Thanksgiving 2009

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with my family (Mom, Frances, Sherry, Jan, Jim, Matt, Alex, Bob, Warren, Ann) and Arne's Parents (Julie and Bob). Bogey and Summer greeted everyone at the door with barks.

Arne and I cooked up Turkey, stuffing, gravy and whipped potatoes. Mom brought some appetizers and cranberry sauce (homemade and from a can). Jim brought wine. Julie made rolls, beans and beets. Jan made roasted vegetables. Sherry brought holiday salad. Frances made a mince pie and Matt made pumpkin and hickory nut pie (so GOOD). Bob made vanilla ice cream. Alex brought coffee. We used my old curtain homemade (someone made for me, because I don't iron or sew straight) napkins and place mats. It was a wonderful meal.

Arne's Dad took an amazing set of pictures of the day: Bob's Pictures and we took a few pictures too: Arne's Pictures

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Italian Cooking Adventure with Mom

For my 35th birthday, my Mom took me on an amazing adventure to Italy - cooking school at Torre del Tartufo.

Friday Arrival in Florence



Arne and Bogey said goodbye on Thursday morning. Mom and I flew out Thursday afternoon, and after a connection in Frankfurt, arrived in Florence.



Our first outing for the trip was to climb to the top of the Duomo Dome for a view of all of Florence. We stayed to watch the sunset and it was totally worth climbing the 463 steps.





We then got the first of our gelatos before wandering around and eventually finding a dinner place in the Plaza Republica. We had arrived in Italy - the land of good food and wine.



Saturday Exploration of Florence

I was lucky that Mom made reservations to the Uffizi and Accademia. We wandered down to the river and took an early look at the Ponte Vecchio before exploring the Uffizi.



After a quick bite of food we went to see David. It was great to see the big sculpture.



After David, we wandered through town and the central market before exploring the Santa Maria Novella.



We had an awesome local dinner at a place described in one of Mom's guidebooks.



And then on the way back to the hotel, we got our third gelato of the night, before visiting a lovely art showing on the way back to the hotel.




Sunday More Florence and Travel to Torre del Tartufo

Sunday started off slower, but after a wonderful breakfast, we headed out to see the Medici Chapels and then the Boboli Gardens in behind the Pitti Place.







Then we headed over to the train station for an hour ride to Arezzo. A cab took us up a very intense gravel hill to the absolutely delightful property of Torre del Tartufo.



Our first night, we had a great 4 course meal prepared by the previous weeks students. After every meal, dozens of liquors were put out for us to try. Cream Lemoncello was Mom's favorite.



Monday: First Day of Cooking



We spent the morning relaxing. After days of being on the go, it was nice to just hang out at the beautiful site before class. For the first 3 days of class, the core group of Mom & Me, Peg & Dana, Mimi & Annie, were joined by newlyweds Dion and Amanda, and Joe and Julie.



The cooking was very hands on. I worked with Amanda on the pasta course, which was this wonderful eggplant spaghetti dish. After working on our courses we all made pizza dough for the Tuesday pizza lunch.



After cooking, we sat down for a lovely 4 course meal. The first course Mom made, and it was this lovely artichoke salad in a parmesan cup. Then it was our pasta course, followed by rolled chicken, and finally a tiramisu for dessert. It was a great first meal made by us!



Tuesday: Car Rental, Arezzo, and more Cooking



Tuesday morning we took a cab into Arezzo and rented a car. We got the cutest little Fiat Panda. Then with Mimi and Annie, we explored Arezzo and all the amazing art frescos of Piero della Francesca on the walls of the churches.



Once back at Torre, we made pizza with our dough.



After lunch, we had a five hour class where I made a pork dish with Julie, cleaned mushrooms with Pam and then the 3 of us worked on the wild boar stew.



After this, everyone made squash ravioli from scratch! Our four course meal was stuffed tomatoes, squash ravioli, the pork dish I helped make, and then a pound cake with homemade gelato for dessert.



Wednesday: Group Outing Day



We woke up to rain on the day of our group outing, but this did not keep us from having an amazing day exploring the region. First, we visited a cheese farm, called Casa Pallino and got a demo on how pecorino is made.



Everyone loved the cheese and we bought some to take home. Then we headed to a wool shop, where I got a lovely hat, made from Casentino Wool.



Our next stop was the Castello di Porcano, where the lady of the castle gave us a tour and lunch in the tower.



After the castle, we stopped by a ceramic factory, and then headed to an old renaissance home called Villa La Ripa for a wine tasting. The vintner charmed the whole group with his sangiovese wines.



Thursday: Angahri and Cooking



In the morning we drove to Angahri and a little place outside of town called Ravagni, where Francesco showed us how to make olive oil and we did a tasting. Everyone loved the basil olive oil.



We then headed into Angahri and enjoyed exploring the old town and the Busatti linen factory.



Then it was time to cook. I worked with Pam and Annie, and we made desserts, a grandma's cake, chocolate pudding, cookies, pie, and a main course of chicken with fennel.



Mom made the most amazing eggplant parmesan, although it did take a long time to create.



Our meal was the eggplant dish, Pasta Fazoli, the turkey dish, and then chocolate pudding cake for dessert.



Friday: Day Off Visit to Siena

Friday was our day off, so Mom and I headed out of our little region to Siena. Neither of us had ever seen the city. It was a long drive (and a horror trying to find parking) but it was worth it once we made it there.



The cathedral was a wonderful cacophony of art and we were in the season where the inlayed floors were all visible. Amazing.



We both climbed up to the ramparts for a view of the area.



Then it was off to the central square for a lovely lunch.



The drive was worth it for the lovely little city.

Saturday: Cortona and Cooking



Mom and I got up early and headed out to Cortona, a lovely old town.



In Cortona, before we left we got some great cheese to bring home.



Then it was time for our final cooking adventure, with the final six cooks.



The kitchen busted as we cooked up all sorts of yummy things and learned how to debone a fish!



The final four course meal was a pastry and truffle starter, then a pasta with swordfish or octopus, then a trout (that Mom deboned!), and finally a deep fried chestnut crepe.



It was a wonderful final meal



and a great last night in Tuscany.



Sunday: The Long Trip Home

It was fall back morning, so we slept in an extra hour then drove up to the Florence Airport for our connection to Munich and the flight home.



It was a great trip and now I have many amazing recipes to cook for everyone now that I am back!

More Pictures

Arne's First Camp Blue Experience

This year Arne joined us for Camp Blue. After several years of writing about Camp Blue (2009, 2008, 2007) it was nice to have Arne's perspective on the Lair experience.

Saturday: Arrival

Saturday morning, Mom met us in Palo Alto, and we headed up to the Lair. It was a quick 3 hours up 108 to Camp Blue Road, where we turned off and headed down to our welcome home from Mike White and the Camp Blue Staff.

We set up our tent - number 13 - and were ready for the week.



Sunday: Pool Party and Sunset Hike

Sunday morning Arne and I played some volleyball, and then headed down to the pool party. Arne was not very skilled at inter tube water polo, but still had fun in the water.



After dinner we went on the sunset hike. Unfortunately about 15 miles away there was a fire, but this made for great sunlight and a beautiful sunset.



Monday: Hike

Monday morning, we met up with Ellen Green and headed out to Camp and Bear Lakes. The wildflowers were in bloom on the hike.



Camp Lake was lovely, but we pressed on to the next lake.



Bear Lake was perfect for hanging out and enjoying lunch and a little swim.



We returned to rest and enjoy the Lair.

Tuesday: Paddle Boating and Softball

After breakfast we headed out to Pinecrest with Ken, Julia and Caleb. Mom's friend Marcie joined us on Monday, and she was ready for our paddleboating adventure. The lake was lovely.



And we all had fun swimming in the water.



The boats paddled around the dam and then headed back to the dock.



On the way back, Arne enjoyed hanging with Caleb and Ken in the men's boat!



After paddle boating, it was time for the Staff softball game. I got a home run, a double and a triple!



Then, to top it all off, that night was the 6 person volleyball tournament. Mom and Marcie watched as we won 4 game to win the night!



Go Team! Following Volleyball, we headed up to Pinecrest again to see UP! under the stars. It was a great outdoor movie experience, and a very long day.



Wednesday: Tie Dye and Tournaments

Wednesday was tie-dye day. I got to make lots of fun tie-dye's!



We also spent time in the hammocks...a great addition Arne brought up to the lair.



At dinner, we always tried to eat outside with our friends...it was just so nice out.



Then, at night, there was the burger shack, games, and even puzzles.



Thursday: Volleyball and Softball

Thursday was volleyball versus Gold in the morning. Arne was a real hero for the men and they dominated, crushing Gold.



Then, in the afternoon, it was the staff softball game. It was Arne's first softball game, ever! He got hits and even caught a fly ball for an out at his catcher position.



The team was happy to have him.



Friday: Kayaking and Softball

Friday morning, we got up early and wet out kayaking and swimming on the lake. It was a great morning.



Then Arne stuck around to watch them seed the lake with fish...the whole process was really cool.



I headed back to camp for the Blue vs Gold women's softball team. We crushed Gold 26 - 3, one inning going through our lineup 3 times. I got 2 singles, 2 doubles, and a triple!



That night was the final show and a lot of goodbyes.

Saturday: Returning Home



It was a wonderful week at the lair. Everyone said I made a good choice on my gentle giant Arne. I think it was not just a good choice, but I was lucky to find someone who can love the Lair as much as I do.

Two Weddings, a Birthday, and a Christening, OH MY

As Summer began, so did travel. It seemed liked everyone had an event we just had to be at, and none of them were local. We traveled to the four corners of the US - West Coast to East Coast, Mexican Boarder to Canadian Border, visiting friends and family for two weddings, a birthday and then a christening!

First Wedding in Malibu



The summer began with a trip down to Mailbu for the June 20th wedding of Melissa and Saul.



I was one of the bridesmaids, my first time as a bridesmaid! It was a lovely ceremony in the hills of Malibu with a view of the Pacific Ocean.



We had a great trip to southern California, taking some time to visit the Getty Villa and hang out at the beach with my friends Tracy and Gary.



Second Wedding in DC

The next weekend we headed out to DC for the wedding of my college advisee Kathryn and Greg.



Yes, it was a vegetable bouquet! It was great to see her and her old roommate Grace Maa and go to a large traditional church wedding that did a great job of reflecting the spirit and faith of the couple.



We were also able to hang out in Tacoma Park, MD with Erik, Arne's brother. It was great to see his house and a bit of DC.



We visited the Air and Space Museum and saw my great-granddad on the wall.



Then we took a pedicab ride around the mall to the portrait gallery.





It was fun hanging out at the gallery, one of Erik's favorite after work spots.



Birthday in Tucson



Fourth of July weekend, after some local berry picking, shopping for furniture, and volleyball, found us heading down to Tucson, AZ for Arne's Aunt Kate's surprise birthday party.



We hung out at Hacienda del Sol and enjoyed the hot Tucson weather, before surprising Kate with our presence in Arizona.



It was a lovely party and a great chance to meet Arne's extended family.



Christening



On July 10th, we headed out to Lake Michigan for a Stockstad family holiday. We flew into Muskegon, MI and Arne's parent picked us up and took us to the Lake House near Benona, MI.



We spent 4 days at the beach, watching sunsets,



diverting water to form oxbow lakes,



having campfires,





and generally enjoying the region.



On Monday morning, we had a christening for Sonja Stokstad.



Arne and I are now godparents for Sonja. It was very special to be asked. Arne's dad took lots of pictures of the event.



Tuesday we returned home to California and to our two dogs who were missing us. It has been a long month of weekend trips - and while wonderful events, it is so nice to be home, enjoying Palo Alto and life in CA.

Yosemite Anniversary

Arne and I headed back up to Yosemite for Memorial Weekend. Last year during this weekend, we met during a hike in the snow

We arrived in the park around 8, after 5 hours of driving. It was so nice to come while there was still some evening light and get to enjoy the Yosemite Valley.



Saturday: Hike in the Sun



We slept in Saturday morning and then after breakfast in the Curry Village dining hall, headed out on a hike. While we considered the 211 mile hike to Mt. Whitney, we decided instead to just head up to the top of Vernal Falls.



It was a beautiful day filled with the sounds of rushing water. The waterfalls were all in their powerful glory, as the snows were melting.



We rested on the rocks, then looped around for a view of the falls and Nevada Falls.



I like that sunglasses reflect the beauty of Yosemite.



After returning to the village, I checked out the pool, then we got pizza for dinner with a table of Dutch boys. One of the great things in Yosemite is that it is filled with people from all over.

Sunday: Bike Adventures

We rented bikes in the morning and headed out to Happy Isles to check out nature and the Isles. Arne found beautiful flowers to take pictures of.



And we got to enjoy the water.



We then biked up to Mirror Lake - the starting point for last years fated hike to the snow. This year we could see the reflections in the water.



We continued around the park, checking out Yosemite Falls and the Village and learning more about the history of Yosemite.



Then it was home for a nap, before heading down to the Swinging Bridge and dinner with the YSCers. The few miles of walking were lovely, in part because we were far faster then all the cars stuck in traffic.



After dinner, I made s'mores - my favorite camping dessert.



Then it was home for another great nights sleep.



Monday: The Drive Home

Monday morning we got up early, to enjoy morning in the park and leave before the traffic go too bad. The drive out is really lovely.



Even with the sun coming straight at us.



The drive home was uneventful, with a morning stop for breakfast in Groveland and then an easy drive home.

Last year on Memorial day I got Summer dog from the rescue group. This Memorial day, Arne decided he would try to shave her for her summer cut. It was hard and we will now take her to a professional groomer. It turns out she has a huge amount of hair!



It was a wonderful one year anniversary weekend!

Boston and Amanda's Graduation

Arne and I headed out to Boston for Amanda's graduation from BU and a tour of the greater Boston Area. He had never been there and I wanted to show him all my favorite places and people.

Friday: Red-eye recovery and Graduation

We flew out Thursday night on a red-eye, arriving in Boston at 6:30 AM. We took a cab to my mom's cousin Besty's house in Brookline - our home base for the trip.



After a morning nap, we walked around Brookline Village, and I got to show Arne all my old apartments in town. We had lunch at the Brookline Spa, my favorite place to eat in town. It was nice.

Then, we got dressed up and headed to BU for Amanda's graduation from the BU School of Social Work!



The ceremony was LONG and we (Carter, Amanda's friend Abby, mom, and Arne) waited for Amanda's big moment.



It was good to see her get her Master's in Social Work with a specialty in Trauma. She is one of only a handful of her classmates that has a full time job lined up. She will be continuing to work with refugees from Somalia through Children's Hospital in Boston. Post graduation we enjoyed the reception.


Amanda and Carter


Arne and Me


Mom and Amanda

Then we headed down to the south end for a celebratory dinner.



Arne coming out of the "T" Stop. We then headed through Copley and town to Icarus for dinner.



Karna and Arne by the Library.

Saturday: Nature and Friends

Saturday morning we headed out of town to Walden Pond where we met up with Phoebe, Charlton and Natalie Shen for a walk around Walden Pond and some catching up time.


Karna and Phoebe.

At the Thoreau home site, with thought about how funny his quotes are given that he went home for 3 meals a day and his mom did his laundry while he was out in Nature.



After Walden, we had lunch in downtown Concord, before heading out to Kimball Farms for Ice Cream.



It was so yummy,


and Natalie looked so cute eating her "child size" of vanilla.



Arne visited with the animals, and then we headed back toward town.



Our first stop was a bridal shower for my old advisee Kathryn Getek.



Then we went out to the Arnold Arboretum and spent some time on Lilac Hill.


Karna


Arne


Karna and Arne enjoying the flowers.

Next it was to the home of Mike and Nan, friends from LA, for a Thai feast. Joy and Carl joined us for dinner (other friends from LA) and we all got to catch up.



We headed back to Betsy's and upon entering the house, we set off the alarm! When Mom took them out to a separate dinner, they set the alarm. Luckily we called the restaurant and got the code from Betsy, so when the cop came to the door, I did not look totally silly.

Sunday: Freedom Trail and Travels Home

Sunday was our day to explore Boston. We started by meeting up with Carter and Amanda at the Boston Garden, and checking out the Make Way for Duckling ducks.


Then it was off along the freedom trail, seeing Ben Franklin's memorial,



Dressing up in a colonial hat at the first statehouse,



and then going to Faneuil Hall. After so much walking it was time for lunch. We headed over to the Union Oyster House and ended up at the JFK table for a feast of seafood.



We then wandered to the North end and Paul Revere's house and some more history in the Old North Church, before heading back to Brookline.



Then it was off to the airport and our delayed flight home.

We had a great time and then a wonderful return to the dogs, who had been taken care of by our friends Craig and Lora.

Mendocino Coast Holiday

On April 24th, I packed up the car with the dogs and picked Arne up at the BART station for the drive north to the Mendocino coast. This was our first trip with the dogs and a great chance to get away for work for a beautiful coastal Holiday.



Friday Afternoon: The Drive North

A few hours north of San Francisco, the Mendocino coast is a really lovely place. We left the 101 at Petaluma and headed west to the coast and then at Bodega Bay started the super windy ride north. As we past the county line for Mendocino, I had Arne play Willie Nelson's song about the Mendocino county line. We were staying just north of the Mendocino county line at the Mar Vista Cottages.



The cottages were cute, and gave us our own small home with the dogs. There was also a garden for me to pick flowers from.



I made us a nice dinner for our 11 month anniversary.



One of the things I made was a pie. It was super yummy, with apples and blackberries. I did not have regular sugar or flour, but made due with the sugar cubes for coffee and some almond slices I remembered to bring up.



We all went to sleep, with Summer and Bogey on their beds in our room.






Saturday: Beach outing

Early in the morning, I got up and took the dogs on a morning walk to the beach. Exploring our local area.



They were so cute going down the long stairs.


The private beach also had a private waterfall!



Later, after a breakfast of just plucked from the hens eggs (they really do taste better), Arne and I spent some time at the beach.



And looked at our beautiful dogs.



Bogey



Summer



My Summer dog got lots of sand all over herself. Then it was back to the cabin, where Arne made me dinner while I read in a chair.



After dinner he finished off the pie.



The late afternoon activity was egg picking. We met all the chickens.



Fed them a bit.



Then picked eggs!



I was nervous about the chickens, but they were nice.



It was another quiet evening in the cabin with our gas fire and a game of Monopoly.



Sunday: Tide Pools and the Ride Home

Arne got up early on Sunday for a super low tide where he could go check out the Abalone and other sea animals.



More animals.



Good picture in the water.



After sleeping in and another breakfast of fresh eggs, we headed back down the coast. Most beaches do not allow dogs, but some county ones do, like Stillwater Cove.



We enjoyed the windy and flowery area.



And all the rocky outcroppings.



Bogey, of course, was beautiful.



and Arne and I got to explore.



So did Summer.


There were some nice flowers too.



After the beach time we headed back south, stopping off at the Petaluma Street Fair and then going out to the cheese factory.



It was good fresh cheese, and a little park.



After many more hours of driving we were home.

I think we need more trips with the dogs!