i-need this holiday season........

Today I went to lunch with my friend, Corinne, but it wasn't just a lunch date. It was a lesson on how to taste sample your way through Valley Fair. And, for good measure, we threw in a free massage.

Let me fill you in on how to spend a nice afternoon at Valley Fair and feel relaxed and content. Warning,  there is chocolate involved!

After getting great French Onion Soup at the Nordstrom Cafe, we went on search of some tasty samples. Corinne is experienced and took me to Williams-Sonoma where I drank mulled spiced Apple Cider and ate some peppermint bark followed by peppermint patties. Next it was on to Harry n David where they gave you samples of Moose Munch and free coffee and tea.

After our free dessert, we browsed through Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware. If only I had a lot of spendable money!

Those just whetted our appetite for the finer things. What really set it into high gear was our visit to Tiffany & Co.We sampled taffy in Tiffany. So I didn't leave empty-handed.  I did a little market research and found that the cheapest thing is a $30 deck of cards! Corinne tried on a gold bracelet that cost over $600. But, it was the ring we looked at that cost more than $121,000 for a little over 2.25 carats that glossed our eyes over.

O.K. some people really do indulge!  We left and continued on our trek for free stuff.  We ended up in See's  Candies where we got a sample of California Brittle. It's so yummy.

With our stomachs full we didn't end the day before getting a free chair massage at Brookstone. It was so great that I bought the i-need lumbar massager. The packaging reads, " i-need to feel good. In a world of push and shove, stop and go, up and down, you need some real relief. Little soothing hands that knead away stress, make you feel better and help you relax. For life's little aches, you need i-need."

I do indeed!

In addition to my massager, I bought a cute little hat for $9.99. 

I also got to see The Beatles!  Of course, it was in front of the Apple Store.

All in all, I say I had a pretty inexpensive day of eating and shopping. I mean in comparison to a $121,000 ring, I spent a pittance!

I can't wait to go out again with Corinne. I wonder what other little secrets she has up her sleeve?

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!
Sylvia

Does food heal?



Turkey and Vegetable Soup



Some say food has healing powers. I don't know about that. All I know is that the first week of December isn't over, and already I have consumed my entire list of Holiday yumminess! It starts with the Thanksgiving dinner, and most importantly, the leftovers. I even made homemade Turkey and Vegetable soup this year so my tidings of goodness will last longer.  Then I usually get a break from overeating, but not this year! This year Hanukkah was less than a week after Thanksgiving. So my stomach enjoyed Brisket and Potato Pancakes even before I had a chance to get off the Thanksgiving pounds.

Now that's a plate!

I also like to indulge in a few Tamales this time of year. I love the Mexican tradition of Tamales at Christmas. I don't have any friends giving me homemade tamales, but I have enjoyed several from El Pollo Loco. They aren't bad.

In the past, we have had lox and bagels on Christmas morning. My daughter and I have already consumed those too!  And for good measure, I've made and ate my Matzo Toffee Brittle!

Hanukkah Dinner

What's a girl to do now? Turkey-check. Brisket-check. Lox and Bagels-check. Tamales-Check. Matzo Toffee Brittle-Check.  There's nothing left on my must-have list. As far as I'm concerned, the Holidays have come and gone. Now, it's back to watching what I eat - I mean eating less, and more exercise!

Oh, I must not forget the libations. Wine-check. Hot chocolate-check. Cosmos-check. Egg Nog- never. I hate the stuff!

So, whatever your traditions are around food, I hope you enjoy. May your plates runeth over. And do save room after the appetizers for the main course!

Basil and Roasted Bell Pepper Spread

Orange and Avocado Salsa

Happy Holidays,

Sylvia

The Calm before the Storm!

Come out, come out wherever you are. No, I'm not trying to repeat the Good Witch's request to the munchkins!  I'm talking about all the pots and pans, silverware, and glassware that gets used during the annual Thanksgiving dinner!

I've started early this year. It kind of feels like the calm before the storm. So far today I have set the table, although I just realized I haven't put out any water or drink glasses, and I've started preparing the yam dish and the mashed potatoes. I've even diced the onions and celery for the stuffing. I'm feeling pretty proud, and my feet are tired. So, I'm taking a quick break to write this blog and then it will be back to finding all the pots and pans that I need.

I can't believe how much style demands pretty bowls, platters and serving pieces. And, I'm not even using my good china or real silverware!  Thank God I don't have to polish the silverware or remove the china piece by piece from each protective storing sleeve. No, I'm using my next best stuff. It's not my everyday dishes, but not fancy either.  You want fancy, go to Macy's and look at the displays. You want comfortable, come to my house.


Almost there. I forgot the glassware!


I'm preparing for ten people.That's not a huge crowd, but nonetheless, it's tiring. I can't believe how much prep work is involved so that 10 people can open their mouths, inhale, and consume an entire meal in about 15 minutes. Amortize the time spent buying groceries, finding serving pieces, cooking, and acting the part of the "host", and it's not a great deal. It's probably about twelve hours of work divided by 10 people equals more than one hour per person prep time for a 15 minute binge session. And, I'm not even calculating in the time spent cleaning up the meal, doing the dishes, and then putting everything away in a place you will be able to find next year!

So, is this time well spent?  I guess so. My husband tells me it's his favorite holiday. No presents involved.
And, my daughter tells me it's her favorite meal.  So, I guess that's enough of a reason to do this every year. My son, well, he doesn't care for the food all that much, except for the 10 or so dinner rolls that he eats each year. 

So, enough of a break, I need to get back to organizing for the big showdown.

I wonder if I will be the last one standing.  Oh, that's a stupid thought. Of course I will. I see visions of midnight dish duty. But, at least I can also get one last nibble of turkey in solitude. You know, that is absolutely when the turkey tastes its best.  When everyone is gone and I'm the only one standing in the kitchen. Why is that?

Happy Thanksgiving,
Sylvia

The second half of my century!

Well, I did it. I hit the big 5-0!  And life goes on.
I had a great time celebrating with my husband in Vegas. I saw the three "B's"- Bargains, Billionaires and Bums!  I also took the "Pay less no stress express" otherwise known as the monorail. It was a great way to see the strip and give my feet a much deserved break. There is no way around it, you have to walk in Vegas.

Vegas is a very bright and vibrant city. Just how I hope I am!  I received a card that read, "Congrats for hitting this major milestone in life. You've obviously done it with style, grace and creativity." I hope that's true too.

The card I received from my son, took another view, " Hey, look on the bright side. Okay, there is no bright side. There's a bright light, but you're gonna want to stay away from that."

And then there was the card from my twin, "The Dwarfs at 50: Squinty, Itchy, Gassy, Saggy, Cranky, Gimpy, Snoozy. Hope your 50th isn't short on Happy!" It wasn't!

My older sister sent me this, " may the second half of your century be joyous and expanding and illuminating and wonderful." Was she referring to an expanding waistline? Or perhaps, the introduction of grandchildren? Let's hold off on both of those prospects for now.

While in Vegas they promote "Flashbacks" otherwise known as skimpy showgirls' behinds. I must also add "Flyovers."  Mitch and I went and saw "Vegas the Show" and it was an homage to the old Vegas. The stars impersonated Elvis, Sonny and Cher, Elton John, The Rat Pack and others. In one segment the showgirls got on little swings and literally few over us in our second row seats. No need to leave anything to the imagination.

I guess it's true that Vegas has something for everyone. Where else can you see Buddha, Elvis and a stripper pole? And, yes I have the pictures to prove it.

So Viva Las Vegas!

And Viva me!



Buddha and Me!



Viva Elvis and Me!




I had to do it!



50th Birthday dinner at Spago's with my husband, Mitch



Tony and Tina's Wedding, a great dinner show!



Drinking an Eiffel Tower!



Wine contemplation!

Wow, I don't know if it's the Menage a Trois (wine) or the fact that 50 is right around the corner, (well two days away,) but I have that feeling that I need to stop and think and contemplate!

I'm very lucky!  I have my health and a great husband, daughter, and son. What I don't have yet is the ability to speak my words correctly. I always seem to mess up something. I think I have dyslexia of the mouth. Napa and Sonoma will come out as Sanapa Noma even before I have had any libations!  And, Swedish Meatballs will become Meatish Sweetballs!  Yum!

I wonder as I grow older if my words will actually make more sense. That would be different!  I wonder what will happen to me as I gracefully age.  I do hope that 50 is the new 30! 

I'm going to Las Vegas to celebrate my 50th birthday.  What better way to do that than to get crazy with a bunch of Italians. I'm going to see Tony and Tina's wedding. It's a comedy dinner show that takes place at their wedding and we get to be part of the wedding reception. I see dancing on tables, lampshade hats and tons of red wine. O.K. I'm probably not even close but it sounds as if it will be fun.

I'm sure I will have more to say after I come home from Vegas. Of course I won't be able to tell all. Remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

So until I next write with my 50 year old hands, tonight I'm contemplating, happy, and enjoying my Menage a Trois!

Cheers to the years!



Sylvia

New Firsts!

There comes a time in every mom's life when she gets to experience new "Firsts" with her daughter. There's the first "Ma Ma", the first crawl, the first walk, the first graduation (kindergarten), elementary, middle and high school graduations, the first day off to college, College graduation, and then there is the first Wine Tasting!

The "Skinner Party" was cordially invited to a private VIP wine tasting at Ledson Winery. It was a premature happy 50th for myself and my twin, Becky, and an opportunity to introduce my daughter, Jackie, to the finer side of wine tasting. No propping up at a bar with a million other commoners. No, we were upstairs in the private rooms. Ours even had a bathtub that would come into play later.

I have to say that I liked a $26 2008 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc as a white wine choice. But, there was no competition when it came to the red wine. The clear winner was the 2007 Sonoma County Cepage for a steal at $86.00.  Jackie liked it so I had to buy it. I also purchased the 2009 Carneros Chardonnay for its buttery taste and $38 price tag. 

So I learned that my daughter has an appreciation for the pricier wines! That's my girl! She especially likes them when mom is paying.

Part of my wine tasting experience is a bit of a blur. O.K. I consumed a lot of wine. But, the pours just kept coming. I was taking notes on napkins. I have to admit they seemed funnier at the time. But, my favorite line was from Becky when she was telling the Wine Consultant, Guy Lasky, about her preferences for wine. She said, " I like my wines to be stressed, just like I am." Very profound!

Anyway, I have more notes on my napkin and on the wine list, but I think pictures tell a thousand words.
I can't decide if I want to call these "Guy and Dolls"  or  "Three T's, Two Twins in a Tub!"






Guy and Dolls!
Rebecca Skinner, Guy Lasky, Sylvia Loran




No watering down this wine!

 

 

 

 



CHEERS!

Til the next "little pour"
Sylvia



Go Crazy!

Today's paper reads, "Go Crazy" in reference to the San Francisco Giants winning the World Series!
Check. I did that last night. I was born in San Francisco so I have birth rights!  Actually I was only born in San Francisco because the Kaiser hospital wasn't built in Santa Clara yet. But, that's a small detail. I'm sure plenty of people are calling themselves, "San Franciscans" today!  I don't even get into baseball that much. But, I watched this series. I loved all the misfits, and I think it's great that our young pitching staff had such composure and poise.  I also like the fact that the "old man" of 35 was the MVP. How fitting! I haven't really followed baseball since the old days of Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers, Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson... oh that's the other team on the bay!  Yes, I was an Oakland fan years ago.

Anyway, baseball's done and now it's Election Day.  I know this because I got an 8:30 a.m. robocall!  I've already voted by mail, yet politicians show no mercy. They have to bombard you with emails, voice messages, and campaign literature till you want to hold up your hands and scream, "enough already!"

I got the message. Over and over and over again.  I wish some of that money spent could go to substantial programs like feeding the hungry children, or vaccinating, or a million other things besides ending up in my waste basket.

I think the Politicians have Gone Crazy!

So let us rejoice! The Giants are the World Series Champs and I won't have to get campaign literature, emails, and robocalls after today!

They say the Giants were the team of torture! I can say that about the politicians. I vote, I care, but I hate the overkill! 

Sylvia