thoreau

Today we strolled through the 2008 Great Glass Pumpkin Patch at the Palo Alto Art Center... glass artists from all over the country were represented. it was lovely (and very expensive, even the smallest pumpkin was around $60 and the prices went up very quickly from there)

(click on the photos here)

There were rows and rows of glass treasures. David particularly liked one artist from Fresno - who specialized in lovely marbleized pumpkins. There was literally something for every taste in glass - from extremely traditional to out of this world modern takes on the 'pumpkin.' I was surprised that people were putting eight, nine or more in their baskets till David told me it was a fundraiser for the library - and that folks here take their glass pumpkin buying VERY seriously. (my bad!)

Then we wandered through the art center itself - which had a charming exhibit "The Miniature Worlds of Bruce Metcalf" made up of miniature people in different poses. It is the first major exhibition and catalogue focused solely on his engaging and spirited work. (Metcalf's website here)

(click on the photos here)

From there we headed out to Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve in Redwood City for some quality dogwalk time :) Miss Kate was in the mood to sniff every single inch of ground - and we had a slow walk through the woods. It was a leashfree run for the dog - and despite the warnings that it was mountain lion territory - it was drama free and a nice handholdy walk for me and David.

Now we're resting before hosting the book club David and I belong to. Eight of his coworkers and their spouses - all with IQs and world views that can be very intimidating. I picked the book this month, Elizabeth Gilbert's EAT PRAY LOVE. (what a lovely book!) I am making two kinds of stuffed shells - caramelized broccoli and onion stuffed shells in a white mushroom sauce - and pork/veal in an Arrabbiata Sauce (from Giada De Laurentiis). We're serving it with garlic bread (which should only be made with lots of garlic and gobs of butter) and a lovely starter of a roasted tomato gaspacho with mint. (also found on food network's site). so off I go to the kitchen to be domestic and make my boyfriend proud at the book club.

here are two glass pumpkin shots (david's two favorites) just for good measure.... ciao!