The Thompson Family

This is a GREAT article from the New York Times... It is like the writer is living in my exact world!

What’s Wrong With Cinderella?
By Peggy Orenstein
Published: December 24, 2006
One mother’s struggle with her 3-year-old daughter’s love affair with princess culture.



BTW, Nora got about 7 princess dress-up outfits for Christmas, as well as a cheerleader get-up, complete with pompoms. But that is exactly what she wanted, so what are we gift-givers to do? But for now, she is set... no more dress-ups for a while, please!

Merry Christmas from the Thompson Family!

The sound and the video seem a bit off in this one, but it still makes me happy to watch! Check out the rad train cake that Meena (a.k.a. Grandma Joanie) made - each kid got their own "train car" piece of cake.



View all the photos on Flickr.

My great aunt Harriet has passed away after a long life filled with love and family. Her sweet smile and kind nature will be missed.




Here is a poem in her honor...

Come closer, kind, white, long-familiar friend,
Embrace me, fold me to thy broad, soft breast.
Life has grown strange and cold, but thou dost bend
Mild eyes of blessing wooing to my rest.
So often hast thou come, and from my side
So many hast thou lured, I only bide
Thy beck, to follow glad thy steps divine.
Thy world is peopled for me; this world's bare.
Through all these years my couch thou didst prepare.
Thou art supreme Love--kiss me--I am thine!

by Emma Lazarus
From "Emma Lazarus: Selected Poems"

Michael Bauer writes: "It was 20 years ago when The Chronicle gathered one of the largest food staffs of any newspaper in the United States, developed a free-standing section and made a conscious effort to focus on the Bay Area food scene. We've produced more than 1,000 sections and more than 15,000 recipes since May 21, 1986."

With recipes like Thai Shrimp in Curried Coconut Sauce, Sicilian Chicken with Lemon, Mint & Almonds, and Summer Tomato Tart, this article is not to be missed!

One of Nora's best friends is moving to New York on Monday. Tonight was Nora and Megan's first and last play-date at our house. We will miss Megan soooo much! The girls are going to be penpals to keep in touch (Mommy will take dictation for now until they learn to write!).

This made me so happy it brought tears to my eyes!

Teresa, Michael and Ross did the Treasure Island Olympic Triathalon this weekend. Their team "Gypsy Crackers" placed 3rd in the Mixed Relay Division. They came in 169th overall (out of about 700). Teresa did the swim, Michael did the bike, and Ross did the run. Congrats!

Check out all the photos on their website.

Children's Village had a Dia de los Muertos celebration to honor those loved ones who have passed away (and to celebrate life!). Teacher Patty taught the children a dance they performed to Mariachi. Here are her two videos:





Here is the collage we added to the ofrenda (the altar) of our much missed loved ones:


Christine Hanson, Mike & Mary Raimondi, MaryAnne Smith
Jesse King, Big John, Lenora Lawless
Marla Ruzicka, Bertha Springston, Genevieve King
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

We also added Darrell Davey's note to the ofrenda/altar. For those of you who don't know, this note was found in Darrell's desk after he died when the plane he was piloting crashed into the water near Point Lawrence off of Orcas Island. He was an amazing man and we all miss him.


CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Trinity and Nora

Happy Halloween! Here are some photos from Nora's preschool, Children's Village, located in SOMA, San Francisco. Enjoy!

Click here to view the entire photoset on Flickr.

I started using SparkPeople when my friend Serrina emailed me about it... I just finished my first week, and I have lost 4 pounds in 7 days. Here is my "summary" of my food tracking for my first full week:


click the image to enlarge

It really, really makes you think twice about all the stuff you put into your mouth when you know you are going to write it all down!

Visit Sparkpeople.com if you want to check it out. Here is a snippet from their "About Us" section of their website:

SparkPeople Inc. is a leading online preventive health company. Our goal is to help as many people as possible reach their goals and lead meaningful lives. All of our programs and services are medically sound, completely free of charge, community-based and accessible. In the areas of health, fitness, goal-setting and leadership, we help people discover what will truly motivate them to reach their goals.

The Moses Family had a Sunday afternoon halloween party at their home in Berkeley. Lots of fun kiddos running around, and really nice parents to chat with. But of course Dean and Lucie would have awesome friends! Nora and I had a really great time. We especially like the haunted house that Felix made in his room. Very cool... View the photos on Lucie's website (www.tacocat.com). Thanks for a great halloween party Mosii!

Finally got around to snapping a shot of Nora's pony collection. I was over-estimating it... she ONLY has 15 ponies. Thanks to all the friends and family that have helped her grow her pony family. And a special thanks to Mama T who started the whole pony craze back in July 2005! Here are a few photos of Nora with her ponies for your enjoyment.

Shelly had her CVS test Monday, got the results today, and they all came out just fine. That was a big one for the Lyon Family. They also got to find out they are having a GIRL! Shelly said she is "over the moon!" Nora named her "Butterfly Snowdrop" - but I don't think that name will stick. Due date is May 2007, right around Mother's Day (how apropos!). Grantie is going to have a little sister next spring! Yipee!!!

Here's a oldie but goodie... This was taken four years ago to the day. Nora was just 5 weeks old! Such a little cutie patootie! And Otto was only 5 months old!

My favorite cooking blog: 101 Cookbooks

Triple Chocolate Espresso Bean Cookies

• 2 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
• 2 tablespoons freshly ground espresso powder
• 3/4 teaspoon aluminum-free baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon finely ground sea salt
• 1/2 cup natural cocoa or cacao powder (Scharffen B or Dagoba), not dutched
• 1 cup organic unsalted butter, room temperature (soft to the touch)
• 2 cups fine-grained natural granulated sugar (evaporated cane sugar) – for example, I love alter-eco brand, OR do 1 1/2 cups sugar + 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 large organic eggs
• 3 teaspoons high-quality vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup cup organic semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 8 ounces chocolate covered espresso beans

I can't wait to try this recipe... it sounds so interesting and tasty!

Lifted from NPR
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6354859

For centuries, an evening of dinner and the opera formed a winning combo. Food historian Francine Segan celebrates the dynamic duo with a new book of musical meals: The Opera Lover's Cookbook. She pairs recipes and menus with beloved arias and overtures and pays tribute to some of the great composers through dinners and desserts.

RECIPE

Just like Puccini's Il Trittico this marvelously unusual dish is made of three main parts. Cointreau-spiked caramelized onions and sweet oranges are complemented by the slightly tart dried apricots to create a multilayered flavor.

You and your guests will love this dish, which is based on an Italian Renaissance recipe.

Linguine 'Il Trittico'

• 1 pound linguine
• 1 large purple onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup, 1stick, unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup Cointreau
• 1 1/4 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
• 8 to 10 fresh or dried apricots, sliced
• 1 tablespoon light brown granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons minced best quality candied orange peel, optional
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup almond slivers
• Zest of 1 orange

We saw this guy, Bob Marley, at the Improv in Las Vegas, and he is by far the best comedian I have ever seen perform live. He talks about stuff like being married, chips and dip, Atkins diet, trying on swimsuits... Pretty much everyday stuff that could apply to lots of folks. Check out his website at www.bmarley.com for more info.

Click the button in the middle of the video & get ready to start laughing!

Now that I have a young daughter, I am more aware of body image issues, how society views beauty, etc. and I am keeping my eyes open for things of that nature. I just came across these Dove videos/ads that are part of their Campaign for Real Beauty.

The first is "Evolution" and it is an interesting comment on the reality of advertising, and how UNrealistic the final images we see truly are. It is worth watching, as it is actually pretty cool to see the transformation. Watch the "Evolution" Video (opens in new window - 1:18).

This "Daughters" video is great too... it is lots of girls talking about their feelings on their weight, beauty, acceptance, etc. Made me a bit sad for the state of things. But it also made me hopeful to how I can work with my daughter to keep her self-esteem strong she grows up. Watch the "Daughters" Video (opens in new window - 2:41).

They also have a commerical featuring girls that I thought was pretty sweet. Watch the "True Colors" video (opens in new window - 0:45).

Find out what the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty and the Dove Self-Esteem Fund is doing about the problem of low-esteem in young girls — and how you can help.

I am so excited... one of our favorite movies is being re-released this week! And in digital 3-D! If you haven't seen Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" in the theater, you shouldn't miss it this time around. I remember being so thrilled by the film 13 years ago when it first came out.

Nicki Kalis & Andy Goodwin came over for dinner (they are dating, and we are all so thrilled!), as did Shelly & Chad. Dell grilled up some yummy steaks, and Nora kept everyone entertained. It was really great to see both Nicki and Andy so happy. View all the photos on Flickr.

Hangin' on the Marina Green with John Shine and Karen.


Watched the Blue Angels, ate some food on a stick, Nora got to experience the "jumpy castle extravaganza." Grownups had a beer and watched the Cowboys lose. It was PERFECT weather in SF. Heaven!


Nora LOVES John! And who wouldn't!!!

Nora started swim lessons today at Bakar Gym (UCSF Mission Bay). Her coach is named John, and he lets the kids pour water on his head during "free time" which is the last 5 minutes of the lesson. They love it!

Drawn by Nora, Age 4, Children's Village Preschool.


"Nora, Mommy, Daddy"


"Otto, Grandmama, Papa"

Joan, Shelly and I took a trip to Las Vegas to celebrate Joan's birthday. And, you won't believe it, but we only gambled one time, and lost only $20 total between the three of us! We had so much fun drinking and dining and spa-ing and pool-ing and show-ing that we just didn't have time to lose money! View the photos on Flickr.

The whole fam-damily at the annual family reunion at Joan & Ray's. View all the photos on Flickr.

Nora's 4th birthday party was a smash! Lots of friends and family in attendance, perfect weather in SF, and a beaming birthday girl... Thanks to everyone who helped make Nora's day so special, especially Grandmama for the beautiful and yummy cupcakes! View the photos on Flickr.

My ears are ringing, my throat is sore from screaming, my body aches from going crazy jumping to the songs... as the song says "glad to be alive" -- and the show made me feel ALIVE!

Our niece, Grace Cresswell, had her first day of kindergarten up in Washington. She's the one in the middle if you don't know her... Doesn't she look great, and so grown up! GO GRACIE!



And her brother, Will Cresswell, had his first day of preschool... what a dapper young fellow in his Aloha Shirt! GO WILL!



Congratulations to the best niece and nephew around! Bet their Mom and Dad (Amy & Phil) and grandparents (MB & Don) are so proud of them, as are we. Miss you and love you all so much!

Too much food, drink, and no electricity is a great thing!

Pictures are posted on Flickr of our excursion to the Stanislas National Forest, about halfway between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. The gang included the Joel, Josh, Sweet Melissa, the Kotaras, and Ms. McGuire. Four days in a cabin up at 8500 ft elevation with some of our best friends. HEAVEN!

Bobbi had a little get-together for Sam's 36th birthday on August 24th. She went all out and made three homemade, gourmet cakes -- so delicious! The 5 kids all played well together (Nora, Julia, Julianne, Nate and Alex), and the grownups didn't get too out of control with the champagne, which isn't really the norm for this gang... guess the fact it was a "school night" kept us in check a bit.

Bob and Aimee Westbrook invited us over for dinner at their home in Mill Valley.



Jackson and Nora got along swimmingly, and Grace played along with them after she did her long wakeup from her nap. Baby Spencer (4 months) is as cute as a button, and was a smiley, mellow presence while we sat around the dinner table reminiscing over our ten year friendship.

Bob grilled up some awesome lamb chops, tasty green beans and couscous. They are the hosts with the most -- especially their generous sharing of a bottle of port from 1977! Delish!

The preschool class at Children's Village (The Monkeys) had it's graduation for the kids going off to Kindergarten. Nora is still attending preschool - not ready for K until next year. Music, great food, a celebration of the new mural out front. It was really fun!
View all the photos on Flickr.

Joan & Ray threw a huge wedding reception style party for Chris and Liz in Lakeport. Most of the folks who couldn't attend the wedding were there. We had some great live music, yummy food and drink, and a killer slideshow of the Mexico wedding -- it was a blast!

I need to get some photos from other people who were there, because I forgot to bring out my camera till the very end of the party, and I didn't get any photos of Liz! Please email me if you have any photos I can add to this album. View the few photos I snapped on Flickr.

Another rockin' show by Little Texas at the Saddle Rack in Fremont, CA. I think the highlight was the end of the show, when the girls started dancing in the cage, and Mark ended up in there with them playing his guitar!



View all the photos from the Saddle Rack show on Flickr.

Mother's Day Weekend in SF ~ May 2006

Our dear friend Chris Hanson passed away today after a long battle with cancer, at the young age of 53. She was too vibrant and beautiful, too wonderful and funny, too honest and generous to go -- we will all miss her so.

Last night, I happened across this poem (in the book I just started called "The Time Travelers Wife"), and my thoughts were instantly drawn to Chris... then this morning, she is gone, and sadness is here.

The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror,
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.

You will love again the stranger who was yourself.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

—Derek Walcott

My friend Christian Anthony makes these cool shirts, and Nora had one when she was a baby... She just found her old size 2 firetruck shirt in a give-away bag, and she said "this is my VERY FAVORITE shirt! and I'm sad that it's too small now." So of course I had to get her a new one. Here is the photo shoot from her first wearing of her TRK shirt.

Teresa and Michael brought back these beautiful nesting dolls from Moldova... Nora loves them and has given them all names. The little tiny one in the very middle is called "Mimi" but the other names have been changing.

Dell had surgery to correct his deviated septum and remove a lipoma from the back of his head. It wasn't pretty. If you want to see the gore, here are the pictures. Truly not for the faint of heart or stomach! I mean it!

Awwww... isn't she cute!?!? And getting so darn big!

We headed to the Merced County Fair for some fun and music. First there were corndogs, pony rides and cotton candy.



Then we met up with the Little Texas band and gang - Porter, Del, Duane, Dwayne, Mark, Jason and Donny. We got to be true groupies and hang out on the tour bus (thank god for A/C!). Nora got a signed pair of drum sticks from Del, and flirted with the guys.



Nora helped Jason sell stickers and t-shirts (she suggested "next time let's sell MAKEUP too!") in the schwag booth. She later commandeered a pair of earplugs, and used them for, well, nose plugs instead... whichever bandmember they came from, thank you and we threw them in the trash, so don't worry!



The next day we hit the Castle Air Museum and saw the vintage airplanes. Very cool, but waaayyy too hot to be walking around 11 acres of metal planes. Made you think of the sacrifices that the soldiers made then and are still making today. God bless 'em!



View all of the photos on Flickr.

Every three years, come 'round mid-July, Dell trades in his leased car for a new leased car. This time, we decided to go from a "crossover SUV" to a standard sedan... So, it was so long Infiniti FX35



And HELLO! Infiniti M35



This new car is totally bad ass! Push a button to start it, with no need to insert a key. Bluetooth enabled car phone. Rear view camera. Voice activated GPS. Heated and cooled seats (ah, that cool butt feeling). More gadgets and buttons than I know what to do with (but Dell knows what most of them do).

We will take it on its first road trip tomorrow. Heading up with the whole fam-damily to Merced. Gonna take in the county fair, and see Little Texas perform again. Nora gets to ride some rides, and Otto will sit his boo-hiney in the Vagabond Inn while we stroll the midway.

We spent Saturday night at our friends Brian & Carol's house in Aptos, near Santa Cruz. The Dudley's home is so comfortable, fun and relaxing.



Nora is about 8 months older than Camille, and the girls had a great time together playing dress-up, watching Dora, playing in the park, and coloring (there was lots of preschooler angst too). Baby Sophia (9 months old) was a gem, and is just sweet as pie.



We hit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for a sunny Sunday stroll. The Daddys took Nora and Camille on the Log Ride - it was the first time for both the girls. Camille came off laughing, saying "I got drenched!" Nora, on the otherhand was clinging to Daddy, crying and sobbing. Different strokes... View all the photos on Flickr.

Ahhh, what a relaxing weekend! Sam and Bobbi Kotara joined us for Friday and Saturday at my parent's ranch in Lakeport.

We left Nora & Otto with Joan and Ray while the four grown-ups did a Napa Valley weekend. Sunday was Mudbaths and Massages at Indian Springs Resort - we stayed in a room at the newly built "Lodge" section of the hotel. Just lovely!

Monday night was the Little Texas concert at the Napa County Fair. Dell's best friend from high school, Porter Howell, is the lead singer/lead guitarist/songwriter for the band.

Those boys were working on a few hours sleep, and they put on a ROCKIN show! Thanks to Porter, Dwayne, Duane, Del, and Mark (not pictured) for being "Loud and Proud!" We can't wait for the new song "Texas 101" to come out so we can sing along... The drummer Del blew up a monitor (speaker) - smoke was coming out the top!

Tuesday was the Fourth of July Parade in Calistoga. Lots of fun, patriotic floats, loud Harleys, clowns, sirens... your basic parade.


Then it was back to Lakeport for an evening spent at the Tringali's house with lots of friends - a slice of hometown goodness - and fireworks to end it all. OOOOHHHH! AAAAHHHH!

View the entire "Fourth of July" Photoset on Flickr.

My brother Chris got married to a beautiful, friendly, smart, wonderful woman named Liz in Tepic, Nayarit, in Mexico. Photos are posted on Flickr, and there are more to come from other friends/family. We had a fun family vacation in Puerto Vallarta after the wedding festivities.

Na na na na naaaa na...
I have cotton candy big as my torso and you doooon't!

Sarah and Nicki took Nora to the Union Street Fair for some kiddo rides, walking around in the beautiful sun, and looking at lots of art. We had a great afternoon!