Our rides yesterday and today were rained out. so I baked and ate instead. We are going to a party this afternoon, so I made Hungarian shortbread to take along. It's two layers of very buttery, light shortbread with jam in between, then heavily dusted with confectioners' sugar. Tomorrow night, we are invited to friends for dinner, and I made individual "bundtlets" of lingonberry tea cake. It has lots of spices in it-- cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg-- so it made the house smell heavenly while it was baking.
We had lunch at our favorite-- Theresa and Johnny's Comfort Food Cafe, and then a regular trip to Goodwill. I found three bike jerseys there today. Even if they don't fit us, I'm sure we'll find good homes for them. We also went to someone's house to look for a refrigerator for Jerry's new office, but instead, he got a surger for practically nothing. It's something Jerry has really wanted, and he's having a great time playing with it.
With any luck it won't rain on New Year's Day and we'll get to ride. And eat.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Dashing through...
the streets of San Francisco for a Christmas Day ride with the Velo Girls. We started at Golden Gate Park, then on to the Embarcadero, and eventually made our way around Lake Merced.
Jerry and I ended up doing a lot of the ride by ourselves. It seems that the leaders didn't always follow the route sheet, and for that matter, some of the directions on the sheet were wrong. And besides, we found a nice little cafe open, so Jerry had hot chocolate and I had a cappuccino. I ran into a former UCSF colleague at the cafe. I told him I didn't need to hear how things were at UCSF; I have already heard what a disaster things are. He, like so many others, is looking for another place to work.
When we got home Jerry and I made a large pot of beans and rice with chicken sausage, onions, salsa, tomatoes and garlic. We were starving so it tasted especially good. We made enough to freeze a couple of yogurt containers.
Jerry and I ended up doing a lot of the ride by ourselves. It seems that the leaders didn't always follow the route sheet, and for that matter, some of the directions on the sheet were wrong. And besides, we found a nice little cafe open, so Jerry had hot chocolate and I had a cappuccino. I ran into a former UCSF colleague at the cafe. I told him I didn't need to hear how things were at UCSF; I have already heard what a disaster things are. He, like so many others, is looking for another place to work.
When we got home Jerry and I made a large pot of beans and rice with chicken sausage, onions, salsa, tomatoes and garlic. We were starving so it tasted especially good. We made enough to freeze a couple of yogurt containers.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Riding, caroling and eating
Last night Jerry and I loaded up the green machine and headed to Newark for a cycling and caroling tour of Russ's neighborhood to look at the neighborhood decorations, including the Christmas penis and a creche absent the baby Jesus.
After 10 miles of toe-numbing cold, we headed back to the house for dinner prepared by Russ's "real" wife, Laurie, as opposed to his bicycle wife, Jeannie, who was along for the ride. We had lovely filled pasta and a salad, followed by goodies brought by a couple of us and even more baked by Laurie. A little wine, a little spiked eggnog, and we were all as warm as toast, or perhaps as warm as one of their doggies who had strategically placed himself in front of the woodstove.
After the new year, Russ starts his new position with ALC as a cycle buddy. It's a full time job, and unfortunately, Russ will not get to do the ride, but he will be on training rides and will be part of the ride staff. He will be an amazing cycle buddy-- his compassion, good humor, incredible work ethic and the comeraderie of the other cycle buddies makes it an ideal job for him. I'm so excited for him.
Later today Jerry and I head back to the east bay for Latkepalooza, my friends Gary and Kathy's annual latke party. Several weeks past Hannukah though it may be, it's a great time for a party. I'll pack up yet another try of goodies to take along.
After 10 miles of toe-numbing cold, we headed back to the house for dinner prepared by Russ's "real" wife, Laurie, as opposed to his bicycle wife, Jeannie, who was along for the ride. We had lovely filled pasta and a salad, followed by goodies brought by a couple of us and even more baked by Laurie. A little wine, a little spiked eggnog, and we were all as warm as toast, or perhaps as warm as one of their doggies who had strategically placed himself in front of the woodstove.
After the new year, Russ starts his new position with ALC as a cycle buddy. It's a full time job, and unfortunately, Russ will not get to do the ride, but he will be on training rides and will be part of the ride staff. He will be an amazing cycle buddy-- his compassion, good humor, incredible work ethic and the comeraderie of the other cycle buddies makes it an ideal job for him. I'm so excited for him.
Later today Jerry and I head back to the east bay for Latkepalooza, my friends Gary and Kathy's annual latke party. Several weeks past Hannukah though it may be, it's a great time for a party. I'll pack up yet another try of goodies to take along.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
It's beginning to look a lot like...
Christmas exploded in my kitchen. About a half dozen different kinds of cookies and biscotti, toffee bars and even more peppermint bark. I discovered that white chocolate gives me just as big a headache as the "real" stuff, so I'm staying away from that from now on, as well. I will still cook and bake with it; I just won't nibble it while I'm playing with it.
I packed up goodie tins for my neighbors; as soon as I find holiday stickers I'll deliver them.
I'll pack up more goodies to take to the east bay on Saturday evening for a nighttime ride to look at Christmas lights and sing while pedaling, then back to Russ's house for more food.
I plan to do a little more baking tomorrow; I'm not quite sure yet what I will bake. Maybe a yeast bread, maybe some more cookies. We'll see what mood I'm in tomorrow morning.
I packed up goodie tins for my neighbors; as soon as I find holiday stickers I'll deliver them.
I'll pack up more goodies to take to the east bay on Saturday evening for a nighttime ride to look at Christmas lights and sing while pedaling, then back to Russ's house for more food.
I plan to do a little more baking tomorrow; I'm not quite sure yet what I will bake. Maybe a yeast bread, maybe some more cookies. We'll see what mood I'm in tomorrow morning.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Riding to eat scones
or, in my case cheesebread and fantastic warm cinnamon raisin bread at Wildflour bakery near Bodega Bay.
Saturday was the day of "The Ride" sponsored by the Positive Pedalers, and a take-off of "The Birds" that wonderful Hitchcock movie that takes place in Bodega Bay. John Hershey can add host extraordinaire to his resume. We met at his lovely house in Bodega Bay he shares with his partner, Ted, and started the day with coffee, fruit and toffee bars I brought. Yes, they were a hit.
Then we pedaled out in a misting rain. The nine-mile point brought us to Wildflour, and at that time, the rain had gotten a bit beyond mist into, well, rain. So, after coffee and treats-- Beau swears by their scones-- we decided to head back to John's house where we were greeted by, you guessed it, more food.
Beau made a hearty turkey salad, full of grapes and a couple different kind of cheeses, and there was a platter of Aram sandwiches, and the last of the toffee bars got snarfed down.
We watched a video from ALC5, a dvd of The Birds, and several people warmed up in the hot tub on the deck.
Despite the abbreviated ride, it was a great day.
I started the ride pretty sluggish. Could have been the effect of the Texas fried catfish and a week of doing pretty much nothing but eating.
Yesterday I baked more Christmas cookies and made a huge batch of pasta sauce that simmered on the stove most of the day. Jerry and I had whole wheat penne and some of the sauce for dinner. I froze two jars and packed away pasta and sauce for dinner or lunches this week.
Despite this kind of eating, I've managed to lose a pound this week. Around 10 more pounds to go...
Time to check next weekend's ride schedule, and decide what to eat after the ride.
Saturday was the day of "The Ride" sponsored by the Positive Pedalers, and a take-off of "The Birds" that wonderful Hitchcock movie that takes place in Bodega Bay. John Hershey can add host extraordinaire to his resume. We met at his lovely house in Bodega Bay he shares with his partner, Ted, and started the day with coffee, fruit and toffee bars I brought. Yes, they were a hit.
Then we pedaled out in a misting rain. The nine-mile point brought us to Wildflour, and at that time, the rain had gotten a bit beyond mist into, well, rain. So, after coffee and treats-- Beau swears by their scones-- we decided to head back to John's house where we were greeted by, you guessed it, more food.
Beau made a hearty turkey salad, full of grapes and a couple different kind of cheeses, and there was a platter of Aram sandwiches, and the last of the toffee bars got snarfed down.
We watched a video from ALC5, a dvd of The Birds, and several people warmed up in the hot tub on the deck.
Despite the abbreviated ride, it was a great day.
I started the ride pretty sluggish. Could have been the effect of the Texas fried catfish and a week of doing pretty much nothing but eating.
Yesterday I baked more Christmas cookies and made a huge batch of pasta sauce that simmered on the stove most of the day. Jerry and I had whole wheat penne and some of the sauce for dinner. I froze two jars and packed away pasta and sauce for dinner or lunches this week.
Despite this kind of eating, I've managed to lose a pound this week. Around 10 more pounds to go...
Time to check next weekend's ride schedule, and decide what to eat after the ride.
Friday, December 14, 2007
If it ain't fried...
It ain't food. Or at least that's what it seemed on a recent visit to east Texas. Fried catfish, fried oysters, hush puppies, french fries...
The part of Texas we visited was very close to the Louisiana border. It was a definite cross between Cajun and Cowboy. Gumbos, etoufees and chicken fried steak. Sweet tea and strong coffee. Southern twangs and Tony Lamas.
Baked potatoes seemed to be popular as well, but not eaten before drowned in butter, sour cream and bacon bits. I was not the least bit surprised to see a huge number of people who would have won a spot on "The Biggest Loser" television show-- you know, the one where overweight people are tortured into becoming svelte. The other unusual thing I noticed was the inordinately large number of people with nasal canulas and oxygen tanks. That, I attributed to the idealization of the Marlboro Man, or woman, in many cases. Still a lot of cigarette smoking in that part of the world. One the many reasons it's great to be back in northern California.
Another great reason to be back is to go on what promises to be a very fun bike ride tomorrow. It's the Positive Pedalers' monthly ride. We're riding out of Bodega Bay, and after the ride will go to photographer extraordinaire John Hershey's house for Beau Thomson's famous turkey salad and my soon-to-be-famous toffee bars. Thank God they are made with chocolate so I won't be tempted to eat them. But then, my chocolate allergy story will have to wait for another day.
The part of Texas we visited was very close to the Louisiana border. It was a definite cross between Cajun and Cowboy. Gumbos, etoufees and chicken fried steak. Sweet tea and strong coffee. Southern twangs and Tony Lamas.
Baked potatoes seemed to be popular as well, but not eaten before drowned in butter, sour cream and bacon bits. I was not the least bit surprised to see a huge number of people who would have won a spot on "The Biggest Loser" television show-- you know, the one where overweight people are tortured into becoming svelte. The other unusual thing I noticed was the inordinately large number of people with nasal canulas and oxygen tanks. That, I attributed to the idealization of the Marlboro Man, or woman, in many cases. Still a lot of cigarette smoking in that part of the world. One the many reasons it's great to be back in northern California.
Another great reason to be back is to go on what promises to be a very fun bike ride tomorrow. It's the Positive Pedalers' monthly ride. We're riding out of Bodega Bay, and after the ride will go to photographer extraordinaire John Hershey's house for Beau Thomson's famous turkey salad and my soon-to-be-famous toffee bars. Thank God they are made with chocolate so I won't be tempted to eat them. But then, my chocolate allergy story will have to wait for another day.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Eating: the beginning
Eating, of course, came way before I started cooking, though as a kid I was a notoriously picky eater, but then what kid isn't?
Today, I have a passion for condiments, but as a child I didn't even like the thought of them. Bare hamburgers without even a hint of ketchup or mustard, and my favorite-- rare roast beef sandwiches on naked bread. Friends today would find that hard to believe since I haven't touched a piece of red meat since around 1972.
And this almost vegetarian hated vegetables as a kid. Could be that most of the veggies consumed in the household of my youth came out of a can. I would eat peas, corn and spinach, but no others. Lima beans made me gag and I hid string beans in my napkin when no one was looking.
A sea change happened at home when my father retired and started gardening. Of course, by then I had left home years earlier, but I no longer dreaded family dinners when I visited. Vegetables were fresh and still retained some of their character, although my mother still had a tendency to cook asparagus until they could be curled into coils. But the broccoli was crunchy and the snow peas were heavenly. But, despite being fresh, lima beans still made me gag.
Today, I have a passion for condiments, but as a child I didn't even like the thought of them. Bare hamburgers without even a hint of ketchup or mustard, and my favorite-- rare roast beef sandwiches on naked bread. Friends today would find that hard to believe since I haven't touched a piece of red meat since around 1972.
And this almost vegetarian hated vegetables as a kid. Could be that most of the veggies consumed in the household of my youth came out of a can. I would eat peas, corn and spinach, but no others. Lima beans made me gag and I hid string beans in my napkin when no one was looking.
A sea change happened at home when my father retired and started gardening. Of course, by then I had left home years earlier, but I no longer dreaded family dinners when I visited. Vegetables were fresh and still retained some of their character, although my mother still had a tendency to cook asparagus until they could be curled into coils. But the broccoli was crunchy and the snow peas were heavenly. But, despite being fresh, lima beans still made me gag.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
World AIDS Day
Today was World AIDS Day. A wonderful rider named Brian Hodes organized 27-mile-rides around the world to commemorate the 27 years of the pandemic. The rides all began at 8 a.m. This weekend, San Francisco decided to be especially cold, so Jerry and I bundled up as well as we could. We had red jackets and I wore red shorts, as red is THE color for AIDS awareness, and we showed up at Golden Gate Park along with close to 100 other riders. My dear friend Beau led a silent meditation to remember all of the friends and lovers we have lost to this hideous disease.
The pack of us rode out to Mill Valley with a stop at a little cafe there. Amazingly, despite having eaten next to nothing the day before on top of a blood donation, I did not want a thing. I forgot the golden rule of cycling-- eat before you're hungry, and I really bonked on the way back. But Jerry and I survived long enough to go to Theresa and Johnny's Comfort Food Cafe, one of our favorite places and a sponsor for our ride. I ate way too much and drank too much coffee.
This evening was yet more food at a birthday party for Jerry's sister. Really good pizza.
When we got home Jerry was still up for a little snack so he munched a piece of the peppermint bark I made Thursday. I'm allergic to chocolate, but I still got some pleasure listening to him crunch through it. It's the first time I made it. I didn't use a recipe but I figured how hard could it be. I melted some white chocolate and threw in some peppermint candies I had smashed up. Then I melted chocolate peppermint chips and swirled that on top. When it set up broke it up. It's beautiful and Jerry says it's really good. I'm going to make some more so I can give it as holiday gifts.
The pack of us rode out to Mill Valley with a stop at a little cafe there. Amazingly, despite having eaten next to nothing the day before on top of a blood donation, I did not want a thing. I forgot the golden rule of cycling-- eat before you're hungry, and I really bonked on the way back. But Jerry and I survived long enough to go to Theresa and Johnny's Comfort Food Cafe, one of our favorite places and a sponsor for our ride. I ate way too much and drank too much coffee.
This evening was yet more food at a birthday party for Jerry's sister. Really good pizza.
When we got home Jerry was still up for a little snack so he munched a piece of the peppermint bark I made Thursday. I'm allergic to chocolate, but I still got some pleasure listening to him crunch through it. It's the first time I made it. I didn't use a recipe but I figured how hard could it be. I melted some white chocolate and threw in some peppermint candies I had smashed up. Then I melted chocolate peppermint chips and swirled that on top. When it set up broke it up. It's beautiful and Jerry says it's really good. I'm going to make some more so I can give it as holiday gifts.
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