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Life is too short to eat bad food! Sharing great recipes, farm life, stories and photography from our Northern California dairy farm.

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May 30, 2014

Deer Camp Clean Up

This up coming weekend our 4H club has its annual fundraising Chicken BBQ and in preparation, we needed to complete a deer camp clean up on our friend's ranch where the fundraiser is being held.  

Get your boots on, girls!






 They are completely thrilled to be put to work.  Can you tell?





After sweeping, cob webbing, cleaning counters and such, it was time to do some serious BBQ for the clean up crew.  A venison ham was thawed from the prior year hunting season and put on the grill for what we call a "Flip Flop".

A Flip Flop is an old family and friend tradition where instead of cutting the venison ham into steaks, the ham is left in tack, on the bone and it's placed directly on the grill.  It is continually basted with a mixture of butter and Italian dressing, seared on one side, flipped over to the other and then the seared again.  The seared side is sliced off in thin layers.  The process repeats itself, flipping and flopping, until all the meat has been basted, seared and sliced.  Thus giving it the name, Flip Flop.





 This is one of my favorite meals.  We don't eat it very often but when we do, it is a huge treat.





 While the BBQ was going, a game of whiffle ball took place to work up an even bigger appetite.





It worked.  Finally.  Food.





 Happy faces all around.
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May 29, 2014

Sunset's Celebration Weekend...Come join the fun!

A FOOD LOVERS GUIDE TO SUNSET’S CELEBRATION WEEKEND MAY 31st and JUNE 1st, Menlo Park
From Celebrity Chefs and Wine Seminars to a Fermentation Bar, Celebration Weekend Highlights What’s “Next in the West” in Food

I was able to attend this event two years ago and it was fabulous.  I can't wait to see, sip and taste my way through this year!  Hope to see you there!



One of the biggest draws to Celebration Weekend is the cooking stage, which hosts some of the biggest culinary talent in the West. This year’s headliners includes renowned Italian chef, author, television personality and restaurateur Fabio Viviani. Other well-known food personalities include:


  • KGO radio host and host of TV’s Food Rush, Ryan Scott;
  • Waylynn Lucas, pastry chef, co-owner of LA’s Fonuts bakery; star of Bravo’s Eat Drink Love; and host of CNBC’s Restaurant Kickstart
  • Top Chef Master, James Beard Award finalist, author and public speaker Suvir Saran, and;
  • Sunset Food Editors Margo True and Elaine Johnson


At Sunset Celebration Weekend 2014: Next in the West there are many activities and exhibits perfect for the whole family. 

Some of the fun family activities you will find at Celebration Weekend include:

 ·         Highlighted Family AttractionsKid Zones:  Located throughout the Sunset campus, kids will have the opportunity to participate in fun activities including wall climbing and stiltwalking.  Don’t forget to stop by the Indiana Jones Kids’ Zone for a fun adventure!

·         Tasty Treats: Sunset will host the Bay Area’s most popular food trucks at Celebration Weekend, including  El Sur, Kettle Korner, Ultra Crepes, Sonoma Teriyaki and more.

·         Sunset’s “Small Space, Big Dreams” Garden Exhibit: This year is all about being small and mighty! Visit the five smart and stylish gardens that have transformed compact backyards into extraordinary outdoor living spaces.

·         Sunset Music Stage: The entire family will enjoy the live music playing throughout the weekend.  

·         Paint-a-Pot: Guests can paint and decorate their own terracotta garden pot for a colorful addition to your own home garden—or a great gift for father’s day, just a couple of weeks away.





A peek at last year's event.....
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May 28, 2014

Laughing Glass Cocktails for Memorial Weekend

Memorial Day weekend was a busy one for us.  Five parties throughout the weekend.  Great food, some yummy cocktails and fantastic company and good laughs.

A new, local company named Laughing Glass Cocktails, sent me a bottle of their ready-to-serve margaritas to try.  Thank you Laughing Glass!

The company was launched in 2013 by three friends from Marin county, with the same passion for creating a ready to serve margarita.





It is quite tasty, I found.....refreshing and not too sweet, just how I like my margaritas.  A six ounce glass is around 165 calories, it has a 12% alcohol content and this wine bottle size retails for about $17.99.  To learn more about Laughing Glass Cocktails and where to find it, click Here!






The afternoon temp, about 84 degrees at my friend, Catrina's pool, and was so relaxing, just perfect for lounging around, basking in the sun and eating, drinking and chatting. But if you're my friend, Sarah, she could do all that PLUS dive numerous times off the diving board......and then probably run 12 miles.  I, myself, cannot dive so snapping pics of Sarah flipping off the diving board has now become an annual Memorial/Labor Day tradition. She's awesome.  I'm envious.




More sparkling refreshments, a few cookies,



more lounge time,






and to end the swim day, what's more fun than a lopsided chicken fight?  Six foot five vs. four foot something.



I hope your Memorial weekend was a wonderful one!
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May 23, 2014

R.I.P. Grandpa/Great Grandpa George Grossi

Today marks the day that we lay to rest Great Grandpa George Grossi Sr.  After 93 years, he passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home, here on the ranch.  I am so happy both of our kids are old enough to retain the memories of him as they grow up.  Before he became home-bound a few years ago, he was out working on the ranch every day.  Our beef cattle were his hobby and part of his daily routine.  He would drive out to the pasture where they grazed and was there for the daily feeding on most mornings.

Here is how the Obituary read, written in collaboration by my father-in-law, George and his two sisters, Carol and Shirley.

George Anthony Grossi passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 17, 2014 in the presence of Mary Grossi, his wife of 67 years and all of their children. George was born on October 15, 1920, the youngest of 11 children born to Domenico and Teresa Grossi who emigrated to Marin County in the mid-1890's , each of them from a small village in the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland. George grew up on his parent's "Home Ranch" on Novato Boulevard, west of town. As a young man, one of George's jobs was delivering milk in cans to the Presidio in San Francisco during & after World War II. When he returned with his truck to his Novato ranch, he would quickly change his clothes and drive to Cotati, where dances were often held. It was at one of these Cotati dances that He met petite Mary Halter of Penngrove. They were married on December 28, 1946.

They made their home on his Novato ranch, where they raised their three children together. He was a devoted husband and father that valued his family above all else. George was also a dedicated dairy farmer and active member of the Marin County agriculture community throughout his life. He was honored in 2006, along with his brother Jim, as a lifetime member of the Marin County Farm Bureau. George was Blessed to live 93+ joyful years near his family and loved ones. He was an avid outdoors man who enjoyed hunting, fishing and just walking (He never used the word hiking) on his beloved land.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; son George D. (Annette) Grossi; daughter Carol (Rich) Ryan; daughter Shirley (Robin) Nosecchi; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his siblings, Eda Spaletta, Domingo Grossi, Elsie Grossi, Lilly McWhorter, James Grossi, Henry Grossi, Virginia Gallagher, Mary Rogers, Alfred Grossi, and Helen Bianchi.  

Some Family History

George Sr.'s father,  Domenico Grossi, and mother, Teresa set up seven of the ten kids that were interested in pursuing owning and running a dairy farm,  dairy ranches of their own.   In the 1940's, George acquired the ranch that we now call home.  It was almost 600 acres with Novato Blvd. running through it.  A few years later, he married his lovely bride, Mary.

George & Mary in the mid 50's



A few years of being on his own ranch, George was approached by the North Marin Water District asking to purchase 64 acres of the ranch so they could build Stafford Lake water shed.  George agreed and in 1952, the deal was done.  But it wasn't quite that easy because on the portion of land that was purchased by the water district, sat the family home, calf barn, the milking barn and the bunk house that housed the workers.  George and Mary also had two of their three kids by this time as well, Carol and George Jr.

George Sr. & George Jr.






The house and milking barn were demolished, the cement foundation of the milking barn still sits, planted at the bottom of Stafford Lake, where this past fall, with the very little amount of rain we were given, I was able to see the remains of the cement foundation.  The calf barn and bunk house were moved across the street.  The bunk house is still in working order to this day.  George and  Mary found a house for sale in downtown Novato, (on the corner of Grant Ave and Redwood Blvd.- for you locals-it's where Redwood Credit Union sits now) which they bought and had moved to the ranch.  It is now my in-laws house and has been added on and remodeled a few times in the past years.


Bunkhouse on wheels being moved across the street.





The water district also bought adjacent properties to the 64 acre Grossi parcel to complete their project.



R.I.P. Grandpa/Great Grandpa George.  He is in a better place now but he will always be here on the ranch, in spirit.  We will miss him, his sense of humor and his stories from long ago.   Thank you for all the memories.  Your legacy will live on for many years to come.

George Anthony Grossi 10/15/1920 - 5/17/2014 George Anthony Grossi passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 17, 2014 in the presence of Mary Grossi, his wife of 67 years and all of their children. George was born on October 15, 1920, the youngest of 11 children born to Domenico and Teresa Grossi who emigrated to Marin County in the mid-1890's, each of them from a small village in the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland. George grew up on his parent's "Home Ranch" on Novato Boulevard, west of town. As a young man, one of George's jobs was delivering milk in cans to the Presidio in San Francisco during and after World War II. When he returned with his truck to his Novato ranch, he would quickly change his clothes and drive to Cotati, where dances were often held. It was at one of these Cotati dances that He met petite Mary Halter of Penngrove. They were married on December 28, 1946. They made their home on his Novato ranch, where they raised their three children together. He was a devoted husband and father that valued his family above all else. George was also a dedicated dairy farmer and active member of the Marin County agriculture community throughout his life. He was honored in 2006, along with his brother Jim, as a lifetime member of the Marin County Farm Bureau. George was Blessed to live 93+ joyful years near his family and loved ones. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and just walking (He never used the word hiking) on his beloved land. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son George D. (Annette) Grossi; daughter Carol (Rich) Ryan; daughter Shirley (Robin) Nosecchi; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his siblings, Eda Spaletta, Domingo Grossi, Elsie Grossi, Lilly McWhorter, James Grossi, Henry Grossi, Virginia Gallagher, Mary Rogers, Alfred Grossi, and Helen Bianchi. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/marinij/obituary.aspx?n=george-anthony-grossi&pid=171088994&fhid=3061#sthash.sk7b1D0b.dpuf
George Anthony Grossi 10/15/1920 - 5/17/2014 George Anthony Grossi passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 17, 2014 in the presence of Mary Grossi, his wife of 67 years and all of their children. George was born on October 15, 1920, the youngest of 11 children born to Domenico and Teresa Grossi who emigrated to Marin County in the mid-1890's, each of them from a small village in the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland. George grew up on his parent's "Home Ranch" on Novato Boulevard, west of town. As a young man, one of George's jobs was delivering milk in cans to the Presidio in San Francisco during and after World War II. When he returned with his truck to his Novato ranch, he would quickly change his clothes and drive to Cotati, where dances were often held. It was at one of these Cotati dances that He met petite Mary Halter of Penngrove. They were married on December 28, 1946. They made their home on his Novato ranch, where they raised their three children together. He was a devoted husband and father that valued his family above all else. George was also a dedicated dairy farmer and active member of the Marin County agriculture community throughout his life. He was honored in 2006, along with his brother Jim, as a lifetime member of the Marin County Farm Bureau. George was Blessed to live 93+ joyful years near his family and loved ones. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and just walking (He never used the word hiking) on his beloved land. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son George D. (Annette) Grossi; daughter Carol (Rich) Ryan; daughter Shirley (Robin) Nosecchi; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his siblings, Eda Spaletta, Domingo Grossi, Elsie Grossi, Lilly McWhorter, James Grossi, Henry Grossi, Virginia Gallagher, Mary Rogers, Alfred Grossi, and Helen Bianchi. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/marinij/obituary.aspx?n=george-anthony-grossi&pid=171088994&fhid=3061#sthash.sk7b1D0b.dpuf
George Anthony Grossi passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 17, 2014 in the presence of Mary Grossi, his wife of 67 years and all of their children. George was born on October 15, 1920, the youngest of 11 children born to Domenico and Teresa Grossi who emigrated to Marin County in the mid-1890s, each of them from a small village in the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland. George grew up on his parent's "Home Ranch" on Novato Boulevard, west of town. As a young man, one of George's jobs was delivering milk in cans to the Presidio in San Francisco during and after World War II. When he returned with his truck to his Novato ranch, he would quickly change his clothes and drive to Cotati, where dances were often held. It was at one of these Cotati dances that He met petite Mary Halter of Penngrove. They were married on December 28, 1946.
They made their home on his Novato ranch, where they raised their three children together. He was a devoted husband and father that valued his family above all else. George was also a dedicated dairy farmer and active member of the Marin County agriculture community throughout his life. He was honored in 2006, along with his brother Jim, as a lifetime member of the Marin County Farm Bureau. George was blessed to live 93+ joyful years near his family and loved ones. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and just walking (He never used the word hiking) on his beloved land.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; son George D. (Annette) Grossi; daughter Carol (Rich) Ryan; daughter Shirley (Robin) Nosecchi; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his siblings, Eda Spaletta, Domingo Grossi, Elsie Grossi, Lilly McWhorter, James Grossi, Henry Grossi, Virginia Gallagher, Mary Rogers, Alfred Grossi, and Helen Bianchi.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22nd from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at Keaton's Redwood Chapel in Novato followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church on Friday, May 23rd at 11:00 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to your favorite charity .
Arrangements entrusted to Keaton's Redwood Chapel of Marin.
Published in Petaluma Argus-Courier from May 22 to June 21, 2014
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/petaluma360/obituary.aspx?n=george-anthony-grossi&pid=171085495&#sthash.7OpyeAhx.dpuf
George Anthony Grossi passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 17, 2014 in the presence of Mary Grossi, his wife of 67 years and all of their children. George was born on October 15, 1920, the youngest of 11 children born to Domenico and Teresa Grossi who emigrated to Marin County in the mid-1890s, each of them from a small village in the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland. George grew up on his parent's "Home Ranch" on Novato Boulevard, west of town. As a young man, one of George's jobs was delivering milk in cans to the Presidio in San Francisco during and after World War II. When he returned with his truck to his Novato ranch, he would quickly change his clothes and drive to Cotati, where dances were often held. It was at one of these Cotati dances that He met petite Mary Halter of Penngrove. They were married on December 28, 1946.
They made their home on his Novato ranch, where they raised their three children together. He was a devoted husband and father that valued his family above all else. George was also a dedicated dairy farmer and active member of the Marin County agriculture community throughout his life. He was honored in 2006, along with his brother Jim, as a lifetime member of the Marin County Farm Bureau. George was blessed to live 93+ joyful years near his family and loved ones. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and just walking (He never used the word hiking) on his beloved land.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; son George D. (Annette) Grossi; daughter Carol (Rich) Ryan; daughter Shirley (Robin) Nosecchi; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his siblings, Eda Spaletta, Domingo Grossi, Elsie Grossi, Lilly McWhorter, James Grossi, Henry Grossi, Virginia Gallagher, Mary Rogers, Alfred Grossi, and Helen Bianchi.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22nd from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at Keaton's Redwood Chapel in Novato followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church on Friday, May 23rd at 11:00 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to your favorite charity .
Arrangements entrusted to Keaton's Redwood Chapel of Marin.
Published in Petaluma Argus-Courier from May 22 to June 21, 2014
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/petaluma360/obituary.aspx?n=george-anthony-grossi&pid=171085495&#sthash.7OpyeAhx.dpuf
George Anthony Grossi passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 17, 2014 in the presence of Mary Grossi, his wife of 67 years and all of their children. George was born on October 15, 1920, the youngest of 11 children born to Domenico and Teresa Grossi who emigrated to Marin County in the mid-1890s, each of them from a small village in the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland. George grew up on his parent's "Home Ranch" on Novato Boulevard, west of town. As a young man, one of George's jobs was delivering milk in cans to the Presidio in San Francisco during and after World War II. When he returned with his truck to his Novato ranch, he would quickly change his clothes and drive to Cotati, where dances were often held. It was at one of these Cotati dances that He met petite Mary Halter of Penngrove. They were married on December 28, 1946.
They made their home on his Novato ranch, where they raised their three children together. He was a devoted husband and father that valued his family above all else. George was also a dedicated dairy farmer and active member of the Marin County agriculture community throughout his life. He was honored in 2006, along with his brother Jim, as a lifetime member of the Marin County Farm Bureau. George was blessed to live 93+ joyful years near his family and loved ones. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and just walking (He never used the word hiking) on his beloved land.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; son George D. (Annette) Grossi; daughter Carol (Rich) Ryan; daughter Shirley (Robin) Nosecchi; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his siblings, Eda Spaletta, Domingo Grossi, Elsie Grossi, Lilly McWhorter, James Grossi, Henry Grossi, Virginia Gallagher, Mary Rogers, Alfred Grossi, and Helen Bianchi. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/petaluma360/obituary.aspx?n=george-anthony-grossi&pid=171085495&#sthash.7OpyeAhx.dpufGeorge Anthony Grossi passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 17, 2014 in the presence of Mary Grossi, his wife of 67 years and all of their children. George was born on October 15, 1920, the youngest of 11 children born to Domenico and Teresa Grossi who emigrated to Marin County in the mid-1890s, each of them from a small village in the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland. George grew up on his parent's "Home Ranch" on Novato Boulevard, west of town. As a young man, one of George's jobs was delivering milk in cans to the Presidio in San Francisco during and after World War II. When he returned with his truck to his Novato ranch, he would quickly change his clothes and drive to Cotati, where dances were often held. It was at one of these Cotati dances that He met petite Mary Halter of Penngrove. They were married on December 28, 1946.
They made their home on his Novato ranch, where they raised their three children together. He was a devoted husband and father that valued his family above all else. George was also a dedicated dairy farmer and active member of the Marin County agriculture community throughout his life. He was honored in 2006, along with his brother Jim, as a lifetime member of the Marin County Farm Bureau. George was blessed to live 93+ joyful years near his family and loved ones. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and just walking (He never used the word hiking) on his beloved land.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; son George D. (Annette) Grossi; daughter Carol (Rich) Ryan; daughter Shirley (Robin) Nosecchi; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his siblings, Eda Spaletta, Domingo Grossi, Elsie Grossi, Lilly McWhorter, James Grossi, Henry Grossi, Virginia Gallagher, Mary Rogers, Alfred Grossi, and Helen Bianchi
George Anthony Grossi passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 17, 2014 in the presence of Mary Grossi, his wife of 67 years and all of their children. George was born on October 15, 1920, the youngest of 11 children born to Domenico and Teresa Grossi who emigrated to Marin County in the mid-1890s, each of them from a small village in the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland. George grew up on his parent's "Home Ranch" on Novato Boulevard, west of town. As a young man, one of George's jobs was delivering milk in cans to the Presidio in San Francisco during and after World War II. When he returned with his truck to his Novato ranch, he would quickly change his clothes and drive to Cotati, where dances were often held. It was at one of these Cotati dances that He met petite Mary Halter of Penngrove. They were married on December 28, 1946.
They made their home on his Novato ranch, where they raised their three children together. He was a devoted husband and father that valued his family above all else. George was also a dedicated dairy farmer and active member of the Marin County agriculture community throughout his life. He was honored in 2006, along with his brother Jim, as a lifetime member of the Marin County Farm Bureau. George was blessed to live 93+ joyful years near his family and loved ones. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and just walking (He never used the word hiking) on his beloved land.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; son George D. (Annette) Grossi; daughter Carol (Rich) Ryan; daughter Shirley (Robin) Nosecchi; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his siblings, Eda Spaletta, Domingo Grossi, Elsie Grossi, Lilly McWhorter, James Grossi, Henry Grossi, Virginia Gallagher, Mary Rogers, Alfred Grossi, and Helen Bianchi
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May 22, 2014

Corn and Avocado Salsa!

Here's a twist on your guacamole/salsa recipe...Corn and Avocado Salsa.  Perfect for your Memorial weekend party.  Fresh, healthy, chunky and devine looking.  Throwing some black beans in the mix might be a fun twist as well!

Photo and recipe courtesy Pillsbury


Corn and Avocado Salsa

Ingredients

1
can (11 oz) Green Giant™ SteamCrisp® Mexicorn® whole kernel corn, red and green peppers, drained
1
medium tomato, seeded, chopped
2
medium green onions, sliced (2 tablespoons)
2
tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2
tablespoons fresh lime juice
1
tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
1/4
teaspoon garlic salt
1/4
to 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1
medium avocado, pitted, peeled and coarsely chopped
1
bag (5 oz) Green Giant™ garden ranch roasted veggie tortilla chips
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