Monday, November 28, 2016

Favorite Christmas Movies

White Christmas



A Christmas Story


Charlie Brown Christmas




Friday, November 25, 2016

Happy Holidays in SF!

Trees are already up at Pier 39 and Ghiradelli Square.  Both were packed with people today.  Ghiradelli's tree-lighting included a kazoo orchestra and "snowfall."  Happy Holidays!











Dr. Bronner's Family soapmakers, even makes natural toothpaste!

I love the Dr. Bronner's cinnamon all-one toothpaste.  I love the soaps and other products too!

Resources:

Dr. Bronner's All-One Magic Soaps
drbronner.com

Dr. Bronner's was founded in 1948 by Emanuel Bronner, a third generation German-Jewish soap maker.  He used the labels on his ecological soaps to spread his message that we must realize our transcendent unity across religious and ethnic divides or perish:  "We Are All One Or None!"  Emanual Bronner passed away peacefully in 1997.  The business continues to be run by his family.


Favorite Holiday treats, foods and restaurants around Oakland, CA

Favorite Pies:

 Pumpkin Pie from Market Hall Bakery (My friend tried it and she said she'll never put all the work into making a pumpkin pie again after trying Market Hall Bakery pumpkin pie.)

Favorite rolls:

Challah dinner rolls from Market Hall bakery

Favorite Broth for soups:

Marin Sun Farms at Market Hall plaza

Favorite Spices:

The spice shop on Grand Ave. near Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA

Favorite Cheeses:

Market Hall Cheese Shop, Mt. Tam

Favorite Coffee Shop:

Cole Coffee, College Ave., Mexican
Fair Trade  Organic is my favorite!
est. 2005
www.colecoffee.com
307 63rd Street, Oakland, CA
510-653-5468

Favorite Cookies:

Sweet Bar Bakery, Broadway Avenue
(chocolate chip, gluten free oatmeal and sour cherry)

Favorite burger:

Roam Burger in Fiesta Plaza in Lafayette, CA
(they have grass fed beef, buffalo, veggie, etc.)

Favorite Sourdough Bread
(great as a soup bowl, Boudin Sourdough bakery at Fisherman's wharf, San Francisco, CA)

Favorite Fruits and Veggies:
Farmers markets in Bay area

Favorite Banana Bread with chocolate Chips
(great gift)
Market Hall Bakery








Saturday, November 19, 2016

Favorite Thanksgiving themed Songs- Alice's Restaurant, Turkey in the straw, Thanks Be.

For years, as I've driven home from Thanksgiving dinner, I've always waited to hear Alice's Restaurant on the radio!  It's my favorite Thanksgiving themed song.  For my young son, I like "Turkey in the Straw," and "Thanks Be."

Sunday, November 13, 2016

the dogs who found me by Ken Foster -- Recommended Book

I just finished the book, "the dogs who found me," by Ken Foster.  The description of the book on the back cover, seen below,  and the picture of the beautiful dog on the cover!

     "Now regarded as a classic in dog literature, Ken Foster's memoir chronicles his journey from first-time dog owner to rescuer- and all the lessons and mistakes he made along the way.  Bookended by the tragedies of 9/11 and the Hurrricane Katrina, Foster finds that dogs open his eyes to the benefits of compassion, selflessness, and the chaotic beauty of living each day in the moment.
     Whether bearing witness to national tragedy, grieving the death of a friend, or dealing with his own mortality, Foster finds strength in his dogs, and in the reciprocal nature of rescue."

I loved this book!  For me, pets contribute to making a house a home.  Each house I've had, in the neighborhood a dog or cat has found me!  Ken Foster writes about how pets find us beautifully!

Featured in the front of the book is a poem from "Her Grave" by Mary Oliver,

"A dog comes to you and lives with you in your own house, but you do not therefore own her, as you do not own the rain, or the trees, or the laws which pertain to them.....

A dog can never tell you what she knows from the smells of the world, but you know, watching her, that you know almost nothing."

Recommended Book,

the dogs who found me

by Ken Foster
Updated Edition
Lyons Press
ISBN  978-1-4930-1767-6