A Mouse in the Pantry

A Spot of Tea for Thirty

Had the pleasure this last Friday evening to contribute some edibles to a worthy group of ladies celebrating local small business's in downtown Santa Rosa.  Collaborating local vineyards, shops and food purveyors, Cherylyn McCalligan, owner of the downtown landmark Hotel La Rose, skittered among downtown hot spots with thirty of her closest friends and business associates, tasting, sipping and trying on local wares.  So involved were these ladies in their evenings adventure, that before stopping into Tea Pot (where they dined on my rustic Tomato and Blue Cheese Tarts, Carrot Ginger Soup, Mini Tea Sandwiches and Espresso brownies), they took to a local lingerie shop for personalized bra fittings and champagne.  I am sure they were nothing but tickled once they meandered down to dinner and shopping at Tea Pot's eclectic children's and Woman's boutique.  Nothing quite like being frisked together, while drinking champagne, to get a room of woman giggling!

Many thanks to Tea Pot's owner Natalie Wilkey for including myself and fellow mom baker  Rachel Harika of The Velvet Crumb in the evening's events.

The Dead People

On the subject of buying cars my mom always said: "Shop the gazette in tiburon, wealthy people are always getting rid of good cars for cheap."

Sage advice from a woman who had five children, all commuting from the far reaches of West Marin.

She also, at the helm of many Marin County non-profits, was beneficiary to donations - some practical - some not, from one family relation or another.  We certainly weren't suffering as a family, but we knew a good deal when we saw one.  Often these "things" came our way for sorting before being shipped off to a boys home, a homeless shelter, a needy family.  Some items didn't really make for good donations.  Some items, like monogrammed wine glasses, ended up in the mix at our house of many, often being referred to by there new names "The Dead People's wine glasses" or "The Dead People's giant globe wine bar".  They became part of our family - but always looked a little high end and stuffy for our woodsy-hippie clan.  We didn't as kids know who they came from exactly, but we sure put things to good use. (I know, this is getting a little sick).

Today, as I drove my own secondhand car up the winding mountain sides of picturesque Napa, on route to fulfill my biggest kitchen remodel need, I thought about telling my son, "Buy kitchen appliances in Napa, there are lots of good deals to be found."  This was of course as I headed through mansion lined streets looking for this lovely woman who had recently remodeled her own kitchen in a Mediterranean style and didn't like the color of her oven.  The oven I speak of is a six burner, very well maintained, dual function Wolf range.  It's black.  Her kitchen is cream colored.  It was a problem. 

And now it's my problem.  My beautiful, picking it up Saturday, loving it already, glad to rescue it from her garage and get the awful beast off her hands, problem.

I didn't end up explaining these social intricacies to my son.  He doesn't need my issues.  I am however considering telling anyone who comes over that I scored this one  from the Dead People.

Let's Go Taste!

Got any plans for this Saturday? Well cancel them and get out your elastic waistband for this years taste of Petaluma is sure to be a grand belly buster.

With over 70 food purveyors showcasing their finest wares all within walking distance of downtown P-town, not a tummy will go hungry.

Having had the honor of participating in the many tastes along the way since taste of Petaluma's inception, I can assure you this ticket is worth it's weight in gold (or maybe chocolate).

Please swing on by their web-site at www.tasteofpetaluma.org to find all the details on buying tickets and charting your days eating and walking!

Taste of Petaluma
September 26th
11:30-4pm
Tickets the day of at Putnam Plaza, Curves, Haus Fortuna and Gallery one

It's Chili Time Again!

"Come one, Come all..The Great Petaluma Chili Cook-off is here again"

If you missed out last year, this gas-passing, bean-busting, spice-sprocket event is a must have for local salsa, chili and micro-brew beer enthusiasts.  Stretching the limits of their fairground venue, local and regional competitors wowed hundreds of visitors in 2008 and expect to do it again in 2009 - only bigger!

Can't imagine splurging some cash on yourself this weekend?  Then do it for the kids.  This one of a kind event benefits the Cinnabar Theater's Children's Program.

When: 1 to 5 pm, Saturday May 9th.
Where: Herzog Hall (you know, the oddly round building on the Sonoma-Marin fairgrounds in Petaluma)

Visit www.cinnabartheater.org

Petaluma Chili Cook-Off 2009

It is that time of year again folks.  The best little chicken orientated town this side of the Mississippi is looking for the best crop of chili makers to come forward and wow the crowds at the 12th annual Cinnabar Theater' Chili Cook-Off, Beer Tasting, and Salsa Competition!

Last years event was topped by no other, as crowds of chili eatin' fools crammed into Petaluma's own Herzog hall.  This year is shaping up to be even bigger, and now is the time to join in if you want to impress all of us with your chili making powers.

Call or email the cinnabar's number one fund-raising aficionado Laura Sunday, pronto, and get your name on the limited space list.  Don't like beans?  Well, you're welcome to try out your spice factor in the ever growing salsa competition.

Just want to eat it, and  don't want to cook it? No problem.  Mark your calendars for May 9th, 1-5 pm, and find yourself a designated driver (preferably with a convertible, if you know what I mean!).  The events tickets can be bought closer to the date, through the Cinnabar Theater.

And remember, all profits go to benifit our local Cinnabar Theater and its many wonderful programs!!!

www.greatchilicookoff.com

The Academy of Sciences

If your living in or visiting the San Francisco bay Area, a trip to the Academy of Sciences seems like a must these days.  Trust me, it must seem like a must because everyone and their mother will probably meet you there if you dare go on a weekend. 

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of San Francisco's latest and greatest educational attraction, I was glad to see that green living is even infiltrating the masses.  The Academy of Sciences has dedicated itself to not just talking the "green" talk (and you know we're all keen on talking about it these days), they are walking the walk, by promoting green living habits on their website, growing a green roof at their facility (quite amazing), and providing ways for the everyday tourist to be as green as possible while taking in the scientific sights.  Whether you've munched a crunchy apple before (and not during of course) entering the Rain-forest dome, or are sipping on a canned soda while talking with ever so friendly African penguins, the Academy's waste program is ready to help you help the planet.  "How neat" I thought as I walked past my first of many "Garbage/Recycle/Compost" bins. It's about time.

And going beyond their ultra-modern walls and into cyberspace, the Academy is also promoting greener attitudes for 2009.  Below is a snippet from their web-site, polling folks on what their greenest New Year resolution will be.  I've gone down the list and am proud to say that the Courtway's are already well on their way to a rather green lifestyle.  Now, better get those tires checked and then find out how to ride a bike with two kids?  Oh well, we're almost there.

New Year's Resolution for the Planet - (from the Academy of Sciences website)

• Walk or ride a bike for short trips

• Turn off the water when brushing teeth

• Eat more vegetarian meals

• Shop with reusable bags

• Choose local restaurants over chains

• Cut down on processed foods

• Eat less beef

• Install low-flow toilets

• Keep tires properly inflated

• Write in your own

Petaluma fights hard to hold onto mom and pop stores!

On a whimsical wonder through downtown P-town yesterday I was not so much shocked, as dismayed to find store front after store front closed for business. 

Just two days before, I had heard the sad news from one of Petaluma's savviest blogger at Sonoma Country Life, on the closing of Petaluma Blvd's trendy Bassett Laurel kids clothing store, and now just one street over Chicks and Cowboys has lost their gitty-up as well.  If i'm calculating baby boutiques correctly, that leaves just the reclusive and seductive Maude for offbeat children's stores in our once booming mini-shop town.  Well, as a dear friend to the owner of Maude, Stacy Laure, I'm glad to see they are holding strong.

Despite all the doom and gloom downtown, I did manage a quick stop into what looks to be a thriving downtown store, Paper White (once Dauphine Press), whose 50% off table lured me in from window shopper to real money exchanger, where I met owner Sandy Jones who was eager to show off her stores newest event calender.  Paper White will be hosting a number of hands on crafting classes for those who aspire to craft at heart.  Now, if by chance you follow A Mouse in the Pantry closely (and I mean VERY closely), you know we speak of "crafting" as carefully as possible.  Still, despite rarely having the time to stop and "do-it-by-hand" I think we will all agree that the mini "Chicken Coop Shadow Box Ornaments" that you too could make, will be ready just in time for Butter and Eggs Days (March3rd-31st $65.00)  Bring on the glue!

For complete workshop details and days, and to check out some of Paper White's fine stationary  and gifts (I just happened to scoop up a small silk screened piece for my youngest's wall), stop by 119 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, CA 94954.  (707)775-4200 or www.shoppaperwhite.com

 

Standing Corrected...

Small blog here to make note of a tiny mistake concerning August 12th's garden kitchen demo with Petaluma Bounty.
Please go to www.petalumabounty.org, or view my past post to get all the gooey details.

Bounty Kitchen

      NOTE: Changes to original post.  Here is a flyer from the actual event.  Hope you can all make it out.   


Healthy Cooking Demonstration
     Tuesday, August 12, 2008                 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
          McDowell Elementary School - Multipurpose Room

Come learn how to prepare healthy snacks and meals for your family with organic fruits and vegetables. 
Bring your friends!

Babysitting provided (2-12 year olds) ++ rsvp to Ruth Persselin 775-3663 x214
(Please come 15 minutes in advance to register children for babysitting)
  
     


Aprende como Cocina en forma Saludable
    Martes, 12 de Agosto, 2008        6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
      Escuela Primaria McDowell - Cocina del Salón Multiusos

Ven y aprende como preparar platillos y bocadillos saludables para tu familia, con frutas y verduras organicas. 
Invita a tus amigos!

Tendremos cuidado de niños (2-12 años)  
(por favor, ven 15 minutos antes para registrar tus ninos)
Para una reserva llama a Laura Martinez 773-1439

Original Post: 8/8/08

Community gardens have been sweeping the country by storm, connecting neighbors and food chains as folks run from the gas pump, and their ever shrinking wallets.

In Sonoma County, Petaluma Bounty has taken the community garden circuit by storm promoting "growth" of the vegetable variety all over. 

Well it's one thing to grow them, and another to use them when they come home to your kitchen.  This Tuesday August 12th (can you believe it's already August?), Petaluma Bounty is hosting a cooking class and sampling party at McDowell Elementary's community garden.  A great way to not only meet some local neighbors, but to learn the latest outdoor cooking techniques for your freshest organic produce.

Situated in a Petaluma Eastside neighborhood, this garden has played a key role in the creation of a community of health where not long ago, apartment dwellers could only hope for good food from the grocery store isle.  They have taken organic into their own hands and flourished.

Join Petaluma Bounty, their leaders and garden keepers from 6:30-8:00pm, at the McDowell Elementary garden, to share in their latest cooking class and the beautiful bounty to be had.