Oyster Gathering at Hog Island

Remember the oyster shell wreath that I showed you last week?  I took the pictures on our "school skip" day adventure to Hog Island Oyster Farm on Tomales Bay... Here's the rest of the story! (part of it anyway)

So, as you probably have read on the blog before, I am not an oyster fan.  But, I do like my boyfriend very much,  and he is an oyster connoisseur, so I will do whatever I can to totally support his gourmet habit. (As habits go, it's pretty harmless!)

It all started when I spotted a recipe for Thanksgiving oyster dressing on Facebook, posted by Hog Island.  It looked pretty good, and there was even a slight possibility that I might eat it. So off we went to Marin County on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to find some oysters!  Don't have to ask me twice to go for a drive on Hwy 1 around Tomales Bay.  Big bonus - it was an absolutely stunning fall day on our California Coast!

(Have I told you lately how much I LOVE my new Mini Cooper with its' sunroof???)

Oysters to go!

Look at this - a line of people that had the same idea as us!

Oh mi - so many to choose from! Which ones are coming home?  Dang it - no more Kumamotos!

Big decisions like these call for a glass of local Marin County Pinot Gris from the Hog Island Boat Bar! And maybe a few fresh oysters to sample in their picnic area before choosing which ones are coming home with Tom...

Seriously, how can you beat a day in November like this?

I just love these rustic-rusty oyster baskets!  

Now for the oysters!

Can you see the BIG smile on Tom's face?  Happy Happy Camper!

Hmm.... skipping school the day before Thanksgiving might have become a new tradition.  I will post the recipe in the next few days - we did make it, and I did have a few bites.  Have a great weekend!

Beach House Style in Fairfax, Northern California

 Friday, September 25, 2009:  Another journey using the recommendations of Sunset Magazine, (they always have great ideas!) to north of San Francisco in the foothills of Marin County.  Used my trusty i-phone to map out my destination from San Mateo, across the Golden Gate bridge, up to Fairfax, traveling through the town of San Anselmo off of Hwy 101.  What did I do before I had my i-phone?


I should have stopped on the Sausalito side of the Golden Gate to capture the fog that day, now wishing that I had. Fascinating.. tendrils of cold gray fog spilling across the bridge and into the San Francisco Bay -  felt cold to even watch through the windows of the car!  Cannot begin to explain the beauty of the green hills in Marin with the bright orange-red bridge in the foreground, fog racing through and across.  Wow, promise to stop next time and use the video feature on my camera.

Beach House Style is a great shabby beach chic store nestled right at the beginning of Fairfax, off of Sir Francis Drake, the main road through San Anselmo that runs all the way to Point Reyes on the coast. Loved this store.  Vintage pieces mixed with new, makes for such an interesting fun-filled experience!  Shells, candles, painted chests, small tables.. The owners, Susan and Alisha, have done a great job of flowing the their beach decorating ideas together. Love the colors of coastal decorating, fading yellows, aqua, seafoam greens, blues, melon-pink...


Susan Delurgio, one of the owners, was incredibly gracious and wonderful. She obviously has such love for being a store owner!  (I can relate!) Can you see the faded white painted bench in the background of this picture? Loved all of the vintage furniture re-purposed for their next life,  waiting patiently for the new owners to find them and bring them home - Beach House Style signature items include the handmade picture frames and mirrors, fashioned from barn wood, old boats, and refurbished homes.  They also carry a line of linen nautical cushions hand-made locally in San Rafael. (Think that I need to carry these online too!)


Could not resist buying a new cookbook, Lazy Days and Beach Blankets, along with some yummy new dark aqua candles for the patio to enjoy with Tom.  


Had a fabulous time and a great day exploring Fairfax and San Anselmo.  Thanks, Susan - I promise to be back as soon as I move down!