Homemade cinnamon buns

We got a bread maker recently - a hand-me-down. My husband was not pleased - one more appliance to clutter up the house. But then I made these cinnamon buns and now he wants me to keep it!

This was a loooonnng process - about three hours. Made the dough in the breadmaker and then rolled it out, slathered it with melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon, rolled it up and sliced it.

Then they sat for awhile, before going into the oven to bake. I should have baked them longer because some were a little doughy at the bottom (not that anyone complained). Here they are fully baked, but without the icing.

Coming Up: Figaro Family Workshop - Free

This Saturday (tomorrow), take the kids to learn about opera and the Marriage of Figaro in this free San Francisco Opera workshop. You'll learn about Mozart's comedy classic. Here's what htey say about it: Do you know Figaro? Join Merola and the San Francisco Opera Education Department as we introduce families to the magic of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. 

When: Saturday, July 27 from 1:30-2:30
Where: War Memorial Opera House (enter through the stage door on the north side of the Opera house - on Franklin between Grove and Fulton Streets - across from the SF Ballet)
Who: 7+
Cost: Free
RSVP: email DMeagher@SFOpera.com
Info: more here

Coming Up: Recycling Camp

We did a lot of camp posts for this summer, and I realize that there's still time left! I saw this and had to post.

Diablo Recycling is offering two hours camps every Thursday in August in Pittsburg, CA. The kids can learn about recycling first hand - at a recycling site! Campers get a tours of the 90,000  square foot facility featuring the recycling machine (Big Blue) and his buddy, the baler (Big Wall-e). You'll learn about the 4 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle, respect the earth). You'll learn about what types of recycling materials are acceptable, play interactive games and make art from reusable items. They even provide a healthy snack!

When: 10-noon, Thursdays in August (you would attend one session) - August 8, 15, 22, and 20
Who: all ages - adults welcome - camp limited to 30 participants
Where: 1300 Loveridge Road, Pittsburg, CA
Cost: Free
RSVP: Adriana Medina by phone: (925) 771-2721 or email Adriana@Garaventaent.com

Coming Up: Sunday Streets in the Mission

The next San Francisco's Sunday Streets is in the Mission. Are you going?

Sunday Streets is a "a safe, fun, car-free place for people to get out and get active in San Francisco neighborhoods." They'll have free activities like hip hop dance lessons, climbing wall, car show, live music, free bike rentals, yoga, pilates, arts/crafts and more. 

This Sunday, July 28th, Valencia and 24th Streets, from 11-4. Details and map here.

Please vote for Frisco Kids!

The new Circle of Moms 2013 top 25 Norcal Moms blog list came out - though to stay on that list I'll need your votes. Please stop by - it will only take a few seconds (seriously!) and vote for Frisco Kids. And you can check out the other Bay Area blogs on there too - as long as you vote for mine. You don't even need to register. You can vote once every 24 hours. Thank you in advance for your support!

Coming Up: Chronicle Books Sale - 65% off

Chronicle Books is having its back to school warehouse sale, where everything in the store will be 65% off. This is a great time to get holiday and teacher gifts! They'll have cookbooks, kids' books, lifestyle and home, art/craft/design, photography, travel, pop culture and music titles. And journals and stationery.

Where: Chronicle Books Corporate Headquarters, 680 Second Street, San Francisco
When: Wednesday - Friday, July 31 - August 2; from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m

Review: TCHO Factory Tour in San Francsico

I've been wanting to tour TCHO, and finally had the chance. I didn't realize it was so close to Fisherman's Wharf and right next to the Exploratorium. We managed to get on a tour last minute (thanks to those who didn't show up - we owe you one!). (Please note, TCHO moved to Berekeley in March, 2014)

TCHO is the phonetic spelling of the first syllable of chocolate. They call TCHO the new American chocolate. It was founded in 2005 by a NASA space shuttle engineer and founders of Wired magazine, who wanted to make chocolate used by professional companies (i.e. not just eaten by consumers). They partner with companies like Sam Adams, and many chefs/restaurants as well, including Per Se in New York City, Smitten ice cream (interesting New York Times article about that).

At TCHO you'll see