SFMOMA

I finally made it to the special exhibition of Frida Kahlo at SFMOMA last weekend.

The first time I saw her work was at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C. many years ago. I remember how much I was impressed with her paintings.

Many of her works are self-portraits which express her feeling or situation of that time. After seeing her biopic movie back in 2002, it's not hard to relate her painting to her life.

There was a long line to get into the Frida Kahlo's exhibition, but you are given timed entry by the museum.

Contemporary Chinese Art Exhibition on the 3rd floor

Looking up at the Bridge from the Main Lobby

Skylight at the Museum

The view of SFMOMA from Yerba Buena Garden

SFMOMA

151 Third Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

http://www.sfmoma.org

Taylor's

One of my friends was visiting me with her 10 year old boy this weekend.

I wanted them to have a very San Franciscan / American experience so I took them to Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building and had lunch at Taylor's.

We really enjoyed sampling fruits at the market.

It was such a nice day, there were not that many people inside.

Everyone was enjoying the sun at the outdoor patio.

Cheeseburger with bacon was for Ted.

Sweet potato fries with chili powder was so good!

Ted liked his bacon cheeseburger so my mission was completed.

Taylor's Refresher

Ferry Building Market Place

1 Ferry Building #6

San Francisco, CA 94111

http://www.taylorsrefresher.com

July Baking Class

Fromage Blanc Strawberry Mousse Cake

As you can see I love polka dot pattern.

So when I had a chance to decorate Joconde sponge, I made dots.

Then pour the Joconde batter over the dots and bake.

That's how I got the polka dot pattern.

After you cut the sponge in right size, assemble in the mold and pour the mixture of fromage blanc and strawberry puree. Let chill in the refrigerator until it sets.

When it's ready, decorate with fresh strawberries.

Fromage blanc - strawberry mousse taste little sour and Joconde Sponge is sweet, so it works really well together. It's a perfect summer dessert!

Yountville

I had a visitor from DC over the weekend.
She's never been to Wine Country, so I took her to my favorite town in Napa, Yountville.

Bistro Jeanty was our lunch stop.


I started with Heirloom Tomato Salad.
It was so fresh, juicy and tasty!


She started with Onion Soup.

And we shared...

Caramelized Onion Tart
This one was so yummy!


Rillettes De Canard
- Duck and goat cheese pate with cornichons.


Coq Au Vin
- Chicken, mushrooms, bacon and red wine stew.
Coq Au Vin was a little disappointing... it was too salty.


There was a very cute dog right next to our table.
It made me feel like I was in a neighborhood brasserie in Paris. (When I went to Paris, I noticed that Parisians truly like to bring their dogs to the restaurants).


Little bicycle with flowers at the entrance.

We skipped the dessert at Bistro Jeanty because I had to go...


My favorite dessert place in whole wine country, Bouchon Bakery.


This small bakery is always packed.


We got Lemon Tart, Raspberry Macaron and Caramel Macaron.
Lemon tart was so citrusy and tangy which I love.
Raspberry macaron was too sweet and didn't taste any raspberry but Caramel macaron was sooooo good!


Grapes were growing well under the summer sun.

Bistro Jeanty
6510 Washington Street
Yountville, California 94599
http://www.bistrojeanty.com/

Bouchon Bakery
6528 Washington Street
Yountville, California 94599
http://www.bouchonbakery.com/

Wild Visitors

I can't remember when I started noticing this weird sounding bird every morning. In fact, it's so loud that it became my alarm clock. Not too long ago, I found out these loud birds were actually wild parrots, the legendary birds in San Francisco.

A few years ago, a documentary film called "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" came out. I didn't know these birds exist in my neighborhood until I saw the film.

It's about a relationship between wild parrots and a homeless musician.

The story is very fascinating and if you haven't seen this film I highly recommend it.

However, my visitors are always three but I often see two of them together and one left out by itself. So I decided to think of the two as a couple and the other one as their teenage child.

It seems they are a happy family though.

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

http://www.wildparrotsfilm.com/

Hiking at China Camp State Park

It is located in San Rafael, on the northeastern shore of Point San Pedro. A Chinese fishing village was settled on the site in the 1880's. That's why it's called China Camp. There are hiking trails, mountain biking trails and open spaces for family picnics.

It's so nice to be out there, smelling woods, stepping on dirt, and enjoying the sound of wind passing by cattails. You can forget the busy schedule of city life for a moment.

China Camp State Park

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=466

The fourth of July

Marin County Fair

Spending Independence day at a county fair is a great idea because it can't be more American than that. But one downside is, you have to sacrifice a long wait in line. Well after an hour wait, I finally made it to the gate, but I had to give up funnel cake, because the line was too long, it was the main attraction!

This year I went back for the Fourth of July after my first visit, three years ago, and I surprised how much bigger it got. They had more vendors, food, games and rides. And their catch phrase was "the greenest county fair on earth", so they had many green theme exhibitions. Well, it's so Marin...

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich with Garlic Fries

Well, you can't expect much in the way of gourmet food but sandwich wasn't too bad.

Ferries wheel was lighted when it started to get dark.

At 9:30pm they started the fireworks!

I couldn't capture it well though...

No doubt, going to fair is fun for any age.

They will come back for next July!

Marin County Fair

San Rafael, California

http://www.marinfair.org/