Yearly Archives: 2009

My sister and her fiancé arrive tonight. We’re going for Sichuan with Margaret before picking them up from the airport. The rest of the week will be devoted to fun in the city and wedding planning. And then next week, we’re with the family at a rental beach house near Half Moon Bay. (Being Northern…

Inspired by Design Sponge and connections over at SF-local Yellow Owl, Rebecca hosted the LAC last night for fabric stamping. Such a fun and easy project! Our hostess equipped us with a big stack of plain tea towels, fabric ink and stamps galore. She even managed to score the not-yet-released cityscape stamp set from Yellow…

Ah, long weekends. Rob and I loved this opportunity to relax in the country. We drove up to Weaverville early Saturday morning to spend time with our friends, Rich and Molly. First stop: Cottonwood. We met Rich and Molly there with some of her relatives, all working on rounding up cattle that had been grazing…

Joan wrote in with a specific request for summer: I’m, 40-something, 5’6 and 160lbs — I have a little “paunch” but otherwise I’m well proportioned. I’m blonde (going grey when I’m due for the hairdressers) and I have a fair complexion overall but my face tends to have a strong red undertone when I’m not…

Tin plates from from fine china maker, Mottahedeh, are just the thing for a posh Memorial Day picnic this weekend. And I have to get a set for our annual Mountain Play picnic in June. Gump’s carries the “Turkish Garden” design pictured. And there are other lovely sets in roses, dragons, ming and tall ships.

There are few things quite as satisfying as preparing a big stack of letters for the mail. I’m working on a special project and it involves loads of stamps. Photo from Ankou.

A farm wedding would be just right for flowers mixed with fruit. This loose arrangement includes citrus ranunculus and geraniums.

I don’t think I’ve shared my “mini-donk” obsession with you yet. Yep, my imaginary country estate comes equipped with a Scottish deerhound, plenty of tweed and an adorable miniature donkey. Ooookay…too much information. Hey, look! Cute donkey stamped wedding favors. It would be a snap to make something like this on the Gocco.

Rob and I dropped in to the Legion of Honor on Saturday to catch the Artistic Luxury exhibit before it moves on at the end of the month. So many beautiful items! The emphasis on detailed craftsmanship over expensive materials (although there were still plenty of those) was my favorite part. I’d take this lovely…

Mmm…first potato salad of the summer. And it was just right. This family favorite is a purists version of the recipe. Classic Potato SaladMakes 6 servings. Prepare the day before. 5 or 6 large red potatoes, (pool cue size)3 stalks of celery3 green onionsMayonnaiseOnion salt and pepper Boil the potatoes for about 20 minutes and…