FRUGAL IS A FOUR LETTER WORD

THE LAST SUPPER....

2012-01-12T20:55:00.000-08:00

Certain things will be hard to say good-bye to in San Diego, among them...

in this case it is the best Mexican food on the planet in Logan Barrio. The line is long at 8:30 in the morning and they do not serve breakfast.

There have been subtle changes over the years... this is what it looked like when we moved here 11 years ago.

When we were there this week it had been painted, the pictures had changed...and, I was now using my iPhone to photograph! Personally, I like the old color better...but...

The food is still prepared before your eyes, at a continuous pace.

This is still, quite simply the best plate of food EVER!!

Literally, more food than you can eat, and all for $9.40--seriously!!

I can tell you exactly how long the line is by what doorway you are standing by down the street. The longest I have waited is 45 minutes...and I would do it again and again and again.

Cash only!

6 items on the menu!

All perfection!!

Down to the homemade tortillas!

As Arnold would say...I'll be back!

APRIL 17TH...

2012-01-11T17:02:00.000-08:00

April 17th was an important day in history...

1970 Apollo 13 returned to earth

1961 Bay of Pigs invasion

1790 Benjamin Franklin dies

1976 Mike Schmidt hit four consecutive homers

1964 Ford Mustange debuts at World's Fair

2002 General Hospital airs 10,000 episode

2000 Gift Certificate issued for a aromamanicure & pedicure at LaCosta given to me for my 49th birthday

Promptly misplaced

1/4/2012 Gift Certificate FOUND!!!

The legendary Spa at LaCosta welcomed me for my manicure and pedicure (after being informed that gift certificates do not expire in California). This was helped along by the fact that there was no value written on the gift certificate--who knew a mani/pedi today would cost $105.

The decor is exquisite!

Tammy, my manicurist, said that I should be glad I waited as she has worked there for 13 years and it is much nicer now!

She was lovely...they all couldn't have been nicer. OK, it was a little embarrassing when they held up the gift certificate for all to see what things were like in the "old days".

Besides 12 years ago I would have never been able to get a shellac on my nails (only on my furniture).

It was a lovely gift,

a lovely day,

a lovely venue.

Thank you to Betsy, Jeff, Mark, and Katie for my wonderful day at the Spa!

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS...

2012-01-05T21:40:00.000-08:00

...it tolls for someone with a sense of humor.

We met Jacob and Betsy at Taco Bell tonight for dinner. Betsy's first statement was slightly oxymoronic--she said not to say anything to her because she was ordering the good food. Which means not from the "Fast Fresca" menu.

We place our order, get our drink, and head to the condiment aisle.

We came upon

SPORKS

STRAWS

SNIFES

To make matters worse, I picked it up to see what a SNIFE was...turns out it is a knife with a sense of humor!

LETTING GO

2012-01-05T16:10:00.000-08:00

I guess the biggest questions from everyone have been: "How could you do that! I could never throw away all my stuff!"

Well, everyone except the people who are probably thinking: "Three trucks of junk...seriously."

Well, today they came to pack what was left, and although yesterday I was proud of my 1-800-GOT-JUNK accomplishment. Today, I am just thinking, why didn't I get rid of more.

Someone said to me: All those memories, how can you let them go? The only time I look at 80% of all the items that I cannot live without are when I am packing them (or someone else is) to move. It used to be every couple of years but lately it has been about every 10. Looking at something once every ten years and thinking I need it is pathetic.

I will be reading my Kindle copy of

happy that I am "Kindle-ized" and will have no more books to discard.

As I unpack, I will be thinking, "what was I thinking?" and wondering where is my 10% off 1-800-GOT-JUNK frequent visitor coupon.

HAVE YOU ANY WOOL...YES SIR, THREE TRUCKS FULL

2012-01-03T22:02:00.000-08:00

...I am de-cluttering. For many of you, this means cleaning a couple of drawers...shredding some papers...for me it took a little more...

That is right...all of you who know me have been waiting for this day for years. These two fearless men were set to make my day.

They are smiling...I haven't opened the garage yet.

or Cliff's room, or Henry's office, or the spare room, or the long awaited emptying of "the room"

I sorted, I selected, I culled, let's face it I did a great job!!! They were shocked...wow, you have alot. I said, when we called we said we had alot. Evidentally, that term is relative.

They called for reinforcements...another truck

In 3 and a half hours all of it was gone...all of it!

DISCLAIMER: PLAID COUCH NOT MINE

Then they swept...

It was a miracle...and they were proud...

I think I want them back...maybe I have another truck in me to throw out!

All in all it was a purifying experience.

I have given away, donated, left goodies on people's doorstep, and sold on eBay.

I threw out the little chest from my parent's house that I started refinishing before Cliff was born 22 years ago.

I threw out my mother's cookware...she has been dead for 40 years, and she had had it for 30 years...it was a sign when the handles fell off finally.

I went through it all!

They say that the first step is the most important.

What did I do tonight?

Went to Barnes and Noble and read their magazines--and NO I did not buy any!

I might have learned my lesson. When you are in a pinch you don't call Ghostbusters...you call

1-800-GOT-JUNK

WHERE IS NOAH WITH HIS ARK??

2012-01-02T20:59:00.000-08:00

The various chores that need to be done are many.

I began the morning by insulting Henry by saying we should call Ken to take down the chandelier. That began the response--

YOU THINK I CAN'T TAKE DOWN A CHANDELIER???

He did accomplish the task, but I think if you asked him he would say it was harder than it looked.

I decided to go through the pantry removing the untouched but lovely cookbooks, and clean out the canisters...

It seemed the opportune time to get new supplies. Henry thought it would be good to just dump the canisters and buy new...but I scoffed at that, they are perfectly good. They just need washing...

So I began the cleaning process...

First came the

sugar
flour
Kosher salt
Corn Meal
Grits
Cane sugar
Sucanat

Things were going well, all of it down the garbage disposal. Then I added

Orzo
Brown Rice
Rye berries

The first 7 ingredients sound like a recipe for paste...when you add the orzo, rice, and rye it all swells, mixes with the paste in the pipes and your garbage disposal stops working.

Insult #2:
I call Henry and ask him to call Ken to fix the garbage disposal. His response,

CALL KEN, ARE YOU KIDDING ME...YOU THINK I CAN'T FIX THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL?

Which immediately turned into,

WHAT DID YOU DO?

He begins to "strain" the sink for what he thinks is rice, not knowing how major the problem really is.

He then decides to plunge the sink. We had Julia this afternoon so she scampers off to get the plunger. Henry gives a giant heave ho to the plunger and the air release valve shoots off its base and rice water hits the ceiling and anything else close by...leaving Julia hysterical, Henry not so much.

He continues to plunge, it continues to shoot up. That is when I decide to turn the canister which once held the rice upside down over the air release...water shoots up and washes back down into the sink.

Soon he realizes that this is a bigger problem, it needs "the rooter". He and Julia go outside while she sits on the ledge and watches her Poppy jam the rooter into the pipe....which accomplishes NOTHING!

Those of you who know Henry know that patience would not be his strong suit...need I say more.

I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO GO INTO THE PIPES UNDER THE SINK. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

Julia is now bored, she turns to the television. I am avoiding and saying, probably in a whiny voice, "I said I was sorry. Should we call Ken?"

I turn off the main water valve to the house. Henry takes all from under the sink, and begins the task of undoing the pipe.

All of a sudden I hear Henry begin screaming:

FLOOD

He had not counted on the water in the side of the sink where I was washing the now infamous containers. He had put a wastebasket under the pipe which was now full...

Shades of the Sorcerer's Apprentice...he is now sitting in 3 inches of water and rice, rye, and orzo...and "is not very happy with me--especially when I arrived with the camera.

The little white/brown stuff under the sink is actually rice---the milky half moon of grey at the bottom is actually a trash can of rice water.

Now you can see the U-shaped pipe....that was filled with glue made of expanded rice and all the other ingredients. Conveniently I was throwing out my needlepoint stretcher bars...one of which was the right size to clean it out.

I asked Hen if he wanted to have rice pudding for dinner but he had no sense of humor.

But in the spirit of Vern Troyer in Fantasy Island screaming Ze Plane Ze Plane

We will forever remember Henry screaming, Flood, Flood, and waiting for Noah and his ark!

I should have thrown out the canisters!

Two thousand six hundred and forty-eight

2011-12-27T21:52:00.000-08:00

Minutes until the Holiday crush is over???

Number of green stamps it took to get a tricycle???

Days until I can retire with full benefits from SS??

Times I have changed my password at work???

Survey says:

Number of miles it is to our new home in Boca Raton

That's right...we are packing up and heading out!

Move em on head em up

COME ON BABY LIGHT MY FIRE

2011-12-25T15:06:00.000-08:00

Come on guys, it's me....so not what you are thinking!

I bought Henry a Kindle Fire for Christmas...

You can all imagine: We said we weren't getting gifts, I don't want anything. You are sending it back...
That was this morning.

It is now afternoon and I doubt that I could get it out of his hands with a crowbar.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!

SANTA HOPS DOWN WRONG CHIMNEY--FACE RED!!

2011-12-23T22:39:00.000-08:00

Historically, I organize our Secret Santa family event. It is a very fun event.

This year I drew Kurt. Kurt is a phenomenal Jazz Trumpet player. I knew immediately what I wanted to do--a custom Jazz playlist for his iPhone. Simple, right?

I can make a playlist.
I can go to iTunes.
I can GOOGLE H-E-L-P!!

Explanations varied from "it can't be done" to "just do it".

Take it from me--it can be done, but it certainly is not simple.

I picked out approximately 60 of my favorite Jazz tunes and made a playlist. Then I tried to gift the playlist...which kept coming back with an error message that you could not gift part of an album only purchase.

Now it would be nice if they told you which songs were the album only song. You have to post it then you can see.

Went through this process four times.

Out of my 60 songs, I was only able to put 34 songs on the playlist for Kurt.

You can go to iTunes and look at the playlists as follows:

Kurt's Jazz (created at 10:55)
Kurt's Jazz (created at 11:10)
Kurt's Jazz Holiday 2011 (created at 11:14)
Kurt's Jazz Holiday 2011 (created at 11:18)

...and...winner winner chicken dinner

HO HO HO KURT TO GO

go to iTunes and search!

It was exciting!

I published an Playlist!

My Secret Santa would be thrilled at the selection

I am victorious!

Until I got the phone call--Kurt got two gifts today from his Secret Santa...mine and Grandma Betty's.

Could I be wrong?

Did I put Kurt's name down twice?

Whose name did I neglect?

Conveniently, I still had the cards from Thanksgiving in my car--when I opened it

Kurt was not my Secret Santa!!

Right house--wrong chimney!

Happy Holidays!!

TOO POOPED TO SHOP (NEVER)

2011-12-06T00:04:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid one of my mother's favorite songs was "Too pooped to pop"

It was also known as the "Popcorn Song". I can remember her singing it clear as day...I don't think I understood it until this morning.

Last night I got home from work and was EXHAUSTED. I do not think I have ever been as tired.

I got into bed and just lay there with my cell phone in one hand and the TV control in the other. At about 1:30 in the morning, Hen woke up and said "who are the people talking?"

I said, Oh, I guess it is QVC. I vaguely remember people talking.

Turn it OFF! to which I complied.

This morning I got up and had a confirmation from customer service at QVC. They were confirming my purchase.

OK! What is wrong with this picture?

It is a heel (don't wear those)
It is a "Shootie" (don't wear those)

Oh, yes, I MANAGE A SHOE DEPARTMENT!! Why would I buy shoes?

I was able to cancel the order, but I was pretty desperate trying to remember how to log in--evidently, not a problem when I am sleeping.

Sweet Dreams!

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

2011-11-29T21:03:00.000-08:00

Was going through pictures from this Thanksgiving and the last one...


2010 Sbicca Del Mar


2011 Sbicca Del Mar

Was I really that, hmm what's the word, FAT?

GOBBLE GOBBLE

2011-11-24T19:53:00.000-08:00

This is definitely my favorite holiday window for Thanksgiving this year!

I would like to thank Ted Baker for their irreverence...(just so you know this bird is shivering without its feathers).

We began our day early with a Thanksgiving Run. This would be the royal "we"...I drove the car, Henry and Jack did the run!!

This is at the beginning of the run, right before Judy and I walked to the Bagel place for Coffee, returning just in time for the end!!

Susan also ran


as did her son, Edan (not Jacob, loping in the background)

Jack was beaming after his first race...he finished twenty-third!!!

Go Jack!

Then we moved on to the Thanksgiving fest (I mean feast)...celebrating family.

We went to Sbicca in Del Mar

Katie and Mark

Jacob, Jack, Julia, and Seth

Mark and Jeff

Judy and Kurt

Kurt, Judy, and Henry

Betsy, Julia, Jacob, and Jack

Henry and I

Jacob and Henry


Betsy and Katie

The only person missing was Cliff....this picture is from last Thanksgiving ;^(

TARDY FOR THE PARTY

2011-11-20T19:59:00.000-08:00

They say not to be "Tardy for the Party" but I am just tardy in writing about the party.

Jacob's Bar Mitzvah was a few weeks ago at Temple Beth Am and the party was at Petco Park...what a wonderful day.

First of all, Jacob did a fabulous job. It was an impressive accomplishment. We were all very proud.

This is the dress rehearsal--Jacob and the proud grandparents!

Everyone was in for the event....Clifford

Judy and Kurt

Henry and I pre-party. I just put this in because I am wearing the jacket I wore to the wedding of Katie and Mark...nice!

Cousin Julie with Hannah Goldie. Many people were here as well that somehow I have no pictures of, such as Aunt Nancy, Julie's husband and other kids, friends...sorry!

The party was at Petco and it was amazing to be there when it was empty. You can see our seats above the "Stand Up 2 Cancer" sign.

The night was spectacular!

a little bench warming perhaps?

Eerily gorgeous!

...and exhausting!

CHINA (not so) FUN!

2011-11-19T21:50:00.000-08:00

We moved to San Diego almost 12 years ago. We discovered a wonderful Chinese Restaurant -- which to me is an oxymoron because I honestly do not like Chinese food.

China Fun proved to be an exception to the rule. The food was fresh, cooked the minute it was ordered, and delightful. It was owned by Mr. Ho and had a great staff of people. One man in particular would always yell out:

Cathi! Henry! Hi!

We began to hang at China Fun. First Henry and I. Then Betsy, Jeff, and the kids moved here. Then Andy, Jen, and the kids. They made special things for the kids. We began having China Fun Tuesdays, where the family would meet and have dinner...our version of the Waltons, if you will.

Once when we went in we got: Cathi, Henry, Hi, How many? We answered 10, he assessed the situation, walked over to people who were in process of eating their dinner -- literally fork to mouth -- picked up their plates, said "You move" and put them at a different table so that we would be able to sit sooner.

No matter what time of day
No matter what day
He was there.
Smiling and saying
Cathi! Henry! How many?
Eleven years!

Tonight we went in to get something, and, he was not there.
Not there at all.
Other people, including the owner Mr. Ho, said Cathi, Henry
It was not the same.
Our server came over.
We said, "Where is he?"
She said, "Who?"
"He is always here!"
"Peter?" she said, "He is gone. Moved."

Eleven and a half years
Rough estimate 625 visits to China Fun
625 times, Henry looked at me and said
"What's his name?"
625 times he remembered us, and we were too embarrassed to ask him his name. Now he is gone.

His name was Peter.
He will be missed.

CONFESSION: I AM A CRACK ADDICT!

2011-11-08T14:17:00.000-08:00

You can tell just by looking at someone's eye (please view this un-retouched photo)

Note the large pouch under the eye

lack of sleep
salt retention
Now that I am really looking--tragic application of makeup (excuse me while I go fix that)
All signs of

ADDICTION

I am a crack addict!

It started small--as all addicts will tell you. You start with one and then it escalates. One is not enough, then two....

Where did this path begin, you ask? It began with a Diet...

one of the approved snacks became the downfall...

PISTACHIOS

LOOK AT THEM THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL

It began quietly...I read the directions and it said that I could have 12 as a snack. Cool, I can sit and slowly eat my twelve while I watch TV. I actually have a pistachio dish (OK, a prep dish, but it works)

It is a great snack...healthy, salty, tasty. Then I began taking them into the bathtub for my soak and read time.

This requires two dishes, one for new and one for cast-offs so to speak. I began eating them quickly, so I attempted to pace myself--one for every 5 pages on my Kindle--I have my Kindle on a very big font so 5 pages not so much. I couldn't do it.

Occassionally I get one that you cannot crack with your teeth or hands--now I know what the nice heavy candles in the bathtub are really for...smashing pistachios.

As habits go, I suppose it is not so bad. even though I find myself getting up in the middle of the night, scuffling to the kitchen, getting one (or two) nuts, then brushing my teeth and going back to bed again. Probably part of the eye issue as well.

The good news is I have lost 20 pounds.

The bad news is I have a new and very annoying habit.

FLY BOYS

2011-10-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

Superfly!

That says it all....Ron O'Neal as Youngblood Priest.

The car, the women, the hat....

the attitude!

Curtis Mayfield and his bongos and raspy voice singing the soundtrack (darkness of night with the moon shining bright)

Granted without the pulsing soundtrack you might have listened to the words, which then were great (1972) but now seem just a bit stilted (understatement).

How could you not love this guy??

I took a picture of Henry the other day and realized what was behind the attraction all these years.

He is my FlyBoy!
It is all in the pose!
..and the bug like glasses!

2011-10-10T08:40:00.001-07:00

POWER

2011-09-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

GIRL POWER

GAY POWER

BLACK POWER

POWER BAR

POWER WALK

POWER OUTAGE

Yesterday, people in San Diego truly understood the definition of having no power: no lights, no traffic lights,no cell phones, no computer.

Henry came home and found me reading my kindle by candlelight...there is a sad irony here.

MARY QUANT, THE BEATLES (1963), AND ME

2011-08-30T23:03:00.000-07:00

What do they have in common...my new haircut.

That and the fact that I probably have a Courreges color blocked A-line dress and a pair of white knee boots somewhere in the closet!

'Nuffield said.

LET'S HAVE A CUPPA..

2011-08-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

We have lived here for 11 years. Every day when I drive in the garage, I zip by a little box filled with mugs, mugs that for some reason I have hung on to through the years (many). I decided to take a look and see WHY?
Small print---I did not wash any of these because I figured I would not be able to throw them away.

This was my favorite cup since college...and I graduated in 1972.

Lipton teabag
Steeped 12 minutes
Nuked for 50 seconds
Add cream and sweet an low
Perfection!!!

When pigs fly???
Why did I keep this?

This was purchased at the first Origins store in the United States in Harvard Square--"A mother's nature is a force to be reckoned with.."

No kidding!

If it's in sight it must be right!

The slogan of Steak and Shake...other than rhyming I have never figured out what they mean...but I could use one of their orange shakes right now. Found this in a vintage shop in NY.

I bought it.
It says Clifford.
How could I throw it out.

Spencer, of course!

A mini mug for Cliffy to have his coffee in when he was little.

When Cliff was little he loved Murder, She Wrote. We would cuddle up on Sunday nights and watch it. My favorite was when he turned to me and said....I don't think I would like to be her friend, they all end up dead.

There were 20 cups in all...I think I began saving them when I decided to do broken shard mosaics. Some I saved for sentiment, some for color. I just want you to know that I repacked the box and threw them out!!!

Well almost all of them

How could anyone throw this out, especially when I saw the back...

IT BEARS REPEATING...

2011-08-05T00:56:00.000-07:00

This the reason you live in San Diego....the true beauty of where we live.

My friend Melinda and I (dear me, when will I learn to turn sideways for a photo) go exploring once a week...maybe a movie, but always food. Like an old married couple, we have begun to dress alike, eat the same things at the same places, do the same thing every week.

We begin with brunch at the Coffee Cup in LaJolla. The night before I begin thinking about the wonderful Papas Loco (Crispy rosemary potatoes grilled with jalapenos, onions, tomatoes, black beans, jack cheese, cilantro, flour tortillas and a side of sour cream--minus the cheese and the sour cream, if I can resist)...but by the time I get there I find myself ordering the Blackberry Banana Pancakes, keeping in mind that I do not like pancakes at all. Melinda gets the Coffee Cup French Toast which is made with fresh baked cinnamon bread garnished with
blueberry puree & powdered sugar.

We always say we don't ever eat French Toast/Pancakes (and we don't).

We always complain about our seat and move.

We always complain to each other about the service, which is probably a result of complaining about our seat and moving.

We always park in the exact same parking space--it is true!

We always check our tires for chalk marks--and then move the car so we don't get a ticket.

We always walk over to Warwick's and look at the books/pens/cards/tinnif and do not buy anything special.

We always talk about what a beautiful place we live and how much we like how beautiful La Jolla is...then we talk about how we really wouldn't like to live there because of the traffic, May Gray, June Gloom, etc...

We always laugh at each other's jokes, talk about grandkids, ailments, kids, events past, events upcoming, and, of course, SHOES!

This week we went to the Museum of Contemporary Art, which, ashamedly, neither of us had ever visited before. The opening picture was taken there. It was an incredibly beautiful venue...with a phenomenal sculpture of boats suspended in the air outside (or as Melinda puts it--Biscayne Bay after a Hurricane)...

but if you get far enough away...

and look at it just right....

they kind of look like a man made palm tree

The bottom line is that certain days are special and they replay in your mind forever....this will be one of them.

ONE RINGY DINGY

2011-07-12T01:48:00.000-07:00

This is a pay phone...or a technology unicorn...rarely seen, unconfirmed existence. The other morning Henry and I went to breakfast and there was a man standing outside using a payphone. We both stopped and said...PAYPHONE. (Just so you know, there are not enough Chlorox wipes in the world for me to touch a payphone) I told Hen the man was obviously talking to his girlfriend...or he would be using his cell phone. But after 20 years of Law and Order we know that if she wanted to track down who he was seeing they could quickly run all the coins and get FINGERPRINTS...but I ramble.

When we traveled we would go to banks of payphones at the airport and make our calls. Once I miraculously ended up on a plane seated next to Kurt Russell. I could barely contain myself---racing from the plane to call my friend Andrea and let her know what had happened. The seas definitely parted that day. Seriously, look at that man and tell me what would you do. Spend two hours wanting to ask him to say
"You can call me Snake"
Oh, yes I will. (Any excuse to include Kurt)

There will be a whole generation of people who will not know what a collect call was. We asked Clifford this weekend as a quiz. He said sure: You dial the 1-800 number, say it is collect, give them your name. Then when your parents answer, you yell our "Pick me up at the busstop at 2PM." Then, we, the good dutiful parents would say, no I won't except the call...but we would be at the busstop.

The early highlight of this era was the Princess Phone...real Princesses had the phone with a Push Button, Princesses in waiting rotary dial. It was slim not clunky...so much better. It made it's singing debut with the classic number from Bye Bye Birdie with Ann Margaret. Their communication method was a phone tree of Princess Phones...title song--Goin' Steady!

The other movie in which a telephone was immortalized was the incredibly wonderful sharing of a party line by Doris Day and Rock Hudson in Pillow Talk. In the dark ages (or when we lived in Salida, CO) you had to share phones with other people. You had a special ringtone from whoever else was on the party line, but you would still quitely pick up and listen to the whole conversation. My mother did not solve this issue as creatively as Rock and Doris did...her resolution was to not say anything on the phone that you did not "want the world to know"--"those operators were all gossip". Which is probably proven by the most famous operator of all: Ernestine. I am sure that she was the person mannig the phones in Salida.CO.

The future was all about Dick Tracy and his two way talk TV:

Not so different from my iPod Nano...is it...

Suffice it to say, changes have come and gone. Most for the better. They all make our lives move at warp speed....when I often would like to slow it down.

Time for bed--no pun intended.

MOMMY not so "DEAREST"

2011-07-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Now I have always known, I would not be a candidate for Mother of the Year, but I have always muddled through, very thankful of how Cliff turned out.

Yesterday, he needed his immunization records. I said quite simply, I threw them out. Who knew this would be the make or break deal for my motherhood status, after all I still had the receipt for his gym clothes for 4th grade, his receipt for photos for every year he was in school, Jr. Theater Playbooks of anything he was ever in....

"For God's sake" he said in a well modulated tone, "you never throw anything out. Never. What made you decide to throw out my Immunization records...now I have to get them again."

There was some truth in his words...I began to look for the records (even though I remember thinking, Yeah, don't need this any more...

This is what I found that I did keep...

The place card for Andy and Jen's wedding

These are the spare buttons that went with the suit that I wore to Katie's wedding...I no longer have the suit, but the buttons were FABULOUS!

An empty box of my mother's...

This is an earring I loved to wear in the 1980's when I was young an hip and living in LA...thankfully, you only wore one.

This is my cat, Sefronia (named after the 1973 album by Tim Buckley). She died in 1987, he died in 1975.

These wonderful earrings were marked down because a stone was missing (it is in the box). These are from the days that Henri Bendel was a little 7 story building on West 57th Street with one elevator and a man who ran it and actually said things like (3rd Floor Lingerie). A hand written tag, seriously, and more seriously, $149 was the mark down price for the broken earrings that are still in the box awaiting repair for 30 years.

This is a note that was in a magnificent Gucci wallet (and I saved the card) that was a gift from my friend Marcia in 1975. If I dig deeper maybe I can find the wallet and put it on eBay (Vintage--Used).

This is one of a pair of earrings that I wore to my second wedding to Henry in December of 1987. I purchased them at an art gallery in Santa Fe New Mexico in 1980.

This is from an art show in Santa Fe in 2008.

Believe it or not, this is a hair ornament from the 80's. I remember wearing it to Gladstone's in Malibu with a large group of people, including my niece, Lauri. She had put our name in as Flinstone party of 10. When they called our name we broke into the classic "Flinstone's we're the Flinstone's....et cetera. I was the only one with Pebbles hair however....

This was a gift from my parents on a visit to Iron River, Michigan....circa 1956. This was right after we drover by the World's largest frying pan (Iowa), and the World's largest ball of twine (Kansas). See what fun it was to drive cross country in the 50's.

This is a hair ornament that I bought at the 6th Winter Park Art Festival in 1966. It was made by Geri Brownell, a fabric artist, wife of my Dentist Dr Brownell.

This is a picture of Cliff the last time he thought I was the "Best Mom in the World"....I still think he is the bestest son though.

All of these things have been put back in their respective places, because they all have specific memories...and I cannot let go of them yet. Maybe the time is coming...maybe not.

Go fourth and run..

2011-07-04T21:11:00.000-07:00

The day began at 5:30 with a trip to Coronado for a 15K Run for Henry. Does he look ready to run?

Even though we arrived a 6AM for a 7AM run, we had to park 1.5 miles away (count this as my exercise). Thank heavens I brought a chair for this event.

And off they went...

I had ~~100~~ 67 pictures before I got to Henry at the start.

There he is, the one in orange waving!

Look close, you will see him.

The race went by in a flash---I fell asleep in the chair we brought. I woke up in time for

the finish!!

We headed home, where I slept until it was time to go to our friends for a cookout!

Nobody looks better in a holiday headband than Melinda.

Sonny is always ready with Pool Games.

Miss P was in the swim

As was her daddy.

"Cathi, take my picture" was a common refrain.

The love boat--Julie, suddenly a redhead.

The best friends

The best burger with SSS (Sonny's Special Sauce)

"I'm watching you!!"

I told Amy that I did not think I had a picture of her that was not in front of the fridge...so here is another one...the annual fridge pix.

It was a great day!!

Thanks to all involved for making it special!!

WHEN YOU GET THE "URGE"

2011-06-17T23:56:00.000-07:00

Tonight everyone had the "Urge" to go for a burger and a beer at URGE AMERICAN GASTROPUB.

This happens to be a great little restaurant (although tonight very loud) with a terrific bar and a huge selection of beers.

This is very popular venue and it was Friday night. We arrived at 7:20 and the wait was 30 minutes to an hour (this, for me, is an eternity). After about 20 minutes, we snagged a couple of couches and ordered drinks...in my case a Calico.

After about thirty minutes, we decided to check how the wait was going. I was closest. I sidled up to the podium to check it out.

My eyes raced down the page, quickly scanning the entries, there we were:

Henry--IN 7:22--30 to 1--Old Guy glasses

I started to laugh!

After years of spending time being politically correct, it all came down to "old guy glasses."

In hindsight, 18 months ago our reservation could have been the one at the bottom:

"redhead with man (big)"

Dinner was great!! and I got a blog out of it...what more could you ask.

Oh, yeah, he is my old guy with glasses...

and "old" is relative.

CAREENING THROUGH LIFE!

2011-06-14T03:31:00.000-07:00

Careening---it is a great word!!

It means "to lurch or swerve while in motion."

To me it invokes a memory of one of the all time great moments from any movie. The moment when Woody Allen (as Alvie Singer) follows Annie Hall to California and tries to drive out of the parking lot by careening off of all the cars...hmm, maybe caroming would be a better word. As he backs up and goes forward hitting all the cars in the parking lot, while scenes from his childhood at his family's bumper car concession are interspersed. Still makes me laugh to even think about it!!

I went to YouTube to send a link for this scene. There are so many great scenes.

The little kids in school talking about what they do now--"I used to be a heroin addict, now I'm a methodone addict."
Killing the spider and finding the Erno Laszlo black soap.
La-Di-Da, La-Di-Da, La La
Christopher Walken talking about driving into the oncoming traffic.
Marshall McLuhan at the movies--you know nothing of my work...nothing
The lobsters at the beach house
The bumper cars

His new movie is pretty fabulous as well. The man is a genius--I am not...moving on...

In this case, however, everyone was coming over for the family favorite meal of Black Beans and Rice. This is a perfect family meal, but involves tons of slicing and dicing of every vegetable under the planet. Now, faster than I can say "medium dice", Cliff has unsheathed his Shun and is chopping away.

Again, I digress. When the troops descended, it was unbeknownst to me that Betsy had brought her dog Sierra. A quick turn into the kitchen for me became a flip over the dog and careening to and fro through the kitchen--landing on my not so good left wrist....and come to find out...my middle toe. It is twice it's normal size (not small to begin with) and black and blue. We will tape it to the next one and move on.

Does she look guilty???

Because this picture was taken a long time ago! Maybe it is an anticipatory guilt?

Speaking of accidents, one of my friends rushed her son to the hospital this weekend. He was hurt playing "virutal soccer" on the computer....she just did not realize that he had a "virtual injury" until she had waited to see the doctor at Urgent Care and began describing his pain level at 8.5. It is a new world friends, a Brave New World.

ROCK AND ROLL MARATHON

2011-06-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

It was a gorgeous day in San Diego. Today was the Rock and Roll Marathon and half marathon. The day that Henry has been training for religiously mile after mile after mile after mile....I believe he has run 450 miles during the past year or six months (that felt like a year).

Clifford and I arrived at Fashion Valley and began our walk to the 163 highway to find Betsy. This is Friars Road in front of Bloomingdale's.

This is the on ramp to the 163 South Bound.

This is the 163...and we are walking on it.

Very, very cool!!

I managed to find this horn at the Dollar Tree for (that's right) a $1. It was orange...what more could I ask for???

Betsy used her incredible skills at coaching, along with the orange horn and a cow bell to cheer her mentees from Team in Training on to victory--which in this case means finishing the marathon.

Betsy even managed to raise her coaching skill set to a higher level....the divide of the 163.

We watched thousands, and thousands of runners go by: the Running Elvis', the TuTu Cute people (men and women in tutus of all makes and models), the British Palace Guard contingent (not the real ones, obviously, but they had the hats and the jackets), the man in the wrestling mask, and, my fave, was the barefoot, barechested man with the waist length grey hair flying behind him and the torn jeans...but I digress.

Cliff and I waited...and waited...

We awaited the arrival of Henry the Orange. Suddenly, there he was...I screamed...

I waved my sign...

I yelled his name

I waved my sign

He was on a mission...

He did not look up

No, he never did see us. We were at the 7.1 mile. Jen was at the 8 mile marker at Bloomingdale's and the band. He was, as she put it, looking spry!!

Congratulations on a job well done!

13.1 miles!!!!

2 hours 39 minutes!!!!

IS THIS SEAT TAKEN?

2011-05-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

I went to the movies today with my friend (the nicest person in the world) to see Woody Allen's new work of genius, Midnight in Paris. Great movie--not the point.

We get to the movie before the theater is open. We are the second people in line to get popcorn (best popcorn in the city by the way).

We are the 7th and 8th person in the theater.

We carefully select our seats (best popcorn/worst seats) and settle down to await the film.

Two people come in and shuffle by us to sit one seat away, even though the row and the theater is empty they make us get up to let them by. Deep breath.

In come two men who, of all the seats in all the theater, decide to sit right in front of me. My friend and I look at each other and decide to move to the right seat. We apologize to the people behind us, who say--can you believe they just did that.

We now have three empty seats to the left of us and two seats and the aisle to the right.

At this point, the theater is about 80% empty.

My friend has her jacket and handbag on the seat next to her, and I have my handbag on the seat next to me.

In come a couple, shuffle by us, and instead of sitting in the two empty seats, they sit in the seat next to me making me move my handbag (which involves a lot of strap unwrapping).

I hand my friend my handbag.

The movie has now begun.

Yup, in come two people and say to my friend (the nicest person in the world).

Are these seats taken? The theater is full!!

I think (I HOPE?) I heard the nicest person in the world say--

NO, IT REALLY ISN'T FULL!

...as she moves her handbag, my handbag, and jacket.

Did I mention that the movie was good?

ROAD TRIP--THEN AND NOW

2011-05-28T00:08:00.000-07:00

Henry and I decided we would drive to Chico for Cliff's graduation. For those of you unfamiliar with California....this is a LONG trip.

This is me with my parents--my sister is the shadow in the lower left corner. During my sister's era of childhood my father owned a trucking company. We are talking big rigs that hauled double trailers (called tandems). I joked with Henry that we would always plan to leave at seven AM and then my dad would wake me up at 3AM and say, let's go, there will be less traffic now. Henry calls me at work, and says, "Guess what?? We are leaving tonight!"

Then: you left at 3AM because there was no traffic...and you could drive long enough to get gas when gas stations opened at 7AM.

Now: You leave at 7:30 PM and still get stuck in an hour traffic jam in LA at 9:30PM--adds new meaning to the car pool lane. You can fill your gas tank at any time, but it is $4.58 a gallon.

Then: You pulled into a gas station and three guys rushed out to check your oil, wash your windshield, and fill the tank with gas.

Now: You get out an pump your own gas (again for $4.58 a gallon).

Then: There was always a navigator, carefully folding and unfolding the map. It was key that this person be able to ride and read--CRUCIAL actually. If you were ritzy, you got a Trip-Tic from AAA and were able to flip the pages one at a time.

Now: The map on the dash highlights areas that have slow downs, and a voice tells us that the exit is ahead in 2 miles on the left...or my all time favorite "Please make the next legal U-turn).

Then: You would stop at a truck stop and get a great breakfast. Lunch was exciting because you would be able to get an open faced Turkey Sandwich (yum-o, as Rachel would say), with tons of gravy.

Now: There is a line at the drive thru Carl's Jr at 3AM when you stop in to get your Fried Zuchini (it's true folks).

Then: We would get a 100 miles and my mom would say. We need to go back, I think I left the iron on, my dad would go back. The iron was always off. Once we were moving from Denver to California, we got to California and were unpacking and realized that we were missing the dog. My dad had to go back 300 miles where we had changed drivers last and found sweet little "Lady" (clever name, I know)--the cocker spaniel waiting patiently for someone to pick her up--I ramble.

Now: The iron has an auto-off switch.

Then: There was only radio, and the only radio stations that had a strong signal were Country Western. You would lean forward in the middle of the front seat (that is correct) and twist the dial a little at a time to fine tune to a station that would last about 10 miles, then you would have to do it over again.

Now: We have XM radio, combined with my Apple Nano on my wrist as a watch, with bud wires running up my sleeve so I can listen to an Audiobook.

Then: We looked for Burma Shave signs (waited for them actually) along the side of the road. Sheer excitement and joy for about 2 miles.

Now: We watch DVDs in the back seat of the car.

Then: We played games like license plate Bingo, or "I am driving to California and I am going to take an Acorn, Bulldog, etc.

Now: Everyone has their own Nintendo DS (including me).

Then: Clifford, how fast are you going? There is a cop up ahead!!

Now: Henry, how fast are you going? There is a cop up ahead!!

Then: Are we there yet??

Now: Are we there yet??

The high point is always the family and friends at the end of your journey.
The low point is still the journey.

GRADUATION 2011

2011-05-25T23:01:00.000-07:00

Graduation day was perfection!!

Mommy's little baby has graduated! I never really thought I would have a baby, much less imagine this day. To say that Henry and I are proud would be an understatement.

Dinner at 5th Street Steakhouse

Betsy, me, Cliff, Hen, Katie, Judy and Kurt

The weather was not too hot...not too cold.

The gang got him the most fun gift...

Lots of boxes

First came the tee shirt (personally, I would say more skill than luck)

Then the fun began...

Gift card after

gift card after

Gift card.

A gift card for every place he would want to go eat in Miami...my fave is on the bottom right, Publix...no idea which card the money is on. It was a fabulous, thoughtful gift!

Everyone was exhausted...including Kurt, our host!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2011-05-08T21:55:00.000-07:00

This was the best Mother's Day card--it certainly was the most accurate! and it made me laugh!!

GRADUATION IS UPON US....

2011-05-01T16:19:00.000-07:00

The folks at Shutterfly always make it fun to create treasures--and it took way less than 22 years.

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AasmLJk3ZtWO5

The folks at Shutterfly always make it fun to create treasures--and it took way less than 22 years.

60 DAY 1

2011-04-29T21:53:00.000-07:00

Technically, I suppose, my actual birthday was yesterday, but since I was sick I am counting today as "one."

So Day One:

I am off to work and stop off at my usual (every day I work) Jack in the Box for my usual (every day I work) Diet Coke.

I decide today I will not buy the usual Extra Large which I do not ever drink but I am in the habit of buying because it is 79 cents at McDonald's...but still order because it is a habit and is over $2.00 at JBox.

I order a medium, which is $1.95.

Is your order correct on the screen?? says the man.

Yes! I reply driving to the window.

When I get to the window the girl says--that will be $1.40. I think, cool a promotion of some sort. Then she says did you want catsup, as she hands me my diet coke. OK, I think maybe she rang up the wrong thing. I smile, taking the receipt and saying, I gave up Diet Coke and Catsup.

As I look at the receipt, I had a $.50 "Senior Discount."

One day and I am a senior.

The worst part is I look it up on the website and realize that I could have been getting a senior discount at JBox for 5 years since it starts at 55. This is available at many places KYFry, Arby's, everyone's standbys...you should just ask. It is rather embarrassing to be offered the discount.

For those of you anxious to find our where the "dish ran away with the spoon", Henry's Eyeglasses, case, and Cell phone case were laughing the whole week from the garage....where Henry put them when packing the car.

..and the dish ran away with the spoon...

2011-04-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

Hey! diddle, diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.

I have a new twist on the nursery rhyme classic

Normally, I am the person who forgets something, can't find something, or I am basically not ready to leave on vacation. In past years I have forgotten my make up (frightening), shoes, pants, underwear, battery chargers, camera. You name it I have had to buy new!

This time all I hear is Henry yelling at the top of his lungs--I am sure the whole neighborhood could hear him. He could not find his sunglasses...any where. He looked for 1 hour and 5 minutes. We then had to retrace his steps the previous day, to no avail.

When we got to Santa Barbara this afternoon, he looked at me and said...I bet they are with my cellphone case...

...and Cathi laughed to see the switch
And the case ran away with the glasses!

Forgive this post if it looks odd...I am using my new iPad to post. For those of you who participated in the gifting thank you so much. I love it! You all need one.

WHAT'S IN A NAME

2011-04-08T00:51:00.000-07:00

I introduced myself to someone today at work.

I looked down at her name tag as I was shaking her hand, and said: Cynthia, that should be easy to remember, my sister's name is Cynthia, she was very special to me.

She then told me her story. When she came to this country she was in a refugee camp. She spoke no English. She said that one of the people who helped her so much in the camp did not speak her language but they had the ability to communicate with each other and that she felt a very special bond with this woman. When she became a citizen she was asked what she would like her name to be. She wanted to honor this woman, so she chose her name. She said that her only regret was that she had lost touch with her and was never able to tell her what she had done.

We hear all the time, I am named after...I am naming my baby after. In my case, I named my son after my father.

Can you imagine having such an impact on someone's life that when given a choice they would want your name? Who would you be??

GOING CRUISING

2011-04-02T22:40:00.000-07:00

Jorge Cruise is handsome, charming, and inspiring. He is the author of many of my favorite "Diet Reads"...since I do not actually diet or exercise, I now just refer to them "reads."

He is the author of...Eight Minutes in the Morning....

which I would gladly give him...as well as

...the very popular "Flat Belly Cure"

which is something to which I aspire...

and, the latest, the "3-Hour Diet"..

a time constraint that I can probably stick with.

I admit to having most (or all) of these books tucked away, packed with my fantasies of actual abdominal muscles rather than fat globules...kind of like the ugly stepsisters keeping Cinderella hidden, just like my stomach muscles are currently.

So Jorge was in the store today with his family and lo and behold he is ordering my favorite lunch of all time...

Chocolate cake

Vanilla Ice Cream

Smothered in Chocolate Syrup

At least I order it for lunch...he had it as an appetizer!

So there!!

We eat the same thing...he looks like that...and me, well, I still do not have a flat belly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY!!

2011-03-27T23:28:00.000-07:00

This has been a big year for Henry.

He has lost 68 pounds this year.

He ran 6.8 miles last week.

He has done so many 5Ks I have lost count.

He is in training for a half-marathon.

He still has odd taste in clothes.

What could this year possibly hold for him??

A trip to his new most favorite store in the world...

Perhaps a new pair of running shoes...

...where we met Betsy...

Then on to Nozomi for...

Dinner with Betsy.

I got him tickets to "MY RUN" a movie about a 57-year old man who ran 75 marathons in 75 days...true story.

Hoping that this will dissuade him from the inevitable...

if I ran 2 I can run 3

If I ran 3 I can run 5

If I ran 5 I can run 10

If I run 10 I can run 13

If I run 13 I can run.....

But his big gift, wowed him incredibly...

he ended his night dreaming of his upcoming

TATTOO!!!

THE CHEEZ(IT) STANDS ALONE

2011-03-20T17:52:00.000-07:00

When Cliff was home he bought a box of Cheez-it crackers. They were scrumptious, wonderful, cheezy.

Henry surprised me of Super Large Cheez-it crackers. Twice the size, twice the taste. Heaven!!

I got up this morning looked outside and did a double take--

yup--the Cheez-It stood alone.

Denny Crane Rosengren Friedman was evidently unable to open the box with his paw. Every person (dog) deserves a ~~healthy~~ nummy snack!!

DAY AFTER NIGHT

2011-03-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

I know that I am probably the last person in the world to read Day After Night. That being said, I am now sharing the shame of that fact and telling you to buy this on your kindle, on Amazon, get it at the library.

As enthralling as The Red Tent was, Anita Diamant's lastest book will carry you away again to a different period of history. I was a little reluctant because I really did not like her "Last Days of Dogtown" book at all, but this is remarkable. Just a few pages into Day After Night and you feel as though you can smell the ocean, and feel the lumps in the pillow.

Here is a review:

Just as she gave voice to the silent women of the Old Testament in The Red Tent, Anita Diamant creates a cast of breathtakingly vivid characters -- young women who escaped to Israel from Nazi Europe -- in this intensely dramatic novel.

Day After Night is based on the extraordinary true story of the October 1945 rescue of more than two hundred prisoners from the Atlit internment camp, a prison for "illegal" immigrants run by the British military near the Mediterranean coast south of Haifa. The story is told through the eyes of four young women at the camp with profoundly different stories. All of them survived the Holocaust: Shayndel, a Polish Zionist; Leonie, a Parisian beauty; Tedi, a hidden Dutch Jew; and Zorah, a concentration camp survivor. Haunted by unspeakable memories and losses, afraid to begin to hope, Shayndel, Leonie, Tedi, and Zorah find salvation in the bonds of friendship and shared experience even as they confront the challenge of re-creating themselves in a strange new country.

This is an unforgettable story of tragedy and redemption, a novel that reimagines a moment in history with such stunning eloquence that we are haunted and moved by every devastating detail. Day After Night is a triumphant work of fiction.

Read and enjoy!!

HURRICANE SEASON

2011-02-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

Hurricane season will have a whole new meaning this Fall!! Cliff was just admitted to the University of Miami School of Law.

We could not be more proud!

THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS...

2011-02-16T20:27:00.000-08:00

I have been doing my best to avoid meat lately...well except for the occasional Philly Cheesesteak from Jersey Mike's (is that a contradiction in terms).

Tonight when I got home from a rainy drive to South Coast Plaza, Henry said that he had gotten some stuff for dinner. I had been thinking I would have my usual Whole Wheat toast with Earth Balance and Peanut Butter.

Went to take the nightly bath and play my hour of DS and all I could think about was Henry saying there was a London Broil in the cold cut section of the refrigerator. I could only think of that sandwich!!!

The last episode of Ramsay's Restaurant was on and I was going to have a great sammie, some Sake...num-o.

I reach into the top drawer of the refrigerator, spot the aluminum foil packet with the meat, grab it, pull it out...

picture...Carrie

"juice" everywhere

on me

throughout the fridge

on the floor

aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!

I am trying to clean the floor while Denny is busy trying to lick all the "juice" out of my robe.

Back to a meat free existence ... the sammie was good, now that I am writing about it ... not so much.

BIGGEST LOSER WANTS ME

2011-01-08T20:50:00.000-08:00

Don't get too excited...not the TV show...the Men's Department.

Yup...the Men's Department is organizing "The Biggest Loser." Instead of a week at the ranch with Jillian or Bob. We pay $2 to play, the winner of % weight lost each week wins $5. The bottom three people play $10. At the end of the period of time allowed--which I forgot, gets the kitty. Oh, and if you gain back the weight you lost you pay $1 per pound.

I, of course, asked what the opt out price was...

Wish me luck!!

DID BRAZIL GET ITS NAME FROM THE BRAZIL NUT???

2011-01-07T21:19:00.000-08:00

Did Brazil get its name from the Nut?
Did India get its name from the Ink?
Did Oroville get its name from Oroweat?

Why do I ask?

Because Cliff graduates from college in May and there are no rooms at the Inns--literally. Not one room in the lovely little town of Chico...not one!! No amount of wheedling, whining, begging, asserting, will get us a room, much less two rooms.

We are staying in Oroville, CA. Where you ask?? I certainly did. This is a picture of historic downtown Oroville.

The population of Oroville was 13,000 in 2000. The fourth largest employer is Walmart, number eight is Home Depot. Oroweat not in sight.

We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express for Cliff's graduation.

If we were to stay here this weekend the room would be $86 a night...for graduation weekend it is $195 per night.

It must be near a highway, because I think we are getting robbed.

Oh, BTW, the answers to the questions are...no, no, and no!

I just did some checking to make sure that Oroweat really is not based in Oroville. Come to find out it is a division of Bimbo Bakeries CA a division of Bimbo Bakeries Mexico...I am not even going there...

I'm just sayin'...

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS CIRCA 2011

2011-01-03T21:49:00.000-08:00

My blog began as a method for keeping me in touch with my resolutions. It is only fair a few years later to re-visit my resolutions and update them. They are posted at the side of my blog...but I think that I am too busy writing to read them (stating the obvious here).

1. Only buy things that I really need.

We all absolutely need new shoes--right?

2. Pay my credit cards off.

Slow start, I have been in maintenance, but I am reneweing my vow.

3. Eat less.

I will start with fewer times a day.

4. Exercise more (anything would be more, let’s face it)

I will reactivate my gym membership in February (hate to join in the January rush)

5. Finish projects.

I will finish them as soon as I find them.

6. EBay what I don’t need.

I'm on it!!

7. Donate what I can’t eBay.

Ditto!

8. Divest myself of all my unnecessary objects.

Starting with unnecessary FAT!!

9. Open my mind up to being more creative.

Yup!

10. Paint.

Something I need to find to be able to do.

11. Photograph

Always a love.

12. Write

Easy!

13. Finish my works in progress

Repeat of 5 and I never noticed.

14. Use what I have

Back to finding it to use it!

15. Create

A clean work environment.

Wish me luck!!!!

NEW YEARS 2010

2011-01-02T19:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2010!!!

In a repeat of last year, we had a wonderful feast at our friends Sonny and Melinda.

The season is best begun and ended with very good friends

great food

champagne

and children.

Sonny, Melinda, Clifford, and Amy

and then topped it off with 30th Anniversary Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory

and finished it off with the traditional puzzle (although I can say "Go Fish")

It was a wonderful evening.

As one of my friends said...we get a chance to do it over and do it right this time.

Happy New Year!!!

WALL OF WONDER

2010-12-28T22:54:00.000-08:00

Tonight Henry and I journeyed all the way to "the coast" to visit our son-in-law (even though he is an "ex" we do not think of him that way).

We went to visit his parents and his new "TV". When we arrived we were confronted with the "Wall of Wonder"

No--you are not seeing triple vision...there are indeed three televisions installed on this wall. The reason you ask:

He can now watch three football games at one time
The kids can play WII on one of them and he can still watch football
Julia can play WII, Jacob can play X-box, and Jeff can watch the ball game.

It is a thrilling prospect...

...that being said, all the way home I thought about it.

I think we need it.

The wall of wonder...I can retire and watch three TVs at once

Pride and Prejudice, Law and Order, Iron Chef America
Tabatha's Salon Takeover, Twilight Zone, and Pride and Prejudice
I Love Lucy, Pride and Prejudice, and Law and Order
Pride and Prejudice, Escape from LA, and XXX

I am thinking this could be fabulous.....where will Henry watch TV?? What am I thinking....Pride and Prejudice on all three TVs at once...DONE!!

DISCO HENRY

2010-12-22T10:59:00.000-08:00

The folks at JibJab have helped me turn Cool Runner Henry into Disco Henry....Happy holidays to all. Watch and enjoy!!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

COOL RUNNER

2010-12-12T19:21:00.000-08:00

Henry ran his first four mile race today--not a 3K or a 10K--a four mile in honor of the 40 years of existence of Scripps Ranch. Yes, it's true, he did run with these glasses on his face--is he cute or what.....

What was cute is Julia's sign. People were laughing as they ran by..."My Grandpa Runs Faster than your Grandpa"

We all came out to support Hen, no one ran with him...he did it all by himself. Of course, he is awaiting the official time...but I had him at 46 minutes 9 seconds.

This is the before---actually we could be the odd glasses family!!

Between the start and the finish was 46 minutes of waiting...and yes, I did bring my knitting.

There he is...no that's not him...yes, it is....no....yes

Yay, Poppy!!

Those last few steps.....you can do it (I certainly can't)

C'est finis! Congrats!!

THANKSGIVING 2010

2010-11-25T21:07:00.000-08:00

As someone reminded me the other day, he did not like the Holiday Season because we are supposed to treat people well and be jolly all year. Of course, he is right. It could also be said that we should give thanks every day for what we have and what we have had and what is ahead. That being said...today we could be thankful for a wonderful day and a wonderful meal...out at a lovely restaurant. Today my choice was Sbicca in Del Mar.

What a wonderful place to have a great meal....I spent two weeks praying for good weather!

The menu was perfection. We carefully plotted out who would have what. For once, it worked out and everyone had selected a different item...Cliff Pork Prime Rib, Henry Grilled Steak, Betsy Ravioli, and me...Turkey. Thanksgiving morning everyone (except Cliff) changed to Turkey.

As you can see....it was a beautiful day. We had the table I had requested upstairs, outside, Western exposure (yes, I was that specific).

Yes..a gorgeous sunny day. We were at this table for about four minutes before we asked for the nice table in partial shade. Partial shade being the key word. It was a bit warm.

We moved back and Henry was cold. He traded seats with Cliff so that he could be in the sun. The wait staff thought they were being punked--every time they came to the table it was musical chairs. As the meal progressed, the concern was for Henry's naked head becoming sunburned and blistered. After one bottle of wine, Betsy began taking off clothes and talking about her "delicate redhead complexion."

The dinner arrived and was gorgeous...

...and it continued to get warmer...

Henry and Betsy had run a 5K and a 10K (respectively) Turkey Trot--so this is Henry's self-satisfied stare. I am just jealous!

We had a great time talking about time's past.

Much to Cliff's dismay, I did manage to get a few pictures of Cliff not giving me a dirty look.

Please note the child behind us playing on his Nintendo DS for his entire meal (of mac and cheese).

As we proceeded to dessert, Betsy tried her own awning in desperation.

Thank heaven's Betsy remembered her ~~Lactaid~~ Dairy-ease.

All in all it was a great day. Fun to be complaining about the sun when we could be in Massachusetts shoveling snow.

It was a glorious day as we drove home down the ocean gazing off to the horizon--which Henry reaffirmed was indeed horizontal!! That college degree pays off every day!

RUBBER DUCKY

2010-11-15T22:30:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that I forgot the highlight of the entire shopping experience within my Sunday trek to the Rose Bowl Flea Market. On the way home, we stopped in Claremont and went into a store called Bath Junkie.

I asked the young lady working if there was a store in Las Vegas, and she said oh, no this is the only one. Well, come to find out there are 40 stores...as widespread as Key West and Puerto Rico...and about twenty in Texas.

You all remember the classic Sesame Street rendition by Ernie of Rubber Ducky....

While there I discovered a plethora of Rubber Duckies in all shapes and sizes...and then there came the Piece de Resistance....a Jesus Rubber Ducky from Celebriducks. He does actually walk (well float) on water--all while holding a little lamb.

Come to find out "Celebriducks" has a vast array of rubber duckiss from the famous (Obama)

and Clinton

to the infamous (Mr. T.),

Mae West (I know what you are thinking...do not even go there)

and, of course, Santa Claus.

There is a Pope Duckie....maybe he could have a chat with Jesus in your tub...a meeting of the "minds" so to speak.....you might have to keep the bubbles down.

In the words of my last ducky for the tubby:

"Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore...(and I ad lib here, but if we were I wish we could get a University of Kansas Jayhawk rubber ducky....

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!!

THE ROSE BOWL IS NOT JUST FOR UCLA...

2010-11-14T21:29:00.000-08:00

...it is also the home of the Rose Bowl Flea Market on the second Sunday of every month.

So I put on my walking shoes...

and headed out with a friend at 5:30 AM to go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

Arriving at the Flea Market in a hoard of cars and people so early was overwhelming...it has been a long time since I had been there and had forgotten the frenzy...

There was a ton of vintage clothing, although most not older than the current clothes in my closet...we know I never let go of anything...

Wonderful beaded sweaters

Jerky for Henry...but I did not buy any due to the diet situation (I am sure he would not eat it)

A black Santa with gorilla feet on....sorry I cut them out...

Ancient fast foot conveyances

My typewriter from high school

Tons of vintage blingy baubles

It was a gorgeous day....Rose Bowl....mountains...people....people...people

A wreath made of old sheet music!!

Beads from Ghana

Clearly the concession to have is to have ATM machines...lines out the door all the time...six machines no waiting.

This girl was my fave...vintage clothes, Chinese umbrella,

Saddle Shoes....and, of course, an iphone..

As we began our travel across the 210 to head home, I looked up and saw a billboard for a Trini Lopez concert. I said, Dear Lord, I did not even know Trini Lopez was still alive. My friend said--Alive! I have never even heard of him. That is when you know you are reeeeaaaaallllly old!!

So I broke into the classic Lemon Tree. She looked at me as though I were insane because she had never heard the song either. To refresh everyone's memory...here it is:

Make sure your volume is on!! and sing along...Lemon tree very pretty...
Trini is now 73 and I still have a hard time believing that he is having a concert and just think about the customer base for that puppy. Tickets and details are available here.

We then headed off to Riverside so that I could see the Mission Inn Hotel which is just classic California and charming. They have 3.5 million lights up for their Holiday Display.

COUCH AND 5K

2010-11-08T20:47:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning Henry and I had something in common.

We both went 5K...me in my car, Henry in his running shoes.

We both went approximately the same speed...no more joking. Henry did an incredible thing...he ran a 5K race on Shelter Island. Maybe not so incredible for those of you who run, but I personally sit. The closest I have come to a 5K is by downloading the app to my iphone for "Couch to 5K" an inspirational app that I could not even figure out how to use the one day I did it.

I am extremely proud of Henry...he looks fabulous, he is running, he is a different person.

For those of you who have not seen the new Woody Allen movie--"You will meet a tall dark stranger". It begins with Anthony Hopkins divorcing his wife because he has found a new lease on life, is exercising, is fit, and she says...what are you thinking? I found it very amusing...my friends not so much...

BIG DAY FOR FOOD THINGS

2010-10-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

So, I have my new favorite lunch (or today lunch AND dinner). Pick up your favorite hummus...mine is a wonderful Cayenne Hummus they sell at Jimbo's, whole wheat pita, 4 tiny carrots sliced, 1 tsp of low fat shredded mozarella, red onions, and tons of raw spinach. Seriously, this could make me forget about

Big Macs or

Subway BMT.

My new sandwich is DELICIOUS!!

I ate my dinner while watching last night's Biggest Loser on the DVR. Can I lose weight while watching them work out??? But I am eating alot better.

After a delicious pita sandwich, it was time to watch Top Chef: Just Desserts. I paired this choice with 3 graham crackers with a thin layer of natural peanut butter. Oddly enough, I seem to be satisfied.

Next week I will move up to exercising.

THE LAST SUPPER

2010-10-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

OK...I know that that is because a "diet" is not something that you do for a 30 period, or a week, or two days. It is not something that should be faced with only lemon juice and cayenne pepper for a week. It needs to be a lifestyle change.

Faced with Henry's incredible success based upon the before photo above...

To the after photo above...let's face it he is even dressing nicer.

I want you to know that I am not doing this because Henry glares at every bite that I eat.

I am not doing this because of the emails that give kudos to all other family members on their achievements other than me.

I am doing this because I am disgustingly FAT.

That being said I am busy making my last supper--yup you guessed it a bottle of wine and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

Tomorrow on to the new healthy me!!

Wish me luck. I will keep you posted...which may keep me honest!!

LEOPARD SKIRT--ULTIMATE STYLE ICON

2010-10-19T18:06:00.000-07:00

OK! We all know that I love love love eBay.

I also love love love leopard...

I have Tory Burch Leopard Revas (no I did not take them back Andrea)

I also have Leopard Keds

So the other day I came across a wonderful Leopard Skirt from Bloomingdales (how prophetic) on Ebay--the description says:

This is a gorgeous leopard print skirt by Patrick Christopher, purchased from Bloomingdales. This is a great fall piece. The fabric is: 82% rayon, 18% silk and is fully lined, 100% polyester. It is a shiny, velvet-like texture. The approximate measurements are: waist - 16 1/2" across, lying flat, length - 23" from waist to hemline. It has a back zip closure. This was originally $178. at Bloomingdales.

I purchased this for a theme dinner at a corporate meeting and won't wear again. I am doing some 'Fall Cleaning' and am listing some great items that are a fraction of their original purchase price. Great opportunity to pick up some pre-owned clothing items.

This would look so cute with tights and combat boots (am I really 60??). Seriously, how could I resist...all this for $16.99 (a reduced-price yet). I placed a bid, and as I am getting my pedicure, I get a notification on my phone that I have won the auction. I immediately hit the buttons to pay for this auction.

I am checking my mail tonight and I get a "Thank you for your PayPal payment to MadKate1994." I looked and thought--that cannot be.

MadKate1994 is my lovely niece Lauri's eBay account. When I looked at the invoice in a size larger than my iPhone (ie postage stamp) there is a note that says:

Cathi you ding dong I will send you the skirt you do not have to buy it.

What are the chances that two people from the same family would be attracted to the same skirt...or that randomly one would purchase it unbeknownest from the other. Did I mention that we live on different coasts and see each other rarely.

Even more depressing, I know that I will NEVER look as good in this skirt as my lovely niece did.

Maybe it would make a great pillow.

Ebay the big Equalizer!!!

ZENTANGLE

2010-10-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

OK..I know. One more thing to addict me. I might have to put down my Cobalt Blue Nintendo DS--I know I have an issue.

I was with my friend this weekend and she started talking about someone she worked with telling her about Zentangles. She said she was at a mandatory lecture the other day and was "unfocused"...she thought of her friend and the Zentangle conversation. She said that Zentangling kept her amused the entire time.

What is a Zentangle, you ask??

Yup--it is a doodle. A pretty incredible doodle. Done on fabo paper with probably more skill than I have. It could be better than playing on my DS.

Seriously, if you go to the Zentangle website...there is a kit. Perfect paper, Perfect pen, Perfect pencil. Why did I not think of this...monetizing doodling with a name like Zentangle. Check out this video...it makes it look soooooo easy

I know....I am buying the kit and beginning my new profession as a Zentangler extraordinaire.

RAMEN NOODLES

2010-10-04T21:57:00.000-07:00

Today I had to go to a meeting in Century City Shopping Center in LA.

I was ecstatic...ECSTATIC!!

Why the excitement over a shoe meeting??

Well, nestled in the corner of the Food Court in Century City is a little place called Ajisen Ramen.

The first time I went to this little eaterie, I was alone and it was a Friday night. I'll admit I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I was exhausted and this was the first place I saw when I entered the food court. I went to the counter and ordered basically the only thing that I recognized on the menu: Beef Curry Noodles.

My dinner arrived and as I carried my tray over to the table the most phenomenal aroma wafted upward. I thought OMG if this tastes half as good as it smells, I am in for a treat.

It was in a large bowl, with a small spoon. I took one sip, looked around and thought--"Do you think anyone would notice if I dunked my entire head into the bowl?" Then I realized that I simply did not care--it was that good.

I stopped in after work today got two huge orders to go and thought about it on my 4 hour drive home (it was "misting").

The best is I bought TWO--one for tomorrow!

It was...and is...quite simply one of the best dishes in the galaxy!!!

Num-o!

ROBERT LEHR PECHIN

2010-09-26T23:08:00.000-07:00

This weekend, after a long illness, my sister's husband, Bob Pechin, died.

He was a lovely man.
He worked long and hard to support his family.
He and my sister raised five children and me.
He and my sister had six grandchildren.

He was loved by all, but especially by my sister.

I certainly hope that there is a place such as heaven because now he and my sister will be together.

I do not have any pictures of him just pre-digital....so I can only share some of the lovely family members that loved him and will always hold him in their heart. These pictures are old, Lauri is now blonde, Clifford has had a haircut...everyone is still gorgeous. I love them all!

Lauri, Kaitlin, Laura

Kaitlin, Madeline, and Allison

Lauri and Michael

Lauri and Cliff

Michael, Cliff, and Lauri

Michael, Cliff and Lauri

Cliff and Madeline

Kaitlin, Cliff, Madeline, and Allison


Michael and I

Madeline and Lauri 2010

RACHEL ZOE AND ME AND SONNY AND CHER

2010-09-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

I know I should stay away from flipping channels on those ever increasing sleepless nights...but sometimes you cannot resist. So as I am flipping, I see Rachel Zoe on QVC...the grande dame herself, hawking her wares.

In this instance, the cutest faux fur vest....it looked adorable on her. So cute, I bought two...it was so easy with the iPhone APP for QVC. Immediately turned over and went to sleep.

Then the boxes arrived. My husband kept saying, what's in the boxes. I said something that probably has to go back...I do not want to discuss it.

Finally alone with my purchases, I opened the boxes and out came these cute little animals...cute and cuddly.

Come on...how cute would I look in that.....post-season Padre games. I would be the envy of the crowd. Back in the day....

Yup, I put it on and what can I say....back in the day was right...I looked like Sonny or Cher, or Sonny and Cher combined. I couldn't get their image out of my head...and I was humming "I've got you babe." Babe--Eek.

They are packed up and heading back to the land that time forgot....I would keep one but I do not know if I could find the striped pants to go with it.

URTH TO ANDREA

2010-09-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

Should I mention again how wonderful Urth Caffee is??? We are regulars there now and we have only been in town for two days. In two days we have eaten there FOUR times. Did I mention the cottage cheese--seriously cottage cheese. But you can tell from the rich caramel color how wonderful the Amazing Grace Irish tea is....perfect with my knitting.

and with the vegan Pumpkin Pie with the granola crust--YUM-O

Then we went to find the canals of Venice...Andrea told her father to look for a $6,542,000 charge cause she found a house.

The canals were built in 1904-05 to replicate the canals in Venice Italy. Originally there were 16 miles of canals. In 1929 most of the canals were filled to accommodate the new mode of transportation, the automobile. This is a postcard from 1917. How wonderful was this??

The choices were many...I will just upload and you can have fun looking. We had fun walking and pretending that we lived there. We walked just long enough that it was time for another meal at Urth. I will give you a hint...my fave was the orangey-yellow one with the lime green deck chairs, or the...

If I lived here I would not only be home...I would never leave home.

ANDREA'S HOME PAGE

2010-09-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

Everyone keeps asking what we have done in LA.....

Walked along the beach for two miles for a wonderful cup of Amazing Grace Irish Breakfast Tea at Urth Caffe

Then on the two mile trip back to the hotel, we played "Where would Andrea live?"


HERE?

or here?


I'll stay here...

Is there a windmill in your future?

here?

This looks good...

Loved the window

This is my choice...

If she moved here....

I could live next door...

The choices are endless of adorable little houses that are probably a large fortune....that is why one has an imagination...sigh.

Which one do you vote for???

ROAD TRIP--LA STYLE

2010-09-21T21:43:00.000-07:00

Day one of a three day road trip with Andrea to Santa Monica. Yes, she got the beach with the sand (yeech), but I got the first overcast day all year.

Every road trip to the Beverly Hills area should be celebrated by a trip to Sprinkles

Yes--the picture above is a photo of cupcakes. When you pick them up they are in a special brown box...

The picture to the right is not the eyes of a mixed up owl....they are very special cupcakes (or were). I do wonder where she got the recipe for my mom's buttercream frosting.

We headed to our hotel....the Hotel California

Perfect....it is close to the beach, we can both travel back to that moment in time that we actually knew surfers and did not think of them as time-wasting-no-job-deadbeats...we thought they were cool. You know your day is going well when you open the door to your room and a large poster of Kurt Russell as Snake Plisken awaits...be still my heart.

We wandered over so that Andrea could see the sand--she will touch it tomorrow!

Luckily, Andrea was saved from the sand and the real "Snakeman" by Spiderman (only in LA).

Only after we took these pictures did we find out that a tip was not just appreciated but demanded....imagine us running down the pier with Spider/Snakeman after us.

What day would be complete without an inspirational trip to Anthropologie

These lovely lamps are simply round wood rings held together by wonderful fabrice....I could do this.


This is a headboard made of metal pipes afixed to the wall with square wire attached and then lovely doilies. Seriously folks....these people are brilliant!!

Tomorrow it is beach, lunch, and then LACMA!!! I am already excited!!!

IT IS THAT TIME AGAIN.....CHARGER SEASON...

2010-09-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

...and you would have to see it to believe it. I decided this year you should hear it from the source...

It's the Chargers home opener at Qualcomm Stadium which means I begin my yearly ritual prior, during and after every Charger game in the next 100 days.

Not that you really care, but the Chargers are playing the Jacksonville Jags today and the game is blacked out in San Diego because it wasn't a sellout ..... but I really don't care because I haven't missed a home game in the past 9 years.

Just in case you forgot, last night I drove my car to Qualcomm and parked in the usual spot which is just outside the confines of the stadium. At 8:30 this morning I will be picked up by my friend Ken, who owns the Quiznos, near the stadium and my day begins. Coffee, Sunday Paper, Trolley, Hearing Aids, Betting Pools, Tailgating, Face Paint, pre-game workout and so on and so on....

Today I will be listening to the Padre game (they are in St. Louis) while watching the Charger game ........

All those who envy me please comment below!! (Please note the yellow sunglasses)

WHITE OUT...WIPE OUT

2010-09-14T03:18:00.000-07:00

As you all know...I love going to baseball games...Padre games...granted it is much more fun when they are hitting it out of the ball park rather than watching other teams do same.

I just have to say at the game Sunday, I realized I must literally be the whitest person in the stadium. The guard came up to me and asked me if I had sunscreen on...then said to Marilyn, my friend, "nice tan".

Maybe someone had complained about the reflection off my VERY white legs.

SHOO FLY...

2010-09-12T18:26:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I blogged....people ask, where have you been...I say, well I guess I have not felt passionately about anything in particular lately...that is...until today.

The common house fly...musca domestica.

Sounds like a nice Italian house wine.

But it is not.

It is an annoying creature that comes along in the summer.

Being in San Diego, we normally have no flies.

This year, yeah, they are here, in droves.
In droves.
In my kitchen window.
Hiding behind the very sophisticated fly traps with cute little flies drawn on to trick them into landing on the gluey surface and starving to death in silent agony.

Mine aren't starving....they are thriving...they are racing among the many fly traps....and I swear they are multiplying.

Today, I broke. I remembered the very sophisticated method that one of the B&Bs I stayed at in Ireland had dealt with a bee infestation. It was creative, and would still qualify you to be at one with your Hindu self.

I a-Miele-orated them...

That is right.
It was quite fun.
They did not get
a chance to run
I aimed the wand
and sucked them in

They are in a bag
of dog hair and dirt
I do so so hope
they are not badly hurt

We all amuse ourselves in our own sick little ways.

SMALL WORLD

2010-06-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

It is a small world after all......very small.....and I do not mean that we went to Disney, because we did not.

I had an auction going on eBay for some yarn left over from my shop...Classic Elite Sand in a lovely orange color. When the auction closed, I got an email from the buyer to have it sent as a gift to an address in Iron River, MI.

Iron River Michigan! I could not believe it. That is where my father was born and raised and would still be living there if my mother had not enticed him away.

Iron River Michigan! Home to approximately 3,000 people since they merged Stambaugh into the town. A community that used to be based upon mining. As a child, I remember my Uncle Shorty and his family coming to visit us in Denver...descending upon us would be a better word. Uncle Shorty's vacation was an incredible 13 weeks a year. They stayed with us for many of those weeks making my mother insane (and particularly unpleasant). I was well into adulthood when the lightbulb went off and I figured out the lengthy vacation was to attempt to get his lungs cleared out prior to the return to work in the mines.

At any rate, it was a jog down memory lane. I remember beautiful weather in the summers while visiting as a child. Catching fireflies in a jar. Sitting out in the yard on a wooden swing. Trying to find the warm spot in Ice Lake. My Grandparents house had a stove that worked with wood, not electricity. They made their own sausage, until my mother found out what she was stuffing. There was a stuffed moosehead in the attic. All of the things that made for great stories while growing up.

That being said, I have never shared any of these stories with my own family, so this will come as a shock to all.

ZOO STORY

2010-06-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

Sunday was Zoo Day with the kids...and Mark, Henry, and I. I found many animals I felt like painting....so inspiration abounds. As well as just a great time at a great zoo.

You can't tell the players until you know the teeth!!

OMG...BACK ON THE DIET---OR COULD IT BE A FOOD BABY!!

You forget when you do not go how truly wonderful the zoo is.....what a great time!!

CANVAS ON DEMAND

2010-06-24T21:09:00.000-07:00

I was sent a link to this site and thought it would be a great way to showcase one of my favorite pictures from our San Francisco trip. Canvas on Demand was a fabulous experience and the end result is much better than I expected. This is what the artwork looked like...approximately 11 x 14. I love it!!

YUP THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT

2010-06-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

So I was Purling at Petco Memorial Day, freezing my little fingers off as the yarn sped through them. I thought...this is absurd, why am I never prepared for how cold it is. Sure I brought a sweater and then wore flip flops--really!!! what was I thinking.

Then I did think...what I truly need is a Padres blanket (even I cannot believe these thoughts were flying through my mind) and then a lightbulb went off.

I have my iPhone.
I have the Amazon App.
I have Amazon Prime.
I have a blanket whizzing to me for the next game.

It did not help me last night...but I will be toasty the next night we go.

I sat smugly thinking--I could be a commercial!

SF DDD TOUR WRAP UP

2010-05-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday AM we headed into SF. Cooper seemed unaffected by our decision to leave!!

Into the city to go to a (you guessed it) Padre Game. We went to ATT stadium, my first time. Almost saw a no hitter...instead saw a one hitter!! It is a gorgeous park and we had tickets compliments of Mark Loretta and his lovely wife Hillary (TY).

This is a beautiful park...with a giant Coke bottle--how cool is that. I loved the entrance with a row of giant baseballs (upon one of which Hen is resting).

It was a gorgeous day as you can see....and we won!!!

We picked up our friend Karen after work and headed to another DDD choice. Sol Food in San Rafael.

The address we had brought us to a parking lot with a total of 9 chairs on 3 benches next to a dry cleaner....and a line out the door of people waiting for to go orders.

We got three seats inside and were treated to some of the best food we had on the entire journey. As well as a wonderful photo op!!

The entire place was the size of a small bedroom...

...and yes, this is homemade hot sauce!!

Plantains used as napkin holders...
and a bell jar filled with "Ponche" which is 1/2 Mango Iced tea and 1/2 homemade limeade--aka the Arnoldo Palmero. Fabuloso.

We ordered an appetizer of Tostones Con Mojo--which were green plantain fried, smashed and fried again. It is served with fresh garlic and olive oil...topped with avocado. Yum-o. Then moved into dinner...I had Camarones Empanizados--large fried prawns marinated and breaded with green plantain. Fresh lime and sauce for dipping (two kinds) with black beans.

Then, for the first time all week, we had dessert--TEMBLEQUE. Trust me, if anything deserved to be capitalized it is this dessert. Creamy coconut pudding with mango sauce or cinnamon (in our case both).

If it would not be considered rude, Karen and I would have fought over licking the bowl!!

Friday night we finished our trip in our usual fashion---with SAKE.

Our final take on the DDD tour...is mixed. There were home runs, walks, and total misses. But we found a few great new places...and as always, our friends were fabulous!!

NAPA DDD TOUR

2010-05-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

What better place to spend some time for our 30th anniversary than at the person's house that we became married 30 years ago? For those of you who guessed Henry's ex-wife Judy, you are right again. Yes, friends, for those of you who are unaware of the story...Henry and I married in his ex-wife's living room 30 years ago. Andrea was there. Schooly took the pictures. The kids wore clogs (thanks to me!!). Henry wore a brown suit. I borrowed my dress...and my hat...and my shoes...what can I say, my priorities were askew. Then we went on our "honeymoon" to Disney with....that is right his parents, his sister, her husband, and her kids. With a beginning like that who would have thought that I would be doing this post 30 years later.

So we are here staying with Judy and her husband Kurt...I could not help myself I love this picture of them!!

I love this picture! I know they hate it.....but they love the picture of their dog Cooper.

Yesterday we went to a familiar place that is on the DDD route--Taylor's Refresher, which is now Gott's Roadside. The only thing that they have changed is the name. We went to the one in St. Helena, which gave me time to go to the cute little knitting store called Muse. I bought a couple of skeins of Koigu, and although I defended her, she really was not very pleasant. Cute store tho.

Last night we went to hear rehearse for a concert with a band....I wanted to take a picture, but I really had the wrong lens. But it was wonderful. I recorded it on my iPhone and when I figure out what to do with it it could become his ring tone. I will let you know the progress on that.

This morning Henry and I headed off to Calistoga..which we passed and decided to head to Healdsburg. Along the way we saw a place called Jimtown. What a find!!! It was charming and the food was delish. Henry and I split Fire Roasted Poblano, Jack Cheese, Mushroom, and Onion, with Roast Garlic Aioli on Sourdough, and then we had a side of Melon Seed Pasta with Chopped Olive, Cucumber, Spring Onions, Carrots, and Garden Herbs. Then Henry went back and got the vegetarian chili....yum-o!! Did I mention it was charming.

This "store" was started by two people from NY one of whom was the part owner of the infamous Silver Palate in NY. Why should I expect it to be less than fabulous!

Not much could be be better than this, but we actually went to dinner at a place that had Octopus Burrito, called La Taquiza. It was great (I, of course, skipped the Octopus anything, but Henry loved it). I do wish we had one of these closer to work, home, or anywhere.

Off to SF tomorrow to see our good friend Karen.....we always have tons of fun!!