men in aprons

what is it about men in aprons? men who cook?

share a story, win one of our 

café apron sets.

click here!

handmade, everyday

reason #80

we love being a part of sunset magazine's 

100 reasons to love the west. 

to see the other 99 reasons, 

get the june issue, on newsstands now.

many thanks to 

regina connell of handful of salt

who curated this collection of artisan creations

:)

help, please.

we'd like your help.
we're looking for proof (we know it's not an urban myth)
that men can cook.

does your man, dad, grandad, boyfriend, brother or son 

like to cook? 

go to our facebook page, enter your answer, 

(be creative!)

and you may win one of our Café Apron Sets 

(perfect for Father's Day giving).

thank you,

ahead of time!

cooking with kids

20 years ago I started cooking with my daughter Emma,
and I still use some of her favorite cookbooks and recipes.

and nicest thing of all...
her little bookmark drawings are still there :)

her favorites books were
Fanny at Chez Panisse by Alice Waters
(for pizza dough and roast chicken)
and Cooking with Children by Marion Cunningham
(for the step-by-step drawings).
 

 

we recently posted a giveaway with
this little street 

and asked families what was special about cooking with kids. 

here's some of their stories:

"my daughter's favorite part of cooking is using the measuring cups. 

after I wash them, I let her take them in the tub 

and she pretends to cook whatever we just made."

"I love to have my children help me with dinner daily. 

it is so important to me that they be a part of the process and 

I know they will always have fond memories of cooking with mama!"

"we love making pancakes together! breakfast on the weekends 

is the one time of the week that we are all together and 

love spending that time making a fabulous breakfast!"

"I love making pizza with my son. our whole family loves to eat it
and it's even more special when you’ve put love into each layer."

"I have so many memories associated with food. 

every time I smell porridge, I think of my dad 

getting up early in winter days to make it for me. 

I can’t wait to make memories with food with our kids."

teacher appreciation

 it's that time of year - the end of the school year - 

that always makes me think of teachers. 

 and it brings back some great memories.

it was the 70's, and I was teaching elementary school art.

the last days of school always came along too quickly, 

but it was a special time to celebrate.

my classroom was always creative and noisy and fun,  

so we built a "think tank" for anyone who wanted 

to draw or conceptualize a project quietly. 

it was fun to make and paint, and then we filled 

the inside with inspirational pictures.

 

now I like to design early in the mornings when it's quiet, 

before emails and meetings, before the business day begins. 

our studio walls are filled with inspiration and color, 

so the "think tank" concept continues.

 

it's that special time of year, again.

a great time to say thank you to all the teachers in your world, 

and to show your appreciation.

famous moms

here's my famous mom. 

famous to 5 children, 3 grandkids, 1 great-grandchild (so far). 

 

"saint catherine" is 87, 

and is still hanging her towels out to dry 

in her backyard in arizona. 

the month of may belongs to all moms, 

so don't forget to celebrate

and send some love their way.