Last week I had to give up my beloved Washington state plates.
It was Graham’s birthday. I wrote a post about him. Thank you to all of you who commented or emailed. I appreciate all of you.
Birthdays around here mean lots of treats. There was ice cream at the best place in Berkeley.
Cupcakes in the classroom. (Some of the kids didn’t like the frosting. WEIRD.)
There was a birthday cake with two kind of homemade ice cream, chocolate glaze and homemade toffee.
The boys started karate. When they first came out in these outfits, I almost died. They were so proud.
Their favorite part of that experience was the fact that we went through a drive-thru and they got to have french fries. Their first fast food. Spencer said, “Mommy, why do these taste so good?”
In other news, I have a persimmon tree in my backyard. Unfortunately these are the type of persimmon that need to be super ripe to use and the birds are eating them before I can get to them.
It was a spectacularly rainy weekend in the Bay Area. Like scary rainy. There were rivers off rain pouring off the Oakland hills and puddles the size of small lakes on the streets. Our house held up with no flooding and no leaking. Phew.
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yay for no flooding or leaking!!
And for awesome birthday treats. Graham is one lucky boy!
Comment by Joanne — December 5, 2012 @ 3:36 am
The cutest boys in karate uniforms. Glad your new house is rain proof.
Comment by Charlotte — December 5, 2012 @ 5:40 am
Hi Dana. Thanks for the ice cream tip. I will definitely check them out next time I’m in the bay area.
Also, I’ve been meaning to suggest that you MUST try Zachary’s Pizza. (two locations). Their deep dish stuffed spinach and mushroom is the favorite. I recommend it highly. And especially with the addition of pesto which they will swirl on the top. It’s awesome. I live 2 & 1/2 hours north of Berkeley and my friends who pass through on the way to visit always know what to bring me.
Enjoy! And, a belated welcome to Northern California.
P.S.-Also, if you are in need of any good, mostly bulk, chocolate, Spun Sugar (Berkeley), is the place to get it. if they don’t stock something you’re looking for, it can be special ordered if it is with one of the companies they already deal with. There’s a specific Callebaut block I love that they usually order for me.
And I must mention the spicy thai tofu from the Pasta Shop. They have many other wonderful things as well. I usually go to the one on fourth st. in Berkeley, but there’s another location in Oakland.
Comment by Renee — December 5, 2012 @ 8:40 pm
I almost commented on the birthday post but wasn’t quite sure what to say – it was a lovely post, though I hated some of it (the cruelty of kids). But today I just wanted to say, Hey I recognize that cupcake container! I try to avoid plastic food storage, but that one is just a great size for some things – like a dozen cupcakes.
Comment by Michelle — December 5, 2012 @ 9:08 pm
Hi there! I just had to leave a comment when I saw the picture of your boys in their karate gis and brand new white belts! My daughter, who is 9, started karate 2 years ago and earned her First degree black belt in April of this year and I just earned my Junior Black belt a week ago, so I will have to wait until October 2013 to test for first degree BB. We go 6 days a week which is why it did not take long for us to get as far as we are. Your boys are going to LOVE karate! I don’t know if I can say what mine or my daughter’s favorite part of karate is because we love it all….katas, sparring, line drills, you name it! Please congratulate your boys for us on earning their white belts. Every belt is a wonderful accomplishment. Our Sensei tells us that a Black Belt is “a white belt that never gave up!”
Comment by Amy — December 6, 2012 @ 8:30 pm
I was totally one of those kids who hated frosting. And whipped cream. And anything remotely creamy and sweet. When I hit 21 only then did I get into all of those things. Weird, indeed.
Comment by kickpleat — December 7, 2012 @ 1:14 am
Grab those persimmons when they are just starting to ripen (before the birds get them) and put them in your freezer. The hard freeze will turn the starches in the persimmons into sugars and when you defrost them, they’ll be sweet as honey.
Comment by Heather — December 18, 2012 @ 5:54 pm