New Berkeley Bowl open!

For those who don't live in the bay area and think that all of us who live here are crazy about fresh- organic food and locally grown YOU ARE 100% correct! This is one of the added reasons that I personally live here- I am just crazy for great food- both buying the best local foods and eating out in some of the best restaurants.

One of the best places to shop over the bridge is in Berkeley (in the east bay) called the Berkeley Bowl (no it's not a bowling alley- which is what I thought when I moved here a few years ago).

The Berkeley Bowl has a new location that just opened and boy oh boy did I have a blast this afternoon after our tradition of brunch at Sally's house after the Alameda flea market today. This new location opened up a block away from Sally's and it is going to change the neighborhood forever! After brunch we all walked over and I filled my cart with all kinds of great fruits and vegetables.

There are so many different varieties of things and things you have never seen before- the aisles go on and on. It can be overwhelming- check out all of the options.
I am not sure how big this location but the other location that they have is 40,000 square feet with 8,000 just for produce (the claim on their website that it is the largest in the bay area and also locally grown).
Check out the new Berkeley Bowl at 920 Heinz Avenue which is near Ashby Street.

I don't live near- but I can see this as a whole new tradition to brunch "after the flea market at Sally's"...

My new Murano glasses toasting farewell to wine...

Well- let's not be too DRAMATIC here...

I wanted to share the beautiful handblown glasses that I found in Venice at this charming little store. I normally would think that these glasses were too "fru fru" but maybe it was being in Venice and finding these in the clear glass that really made me smile.
I always pack a little tote bag at the bottom of my suitcase just for these reasons-as I hand carried 6 of these back on the plane.

The reason for the farewell toast? I am not drinking for the month of June! (GASP- and a silence came over the crowd!)- yes- me- I know SHOCKING to some of you who know that I really enjoy my wine. But I decided to do this as a goal when I came back from Venice- so now I am setting the goal for the month of June. I am not doing this for any real reason other than really to loose a few pounds (did a little carbo loading in Italy) as well as to clean and purify my body. I am so accustomed to having a few glasses of wine with dinner every night- that I think that taking a little break will do me some good. Clean my body up!

So I toast my farewell glass of wine (for the month of June- let's not get carried away here!) in my beautiful new glasses!

Cheers!

A Ginger Treat...

I've been feeling a bit under the weather since attending a business meeting yesterday. Of course, that's what I get for venturing out into a world full of people.



Mike and I are at home so often that we pretty much pretend the only worlds that exist are our Art and Internet worlds...and that's fine with us.

Nonetheless, after being around other people I always tend to feel under the weather, {cooties galore out there, you know...} so I've been really into Ginger Tea lately, especially when the Airborne doesn't seem to work. Fresh Ginger Root tea is a great remedy for the common cold, a sore throat, indigestion, etc...

Ginger Root Tea

Ingredients
* 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh ginger root {you don't have to peel it, but rinse it off before chopping}
* 3 cups water
* Honey to taste

Directions
In a small saucepan, combine the ginger root and water, bring to a boil and simmer for ten minutes. Taste. If it tastes too weak, continue simmering; if it tastes too strong for you, add more water. Strain and sweeten with honey or raw sugar.

Our trip to Austin, TX - October 2007

We've been in Austin working [and having fun], so blogging has been on hiatus, but I'm back.

I loved Austin. It's an amazing city on the Colorado River, but I don't think I could live there 'cuz I get bored so quickly. Too bad for me, huh?

Anyway, here's a photo of me and Mike at Shady Grove...I did get a haircut in Austin, trusting my locks to a Texas chick named Rachel. I was a bit scared when I saw her Texas-style look and almost backed out on her to switch to the one rockabilly chick in the place, but I stuck with her and she actually gave good hair! This shot is me pre-cut and Mikie un-shaven for over a week.


I loved the fact that our hotel was right on the river with a stunning view of the Frost Bank Bldg, which has to be one of my favourite buildings of all time now. It looks like an Owl from certain angles. Isn't that quirky?
The Frost Bank Bldg, downtown Austin:Our view from the hotel overlooking Austin, the Colorado River and the Bat Bridge, where every night at sunset, some 2 million bats fly out from under the bridge. It really is a sight to see!

The food in Austin was amazing, with lots of green chilies and barbeque. Yee-haw!
...and nary a fast food chain such as McDonald's in sight. I think I loved that the most as I'm so tired of seeing so many chain-style eateries everywhere.
In Austin, it's more down home and I love that.
Some of our fave places to eat [not including the Shi-Shi places obviously] and must-have eats:
The Green Mesquite
KILLER Mesquite Cheesesteak
Cheesy and yummy with Green Chiles that rivals any Philly Cheesesteak

Shady Grove
Green Chile Cheeseburger
Hatch Green Chile Sauce and Monterey Jack cheese top this spicy burger

Chuy's
Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom Chicken & Cheese Enchiladas
Enchiladas with their special Boom-Boom sauce

Whataburger
Even though it is a Texas & Southwest chain, the food there is good. Although we were surprised that they don't serve BBQ sauce...They're in Texas for God's sake! Anyway, they win for best cold hamburger the next morning. No joke. It was even better cold than, dare I say it???... In and Out...and y'all know how I love my In and Out Animal Style. :)

...and winner of the most romantic old-school Italian restaurant goes to Romeo's.
We had a great nite there...and I discovered a new way to make a Mojito...with basil instead of mint! So Yummy!

We spent time working too...Here's a shot on Sixth Street at a night shoot.
Shopping on Congress is FUN....and I found a new favourite store: Uncommon Objects

If you like old, antique and quirky, then this is the place for you!

Over 30 vendors display their wares in a chic, kitschy way. I spent most of my time [and money!] there and picked up soooo many fabulous finds!

Too bad you can't shop Uncommon Objects online, but there are just waaay too many items in the store to make that possible...and I'm sure that their turn-over rate is tremendous as well. It's definitely a reason to visit Austin again. :)




I also loved the store front for Monkey See Monkey Do -->



On our way back from Austin, [...yes, we drove there!] we spent time in other parts of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona taking photos and visiting places that looked interesting, such as small towns, historic sites and, of course, graveyards.

A week after our return, we had our latest show in downtown Los Angeles, which turned out to be a great success. Orders are still coming in! I'll post more about that later, but in the meanwhile, you can see just some of my new art in my shop.

xxx
Raven