Saturday, July 31, 2021

Dinner with Jill and Mike


We had our neighbors Jill and Mike over for dinner on Saturday night. This is part of Sharon's vision of a series of dinners with couples in our neighborhood. We had Jim and Debi for dinner in May and Heidi, Brad and Clark earlier in July.

We served blackberry gin fizzes as a before-dinner cocktail. Sharon made a great dinner of salmon, risotto and summer squash.

2021 Italy - Day 10 - San Marino [#mustacheaboard]

Jack and Sophia traveled to San Marino.

Friday, July 30, 2021

Home Office

Over the last two weeks, we have emptied out the home office, had a new floor installed, painted the room and had cabients installed. We still have some work to do, but I started working in here on Friday.
Home Office

2021 Italy - Day 9 - Venice [#mustacheaboard]

Jack and Sophia took a day trip to Venice.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

2021 Edgewood Tahoe Resort - Day 3

Up at 6 am, Sharon and I packed up the room. We pulled away from the hotel at 6:50 am. With a quick stop for egg mcmuffins and coffee at McDonalds, we were back in Carmichael at 9:03 am.

I would definitely like to go back to Edgewood and play golf again. Maybe with the Wongs or the Gainsleys.

We hurried back because the installers from California Cabinets are coming this morning to start work on the den.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

2021 Edgewood Tahoe Resort - Day 2

When we got to the lake on Monday afternoon, it was a litte hazy with smoke from the Tamarack Fire. The wind and rain on Monday night cleared everything out. Tuesday was a beautiful day!

We had a lazy morning. Sleeping late, we had room service (Everything Bagel and short pancake stack). We wandered down to the driving range about 10 am. I spent a long time on the driving range working on my swing. While I hit a few nice shots, I felt pretty inconsistent. I hardly ever putt before playing, but spent a few minutes on the putting green.

Sharon and I teed off at 11:10 am. The foursome included Mark from Houston and Matt from Dallas. Matt's wife rode with him.

I was a little apprehensive about the water on the first few holes and playing with other people. I got off to solid start, gained some confidence and built on it. It was probably the best that I have ever played through the first twelve holes. I had a 48 on the front nine. I parred the 520 yard Par 5 fourth hole. I fell completely apart on the last three holes. I ended up with a 109 with two mulligans off the tee in the last five holes. The greens were really fast. The scorecard is here.

The course and the weather were beautiful. I really enjoyed the day.
Afterwards, the group stopped for a drink at the Brooks Deck and Bar. Sharon had a nice time talking to Matt's wife over the course of the round and afterwards at the bar.

After getting cleaned up, Sharon and I had a late dinner sitting outside at the Bistro. It was a nice evening with a great sunset.

For starters and salad, we spilt Roasted Bone Marrow [Onion Jam, Fresh Parsley, Radish, Hawaiian Sea Salt, Brussels Sprouts Leaves, Pickled Mustards Seeds, Toasted Sourdough] and Summer Knights [Fresh Watermelon, Heirloom Tomato, Strawberries, Orange Segments, Baby Arugula, Chevre Goat Cheese, Almonds, Balsamic Glaze]. For entrees, I had the Llano Secco Ranch Pork Chop [Berkshire Center Cut Pork Chop, Grilled Artichoke Puree, Baby Lacinato Salad, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes], while Sharon had Alaskan Halibut [Grilled Halibut, Risotto, Pea Puree, Roasted Cauliflower, Snap Peas, Arrabbiata Sauce, Potato Strings]. For the second night in row, I think that I had the better entree...

2021 Italy - Day 6 - Bologna [#mustacheaboard]

Jack and Sophia traveled from Florence to Bologna.

Monday, July 26, 2021

2021 Edgewood Tahoe Resort - Day 1

Over two months ago, I planned a getaway for Sharon and I to the Edgewood Tahoe Resort. We had dinner and then brunch there in November of 2018 and talked about coming back again some day. Sharon knew that we were taking off for a couple of days, but didn't know where we were going.

Leaving Carmicheal about 10 am, we stopped for sandwiches at Subway in South Lake Tahoe. The area was a zoo. I frankly hadn't considered how busy Tahoe was in the summer.

We were lucky to get a parking space at the trailhead at the Lam Watch Nature Trail. We hiked down to Nevada Beach on Lake Tahoe and found a picnic table for lunch. Afterwards, we hiked back looping north of the meadows. In total, we covered about 2.9 miles in an hour and eleven minutes. I am becoming a big fan of the AllTrails app.


The trail was just north of the resort. We pulled up to the hotel about 2:45 pm. They had our room ready. One nice touch was that they took our golf clubs and told us that they would deliver them to us at the course in the morning.

After getting settled in the room, we wandered the property. We checked out the restaurant. Sharon shopped in the Pro Shop, while I had a beverage at Brooks Bar and Deck.

As we were wandering back to the hotel, it started to get very windy and rained off and on. This turned out to be a blessing; more on that in the next post.

We finished the night with dinner at the Edgewood Restaurant. For appetizers, we split Heirloom Tomato Panzanella [House Pulled Mozzarella/ Bitter Greens/ Black and White Pearls/ Basil Chutney] and Hudson Valley Foie Gras [Walnut Brioche / Roasted Placer Apples / Granny Smith Sphere / 50 Year Aged Balsamic / Red Ribbon Sorrel / Candied Apple Chip]. For entrees, I had Pinecone Smoked Elk Loin [Summer Squash / Fine Herb Black Barley / Roasted Corn Custard / Caramel Corn / Spiced Quince Glace De Viande], while Sharon had Pan Seared Branzino [Young Fennel / Baby Artichokes / Tiny Snap Peas/ Summer Heirloom Tomatoes/ Pink Lemon Beurre Blanc]. We split a bottle of Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir 2018. Mine was the better entree.

2021 Italy - Day 5 - Florence [#mustacheaboard]

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Refreshing the Den

Sharon and I spent all weekend prepping and painting the den. We are completely refreshing the room. In a addition to a new paint scheme, we had a new floor put in on last Thursday. Starting Wednesday, California Cabinets in installing built in book cases and desks.

As part of the project, I got rid of a library desk that I bought from the banks in 1992. Larkin helped me carry it upstairs at East View when I bought it.

My one regret is that I failed to taken a picture of the room before we started the project. Almost exactly a year ago, we started working on the refreshing the exercise room. I have really enjoyed the end result.

2021 Italy - Day 4 - Florence [#mustacheaboard]

Friday, July 23, 2021

2021 Italy - Day 2 - Rome [#mustacheaboard]

Landing in Paris at 7:50 am local time, Jack caught an Air France Flight to Rome. It was supposed to take off at 9:15 am, but was delayed until 10:15 am. He was on the ground in Rome just after noon local time.

Taking a train in the central city, Jack checked into their AirBnB. After a short nap, he started out on an eight mile walking tour of the city. Sophia rolled in in the late afternoon.

Thursday, July 22, 2021

2021 Italy - Day 1 [#mustacheaboard]



Sharon and I honeymooned in Italy in October of 1996.

Sharon, Jack, Morgan and I spent two weeks in Italy in 2O12.

Jack is heading to Italy for eleven days. He is catching up with Sophia.

Thursday night, Jack caught a 6:35 pm Air France flight from Dulles to Paris. He will be landing in Paris about 7:45 am local time on Friday morning.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Ted Lasso - Season One

Over the long fourth of July weekend, Sharon and I finished watching season one of Ted Lasso. With Sharon asleep on the couch, I actually watched the first episode last fall. At the time, I was very surprised by the tone of episode and touched by the portrayal of the main character. It just took me awhile to get Sharon interested watching it.

Ted Lasso was developed by Bill Lawrence, Jason Sudeikis, Joe Kelly, and Brendan Hunt. Season one premiered on Apple TV+ on August 14, 2020. The season received 20 Emmy nominations.

The show is based on a character of the same name that Sudeikis first portrayed in a series of promos for NBC Sports' coverage of the Premier League. American Ted Lasso [Sedeikis] is a coach of college-level American football. He is unexpectedly recruited to coach an English Premier League team, AFC Richmond, despite having no experience with soccer.

This series is surprisingly good. I highly recommend it. The second season premieres on July 23, 2021.

Monday, July 19, 2021

California Historical Landmark #895

Sharon and I walked by this historical marker while we were out for a walk in Palo Alto.

Hostess House
California State Historical Landmark #895

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This landmark is located at 27 Mitchell Lane, near the Northeast corner of University Ave and El Camino Real, Palo Alto, California. There are 42 other California State Historical Landmarks in Santa Clara County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 26.578 W 122° 09.932.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

California Historical Landmark #895
This building originally served Camp Fremont as a meeting place for servicemen and visitors. When moved from its original site to Palo Alto, it became the first municipally sponsored community center in the nation. It is the only remaining structure from California's World War I Army training camps. Designed by Julia Morgan in 1918 for the YMCA, it was dedicated one year later to those who died in this war.

California Historical Landmark #895 California Historical Landmark #895

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Catan

Jack facetimed Drew and I on Friday night excited about the fact that he was a Catan Seafarer Grandmaster!
The three of us played Catan on Sunday afternoon. I won the first game!

Drew was trying to help me beat Jack in the second game, but I didn't understand one of the naunces of game play. Jack went on to win the second game.

Saturday, July 17, 2021

Dinner with Brad, Heidi and Clark

After spending most of the day getting the house and deck in shape, we had our neighbors Brad, Heidi and Heidi's dad Clark over for dinner on Saturday night. They bought the house at the end of the cul-de-sac. This is part of Sharon's vision of a series of dinners with couples in our neighborhood. We had Jim and Debi for dinner in May.

We served pomegranate martinis as a before-dinner cocktail. Sharon made a great dinner of Peruvian chicken, rice and Italian flat beans.

Friday, July 16, 2021

Retiring

On Friday morning, Sharon went into work and told her boss that she is retiring as of February 1, 2022.

I have told Sharon for years that they can't remake her. She is a product of a system that doesn't exist anymore. When Sharon started working for Farm Credit in the 1980's, there were three banks in Sacramento and several hundred Production Credit Associations and Federal Land Bank Associations across the Western states. She had the opportunity to see lots and lots of transactions, visit different associations to do legal reviews and learn the UCC from Larry. The same types of learning and training opportunities just don't exist anymore.

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Ancil Hoffman with Jim and Debi

Teeing off at 5:56 pm, Sharon and I played golf with our neighbors Jim and Debi at Ancil Hoffman. We walked the course. I can't honestly remember the last time that I walked a course. It might have been 1999 at Mather with Larkin, Boone and Brun.

I got a better start than two weeks ago with the Gainsleys. I bogeyed the 3rd and 4th holes and got a scrambling par on the 5th. The wheels came off on the 6th and 7th. I got into the trees and couldn't get out. I need to learn just to punch out into the fairway, rather than make some herotic shot through the trees.

The weather was beautiful. It was a very nice evening. Debi and Jim dropped at the 7th. Sharon and I played a slow 8th and 9th.

It took us just about two and a half hours to play nine. Sharon and I are both considering buying pull carts. We need to find another night or two to play after work before the end of summer!

Monday, July 12, 2021

Sunday, July 11, 2021

2021 Palo Alto - Day 3

Sleeping late, the plan for the morning was a walk around the Stanford Campus. Looking in the AllTrails app, they had a Stanford Campus Walk that started near the hotel.

We wandered through the campus and then into downtown Palo Alto for brunch. In total, we covered just over five miles in an hour and forty-nine minutes. A map is here. I was surprised to find a Rodin Sculpture Garden along the walk. We also made a quick stop at a California Historical Marker.

We had brunch at Local Union 271. We both had Vegetarian Black Bean Huevos Rancheros [2 cage-free eggs, corn tortillas, breakfast potatoes, tomatillo salsa,cheddar-jack] and mimosas.

Afterwards, we packed up the room and started for home. It took two hours and fifteen minutes to get to Carmichael: 84 [Dunbarton Bridge] to 880 to 80 to 50 to Watt.

We have a couple of more adventures planned for the next month. In August, we are going to head back to San Francisco and finish the SF Crosstown Trail!

Saturday, July 10, 2021

2021 Palo Alto - Day 2 - Stacey's Wedding

Up and moving early, we had breakfast in the Poolside Grill at the hotel. I had picked out a hike for the morning in the Pearson Arastradero Preserve. Getting to the Preserve about 9 am, we hiked the Redtail Loop Trail to Arastradero Creek Trail Loop.

For the first time, I used the AllTrails app on my iPhone. I was impressed with the navigation and the integration with Apple Health. The app is probably going to become one of my regular tools.

I used the AllTrails to cut off the top part of the hike. We ended up hiking a little over four miles in an hour and thirty-four minutes. A map is here.

Afterwards, we headed to the Stanford Mall and Macy's. Sharon wanted to look for some earrings to wear to the wedding. We grabbed lunch at World Wrapps to take back to the hotel.

After cleaned up and dressed for Stacey and Kirill's wedding, we caught a shuttle at 2:45 pm. The shuttle took us from the hotel to the wedding venue at the Thomas Fogarty Winery. I was surprised how long it took; it was a winding 40 minute ride.

At one time, Sharon was a wine club member at the winery. We tasted there in 2018. It is a neat location with fantastic views of the bay area.

It was a very nice wedding. At dinner, we sat with Holly's brother and sister and their spouses and a childhood friend of Van's. The only drawback was that it was warm. The temperatures were in the mid-80s.

The evening went quicker than I expected. At 10 pm, they loaded everyone back up in the shuttles and took us back to the hotel.

Sharon was disappointed that we didn't get any pictures at the wedding. We crashed about 11:20 pm...

Friday, July 09, 2021

2021 Palo Alto - Day 1

Taking off in the afternoon, we headed to Palo Alto. It took us about two hours and forty-five minutes: 50 to 80 to 680 to 237 to 101.

We are spending two nights at the Palo Alto Sheraton. Holly and Van's daughter is getting married on Saturday night. Given that we have to get the shuttle to the wedding at 2:30 pm on Saturday, we decided that we would go over Friday night.

After getting settled in the room, we walked into downtown Palo Alto. I was surprised at the number of streets that were blocked with the restaurants overflowing into the street.

Sharon had made dinner reservations at Ettan. This is described as a Cal-Indian restaurant. We got there early and had a drink at the bar. Once we got seated, we started with Sesame Leaf [Chaat Flavors on Sesame Leaves with Mango, Sesame Brittle, Chickpea Crumble and Cilantro], Ettan Salad [Mixed Greens, Avocado, Grapes and Pumpkin Seeds with Signature fermented Curry Leaf Chutney] and Red Chili Octopus [Spiced Yogurt, Fermented Chili And Stone Fruit]. For the entree, we split Spice-Roasted Chilean Seabass Collar [Asparagus Poriyal, Basil with Coconut Curry and Coconut Rice]. The food was very good.

We wandered back to the room and crashed about 10:45 pm.

Thursday, July 08, 2021

Don Seese

Sharon and I worked with Don at the Farm Credit Banks.
Donald Seese - September 1, 1930 - May 26, 2021

Cameron Park, California - Donald Earle Seese died peacefully from heart failure at home surrounded by his family in Cameron Park, CA on May 26th, 2021.

Don was born on September 1st, 1930 in Salt Lake City, UT to Paul Seese and Edna Hamilton Seese. He was raised in Great Falls, MT. He graduated from The University of Montana in 1952. After serving in the Air force during the Korean War, Don received an MBA from Stanford Business School in 1956. After graduation he received his CPA license. The next 37 years were spent in the banking industry, including working with Wells Fargo Bank Cooperation serving as Senior Vice President and Controller. Don has said that his "wonderful wife of 62 years was behind whatever success he had" and that "there is not enough space to write about his two daughters and six grandchildren." He was truly a devoted husband and father.

In 1959, Don married the love of his life, Joanne Lee. They lived in Marin in the 60's and 70's where they raised their family. His career also took him to Jacksonville, FL where he was CFO of Atlantic National Bank. In addition to his wife Joanne, Don is survived by his daughter Gayle Seese Long of Nevada City, CA and his daughter Lynn Seese Painter and her husband Jack Painter of Redding, CA; and six grandchildren: Sierra Long, Carley Long, Cody Long, Emily Wong, Joanna Painter, and Daniel Painter, and one great-grandchild: Keller Wong, and his sister Carolyn LaRoche. He was preceded in death by his identical twin brother, "Billy", and his older brother Paul.

Don and Joanne loved to travel and have visited over 40 countries. Wanting to keep busy after retirement, Don volunteered with several organizations. His most meaningful was doing consulting work which took him to developing countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ethiopia and Mongolia.

Don was passionate about staying physically active throughout his life. He participated in fly fishing, hiking (including Mt. Whitney), tennis, golf and skiing. He was still hitting the ski slopes well into his 80's. Don was an avid golfer and upon retirement he and Joanne purchased a home in the middle of a golf course. Don then served on the board of the Cameron Park Country Club and as director of finance of the h0meowners association for over 20 years. Throughout his life, he was active in the Presbyterian Church and at times served as an Elder. Don Seese was a true man of integrity with a kind and generous heart. His words to live by: "Try to do your best."

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

Sunday, July 04, 2021

Frame Family 4th of July

With life hopefully returning somewhat to normal, Sharon's brother Tom hosted a Frame Family 4th of July. The group included Sharon and I, Morgan, Lee and Daniel, Tom, Eric and Ashley, Tim and Kathy, Erin and Cormac, Will and Eileen and Jim. Mary stopped by after dinner.

We spent the late afternoon visiting, playing bocce ball and swimming in the pool. Lee enjoyed the pool. He was particulary interested in climbing into the pool on the steps.

For dinner, I barbecued some corn for Sharon's shrimp butter. Eric barbecued polish dogs.

Sharon had bought some sparklers to set off before Lee went home. We finished the night with a selection of fireworks on Tom's driveway.

When we got home, we saw the last part of the second night of the Rancho Cordova fireworks display. I had frankly forgotten how close these fireworks were to our house!

Saturday, July 03, 2021

Golf with the Gainsleys

The plan for the day was golf with the Gainsleys at Ancil Hoffman. Hitting a few balls on the driving range, I couldn't get comfortable. It foreshadowed a horrible start.

We teed off at 11:48 am. I had a very rough start. I shot an ugly ten on the first hole. I was more inconsistent than usual. I settled down a little over the course of the day. I had a nice five hole stretch from 7 through 11. I actually parred the eighth. My scorecard is here.

Kevin played very well and Donna is improving. It took about four hours and twenty minutes to play eighteen.

Afterwards, we had them over for dinner. Jim and Debi joined us for a glass of wine at the beginning of the evening. Sharon made a great dinner of barbecued swordfish and risotto.

Sharon and I finished the night watching the Rancho Cordova fireworks display.

Friday, July 02, 2021

Davis to Winters Bike Ride

Friday morning, Sharon and I drove to Davis with our bikes. We parked on Lake Boulevard next to the apartment complex where I lived my junior year college. We rode our bikes west on the bike trail along Russell Boulevard to Stevenson Bridge Road. Turning left on Stevenson Bridge Road, we turned right on Putah Creek Road. We followed Putah Creek Road all the way into Winters.

Sharon has done this ride before. She was interested in getting out there while the sunflowers are still in bloom.

We had a quick bite to eat [turkey bacon avocado paninis] at Steady Eddie's Coffee House. There are probably better places to eat, but we were short on time. We were within about 1/3 of mile of Boone's Patio 29 distillery.

We put our heads down and made good time on the way back to the car. In total, we covered more than 24 miles in two hours and eighteen minutes. A map is here.

Friday evening, Sharon organized an impromptive get together at pool. We have hors d'oeuvres and wine with several of her neighbors, including Jim, Debi, Jill, Brad and Heidi.

We finished the day watching the last two episodes of season one of Ted Lasso.

Thursday, July 01, 2021

Majka Pizziera + Bakery

Kicking off a four day weekend, Drew picked up dinner from Majka Pizziera. The three of us split a salad ]little gems, santa rosa plums, fresh goat cheese, toasted walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette] and two pizzas [cremini and shiitake mushrooms, green bell pepper, red onion, mozz, feta, evoo, parsley]. The wine pairing was arnot roberts 2018 chardonnay. Sharon also ordered a Arnot Robert 2019 Gamay Noir.

We finished the day watching Bo Burnham's Inside on Netflix.