Monday, June 7, 2010

Vintage Home

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I love nothing more than the art of travel. I’m a creative type and I savor nearly every moment of it. I live in the moment! This is one of my blessings. I am a simple soul that feels and sees and hears more than most I think. Vintage Home inspires me to travel, which of course is one reason why I visit. It is one of my secret places that reminds me of a place not like most. It may sound strange but, Vintage Home makes me feel very much at home. Strange because my home looks nothing like Vintage Home. Oh sure, I have a few things from there, but just a few… my home is much more eclectic and minimal. Still, I love the simple elegance of this store and it reminds me of… travelling, of being abroad, and living simply, but well.

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Vintage Home is in Saint Helena. It’s a gorgeous little place on the corner in a historic brick building. It’s staffed by wonderful and kind souls that are knowledgeable and attentive, and it’s obvious that they enjoy what they do. I love that.  I like the colors and  love the smell of the place. The casualness of “everything,” leaves me re-evaluating my “master plan,” which is forever in motion.

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They have gorgeous linens, unique textiles, beautiful ceramics, tasteful wall hangings, lovely Italian pewter &  English crystal, a variety of antique & new lighting, and much more. I love that they have Santa Maria Novella, which is a favorite. They have a choice selection of local soaps, lotions, creams, candles and more. In the rear they offer an amazing selection of very tasteful toys, books, and miniature figurines for children (or adults) and upstairs (where their great lighting is kept) they have a design studio.

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I highly recommend checking out Vintage Home. Located at 1201 Main Street, they’re definitely easy to find. Stop in and pay them a visit. Meander after lunch and pay attention to detail. Soon after visiting a few times, you may find yourself wanting to escape on your own travels!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Antique and Vintage Bicycles…

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I am in love with this old bicycle. I want it. It’s overwhelmingly charming, almost functional, and has cache. I get goose bumps looking at it. It’s as if we were once lovers and just happened to bump into one another haphazardly... it’s alluring (still). Chipped paint no matter. Minor rust spots transform into character marks and noisy gears seem endearing. Does anyone else have a fixation on transport such as this? I cannot be alone in my love for old resurfaced castaway items from the past. Items just waiting to be captured, updated (perhaps) and put back into use.

Bicycles are an excellent mode of transport. Where I live, they are highly controversial, but still an excellent way of transporting one’s self. This particular bicycle welcomes the type of person not afraid of wearing an old pair of chinos with the legs rolled up… maybe with a well worn  tee shirt or well taken care of (but also well worn) button down and pair of bucks. This isn’t the type of bike you wear designer high tech spandex (and thank goodness). No, not at all. It’s the type of bicycle that welcomes you to slow down a bit, to pay attention and enjoy the journey.

What or whom would you put in your sidecar?

When I see this bike I want to ride it up and down the street of of a town where time has been forgotten. I have visions of Italy, France, Spain, even Argentina.

For the moment, it remains categorized on my list known as “drool,” waiting patiently to be explored. Someday, you might see me riding it up and down the streets of Sausalito!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Chocolate Chip Cookies and Grgich Hills Zin!

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Can I just tell you how much I love chocolate chip cookies?

A lot!!!

Chocolate chip cookies are to me what dreams are made of. They’re enough to take you back to your childhood and can change your demeanor instantaneously. Like me, I imagine for most, the smell and first bite of a warm (or nearly too hot) cookie is like a ticket to unadulterated nostalgia! They’re the perfect combination of ingredients, they’re easy to make, and I’ve never met a soul that doesn’t like them.

When I smell freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, I instantly think of my grandmother’s kitchen. I used to have the recipe memorized. Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookies is what she made (and what my sister and I learned how to make). I still make them. Nestle has made it oh so easy to do so (the recipe is on the back of the chips bag). Sometimes I change chocolates and even make my own “chips,” but I rarely deviate from the recipe in any other way. I might add more vanilla if I’m feeling particularly daring. Why change a good thing?!

I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies the other day for houseguests. Nicolas loved them and so did Jan. We had them for dessert after dinner. Nicolas had his with his favorite non-alcoholic juice. Jan and I had them with one of mine: a glorious 2007 Grgich Hills Zinfandel.

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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Canelé de Bordeaux



Canelé de Bordeaux are truly scrumptious! They are among the most amazing little mortal pleasures you could ever hope for. They have a hard burnt sugar outer shell and a cake-like moist custard inner consistency. The combination of their respective outer and inner make the Canelé de Bordeaux a complimentary culinary treasure.

I've found that our local Patisserie chain, La Boulange, makes them just as perfect as I've found anywhere. Their website is www.laboulangebakery.com. They have stores all over the bay area now and surprisingly enough, manage to maintain authenticity within their product line (a rarity when expansion of this level takes place). I'm particularly fond of the location where I first had a Canelé... the Pine Street location in Pacific Heights, but frequent the one in Mill Valley more often as it's closer to me.

Should you find yourself yearning for a treat developed hundreds of years ago; one that maintains it's authenticity and stands alone, try a Canelé de Bordeaux! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the taste, texture and pleasure gained by doing so.