Day Trip to Ann Arbor

Trekked down to Ann Arbor over the weekend. We didn't really trek, we drove, but it was a bit snowy (flurries they call them) so to me, it was a trek. We made it in time to see a bit of the Farmer's Market and then explored the Kerrytown shops and our usual stop for browsing, Zingerman's deli. It's pretty much Zabar's-Midwest where you one can buy exotic cheeses, kosher deli meats, delicious bread and all sorts of other stuff for foodies. It adds to the ambience of Ann Arbor, which is decidedly un-midwest. It's the only place I've seen thus far in MI that is hilly. Dave explained that it had something to do with how the earth settled (or something) but regardless, I like the town. Sort of Berkeley (b/c of UofM) and sort of Seattle-ish - but I like it most b/c it's nice to get out of the sticks. We had lunch at a pub - and were approached by right-to-life protestors as we walked in b/c the pub was hosting a Planned Parenthood event that evening. On the way out, we hit Trader Joe's for triple ginger cookies, pomplemo soda & all the other goodies - and then we hit Whole Foods for meat & some produce. Then we went to take a picture of this place, which I thought was amusing . . . (and I know some of you guys might too!)

Magic Blanket

I've been raving about this blanket to my sister since I got back to MI earlier this month. I saw it at Macy's in December for $30 (originally $60) and I figured I could get it for cheaper after Christmas. Low and behold, I got mine for $20. During the day, I don't like to run the heat too much since it's only me in one room - no need to heat the whole place, so I've been wearing warm clothes, socks, etc - but now that I have this blanket, no worries! When Dave got back, he was a bit envious, so I went back to find him one. Since I had my bday coupon from Macy's ($10), I got his for $4! So now we're both warm while we study/work/read/watch tv. Texture-wise, it's soft and furry on the inside and cotton on the outside, filled with some kind of fake down and mine is sort of dark orange and Dave's is white (he looks like a modern Jesus, but whatever). Kristen says she envisions it like one of the baby's sleep sacks. Either way, it's (sadly) one of the neatest things I've purchased recently! Dave was nice enough to model it! Next weekend, they might be giving them away for free. . . let me know if you want me to pick one up!

Bread Attempt # 1 "European-style Boule"

So Pete advised me at one point to have some goals for my time in Michigan (he had always had goals during his "hiatuses" from working, so early on, I made a few (mostly very attainable ones, of course) and one was to learn how to make bread. I did some research and found that I could buy just one book and be on my way to fabulous bread baking. So the book comes and it's kind text-booky with all the science of gluten strings, TFW (total flour weight), math formulas (TFW = TW /TP. ..huh?) - needless to say I didn't really dive in. Then in early early November, Mark Bittman wrote a piece in the Times (that would be NY) titled "The Secret of Great Bread: Let Time Do the Work" which espoused the method of low yeast/high water/long fermentation time. (the article is now archived & part of Times Select, but the video link works - and apparently, is a hit with the bloggers and the food community in general -flickr) I printed it out and it sat around. Finally, last week, I was motivated (b/c my NY resolution was to revisit my goals - ha!) and started a loaf. I benefited from waiting as Bittman published a follow up FAQ a month later and so I was able to get more clarity and took the suggestion of upping the salt. 18 hours later, the first rise was done. I folded it up and let it rise for another 2 hours (coated with cornmeal). I preheated the pot (5.5 quart All Clad dutch oven, my favorite Le Creuset is in SF), threw the dough in seam side down and baked with the lid on for 30 mins, then 15 with lid off. Voila! Magic. Looks like store bought and tasted better! Dave and I at the whole thing in 2 days (not ideal for low carb anything) - he even made french toast! My next attempts will be olive bread and maybe something with cheese - I will eventually play with the flour mix (some wheat, maybe rye). One day I will make some for you guys. . .is it worth a trip to MI? haha! More photos here.

New Year's Feast (HataStyle)

Here is a stitched-together photo of the NYs feast (sorry, it's tiny) . It's not all the food, the dessert table was adjacent (not ideal for the photo) and the make-your-own te-maki was on the dining table along with the very Japanese spinach dip and spam musubi! We always say that our "osechi ryori" is not that traditional but if you look closely at the picture, you'll see the kuromame, kurikinton & kinpira gobo - and we all had ozoni & mochi in the morning, so I think we did ok! We didn't do the nengajo (postcards) but maybe that's a project for next year. I know, I'm a bit off track - not supposed to be blogging about SF activities. . . . .but I started my first loaf of bread (a European boule) . ..it's in its first rising right now so photos if it comes out nicely. =)

Santa's Diaper (& Happy New Year!)

Happy New Year! I haven't posted for over a month but being gone and gallivanting in SF is a good excuse. So, I have been through my pictures from December a few times - there are lots of good pictures and it's hard to narrow it down to what is blog-worthy. Here are the 3 that make me laugh every time I look at them. It's booboo and Santa and a diaper. The Lau's were over on new years and booboo spied a stuffed Santa on top of the tv. We gave it to her to play with, she goes to "her" bag and gets a diaper and wipes and proceeds to clean Santa with the wipe (handing it to her dad once "dirty") and then put a clean diaper on Santa (with a little help). The funny thing is that while we were all laughing (actually not sure if the mother was that amused), she was serious and set on getting Santa's diaper on. I have never seen that before - I guess she is ready for the potty soon? I wish we had it on video (although maybe this is a regular occurence at their house and they do) and I can't wait to tell booboo stories about how funny she was as a little kid! Sorry for the laziness in posting. ..will try to do more in the '07!