Cousins, Bike Rides, Good Foods, Good Friends and Good Times!

Please bear with

me as I get used to this layout, I have all the pictures and text mixed up, but I think you can figure out who is who and what is what!! ENJOY!!













Introducing Lulu and Delilah's (first) cousins;
Nicolas & Kiana Reno and Delphina &

Cooper Dong!

Delphina & Cooper live on the other side of Golden Gate Park, so we are fortunate to be able to play with them often, meeting them at the playground is a favorite! Nico & Kiana live in Oakland, across the Bay Bridge. Not as easy to visit, especially when the darn Bridge is closed, but we really love going over and having picnics in the backyard and shopping at the Farmer's Markets!

Lulu loves being picked up at School on the bikes! We often take a nice sunset ride along Ocean Beach before heading home to prepare dinner and play with little sister Delilah, who has reached the 10# mark!

Outside Lulu's School are a few Calla Lily's (Grandy's Favorite flower!), they also grow wild all over the park, so beautiful! Whenever Lulu spies one, she says, "there is Grandy's favorite flower!, what would she say if she saw it here?".

I had the chance to go out to Dinner with my good friend Robin last Thursday, we went to Magnolia Pub and Brewery on Haight Street, check them out on the web, nice food, kinda reminds me of my style of cooking for any 151 fans out there! We started off with their house made assorted pickles, that night the plate included, zucchini, summer squash, turnip and cucumbers, they were delicious! The squash were delicately sliced thinly so they melted in your mouth, the Japanese style white baby turnips provided a nice crunch, but could have sat in their brine a bit longer for my taste buds. The cucumbers had the right balance out of all the veggies presented. I can almost never forgo beets, and I am so glad I ordered the roasted beet and frisse salad! YUM! Lightly dressed in a simple vinaigrette with toasted pistachios nuts, what a treat, and velvety clouds of silky goat cheese, HEAVEN!

For our Entrees, we shared the roasted bbq chicken, bacon and cheese pizza, ok, good flavor, but the crust, although thin and crisp, lacked that nice yeasty flavor I desire. The other entree was the house made gnocchi(they might have been a day old, however, when given the chance for fresh pasta, no major complaints!) swimming with brown butter, wild mushrooms, roasted butternut squash cubes, bacon and fresh ricotta cheese; dreamy. We each had a Kolsch beer, served in a thin tall glass that went perfectly with our meal. We had a sweet server named Katie, the ambiance was nice, a bit loud by the end of our meal though......they do a kickin' Brunch!

I've included some photo's of our visit with Uncle Mark (Michael's Brother). We checked out his new apartment in Russian Hill on Jackson Street, a lovely home he has created and decorated for himself! Can't wait for his Holiday Party! We shopped on Polk Street and had some Thai food for lunch. While we were in one shop Lulu spied some Blow Pops and flashed her pearly whites and batted her almond eyes and behold! That pop found its way to her mouth! Lucky Lulu, usually it's only Grandpa who gives her those treats! She was so excited, she exclaimed, "what would Grandpa say if he saw me with this lollipop?"!

I've included a picture of Mike & Mike outside the house they are working on-HOT & HANDSOME!! Also some pictures from our visit to Auntie Nay Nay's "Castle" last night for Dinner, a great time!

Another gorgeous day here in the Bay Area, so I am off to play! Til next time, lots of love form the DDF! (Damon Dong Family)!!!!!

Oakland Sunday Farmer's Market & College Avenue

Do you want to say "a cooks heaven"? Well, I was swimming in it all afternoon yesterday with my family and the Reno Family in Rockridge at the Farmer's Market! Yippie, it happens all year long, every Sunday. And I am told this was a SMALL market. It is one of many that happen here in the Bay area. I have uploaded a few images for you to enjoy, I will try to include more, but I am so brand new to this particular site that it will take some time for me to work my way to the competent and efficient stage of loading my blog, so bear with me, please!

The strawberries were so fragrant we could smell their sweetness wafting out thru the bag they were being toted around in......the blackberries were large and plump, but not as equally sweet as the red , luscious strawberries. We just popped them in our mouths like candy for dessert. The chicken sandwich is from Bake Sale Betty's; check her out on the web. The line to enter her shop was at least a 30 minute wait.....and let me tell you-IT WAS WORTH IT! Michael and I had to split it, and even just 1/2 was more than enough! A tender, juicy fried chicken breast, mounded with a crisp, fresh cabbage slaw that was generously studded with fresh jalapeno peppers, all squeezed between a torpedo style roll..........hard to get ones mouth around!

The shot of the flowers and the "posters" of meat prices are the local shops on College Avenue.

Keeping in touch with my family, Peeps and all from the West to the East and back

So, here we go!

As most of you know Michael and I packed up our beloved Giant Slide home in Maine and moved our family back to the lovely San Francisco. It has only been two weeks, but we are settling in just fine. We miss our family and friends dearly, but hope this blog will help fill in the gaps of seeing you on a regular basis for now.

On October 9th, Delilah Renee was born in Ellsworth Maine, many thanks to the WONDERFUL Midwives and nursing staff, also the rest of the staff at MCWC, you all will always have a special place in our hearts. The 9th also happens to be Papa Bruce's Birthday as well, so we had a double celebration!

On the 15th, Michael drove a loaded 22 foot truck, car in tow, brother, Mark and Moxie Bang Bang as co-pilots, towards SF. Four days later, Grandy (Joelle), Lulu, Delilah and I hoped on a plane and flew out to reunite with the Dong Family!

Can you say, WOW! A lot of big changes for us!

So, here we are and here goes my attempt to be a patient "writer" of sorts. I love to read, so perhaps as this blog finds its course, it will become a piece of interest to you all.

Well, here I am, finally! This first entry is gonna be a quickie, as I am so ready for some sleep.

So, a big shout out to all my peeps and family-more to come as soon as tomorrow-I hope!