Marin County Fair 2012

We all get to enjoy the Marin County Fair for longer this year as July 4^th lands on a Wednesday this year, so 3 more days left to pack in the fun!

Giant Wheel at Marin County Fair - The Marin Scoop

Our family had a great time at the fair yesterday. Once you pay the $16 entrance fee the majority of the rides and games are FREE! My son and I boarded the solar powered choo choo train to get the lay of the land and check out the various vendors…most of the food is the typical fried affair but if you want to avoid the generic corn dogs and dripping nachos there is delicious fresh corn on the cob or support our local Mary’s Pizza Shack, Marin Cheese Company or Lydia's Organic Kitchen for juices and super healthy options.

A slice from Mary's Pizza Shack - The Marin Scoop

The kids enjoyed seeing the animals at Clover Stornetta Farm where children can take a close look at the cute bunnies, chickens, sheep, cows, turkeys, goats, ponies. There is also a petting zoo for the children to pet the farm animals even beautiful fawns. The racing hogs were fun to watch in the Ham Bone Express and the Gymkhana is great for horse lovers.  

Phil's Fresh Lemonade stand at Marin County Fair 

Afterwards we sat down on the grass and enjoyed out Ben and Jerry ice-cream in front the Little Theater puppet show with friends, which featured vintage characters like Thumbelina.

Carnival Rides at Marin County Fair - The Marin Scoop

Our three year old son was hesitant about riding the solar powered Carousel or the Giant Wheel;  which gives you sweeping views of the fair from nearly a100 feet height. So we headed to the kiddy rides at the Carnival, the jumping dune buggy cars and Corvette cars were more his style.

Corvette cars at Marin County Fair - The Marin Scoop

The fair is on until Wednesday July 4^th which will close with the fantastic fireworks at 9.30 pm. We look forward to exploring more of the rides and the rest of the fair before then! 

British Food & Drink for the Jubilee & Olympic Games

Celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee wouldn’t be complete without the British food and drink!

Our family celebrated yesterday with some roast lamb and roast potatoes, but you can also use these ideas during the Olympic Games taking place in London in July!

Fill a pitcher of Pimms (available at Bevmo) filled with slices of cucumber, strawberries, orange and fresh mint… of and course some sweet treats for dessert!

Queen's Jubilee dessert table - The Marin Scoop

For dessert we make “Eton Mess”, which is a really easy summer pudding to make. Just fill a glass (or plastic cup for a BBQ) with chopped up summer berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries etc) and crumbled meringue. Then pour some cream on top and a couple of scoops of ice cream. You could grate some dark chocolate on top, add a strawberry or sprig of mint for decorate.

Pimms and Eton Mess

On the dessert table I laid out fruit scones with a pot of double cream and strawberry jam.

British food for the Olympic Games - The Marin Scoop

Also some cupcakes that I decorated with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee cake topper, which I found at Lakeland when I went back to London a few weeks ago.

Queen cake topper used on cupcakes - The Marin Scoop

I also found the Jubilee flag bunting there too, I was so inspired by how the British stores were gearing up for a summer of celebrations (Olympics next), and how the nation is embracing its Union Jack flag and rich heritage!

British dessert table - The Marin Scoop

God save the Queen and go UK team this summer! 

Ram's Gate Winery, Sonoma

Afternoon Date Idea

Ram's Gate Winery, 28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma: view website

Last week so we took the rare opportunity to get some time to ourselves and take a drive over to Sonoma to check out the new Ram's Gate Winery that opened in the fall.

It is less than a 15 minutes drive from Highway 101, at the entrance to the Sonoma Valley on the hill site where the Roche Winery used to be. The original building was demolished and a beautiful winery has been re-built. As you enter the courtyard there is a sense of calm and peacefulness that makes your shoulders drop and you feel like you have been transported to another place. They are right when they say: “Ram's Gate is our way of pressing pause”.

Ram's Gate Winery bar

The décor of Ram's gate Winery is contemporary, tasteful and elegant and the building itself is quite spectacular. The architecture is very in keeping with the natural surroundings of the vineyards, it is very open with high ceilings, a central courtyard with an outdoor fire place and huge glass walls that allows you the enjoy the amazing views outside while inside.

Ram's gate Winery courtyard 

Ram's Gate Winery offers a great selection of wines with fantastic food pairings. I ordered the Pinot Noir with the wild mushroom and goat’s cheese tart. Their benchmark Pinot Noir was an enjoyable blend of spice and red cherry fruit flavors and the delicious tart with shavings of fennel and celery complemented it beautifully. 

My husband wanted to know more and get the whole experience so he ordered the Rams Gate flight which allows you to try the majority of the wines on offer: the Sparkling Brut (my favorite), Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and the Zinfandel “Late Harvest” which has sweet, rich berry and grape characters, similar to Port. It was so good that my husband went back the next day with his brother and wife, and came home with a bottle. Also their Moscato with its sweet food pairings would make a great dessert on your way home from a day out in Sonoma.

There are plenty of wineries in the area which are great to bring children to, and for suggestions read “family friendly wineries” article. But Ram's Gate Winery isn’t one of them. Some people bring their children at weekend but this is definitely a place to enjoy without the kids in tow. 

Ram's Gate Winery is open daily from 10.00 am – 6.00 pm, unfortunately it is not open in the evening which is a shame as it would be a great place for date night. But if you can get a sitter, it makes a wonderful place to escape for an afternoon date with your other half or friends.

Hawk's Tavern Opens in Mill Valley

Hawk's Tavern

507 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley;

Chef Tyler Florence has recently opened an informal restaurant in Mill Valley called the Hawk's Tavern. A friend who lives in Mill Valley heard the local moms raving about it at her son’s school, so we decided to check it out on Sunday evening.

The stylish interior has a rustic warm feel with dark wooden floors and wood panel walls covered in beautiful black and white photography. There is a great porch for outdoor dining, but we ate inside at one of their circular booths at the back of the restaurant admiring the warm central fireplace.

Hawk Tavern bar area

Tyler Florence has created the Hawk's Tavern's seasonal menu of small plates which is prepared by executive chef Rob Lind, who also oversees the menu at Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco. There is beer on tap and a small selection of local wines.

My son ordered their mac and cheese before the waiter even had a chance to introduce himself, and ate it all up without any complaint. The kids menu also includes the usual staples; cheese burger, hot dog and a grilled cheese sandwich with a tomato soup which sounded good.

Hawk's Tavern dining room

My husband ordered the Fish and Chips which was small pieces of fish in an ale batter with big steak chips and tartar sauce. My brother in law had the Hawk Tavern Burger which came on a toasted potato bread bun with Point Reyes Toma and bacon. Both thought the food was good and enjoy washing them down with Bombardier English Ale served in traditional English half pint classes.

I ordered the Skirt Steak on a bed of lentils and roasted beets, crumbled ricotta, lemon and chili, with a side order of truffle fries, which was cooked well and tasted nice. “Nice” and “Good” describes a pleasant average meal. I guess after eating at El Paseo and regularly referring to Tyler Florence’s cookbook at home, we were expecting something a little more. But the meal was reasonably priced and we enjoyed the gastro pub experience which we would like to see more of in Marin County. We would perhaps order some salads or more side plates like the Burrata or the sautéed red kale next time, so we didn’t leave needing to eat more or craving dessert. Thankfully there was a frozen yogurt bar right next door, sorry Tyler we promise to come back next time to enjoy the Sticky Toffee Pudding!

For further information please see the Hawk's Tavern website 

Get Pinning on Pinterest!

I love pinning, pinning is addictive, I find myself pinning while the kids are asleep, pinning while watching TV, pinning at the park, pinning while I prepare food. What am I talking about? The best thing since slice bread, well in my opinion anyway, especially if you love beautiful visuals like me…Pinterest!

Mel & Liza Blog

Source: Mel & Liza Blog Link

Pinterest is an online service which allows its users to create various pin boards and upload your own photos onto them, you can, more importantly, search for pictures on the Pinterest site or pin photographs you have found online and build up “visual collections”. You can follow your friends through Facebook or Twitter or other like-minded “Pinners” and leave comments or “re-pin” the pictures they have come across to your own boards.

Party Ideas for Kids Blog

Source: Party Ideas for Kids Blog link

For years I have turned to magazines for inspiration and kept tear sheets and shelves of back copies of my favorite titles, something I will probably continue to do for some time. But now I can find beautiful pictures instantly and constant refer to them on the boards I have created in my Pinterest account.

North Hawai'i

Source: North Hawai'i

For example I love interior design so I have “inspiring interiors” and “home things” boards, I collect fashion inspiration for shopping and style tips in my “women’s fashion & things”, I love to collect ideas for parties and entertaining so have a board for that too, same for food, photography, travel, men’s things, also design and clothing for kids.

bakedBree.com blog

Source: Baked Bree Blog link

If you are planning an event like a wedding, a party or special dinner then Pinterest helps you with visual ideas and has links that directs you back to the site or blog it originated from, so you can read the recipe, shop for the items or read more about the article it came from.

Wonderful Joy Ahead blog

Source: Wonderful Joy Ahead blog link

The people from Pinterest say it best:

“Our goal is to connect everyone in the world through the ‘things’ they find interesting. We think that a favorite book, toy or recipe can reveal a common link between two people. With millions of new pins added every week, Pinterest is connecting people all over the world based on shared tastes and interests.”

You have to request an invite onto the Pinterest site and get an email shortly afterwards to set up an account and start pinning. Have fun getting inspired! 

Decorista Daydreams blog

Source: Decorista Daydreams blog link

Baby & Toddler 

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Construction Site Themed Party

Birthday Party Idea

My son is crazy about diggers and trucks so I decided to have a construction themed birthday party for him. We held the party in the morning so set out a brunch food table with bagels, mini pots of yogurt and granola, fruit salad and mini blueberry muffins. Glasses of mimosa were served for the parents and our special punch of apple juice and ginger ale with fresh mint and slices of lime. I decorated the table with little yellow construction vehicles and hard hats, and displayed my son’s truck books around the kitchen.

Instead of using balloons I hung paper lanterns around the room in yellow, black and white. These can be reused again and again for parties, and also hung in the kid’s rooms as decorations. I also hung construction theme garland and personalized bunting to brighten up windows and a large mirror above the fireplace.

Of course the birthday cake carried on the theme, and after spending too much money in the past, I decided to order an affordable one from Safeway, which my son picked out and loved it!

Baby & Toddler 

Weekly Activities Calendars

Looking for something to entertain your toddler or want to reach out to new moms with babies this week?

To view this week’s activities: Click here

Modern Cookie Company Opens in Larkspur Today!

Modern Cookie Company

25 Ward Street (off Magnolia), Larkspur; view website

The Modern Cookie Company opens their doors in Larkspur today, and I for one can’t wait to get in line for one of their unique baked-to-order warm cookies! It is the first location for the Marin-based business launched by two local moms; Jeanine Samuel and Erin Hull; both talented bakers who wanted to share their cookie concept in a kid-friendly social environment. Being “local” and organically-driven are important aspects of the Modern Cookie Company experience, and they also want to give back to the community to benefit children’s education. The Marin Scoop asked them both to explain more:

When and how did you start the Modern Cookie Company? 

Jeanine Samuel explains; “Modern Cookie Co's made-to-order concept is just launching now, but it's an idea that's been baking for a number of years...

It began with the desire for really amazing, just-outta-the oven, WARM cookies, never processed, or a day-old.  Couple that with a need for a family-friendly setting; a social place – like a coffee house, that's inviting of all ages, and uniquely modern in approach... I just needed to find the right partner and the right space. In 2010 everything fell into place when I met Erin Rose Hull, who shares my passion and vision, and who possesses an unmatched talent for baking! Wait ‘til you see what we have in store...

We are in beta mode currently, with a “soft” launch planned December 5th. But we really believe you will love what we’re doing, and give us your sincere feedback along the way so that together we can deliver the best cookie experience – one that’s truly customer-driven.”

Co-Founders Jeanine Samuel & Erin Hull

When did your love of baking begin? 

Head Baker; Erin Hull says; “It’s been a passion of mine for 20 years. I have always loved making baked goods and pastries, and really learned to love baking in college. For fun, my roommate and I would make peanut butter cups, chocolate chip cookies, cakes, brownies and cupcakes! I honed my skills and recipes, and further built upon my love of baking at Culinary Institute of America in St Helena (CIA culinary school) and I never stopped.

Jeanine adds; “I began baking in 4H as a young girl and continued to cultivate my baking and cooking abilities as a teenager. It was great therapy for me!  Today, I cherish baking with my girls, and passing along a wonderful, important tradition. Cookies are the original comfort food! My recipes are adapted from my time growing up in Maine, and include ingredients like pumpkin and olive oil; our signature "fudge jumble" bars, linzer type cookies with blue chair jam, and a gluten-free oatmeal favorite we'll likely call the “larkspur truffle ball.” 

What makes a good cookie and what type of cookies do you offer?

“We are organically-driven and have very deliberately chosen our select & often locally-sourced ingredients with care. Starting with the very best...and balanced to bring out their different flavors. We’ve tested and tasted, then re-tested for flavor and texture, perfected our oven temp and cooking time.

It’s very much about the customer experience from the moment you enter, and we encourage your feedback as we grow the business from a beta concept, to a brand with multiple locations delivering the best cookies in the marketplace!

Furthermore, and exclusive to our approach, is that Modern Cookie Co’s cookies are made-to-order, per your specifications and presented to you fresh, within minutes – straight from-the-oven!  The possible combinations are many: you can choose your favorite dough, select your premium mix-ins and perhaps add a gourmet finish. Your cookie is warm, with just the right amount of gooey-inside, with a crispy-chewy texture.

We will also offer gluten-free and dairy-free dough in original & seasonal flavor options (including sweet and savory farmer’s market varieties). We have while-they-last Signature Cookies, Bar Cookies, S’Mores with house-made marshmallows, Three Twins Ice Cream Sandwiches and “Dough to Go.” We are also offering Bicycle Coffee, Art of Tea teas, Evolution Juices, Izze sodas and other beverages.”

Are you offering any special cookies for the holiday season?

“Absolutely! We will always offer seasonal cookies. Currently, we have Ginger Molasses and Pumpkin dough, in addition to Original, Shortbread, Sugar Cookie, Oatmeal, Molten Chocolate, Chewy Chocolate Brownie, Almond & Peanut Butter doughs. We have ginger men cookies and gingerbread house-shaped cookies and snowflake and dradle-shaped cookies and 12-Days of Christmas Cookies – there will be plenty of holiday themed decorated cookies – in addition to ingredients like dark chocolate-covered pomegranate, cranberries, peppermint candy, toffee, nuts, and finishes like edible glitter, various frostings, jams, and honey. And that’s just this coming holiday season!”

How are you giving back to the local community?

“We are a start-up, but we’re a company with a soul. More than just a cookie company, and a great in-store experience, we are inspired to “do something that matters”: 20% of (founder’s) after earnings profit is earmarked for public education non-profits. In addition to a small percentage of the company’s after-profit earnings.”

Go and taste their cookies for yourself at their new store; 

Modern Cookie Company, 25 Ward Street, Downtown Larkspur; view website. 

Also follow them on Twitter or Facebook

Baby & Toddler 

Weekly Activities Calendars

Looking for something to entertain your toddler or want to reach out to new moms with babies this week?

To view this week’s activities: Click here