Annual Butter & Egg Days Parade & Festival

“Home Grown Petaluma”

Celebrating all things hatched, incubated, planted & raised in our Hometown

This was the theme of this years parade and festival.  The parade celebrates Petaluma’s history & heritage as the Egg Basket of the world. Around 30000 people attended, lining the streets of downtown. Every corner of downtown had something: music, beer gardens, food venders, children’s play areas.

Not being an early riser I missed the street breakfast and I opted out of the cow chip throwing contest. Not being the mom of a small child, I also did not attend the cutest chick contest. However I did see many of the little chicks after and have to assume that the cutest little chick contest must have been overflowing with cuteness.

 

Shopping Local

 

Today I needed a gift for a friend.

Walking though town, I have passed this little store many times and admired the beautiful things in their window.

 

 

 

 

Maude, as it turns out is two stores in one. Maude in front and Good Gray in back. Both have lovely things that make you wish you lived a life in another time.  Maude is filled with clothing for adults and children, Good Gray is filled with home and beauty products. Both stores go together well and you would never know they were different if they didn’t tell you. Everything seems to have a handcrafted feel. Lot’s of soft pastels and natural linen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The gift I bought came from Maude.

Sorry I can’t show you. It would ruin the surprise.

I did however get a little something for myself as well. (I know, I know)

A cute linen bag that could come in very handy when I walk to the grocery store.

 

Bolognese

I decided to make Atomic some Bolognese sauce since it’s one of his favorites. This is one of those recipes that really does take a good part of a day to cook. It just needs some time to sit and simmer on the stove so all the wonderful earthy flavors can come to life. Of course I didn’t have everything I needed, so I had to walk up to the market. This step will add a little more time. I had the whole afternoon and the weather in my favor. The rain stopped just long enough for me to get what I needed and get home.

Zelda’s Bolognese

To start you will need:

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 cup finely chopped carrots

1 cup finely chopped celery

1 finely chopped yellow onion

1 cup chopped porcini mushrooms

3 cloves of garlic finely chopped

1 tablespoon of italian seasoning

In a heavy saucepan cook onion, carrots, and celery until soft. Add the mushrooms and cook until they are soft. Now add the spices and the garlic and cook for two or three more minutes. Remove these ingredients from the pot and set aside.

Now you need:

1 package pancetta or about 1/2 cup

1 pound good grass fed ground beef  ( you need a little fat for flavor)

Add the pancetta and saute until browned. Add the ground beef and cook until it is browned.

 

Now add:

1 cup white wine ( you could use red. White adds a brightness)
1 15 oz can of tomato sauce

1 24 oz can of crushed tomatoes

Now add back in the vegetable mixture.

1 teaspoon of grated nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Let this simmer on low heat for one hour.

This sauce calls for a substantial noodle, something that will hold the sauce. I used rigatoni, but pappardelle would be great too.

Serve the sauce over pasta. and enjoy with a good red wine.

Prendiamo questa Vespa pronto a guidare!

Now that spring is upon us, it is time to get the Vespa ready to take on small road trips. There is no shortage of great places to drive around the area. Even the drive on Petaluma hill road to Santa Rosa where “Revolution Moto” is, was a lovely drive. I would like to thank Atomic for having the back rest  put on. Now I can ride along in comfort! Ti amo così tanto! The Scooter is Atomic’s vehicle of choise for getting around town.

Here are some pictures of Atomic at “Revolution Moto”, getting ready to take the scooter home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Drive in North West Marin County

First,  Atomic and I took a beautiful drive down Lucas Valley Road.  WOW… spectacular drive. Then over to Point Reyes to the The Cowgirl Creamery  at Tomales Bay Foods for lunch.

You may have noticed all the beautiful green fields and the cows in recent photographs, the addition of some rainy weather has greened up what had been a dry and brown winter. These conditions combine to make one of the best local products. CHEESE! Lots of local dairy farms equal lots of amazing cheese. We had a wonderful sandwich  containing these cheeses, add a local beer from Lagunitas Brewing Company and you have one happy girl.