Ad Hoc.

"for temporary relief from hunger..."

That's the motto at Ad Hoc.

Here piggie, here.

That's how I felt here at Ad Hoc.

As part deux of my mama-shower, my design girls treated me to a fabulous Sunday Brunch at this yummy bistro in Napa, one of the more "casual" joints by Thomas Keller of French Laundry & Bouchon's.  I'm only calling it a bistro since linens were absent from the table tops.  But unlike FL, you don't need to spend 4 hours AND half of your life's savings to dine at Ad Hoc.  With waiters in jeans and brown Dickies putton-ups, jammin' Johnny Cash-ish Pandora swooning us, and a farm-to-table organic local menu, it was the perfect spot for a lazy Sunday with your yappiest of girlfriends.

The girls started with a few Strawberry Lemonade Sangrias while Beanie & I chugged glasses of fresh squeezed OJ....ahhhh.  

Then the magic started to happen.

We opened with some Bouchon Bakery Pecan Sticky Buns, accompanied with some sort of fruit confection laced with lemon curd glaze.  

The feast continued with simply eggs & ham over toast...they had MUCH better wording of this, but that's the gist.  They paired the entree with a generous bowl of the creamiest grits EVER, tossed in some perfectly sauteed shrimp and sprinkles of asparagus and called it done.  Served to me in it's own cooking pan, I had some robustly seasoned escarole and leeks instead of the ham, my gosh it was good!  What pixie dust did they sprinkle over these veggies??? Oink.

We finished off the Prix Fixe brunch with homemade coffee ice cream, oven fresh golden brownies, and warm cookies for dessert...that's right, c-o-f-f-e-e i-c-e-c-r-e-a-m, my personal favorite.  Needless to say, we were too busy scarfing this course down to have time to take a picture for you.  

Oink.  Oink.

We almost couldn't stand for the photos with such a big belly...oh wait, that just me at near 37weeks now.  Ok, fine.  And a big food belly on top.

The day was so Napa-beautiful, we decided to swing by Robert Sinskey's Winnery for a taste of their "fine wines from organic vines."  Kid you not, that's their catch phrase.  I'm feeling quite high brow and hoity-toity at this point.  Anyways, RS is known to offer tastings with fantastic food & snack pairings.  

Yes, we need more food right now.

This looks oh-so-WRONG with that 9month bump...

No worries, I focused mostly on the snack plate and the truffle salted popcorn treat they served.  I stumbled out of the vineyard drunk with life...these last few weeks before the baby comes will be one to remember as this may be my last time around.  For as uncomfortable as it has been at times during this whole transition, it really is beautiful to see the ripple a tiny new being is causing in my own still pond of a life.

The temporary relief of hunger actually lasted ALL DAY.

Thanks so much M & A, for your generous hospitality today.

Looking forward to our next pig-out together, post baby.

Greens.

This is Green Gulch Farm.
And 14miles away in SF, is Greens, the pioneer of elegant vegetarian cuisine.  Pushing the envelope in the 70's, Greens has brought an awareness of vegetarian fine dining to a whole new level.
Green Gulch is the organic farm that shares the same campus as an active American Zen Center in Marin County.  It is also an active supplier of fresh organic produce for Greens all year long.

As a Zen minded family, Green Gulch is a special place for us, especially with us having Zozie.  As Zen is most often a solo self practice, it is a rare find to come across a community that had any children at all, let alone an actual "Children's Program" each 1st Sunday of the month!  This is not simply childcare while you go and self practice.  It is actually a program designed to engage and involve children into Zen practice itself.  The farm is a natural practice ground for such teachings.

As my due date approaches, I wanted to celebrate our new arrival.
The growth and birth of a new being, from nothing, to now, something.
This is not my first time around.  In fact, it is my fourth.
The two, after Zozie, have come and gone but stay with me, though this current one is kicking the hardest now, in both my mind and belly.
The miracle of it all still inspires me.
All have made full and complete life cycles, some just longer than others.
For Beanie, she is just beginning.
And I wanted to give this little bud that acknowledgement...

Greens was the perfect pick for my "Non-Baby Shower".
I wanted no more gifts, no more clothes, no more gear, and no more life extinguished for celebration (vegetarian)....just well wishes, support, advice, and good old fashioned friendship.
I have all I need to dress, feed, change, and entertain a newborn.
But really good food with really good friends?
Can never have too much of that!

I have the perfect circle of Mandarin Mommies to celebrate this occasion billed as my "Last Hoorah Dinner".  Food was one of our connections.  We have a long standing Mother's Night Out every 3rd Saturday of the month.  That's how much we love food...and how much we love gabbing with each other.  So every month, for one night only, we are free spirits, unencumbered, and feeling like we can stay up and out, all night long, college style.  Most often, we pay for it the next day.  Toddlers jumping on our faces bright and early, starting the day for us without our written, verbal, or physical consent.  But even with that, our monthly MNO is sacred.

Almost graduating at 9 months (36wks), and fellow bump bearer at 6 months.

My non-baby shower then moved into a private singing room at the Music Tunnel, our local Karaoke bar, where they serve yummy boba milk teas and Taiwanese stinky tofu, (yes, at the same time).
I know, a super classy follow up to the wholesome fine dining experience at Greens, right?  You betcha.  One of the most fun nights in a long time, thanks to each of my Mandarin mamas for making this happen.
Pass the mic and pass the stinky tofu... we took the stage in my last hoorah!
(Now if I can dig up that YMCA clip to attach...hummmm....)

Plate Settings.

The breakfast bell rang early this morning...
We were pleasantly surprised by this lovely 3 person setting complete with:  plate, fork, spoon, napkin, and juice glass.  He got excited to try out the new cork mats from Ikea.
Apparently, we even got a complementary visit from Zozies favorite stuffies as VIP guests!
Now if only we can train him to whip up that nice HOT 3 course breakfast to be served on this nice setting?
I'll get workin' on that one.

Order UP!

Ding, Ding. 
"Breakfast is READY!!!!", he yells from the kitchen.

Another new addition to our home classroom...THE BELL.
Found this little retro gadget at our local Homegoods for 3 bucks.
On many days, this sound wakes us in the morning.
This is when Zo can't wait for his lazy parents to get out of bed to serve him breakfast.  A hungry boy has got to take matters into his own hands.  Mama needs those extra minutes in bed somedays...ahhhhh strreeettchhhhh!!!

My early efforts in building towards his independence in the kitchen is paying off (yippee!).  We have found cereal bowls set up for 3, toast, or eggs cracked in bowls for me to fry, ready on the table when we have answered the bell.

I think he really likes the power of the DING.
Dalee and I jump up like it's the Tardy Bell at school, Geesh.
Talk about rude, but sweet, awakening...

The Breakfast Cereal Set Up:

ben·to

A kids gotta eat.

That fact + Preschool = Bentos.

Introducing a New HL Tab: "Z food" 

(Click & See!)

That's right, Z is starting Preschool.  

We've been on a wait-list for a Mandarin Immersion Montessori School and got "the call" last week.  A space has opened up at the Young Children's House (YCH).  Like opening night stage fright, I was both totally excited and completely petrified of the idea of not having Zozie with me every morning.  This program is 5 days a week, 9 - 1pm.  A huge shift for us.  Aside from being Montessori, the Mandarin Immersion with traditional Chinese is the real prize for us.  Only in the Bay Area would we have such a school just 15mins away.  We're very lucky...or are we?  Could having no choices be possibly better than having too many choices?

Being late in the school year, joining at this point will leave just 7 weeks before school is out.  It's not that bad.  I'll have him back for the summer, then we'll see about the fall....later. 

Just 7 weeks.  We can do that.  

I can do that.  

Having the Preschool question come up is a significant one in any SAHM's life.  It signifies an end of a life chapter.  One where you are further severing the already phantom umbellical cord from your child.  I suddenly started to feel when Zozie use to kick my belly, from the inside.  Then holding him, for what it seems like forever and always, when time stood still, as a young mother-son couple.  Now, from the occasional request of being carried around, to the shortened good-night snuggles before lights out...

the distance grows.   

Ok mama, all done hugging.

He is growing up, it's not time to start letting go.  

We've already let go.  

Now, it's just wash and repeat.

First Day. *Gasp*

During emotionally hard times, I turn to things that are both essentially required and easily conquered.

This takes us to B_E_N_T_O_S!

So, What is a Bento?
A "Convenience Box" of sorts, it is a single portion packed meal usually set in a multi-compartmental container of many varieties.  Since the idea of putting Zozie in preschool overwhelmed me, I quickly went to buy various Bento making tools to make myself feel better.
Pack a lunch?  OK, I can do this.  
Use a compartmental box to simplify portions and food ideas?  Even better.
The sheer number of ubber-cute Bento Box options is incredible.  You can find all sorts of Online Shops along with sites that share a myriad of Bento making ideas to make lunch fun for your child.  One particularly fabulous site is Weelicious.  It has a great Bento Gallery, featuring the nutritious healthy lunches in compartment containers.  But it's also just a generally great site on making food to feed kids.  You can sort by Vegan, Gluten-Free, purees, or other food categories.

Funny Looking Eggs?  

Boy, he LOVES these.  

Just hard boil some eggs, place in one of these egg molds, snap shut, submerge in cold H2O for 10mins.  

These will jazz up any boring Bento lunch!

Find these at JustBento.Com

I got to work. 
Making Bentos for Zozie became my way of still being with him.  Seeing his food at lunch time will be like,  seeing his mama.  Well....who knows really, probably just wishful thinking.  He'll probably just be happy to have something to eat when his tummy is hungry.
I'm the sappy one here.
Think I'm gonna go make myself a Bento....sniff.

So what about HapaLAB?
No worries...
His homeschool adventures will continue in the afternoons, post naps.
We'll keep the Home Tools comin'.  Plenty where that comes from.
Again, just 7 weeks.

Sunnyside Up?

Presentation:  Egg Cracking

Lately, Zozie and our eggs have been inseparable.
He loves eating them, and most of all, CRACKING them.
He's been our in-resident egg cracker since 27months. 
Now, it's just routine.

When doing breakfast, he'll want to crack one for mom, dad, and Zo. 
Each in a different bowl, and beat it up.
The presentation is rather straight forward.

The Goal:
Learn how to crack an egg

The Set Up:
1)  Eggs
2)  2 Bowls
3)  Paper Towels

The Presentation:
1)  Gently tap an egg at the edge of a bowl
2)  Use second hand to hold the bowl steady
3)  Clearly show both thumbs entering the softened spot
4)  A quick clean pull apart of the shells and turn down to allow the egg to drop
5)  Place the empty shell into the 2nd bowl
6)  Repeat with the next egg
7)  Wipe as you go

Now if he can just make me a Garden Herb Omelette with extra cheese...

Too much to ask?

A little peak at our egg crackin' Zo:

Dralion...

新年快樂! 恭喜發財!

It is the year 4,709 on the lunar calendar. 
Our Mandarin Playgroup was started over 2 years ago.
Hapa families with Hapa Kids.
Funny how they all sort of look like cousins.
Maybe soon, there might be a Hapa box for them to check on forms.
It's a unique social circle for the kids to share our special brand of multicultural Asian heritage.

This year, the Hare brought the New Year on Feb 4th.  Our 2nd Annual Turtle Potluck is finally catching up to the hopping year...a week later.

The lunar celebration is technically 2 weeks long.
But eating Dumplings is a month-long CHOW-FEST.  

So we are stuffing our faces, proudly.

 Nothing says CHINESE like the word:  Auspicious.aus.pi.cious  [aw-spish-uhs]   Why Red?  It's Auspicious.

Why Firecrackers?  It's Auspicious.

Why Dragons?  It's Auspicious.

Why is that Auspicious?  Doesn't matter...IT JUST IS.

Anything that promises success, prosperity, opportunity, and favored by fortune, it's a Big-Chinese-Thumbs-UP!  Not sure why eating a particular combination of typical Chinese food would do it.... 
but less asking, more eating!
  
OUR FEAST
Rice (米飯; mǐfàn) - Fertility, luck, wealth, link between Heaven (Gods) and Earth (Men) Noodles (麵條; miàntiáo) Uncut - Long life Garden Tofu (什锦蔬菜; shíjǐn shūcài) - Family harmony *To include:  Muer Black fungus(木耳; mù ěr) - Longevity  Three Winter Plate *To Include:  1. Snowpeas (荷蘭豆; hélándòu) - Unity  2. Bamboo shoots (竹笋尖; zhú sǔn jiān) - New start  3.  Shitake (冬菇; dōnggū) - longevity, sizing opportunities Fish (whole) - (魚/餘 yú) - Surplus of prosperity Fish ball (魚蛋; yúdàn) - Reunion (Round) Prawn (大蝦; dàxiā) - Liveliness Chicken (whole) (雞肉; jīròu) - Completeness & joy Dumplings (jiǎozi, 餃子/角子) - Wealth *To Include: Chinese garlic chives (韭菜, jiǔcài) - everlasting, eternity, long life Turnip Cake (蘿蔔糕; luóbo gāo) - Good omen Sweet Sticking Cake (年糕; nián'gāo) 年高 /年年高升) - Advance to higher positions & prosperity. Red Bean Soup (紅豆湯) - Sweet union  Gluten Balls (湯圓 ,tāngyuán) Sweet dumplings - togetherness, reunion Custard Egg(蛋, dàn) - fertility  Fruit Platter: Tangerine (橘; jú) - luck, Grapes (葡萄, pútaó) - fertility, Pineapple (凤梨; fènglí) - wealth, Peach (桃; táo) - immortality, Pomelo (柚子; yòuzi) - abundance, Apples (苹果; píngguǒ) - wisdom, peace.  Boy, I'm stuffed just typing this.

Chinese New Year Focus :

1)  FOOD:  Loaded with symbolism

2)  Family gatherings & paying respect to ancestors.

3)  Up keeping traditions based on the moon & sun's cycles.

To kick off the feast, kids enjoyed hand rolling their own rice balls for dessert.  

Then, the party continued with some Bunny hats I made for all the little hares at Circletime!  After some songs and New Year cheers, it was time for a special visitor...

 Our very own.... Dralion.
(Nope, not the Cirque Show...something EVEN better.)

It's mostly a Lion Dance, but Zo insists that he is a DRAGON.  Plus it's usually 2 people to a Lion, but just go with us.

Here we are with OUR version:
1)  A Red Robe (used our Xmas robe)
2)  A Paper Mask (ma & pa made)
3)  A Small Basket
4)  A Red Packet (with $1 Inside)
5)  A Piece of Green (Fake toy lettuce)
6)  A "Mandarin Orange"
(Small stuffed basketball)

reused some old birthday wrapping paper and extra card stock.

A brief story on our dance...
A Hungry Dragon approaches.
We offer a basket of treats to bring in the New Year.
Once he spots the treats, he is happy, VERY happy...and starts to do some criss-cross fancy footwork to show his pleasure.

Then he circles the basket and gobbles up the Orange first (Oranges = Wealth & Luck...or Auspicious.)  Then he sees the "Choy" and is again excited...this time, he may do some rolls and tumbles.
Gulp, he nabs the greens, "chews" it, then spits it back out!
This is a symbolic blessing that there will be an abundance of everything in the coming year.  The red money packet is the Dragons prize.
All this with loud drumming, chimes, and firecrackers to scare off evil spirits.

Our Firecrackers?  Giant bubble wrap!!.
A few good twists and some hardy stomps...can't tell the difference!

  
The Dralion is HERE...with Firecrackers (Video Clip)



An Encore Performance at his Berkeley Mini-Preschool:
You'll see the "Fancy Footwork" at 1:00 mark on this second clip!

Both routines were self choreographed by Zo, I just drummed accordingly.
Based VERY loosely on the 2 performances he saw in real-life on stage at some Chinese celebrations!

My Prize.  

Already an Auspicious year.

A "Mickey" Cake!

Today is cake day.

Actually...it's "Turn a Book into a Project" DAY!

For classwork, we wanted to do a project based on the theme of a current book we are reading.

One of Zozie's favorite books....

In The Night Kitchen 

by Maurice Sendak.

It's a fantastic story about a little boy named "Mickey" who falls into some cake batter and gets baked into the big cake by three GOOFY bakers...

Meet our own "Goofy" baker.

We started by gathering the ingredients.

Then, we got to work.

Stir it, Scrape it, Make it, EAT it....hey, wait a minute.

Zozie helped measure the milk, mixed, and scooped batter.
He also really liked his "Baker's Apron."
After popping the batch into the oven, Zozie wanted to finish our project by "acting out" his favorite page.

No, I don't think so.

Not at the dining table.

Enjoy the little baker hard at work below...*Smiles*
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