Literary locations in San Francisco, CA

I love the book, Booked- a Travelers Guide to Literary Locations Around the World, by Richard Kreitner.

Some recommendations in the book:

City lights bookstore
261 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, Ca
Http: //www.cityloghts.col

The Beat Museum
540 Broadway
San Francisco, CA
94133
Http:www.kerouac.com

The Vesuvio Cafe
255 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, CA. 94133
Http:www.vesuvio.com

Camping- Saddle Mountain Ranch in Carmel, CA

I love camping at  Saddle Mountain Ranch in Carmel, CA!  They have a pool, tables, bbq , board games and it is super cozy!

Ashkenaz - All ages- world music

All ages always welcome!  12 and under free!  They also do community events.  Tonight is Band Works release party.

Ashkenaz.com
1317 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA
94702
510-525-5054 showline
510-525-5099 office

Bandworks classes and summer camp

Tonight at Ashkenaz in Berkeley there is a show featuring Bandworks students.  Bsndworks has classes for students 8-100!  They put you in classes by level and you learn to pick songs, sing them or play them and perform!  Cool show!

Bandworks.com

Publish your own family recipes!

Morris Press Cookbooks makes publishing your own cookbook easy!  It is a great keepsake for future generations.

Morris Press Cookbooks
Www.morriscookbooks.com

Shop- Biofuel Oasis- urban farming supplies

The biodiesel station and urban farm store in Berkeley, CA has local recycled Biodiesel, organic chicken feed, beekeeping supplies, and urban farming classes.  They also have great gifts for the urban farmer such as the following:

-Backyard chicken treats, books, and supplies
- local honey, beeswax candles, local soap
- kombucha and kefir starter kits
- worm bins, cover crops, and more

Biofuel Oasis
510.665.5509
Www.biofueloasis.com

My story-
When I was pregnant with my son I felt like an earth mom walking around my garden barefoot and pregnant! I went to biofuel Oasis to get supplies for composting, got worms, etc.  it was harder than it appeared.  It is still a dream to have a working composting area with worms in the city.  Biofuel Oasis is a great place to research what kind of urban farming you could do with your space or time!  I love this place!

DINE- YIMM Thai restaurant in Rockridge, CA

Dine at YIMM at 6048 College Ave. in Oakland, CA.  It is delicious Thai food!  Lots of pillows, wood, ceiling fans, homemade flavors.

Cook- roasted tomato Soup

To make the soup:
1.  Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat.  once hot, add the onion and garlic.  sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until the onion starts to brown and the garlic is fragrant.

2.  Measure our 1/4 cup of the basil leaves and tear each leaf in half, setting the rest aside for garnish.
Add the torn basil leaves to the pan along with the remaining soup ingredients and stir to combine.  Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, then either blend in the pan with an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a blender and carefully blend until smooth.

3.  Return the soup to the pan, then taste for seasoning and add more salt, if needed.  Reduce the heat to low to keep the soup warm.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 medium white onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup of fresh basil leaves, divided
Roasted cherry tomatoes, about 3 cups
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Recipe adapted from Cook Once, eat All Week
By Cassy Joy Garcia
ISBN-13: 978-1-628603-43-9

Blog- laurelhurstcraftsman.com

I really enjoy laurelhurstcraftsman.com.  It is obvious the blogger really lives in a craftsman, especially when I read about how much time and energy she puts into the home!

Home furniture- Black forest decor.com

I love the furniture and rugs at blackforestdecor.com.  They are gorgeous!

Ace hardware, Rockridge, CA

I love Ace hardware in Oakland, CA.  They are super community friendly.  They always give my dogs a treat.  I really like their hummingbird feeders.

EAT-Main Street Kitchen, Walnut Creek, CA

I have been told by a dear friend that Main Street Kitchen on North Main Street in Walnut Creek, CA is delicious!  They have sourdough pizza crust made by hand in their open kitchen, cooked in a wood fired oven!

FOOD-Coombs organic maple syrup

I love Coombs Family Farms organic maple syrup.  We love it in pancakes and waffles!

For seven generations, Coombs Family Farms has produced 100% pure and organic, sustainably harvested  maple syrup. 

www.coombsfamilyfarms.com

Coombs Family Farms

PO Box 117 

Brattleboro, VT. O5302

888-266-6271

My story-
When my son first started enjoying pancakes, I really enjoyed shopping for fresh, organic food.  The Coombs syrup is so yummy when warmed!

higway 5 stops- Harris Ranch- eat, stay, shop

Harris Ranch is perfectly situated between San Francisco and Los Angeles.  They have a hotel, restaurant, bar, and shopping.  They even have a butcher where they sell their steaks.  The bar serves food late, has a stone fireplace, large moose heads, wood floors, and animal skins.  Golf carts are available to take you from your room to the restaurant.

Highway 5 stops- Bravo Farms

On highway 5 between Los Angeles and San Francisco my son and I like to stop at Bravo Farms in
Kettleman City.  They have bbq food, old fashioned shooting games, antiques, and old west town, and other games and refreshments.  They even have books and toys for long drives, and snacks and books for adults too!

Bravo Farms
Kettleman City

EAT- dine at The Derby in Arcadia,CA.

The Derby in Arcadia, CA got its name because it is near a racetrack.  The original owner was a jockey.  Look on the internet and you will see lots of interesting information about historical
Arcadia, the racetrack, and the restaurant The Derby.  The place was founded in the 1920’s when the town of Arcadia was known for chicken farming.  Now, Arcadia is filled to the brim with restaurants, hotels, offices, and hotels, yet sitting in THe Derby a few weeks ago, I can imagine old Arcadia, old Southern California with ranches, racetracks, 24 hour entertainment, and an old west feel.

EAT- Prospect Gourmand, Beverly Hills, CA

Prospect Gourmand, in Beverly Hills, CA is a cute place, cozy with lots of repurposed art!  I love the macrame red hearts hanging on the miniature hanging lights!  Also, the chandeliers have glasses and wood hanging from them!  We sat at a side table with lots of pillows supporting our backs!  The art is amazing too!

They are known for their chicken and waffles for brunch, and for dinner they are known for excellent chicken and fish.

Song- “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young

I love the song Harvest Moon” by Neil Young!  It is natural, earthy, and passionate!

Late night dining, Rockridge, Ramen Shop

My fantasy is that my som’s father and I could have had the support we needed in order to have some late night dining at the Ramen shop in Rockridge.  They are open late, perfect for a Silicon Valley inspired couple.  Those working in Silicon Valley jobs get home late, usually after the children are fed and bathed.  The Ranen Shop is the perfect place to eat, listen to good music and connect.  They are open until 10:30PM.

Movie idea- The Notebook

I have always loved the movie, the Notebbok!  I love the house in the movie!

Doomsday for small businesses- east bay times

Is it a doomsday for small businesses? While Silicon Valley’s tech sector is thriving, cranking out IPO’s and giving more high paying jobs, the retail industry is struggling in many parts of the Bay Area to keep both boutiques and mom and pop businesses.  For example, in Oakland, the average rent  per square foot for retail space rose 9% in Oakland from 2015-2017.  Online shopping has had an affect on brick-and-mortar retail stores nationwide.  It is estimated that by 2026, it is predicted that as many as 75,000  stores will close around the country.  The e-commerce is becoming a bigger share of the retail industry.

East Bay Sunday Times
Volume 108, issue 9
“Doomsday for Small Business”
P.1,5

Dreaming- cabinporn.com

❤️  I love the website cabinporn.com!  It is perfect for dreaming with a cub of tea or coffee!

Summer 2019 County Fairs near Bay Area

We love County Fairs!  I learned to really love them from my Uncle Marvin.  Here are some of our favorite things about County Fairs!

Favorite Things....
1. All kinds of baby and little animals, I love big ones too!
2. 4-H exhibits, and imagining my son’s projects and initials if we had lived in the country
3.  Watching people eat the new fried food crazes, I love watching people eat fried Oreos!
4.  Smelling kettle corn, it reminds me of someone I used to bring kettle corn too, as a gift
5.  Quilts and sewing projects
6.  Old time craft displays such as blacksmithing, candlemaking, wood shop, etc.  I imagine having a space space in an old barn for my children to do these crafts
7.  Looking at pies, cakes, and other desserts, watching my son find the best chocolate chip cookie ever!
8. Night lights, concerts,   and remembering ride I have been on before and don’t want to go on again!
9.  Hearing the squeals of laughter from children
10.  Remembering my Uncle Marvin who went to the local county fair near our family farm every year and always talked about the fried chicken made from the church ladies!

County Fairs near the San Francisco Bay Area:

June 8-16   San Mateo County Fair

June 27-30. Solans County Fair

July 3-7  Marin County Fair

June 14- July 7. Alameda County Fair

August 1-4. Santa Clara County Fair

August 1-11  Sonoma County Fair

August 15-25. Himboldt County Fair.

September 11-15. Santa Cruz County Fair

I will keep adding as I find out about more!

Movie Recommendation- On Golden Pond

The movie, On Golden Pond, is an old favorite!

Movies- A Christmas Wish, an old bungalow favorite

Thos is a favorite holiday in June movie for me, as it is about a mama bear trying to protect the home of her cubs.  MRth Evans finds herself homeless with her children just a week before Christmas, after her husband leaves unexpectedly without saying goodbye.  She has to put her trust in a group of strangers and learns to look at love, home, and trust in a new and unexpected way.

The Holiday
2006
Lions gate
A Christmas Wish
Starring Kristy Swanson and Tess Harper

Concert- Spaulding Marine Center- Sausalito, CA

My son, fogs, and I were at the Spaulding Marine Center in Sausalito, CA for a musical celebration of Myron Spaulding.  The event was child, fog, and adult friendly with adult refreshments.  It was definitely old bungalow friendly with the beautiful music playing and the gorgeous old wooden boats!

Movie recommendation- Family Man

One of my favorite movies is Family Man!  I love it!

Movie Recommendation- Away We Go

I love the movie, Away We Go!  I especially like the ending!

Shopping and dining- The Lot, San Ramon

The Lot in San Ramon, CA, is Super dog friendly!  Also, in the middle of the outdoor mall is a big grassy area where Moe ran and played. There are outdoor fire pits where Moe and I sat outside.

Natural herbal hair products- Nature’s Gate

I have loved Nature’s Gate products for years!

Nature’s Gate shampoo and conditioner
Levlad LLC
Chatsworth, CA. 91311. USA
www.naturesgate.com
(800)327-2012

Best croissant- Boot and Shoe Service

By far, the best croissants I have found outside of Paris is from The Boot and Shoe Service in Oakland, CA.  They are crispy on the outside, tender inside!  I love this place!

Boot and Shoe Service
3308 Grand Avenue
(510) 763-2668
8-12
5:30-10:00

Refinancing a mortgage- my story

I am refinancing a mortgage.  For me, it is like learning A foreign language.  I am going to write about a few things I have learned about the different mortgage companies.  I became very sick during the process,  though trying to show a confident face to the world.  While talking to mortgage companies I began to feel like a failure, freak, loser, shall I go on.  It is one of the most depressing things.  I want to help people by sharing about a few of the things I learned.  This will continue, I will write in a few days.

Home supplies- Lodge chainmail scrubbing pad

I have loved the Lodge cast iron pans for years!  I discovered the chainmail scrubbing pad recentlyand it makes it so much easier to clean the cast iron pans.  The lodge pans are also great for cooking outside!

Lodge MFG
PO Box 380
s.  Pittsburg, TN  3738o
423-837-7181
Www.LODGEMFG.COM

Eat- Cozy French Zazie Cafe in Cole Valley- SF

The cozy Zazie Cafe has delicious food and sweet interior and outdoor dining!

Dining- Wood Tavern, Oakland, CA

I recently visited Wood Taverna Restaurant, across  the street from the new Safeway in Oakland,
CA.  It has a great atmosphere, delicious food, and a cozy interior!

Wood tavern
6317 College Avenue
Oakland, CA
94618
510-654-6607

Groceries- Whole Foods, Brioce Baguettes

We love the Whole Foods Brioche baguettes!  They are super tasty!

Trader Joe’s liquid laundry detergent

I used to always get fancier organic  laundry detergent.  I am on a budget right now so tried the Trader Joe’s brand laundry detergent.  It is ph balanced, no harsh or Petro chemicals, non polluting, and has lavender essential oils!

Shopping- Trader Joe’s - organic French roast decaf

I love our local coffee shop coffee beans!  Yet, I am trying to save a little bit of money so have been looking at our local Trader Joe’s organic choices!  I discovered the Trader Joe’s brand of organic French Roast coffee. I like it!

Resort- Lake Tahoe, Granlibakken

The Granlibakken resort has a snow tubing and sledding area that is still open this week.  They have a treetop ropes course that isn’t yet open.  They have outstanding free buffet breakfasts!  The first room my son and I got smelled a little like Mildew, but they changed the room quickly.  I recommend this place for families!

Nob Hill cafe, San Francisco

Delicious Italian food in Nob Hill near the Grace Cathedral.

Fat Lady, Jack London Square, Oakland, ca

Fat lady restaurant in Oakland, CA is open on Easter for brunch and the outdoor area is dog friendly!

Eat- Cafe La Tartine- Redwood City, CA

My son and I went to La Tartine today in Redwood City, CA. Will loved the desert selection especially the creme brûlée and the huge chocolate chip cookies. He also really enjoyed the chicken noodle soup!

Sweet Adeline Bakeshop- Berkeley, CA

Sweet Adeline is one of my son and i’s favorite bake shops! My son loves the cookies and chocolate cream pie. On my last visit I had the lemon poppyseed almond cake.

Cookbook- Red Rooster- Harlem

I saw the cookbook, Red Rooster- Harlem The Cookbook at Barnes and Noble, for $9.98. Playlist: “Chasin the Bird”. Charlie Parker “Blackbird”. The Beatles “Back Home Again In Arizona” New Orleans Swamp Monkeys “So High”. (cloud 9 Remix) John Legend featuring Lauryn Hill “Cissy Strut”. The Meters “I can’t be Satisfied” Muddy Waters “When My Train Pulls In” (acoustic) Gary Clark

Food and drink- old bungalow coffee

Since I have lived in my old bungalow I have bought local coffee with my grinder. Right now I like my Chemex brand brand simple drip coffee maker. I use the chemex bonded filters, though in a bind even napkins work. I love the coffee from Cole Coffee on College Avenue across from the new Safeway. You can park on top of Safeway upstairs for free.

Eat -la Note in Berkeley, CA

My son and I recently had a brunch at La Note in Berkeley, CA. We ate at 1:30pm and they were still serving breakfast! My son really enjoyed the creme fraiche pancakes! They serve breakfast all day from 8am to 2:30pm. If you can’t get away to go to France and need a break, come here! My son and I had a simple meal of pancakes, and I had coffee and it was under $20.00.

Food- Sam’s log Cabin, Albany, CA

My son and I love Sam’s Log Cabin. I hope this place is always around. It is the kind of place that my son will want to take his wife and children. It actually looks like a little log cabin on both the outside and inside. The outdoor area is super dog and child friendly. The chilaquilas are delicious! We highly recommend Sam’s Log Cabin! Sam’s Log Cabin “Albany’s Finest Little Log Cabin since 1930.” Organic seasonal food, locally sourced.” 945 San Pablo Ave. Albany, CA 94706 Www.samslogcabin.net (510) 558-0502 Catering inquiries: Samslogcabininfo@gmail.com (510)326-8863 Sams-Log-Cabin (Facebook) Hours: Tuesday-Friday 7 am to 2 pm Saturday- Sunday 8am- 2 pm

Food- Stix Eatery, Homestyle Thai/ Laotian Food

I highly recommend Stix Eatery in Park N’ Shop Center in Concord, CA. It is family run and is not a chain. It is Lao/ Thai food. It is a casual dine in place or perfect for takeout. It is a rainy day today so this was my choice of restaurant to take soup and curry to my mom who has a cold. Stix Eatery 1847 A Willow Pass Road concord, CA (925) 849-4698 Www.stixeats.com

Food- lunch spot in SF -Boudin Bakery-favorite🥖

My son and I’s favorite lunch spot in Fisherman’s Wharf is Boudin Bakery. We like sitting outside, right now in the winter there is a big covered tent. The covered outside area is also dog friendly and child friendly! As we sit outside, we can see the view of the San Francisco Bay and see the seagulls flying overhead. We hear the live music not far away. We enjoy a glass bottle of Pellegrino, and two soups in sourdough bread bowls, one clam chowder and the other tomato basil. It is almost impossible not to feel content in such a bungalowicious environment! Plus, sometimes we take home sourdough for later! My son’s friends like the shaped sourdough bread in shapes such as teddy bears, dinosaurs, etc. Visit www.boudinbakery.com Call 800.992.1849

Grand theater in Oakland, CA -strike deal

The Oakland Museum in Oakland, CA is offering a strike deal with $1.00 theater and $1.00 popcorn during the Oakland strike.

Oakland Museum in Oakland, CA is free for children during the strike which started today!

My son and I love the Oakland Museum in Oakland, CA. It is free for children during the current teacher strike! It is also open Friday evenings with a band, food trucks, and special programs!

Claremont Hotel, Berkeley, CA

The Claremont Hotel was originally built as a private residence during the California Gold Rush, the property was later won in a game of checkers by Frank Havens and Borax Smith who planned to erect a resort on the grounds. The construction was delayed by both the earthquake of 1906 and Panic of 1907, Claremont Club and Spa opened its doors in 1915. Claremont Club and Spa celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015 and currently features 276 recently restored guest rooms and suites. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Book recommendation: Craeft- An Inquiry into the Origins and True Meaning Of Traditional Crafts by Alexander Langlands

Faced with an endless supply of mass-manufactured products, we find ourselves nostalgic for goods bearing the mark of authenticity- handmade tools, local brews, and other objects produced by human hands. Archaeologist and medieval historian Alexander Langlands reaches as far back as the Neolithic period to recover our lost sense of craeft, combining deep history with detailed scientific analyses and his own experiences making traditional crafts.

Dog friendly neighborhood- move to Rockridge are of Oakland, CA

Rockridge is a dog friendly Mecca. The Trader Joe’s allows dogs, the hardware store gives treats to dogs, and there is plenty of restaurants with outdoor, dog friendly sitting! Dogs love Rockridge!!!!

Best bagel spots in Oakland, ca.

The two best bagel spots in Oakland now are Beauty Bagels on Telegraph and Sweet Bar Bakery on Broadway. Brooklyn Bagels, which I have written about in the past has closed.

Travelingmom.com

I love the website travelingmom.com. Recently I read the post about where kids can skii for free.

Bear Valley Lodge in Bear Valley, CA

The Bear Valley Lodge in Bear Valley, CA sometimes loses electricity, it happened while my son and I were there. Yet, like in any old lodge or home the prepare by giving you a lantern. It really came in handy when the power went out! The also give plenty of extra blankets! The main lodge area has a huge rock fireplace and the reception desk has plenty of old fashioned games to Borrow. There is a pizza parlour in the lodge, it isn’t open every day, so plan ahead. There is also a pub with beer and other drinks plus pub food such as chicken pot pie, fries, etc. Thrre is a third restaurant with yummy crab cakes, steaks, etc. There is a shuttle to skiing though you may have to wait an hour for a shuttle to the skii resort. There is a sense of old fashioned charm to the Bear Valley Lodge. There are no fancy breakfasts buffets in the morning but there is free coffee at the general store. I would recommend trying out the lodge, bring your own snacks and beverage of choice!