Category: Uncategorized

We are enjoying what feels like the last proper rain here in Sonoma Valley.  Hunkered down in old favorite sweatshirts with a big fire going and watching “Little Einstein” with the kids for the umpteenth friggin’ time.  And having a total craving for Kumquat Tea… Probably because I just finished a study of my mom’s little […]

Continuing from yesterday’s New York Times “coup de grace” on the Mediterranean Diet, I thought I’d shuffle through my notebooks to see what bits I’ve jotted down on Olive Oil. * Yes, I am that much of a nerd that I write down neat tidbits from reading stacks of food rags, books, wine magazines, and […]

The New York Times just published a great Front Page article today in Health.  I have to tell you about it.  You know I love how we eat here at Annadel and overall in Sonoma Wine Country.  Selfishly, I am a HUGE advocate of REAL foods, REAL fats, and REAL wine — a.k.a. the Mediterranean Diet — because […]

We have just returned from our annual pilgrimage to get warm on an island — our big annual treat! Our first orders of business upon return this weekend was to 1.) turn the old 1939 steam heating up FULL blast, 2.) have a bottle of really great wine (ours), and 3.) make dinner.  There is […]

Those of who who know me well understand that I have this crush on my old stove.  Circa 1941, my Occidental Electric last lived in a dusty old Barn here at Annadel before we rescued her. Only two burners work regularly, sometimes only one on really cold days and gas has trouble reaching the house. […]

Finale!  We did it!  Sort of. Anni and I seized the day! And tackled the final stage of our Gingerbread House Castle:  the Assembly and Decoration.  We pulled up the “Royal Icing” recipe and measured out our ingredients: 3 & 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 2 eggs, and 1 tspn vanilla extract. Disclaimer: The recipe actually […]

Our four flat Gingerbread House walls are still on my kitchen counter, on my favorite green cutting board, and draped in a clean dish cloth.  Waiting to be pasted together with sugary icing and holiday cheer.  While I have decorated the rest of the house merrily, it has been a whole SEVEN DAYS since starting […]

DISASTER Anni and I continued where we left off and began drafting plans for our Gingerbread Princess Castle on parchment paper.  Note to readers: children’s washable Crayola markers is not ideal for castle renderings. After much (one sided) deliberation on turrets, we devolved into breaking out the bag of Mint M&Ms intended for decoration…and opt […]

The Big Princess Poopie: After stalling this week on our Winery Gingerbread House, we woke up to big rains and the Big Baking Day… and a missed deadline.  In my infinite pregnancy abilities, I mis-calendered delivery of said House for tomorrow.  But it is really due today.  (Sorry SVVGA!) Frankly, at this point in my […]