Seasonal spotlight: rhubarb

Technically a vegetable, rhubarb is classified as a fruit in the U.S. (d'oh) and we're getting into the swing of its season.  While rhubarb leaves are toxic and its bitter stalks are often used in traditional Chinese medicine as a laxative (you've been warned), the fruit can be delicious with the addition of a sweetener.  Rhubarb in most commonly seen in pies - but please keep yer strawberries outta Sally's rhubarb pie as she is a purist who is spoiled by her Grandmother's award-winning rhubarb-only pie!  

Here are some non-traditional rhubarb recipes that we can't wait to try this season:

Rhubarb Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

Rhubarb Ice Cream with a Caramel Swirl

Rhubarb Mojito

Rhubarb-Almond Bars

Rhubarb and Ginger Jam

Wino Wednesdays: First round of questions

As promised last week, the Wine Dude is back to answer the first round of wine questions:

Is Charles Shaw really that bad?
The reason Charles Shaw is two bucks is because the grapes come from growing areas of high yield and low quality (i.e. Fresno or King City valley floor areas).  After the grapes are machine harvested and bulk wine is created in some warehouse in Soledad, Chuck buys it for pennies on the dollar, slaps his name on it and creates a cult following.  Who would have thunk??!  As for how bad it is...it depends on who you ask.  Myself along with many of my colleagues would prefer not to drink it but I am sure there are those who enjoy it every night (with Al Green blaring in the background).


What’s the difference between a wine tasting “fruity” and a wine tasting “sweet”?
Wines that are fruity are usually the wines that are young and have less tannin (usually associated with body and mouthfeel) and acidity (adds a sharpness to the wine).  Fruity wines sometimes lack acidity and are classified as less balanced. Sweet wines usually come in the form of late harvest or dessert wines.  Some grape varietals can come across as sweet or dry (Riesling, Tocai) depending on the time at which the grapes are harvested and how the wine is manipulated during the winemaking process. 


Let's pretend we're tasting wine at a winery.  What's the best way to taste in order to look like we actually know what we're doing?
I would follow four simple steps after wine is poured into your glass: 
1) Swirl - This will help open up the wine's "nose" (aka smell) and the "palate" (aka taste).  By swirling, you are prepping the wine to be tasted, enjoyed, and, if you choose to do so, examined.  
2) Smell - What is on the nose? if its a white perhaps apricot, pear, apple, minerals, cat pee, petrol, plutonium.  If its a red, raspberry, cherry, chocolate, spices, dirt, grandmas old cabinet, soiled shirt?? 
3) Taste - When the wine is in your mouth, you will sense different attributes of the wine on your tongue.  This tongue map can be a guide of what to look for, though some say it is BS.
4) Spit - Sometimes you can't help but swallow, but if you truly want to take wine tasting to a more professional level, it's wise to spit.  Remember, being at a winery is most often a more formal experience than being at a regular bar.  If you are with a bachelorette party, try to buy a bottle before you leave the winery and save the shots and the excessive alcohol intake for the limo bus.


What is the dumbest question we could ask a waiter or sommelier when we can't decide which wine to drink? 
Do not worry about asking stupid questions as there really is no such thing as a bad question when it comes to wine.  Wine is subjective, constantly changing and evolving so no waiter or sommelier will ever have the perfect answer to your question; they are there to help you find wines that will go well with the food you are ordering. Remember that wine was created for one reason - to drink while relaxing with friends (and laughing about silly tomfoolery).


Quick - you’ve got dinner guests coming over and you don’t have time to chill the white wine you plan to have with appetizers.  What do you do? 
Throw it in the freezer - it will be cold in ten minutes.  Don't forget about it though, as finding wine in the freezer the next morning while you are hungover is disappointing.

Thanks, Gino! Readers - send your wine questions our way!

Comic via Conde Naste Store

May book recommendations: worth a re-read

We're maintaining a slow pace with our leisure reading these days ; )  Hopefully we'll have some new recommendations in June but, in the meantime, here are a few of our favorite books we'd recommend reading or even re-reading!

Me talk pretty one day will be appreciated by anyone who has traveled 

outside of the country, lived abroad or learned a foreign language.  Sedaris 

sums it up nicely when he says, "it's a pretty grim world when I can't even feel 

superior to a toddler." 

A Wrinkle in Time is a whimsical adventure that takes 

you back to childhood.  It's a quick, enjoyable read.

How do we even describe The Book Thief?  

Just read it! (and have a tissue in your pocket)

Photos

Friday Five

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!  We are thrilled to have three days off and are both looking forward to celebrations with friends and family.  Be careful out on the road (eek!) and enjoy this fabulous gift of a long weekend.

No plans but want to get away?  These coastal drives shouldn't disappoint
It's the perfect time of year to listen to an old school jam like this one
Tons of Memorial Day recipes
Sally's favorite beach activity
A summery outfit

Happy 75th, Golden Gate Bridge!

This little minx turns 75 this Sunday!  We love you, Golden Gate Bridge, and, yet...we are terrified of walking across you anytime out-of-towners insist upon it.  Did you know that nearly 2 BILLION vehicles have crossed the Golden Gate since it opened in 1937?  Yowza!  If you're around this weekend, there are lots of events to celebrate her honor.  Check out this video of the first cars to drive across this beautiful landmark!

Photo via Archive Americana

Wino Wednesdays: Meet the Wine Dude

We're trying out a new theme day around here, kiddos!  Certain Wednesday posts will be "Wino Wednesdays" in which we'll discuss wine, try to get our/your questions about wine answered and share some tips and tricks for all of you oenophiles.  For the first post in this series, we think it's crucial that you learn a little bit about our friend Gino (Sally's prom date!), who is a fabulous resource for all things wine. 

S+S:  How did you first become interested in wine?

Gino:  My introduction to wine occurred in phases.  In second grade, I tried wine at church and always thought it tasted really weird, like sour water.  As I got older, I noticed that my parents and their friends used to laugh a lot when they drank wine, usually over some silly tomfoolery.  I did not drink wine again until college, when my friends would buy jugs of Carlo Rossi.  We called these jugs Cannonballs.  I didn't fully appreciate the craft of wine, however, until I took my first wine and viticulture class my sophomore year at Cal Poly.  

S+S:  Wow, we haven't thought about Carlo Rossi in a long time.  What happened next?

Gino:  From there, I was lucky enough to work a harvest in Rheinhessen Germany, where I spent 6 months slaving as an intern in the vineyards and the cellar.  As a cellar rat, I learned that the creation of wine is far more extensive than just filling cannonballs with sour red food-colored water.  I would say that the experience in Germany provided a nice introduction to white wine, where varietals such as Riesling, Sylvaner, Weisbugunder (aka Pinot Blanc), and Muller Thurgau are king.  

S+S:  Sounds like an incredible experience!  Also, we haven't heard of 3 out of 4 of those varietals.  What did you do after college?

Gino:  After earning a wine and viticulture minor, I decided to work one last crush with Unti Vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley.  In this experience, I learned a couple lessons:

1. In California, red wine varietals such as Syrah, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel are king
2. The red wine making experience was far more extensive than the white wine process I learned in Germany
3. Do not volunteer to clean a grape press if you are claustrophobic
4. It takes a lot of beer to make good wine

Both of these harvest experiences allowed me to find why wine is one of nature's greatest creations.  From the harvest to the crush to the press to the whole cellaring process, winemaking is a work of art that takes years of hard work and passion to perfect.  

S+S:  You are really making us want to go crush some grapes.  What's kept you busy since the harvest experiences?

Gino:  Since then I have sold Italian wine for Vinity Wine Company in San Francisco.  Most importantly, I was able to work with some authentic Italians who taught me the art of making a perfect espresso and plate of pasta.  After my sales stint with Vinity, I took a dive into the retail side of the wine industry helping to open Rootstock Wine Bar in Los Gatos.  Currently, as the sales director for Gregory Condes Wines, I am working with an esoteric and eclectic selection that spans the globe.  

S+S:  What's the best part of your job?

Gino:  After all of these great experiences with wine, I still gain the most enjoyment from the stories behind a bottle of wine.  It is truly exciting to meet winemakers who put the amount of blood, sweat, and tears that go into each bottle.   

If you have wine-related questions for Gino, send 'em our way!

Minted prints

We have long been fans of Minted's cards and design challenges, but we were excited to learn that they just launched their first ever art collection!  These whimsical prints are available framed, unframed, small or large and some can even be color customized and personalized (like those delightful little ice cream cones).  Have fun decorating your walls!

Photos

Real talk - A Powerful Message from Growing Pains

They say it takes 6 weeks to form a habit. So trying to get back into work-mode after 4 months of maternity leave has been interesting for Specky.  Life at home with a baby is busy but slow-moving.  Now the mornings are about rushing around trying to get herself, the baby and her toddler ready (in Specky's half-awake husband's defense, he does try to help - he's just not 4 steps ahead of the game like you need to be for a smooth morning!).

But the first day back, it all felt strangely normal to hop on the train with the masses to head into the City again.  She saw the same guy at the newsstand and the same commuters she'd seen every weekday for 3 years. Specky's reminded of a Growing Pains episode where Mike stays home sick from school and in the afternoon hears the school bus outside his house and is shocked to discover the day went on even though he wasn't an active participant. He realized, and was shocked actually, that whether or not he was actually involved in it, the world kept moving on with or without him. Oh right. There's life beyond maternity leave.

Friday Five

We can't run into this weekend fast enough.  Have a great one!

You've got about a week to see Studio's SF Etsy Show before it's gone
Well here's a novel idea: use eye shadow to make custom nail polish
SNL's take on 50 Shades of Grey (thanks, Cathy!)
We would like to live in this apartment

It's getting to be iced coffee weather

Prom Memories

Ahh, remember prom?  That kick-A time of year when we all lost our minds looking for the perfect dress, shoes, purse, accessories, date, up-do, pre-prom picture-taking place, post-prom party place, etc?  The horror of someone wearing the same dress, not getting a cool corsage, or having a dud for a date?  It's just around the bend for a lot of teens so we thought we'd take a stroll down memory lane...

Specky's prom stats
Date: May 1996
Location: Fresno Dante Club
Date: My boyfriend at the time
Attire: A borrowed dress, altered to be shorter and shoes from JC Penney's
Top songs that year: Because You Loved Me, Tha Crossroads, Macarena (ugggghhhh)
Best Memory of the Night: Meeting a new friend at the after party
Post-Prom libation of choice: Natural Light "natty light"

Sally's prom stats
Date: May 2000
Location: Hotel Nikko, San Francisco
Date: A good friend (who's still a good friend!)
Attire: French Connection black dress + Steve Madden shoes
Top songs that year: Say My Name, It's Gonna Be Me, What a Girl Wants
Best Memory of the Night: Dancing my tail off and feeling like high school was actually pretty fun
Post-Prom libation of choice: Captain Morgan rum and coke (wayyyy too much, unfortunately...but that's a story for another post)

Any memories, attire or prom libations to share?

Top Photo

May Etsy Finds

We're feeling quite nautical this month and we're not quite sure why.  Maybe we just want to be on a boat rather than in the office?  Whatever the reason, here are our sea-inspired etsy finds for the month:

We love all of OnYourCase's fun and affordable cases

but these navy and coral stripes really caught our eyes

 

Pining for that JCrew necklace but scoffing at the price tag?  Scoop up one

of ILY COUTURE's bubble statement necklaces in fabulous color combos.  

We're partial to this beachy turquoise number.

(Thank you, reader Kristen, for directing us to this shop!)

Salmon Creek Surf makes us want to head to 

the beach just to hear the sound of the waves...

 This rope bracelet is sturdy and, somehow, still dainty.

We could wear it everyday!

And, speaking of knots, this table runner makes 

us want to host a crab/lobster feed asap!

Happy shopping!

(All photos from etsy shops as linked above)

Reunited

Today is Specky's first day back from work after maternity leave!  While she may feel some working mother's guilt, pangs of wanting to be with the little ones and/or wishing she could watch Ellen at 3pm, Sally is (selfishly) excited to have her back in the office!  There's nothing that captures the feeling quite like this video:

Incredible interpretive dance, acting, emotion and singing in that clip right there, no doubt about it.  

Welcome back, Speck-tacular!!!

p.s. if the video didn't show up in your email, head to the blog to see it in all its glory!

Photo

Sunglasses

Sally recently misplaced her aviators (thank you, spring training trip to Scottsdale) and is in need of some new shades.  Never one to spend too much skrilla on something that nieces and nephews like to grab, try on and, occasionally, step on, she's researching some lower-cost options.  Plus, let's be honest, sunglasses don't always end up perfectly set in their case after each use (!).  Banana Republic glasses aren't outrageously expensive and tend to be stylish, TOMS and Warby Parker shades are awesome because of the one-for-one business models and there's something to be said for the classic Ray-Bay Wayfarers.  Decisions, decisions!  Which would you pick?  Any favorite brands she's missing out on?

Side note:  Did you know that most sunglasses are made by the same company?  Quite often, it seems that the only difference across sunglasses is the price tag! 

Banana Republic, Toms, Warby Parker, Ray-Ban 

Friday Five/Mama Love

An adorably chubby-cheeked Specky and her beautiful mama

A puffy one-month-old Sally and her beautiful mama

Happy early Mother Day's to all of the mamas, grandmas, aunts, sisters and pseudo-mamas out there!  Thank you for supporting us when we feel alone, constantly cleaning up after us and continuing to think that we are adorable, even when we may be ugly-crying.  

Still not sure what to do for her special day on Sunday? How about...

Taking your mama to a movie she'd like to see

Toasting your mama with a bellini bar

Supporting a mama you don't know

Making your mama some brunch

Sending your mama to the spa

Enjoy your Mother's Day, however you choose to celebrate!

Real Talk: Pardon our politics

While we rarely mix politics and our blog, we couldn't keep our yappers shut about this one!  A HUGE shout out to President Obama for finally declaring his support for gay marriage.  It seems like such a no-brainer - if two consenting adults love each and choose to go the marriage route, let them.  Plain and simple.

Specky would also like to take this moment to wish her brother, D, and his husband, M, an early happy anniversary.  They are coming up on three years of marriage (tied the knot in London since M is a Brit and Prop 8 threw a wrench in the plan to wed in CA).  They are the best couple she knows.  It's hard for her to hear the uproar of ignorance and hate toward gay marriage that accompanied Obama's declaration.  Specky cannot help but think that if only the naysayers could meet D and M, they would change their tune.  Silly, she knows, but so is limiting marriage to just being between a man and a woman for goodness sake.

Maurice Sendak

“Once a little boy sent me a charming card with a little drawing on it. I loved it. I answer all my children’s letters — sometimes very hastily — but this one I lingered over. I sent him a card and I drew a picture of a Wild Thing on it. I wrote, ‘Dear Jim: I loved your card.’ Then I got a letter back from his mother and she said, ‘Jim loved your card so much he ate it.’ That to me was one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received. He didn’t care that it was an original Maurice Sendak drawing or anything. He saw it, he loved it, he ate it.”

- Maurice Sendak

We were sad to hear that Maurice Sendak passed away yesterday.  An exceptional author and unique illustrator, we are thankful for all of his contributions to children's literature.  Here are our favorite Sendak books (other than Where the Wild Things Are, of course!):

The Nutshell Library is a mini collection of 4 great Sendak tales.  It's the perfect set for children to bring along while travelling as it fits anywhere!

In the Night Kitchen is the first book Sally remembers that involves cooking and baking.  We're convinced this book can spark a love for both hobbies at a young age! 

Pierre (also included in the Nutshell Library) is a bratty kid who loves to say "I don't care" about anything and everything.  He learns to care by the end of the story...

All images via Books Inc

Half marathon re-cap

Before: Are we really doing this? (note Sally, clutching her Clif Shot Gel and peeing her pants)

Sally ran the Divas Half Marathon last weekend and lived to tell about it!  This was quite a big deal for a gal with busted knee-caps, a strong aversion to energy bars and baaad memories of high school cross country meets.  So, here we go - your burning half marathon questions, answered:

1. How did you train?

My darling sister recommended Hal Higdon's training programs which were fantastic!  I felt well-prepared and wasn't too sore afterward.  Highly recommend.

2. Did you run the whole time?

With the exception of walking while chewing some energy blocks and washing 'em down with water, yes, I ran the full course without vomiting, collapsing or getting the trots (Ewwww I was really horrified of that last one; running can be frighteningly hard core).

3. What did you eat beforehand?

A piece of toast with peanut butter and a banana about an hour before the start. 15 minutes before the start, I threw back a Clif Shot Gel (Mocha).  Every 4 miles, I ate 2 Clif Shot Bloks (Citrus).  I am not a nutritionist but this felt like the right amount of energy and sugar without weighing me down.  I tested a variety of Clif and GU products while training but found these flavors to be the least offensive to my palate.

4. What did you eat after?

Anything I could shove into my mouth, as quickly as possible.

5. How did you feel during the run?

90% of it felt awesome.  The runner's high thing really does exist...but so does that nagging feeling that your knees may pop off of your body entirely.  There where times when I thought to myself, "Wow. I feel really good," and then I would force myself to think of something else so I wouldn't jinx it!

6. What was the hardest part?

Miles 10-12 were rough.  By then, certain parts of my body just wanted to quit.  I really had to pump up the jam on the playlist and force myself to keep moving.

7. How long did it take you?

2 hours and 1 minute. And you know that 1 minute is absolutely killin' me now.  The idea of running for 2 straight hours sounds completely awful, I agree.  Surprisingly, it didn't feel that long.

8. What was on your playlist?

The usual suspects of tween music/gangsta rap, such as: One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful (try and act like you don't love them), Carly Rae Jepson's Call Me Maybe, Lil Wayne's Go DJ and Rob Base's It Takes Two. Fast-paced music was key for me.

9. Would you do it again?

Absolutely! 13 miles felt like a great distance to push myself without totally overdoing it.

After: "Divas don't sweat, they glisten!" Past the point of glistening here, but happy and done!

Congrats to my fellow Divas!

Happy SFMade Week 2012!

Okay, so we may have missed blogging about Cinco de Mayo (lo siento) but we are not missing out on blogging about SFMade Week 2012!  In the organizers' words, this is "a week-long celebration of San Francisco's vibrant manufacturing sector and the companies and people that bring locally produced products to fruition" and it kicks-off today. 

How about taking a free tour of Anchor Brewing Company, TCHO Chocolate, or Kika's Treats? Or maybe you'd like to bid on some rad silent auction items? If you're in a shopping mood, visit any of these retailers on Saturday, May 12, and 10% of sales will go toward SFMade's programs to support local manufacturers.  

A few of our favorite items from this year's participants are:

Stephen C. Wagner's Art (and loads of other good stuff) at Park and Pond

 

 poco dolce chocolate bars, tiles or toffee (they are all spectacular)

Perfect picnic plates from the Curiosity Shoppe

Ikat stationery from Hello!Lucky

Head over to the main site to check out all of the events going on!  Have fun!

All photos linked via shops listed above

Friday Five

Have a glamorous weekend, everyone!

Can someone please prepare this Italian Wine Dinner Menu for us?
Smitten Kitchen's cookbook is now available for pre-order
Mason jar nerds will appreciate this
This DIY rug project is impressive
A few fabulous finds under $20

SPF WTF

As summer approaches, sunscreen is on the brain (thank you, Joanna).  When did it become so difficult to find a sunscreen that isn't highly toxic, actually rubs into your skin and doesn't cost more than your bathing suit?  We recently read about the following sunscreens and are planning to try them out before the sun really starts blazin':

Yes, that's mineral sunscreen at the top and we're really hoping that it's effective as the application would be easy breezy - especially for the little ones.  If any of these spfs are particularly promising, we'll report back!  Any sunscreens you swear by?

Photos: Go!screen, Sephora and Drugstore.com

Nick Miller's Turtle Face

Any other New Girl fans taking note of how many times Jake Johnson/Nick Miller makes his turtle face? The only logical thing to do is...turn this into a drinking game.

Nick approves (sort of).  Cheers to New Girl being on tonight!

Images