Flashback Friday!

This weekend, this lovely couple will be celebrating 57 years of Marriage.

(Let's take a moment and truly appreciate the awesomeness of this photo)

Alice and Fred

Circa 1980

This photo shoot was from their 25th year of Wedded Bliss.

Today's Flashback Friday is dedicated to them.

And THEIR Awesomeness.

Happy Anniversary Gram and Pop.

I love you so much!

Happy Anniversary Gram and Pop!

56 years ago today Gram and Pop said I do.

So of course when they invited Me to an afternoon in Napa, I had to say....

I DO!!

So off we went!

To Thomas Kellar's

Awesome, does not begin to describe this restaurant.

For those of you who aren't "foodies" Thomas Keller is the Chef and Owner of the world renowned French Laundry in Yountville.

Bouchon is just down the street, but in no way disappointing.

Someday I will get to the French Laundry...

But in the meantime...

Bouchon does me just fine.

:)

We were greeted by our Server with 4 glasses of Chandon Champagne.

Compliments of the restaurant in honor of My Grandparents special day.

Next came Appetizers...

The Chilled Tower

Complete with Crab, Oysters, Clams, Prawns and Lobster.

Oh. My. God.

I could have ate the whole thing.
(I had to fight Gram for the oysters...)

Pop took a long look at the wine list

He decided on a nice Chablis...

My second course

(not the best pic-but it was delicious!)

Baby Greens with Goat Cheese in Herbs de Provence.

MMmmmm

Clay had their Mushroom and Crab Salad.

(Which was the best of the three we ordered)

Pop Had the Endive and Roquefort Salad.

(a close second to Clay's)

Gram was stuffed from all the Oyster stealing.....

Then came the Main Course

Seared Scallops topped with Lobster served with Parsnip Puree.
Hands down, the best meal I have EVER had.
EVER.

Delicious to the last bite.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

Pop and Clay had the Steak Frites

And Gram had the Lobster Bisque

poured table side.

Yum.

Then dessert!

Which was half gone by the time I remembered my camera

(darn wine...)

But the profiteroles and the Dark Chocolate Mouse were divine!

Gram broke out the Jewels for the day.

Please note the gorgeous ring on her finger.

Only dusted off for special occasions. 

Such a perfect day!

Unbelievable Weather

Impecable Service

Delicious Food

Great Company

What more could a girl ask for???

Two Fantastic Grandparents!

:)

Love you both Gram and Pop

Happy Anniversary!

Here's to many, many more!

Happy Birthday Gram!

Today is my Grandmothers Birthday. 

This aint your regular Grandma.

This is MY Gram.

And there is NO ONE like my Gram.

Our relationship is unlike any other in my life. 

When I'm sad, she can cheer me up.  When something wonderful happens, I can't wait to call her.  If I need to vent. She will listen.  When I need her, she's there.

No. Matter. What.

Everyone should have a Gram in their life.

She is caring and thoughtful, and fun and crazy and I love her so much.

I have so many fond memories of Gram.

Here are just a few....

When I was 4, Gram would break out all the goodies she had in the pantry and lay out a smorgesboard for us to feast on when Mom had date night.  I could have as much as I wanted.  And I had all her attention, all night.

When I was 8 and moved to LA I got to visit Gram for a whole week.  I would fly by myself, and Gram would pick me up at the airport and we would have a ladies lunch in Jack London Square.

When I was 12 all I wanted was a pair of Guess Jeans.  Being one of four kids, a costly pair of jeans for a pre-pubescent girl was not a high priority.  Gram found some at a second-hand store.  She bought me 3 pairs.  I could have gone without Christmas that year.

When I was 16 she came to Colorado and redecorated my entire room.  She added shelves, and new bedding and transformed it to a "grown up" room.

When I was 20 and announced that I was engaged after 6 weeks of knowing a certain boy, she was the first to jump up off the couch smile, hug me tight and say how happy she was for me.

When I was 24 she had a heart attack.  I thought I was going to lose her. I grabbed her hand as she laid in the hospital bed.  She was unable to speak.  I leaned in close and told her I wasn't done with her yet, and I needed 15 more years.
We're on 9.
I think I may need to re-negotiate.

When I was 28, I watched a tear fall down her cheek when she witnessed the birth of my first child.

When I was 32 I decided there was no one else I could imagine naming my only daughter after.

Gram, my love for you is endless.

You are an amazing Woman, Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Friend.

And we are so lucky to have you.

The Bake goes on...

I couldn't help myself. 

I felt like these cookies were begging to be made.

Like they would not fulfill their Christmas destiny if they weren't delivered to my neighbors.

Remember when I talked about the Vault?

Well...

Every year I make the same Christmas cookies.

Orange Butter Madelienes
White Chocolate Macadamia nut
Double Chocolate Triple nut Dipped Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies
Snickerdoodles
and plain old Chocolate Chip

Here is a sample of the plates that went out last year

All of these recipes are in my Vault.

The only person who has the key to the vault
 is this person

Gram.
(this picture is from Christmas 2008 when I was pregnant with Madeline and Gram was trying to teach me how to make her famous lemon pie. She's not going to be very happy with this picture...But I LOVE IT.  So there. )

Saturday nigh during my Lasagna extravaganza, I had every intention of baking all of these cookies the same night.  As I was mixing the dough I was blogging in my head.  I was going to tell you that I only make these cookies once a year, because I feel it's unfair to the other cookies.  They really should only be competition during the Holiday season..... I laughed in my head and was having a great night.

I had my Ipod on

I had to turn off Christmas music....
I needed some Michael to keep me going...

The ONLY difference between this years baking extravaganza and other years is that I always, always, always, bake at Grams.  She has double ovens, and will clean up after me, and Pop will chop whatever we need...We really are quite the team.  But this year, Gram and I have been so busy, I didn't have a whole Sunday to dedicate to baking like I have in years past.  So I attempted it alone.

What a mistake.

My first batch was a total flop.  I called her at 9:00 at night after I pulled them out.  I had the wrong spatula, her pans were better, my oven was off, I had burned my arm....it was all wrong.

Gram of course completely understood.

So she told me to come over and she would immediately start pre-heating her oven.

So that's what I did.

There is just something about this cookie sheet

She's had it since 1955.
It's magical.
Seriously.

Kinda like her...
:)

After the first batch was done she cleaned up for me

(she is going to crown me when she sees these pictures...in fact, I'm pretty sure those are the exact words  she will use....)

She also fixed up my burn.
*side note*
(if you ever, ever burn yourself, immediately put baking soda on it and let it dry, and keep repeating that process, you won't blister or scar.  I promise...and so does Gram.  It takes the heat out. And it even works on sunburns!)

Here are my *saved* cookies

 I didn't have time to dip the chocolate ones, and I don't think I will this year.

I'm so glad Gram saved the day.
It worked out perfectly, we had not had a chance to visit in a couple of days, and we just sat and talked while the cookies baked to perfection.

I love nights like that with her.
 Just Me
 and Gram
 and the kitchen.
(Man, if that granite could talk.....)

Tonight I decided to have another go at it.

 No magic cookie sheet. No wise woman to show me the way.

I braved it alone.

And made these

And these....

And these...

And finally...

because I didn't have a chance to dip the Chocolate triple nut cookies...

Regular old Brownies.

So needless to say my Christmas cookie plate this year is not as exciting as most years, but I figure...the Lasagnas were the icing on my gift of goodies this year.

I think it was the baking gods trying to teach me that all cookies should be created equal

Lesson Learned.
(until next year... )
;)

Cooking 101

In October of 2004 I was accepted into the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco.  I remember calling Rose on my way to the interview, nervous and excited.  I couldn't believe I was going to try and do something with my passion.  I went to the interview and was accepted.  I was thrilled.  Then reality hit.  Tuition.  Boo Tuition.  I even was accepted into the scholarship program the Academy offered and would have only had to come up with half.  Half an arm and leg.  But still, only half.  Clay and I talked a long time about me going to cooking school.  He wanted me to follow my passion, but I had no idea what I would do with the degree. So after much turmoil, I declined the offer.

About the same time of my acceptance letter, Gram was remodeling her kitchen.  She was purchasing a 5 burner Viking range, direct from Viking.  When she went to purchase her range, they gave her two vouchers for cooking classes at their Viking cooking school called Home Chef.  There happened to be a school in Walnut Creek.  Gram understanding my disappointment in not going to "real" cooking school, handed me the vouchers to "pretend" cooking school.  Thus started my hobby of cooking classes once a month.

I learned so many things.  How to hold a knife, correct terms for certain processes, why we use salt, what it means to braise, simmer and sweat.

 Each class brought new knowledge and skill that has turned me into the cook that I am today.

At my second class I met Candace.  She is a true kindred spirit.  We clicked immediately.  I have not taken a single cooking class without her since the day we met.  It just would not be the same.  We have so much fun, and usually are scolded for being the two in the back goofing off (I swear I have learned a lot!).

Viking Home Chef has since closed it's doors.  We found private courses from independent instructors, and have had a few courses through Williams Sonoma, but none have really provided us the knowledge or hands on training that Viking did.

We decided to try a new school.

Tonight was my second class at a local cooking school held in the rear of a store called Pans on Fire.

The instructor has a background in food anthropology and is very knowledgeable on the history of food. Which is fun.  Instead of just technical skills, you learn why tools get their name, and why a food is made the way it is.

Normally I go alone, but I thought it would be nice to invite Gram.  So tonight we drove down to Pleasanton for Grams first cooking class with me.

Only took 7 years and this menu to get her to say yes:

Oktoberfest

Biersuppe (Sharp Cheddar and Ale Soup)
Amish Pretzels
Gurkensalat (Cucumber Salad)
Rotkohl (Braised Red Cabbage)
Rouladen(Stuffed Beef rounds)
Spaetzle (Small Dumplings in browned butter)

And for Dessert

Fruit Kuchen ( Plum tart with custard)

Here are some action shots from the night:

Hefeweizen and Sharp Cheddar for the soup

Candace working hard preparing the cheese

Gram browning the croutons for the soup

Rolling our homemade pretzels

Before....

After....

Words cannot describe how delicious this soup was....

Gram especially loved the first course.

prepping the beef rolls

Browning...

braising the cabbage....

Starting the Kuchen

Sliced, ready for the dough and custard

Good to the last

Bite!

Gram said she would pass on dessert...

hmmmm...that's not MY hand...

So much fun! 

(they are going to hate this picture... but it's the only one we took of all three of us.....  Love you both! )

Gram was pooped, But she made it through the whole class! 

Yay Gram!

What a treat to spend the evening with two of my favorite ladies doing what I love most!

Looking forward to next months adventure!

Mmmmmmm Turkey....

Kickin it with GiGi

Let's just say that Jack is taking some time adjusting to having Madeline at school with him.  He's falling back into some old behaviors that are....ummmm...not the best.  So we have had many discussions with him lately.  He needs to listen to his teacher, follow the classroom rules, and work his hardest to be on his best behavior.  We have talked until we are blue in the face for two weeks.  It was time for some bribery.

Thursday night after I picked Jack up from school we stopped at GiGi's (my grandmother) house.  Jack went straight to her "secret" hiding place for cookies.  The box was empty.  Jack looked at GiGi with his best puppy dog eyes and said "GiGi there all gone" (I wish I could say it for you...he has the slightest New York accent some times...so it sounded kinda like this: "Gigi dare awl gone.")

She smiled and said... "I know Jack!  I will just have to make some for your tomorrow."

I immediately replied.  "Only good boys that listen in school get to eat cookies, and really good boys, get to help make them!"

Gram immediately picked up on what I was putting down.  "Jack, if you are a good boy tomorrow at school, would you like to come over and help me make cookies?"  She said to him.

"Yes!" He exclaimed, followed by, "I am going to be SO good tomorrow! (to-ma-roh..my little New Yorker).

I dropped him off and very loudly announced to his teacher that Jack would be going to GiGi's to make cookies if he listened and worked very hard on his behavior today.

Jack was so good at school.  I talked to his teacher and she said that he was the best he has been in two weeks.  Yay!  So off to GiGi's he went.

I usually hang out with Gram after I get off work, and help bake, or cook or just sit and chat, but tonight I new it was important that Jack have some GiGi time alone.

I spent my evening baking for the dinner party we were going to Saturday night (more on that later). By 7:30 I started to worry.  I called Gram and asked if everything was okay.  She told me she would have to call me right back.

Great.

I had visions of Jack in her Llardro cabinet, breaking things that are totally irreplaceable.  Before my mind could wander too far she called me back.

"Hi dear! Jack was wondering if he could spend the night!?" I could hear Jack in the background, praying I said yes.

"Are you sure, Gram?" I asked, knowing how exhausting Jack can be. That boy is one ball of energy.

"Yes. We will be fine!" She sounded almost as excited as Jack.

I started to think about all the wonderful times I spent with Gram as a child.  How much I loved going to her house to visit.  And what an extra special treat it was when I got to spend the night. We had so much fun together.  And we still do..even if the sleepovers ended..

"I guess, if your up to it, but Gram, if he wants to come home, or you are too tired, just call me and we will be right over."

"I will be fine dear.  He will be fine. Everything will be fine! Have a good night!" She said and hung up the phone.

I turned to Clay.  "That's one brave 80 year old" he said with a smile.  (I have to say this, because I know Gram reads my blog.  She's not 80. She's much much younger ;) - Love you Gram!)

I heard nothing. All night, no calls, nothing. By 7:30am I started to worry.

"Hi Gram! How did it go??"

"Oh, just fine Dear!  He slept all night and woke up at 6:30!" (which is pretty good for Jack, he usually gets up at 5).  They baked cookies, and went to the pool for a quick dip, watched Nanny Mcphee and had some good quality time.  Jack had a blast.

I will say she looked pretty tired. But I am so happy they had some alone time together.  He loves her so much.

Gram is a trooper!

When I arrived to pick him up Jack couldn't wait to show me the Murphy bed he finally got to sleep in. He loves that bed, it's always up and the grand kids never get to pull it down.

Gram made him waffles...

Complete with homemade syrup! Gram is the best!

We love you Gram! 

Jack can't wait for his next sleepover!