happy feet

I spent the last several days stitching these felt slippers for Lillian, Tim and Ella. It's Ella's 100th day picnic-party in Golden Gate Park this weekend, coinciding perfectly with Tim's birthday.

All the fluffies of the felt kept getting in my mouth and throat - eugh. Thank goodness for nostril hairs.

The template is from that DAB Martha. I added three layers of fleece in the soles for added comfywomfyness :)

Waiting for them to come home!

The instructions called for interfacing, but this would only work with the sort of interfacing that is already adhesive one side and then ironed. I opted for the cheapest one (of course) and this didn't work well. I don't think the heat could transfer well with a fabric so thick as felt. So no need for interfacing - glue gun all the way.

Time for a Breather

We have headed to Southern California to do the College Tour Hop and have a little fun while we are there. Top of the Family List? Where else?

My List includes the beach (San Diego and Santa Monica) and perhaps the Getty Museum.

I had meant to post a bunch of things for you while I was gone....but I thought it was a good idea to fit in a Yard Sale yesterday before we left........ What was I thinking?!?! Between carting all of the leftovers to the Salvation Army and finishing laundry and packing....I ran out of time just a little. So I will be posting lots of good stuff when I return!

Catch you all when we get back!!!

Where the Wild Things Are

Watched HBP with Jo and Sean today. I love the fonts in this trailer. Leafy little furry growling biting letters SO CUTE! Version of a sweet hs song.

Napa: Shopping at Erin Martin's Showroom

After seeing Erin Martin's designs for the Showhouse in San Francisco, I thought it would be fun to stop into her Showroom while we were in Napa. Well worth the visit! It is located on the main Street in St. Helena and is full of Erin's creativity. Many of the items, like the rope chandelier are Erin's own designs. I hope you enjoy this little peek as much as I enjoyed the shop!

A bit of a short post, but we are headed out the door for SoCal!

I will miss you while we are gone!

Napa: Dessert!!

I promised you dessert didn't I? How rude of me to keep you waiting!

After a delicious lunch at Bistro Jeanty, we hopped down the block to Bouchon Bakery. Another of Thomas Keller's creations, Bouchon Bakery was started to compliment his restaurant, Bouchon. Thomas Keller is well known for the famous French Laundry in Yountville. Mr. Keller started Bouchon as a more casual, family style French bistro and Bouchon Bakery was first started to supply Bouchon with it's bread. It has since blossomed into a delectable patisserie with macarons, eclairs, and tarts. There are also cookies and chocolates. And if you want a quick picnic, there are soups and sandwiches for take-out.

I thought you would enjoy a peek!

I had a carmel macaron that was so big I had to save part of it for later. ( OK......Later being ten minutes.) Soooo good!

One of the best cookbooks out there for French Bistro faire:

Click here for more info on the cookbook!

Napa: Where to Eat

I guess a better question would be, where NOT to eat! There are so many 5 star restaurants in the Napa Valley, you might never find a bad one. On our day in Napa, we had a hard time deciding where to go. We decided that Bistro Jeanty would be perfect: casual, but brilliant, authentically prepared country French food.

Opened in 1998 by chef Philippe Jeanty, Bistro Jeanty has been receiving accolades ever since. Philippe Jeanty came to the U.S. from Epernay, France in 1977 and hasn't looked back. And lucky for us! He arrived here to open the Chandon Restaurant with a team of French chefs. But after many years of perfecting his skills in classic French Haute Cuisine, he decided to open Bistro Jeanty to quench his thirst for the simpler country version of French food.

The restaurant has received a Michelin star each of the last three years, as well as other numerous awards. Yet you would never feel out of place in this charming, so-not-stuffy bistro.

OK, before we go any further, click here to listen to some music to put you in the mood. Then come right on back!

Here is what we had:

My friend Leanne had the Salmon Carpaccio and a Beet and Orange Salad. The Carpaccio was melt in your mouth, and the beets delicate and delicious.

Mine was a mouth watering leek tart with a Porcini mushroom reduction. I also had the Hericots Verts Salad, perfectly seasoned with just a hint of crunchiness.

And Lise had the Salade Nicoise and Frites. The Butter Lettuce was firm and perfect. The artichoke hearts, tomatoes and anchovies tasty and fresh, With the light dressing of EVOL and lemon juice....so good! And the Frites? Well....let's just say there were no leftovers.

If you have not already perused the website by now, please take a moment to visit. The website is just as charming as the restaurant! You can see menus,( which change daily...I can see that what we had is no longer on the menu), and learn more about Chef Philippe Jeanty.

I hope you all have a chance to visit in person next time you are in the Napa Valley!!

Tomorrow: Dessert!!!

A Week in Napa Valley Starts with Ma(i)sonry

Ma(i)sonry

I was in Napa a couple of weeks ago and really...I had meant to blog about it sooner. But life has a way of turning things on their heads...me included. I had a wonderful day with two good friends, and aside from the sweltering heat ( I think it was 120 degrees....OK I'm exaggerating, but not by alot) we had so much fun. So, this week I am blogging about all of the things we did and places we went. (I know the title is a little confusing. I was there for the day, but YOU will be seeing our day all week!).

We came to Napa Valley for a wine tasting and book signing event taking place at Ma(i)sonry in Yountville. One of only three stone buildings constructed in Yountville, the building that is now Ma(i)sonry was built in 1904 as the primary residence of Charles Rovegno, an Italian immigrant lured to the fertile farmlands of the valley.

The newest owner, Michael Polenske, has taken this historic building and through careful preservation and meticulous renovation, has turned it into a showplace for fine art, carefully selected vintage furniture and beautifully crafted custom furniture, as well as a a boutique wine tasting venue. Ma(i)sonry has become a collective for a partnership of wine makers such as Blackbird Vineyards, Brown Estate, Joel Gott Wines, Lail Vineyards, Pedras Wine Company, Renteria Wines and Tor Kenward Family Wines.

Here is proprietor and curator, Michael Polenske with girlfriend, Kimberly Miller (editor of Daily Candy, San Francisco by the way!) Handsome couple, no?

Also an art and furniture collective, Ma(i)sonry is currently exhibiting works by Chiara Mondavi ( yes, THAT Mondavi) and Wade Hoefer. Furniture collective partners include such greats as Ron Mann, Alexandra von Furstenburg, Citizen:Citizen, and Hudson Furniture.

Front Room

Michael assembled a team of talent to renovate the building and the grounds with the help of Project manager, Paul Leary (also COO of Blackbird Vineyards....many hats!). Architects Douglas Thornley, Gould Evans/Baum Thornley, Designer Erin Martin , and Landscape Architect, Dave Roche of Roche + Roche worked to create the perfect marriage of historic preservation and modern design. Please check out the Ma(i)sonry website to learn all about the process. In the photo above you can see how the old stone walls were a rustic counterpoint to the new industrial modern staircase.

The spaces are filled with antiques and art, like the landscapes of Wade Hoefer shown above and below.

A piece by Chiara Mondavi hangs above a Bombe console.

Clever "art"!

Another piece by Chiara Mondavi sits above a console by Alexandra von Furstenburg.

The decomposed granite patio is full of furniture designed by legendary Ron Mann.

Doesn't it look lovely and cool here? I am sure it is wonderful on most days, but on this particular day it was hot, hot, hot!!!! I was very thankful that there was an abundance of a very refreshing citrus punch, and slices of cool watermelon, as well as delicious wines from the collective wineries. The table is all ready for the book signing for the Orlando Diaz-Azcuy book by Diane Dorrans Saeks, (which is available here)

Somehow Diane and Orlando managed to look serenely cool, collected and quite wonderful! Be sure to checkout Diane's blog, the Style Saloniste! She has a wealth of knowledge about design and architecture.

Many thanks to Michael and Kimberly for hosting such a fun event ! Ma(i)sonry is a "must see" for anyone planning a trip to the Napa Valley.

All photos by katiedid except those of the patio provided by Diane Dorrans Saeks

Supersuperbed/bedroom

Ohhhhho man.

Photo: Nelly Agassi

The Beach is Calling: Bonesteel Trout and Hall

Just wanted to add a little freshness to your weekend.

I was snooping around the updated Bonesteel Trout and Hall website and these images made me happy. I thought they might do the same for you!

Have a breezy weekend.

Cool: Australian Botanicals Outdoor by Mokum

I think this new Australian Botanicals Outdoor fabric collection from Mokum speaks for itself.

It's saying: "I love porches. They are my favorite places to be. Unless you find me out by the pool, or in the garden. With my indoor-oudoor lifestyle, I am happy in almost any environment! My style reflects the native landscape of Australia: soft eucalyptus greens, crisp aquas, ocean blues and the warm rust tones of the outback. I am pure Australian through and through: I am tough (exceeding 50,000 double rubs) but caring (100% recycled content). And of course I am fun-loving and not too hard on the eyes if I do say so! In fact, I have been told I am quite stunning! I hope you have a chance to visit me ....or better yet....let me visit you! You can find me here under latest releases."

Great speaker! Great design

To SNODD or not to SNODD?

For black chest of drawers? The Anthro knobs are all mismatched in a way that I don't quite like. I'm afraid the red looks too severe and I've only just gotten accustomed to how scary they are.

SNODD, Ikea 3.99/2 pack

White and red? I'm thinking that on a black chest, it's snodd going to be too cute. Hehhh

So do I change it up? I still think brass would be best..

What a craft-filled weekend! I repurposed a panel of cotton curtains that Lillian had given me into pillowcases with side ties.

As the curtains a year ago in a room that looks and feels very different from what it is now:

Double parlor doors

Plan was to strip off the paint and clean this knob and hardware to original 1896 charm, but it's been painted onto the door in the other room. Tried to take an x-acto knife to it, but too tiresome/I'm too sleepy at the moment...

The Future’s So Bright……

I passed a milestone last week. I have to say I am a little put out by this whole “getting older” thing. I don’t feel any older. I feel like I am just getting started! Not that I haven’t lived yet….but there is so much living yet to do. And I am enjoying every bit I can.

We went on the most beautiful hike on the 4th. Took the dog, and a picnic. Tim and I and the girls drove up to Horsetail Falls in the Sierras and it was just a gorgeous day.

Cooper couldn’t have been happier. Squirrels, leftover cheese from the lunch pack, sticks to chase, and cold clear H2O from the Sierras. What could be better?

Later we had a block party with the neighbors…pot luck….and I have foodie’s for neighbors, so the spread was amazing! A very nostalgic, old fashioned Fourth of July. We even stood in a circle at one point right before the fireworks “finale” in the street, and everyone sang the National Anthem. I was quite impressed really. We all remembered the words, and most were able to hit the high notes.

Then Monday came around. I woke up feeling the same as I usually do….a little groggy, but looking forward to the day. Then I remembered. It was THAT birthday! I tried to just put it out of my mind. I had a pretty normal day. I worked. But when I checked emails, I was really touched to receive so many well wishes from my blogger and facebook friends. I have to say it really brightened my day! Thank you all so much!

When I say I worked…I was actually told to stay in my basement studio until my family gave the word that I could come up. They were preparing something special!

My husband prepared one of my all time favorite meals: BBQ-d steak (medium), fresh salad with roasted pine nuts and avocado, and corn on the cob. Then my girls presented me with this! Orange chiffon cupcakes with orange butter cream frosting (all home made from scratch!). They even made marzipan labels with chocolate letters that spelled out “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM”.

They were sooooo good! Someone was waiting very patiently for a piece:

After dinner and cake, it was on to the presents!

And what is it about Mothers? My Mother always seems to find the perfect thing. She wrapped individual little packages (one for each year….you’re counting aren’t you!) and fit them into a vintage cloche on top of an antique footed ironstone platter, both so gorgeous, I was speechless. It was so much fun to open every little package, funny little things: a bandana, a carved wooden stamp, a hair comb, a beaded necklace….and on.

Some birthdays seem to have a sort of “theme” to them, don't they? This was a birthday of flowers. I seemed to receive them all week long. The first bouquet was from my workmate, Lise. She picked the most beautiful roses from her garden. They smelled heavenly!

The next day I got a knock on the door, and these were on the other side! My old college roommate who shares my birthday sent this stunning bouquet. There is a rose for every year…..your counting again right now aren’t you?

The week kept rolling along. My husband and I were going out for dinner Friday, just the two of us….but when we got there, they had given away our table………or did they?!?! When the hostess said she would find something for us, she opened a curtain, and, …..yes…..SURPRISE!!!! Twenty of my girlfriends were there to celebrate my birthday with me. My husband had been planning for months. I am very lucky, I know. These were waiting for me in front of my seat at the table:

It was a wonderful birthday WEEK! I got to see friends that came in from out of town, and friends that I have known since my kids were little. This getting older thing turned out to be not so bad. It was a reminder of how many people I have met and who have become friends I care about.

I received so many thoughtful and beautiful gifts, and very kind words. And I will keep them all in my memory. Thank you all! But, one of the things I will treasure above all (along with my husband’s careful planning), is this simple white envelope with cut out letters made by my daughter’s hands.

The Future’s so bright…you gotta wear shades!