Hello

Jamaica was the trip of a lifetime! We had the pleasure of going with our Los Angeles friends, who we sadly don't get to see as much as we used too. Someone asked where I would recommend in Jamaica, here are few spots on the West and South side.

http://www.beachcliff.com absolutely wonderful vacation rental full of charm, with two private beaches. The only down fall with this place is the music can be loud on certain nights.

Rockhouse in Negril is wonderful.

Jake's in Treasure beach is amazing! If you go to treasure beach be sure to go to the pelican bar, it is situated on a reef (25 min boat ride) and made of driftwood. They will serve you delicious lobster curry meals. I'll post some photo's of this.

We just got back from the UK late last night. Hannah suffered from jet lag this trip, which is no fun, but thankfully over within two days.

So check out the new restaurant online at www.thetipsypigsf.com !!! It's been a smash success so far, but these are early days.

See you later,
Christie

Hallo

Jan 2009...Holy smokes...it feels like yesterday we were blaring the Prince song "I'm going to party like it 1999". Where did the last 9 years go? Guess I've been having a good time!

Man , the inaguration for Barack Obama was so moving! Could have watched TV all day, but it inspired my to get off my tail and work on the restaurant. Which by the way now has a name. "The Tipsy Pig" is the name that won. My father in law came up with it. At apple farms they send the pigs out to eat the fallen apples, but the apples ferment and turn to sugar, therefore getting the pigs tipsy. I love it!!!

I've had some trying days doing this design thing, very much looking forward to it being wrapped up. We will be heading to Jamaica for a little vacation after the restaurant opens. This is our second time to Jamaica. It is an unbelievable place full of delicious food, beautiful scenery, culture, nice people, and chilled times. If you ever plan to go, DO NOT stay at one of the big chain hotels. Rent a small/big place with friends, watch the sunset into the sea , with a rum cocktail in your hand. Ah...can't wait!

Christie

Hallo

Ah...December...here we go. I turn 35 this month...yikes! And then there's Christmas. So we are going to have a glam Christmas/Birthday celebration! Being on the soap all those years, makes me want to dress up as much as possible.

Someone asked if I had a Christmas recipe. I usually make new things out of gourmet magazine. But I could recommend getting some cocktail shrimp from Costco or Trader Joes. Get two bowls of different sizes, put the large one on the bottom and fill with water. Then add second bowl and press it down so that it is rim to rim with the larger bowl. Weight the top bowl down with something heavy that you can freeze(frozen oj can's) And then tape the top bowl rim to the bottom bowl rim to make it flat. Add some sort of green leaf or colorful flower to the water and then put in the freezer for 24hrs. Take out right before your party and put it under cold water to let the ice bowl release from two bowls. Put shrimp in ice bowl and serve with cocktail sauce and a little horseradish for extra flair.

We are going lite on the gift giving this year, which I'm sure many people are. I only have to buy seven gifts this year...super sweet. The restaurant is supposedly going to be finished by the end of January. Still way too much to do. Having a outstanding time pretending to be a real designer.

Happy Holidays!!!!

Christie

Hey There

Hey there, Turkey day is around the corner! About 30 of us are renting a house in the Sonoma area of California. I'm in charge of stuffing this year and decorating the table. Thanksgiving is hands down my favorite holiday. Something about the fall really makes me want to live like a hobbit and cook and get cozy. Anyone have any stuffing recipes that they think is out of this world? If not I'll check out www.epicurous.com which has fantastic stuff.

I'm over the moon that Obama won, and still can't believe it! Anyway, enjoy your family on Thanksgiving and talk to you soon!

Christie

Hi

Two weeks away from the election. Exciting and scary times(economy). I'd like to know who you are voting for. I'll be voting for Obama. If you are voting for the other guy, it doesn't mean we can't be friends.

My friend and I went to the Democratic convention in 2004, and we heard Obama speak, and I remember thinking who is this guy that is giving every one the chills with his words. Four years later, we might be electing this man to be president. In my heart of hearts, it seems to me that Obama would really try and change things and do right by the people. And I think each of us will only see that a few times in our lifetimes. Could be another extremely close race.

Hannah is almost eight months!!! Where the hell did that time go? Unbelievable. The little lady now has two teeth, and the doctor says she is the length of ten month old. Sure am getting Madonna arms, which are much better than my bingo flaps before.........................

The new restaurant is coming along nicely and I'm very excited. The list of things to do just keeps growing. I need to figure out how to manage restaurant/ Hannah/husband/flossing my teeth time. Today I got up at 5:30am just so I could have a normal shower and shave my legs. It was a nice way to start the day actually. But I don't see it turning into a ritual, being that it's much nicer to hit the snooze button and cuddle with my man, until Hannah cries.

Hope you are all doing well!

Christie

Hallo

Awesome...our summer has just started in SF. It started on Sept.1st just like clock work. High temperatures but with that ocean air blowing just ever so slightly.

Keeping myself EXTREMELY busy at the moment. I'm like a chicken with my head cut off, try to manage my time. I'll say it again, that acting job was a piece of cake, compared to motherhood. Hannah is a very easy going baby, and she's all smiles and giggles at the moment. And her first pearly whites(teeth) are popping through the skin, and even then she's very chill. THANK GOODNESS.

The design of the restaurant is coming along nicely. It should be open in Jan of 2009!!! I've found this place in Marin that has all eco friendly design products, and the quality of the products are amazing. Check out www.greenfusiondesigncenter.com Maybe there is something in your area that is doing the same thing.

I checked out Mendoza on the last comment page, and it is absolutely beautiful. Reminds me of the scenery from "Lord of the rings". And I'll look into getting Dr. Fuhrman's book. Thanks for the helpful hints and travel tips.

Bye for now,
Christie

Hallo

Hello,

San Francisco is extremely foggy in July and August, try not to come visit the city during this time. You'd think we would plan our trips during this time, but it seems we haven't quite learned our lesson. It seems we are always going to a wedding in June in the UK, and that uses up our vacation time. The rest of the year is pretty spectacular in this city!

Man, the opening ceremony for the Olympics was very dazzling! Watching this always makes me want to get fit. If only it could be on all the time for inspiration.

So I've been asked to design the interior for another restaurant in SF! This time it's a gastro pub, which is basically a pub setting with delicious organic food. What I"m most excited about it the back garden. There aren't a lot of outdoor restaurants in the city, so it's a real jewel. It's the same team that I worked with for Mamacita. www.vintage415.com Very excited about this new venture. Just trying to figure out how to balance baby tending and designing at the same time.

Christie