An Urban Girl

A month or so ago, during a euphoric state that came after having a couple of hours to myself at my favorite cafe and bookstore,  I suggested starting a mom and tot book club to a group of my fellow mom buddies.  They liked the idea.  We picked a book and decided to meet on November 30th. We picked Esther's German Bakery as our meeting venue, since they have a kids' corner with toys that we thought would keep the kids occupied while the moms could sit at a table, sip tea and talk books. It all sounded idyllic and quite civilized.  Right away, I fell in love with the book we had chosen, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, as did my fellow book club mates, judging by the emails they sent as they got started on the book.   The book is a series of charming letters which tell a story of devastation and loss on the Channel Islands during World War II, and also love, courtship, friendship and repairment of souls and lives following the War. The book is short

Los Altos Parade of Lights 2010 - Photo by Mr. Urban Our very city of Los Altos hosts a post Thanksgiving "Parade of Lights", as the official opening of the Holiday season, that rivals the likes of Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and the Disney Land Christmas Parade. Its grand.  Its beautiful.  It makes me giddy and I laugh so hard in anticipation of the floats that Mr. Urban sitting next to me on the curb turns with a puzzled look and asks me "what's so funny".  And I have no answer.  I snort and nod.  This past year, sadly many businesses in Los Altos that sponsor the floats went out of business due to the terrible economy.  But I was amazed to see some of these business owners still operating the floats.  Still smiling their big smiles, and waving to the town's people.   And that is I suppose the very essence of the American spirit that I adore. Tonight, as we have done for the past six years, we squished on the curb with friends and neighbors i

Thanksgiving turned out more than I had hoped for.   Weather in Los Altos was crisply cold and beautifully sunny.   Family and friends joined us.   The conversation was pleasant.  And Mr. Urban set out his beloved chess set, which was hours of fun for Mr. Urban & Co. (they are FOUR brothers), and an amazing new toy for the UrbanToddler .   Mr. Urban explaining the rules of the game A very simple meal (entirely local and organic as much as possible) thankfully came out of the oven looking as it should, and was much enjoyed.  And an assortment of deserts hit the spot: peach and almond tart, razzleberry pie, and pumpkin flan. I felt the presence and the absence of Mr. Urban's late father all day, and especially missed him at the dinner table.  But its something to see people rising above their emotions (sadness, longing, etc...) to celebrate life as it presents itself today.  To be thankful.   Despite it all.  And because of it all. And so the next morning, br

A grateful heart is indeed a blessing.  It can be the secret rose colored shades to see the world through... I struggle with staying sunny side up.  I do.  I am at times overly sensitive, at times overly particular, my comfort zone can be huge, and most times I don't want to step out of it.  At times my ego gets the better of me.  I always need to pray for more patience.  And even then, I come up short.   I ask the universe again and again to lend me more compassion, especially towards those I can not understand.    I struggle with staying quiet when I should.  Which is often.  Oh, how things can be so much easier if only I could stay silent... The list of my struggles is long.  But I have learned.  That once in a while I need to stop.  I have learned that I need to give thanks for the gifts I do have.  For the gifts I do give.    For that special part of the Creator that reside in my heart.  In all ou r hearts.   That is why we can be creative too.   We can forgive too. 

It is so exciting getting ready for the holidays (Thursday is US Thanksgiving Day). Cruising your favourite food blogs and magazines for inspirations.  Settling on recipes, and then customizing them to your family's liking (although since my recent mishap with Zucchini cakes, I should really be sticking to recipes verbatim).  Writing up a menu and then reading the menu to Mr.  Urban while he is banging out a long work email, late at night.  Waiting for that sound of approval and some input to come from Mr. Urban.  "Mmmm, sounds great.  Don't forget the cranberry chutney". Pumpkin Creme Caramel ...  Sweet Italian Sausage, Walnuts, Dried Fruits, Cornbread and White Wine Stuffing (inspired by this Martha Stewart recipe)... Spinach Salad Ala Mrs. Urban.... Freshly dry cleaned table linen... Trader Joe's Orange Cranberry Chutney...  Pumpkin Candles.... Grilled Brussel Sprouts and Winter Squash...  Lots of cheer from my heart and my UrbanKitchen to yours...

It seems that Terrible two's has by passed our household, knock knock knock on wood.   Yes, we have had one or two terrific meltdowns in the past couple of months, and a few days of low grade all day whine-athons (which I believe them to be much harder on a mother's nervous system than the prospect of a bomb going off nearby),  but whether its luck, learning, temperament, or a combination of other blessings,  all in all I must say that in the place of terrible, a more fun and rambunctious version of the two's has befallen us.  And yes, our UrbanToddler is in the throes of a sensory overload that comes from noticing all kinds of new and wonderful things at a rate many times faster than her mother's brain can process.  Wanting to know everything, touch everything, and do everything herself.   Wanting everything right now and having the words to let you know that by that she really means Right Now!   And the biggest one of all, coming face-to-face with the unfortun

As our days are getting shorter and shorter to enjoy all that we love about Autumn, here are a couple of delicious ideas for  some wonderful fall weekend eats.  Last week when my parents were in town, I found some heirloom tomatoes at the market.  With them I made my own version of a Tabouleh salad, called the Urban Fall Harvest Tabouleh.  To complement the salad, I also made The Pioneer Woman's super easy Baba Ghanoush recipe, which at the time I served with a Levin bread, but yesterday I noticed my favorite bakery, Mayfield, has all kinds of beautiful fall breads like the walnut-onion-Rosemary baguette which would probably be even better with it. The meal paired great with Sierra Nevada's limited quantity Harvest Ale, which was showcased as a seasonal beer at Whole Foods. Try these recipes my friends,  and then sit back with your cold beer and soak in the compliments... Urban Fall Harvest Tabouleh This is not the completed look - I forgot to take a picture of that

My friend and I, along with our Toddlers, ventured out for a play date this morning.   I love play dates that start at a cafe with good food and coffee, and an attempt to mingle and have adult conversation.  We usually have an interesting queue of topics to discuss.  From our children's latest "interesting" habits, to stories about places we have each called home prior to the Bay Area, to politics, to the educational system in California....  and more than anything we enjoy talking about food, fashion, and the good life.   Of course, conversations during play dates go something like this: an interesting topic is brought up and then quickly interrupted by a Toddler matter at hand.  By the time mommies return their attention to their conversation they have often forgotten where they were at and move on to the next topic...   This morning, we started talking about religion.   How she, a non-practicing Catholic, and I a non-practicing Muslim both believe in the power of

picture: thedailygreen.com Our Wholefoods has three magical grinders.  One containing peanuts, another containing honey roasted peanuts and a third filled with almonds.  You push a button on each of these machines, and fresh nut butter is squeezed out the other end.   Last week, my parents were in town for a quick visit.   Luckily, a beloved new addition to our family had also arrived last week, and set up by Mr. Urban just in time for my parents' visit: the Cuisinart Grind n' Brew, or the Fresh Prince of Coffeemakers as called by some. Let me take a moment.  I first noticed this beautiful coffeemaker for sale at Peet's, when the barista was telling a lady buying beans that it makes coffee as good as their coffee machines.  And then I recalled meeting him before, on Entourage, when Johnny and the boys carry their thermal stainless steel carafe onto the patio for breakfast. So later on I got busy on Google and once again I found a great deal on Amazon , with an

I have to admit, I have lived a charming life, thanks to the Genie. I imagine having an encounter with the Genie just before I was dropped off by a stork into this world, where he is dressed in nothing but a golden cuff upon each wrist and a red belt around his tiny waist.  His upper body, simply broad and magnificent.  A goatee and a small ponytail atop his gorgeously bald head, give him just the right look in my eyes. Anyways, we meet.  And he asks me for my one wish to grant.  I think and think, and with all the choices ahead of me that can serve me well in this world I am overwhelmed.   Should I ask for beauty, for wealth, for intelligence, for a sense of humor, for a specific talent, to be born into a free society, for an open minded and loving family, for great genes, for a super efficient metabolism, for a life filled with adventure, for a long life, for good skin and good teeth or for a decisive mind?????  And because I have so little time and I so want to make the ab

From start to finish, yesterday was an exercise in indulgence, when we attended not one but two parties to celebrate the season. Gosh, I love the Holidays.  And the parties that celebrate the coming of the holidays, a month or two out.   In Canada, the Holidays start some time mid-December.  The Holiday parties, the shopping, the baking, the decorating....  and the eating.   But in the U.S., the Holiday gatherings start to get under-way some time pre-Thanksgiving.  As more Americans travel to visit family during Thanksgiving than any other holiday, the parties start earlier to preempt the hustle and bustle of packing, traveling, cooking turkeys and of course Black Friday shopping. And between Thanksgiving and New Years, Americans just reside in Holiday mode.   The Holidays make me quite emotional. I nearly cried in joy when I saw our Starbucks and Peet's hang up their spiced coffee drink posters on their doors just last week and found all the Los Altos trees adorned with

Mr. Urban is off on a new adventure.   I am not too sure if its OK to write about it, but I hope it is, because here I am. Starting today he is training for the Kaiser San Francisco half marathon . And I am so proud of him.   Not because just three years ago, one day he suddenly couldn't walk due to massive pain in his knee.  And after about a month of waiting for the pain to go away, he found out that a bone had grown out of his knee sideways, tearing all the muscles around it.   Not even because after a painful surgery, his leg muscles had atrophied and he had to reteach them their job so he could walk again. Not because he loves to be challenged.  Not because his work schedule is, well, what it is, and his Outlook is always crammed full.   And not because he is dinner daddy, and bath time daddy, and available fun husband, which keeps his non-working, non-sleeping hours very full too.   And after all training for anything takes time and commitment.  Last

The UrbanToddler (and hence the rest of us) didn't get much sleep last night, on account of yet another cold.  Yet she started the day energetic and ready for an adventure. And when you have stayed up all night with a congested and irritated toddler, nothing is more rejuvenating for the two of you than some good old fashion fresh air. So, as soon as we could put on our leggings and caps, we headed to Stanford for a walk. Now, I may have over the years accused Silicon Valley of lacking in pizazz.  I may have said that it is no New York, San Francisco, Shanghai or Vancouver.  But Silicon Valley does have a scattering of treasures. Stanford for instance.  Although Stanford is famous as a world class research and educational institution, did you also know of its beauty, its awe inspiring architecture and landscaping, and its exquisite art collection? So without planning, my girl and I found ourselves at the Rodin Sculpture Gardens at Stanford, where  the entire mor

Its been quiet lately.   When the holy hour of nap time arrives in the Urban household, I just sit on the couch.  I let the sun shine in.  I look out the window.  I think about the warm fresh air that is pouring into our living room, and the fact that its November.  I sit there thinking about that, adoring my thriving lavender plants.  I sit and look, despite the chirping of a Type A brain listing all that needs to get done.  I set the alarm for 5:40 a.m.  I feel great when I am up early.  When I get a workout into my day.  When the house looks homey by the time my Mr. Urban and my girl walk down the stairs to start their days.  This week though, I have heard that radio going off at 5:40 a.m., and I just lay still ignoring it.  Mr. Urban gently reminds me that its time to get  up.  But I say nothing.  Do nothing.   And he being who he is, doesn't say another word.  He is great at doing that.  Is it called being graceful, or zen, or  understanding when you just let things Be?