Monday :: Link Love List

sipping... pots and pots of The Vèrt Marco Polo tea by Mariage Frères to cure what ailed me

cooking... the perfect spaghetti and meatballs a la Molly Wizenberg's recipe

reading... several years worth of back issues from Real Simple and Sunset magazine

learning... about creating a zero waste home here

making... a Year of the Rabbit tableau for Chinese New Year in our entryway

watching... a thought-provoking documentary called Which Way Home

feeling... a bit sad that January is coming to an end

enjoying... the sweet and juicy tangerines ripening on the tree outside my office window

wanting... to find my dream MCM sideboard ~ like the ones featured on this awesome site

loving... the rug featured in this home

Happy Monday.

Monday :: Link List

I wake up early and shuffle over to my desk first thing every morning.  I read my favorite blogs and surf the net for 10 minutes or so before waking the boy.  It's my morning ritual.

In doing the above, I read a lot of blogs that document life in the form of lists.  I get great inspiration from this lady.  I'm a girl that just loves a list and the satisfaction of marking things off is half the fun.  I guess it's the Virgo in me.  I thought I'd try it out myself and will do my best to document a few things that are striking my fancy or that are happening in my life right now and post on Mondays as a nice way to start my week.  Here we go...

sipping... a cup of Taylor Maid Farms Holiday Blend No. 10

cooking... a roasted chicken for tonight from The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters

reading... Moloka'i by Alan Brennert for February book club

learning... continuing my photography e-course class here

making... plans for an indoor herb garden like this one

watching... just finished the first season of Glee and couldn't have loved it more

feeling... like my reset button was pushed on January 1st

enjoying... my newly created running playlist on my iPod

wanting... this camera strap

loving... this freakishly warm January weather here on the coast

Happy Monday.

January Balance

I am on the mend from my holiday hangover and trying to restore a bit of balance back into my/our lives.  I have created a balance reminder in my entry way with these smooth river rocks and installed 12 little stacks to symbolize each month of the year.  Grady is also working on his balance by watching Ralph Macchio in the original Karate Kid and gently reminding me that karate lessons are on his New Year's resolution list for 2011.

We had a full moon this week and a King Tide on January 19th and 20th.  Usually these King Tides happen at night and we miss them, but this one was happening mid-morning and I woke up to NPR talking about a photo contest to those who would help document this high tide and submit photos.  I couldn't get to beach, but knew that a King Tide also meant a really low tide and I'm always seeking the negative low tide action.  I'm kind of like low tide's bitch and a slave to my Tide Log.  Did I mention January was my favorite month?  Well, the tides are lovely and the weather is always dramatic here on the coast this time of year.

I signed up to take my first ever e-course in photography called Wading In: Dipping Our Toes Into Self Portraits.  It's a lot harder than you might think taking pictures of yourself in a mirror, but I think that's the point.  This is a month-long course and I'm also learning to use flickr (a photo sharing website) and Picnik (a photo editing tool).  I'm not too tech-savvy, so this is a big stretch for me.   I'll be posting a few me photos throughout the next month and hope to see some progress.

I know I gush about how beautiful it is up here, but it is.  This week has been crisp and cold in the morning, the skies are clear and blue all day and we have had the most amazing sunsets.  This is a big change from last year where we suffered flooding and torrential rains, as well as school being closed.  I guess nature is working on her balance, too.

I had a spare 45 minutes before picking up Grady from the bus and decided to grab the dog and take a run on Middle Road.  The afternoon was warm, my iPod was loaded with motivating running music and I was ticking off New Year's resolutions in earnest this week.

Prior to my run, I noticed that my friend's goat was out and about and quickly texted her regarding same.  They were in Mexico and she asked me to help get the goat back in her pen.  I'm going to make this long story short because it was so ridiculous how things went down on this bucolic afternoon.  This crazy goat reared up on his hind hooves and tried to attack me with his horns, ripping my shirt that was tied around my waist, narrowly missing my left butt cheek and putting a fear in me that I hadn't had in a long time.  It all ended well, but let me tell you this: If this goat gets out again, I'm not telling anyone!

Nicole, Shannan, Me & Peggy @ Welcome Wagon on 1st Day of School

This week was our monthly PTA meeting at Grady's school.  I serve as the PTA President, along with the lovely ladies pictured above.  I'm nearing the end of my two-year term and we're actively looking to recruit a new board.  I look forward to having new members installed on the board and taking a little bit of a breather from all of the service work I have been doing on behalf of the school.  In an effort to work on my balance, I realized that I had to resign from a few of the volunteer positions that I hold this year.  I feel like I'm running out of my volunteer mojo and definitely need to recharge.  I also serve on the school site council and am learning a lot about how monies are funneled through our district and cut out from the large Parcel Tax pie and distributed.  I also get a vote on these matters and that feels really empowering during these times of budget cuts and teacher layoffs.  Grady has been at this school for three years and I'm just finally feeling like I understand how things work.  

Speaking of volunteering and doing less, I was recently appointed to the position of Vice President of the 38th Annual Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival.  I know, I know.  I just got through telling you how I'm taking it down a notch, but this is a really important organization and I'm looking forward to working hard to help the non-profits of the area earn their allocations and see the money get into the hands of those groups who count on our festival to fund important programs and project improvements.  This festival also falls around the weekend of Grady's birthday and he thinks it's the best birthday party evah!

So, we've been busy this week - but not the insane kind of busy that crept up on us in December.  Grady has started playing for an indoor soccer league on Sundays and LOVES it.  Finally a sport that I can enjoy, too.  He gallops like a horse down the gym and makes this mama's heart swell.  His style is off the charts and cracks me up.  Tiger shirt, lightning bolt  socks and thrifted soccer shorts.  He just had to have a new pair of shoes to help him run faster and "be like the other kids".  Ouch.  That one hurt a little, but I understood.  He had been waiting for so long to play on a soccer team and just wanted to fit in.  He's now the proud owner of a silver and red pair of Adidas.  The silver part made this mama proud.  He still has his flare, even if it's just for a little bit longer.

Steve was gone for most of this week on his yearly solo pilgrimage to Southern California to visits friends and family.  Of course, I rearranged some furniture and moved some art around while he was gone because I wouldn't want him to come home to the same house he left.  This is a running joke with us.  He doesn't understand my need to rearrange furniture and I don't understand how to download software, transfer music on iTunes or read any instructional manuals.  I think that makes us even, right?

We celebrated his return with our homemade pizza night.  We've been successfully making pizza every Friday night and playing games or watching a movie with just the three of us.  I loved this concept when I read Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.  We don't have a wood fire oven, but my breadmaker does most of the work and a quick stint in our conventional oven does the trick to finish it off.

Pizza Dough in the Breadmaker
Makes one large pizza - 1-1/2 pounds

1 cup, plus 2T water
1-1/4 tsp salt
1-1/2 T olive oil
3 cups bread flour
2 T instant dry milk powder
2 tsp yeast

Put in breadmaker in above order and turn to dough setting (#9 on my machine) and 1-1/2 hours later...Voila!

I lightly cover pyrex bowl with olive oil, so dough doesn't stick.  Put in fridge to slow down rising, leave on counter top covered with clean dish towel to help aid in additional rising.

I sauté onions & italian sausage.  I spread tomato sauce on first, then the onions and sausage and cover with grated mozzarella last (doing it last is key to melting and sealing in all the good stuff you just put on it).  Throw it in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 425 degrees.

I purchased this print from Victoria's etsy shop and finally went out and got a frame for it.  I think this says it all.

Open Love Letter to the Sonoma Coast

My Dearest Sonoma Coast,

Happy New Year!

 We came North on Highway One from Valley Ford for an afternoon visit.

 We took our requisite new year photos.

 The kids help set the stage for many of these 2011 moments.

 They even used seaweed and their bodies to form the numbers.

 We started out as a group.

 And then slowly divided up to climb your craggy rocks.

 And hold hands with our friends.

 And jump so many times that we lost count.

 Oh, how we loved all the softly worn driftwood strewn about the beach.

 The golden hour of sunlight was especially lovely as we trekked back to the car.

 You never disappoint.

 I'm always invigorated by a quick jaunt on your sandy strip.

 Even dried up thistles seem enchanting in your backyard.

 We stood in awe of the sun dipping down into your waters.

And the clouds turned pink like cotton candy and lingered on as we said our goodbyes.

Until the next time...

Tammi & the Secret Beachcombers

Oh, Eleven

I'm embracing my mental illness and jotting down 11-letter words on this eleventh day of January, 2011.  Sweet jesus, somebody stop me...

• Masochistic
• Prerogative
• Quarterback
• Caravansary
• Discoveries
• Embarcadero
• Fulfilling
• Purportedly
• Beneficiary
• Mammography
• Countrified

Feel free to add to my insanity by commenting with your own favorite 11-letter words!

January Numerology

Those of you who know me well, know that I have a problem with 11-letter words.  I think it comes from my many years of working as a legal secretary, back in the day when I had to break up words at the end of sentences using hyphens on my IBM Selectric Typewriter.  I can spot an 11-letter word coming from a mile away.  Not only can I spot them (hear them, spell them in my mind at lightning speed), they bother me.  I mean, really bother me.  For example, I can't drive past the exit Embarcadero without it haunting me for the rest of the damned day.  Seriously.  I know it's odd and downright weird, but this is my cross the bare.  Promulgated.  Discoveries.  Pontificate.  Get out of my head!  I used to keep a list, but that bothered me more.  It comes and goes, but when it comes - it is ever present. Anyhoo...

I thought I'd jot down some numbers that are in my life right now and hopefully shift this freaky level of numerology in my favor.  Here is my feeble attempt:

Two : 2

I've been enjoying afternoon tea with Grady this past week.  It's been really cold here, with temperatures in the low 30's most mornings.  We have a lot of windows in our house and the cold creeps in, especially in the late afternoon and early evenings.  It's been a lovely ritual to make a pot of tea and enjoy it with my little man.  So very civilized this tea for two business.

Six : 6
We will be adding six new chicks to our flock this Spring.  The three surviving hens are doing well.  One is molting and looks sad with hardly any feathers and lots of pin-feathers sticking out.  They have stopped laying eggs over the last few weeks, but hopefully they will resume laying with the increase of daylight hours in the coming weeks.  Oh, how I miss those rich, orange yolks.

Thirty-One : 31
We attended 31 social events in exactly 31 days during the month of December.  Some days we did nothing and others were booked solid.  I made an effort to pare down our social calendar and it still is laughable when I look at all we did.  The Virgo in me just had to tally up the goings-ons and justify why I feel so spent.  We must rest this month!

Seven : 7
My little boy is seven and holding.  He will turn eight this year, but that just doesn't seem possible.  I've definitely seen a change in attitude and independence over this last year.  He's not so much a little boy anymore and that makes me a wee bit sad.  I'm trying to get all the kisses on his cheeks that he will allow, afternoon reading sessions and naps on my bed.  Pretty soon he will start wanting his own space and less affection (or so I hear) and I'm trying to soak it all in while I can.  This will be hard for me to watch, but I just know the next phase will unearth more about this fascinating little boy.  I feel lucky to have him and have the time to spend with him during his formative years.

Forty-two : 42

I signed up on Goodreads.com last year to document books I've read or want to read.  I went through and it looks like I read 42 books in 2010.  See what getting rid of cable can do for a girl?  My book club is almost five years old and we are morphing into such a solid group of readers, as well as fantastical hostesses.  I feel honored to spend time with this group of women and share opinions (and much laughter) over wine and delicious food.  Thanks ladies.

Fourteen : 14
Well, we went through 14 bottles of J Sparkling Wine in six days while my BFF and her family were here the week after xmas.  Is it just me or does that seem low?  We had a full week of food, games, movies and lounging.  However, I think the true bottle count for the month is somewhere in the high twenties...but who is counting?

Eleven : 11
So I've already shared my issues with the number 11, so I'm a wee bit concerned about it being an omen for this coming calendar year.  I have decided to make 11 resolutions and hope for the best.  Perhaps I can kick this 11-letter habit and find a new freaky thing to entertain my husband with.

Ten : 10
This year will be our 10th wedding anniversary.  We were married at the oh-so-tacky Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo ten years ago in October.  We have threatened to return to the scene of the crime and have a big blow out party on our 10th anniversary.  We'll see how the year shapes up in terms of commitments, but I think it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to dress up, drink, dance and perhaps break another table at the Madonna Inn (um, I broke a table on my wedding night by dancing on it - whoops! Doesn't everyone do that?).

Forty : 40
I turned 40 last September.  I celebrated with multiple parties and a trip to Paris with my husband.  We followed that up with Thanksgiving down in Southern California and then a full month of fun in December here on the home front.  I can't wait to continue to live life to the fullest this year.  I have so many things I want to do, read, see, experience, learn and enjoy.  I'm grateful for the life lessons I've learned so far and can't wait to see what's around the bend.

Five : 5
This year I will be stepping down as Head Firecracker on behalf of the Bodega Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.  I sure have enjoyed fundraising for this yearly event, but feel it's time to pass the baton back to the newly reorganized BBACC.  I am honored that the people of the community entrusted me with their generous donations and hope the show continues to bring the small village together for this amazing display over our beautiful bay.

One : 1

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
- Mary Oliver

1964

Happy Birthday Steve.

Hope you enjoyed the sushi.

And the hats your son designed.

 And the Charlie Harper book.

And your annual homemade Kahlua Kake.

Happy Birthday Steve.  I'm so glad you were born.  We love you.

Resolving

2011 Resolutions by Grady Salas Hecht

1.  Take Karate

2.  Play Soccer

3.  Go Bowling

4.  Eat a Nutella Crépe

5.  Go to the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco

6.  Eat at Dynamo Donuts in San Francisco

7.  Ride in a Go-Cart (and beat dad)

8.  See a kid musical (like Annie)

2011 Resolutions/Intentions for Me

1.  Visit the San Francisco Public Library

2.  Spend the night in Big Sur, CA (and visit the Henry Miller Memorial Library)

3.  Garden more 

4.  Go to Angel Island State Park

5.  See Muir Woods National Monument

6.  Stay at Mar Vista Cottages

7.  Collect sea glass on Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, CA

8.  Walk on Bowling Ball Beach at low tide

9.  Shop the Alameda Flea Market

10. Take a class on making, baking, photography or knitting

11. Practice my "Balance"

What are you resolving to do in 2011?

Frost Blanket

At 7:35 am this morning I stepped outside to take my son to the bus stop and walk the three mile loop on Middle Road in Valley Ford.  Nature had other plans.  My windshield was frozen over, along with everything else in my line of vision.  It was magnificent.  Cold as all get out, but magnificent.

I warmed up the car and slowly drove down the hill to the bus stop, with only half of my windshield thawed out.  After semi-safely depositing my son and watching him board the bus, I drove over and met my friend for a chilly morning walk.

This Queen Anne's Lace was dried up and frozen over.  It looked so stately and almost as beautiful as when it's in full bloom.   Some consider this a weed, but I absolutely love it and can see its beauty in full bloom and also appreciate it in its decline.

Rose hips was our guess on this one.  What a lovely surprise to find this shocking bit of red among all of the bejeweled and glistening branches.

The barbed wire was like a frozen tightrope, stretched out and showcasing crystalized cobwebs every few feet.

There was beauty everywhere we looked.

I put the flannel sheets on the bed last night.  I had coffee waiting for me at home.  A warm shower, too.  I'm so glad I bundled up, grabbed a friend, chatted my head off during the brisk power walk and stopped to take a few pictures to help me remember this morning.

The walk inspired me.  Nature has a way of doing that.  I can't wait to take my photography class and use our new camera.  iPhone photos have been fun for a quick fix when I'm out and about, but I want to really capture the beauty that surrounds me on a daily basis.

January is my favorite month.
So much energy and hope.
List-making.
Purging.
Planning.
Sloughing off the old.
Staying put.
Nesting.
Reading.
Cleaning.
Retooling.
Rearranging.
Focusing.
Oh, January.  You kick it off.  Thank you.