I had never been to the restaurant before and as we got out of the car and approached the entrance, my heart was racing. That’s when we took this photo.

My friend Jodie Evans, Scott, me and Richard in front of Chez Panisse when we arrived the afternoon of the 31st. My heart was racing I was so excited to finally be at Chez Panisse

We got there in time for a late lunch. Here are some photos of what we ate. There were a lot more dishes but I forgot to photograph everything. Beginning with something as simple as the various olives and continuing on, you’d take a bite and realize that never in your life had you ever experienced the particular flavor before. All extremely subtle but orgasmicly great. Take the nettle pizza for instance. I took a bite and after a few seconds, a new flavorful taste hit the back of my throat in the most delicious and unique way.

Scott Peacock, Alice Waters, me and Richard

This was part of our luncheon...nettles and pizza. It was to die for. As was all the food

Although the restaurant was a hub of activity getting ready for their biggest night of the year—a Chez Panisse traditional party, Alice sat with us and was a calm and lovely as could be. I’d have been a nervous wreak. Scott Peacock, a friend from Atlanta where he was renown chef at Watershed, was with us. An old friend of Alice’s, he was going to cook a traditional southern New Year’s Day brunch of Hoppin’ John and ham…the collard greens represent bills, the black eyed peas represent coins and the ham, good fortune.

After lunch, Jodie, Richard and I laughed ourselves silly at the new “Fockers” movie. Truly funny—Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller are perfectly matched foils for each other.

New Year’s celebrations were had back in Chez Panisse, complete with paper hats, horns and streamers, fabulous food and dancing. It was a perfect way to ring in what, I feel deeply, will be a good new year.

Beautiful Alice Waters, her beau Greg, my dear friend from Atlanta, chef and writer Scott Peacock.

New Years festivities.

We got back last night and this morning I had brunch with my son, daughter-in-law and BBF, Paula Weinstein and her daughter, Hannah (my Goddaughter) and our dearest friend, Molly Rhodes.

I feel optimistic, full of love and friendship and am back working on my book!! And here I thought that was over. My editor surprised me with a swath of new changes she suddenly sprung on me. Yikes!

I can hardly believe it but 2 years ago tomorrow, I started blogging for the first time while en route to New York to start rehearsals for “33 Variations,” the first Broadway play I had done in 46 years.

Tuesday, I begin rehearsals to do it again here at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. I have never done theatre here and I am very excited—to rejoin the cast (only 2 new cast members), our wonderful writer/director Moises Kaufman, and our stage manager, Linda Marvel. This is also the first time I have done a play for the 2nd time and I am curious to see what will be new, what discoveries I will make having had 2 more years of growing up. And here I am, still blogging. I intend to do as I did while in the play in NY…blog every day about the experience. We open to previews January 30th.

Happy New Year to all. Love, Jane

Last Saturday, My dear friends Jodie Evans and Max Palevsky, invited Richard and me to join them at their table at a fundraiser at the Armand Hammer Museum in Westwood. It was a good evening for lots of reasons. I had never been to the museum and definitely want to go back. Clearly it is a courageous place, very cutting edge. Then, too, I saw lots of friends I hadn’t seen in a long time and I sat next to Jodie who told me a little about her recent trip to Afghanistan with an American delegation that included a retired colonel, and member the State Department. While there, she met with people ranging from the brother of President Karzai, Afghan members of Parliament, activists, to warlords and members of the Taliban. Jodie is co-founder of the peace organization, Code Pink, and always willing to go to any lengths to try and find out what’s really going on. Bottom line: everyone she met with wants the U.S. Military out of their country. They feel our presence there has brought more violence rather than security. Please read a short article she wrote about the trip which is on the Women’s Media Center website.