Best Wishes for the Holidays
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Happy Holidays
I was driving home from finishing the last of the holiday shopping wondering what to blog about. I thought I would take pictures of the local Christmas house and use it postcard style to send best wishes to all. Just then I passed a tree that mother nature had decorated for me. Perfect!
Best Wishes for the Holidays
Best Wishes for the Holidays
Friday, December 18, 2009
Mangia e Bevi - Novato
There's a new deli in town that's rocking it old school style! OK, enough with the Guy Fieri imitation. Mangia e Bevi translates from Italian to English as "eat and drink "and this deli excels at both. The place reminds me of the legendary Molinari's Deli in San Francisco. It has only been open for a few months but judging by the line for sandwiches at lunch time it is destined to be around for a while. I want to tell you about all the sandwiches on the menu but honestly I have eaten the same one each time I've gone there. The "Parma" is my sandwich of choice and I am addicted. It consists simply of Parma Prosciutto, shaved Parmesan, oil and vinegar. It is big enough for sharing if you are not a glutton like me. Their menu says they do catering of platters, sandwiches and salads and I suspect these goodies would make you a hero at the holiday party. Don't tell anyone but on Saturday they have foccacia from Liguria Bakery in San Fran. Mangia e Bevi is on Facebook.
The Parma
The Parma
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Patience and Persistence
One of the bloggers I follow, Zoomie Station, recently wrote about a professor who taught her many things, but most importantly, patience and persistence. That got me thinking about how I learned what modicum of patience I possess. I would say my teacher, hands down, is my wife April. I'm not trying to butter her up, it is true and she knows it. What does that have to do with the unique loaf of bread above? Here is the back story.
During the part of our lives when we were having lots of kids April managed the household on my not-so-large salary. Short of weaving straw from gold, she could make something from nothing. One of the products she used was Bridgford frozen bread dough. It provided cheap and tasty bread to feed our gang. Recently my day job went away and I find myself with a bit of time on my hands between job searching and filling out tons of unemployment paperwork. I decided to have a shot at cutting the food budget. There, in the frozen food section I spotted the Bridgford and threw it in the basket. I took it home and began proofing it before baking. Unfortunately, I forgot about it. When I finally remembered, it had puffed up to basketball size. I was disappointed; thinking I had ruined it, I was about to chuck the dough in trash.
April said "Be patient, punch it down and it will rise back up again."
I replied, "Oh yeah, sure!"
Sure enough, it rose up albeit a little crooked. When one of the kids stopped by, she wondered what Artisan Bakery I had purchased the loaf from!
The moral to the story and the current mantra I plan to move forward with: Have patience and persistence, when something seems out of control - make the best of it. To every end there is a new beginning - I think that's from a song. Life's a picnic, enjoy!
During the part of our lives when we were having lots of kids April managed the household on my not-so-large salary. Short of weaving straw from gold, she could make something from nothing. One of the products she used was Bridgford frozen bread dough. It provided cheap and tasty bread to feed our gang. Recently my day job went away and I find myself with a bit of time on my hands between job searching and filling out tons of unemployment paperwork. I decided to have a shot at cutting the food budget. There, in the frozen food section I spotted the Bridgford and threw it in the basket. I took it home and began proofing it before baking. Unfortunately, I forgot about it. When I finally remembered, it had puffed up to basketball size. I was disappointed; thinking I had ruined it, I was about to chuck the dough in trash.
April said "Be patient, punch it down and it will rise back up again."
I replied, "Oh yeah, sure!"
Sure enough, it rose up albeit a little crooked. When one of the kids stopped by, she wondered what Artisan Bakery I had purchased the loaf from!
The moral to the story and the current mantra I plan to move forward with: Have patience and persistence, when something seems out of control - make the best of it. To every end there is a new beginning - I think that's from a song. Life's a picnic, enjoy!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Cabo San Lucas
The last Mexican port on our cruise is Cabo San Lucas. In my perception, it is the most beautiful of all our stops. Long strands of white beaches, brilliant blue water and sculpted rock formations signal your arrival.
Carnival Elation Cabo San Lucas
The cruise ships anchor out because the harbor is shallow. Small boats shuttle you to the port where you are greeted by a gauntlet of town's people vying for your tourist dollar. There are glass bottom boat rides, sport fishing and resorts to be visited. We choose to hang out in the port area and do what we laugh at tourists for back home: have our pictures taken with the locals!
We buy some souvenirs, hang out in a port side restaurant and play my favorite sport, people watching. On our last visit to Cabo, we purchased a hand painted ceramic tile depicting our ship, the Carnival Pride. We locate the vendor this time and he makes us a new tile of the Norwegian Sun to add to our collection. The view, the sunshine, and the margaritas make this wonderful day. Two more days to motor back to reality.
Tile artist Cabo San Lucas
Glass bottom boat marina Cabo San Lucas
Carnival Elation Cabo San Lucas
The cruise ships anchor out because the harbor is shallow. Small boats shuttle you to the port where you are greeted by a gauntlet of town's people vying for your tourist dollar. There are glass bottom boat rides, sport fishing and resorts to be visited. We choose to hang out in the port area and do what we laugh at tourists for back home: have our pictures taken with the locals!
We buy some souvenirs, hang out in a port side restaurant and play my favorite sport, people watching. On our last visit to Cabo, we purchased a hand painted ceramic tile depicting our ship, the Carnival Pride. We locate the vendor this time and he makes us a new tile of the Norwegian Sun to add to our collection. The view, the sunshine, and the margaritas make this wonderful day. Two more days to motor back to reality.
Tile artist Cabo San Lucas
Glass bottom boat marina Cabo San Lucas
Monday, December 07, 2009
Peurto Vallarta Mexico
At this point in our cruise we have been lulled into a constant state of happiness. The staff on the Norwegian Sun are stealth in their endeavor to make us happy. When we go out to breakfast they quickly clean our cabin and stock us with towels and such. While we are at dinner they remake the room and leave us towel animals. This is a pampered lifestyle I could get used to. The price in right if you shop wisely. This 12 day 11 night cruise cost us about $1200 for two, inclusive of room and board. There are extra charges for tips, alcohol, tours and any other activities. We threw caution to the wind, a bit' and spent extra for incidentals. I felt like it was a bargain for such luxury.
Norwegian Sun party animal!
We arrived in Puerto Vallarta early to perfect weather. I was not feeling like the intrepid traveler so we decided to take a tour of the town. I negotiated $30 for an hour tour that took us through town in a new Nissan Van. At first it was a little unnerving as other cabs and vans pulled alongside us and had excited conversations with our driver. He explained he was the captain of the cab company's soccer team and the other drivers wanted to know about that day's game. The narrow cobblestone streets were teaming with cars and buses belching fumes but the city was beautiful nevertheless.
Puerto Vallarta old town photo by April
Just across from the ship there was a shopping area that included Walmart and next door was Galleria Vallarta, an upscale mall with Liverpool department store as an anchor.
Galleria Vallarta (left)
Wal -Mart Puerto Vallarta (right)
We hit the mall after our tour and found an impressive offering on par with Nordstroms or Macys. The food court was just like the U.S. versions. Subway and McDonald's offered their wares in Spanish. The stunning view overlooking the port was certainly not ordinary.
Norwegian Sun Puerto Vallarta
It was time to head back to the ship and enjoy the rest of the journey.
Norwegian Sun party animal!
We arrived in Puerto Vallarta early to perfect weather. I was not feeling like the intrepid traveler so we decided to take a tour of the town. I negotiated $30 for an hour tour that took us through town in a new Nissan Van. At first it was a little unnerving as other cabs and vans pulled alongside us and had excited conversations with our driver. He explained he was the captain of the cab company's soccer team and the other drivers wanted to know about that day's game. The narrow cobblestone streets were teaming with cars and buses belching fumes but the city was beautiful nevertheless.
Puerto Vallarta old town photo by April
Just across from the ship there was a shopping area that included Walmart and next door was Galleria Vallarta, an upscale mall with Liverpool department store as an anchor.
Galleria Vallarta (left)
Wal -Mart Puerto Vallarta (right)
We hit the mall after our tour and found an impressive offering on par with Nordstroms or Macys. The food court was just like the U.S. versions. Subway and McDonald's offered their wares in Spanish. The stunning view overlooking the port was certainly not ordinary.
Norwegian Sun Puerto Vallarta
It was time to head back to the ship and enjoy the rest of the journey.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Mazatlan Mexico
The whirlwind tour moves to Mazatlan. One unique thing about taking a cruise is going to your hotel room and unpacking once. Each night your hotel moves you to the next town, all the while providing splendid amenities.
On this stop we partake in a ship endorsed tour called Shrimp Fest. From the port we are shuttled in air conditioned vans to a private home on cross hill overlooking the city. Not much to look at from the front but once inside it is quite spectacular. Besides the great view there is a pool, hot tub and small gift shop. We are offered margaritas, beer and soft drinks. After a brief introduction we wander about the grounds and enjoy. The mother of the owner gives April and I a tour of her adjoining residence where we admire the stone and tile work. It seems prices here are about a quarter of what we paid for our stone at home. The yard is lush but we are told that a recent storm had taken a toll on the trees.
It was time for a feast. Shrimp three ways, deep fried, boiled and garlic saute. Included was rice, beans, fresh tortillas, guacamole and some spicy salsas. More beer and margaritas were quaffed as we relaxed and kept an eye on the boats in the harbor.
Norwegian Sun shrimpfest excursion
Carnival Splendor Mazatlan Mexico
Back to the boat and onward.
On this stop we partake in a ship endorsed tour called Shrimp Fest. From the port we are shuttled in air conditioned vans to a private home on cross hill overlooking the city. Not much to look at from the front but once inside it is quite spectacular. Besides the great view there is a pool, hot tub and small gift shop. We are offered margaritas, beer and soft drinks. After a brief introduction we wander about the grounds and enjoy. The mother of the owner gives April and I a tour of her adjoining residence where we admire the stone and tile work. It seems prices here are about a quarter of what we paid for our stone at home. The yard is lush but we are told that a recent storm had taken a toll on the trees.
It was time for a feast. Shrimp three ways, deep fried, boiled and garlic saute. Included was rice, beans, fresh tortillas, guacamole and some spicy salsas. More beer and margaritas were quaffed as we relaxed and kept an eye on the boats in the harbor.
Norwegian Sun shrimpfest excursion
Carnival Splendor Mazatlan Mexico
Back to the boat and onward.
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