It’s the first full weekend of March! The Bay Area is brimming with fun events for the whole family. Check it out!

The Livermore Farmer’s Market is sure to delight! Come out every Sunday, all year long, for some of the Bay Area’s freshest finds from 10AM to 2PM. The market is adjacent to the Historical Train Depot. Click here to learn more. 

A C.S. Lewis classic is coming to Pleasanton this weekend! Take a trip to the magical and mysterious land of Narnia with the Civic Arts Stage Company as they present The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Show times are Saturday, March 7 at 2:30PM and 7:30PM at the Firehouse Arts Center. Get tickets here.

Experience music, plenty of laughs and the rich history of blues this weekend in Livermore! The Official Blues Brothers Revue is hitting the stage at the Bankhead Theater this Saturday, March 7 at 8PM. Sing along to tunes from “Soul Man” to “Gimme Some Lovin’” and more. For tickets, click here. 

Shop for great book deals this weekend in Dublin! The Friends of the Dublin Library present their semi-annual used book sale on Sunday, March 8 from 1 to 4PM. Get more details here.

Don’t forget we’re springing ahead this weekend! Daylight saving time happens this Sunday.

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Check out the great things happening in Pleasanton and Livermore on Saturday and Sunday.

Your little ones are sure to love this weekend event! Family Storytime is happening this Saturday, February 28 at the Civic Center Library in Livermore. Enjoy singing, dancing, reading and more at 10AM. To learn more, click here. 

Kids can become an inventor this weekend in Pleasanton! The Lawrence Hall of Science Inventor’s Workshop: Roller Coaster Engineer is taking place this Saturday, February 28 for children in first through fifth grade. They’ll custom design and make a table-top marble roller coaster and learn about physics while they’re at it. The fun starts at 1:30PM. Click here to register.

Friends of the Livermore Library are hosting their monthly sale this weekend! Come out for great deals on books on Sunday, March 1 from 12PM to 4PM at the outdoor plaza of the former library. For more info, go here.

Get ready to be taken to the opera this weekend in Pleasanton! The Livermore Valley Opera will perform arias and duets from Lucia di Lammermoor on Sunday, March 1 at the Pleasanton Library at 2PM. This one-hour performance also includes a question and answer session for the audience. Get more info, here.

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Treat your sweetheart to a scrumptious dish this Valentine’s Day.

Rack of Lamb with Mustard-Shallot Sauce

PREPARATION: 15 MIN

TOTAL TIME: 45 MIN

SERVINGS: 2

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons vegetable oil

2 1/2-pound frenched rack of lamb

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 medium shallots, thinly sliced

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth

1 tablespoon whole grain mustard

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons chopped thyme

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil until simmering. Season the lamb with salt and pepper. Add the lamb to the skillet, fat side down, and cook over moderately high heat until richly browned, about 3 minutes. Turn the lamb fat side up and cook for 2 minutes longer. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the rack for about 20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the meat registers 125°F for medium-rare. Transfer the lamb to a carving board and let rest for 10 minutes.

2. Discard the fat in the skillet. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil and the shallots to the skillet and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the whole grain, Dijon mustard and the thyme. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.

3. Carve the lamb into chops and arrange on warmed plates. Spoon the sauce over the lamb and serve.

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Are you ready for some football? With the big game approaching – you’ll definitely want to have a delicious recipe to whip up for your party guests to enjoy.

One-Pot Sticky Chicken Wings

·         TOTAL TIME: 40 MIN

·         SERVINGS: 6

1.        3 pounds chicken wings, wing tips removed and wings cut into 2 pieces

2.       2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

3.       4 small dried red chiles

4.       2 whole-star anise

5.       1 3-inch cinnamon stick

6.       1/3 cup soy sauce

7.       1/3 cup sake

8.      3 tablespoons oyster sauce

9.      3 tablespoons mirin

10.    3 tablespoons sugar

11.    2 scallions, thinly sliced

1.       In a very large nonstick skillet (or in batches), cook the chicken wings over moderate heat, turning once, until golden, about 8 minutes. Add the ginger, chiles, star anise and cinnamon and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

2.      Add the soy sauce, sake, oyster sauce, mirin, sugar and 1/3 cup of water and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the wings are cooked through and the sauce has reduced to a thick glaze, about 8 minutes. Discard the chiles, star anise and cinnamon. Transfer the chicken wings to a platter, scatter the scallions on top and serve.

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Seasonal changes definitely take place in Northern California! And along with that comes certain maintenance chores that are specific to the weather. Here are some great tips to keep your living and outdoor space in tip-top shape all year long.

Get to mowing. Did you know that you should mow your leaves instead of raking them during the winter? The cut-up leaves will fall among your grass blades and help nourish the lawn during the cooler months.

Spring is the best time to fertilize your lawn so it keeps looking great throughout the summer months.

Keeping it clean. Remember to replace and clean filters in your home once a month!  You’ll also need to check and clean your dryer vent, air conditioner and ceiling fans.

Safety first. Change smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries twice a year (a good rule of thumb – replace the batteries when the time changes in the fall and the spring). Inspect your fire extinguisher at the same time to make sure it’s working properly.

Tree-trimming time. Late winter is the ideal time to prune your trees and shrubs. Your plants have lain dormant and prepared for spring growth. A trimming will encourage their bloom.

Flip the switch. Make sure your ceiling fan blades are reversed during the cold months to help circulate hot air into a room. And here’s more great news – you’ll save money with this helpful tip due to increased energy efficiency. Flip the switch back in the warmer months to ensure the circulation of cool air.

Chim – Chimney. Now’s the time to have a professional chimney sweep clean out your fireplace. Getting rid of soot buildup during the cold months is more than just a matter of cleanliness. A deep clean of the chimney might prevent fire.

No gutter trouble. Clean your gutters so that leaves and debris don’t result in a clog! You’ll also want to clean your drain pipes and position them to drain away from your home. Put this on your schedule every spring and fall.

Another purpose for curtains. They’re not just for shade! Layer your window décor to make your home even warmer during the winter. Cotton flannel or curtains made of insulation material will do the trick.

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There’s so much to do in the Bay Area this weekend! Check out all of the great events happening on Saturday and Sunday.

Experience art this weekend in San Jose! The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art is hosting the first Bay Area exhibition of Colombia-based artist Leyla Cardenas. See Scarcity, her city-specific works, this Saturday and Sunday. Click here to learn more.

Get ready to get connected and stay connected with Pleasanton this weekend! The Make a Difference for Pleasanton Festival invites you to explore the possibilities of community service near home. Come out to learn about volunteer opportunities this Saturday, January 17 from 10AM to 2PM. Learn more here.

Watch Les Miserables come to life this weekend in Livermore! Set in the 19^th century, this story by Victor Hugo hits the stage at the Bankhead Theater this Sunday, January 18 at 2PM. For tickets, click here. 

Wearable technology plus the health care industry equals Body Metrics! Come see Kaiser Permanente’s® cool exhibit this weekend at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. For more info click here. 

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Coventry Phase I Sales Release – January 17, 2015 – Potential purchasers must be pre-qualified by 4pm on January 16, 2015 with one of Ponderosa Homes’ preferred lenders to participate!

Phase I of Coventry in Livermore will be available for sale on Saturday, January 17. This first phase of homes will be sold by lottery on Saturday, January 17. Prices are expected to start in the low $700,000s. Lottery and sales release guidelines are available upon request.

Things you need to know to purchase in Phase I:

1. Preview the site map, floor plans and amenities online at: http://www.ponderosahomes.com/northern-california/coventry-livermore/.

2. Then contact one of Ponderosa’s preferred lenders to get pre-qualified for financing or to have liquid cash assets verified for a cash purchase. Pre-qualification letters from outside lenders will not be accepted. Contact them early; do not wait until the last minute.

Omni Mortgage: Charlene Low at 800-719-9898 Toll Free Voice

Wells Fargo: Devoreaha (Devora) Smith at 877-868-0295 or Email at

[email protected]

3. Bring your pre-qualification letter to Coventry by Ponderosa Homes, located at 2157 Cameron Circle, Pleasanton, (925) 399-5798, during business hours (Thurs –  Sun, 10am –  5pm and Mon, 2 –  5pm) and you will be entered in the lottery for Phase I. Registration for Phase I will end on Friday, January 16 at 4pm.

Coventry

1521 Morning Glory Circle

Livermore, CA 94551

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This weekend brings plenty to do in the Bay Area. See all that you can explore near home in the coming days.

It’s all about cars this weekend in San Jose! The Silicon Valley International Auto Show is happening this Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Click here to learn more.

It’s all about music this weekend in Pleasanton! The Vintage Brass Quintet brings masterful horn playing to the Pleasanton Public Library on Sunday, January 11 at 2PM. For more info, go here.

Volunteer at one of the biggest events of the year this weekend in San Jose! The annual pruning of the roses is taking place at the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to prune the 3,500 rose bushes, and everyone is invited to help! Come out this Saturday, January 10 from 8:30AM to 12PM. Learn more here.

The Kingston Trio is hitting the stage this weekend in Livermore! The American folk music ensemble’s tight harmonies, smooth vocals and classic sounds will have you singing along this Saturday, January 10 at the Bankhead Theater at 8PM. For tickets, click here.

It’s time to create this weekend in Pleasanton! The Lawrence Hall of Science Inventor’s Workshop: “Wobble Bots” is happening this Saturday, January 10 at 1:30PM. This workshop for grades 3-5 presents a hands-on experience in electrical engineering. Click here for more info. 

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What better way to welcome the new year than with a sweet recipe that everyone will love—and one that pairs well with champagne!

Rum Balls

Served chilled, these balls are formed when a batch of brownies is broken into bits, flavored with dark rum, and rolled.

YIELD: MAKES 4 DOZEN

INGREDIENTS

• Vegetable oil, cooking spray
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) of unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 6 ounces of semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup packed of light-brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of coarse salt
• 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of dark rum
• Coarse sanding sugar, for rolling

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Coat a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray; set aside. Melt butter and chocolate in a small heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

2. Whisk together eggs, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. Stir in chocolate mixture and fold in flour. Pour batter into prepared baking sheet. Spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Bake about 10 minutes, until top is shiny and a cake tester, inserted into center, comes out with some crumbs attached. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

3. Break up brownie into small pieces; transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. With machine on low speed, pour in rum and mix until crumbs start to come together to form a ball.

4. Shape into 1-inch balls and roll in sanding sugar to coat. Transfer to a baking sheet. Refrigerate uncovered about 2 hours, until cold. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Have a happy New Year!

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This yummy recipe is sure to make your Christmas morning even better! Enjoy!

Mascarpone-Stuffed French Toast with Salted Caramel-Banana Sauce

Makes:

6 servings

Prep:

20 mins

Chill:

2 hrs to 24 hrs

Bake:

1 hr at 375°F

Ingredients 

12 slices of Texas toast

1 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened

½ cup of mascarpone cheese

½ cup of chopped pecans or macadamia nuts, toasted

2 tablespoons of  packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon of salt

6 eggs, lightly beaten

3 cups of milk

¼ teaspoon of salt

1 serving of salted caramel-banana sauce (recipe below)

Directions

1. Arrange half of the bread slices in a single layer in a 3-quart rectangular baking dish. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, mascarpone cheese, pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Spread cheese mixture evenly over bread in baking dish. Top with the remaining bread slices to make six stacks.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and salt. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread stacks, covering all of the tops. Cover with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 2 hours, up to 24 hours.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Arrange bread stacks in the prepared pan. Bake about 1 hour or until golden, turning stacks every 15 minutes. Serve warm with salted caramel-banana sauce.

Salted Caramel-Banana Sauce

Ingredients 

¾ cup of packed brown sugar

½ cup of whipping cream

½ cup of butter

2 tablespoons of light-color corn syrup

1 teaspoon of vanilla

½ teaspoon of sea salt

1 banana

Directions

1. In a heavy medium saucepan stir together brown sugar, whipping cream, butter and light-color corn syrup. Bring to boiling over medium-high heat, whisking occasionally; reduce heat to medium. Boil gently for 3 minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and sea salt. Pour into a small bowl. Cool to room temperature. If desired, cover and chill for up to 24 hours. (If chilled, let stand at room temperature for 1 hour before serving.) Stir in banana, thinly sliced.

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