In my book, any time is a good time for tea time. On a recent Saturday in downtown Napa, my daughter-in-law Grace and I boarded the Napa Valley Wine Train for a formal tea that featured so many delights we needed take-home boxes. The event is the Secret Afternoon Tea, and patrons embark on a […]
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It’s the ultimate immigrant success story. Vietnamese family in 1975 snags the last cargo plane to safety to the United States before the fall of Saigon. Mother and three daughters reunite with husband in San Francisco where the family opens a restaurant and slowly introduces Vietnamese cuisine to a skeptical audience. Today, the An clan,
Crustacean San Francisco: Three Words-MUST Have Crab Read More »
Go-Kit First Aid Cute and portable, and you can plan now for Christmas gifting. This is an indispensable tool brought to you by the Pepper Family, an entrepreneurial clan that has just brought this practical safety kit to market. The water resistant zipper case, available in various patterns, fits snugly in your backpack, diaper bag,
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Children swinging on hammocks. New parents nuzzling babies in the glow of the campfire. Pet lovers playing fetch with Rover. At a time when overdependence on technology is eroding family time, along comes Mendocino Grove, offering 37 acres of glamp-sites designed to unite moms, dads, siblings, and furry companions. For those of us who did
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BUDDHA JUMPS OVER THE WALL RECIPE BOOK: A colorful cookbook that is also a cartoon manga? No way! This clever paperback written by Ying Chang Compestine and illustrated by Vivian Truong is a fun peek into kitchens and campfires of emperors and peasants during various Chinese dynasties. Your eyes will feast upon the cute characters
Mendocino CountyLittle River Inn: One of the best kept secrets in Mendocino County is Little River Inn, an historic lodge full of comfy beds, ocean views, and great food. The Water Dog Package allows you to bring your furry loved one to join in on a day of kayaking and includes a two-night stay. In
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Over fifty-two thousand. That is how many culinary explorers have embarked upon the ramen-making journey at The Story of Ramen, a half-day cooking workshop offered in San Francisco in the Mission District. Opened for business in 2016, this enterprise is the brainchild of two partners, Manville Chan and Jeff Parsons. Both left high-tech careers to
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By Kathy Chin Leong “Daddy, show me. Show me how to dive!” The little boy stands on the rim of the swimming pool, begging his young father for instruction. I watch from my lounge chair, silently hoping, “Okay, Dad. This is your chance to build a memory with your son. Don’t blow it.” The father
Santa Rosa’s Sandman Motel: Family-Friendly, Newly Remodeled, and Budget-Happy Read More »
HOBBIESWhen is the last time you made something with your hands? As featured on the TV show SharkTank, the Woobles are all-in-one crochet kits providing all you need to create your own travel buddy. Step-by-step instructions enable you to make a monkey, a turtle, dragon, narwhal, and more. You can even create a Hello Kitty
Healthy-Ish Snacks for the Road We’ve discovered some new snacks that you can easily take on the road or stash in your backpack for your next hike. Jessica’s Granola: It’s just as great as the kind you make at home, and just like at home, this brand is made in small batches and contains wholesome
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