:17.264-07:00Jaden's 1st BirthdayMy friends, Jim and Yeni, have the most adorable and chubby child, Jaden. He's a total sweetheart because the first sound that came out of his mouth after I asked him how was my cooking? Jaden at nine months old with his mouth full and a big happy grin said "MMMMM -MMMMMM". Right there and then I knew he belonged in my foodie circle.<br />
<br />
Jaden is celebrating his first birthday tomorrow and his mother asked me to make some traditional Korean items for his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_birthday_celebrations">dol, doljanchi or tol, toljiabee</a>, where his mother will put several different objects and he will choose one of these items up, and supposedly it will predict the child's future profession in life:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">a large spool of thread = long life</div><div style="text-align: center;">book & pencil = good scholar</div><div style="text-align: center;">computer mouse = computer programmer aka Microsoft, because his father works there</div><div style="text-align: center;">stethoscope = doctor</div><div style="text-align: center;">gravel = lawyer/judge</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I had a lot of help from my friend <a href="http://usetheloot.blogspot.com/">Evelyn</a> who I sew with every Friday, and we were able to construct everything in one day. Jaden's birthday theme color is blue and yellow, thus all the toys were made with blue and yellow felt. We even had some blue and yellow polka dot felt that we incorporate into the plush toys.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Luckily it was one of those rare warm and sunny days in Seattle and I was able to shoot these photos.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi4U8gsB23SkvP4fOATmN7aTzoXbqmDJIZLxCy6rK-ufi4kk8E9B6n5CGxFOXaocTQUGL8WDsKK-QinIUc_EdzsR5mriCt1shvzQ7cwQHICe0EvqdXFvdZOR0GirdOCripTBE45l8Wd0/s1600/Jaden_1st-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi4U8gsB23SkvP4fOATmN7aTzoXbqmDJIZLxCy6rK-ufi4kk8E9B6n5CGxFOXaocTQUGL8WDsKK-QinIUc_EdzsR5mriCt1shvzQ7cwQHICe0EvqdXFvdZOR0GirdOCripTBE45l8Wd0/s400/Jaden_1st-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is spool and thread with a lucky knot and his initial, J</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMUSiQxwG1FFDxKGQRjvWV7fRqajQSROMZRW6l5gMUOlG7_CQYSE661J0wkcodoAwDagJTSSyoBkm-eTgpLuxWa7zTphTGqvdl6nbtNBZdjHwYC4QzFPV0Gcu_PZh_YmmLDXgAZlyDJM/s1600/Jaden_1st-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMUSiQxwG1FFDxKGQRjvWV7fRqajQSROMZRW6l5gMUOlG7_CQYSE661J0wkcodoAwDagJTSSyoBkm-eTgpLuxWa7zTphTGqvdl6nbtNBZdjHwYC4QzFPV0Gcu_PZh_YmmLDXgAZlyDJM/s400/Jaden_1st-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1p4IN5uDDnk7QAzmeShMbx9Pk-xRnJ133iG2eBy4Tg72tFp7iGNpcJe2aQ1ygtkF_N3NxEVlzdURkAfNv4nRGKPFxGkuORGc9lRupZSGxbMkYE48fehL8cM_uSBffIyD_nI1NbcV45M/s1600/Jaden_1st-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1p4IN5uDDnk7QAzmeShMbx9Pk-xRnJ133iG2eBy4Tg72tFp7iGNpcJe2aQ1ygtkF_N3NxEVlzdURkAfNv4nRGKPFxGkuORGc9lRupZSGxbMkYE48fehL8cM_uSBffIyD_nI1NbcV45M/s400/Jaden_1st-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">His little book</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQD2P1EFKeIwjTH3bclH5ky9Q6rxdfAiCsL1RM47acHefHJAEIXKWeUPFFeX0TdAh0UilqwUWTdimdTxvcHqwl52ea2SPSnf45Whd9PegD4xbuQEwFSKNbLJU4hy-oYiHEAdDReYW6Hc/s1600/Jaden_1st-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQD2P1EFKeIwjTH3bclH5ky9Q6rxdfAiCsL1RM47acHefHJAEIXKWeUPFFeX0TdAh0UilqwUWTdimdTxvcHqwl52ea2SPSnf45Whd9PegD4xbuQEwFSKNbLJU4hy-oYiHEAdDReYW6Hc/s400/Jaden_1st-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBZ1f-bzdjzTtZb3x87fACZsnzCfI79PGj_Z4hAiuQ7HBy8LMU44LuOw4pJYbJ4TpcL3dX1g_nClnfNL0omIU5hQF2Douh6y8D6Pavh95mfxusKNzTAg5gHFqes0kHLeQHLXZyXSbWXs/s1600/Jaden_1st-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBZ1f-bzdjzTtZb3x87fACZsnzCfI79PGj_Z4hAiuQ7HBy8LMU44LuOw4pJYbJ4TpcL3dX1g_nClnfNL0omIU5hQF2Douh6y8D6Pavh95mfxusKNzTAg5gHFqes0kHLeQHLXZyXSbWXs/s400/Jaden_1st-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stethoscope, my friend <a href="http://sewclickcreate.com/blog/">Chara</a>, came up with this great way to make the stethoscope more obvious. She said to embroider "Dr. J" on it and now it looks more doctorly, don't you think?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hx-QPKv8uRleYQZYxrk66z4FHMCKjVrNSzJAZuD9qYJSnXOAX-zbUKBdapdWIdPOGH0_GqU4BkkOafduZqgyUMgIBHQ8ad7BRu5VTlswAadRDPFi-K9xiinOgcbhyphenhyphenPbF0EnQV1ia3Ic/s1600/Jaden_1st-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hx-QPKv8uRleYQZYxrk66z4FHMCKjVrNSzJAZuD9qYJSnXOAX-zbUKBdapdWIdPOGH0_GqU4BkkOafduZqgyUMgIBHQ8ad7BRu5VTlswAadRDPFi-K9xiinOgcbhyphenhyphenPbF0EnQV1ia3Ic/s400/Jaden_1st-1.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the gravel, I kept it simple and ended up embroidering the polka dots to give it more texture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkPzdQL_c1gLQZh32VGTKWkvxG42tOXv7Up9hhVu_Fk8OaH0G8rJDJ7c0RbK_bKqvYtP5lRrmau6A9nYAc_fzsh9D3p1bDMWIfSwr5pnlyTPhLsa3smyQjEuiNyJkD8dOOfqbANl_vn4/s1600/Jaden_1st-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkPzdQL_c1gLQZh32VGTKWkvxG42tOXv7Up9hhVu_Fk8OaH0G8rJDJ7c0RbK_bKqvYtP5lRrmau6A9nYAc_fzsh9D3p1bDMWIfSwr5pnlyTPhLsa3smyQjEuiNyJkD8dOOfqbANl_vn4/s400/Jaden_1st-7.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pencil with "No. 1" to celebrate his first birthday</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz4saomvGlldFkQ_C6PnnT1V1ET5550ZJAC55PkWk1f3WBSiVxhGHc2wnPRCjYIyyHPKe1IWbXFB8Kv43MbLLScRCsVyhqO02MvxHTorK0ABKYAmpBkZq_SQjlN-1L-xA0FbOnSZ5bAM/s1600/Jaden_1st-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz4saomvGlldFkQ_C6PnnT1V1ET5550ZJAC55PkWk1f3WBSiVxhGHc2wnPRCjYIyyHPKe1IWbXFB8Kv43MbLLScRCsVyhqO02MvxHTorK0ABKYAmpBkZq_SQjlN-1L-xA0FbOnSZ5bAM/s400/Jaden_1st-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's his pencil and book with the first page having the number one to celebrate his first birthday. I think next year I will make a number "2" page to add to his book and so forth, and hopefully he will have a cute number book where he can learn his numbers later on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlC3svXRINd6nhoaaZzz1eFAXxaWASkW1_mAutLD7_Ygt-H61Kw7OfU8PCjTx7fgwB7k9IQc2o4aB5coy4aGVopCaPVXkb6SU52fAuYZsTllABQDPg5g6t1GDuOJAqdgZ2eiglOJTN1s/s1600/Jaden_1st-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlC3svXRINd6nhoaaZzz1eFAXxaWASkW1_mAutLD7_Ygt-H61Kw7OfU8PCjTx7fgwB7k9IQc2o4aB5coy4aGVopCaPVXkb6SU52fAuYZsTllABQDPg5g6t1GDuOJAqdgZ2eiglOJTN1s/s400/Jaden_1st-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and finally the computer mouse with his initial, J</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">surprisingly I ended up liking this photo the best, because the mouse looks like a cute little fat mouse's butt, tee hee</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR6dSR6cu0ah36GNqwOBfEwoZOIXaAh8cNv203Vc2qla-Qkef8qgJSEKkyPXd_B0Cg2ZFypbzAkds4_pgLM0pWJ2GxWP9i7JN7oU-C3z_nja-W2PTcR3A2xzcELi1UyCyZEKTlahESgo/s1600/Jaden_1st-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR6dSR6cu0ah36GNqwOBfEwoZOIXaAh8cNv203Vc2qla-Qkef8qgJSEKkyPXd_B0Cg2ZFypbzAkds4_pgLM0pWJ2GxWP9i7JN7oU-C3z_nja-W2PTcR3A2xzcELi1UyCyZEKTlahESgo/s400/Jaden_1st-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm pretty sure whatever Jaden will choose tomorrow, he will have a successful career because he's such a cute, smart kid!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-58544358237425471942011-07-20T12:14:00.000-07:002011-07-20T12:16:17.892-07:00Pretty PillowsI'm slowly phasing out pastel colors into more bold colors in my living room. Currently it's more light teal, yellow and pink and now I'm adding more blacks, deeper teal, red and gold and hopefully purple into the mix. Here are some pillows that I made yesterday with <a href="http://www.lecien.co.jp/en/hobby/folklore/index.html">My folklore by Lecien</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2rJeLRjR9Ks8F3vTZ8wi8subyLQWTUnjYdTLhNtBOYKCQaDle__X3qXePm2m-mnDUWyaklyfAJZZM9GGYbryc67YXh5Ur_32HR3PXqYJNCRmGO3isi7ZksASZLR5eK84Y6geR9zo6DU/s1600/Lecien_My+Folklore-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2rJeLRjR9Ks8F3vTZ8wi8subyLQWTUnjYdTLhNtBOYKCQaDle__X3qXePm2m-mnDUWyaklyfAJZZM9GGYbryc67YXh5Ur_32HR3PXqYJNCRmGO3isi7ZksASZLR5eK84Y6geR9zo6DU/s400/Lecien_My+Folklore-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I love the little details on this fabric. So many wonderful and cute details to look at! Here's a close up of the little horses, birds and flowers<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ahneIRV-knq2bv3HTHi1XFSnwpu9cinApJ418bKmb2r27iB7A_ZKZ1fgytu_geZywN6vuHszc6G0bEQceb1BH4FwHaZxi7tWx6ckppT4UV-VU2aYxYiTtayFPTi5lwELIaH3rrr_nz4/s1600/Lecien_My+Folklore-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ahneIRV-knq2bv3HTHi1XFSnwpu9cinApJ418bKmb2r27iB7A_ZKZ1fgytu_geZywN6vuHszc6G0bEQceb1BH4FwHaZxi7tWx6ckppT4UV-VU2aYxYiTtayFPTi5lwELIaH3rrr_nz4/s400/Lecien_My+Folklore-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78LlIxMBdnL8R5_5SEMYS6ACHyby5XOyOwm6VSejVzuk-VD2-Jultg1W11ZHB7zblLSclRnED9qG4-qS66CLVCyoIs2QGp7Slf2cibnjbSud9pw1EXqhqU6e4Ee-J-2SX67IJ1uWkLHc/s1600/Lecien_My+Folklore-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78LlIxMBdnL8R5_5SEMYS6ACHyby5XOyOwm6VSejVzuk-VD2-Jultg1W11ZHB7zblLSclRnED9qG4-qS66CLVCyoIs2QGp7Slf2cibnjbSud9pw1EXqhqU6e4Ee-J-2SX67IJ1uWkLHc/s320/Lecien_My+Folklore-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZSryCSJD__swy0LYqAH8OURdU6jzSxkprJgOXavRvDlQS6cb3QfOShBpjuYXvTl7RYVaSU8XdKHnSDSwYRUbkgo_btnaMQToOwR37ahyQwqpMNKwL9C3FFW0xLbVgq3K5puuidl3qRw/s1600/Lecien_My+Folklore-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZSryCSJD__swy0LYqAH8OURdU6jzSxkprJgOXavRvDlQS6cb3QfOShBpjuYXvTl7RYVaSU8XdKHnSDSwYRUbkgo_btnaMQToOwR37ahyQwqpMNKwL9C3FFW0xLbVgq3K5puuidl3qRw/s320/Lecien_My+Folklore-3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt_hQ2YHfzEugACcmdmlljmUz6GK9SXRjz4m31I_k_fzCXrn7Zhn4_RPyfyDjCLaci3zbCGEwh5L3mdyBiZp_3g1xLOQQhVZlnDVwsqshUGArUYXdKBP2YvclHqgL_DEQXxpmnQMM4hY/s1600/Lecien_My+Folklore-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt_hQ2YHfzEugACcmdmlljmUz6GK9SXRjz4m31I_k_fzCXrn7Zhn4_RPyfyDjCLaci3zbCGEwh5L3mdyBiZp_3g1xLOQQhVZlnDVwsqshUGArUYXdKBP2YvclHqgL_DEQXxpmnQMM4hY/s400/Lecien_My+Folklore-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-82297333804769578082011-07-14T23:16:00.000-07:002011-07-14T23:16:43.528-07:00Combining Sewing + CookingAnd this is what you get :)<div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62NA3FGHsMhg0D_otHwdgtRadQT_KbcVHr2wHcghO08EGvfCDEqZH5OllW2iuup6zjGIY5OOELinFAEY_bxs_7yjGstlAZy0-xbFcQYuXxvhKFSB8ocp66cOz_0eBL9Ox8voBAq5-0xA/s1600/Cookies-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62NA3FGHsMhg0D_otHwdgtRadQT_KbcVHr2wHcghO08EGvfCDEqZH5OllW2iuup6zjGIY5OOELinFAEY_bxs_7yjGstlAZy0-xbFcQYuXxvhKFSB8ocp66cOz_0eBL9Ox8voBAq5-0xA/s400/Cookies-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tonight I spent the evening baking some cookies and packaging them into some glassine bags. I then made some cute labels with the name of the cookies on the back and sealed the bag up by sewing some zig zag line with the tag on it. I'm really happy with how they turned out.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KpX9mqV7rsLI6AFjCglsx5GC0DQgEJX0IfshGdGLwWfJW7BptP_-zpkC7fV201VNBU3e7TJpA6wVyrN41cfM-uC0NQ2Q5Bdx_og-ZwJ1cwiTB4g15q0f6zuR-6fXW0h-DqPG4UJ90UQ/s1600/Cookies-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KpX9mqV7rsLI6AFjCglsx5GC0DQgEJX0IfshGdGLwWfJW7BptP_-zpkC7fV201VNBU3e7TJpA6wVyrN41cfM-uC0NQ2Q5Bdx_og-ZwJ1cwiTB4g15q0f6zuR-6fXW0h-DqPG4UJ90UQ/s400/Cookies-3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YCK1HflgCQiEJHHEO0lHcxJH0QIWdCoOPL8CNaVfpMq-EqkOU1z_uzod8KfN6a_8bjcOh7ExaOCz-7-E2HGgF3fNzYk47Kq0ZpjgDaxL7R9t-4cSTE8jsgNL9zFN7SPdi0qEIkrfHAA/s1600/Cookies-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YCK1HflgCQiEJHHEO0lHcxJH0QIWdCoOPL8CNaVfpMq-EqkOU1z_uzod8KfN6a_8bjcOh7ExaOCz-7-E2HGgF3fNzYk47Kq0ZpjgDaxL7R9t-4cSTE8jsgNL9zFN7SPdi0qEIkrfHAA/s400/Cookies-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">these were the cookies that I made:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Snickernoodles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oatmeal cookies with buttered pecans + dried blueberries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Espresso Chocolate Apricot cookies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These cookies are going to a Garage + Bake Sale Fundraiser to benefit Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure this weekend. I hope they raise a lot of money and people will enjoy these little treats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyKPJT8HUhYQo-t0w3Wb4qtoMn3qpli1OyA7MKY9JKnlT1KQa0wF_OdsI3ETU6YZP3j8J5q4m2g12aNPXnlJfhuuXkkultkWYp45OLRNzSFlGAjZsi80PHvNgYTc6EnTGWOJju5k7mcE/s1600/Cookies-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyKPJT8HUhYQo-t0w3Wb4qtoMn3qpli1OyA7MKY9JKnlT1KQa0wF_OdsI3ETU6YZP3j8J5q4m2g12aNPXnlJfhuuXkkultkWYp45OLRNzSFlGAjZsi80PHvNgYTc6EnTGWOJju5k7mcE/s400/Cookies-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I especially love how I was able to combine my two love of sewing and cooking to create these fun bags. I really enjoyed how the colored threads made the bags look fun and festive! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gpPNSQKituxO3K_xGR2gjF_hXxiR_6j4bmAzlNyGgW9bJnwpUdjH12X5HETBX7H2sm8Es1t1V8N8JBzzv1RmGaXs3NO8fwaUbmZANPZp26zNqtnt1qI_spiSXj0ZfXzhMSilm42jHz4/s1600/Cookies-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gpPNSQKituxO3K_xGR2gjF_hXxiR_6j4bmAzlNyGgW9bJnwpUdjH12X5HETBX7H2sm8Es1t1V8N8JBzzv1RmGaXs3NO8fwaUbmZANPZp26zNqtnt1qI_spiSXj0ZfXzhMSilm42jHz4/s400/Cookies-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-23864097669894540602011-06-22T23:14:00.000-07:002011-06-23T11:34:05.232-07:00Sunny Happy YellowMy love affair with the color yellow has gone a long way, ever since I was very young. I have always been attracted to this color, specifically <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">PANTONE® 14-0848, and like all affairs you fall in and out of love. For awhile it was pink, then orange, then green, then I had a very quick affair with purple, and fortunately I am back in love with yellow. When I look at it it just make me super happy and always put a smile on face, so I'm putting more happy yellow in my life. Starting with this lawn chair. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZpWu_bZxW_rVQNnLWL-ujBXXcdq0jszwMOHTJnetC9cHrA6px9TBnu2iRzQRV6k4BkG-S5NDgUcGPbbwgrouACzKE0XtCVhAY63PF5gQNq8-6FK6qTWNUML-FHKBKKKYUXHqYDA2Inc/s1600/pretty+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZpWu_bZxW_rVQNnLWL-ujBXXcdq0jszwMOHTJnetC9cHrA6px9TBnu2iRzQRV6k4BkG-S5NDgUcGPbbwgrouACzKE0XtCVhAY63PF5gQNq8-6FK6qTWNUML-FHKBKKKYUXHqYDA2Inc/s640/pretty+chair.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div><br />
<div>I bought this chair for $1 at a church rummage sale a couple of months ago on a trip down to Portland with some friends. While down there, we stopped by <a href="https://www.fabricdepot.com/">Fabric Depot</a> and I found this incredible happy summery linen fabric to cover it! The following week, with the help of my friend, <a href="http://charamichelephotography.com/blog/">Chara</a>, on a non-rainy day in Seattle, we sprayed and sprayed it and prayed it would not rain, and luckily it held out. Then I had to wait until it dried and I kind of forgot about it until yesterday when I pulled it out and said I have a fun fabric that needs you. I dusted off my sewing machine and made a top and bottom cover. Now if only the weather would warm up and the sun would come out. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div>Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-90569435570358111762011-05-17T16:44:00.000-07:002011-05-17T16:44:02.779-07:00Sweet InnocenceMy love for <a href="http://www.jencorace.com/?utm_source=Tiny+Showcase+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=87000235b9-The_Jen_Corace_Showcase5_17_2011&utm_medium=email">Jen Corace</a> goes way back and it all started with <a href="http://www.tinyshowcase.com/">Tiny Showcase</a>. I probably have a seven or so prints plus a book illustrated and signed by her. They all are just so beautiful and lovely. Here is her latest called Anesthesia. You should hop over to Tiny Showcase quick where they are selling only one hundred prints. I just brought mine and they are selling fast! So hurry!<br />
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<img alt=""Anesthesia" by Jen Corace" height="640" src="http://www.tinyshowcase.com/images/display/jencorace/1841.jpg" width="508" />Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-55428238469421861232011-05-09T22:59:00.000-07:002011-05-09T22:59:22.765-07:00Lazy...I think I ran into a hump or is it a lump (I feel like a lump right now sitting on the couch), where I am just lazy and unmotivated to do anything, even <gasp> cook! Well actually the only thing I have been doing lately is hand quilting an incredibly large king size quilt that I started almost two weeks ago and now in the stage of hand quilting, but I'm almost done - maybe two more hours and I will be done! Woohoo! It's so big that I can't properly spread the quilt completely out. The quilt probably has eleven or twelve yards of fabric, not including the batting, just the front and back! I had to go to my friend's, <a href="http://usetheloot.blogspot.com/">Evelyn</a>, house and baste the quilt. I have to admit it, I am in love with it. It's colorful and so happy. I smile whenever I touch and look at it.<br />
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The fabric line is from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><a href="http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Anna Maria Horner</span></a>'s Little Folk</span> and it's voile cotton. I can't tell you how pleasurable and soft this fabric is. I wish I had enough to make a blouse. The colors are just beautiful and it's buttery soft. Sorry for the fuzziness of this pic. I took this with my Windows 7 phone, the Samsung Focus. Here they are laid out so I can reorganize and sew them together. They actually did not end up looking like the below pic. <br />
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<img height="640" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_NaGgbwveQd4/TcjQhqu1TjI/AAAAAAAAEDU/6ey9OYXqYa4/s640/Photo_0F33A665-3E97-A635-87DC-39EB334B0C5D.jpg" width="588" /><br />
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I can't wait to show you the quilt when it is all finished. The binding fabric is all picked out, it just need to be cut and sew together. I'm getting giddy just thinking about it :)Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-81716043553045038072011-04-28T12:43:00.000-07:002011-04-28T12:43:00.542-07:00My favorite meal of the day...Brunch<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Breakfast + Lunch = Brunch</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Me + Brunch = Happiness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><img height="265" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_NaGgbwveQd4/Tbi1uM4F-UI/AAAAAAAAEBE/N25Nq7qehIk/Duck%20Frittata.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Brunch meet duck frittata. For our Easter lunch I made a simple frittata and kick it up a knot with some leftover Peking style duck that I roasted on Friday. A frittata is just like a quiche but without the crust. I like to start the frittata on the stovetop and then finish it in the oven to get a nice brown exterior, so make sure your pan has an ovenproof handle.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This recipe is very versatile - just change your ingredients but keep the base the same. I used a 10 inch nonstick skillet and preheat your oven to 425.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Base</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">8 large eggs</div><div style="text-align: center;">A splash of milk or half and half (whatever you have on hand)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Salt and Pepper</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">With a large wire balloon whisk you want to whisk the eggs to incorporate lots of air to make the resulting frittata nice and fluffy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Ingredients</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 small red onion, minced</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 clove of garlic, minced</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 large button mushroom, sliced 1/4 thick</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 cup of fresh spinach</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 small tomato, diced</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">1 scallions, sliced into thin rounds</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">1/2 cup of sage cheddar cheese, diced</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">1/2 cup of shredded duck</div><div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">With the pan on high heat, no oil, cook your mushrooms. Leave the mushrooms alone and let them brown and watch as they release their juices. This will help your frittata from getting soggy. Flip to the other side and brown the other side.<br />
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Lower your heat to medium and add one tablespoon of olive oil. Add your onions and saute until soft, then add your garlic and cook for one more minute.<br />
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Lower your heat to medium low and add the duck and spinach and cook it for one minute. Next add your tomato and scallions to your egg mixture and slowly pour it into your hot pan.<br />
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With your spatula gently run your spatula from the edge of the pan to the center until the frittata is slightly set.<br />
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Turn off the heat and spread your cheese evenly on top and put it in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese melted and the top is golden. <br />
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Take it out of the oven and run your spatula around the skillet to loosen the frittata. <br />
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Invert your frittata onto a plate and serve with a simple spinach salad.</div><div><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="266" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_NaGgbwveQd4/Tbi1u3_AHZI/AAAAAAAAEBI/Y2FuzaVIty0/Duck%20Frittata2.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
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</div></div>Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-45119203974535383562011-04-27T22:21:00.000-07:002011-04-27T23:21:34.156-07:00Photo Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;">Golden Goodness filled with lots of dark, milk and white chocolates </div><div style="text-align: center;">and three delicious salted chocolate cookies!</div><br />
<img height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_NaGgbwveQd4/TbjqMy4jkYI/AAAAAAAAEBc/1ss6hdsbfbE/QNP_EasterEgg5.jpg" width="577" /><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love this last picture. It seems as one of the baby chicks is having a conversation with the bunny on how big the egg is and asking the bunny many questions about it and asking the infamous "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Why?</span>" question that all kids uses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Available to purchase only at the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><a href="http://fujibakeryinc.com/stores.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Bellevue Fuji Bakery Store</span></a> </span>until the end of the month for $18.</div>Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-43865402375388242962011-04-27T18:28:00.000-07:002011-04-27T22:44:49.444-07:00Paper Record Player as a Wedding Invitation? YupHow cool and insane is this wedding invitation? and the cool part it actually plays a song!<br />
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</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://kellianderson.com/blog/2011/04/a-paper-record-player/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">A Paper Record Player : Kelli Anderson</span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Please go to her website and check out all the great details of this amazing wedding invitation.</span><br />
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</div><div><img height="366" src="http://indiecrafts.craftgossip.com/files/2011/04/closeupofneedle.jpg" width="400" /></div></div>Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-90954115096611659742011-04-27T18:12:00.000-07:002011-04-27T18:12:11.114-07:00Tis the Season...to garden!<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_NaGgbwveQd4/S_8lAW7z09I/AAAAAAAAC94/kfzzmdyZyHQ/s400/IMG_0822.JPG" width="400" /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Unfortunately I live in a townhome and do not have any personal space to garden, except on my deck. My deck is loaded with containers filled peonies, honeysuckles, lilies, and jasmines that are interspersed with various types of herbs from shiso, mints, oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, little delicious Alpine strawberries, and more flowers!</span><br />
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<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_NaGgbwveQd4/S_8lDTN7D6I/AAAAAAAAC-U/xsoDr4J5Pj0/s512/IMG_0829.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<img height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_NaGgbwveQd4/S_8lBRSaJdI/AAAAAAAAC-I/aIGooyDYJz4/s400/IMG_0826.JPG" width="400" /></div><br />
Luckily I live close in an area where there is a communal garden, the P-Patch. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">The term "P-Patch" originated in the Seattle area and refers to an urban communal public site that provides small leased plots to individuals for organic gardening. The “P” in P-patch stands for Picardo. The original Seattle P-Patch was Raine Picardo’s 2.5 acre farm, located in Seattle’s Wedgewood neighborhood. The P-patch program was developed during the hard economic times of the early 1970s as a way for people to grow and share their harvest with neighbors and friends.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There are currently 73 P-Patch sites in the Seattle area and every one of them is unique. If you have not wandered to your local P-Patch plot yet, you should make an effort to do so in the near future, as most of them are open year round. It’s a great place to meet and talk to gardeners of various skill levels. Most people are very open to sharing advice and plants with you, so just ask!</span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">If you are looking for your very own plot, check out the <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/ppatch/gardening.htm">Seattle.gov P-Patch site</a> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">for more information and to find the nearest P-Patch in your area. The cost is minimal and is usually just an annual fee with a chance for renewal each year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">This is my third year at my little patch. This year I brought lots of seeds packets to plant this year along with a detail planting sketch and hopefully, I will not deviate from, like I did the previous two years. I mainly order my seeds from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.johnnyseeds.com/default.aspx">Johnny's Selected Seeds</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">, which I found to be a very reliable seed and plant source with organic and heirloom choices.</span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Hopefully you have studiously weeded out your garden before they go to seed. Now is the time to plant your peas, beets, onions, carrots, lettuces, and mustard greens. Also think about what items that you need to sow indoors to transplant later like your squashes and pumpkins, and remember now is NOT the time to plant your tomatoes, wait until after Mother's Day - be patience and you will be rewarded with plump juicy tomatoes later this summer! </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><img height="424" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_NaGgbwveQd4/Tbi1vhcrPxI/AAAAAAAAEBM/Ckhs0iw0P5Y/Seeds.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></span></span></div></div>Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-27163175581854182672011-04-20T22:04:00.000-07:002011-04-20T22:04:11.770-07:00Busted yolks never tasted so good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeRK12HBa6drY14KwCMWA_Pv1V3Jm8r85RJNdk4Op5OCLWuIebeS8Tvrb1gbiPKfPKo7rOD744ql5PZoIfaQ7HMoSlBxvY5J6gubcpzyec2Bz1zvGptIPUdTNDRLHMW5dxvx6NHOgdmc/s1600/fried+egg+sanwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeRK12HBa6drY14KwCMWA_Pv1V3Jm8r85RJNdk4Op5OCLWuIebeS8Tvrb1gbiPKfPKo7rOD744ql5PZoIfaQ7HMoSlBxvY5J6gubcpzyec2Bz1zvGptIPUdTNDRLHMW5dxvx6NHOgdmc/s400/fried+egg+sanwich.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #628dac; font-family: verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">I adore this version of a breakfast egg sandwich from Hi Life in Ballard, simple but with tons of flavors. The egg is fried with herbed breadcrumbs and then splash with Tutto Calabria chile oil, Beaufor vinegar and sandwich between layer with fresh baked English muffin, home made pork sausage and of course Tillamook cheese. It's spicy and tangy and delicious.</span></div><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: none;">You can usually order this Monday thru Friday for breakfast and on request on weekends, which I highly recommend.<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: verdana; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-transform: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Hi Life</b></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-transform: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">5425 Russell Avenue Northwest</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: none;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Seattle, WA 98107-4015</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">(206) 784-7272</span></div></div>Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-16681046815143710592011-04-17T13:59:00.000-07:002011-04-20T21:10:45.363-07:00Milk Sticks, how I adore thee<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ1H_iTCcwGXFMH3ZRYgIaJoqqp2dt69Ytm80Gexfrjtn96JR-98F0dTk3GMASeeYKMRMwgVfiozaKfAGfW_-Gs2LvSa6SGFFHsDqfLp843Lp7Dup7Y-QBB7AXMC2qebVfi4QuIdao9I/s1600/Milkstick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ1H_iTCcwGXFMH3ZRYgIaJoqqp2dt69Ytm80Gexfrjtn96JR-98F0dTk3GMASeeYKMRMwgVfiozaKfAGfW_-Gs2LvSa6SGFFHsDqfLp843Lp7Dup7Y-QBB7AXMC2qebVfi4QuIdao9I/s400/Milkstick.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">These my friend is <a href="http://fujibakeryinc.com/">Fuji Bakery’s</a> Milk Sticks. They are unassuming goodness from my youth and brings </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">wonderful nostalgic with its simple flavors of condense milk spread on good baguette. I don’t know about you, but growing up my mother would give my siblings and I mini baguettes and a bowl of condense milk to snack on after school. Fuji’s simple but sophisticated version of this is small thin 8” baguettes that has been sliced in half and smeared with a combination of whipped butter and condense milk. Trust me, all little kids will love this snack. I know my friend, Enna, who is three year olds loves it and can devour one in just minutes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjXE3WvlC8wndAMaci-oMWIVw843nY9AI2Ho8YhORtJHcJpWRtd7Z6mim3XUeimNz1ELyd1nqj4nP4fNDxEEwlYDOWVyhfsuUXxX6WTUL36Yst_hyEv4sd_X94A5yfFr0XqIfhWa8L9g/s1600/Takahito+Hirai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjXE3WvlC8wndAMaci-oMWIVw843nY9AI2Ho8YhORtJHcJpWRtd7Z6mim3XUeimNz1ELyd1nqj4nP4fNDxEEwlYDOWVyhfsuUXxX6WTUL36Yst_hyEv4sd_X94A5yfFr0XqIfhWa8L9g/s200/Takahito+Hirai.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The creator of this yummy goodness is Takahito Hirai, or known as Taka. He is the Pastry Chef for Fuji Bakery at the young age of 26. Taka graduated from Tokyo’s Kokusai Seika Senmon Gakko, specializing in breads and French pastries. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">My friends, Kendra and Michael, were one of the first people to discover them when they first open and introduced us to this bakery on our way to hike Rattlesnake Mountain. I remember each of us devouring five or six pastries to energize ourselves before our long hike! Good thing we burned a lot of calories on that hike that afternoon.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Once you walk into Fuji Bakery you can smell the amazing varieties of different sweet and savory baguettes from mixed olives, bacon, tomatoes, and chestnut, just to name a few in the store right now. The best part it is ever changing with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Breads are only a small portion of what you can find at Fuji Bakery. They have Japanese inspired French pastries like brioche bread filled with azuki and raspberry jam to give it a subtle tartness, chocolate croissants, and melonpan or pastries known as cookie bread favored with green tea, chocolate, raspberry or just plain! Also they do decorated cakes for special occasion in all sort of flavors, check out their <a href="http://fujibakeryinc.com/cakes.html">website</a>.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYtKj_LsCrVmbAhygJcLndhSPzbffe5Rt-Pss4H2hlGpk7ylJKpkine5qU3LRah9OniAQm_hPZbGP-RsijfuqOHkJOmbYmaqDhemFdcwWMqTvPCVtx-zaba9B4nUEipyvw8GkCN4WY8k/s1600/baton+au+chocolat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYtKj_LsCrVmbAhygJcLndhSPzbffe5Rt-Pss4H2hlGpk7ylJKpkine5qU3LRah9OniAQm_hPZbGP-RsijfuqOHkJOmbYmaqDhemFdcwWMqTvPCVtx-zaba9B4nUEipyvw8GkCN4WY8k/s400/baton+au+chocolat.jpg" width="363" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Taka fully believes in using the best and freshest local ingredients, along with organic milk and butter. He scours Pike Place Market, Whole Foods and Farmer’s Market to see what is being grown right now and it inspires him to make unique and delicious bakery goods for his customers. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;">One of Taka favorite things to make is actually not only the pastries but making a natural starter for his levain, which means he does not use any yeast in making his levain but harvests it naturally from the air. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99wb-pk7HTvPSRWvEUjYxfmNBJd4Rr88chEGnGO-1ZcJX5v6fA4FuzPhblni1UiwknkFjyZlJ2z_liLFpPfIVeqUJnOYCvZkDja63ZtzpZQ2elnhO9tPozAMRambh23RdDNWmHM72gR8/s400/levain+marron.jpg" width="278" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrXQ60YX1Mnci3xtATzcJgd_fYipRjXKe-7KpnnuoqEsxjy-ZV8gvsO0q406xLXBz__zwJHGTYfOWDRZFMF6_d1SIXH3yP_-cNZ-bAhOQ7KZ7bqGGjfAyHzWNL55ZPQNdaCZ6Fn7RFbA/s400/levain.jpg" width="271" /></div><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Another personal favorite you MUST buy is the panettone. It’s not your regular Italian panettone that you usually find around the holidays. It’s filled with plump raisin and citrus peels, and it is light and slightly sweet and just plain decadent, especially if you spread a bit of honey butter on top.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk0JI17FOJ-PaOgvkN23ykaziP8BvYCHwbD-UD2k5hq0CkKErrFMh2NsM6GI24QQbWYStBQTh4WhON-Q7jyPCne07pnV5lFBWc6DLtzaGGcT9Ing6AgW5OeXh8Hc5etEHHETIxIBzEc8/s1600/panettone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk0JI17FOJ-PaOgvkN23ykaziP8BvYCHwbD-UD2k5hq0CkKErrFMh2NsM6GI24QQbWYStBQTh4WhON-Q7jyPCne07pnV5lFBWc6DLtzaGGcT9Ing6AgW5OeXh8Hc5etEHHETIxIBzEc8/s400/panettone.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Fuji Bakery is a must visit if you live or visit Seattle and luckily they have two locations, one on the East side and one in Seattle!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">SEATTLE</span> (<b><span style="color: #601914; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-transform: uppercase;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Weekdays 11-7, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Saturdays 11-6, and closed on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Sundays & Holidays)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=ja&geocode=&q=526+South+King+Street,+Seattle,+WA+98104,+United+States&aq=0&sll=47.605932,-122.326412&sspn=0.019444,0.054502&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=526+S+King+St,+Seattle,+King,+Washington+98104&ll=47.598366,-122.326639&spn=0.009723,0.027251&z=14&iwloc=A"><span style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">526 S. King St.</span><span style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">Seattle, WA 98104</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">On the corner of 6th & King Street, one block north of Uwajimaya </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">BELLEVUE </span>(<o:p></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Weekdays 11-7, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Saturdays 11-6 and closed on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Sundays & Holidays)</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=ja&geocode=&q=526+South+King+Street,+Seattle,+WA+98104,+United+States&aq=0&sll=47.605932,-122.326412&sspn=0.019444,0.054502&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=526+S+King+St,+Seattle,+King,+Washington+98104&ll=47.598366,-122.326639&spn=0.009723,0.027251&z=14&iwloc=A"><span style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">526 S. King St.</span><span style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</span><span style="color: windowtext; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">Seattle, WA 98104</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #210b01; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On the corner of 145th & Lake Hills Boulevard, in the same lot as QFC</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div>Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5153922803280230832.post-46040628227959268742011-04-14T20:36:00.000-07:002011-04-17T11:54:37.448-07:00Dobos Torte with Anna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the lovely Anna, currently the pastry chef at <a href="http://alliumonorcas.com/">Allium</a> & <a href="http://lilyonorcas.com/">Lily</a> on Orcas. I originally met her at <a href="http://www.theherbfarm.com/">The Herbfarm</a> a couple of years ago baking away fabulous mini desserts and breads early in the morning when I would come by and feed <a href="http://www.theherbfarm.com/about/pigs.html">Basil and Borage</a> (The Herbfarm's famous Vietnamese potbellied pigs) or drop off the fresh harvest that we gathered that morning for the evening meal. I would make sure to stop by and say hi to the morning crew and check to see what kind of goodies that were making that day. It was always very interesting and fun to talk to everyone from the front of the house staff to the savory and sweet crew. I do miss working at The Herbfarm, but very happy I made some wonderful friendships that will last a long time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJTWoYUGXRRGVmnQEVEzhIqPtBHhJmhDRnMnn6lm_65X_HxnvR63JVfXpHZNGX6DD1_n2zyEGV8KFE9O73ZdeLn9y0qgDFJO1KyFDjILykE3fqs8a08xC90BLQNcEQiudIi-QChiqR14/s1600/Anna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJTWoYUGXRRGVmnQEVEzhIqPtBHhJmhDRnMnn6lm_65X_HxnvR63JVfXpHZNGX6DD1_n2zyEGV8KFE9O73ZdeLn9y0qgDFJO1KyFDjILykE3fqs8a08xC90BLQNcEQiudIi-QChiqR14/s320/Anna.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She came over a few weeks ago and we made this gorgeous delicious torte cake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnR5yMXZ3QtsRhjN7fW-0sdBEza_LCJMr3K2QJI6wCRcKBgPMTEzSgzD7sSDRNQQdTymB77cIODbVmyeZSqJH0xicgswQiAcDmB_cvbufkbl3m1kG8QUtdHEmmahFlgqYOLqQCmF3x44/s1600/DobosTorte-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnR5yMXZ3QtsRhjN7fW-0sdBEza_LCJMr3K2QJI6wCRcKBgPMTEzSgzD7sSDRNQQdTymB77cIODbVmyeZSqJH0xicgswQiAcDmB_cvbufkbl3m1kG8QUtdHEmmahFlgqYOLqQCmF3x44/s400/DobosTorte-7.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHYi-qeVRd65mBQl7BXwpgyb_Dgae71T36QaY9mMCxoX2jORwq3vRewIfbO16PqeScyGJSgNc1tPFRGTiG9gLgwjOpbsnX47gEoaGFxlA-bl9DBMKc96jK0qbOjZFGVVDX6Mf9aqqgo4/s1600/DobosTorte-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHYi-qeVRd65mBQl7BXwpgyb_Dgae71T36QaY9mMCxoX2jORwq3vRewIfbO16PqeScyGJSgNc1tPFRGTiG9gLgwjOpbsnX47gEoaGFxlA-bl9DBMKc96jK0qbOjZFGVVDX6Mf9aqqgo4/s400/DobosTorte-37.jpg" width="265" /></a><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2qD1CAIYz2mFr5D-40KFDI9XN6cplKa61MZnnUVTG7ig3eXR1-FZ02IkgWh9HFj3hqy0XVw0c5D64Ez782RSdWT6dz2QYxRzilZcN7ovkR3bepsGtWR2bQkDKMMrxTz_72-oMKPGIAc/s400/dobos+torte.jpg" width="265" /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Usually you will see this cake as a round cake but by using the rectangular shape it makes it easier to assemble. We made this cake in just under three hours from start to finish. It is a little bit complicated to make but trust me. It is well worth it. The traditional way of making this cake you would piped the cake batter into round circles and then bake. By baking the cake in a 12x17 sheet pan, you can evenly mark and cut up the cake to the specify shape and size that you want.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDxC7-hcDZJKJgRm37oJnJStCBxA6T61pbKxC5NT-Mh1WFV7Bbcz2i-fm1nzV6wrFenmdQerjVITNmX67-GDIKga95amCOPaLzYQcDQX7uMVjqAY4_0qfrdcT13St27g6mzc-58ggQjo/s1600/oven+temp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDxC7-hcDZJKJgRm37oJnJStCBxA6T61pbKxC5NT-Mh1WFV7Bbcz2i-fm1nzV6wrFenmdQerjVITNmX67-GDIKga95amCOPaLzYQcDQX7uMVjqAY4_0qfrdcT13St27g6mzc-58ggQjo/s200/oven+temp.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Cake Batter</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">6 large eggs, separated and at room temperature</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 Tablespoon water</div><div class="MsoNormal">Pinch of salt</div><div class="MsoNormal">9.5 Tablespoon sugar</div><div class="MsoNormal">9.5 Tablespoon of cake flour, sifted</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Grease and line two 12x17 inch half sheet pan with parchment paper. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Whip the egg yolks with half of the sugar, 5 Tablespoon, until ribbon stage (It should be thick and pale yellow)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Whip the egg whites, water and pinch of salt, slowly add the other half of the sugar, 4 Tablespoon, until stiff but not dry</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Fold the yolk mixture into the white mixture</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Gently fold in the sifted cake flour</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Divide the batter between the pans, and then smooth the top and tap the sides a few times to even out</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown, if necessary rotate the pan half way through</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Cover the cakes with a piece of parchment while cooling in order to retain some moisture</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Once the cakes have cool down, use a rule and cut the cakes into 8x4 inch pieces, set aside the best piece for the top layer, you should have nine layers. </li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><o:p> </o:p>**Save any cake scrapes for emergency patches. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">If some spots are not as thick as the other pieces</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Filling</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">1.5 teaspoon of vanilla extract or ½ vanilla bean</div><div class="MsoNormal">¾ cup powder sugar </div><div class="MsoNormal">6 oz unsalted butter, at room temperature</div><div class="MsoNormal">3 Tablespoon strong coffee</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 large egg</div><div class="MsoNormal">3 oz dark chocolate, we used 70%</div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pinch of kosher salt </span><br />
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Mix ¼ cup of the sugar, egg, vanilla extract or bean and coffee over a double boiler until the mixture reaches 140 F and mix in the chocolate until melted and smooth</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">In a mixer, beat the butter, pinch of salt and ½ cup of the sugar until light and fluffy, add the chocolate mixture and beat until the filling is light and fluffy</li>
</ul><br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"></ul><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Chocolate Buttercream</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">2 large egg whites</div><div class="MsoNormal">½ cup sugar</div><div class="MsoNormal">6 oz butter at room temperature</div><div class="MsoNormal">3 oz dark chocolate </div><div class="MsoNormal">Pinch of salt</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1;">Mix the egg whites, sugar and pinch of salt in the bowl of the mixer over a double boiler until the mixture reaches 140 F</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1;">Whip with your KitchenAid mixer until the meringue forms soft glossy peaks</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1;">Next add the butter a little at a time until it is well incorporated, keep beating if the mixture looks like ricotta cheese, it will come back together</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1;">Melt the chocolate and add it to the butter cream. Mix the mixture with a hand whisk for one minute before putting it back in the KitchenAid and whisking until it is fluffy.</li>
</ul><br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"></ul><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Caramel Layer</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">½ cup of sugar </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">** This part you must work quickly; the caramel is extremely hot </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">and can burn your skin easily - have ice water standing by just in case</span>.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">Heat sugar in pan and stir mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved. With a wet pastry brush, wash down the inside of the pan to prevent crystallization. Boil sugar mixture until the syrup turns a lovely amber color or reaches 248 F, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">During the last few minutes, watch it carefully because it can burn quickly</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;">Carefully pour the caramel on to the top of the last layer and spread to the edges with an oiled knife. Quickly score the caramel into into eight wedges. Alow to cool slightly and then rescore a little bit deeper with your oiled knife. Allow to cool completely and then cut the wedges up. </li>
</ul><br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"></ul><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Assembly</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3;">Fill the eight layers with the chocolate filling. The cake and the filling should be the same thickness, about ¼ inch </li>
</ul><i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-style: normal;"><i>** A little secret technique for anyone who OCD like me. If you have a kitchen scale, </i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-style: normal;"><i>this will be your best friend. Have a small bowl and weigh each layer filling. </i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-style: normal;"><i>This will ensure you will have the same thickness for each layer!</i></span></i></div><br />
<div><br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Put a little of the filling into a pastry bag and set aside for decorating</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Frost the sides with a thin coat of the buttercream; don’t worry about the crumbs, this is a crumb coat </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Let the cake firm up in the refrigerator for 10 minutes then frost the cake with the rest of the buttercream </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Decorate with the leftover filling and add the caramel portions to the top</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Let the cake sit for at least 3 hours to overnight and slice with a hot knife</li>
</ul></div>Quynhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319759436253444082noreply@blogger.com0