Field Trip

Turns out that there are another 100+ letters to send out, this time to the vendors and farmers who regularly participate in the Saturday market, asking them if they'd be interesting in making presentations prior to the chef demos. Armed with a large coffee from Peet's, I type, sort, print. Stuffing will begin on Friday. Envelope stuffing, that is. Turkey stuffing will begin this evening, with the cubing of the stale bread.

About noon, Sarah and I left the Ferry Building and headed outbound on the Muni J line. I've never actually taken a ride on Muni before, so Sarah showed me the ropes. We got off at Civic Center where the Wednesday farmer's market was in full swing. We took a stroll from one end to the other, then began shopping. I just needed some assorted mushrooms for the cranberry-mushroom saute that we'll have tomorrow. A lot of the vendors who participate in the Ferry Building markets also have stands in Civic Center -- just imagine what an effort it takes to get to the market every week. And run a farm, too.

We headed up Turk Street for lunch, Vietnamese food at Mangosteen. I had spring rolls with an abundance of noodles and spicy herbs, cilantro and mint among them. Sarah and I talked about how we went to culinary school for similar reasons: to be able to have work center around the things we love, so much so that it's less "work" and more "life". We split up at the Muni stop, as she headed outbound and I returned to the Ferry Building to catch the boat home.

Time to start the holiday prep... this afternoon: turkey stock. turkey rub. butterscotch pudding. stuffing. And the annual viewing of "Pieces of April."

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. Enjoy your time in the kitchen, and at the table.