This was a relatively quiet week with a busy weekend. As we have started to settle more and more into our new life in Oakland, I am starting to really miss my friends. We have had some lovely interactions with people here and everyone is so friendly that I know I will make friends here. But at times I really miss just being able to sit down with someone who I know well and just chat. Just catch up. It takes time and energy to build those relationships – I realize I just need to be patient. I also need to be proactive. Not always easy for an introvert. (I know I may not seem like an introvert. I’m good at pretending to be an extrovert. It makes me tired.)
Anyway!
I got two cookbooks from publishers this week, both from bakeries in Seattle. Perhaps they contributed to my homesickness. I’ve long been a fan of Macrina Bakery and love the first book. There are about 100 things I want to make in here.
While Graham and I work on his homework, Spencer plays. It often involves tape. Why do my children love tape so much? This is the, wait for it, pencil-vania bridge. He kills me. The best part is he wasn’t trying to be funny.
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I often post photos of my shoes. What can I say, I love shoes. These are a recent purchase. Cute and comfortable.
I repeated a dinner from last week so I could take pictures and tell you about it. Also because my mom said I should definitely post about the salad. So you can thank her. Stay tuned.
I mean to include this last week. October 20th marked the anniversary of the Oakland fire that destroyed over 3,000 homes. Our house is in the area that was destroyed. Our street is long and only two of the houses are original. This plaque is at the end of our street and I just found out that the woman it honors lived in our house. Or the house that was here before it burned.
The second book’s arrival. Tea, new cookbook, sun. Not a whole lot better than that.
We went to the Jack London Square area of Oakland on Sunday to check out the farmers’ market and get some lunch. The place we chose had us wait so long for our food that we missed the market. I had to take the boys walking around the block four times to distract them.
Our real estate agent kept telling us that this part of Oakland is poised for a great revival. I was skeptical, especially after brunch, but then I saw Miette was there. I think that is a good sign.
October 28th. Open back door to cool off the house. Pinch me.
Fancy.
This is blurry and dark but it is Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi. They were in town to celebrate the release of their new book, Jerusalem. They did a very cool event at a local restaurant where they signed books and then the restaurant prepared a four course dinner based on recipes from the book. The two of them were very charming and it was a wonderful night. Toward the end, about half the room starting cheering and it turns out the San Francisco Giants had just won the World Series. When the guys got up to say a few words, Yotam said, “I have to admit, I have no idea who the Giants are”. Cute.
To all of my East coast loved ones, friends and family, please be safe. We will be thinking of you.
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Love the shoes, the dress, the books, the photos…
love it all! Great slice of your life, as usual… (as to missing your former home, welcome to the club, but it all passes with time – we need to allow some time for the new house to become a home)
Comment by SallyBR — October 29, 2012 @ 8:58 pm
This makes me sad for two reasons 1) We have not had a chance to hang out as often as I thought we would – DAMN JOB; 2) We have not had a chance to have you guys over for dinner yet – DAMN JOB; Need to change this …..
Yes, Jack London exploded awhile back. WE casually looked at prices of houses in that area three years ago. Then when we had to move/buy last fall, we looked again, and they had doubled and in some cases tripled. Hence, why we are where we are, it is suppose to really change in 5 – 10 years. Finger crossed! Although we are now saying we are not sure we want to want until we are 50 for the coolness to hit, since 50 is around the corner. YIKES!
Comment by Denise — October 29, 2012 @ 9:58 pm
ooh! those shoes! would you be so kind to share the brand?
Comment by Lucy C — October 30, 2012 @ 2:32 am
I love these weekly posts Dana. Moving is really tough. Even when you know you have to be patient, it’s so hard waiting for friendships to form. Both those books looking amazing – I wish I didn’t have so many cookbooks on my shelves already! Can’t wait to hear about the salad. I hope this week is a great one!
Comment by Anna — October 30, 2012 @ 10:59 am
I just got the dahlia bakery cookbook also and am LOVING it! WHat to make first…that is the question.
SO jealous that you got to hear Ottolenghi speak. That man is amazing.
Somehow made it through with my power intact here in NYC…though very few in the city were quite as lucky.
Comment by Joanne — October 30, 2012 @ 1:02 pm
I completely related to your homesickness — or maybe friendsickness. My husband and I moved from our SF Bay Area hometown of 20 years plus to Austin Texas about a year ago. We love Austin — so much going on, wonderful food, great music. And I totally miss my people back in CA. At no time of life is easy to uproot, but with young children you will have an immediate entree into many communities there, whether they be school or sport or afterschool activities (we are new empty nesters, so do not have that opportunity and have to seek out connections). Our motto has been to say “yes” to everything. I am getting connected here but continue to remind myself that it just takes time. And — phone calls and vido chats to friends and family back west have been a crucial lifeline. Best of luck!
Comment by Linda — October 30, 2012 @ 7:12 pm
Haha, kids and tape. My 5-year old nephew was thrilled when he received tape in his stocking at Christmas last year ;)
Comment by Kaley — October 30, 2012 @ 8:20 pm
lol at pencil-vania bridge!It’s always so cool when kids remind us to not take life too seriously. :)
Comment by moonsword — October 30, 2012 @ 10:03 pm
I loved Spencer’s bridge – giggle. Kids can be so funny when they arent’ trying to be. And as I look out my window at rain and more rain (with some fog thrown in) I’m very jealous of your sunny deck! (and the cookbooks…)
Comment by Charlotte — October 31, 2012 @ 4:45 pm
Wait. It’s November so why is the sky that funny *blue* color. What is this strange and foreign land you moved to – heaven?! Miette AND sunshine? I’m there.
Comment by Ashley — November 4, 2012 @ 5:07 am