Continue reading

Shhhhhh! Don't tell anyone, but this is my secret ingredient for my glaze (ham, chicken or lamb)! Aloha! Posted with Blogsy Continue reading

It's 10:00 am and the outside thermador reads 70 degrees. As I have said before, "Only in California" can you harvest your citrus, on a sunny, warm March morning. March is one of my favorite months, in Central California. The days are warming, the California Poppies & Lupine start to bloom. Fruit & nut trees have already blossomed but the wild mustard starts to flower between the trees. There's a blanket of yellow, in the orchards & vineyards, that screams "Spring is Here". The San Francisco & Monterey bays usually are experiencing sunny, mild days (i.e. no fog). Everyone is... Continue reading

Here's another musical flashback. When I hear this song, I remember being a teenager and hanging out with my "Bestie", Beth. This song brings a smile on my face, just like now, while writting this post. Oh yes, the days of when we would listen to records/vinyl (The Beatles, Elton John, ELO), eating Pringles and playing ping pong, all day long. These were the days of bell bottom jeans, platform sandels and cruising the El Camino Real. So without further ado......Crackerbox Palace! Continue reading

A past sunrise. Enjoy. Continue reading

Today's Flashback is more of Birthday wishes to the late, great, complex Edward Gorey. My first exposure to Mr. Gorey's work was the animated intro to PBS Mystery Theater. I thought Mr. Gorey was British, because his art had an English sensiablity to me,and his art was the opening of a BBC series, but he was American! I enjoyed the "Gothic" themes, in the black & white frames, with a surprised peek of color. In fact, one of my favorite color combo's is black & white, with a red contrast. I wonder if this was influenced by Mr. Gorey? Without... Continue reading

Ventana Inn-2010 It's hard to believe that it's been 3 years, this weekend, when I shot these pictures. But it's even harder to grasp, is that this was the last time I visited Big Sur, with my mother. 3 months after this visit, she would be dead. Maybe what's harder is the realization that this wonderful, magical place will always be en-twinged with memories of my family & my mother. T hat Big Sur, can't just be a destination for me, too many stories, too many wonderful memories. It's part of my California life. I haven't lived there but I... Continue reading

I haven't had Crawfish. It's strange that I haven't, considering I eat all sorts of fish & shell fish. After several visits to New Orleans, I still haven't had Crawfish. But I really want to try the little "mud bugs". Supposedly, you can find them in the Sacramento Delta and there's even a Crawdad Festival. Side note: I didn't know that there are two names for the same creature and it's regional. Crawfish is a southern term/name & Crawdad is elsewhere. Go figure! There is even a right way to eat this little buggers, How to Eat Crawfish. Also there... Continue reading

This week's Flashback has a Christmas slant. I don't know about you, but I get burned out on the same holiday songs being sung over and over again. Don't get me wrong, I do like the traditional carols. It's just after awhile the songs start to get stale. So I am always on the look out for something new and snappy. Here's this year's pick. Enjoy. Santa Stole My Lady Continue reading

In Kauai, beside a Koi Pond, many years ago, these ravinous fish poised for little ole me. They facinated me. I could have watched them for hours, except they would haress me for food. What is it about fish & water, that is so calming? Continue reading

As I rush to beat the approaching winter storm, to harvest the stragglers, in the vegetable garden. I took a moment to say my final goodbye to Indian Summer and hello winter. Ta dah! The Last Harvest Continue reading

Today's my niece's birthday. Twenty-five years, ago today, I became an Aunt. Her birth gave me, my first grown-up role, within my family, an Aunt. I love being an "Auntie". But I am digressing from my original intent for this post. The point is that twenty-five years have gone by and it seems like maybe 5 years. So much life has been lived in those twenty five years and bam! They are over. The newborn child is an independent, 25 year old woman. Here is the kicker or mindblower, hence this post. She is the same age as I was,... Continue reading

Aloha, my beautiful friend. It's been several years since our last visit. But your beauty and scent hasn't changed. As the days grow shorter, both you and I share the desire for the endless summer. Mahalo nui loa. Continue reading

This is my desktop picture, at the office. Do you think I need a vacation? I do. Continue reading

This photo was taken by Jerry Robinson, as the Endeavour & it's posse flew over the Monterey Peninsula, on it's way to Southern California. It must have been a fantastic sight! Fact: This isn't the last leg of the shuttle's trip. In a month, it will be transported, by ground to the California Science Center. She's a bit big, so nearly 500 trees and light poles and other things will be removed, in order for the shuttle to fit. Thank you, Endeavor for 3 decades of service. Continue reading

Yes, Autumn is just around the corner. Even if the temperatures are hovering in the high 80's and the tomatoes & peppers are still producing, like rabbits. It's not because the calendar says so. It's because the evening temperatures are cooler and the sun doesn't rise as early. The mail order catalogs are starting to fill the mailbox with fall & winter goods. The acorns are falling at faster rate, which by the way, are HUGE this year. All of these are the harbingers of Autumn and I know it's coming. In a few weeks, I will be pulling out... Continue reading

When I first heard this song, I thought "southern spiritual", which the song is. But when I saw the video; whole different story. To describe this video as haunting, is an understatement. I had to watch it a few times to realize, it's about someone being accused of being a witch. (Note: Check out the mirror). Another interesting thing, if it's true, is this video was shot in one take. Either way, it's a great arrangement of the song and the video is very good. Enjoy! Continue reading

Plumerias Dream house: http://5700cavedale.com/ Tiki Drinks, especially Pain Killers, @smugglerscove These are my favorite things, for this moment. Cheers. Continue reading

It's 10:30 am and the outside temperature is 99 degrees. A common summer day, in August. But here I am feeling the onset of Autumn. You say, "Huh"? Yes, Autumn is right around the corner and it's first harbinger is that little green guy, in the photo. The acorn. It started this past week. I hear little "pings" on my roof and metal fence. Small crushing sounds under the tires of my car, while pulling out of the driveway. It's the acorns. They fall everywhere and the following spring I find the ones that escaped my cleaning, making little oak... Continue reading

Today is Julia Child's 100th birthday. She touched my life and millions of others. Bon Appetite! Continue reading

Yep, that's right. It's 98.5 in the shade of the my back deck. Now, the upside is the humidity is 5%, tops. Is that an "upside"? Continue reading