Popcorn and Apples

Soup Kitchen

2012-01-16T11:25:00.000-08:00

Source In January it's so nice while slipping on the sliding ice to sip hot chicken soup with rice. Sipping once sipping twice sipping chicken soup with rice. from Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months by Maurice Sendak At mid-National Soup Month, four soups have come out of my kitchen. I do like a one-pot meal. I also enjoy serving soup at home and giving soup away. Who is not delighted

Looking Forward: Twenty-Twelve

2012-01-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

Early New Year's Eve, I enjoyed Cherry Limeade at California Pizza Kitchen. Startling and very exciting. In line at Sprout's on Friday, the man in front of me asked my NY's goals. I said I was still working on them. He said he is perfecting his spiderman push-up and working to manufacture his healthy ice cream. Good luck with that, I answered. Actually, I was encouraging and said I would look

Gumdrop Lights

2011-12-28T07:43:00.000-08:00

My trek to Christmas is often a two-pointed jaunt. First to the Ritchies, then home. It is the best way to make the journey. We made a string of gumdrop lights. Amy's theme was Vintage Christmas and she had a candy-themed tree. I took my strings of gumdrops down last night. I watched this movie for the first time and made these for the first time. We hosted a Christmas tea for Taylor and Rachel

Cookie Cutters

2011-12-15T16:52:00.000-08:00

image from www.marthastewart.com I am not into sugar cookies. I am drawn to their fanciful shapes and even more fanciful icing. They belong on the cover of magazines. Most often sugar cookies are tasteless, floury, and the frosting is too sweet. I take a bite and leave it. Plus, I avoid making roll-out cookies. My sister is my polar opposite in the sugar cookie arena. She loves to eat and make

A St. Nicholas Day Report

2011-12-06T15:07:00.000-08:00

illustration by Norman Rockwell Brian carried the Christmas CD charge for many years. Last year, I offered to relieve him since 2010 was quite a year-end for the fam. This year, mother chose other neighborhood gifties but I made another music CD for my friends. Last year's was highly inspired by Marta's merry mix. I even used her instrux to made CD cases. This year, I exercised self-sufficiency

Shot of the Day

2011-11-30T21:21:00.000-08:00

On my list of top male actors is Daniel Day-Lewis. He has earned my respect. He is an actor, not a celebrity. British, a cut above, and he played Newland Archer. This image was snapped at luncheon on the set of Spielberg's new Lincoln film. Daniel is playing A. Lincoln. Maira Kalman will have something to say about this. She might start a new embroidery. The iced tea, the tables linens, the black

Online: A Few Friends

2011-11-20T15:18:00.000-08:00

Like you, I have a lot of favorite sites bookmarked. I have a list of sewing sites and a list of cooking sites. A list of books, news, and libraries. But there are a few sites I read really often. And they are writing sites. Through a string of consistent clicks, I learn I have an affinity and a connection to these people I've never met. Their writing is moving and they have a distinct voice.

I Simply Remember My Favorite Things

2011-11-16T15:27:00.000-08:00

The Painted Veil is a romantic drama I saw first at the Flower Hill Mall theatre, may it rest in peace. I've since watched it at least three times. It is one of my favorite films. Today I downloaded the soundtrack. You see, I was taken with the music. It featured Erik Satie's Gnossiennes and as such, confirmed my devotion. I became aware of Satie when I served a mission in France. I have

Dinner and a Cooky

2011-10-17T16:59:00.000-07:00

We planned to have a cookie night, based on our cake night, but wiser. We wouldn't need to dispose of 8 whole cakes. So, we planned cookies and dinner about 5 months ago. The weekend passed and with it, a wholly enjoyable dinner party and cookie presentation. The highlight in cookies were Aimee's pumpkin cookies with brown-butter icing. Would you like to try one of her rolls? She rocked the baked

Reciting Lines

2011-09-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

Mother played Parade of the Midgets by Elizabeth L. Hopson. Robin recorded it and played it back for her. She didn't realized the length of her pauses. Bo participated in his premier recital with Old MacDonald's Farm, an old folk tune. He announced his name and the piece with aplomb. He did not play the last line of his piece. He was done and brevity is nothing to sneeze at. Both bowed after

this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

2011-09-25T20:55:00.000-07:00

Have you seen a more interesting bride? Her necklace is perfection. I didn't photograph the whole, a regret. The ceremony was composed of readings, vows, and a union symbol (purified water from the Ganges from the groom and Santaquin well water from the bride, mixed and poured for both to drink). Readings of scope and virtue: John Muir, Thoreau, Abbey, Wendell Barry, Mary Oliver, Rumi, Stegner,

A Penny for Your Thoughts, A Nickel for a Kiss

2011-08-10T21:39:00.000-07:00

Up in the Sky by Majali I once went on vacation by myself to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I went to Santa Fe to eat Frito Pie at the Woolworth's. The Woolworth's had closed down. I remembered this today as I happened on this recipe. The original was served in the Frito bag at the lunch counter. I have a weakness for lunch counters. My mother has hooked Nancy on Fritos this year. At the cabin, Donn and

The Cabin

2011-08-04T21:19:00.000-07:00

My father's side are the hunters. So the cabin walls hold big game antlers, a deer head, and mounted fish. The cabin was built in the 1950s. It is a repository of family memories and ancient crockery at the end of the road of summer cabins north of Mammoth Lakes. You hear the creek everywhere. And this year it was burgeoning. The creek is always cold from snowy run-off. But live water is part of

Set in Stone: The Collection

2011-07-28T14:51:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you've seen them. Garish shiny red or black plastico leather bindings. A moon-face of an author. Uniform dust jackets. Gilt gold spine lettering. Orangey-red-clothed from Harvard. They are different families in one catagory: the library collection. A small canon from someone who chose, another who approved. And now, they are for sale. I don't wish to cast dispersion from my

Luncheon: A Summer Afternoon

2011-07-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Marci and I revisited our tradition: luncheon. I have often enjoyed sitting at their table and remember the first thing I ate there. We have constructed a few excellent repasts and culled the treasures of the season to do so. This was no exception. Rick joined us and ate two bowls of soup. He embraced the sheep's milk feta. MenuRed Pepper Soup with Olives, Lemon Zest, and

Island in the Sun

2011-07-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

Last week I spent Thursday on Balboa Island with a large handful of my favorites. We beached, strolled, ate, talked, gawked, and came under the spell of a slow pace and summer streets. In the evening I ate more seafood than I ever have in one sitting. Smelled delicious basil and tomatoes. Ate my bag of saltwater taffy. Contemplated a fiftieth anniversary. Shivered, sweated, and came home covered

Sea to Sea

2011-07-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

image: www.thecraftingchicks.com Normally we are all together but mother is away so the mice played alone. I woke too early, ran the stairs at the beach, went to spin class, bought pound cake, made a summer fruit trifle for the evening, baked French toast casserole for the Fourth of July breakfast, drove to the breakfast and watched George and Martha Washington pose for pictures, ate chocolate

Labels: A Good Record

2011-06-27T16:52:00.000-07:00

I appliqued four labels on the quilts I have in my possession. One more to go. I need to dig in the journals for some dates. I wrote with a thin Sharpie. I enjoy stitching with embroidery floss. I plan to learn to handquilt this year.

Cobwebs

2011-06-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

When I saw the spiderweb quilt in a book, I liked the red background. Instead, I chose a purple with red in it. This is big for me. I have only bought some lavendar/purple clothes this year. If there was a color I would never buy, purple would be it. I never wanted to be royal. My feelings have changed enough to foster change. I also wanted this quilt that I thought was full size (and is really

Father's Day

2011-06-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

Some people have lost their fathers. Some people still have them. We are in both camps. Without father we watched a plane fly, crash, and undergo repair.

Happy Birthday, Mother!

2011-06-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

This woman is not 70. Yet. She will be on a three-week trip over her big day so we celebrated on Saturday with a barbeque, potato salad, strawberries and fruit dip, garlic bread, Chee-tos, Enid's bundt cake (made by Robin), ice cream, and a vanilla cream pie. She wore a crown. We played bingo and pin the tail on the donkey, the washer game, and swam. Hodgie drank periodically from all the

2011-06-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

All the Better to See You With

2011-06-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

Our week was dynamic, fresh, and spontaneous. We had a list and have vowed to complete our won ton class and toasted marshmallow shakes next week after missing the brunch hour. We also planned another movie night; our first was not on the list but a real pleaser with this film and the promise of popcorn and Milk Duds. We read this book. And did not read this one. She suggested if we have any

2011-06-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

As of today I have new brake pads. will share a farewell dinner with dear friends who are moving. in mere seconds, i will make these cookies for our post-lasagna and salad tummies. am planning for next week when i welcome mother and daffodil for the week. i have sent them an effective "trailer" email of the week. contemplate teaching the "preparation to attend the temple" lesson on sunday. count

Cheese Fondue

2011-05-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

My mother made cheese fondue for us a lot when I was growing up. She served it in a red fondue pot and we chose our long fork based on the handle tip color. We became adept at fishing bread chunks out of the pot. A family meal at a common pot. When I grew I found people assume cheese fondue is Swiss cheese fondue, made with wine and spirits and white melting cheese. I've tasted it and it is just

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part VI

2011-05-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

Irene is one of our favorite relatives. She was spoken of at Christmas; Irene married Budd. She restored the cinnamon raisin cooky recipe to me. Here she reveals all. A lot of people are Christlike from time to time. She is a lot like Jesus. A question that should never be asked: How much do you weigh?Food you are renowned for preparing: chicken and dumplings.A treasured object: a lock of my

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part V

2011-05-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

Mother is known for eating trail mix for lunch and envisioning all fabric as a tablecloth. She loves making people happy. Her favorite people are small. She plants flowers with the season. She does not drink hot chocolate. Popcorn at movies. Nothing spicy. Everything sweet. She is the proud owner of a three-wheel bike. A question that should never be asked: What would you do?Food you are renowned

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part IV

2011-05-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

A question that should never be asked: The only thing worse than chain letters is email recipe ones. I have been asked thrice and never responded . . . just not my cup of tea. (dear reader, this illustrates why i receive no response to my responses.)Food you are renowned for preparing: Rolls and whole wheat bread.A treasured object: My blankie and BlackBerry.Favorite scripture story: When I was

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part III

2011-05-16T17:15:00.000-07:00

Meet B. A gentleman of the old school. A passion for tradition, good form, the hearth, inclimate weather, classic literature, and warm cocoa. A lover of artistic food presentation, the beaker, and the tumbler. Pictured in December with Mumsie. A question that should never be asked: "Did you enjoy sour cream added to the recipe?"Food you are renowned for preparing: Spaghetti & Meatballs.A

Fifteen Questions: The Family Tells All, part II

2011-05-16T17:11:00.000-07:00

At age 10, my oldest nephew blazes his own trail. On our road trip from Las Vegas to St. Jorge, we spoke of The Great War turned WWI, WWII, gassing, Jews, Hitler, power, deception, bin Laden, leaders, followers, 9/11, and Escape from Warsaw. Here, he is pictured lunching at Cafe Rio waiting for the results of the science fair. A question that should never be asked: "Did you fail the test?"Food

Picnic Blanket for the Finger Lakes

2011-05-13T20:35:00.000-07:00

I screwed on a darning foot and put this one on my machine. I've rented time on a long-arm machine previously (one time). It was a lot of work, lots of time, etc. Now I know I can do it on my own machine though I never would for a quilt I've put a lot of time into. Normally I turn them over to someone else. This is just two separate fabrics sewn together, scalloped, and bound. I enjoy the coral

Fabric Fancy

2011-05-10T19:16:00.000-07:00

We met at Quilted Works on Monday after school. She loves fabric. So do I. I arrived early to do my own little shopping. I suggested we canvas the store, remembering favorite bolts. She agreed. Soon she began choosing bolts: swirls, cherries, dots, and many flowers. I proved a sounding board but insisted she make the decisions. I told my reaction to the feel of her fabrics and seasonal intent.

Fifteen Questions: The Family Show

2011-05-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for a new round of guesting. We'll hear what the family has to say. Here is my debut. Photo by Brian. A question that should never be asked: "Do you have anywhere to go for the holidays?" Food you are renowned for preparing: breakfast, cheese souffle with Brian. A treasured object: my bed and kiki. Favorite scripture story: 1 Kings 17. The widow of Zarephath, the barrel of meal, the

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

Stout and Portly Cupcakes

2011-05-07T21:48:00.000-07:00

Friends, I am swimming in a sea of confusion, upheaval, and waves wash the swabbed decks. Say you were to organize a recipe contest, let's say, for cupcakes. The cupcakes need to use Scharffen Berger chocolate. Many from the country send their recipes in hope of winning top honor and ten thousand dollars. That's right. So, everyone sends in recipes; you taste, you look, you decide. And all three

2011-05-04T17:01:00.000-07:00

I took this picture of mother on Mission Bay earlier this year.She starkly reminded me of this one of Karen Blixen.

Dress-Ups + Happiness = Quite a Vision

2011-05-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

I made a quiet vow: I will dress for dinner when people come over. It started last week with Easter when I slipped into a black skirt, loose black top, and black patent sandals before guests arrived. I tried to look comfortable and a bit snazzy as if to tell them, "welcome to the home; this is an occasion." Last night I changed into a new summer dress, graphically blue, white, and black. It was

Chocolat, A Lot

2011-05-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

A week to the day of the last dinner party, here comes another. This, less formal, more giggly, chocolate inebriation. Four of us indulged in Belgian goodness thanks to Andrea's most recent trip. Cami became intoxicated first. Followed by me. Kristen could hold her liquor and went most of the distance. Andrea presented her wares with realistic glamour, finesse, wit, and verve. I told her she

Library Walk

2011-04-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

Not Wanting

2011-04-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

I read this article when I should have been doing something else. I'm sure you don't blame me. How could I not? Not only was I glued to how they have so little (almost nothing) waste but how they have so little in the house at all. The wife: "wanted to truly love and use and know everything she kept in her home. 'Even down to the vegetable peeler,' she says." Since I cleaned out my cupboards and

Le Creuset: A Many-Splendored Thing

2011-04-25T18:55:00.000-07:00

Among my earthly treasures I count pots and pans, blankets/quilts, jewelry, and photographs. Today I showcase a piece (mine is slightly smaller) I had no intention of buying, ever. I am a devotee of Le Creuset, dreaming about enameled cast iron is no joking matter. The heft, the pull, the look, the fast lane. As I live near a Le Creuset outlet, my pieces have multiplied over the years. I now

That Glorious Easter Sunday

2011-04-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

Menu April 24, 2011Easter Dinner chilled cantaloupe soup withtarragon syrup balsamic roasted beefgrilled asparagus withrosemary and goat cheesespoon breadcreamed corn vanilla ice cream with toasted almonds andhot fudge, blackberry, and strawberry sauceschocolate covered strawberries minted water Baby William had an egg. At his first Eastertide, he

The Tide of Easter

2011-04-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

Shopping is done. Eggs are drying (robin egg blue) and two simple syrups are chilling. I made tarragon syrup for the chilled soup. And blackberry sauce for the sundaes. The table is set. The almonds are toasted. The garden is at April's peak. This week I changed out the jade for a camellia, the shade lover. Also added a blue-grey succulent. I teeter between lush and arid.

2011-04-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

The best has happened. I am hosting Easter dinner for five adults (including myself) and one newborn. There will be an honored elder. The menu is 80 percent complete. The guests have calendared. The time is 5 o'clock. A full report will follow the day. I am festooned with anticipation. My thoughts stray to place cards. I could not be more excited.

Pen and Ink

2011-04-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

It seems that most of life's pursuits are begun alone.

Jerusalem: Tis the Season

2011-04-10T20:41:00.000-07:00

Because I understand the frustration of finding a map online that is suitable for printing, I offer my map to the public. So that when you search high res, old jerusalem, jerusalem at the time of jesus, old city, easter week, holy week, and sundry indicators, you may chance upon my site. Please leave a comment with your email address and I will personally (oooh!) send you a high resolution pdf,

Babette: Feast and Famine

2011-03-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

In the recent past, I was surprised to find a few of my dear circle have not seen or read Babette's Feast. It is crazy how we think something is mainstream when it is off the chart of another. I question my own sanity. Truman Madsen and Jeffrey R. Holland have taught by teaching about Babette. There are some exciting ways to know more about the story and film. The most obvious is to rent the

15 Questions by Guest Robin

2011-03-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

Robin now has a family of six. Therefore, her five blog is a nostalgic trip for those like me. She enjoys playing, movies, TV, cooking, a clean house, and happy children. She is a competitive little thing. As a child, she wore a skater cut. She excelled in ceramics, sports, and Spanish in high school. She keeps an updated family cookbook in a three-ring binder. She is famous for her rolls. Her

15 Questions by Guest Aimee

2011-03-28T21:38:00.000-07:00

Aimee is a collector of juice glasses. She is super into kitchen wares. Her blog is a pleasant composition of passions, books, the odd image, and the latest craze. This girl is extremely together. She is extremely passionate, even in everyday speech. I like this because she is also a calm person. I love her. I was pleased to read her love of The Golden Girls. Another Amy and I often speak of the

Fifteen Questions by Guest Red Shoes

2011-03-25T06:40:00.000-07:00

The noble Red Shoes is one who could have been born in any century and well at home. Her interests include the iphone, conjoined gummi bears, and stained glass. She keeps a box of dinner party records of her guests. She loves homewares and has perfected the Reuben. Her blog features wisps of poetry and treatises of modern life. The cities of the future are in her hands. I would like an airline

Fifteen Questions by Guest KTG

2011-03-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

KTG is a Pasadena native, growing up on a shady tree-lined street in a Spanish home. The quintessential Californian. She and I were friends from day one (I actually don't remember that day) and to this day. Read of our reunion here. Her family took me to see Gandhi and Chariots of Fire as a youth. They are brave. We were baptized the same day and left for missions together. She to Japan. KTG

World Peace

2011-03-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

Because it's raining, I came home tonight instead of staying out later. I like to head home when it's nighttime and there is rain. It's just cozier indoors. Cami and Phil accepted my offer of warm cookie with childlike happiness. It's a little thing I'm on right now. Years ago I went to a book club where the hostess baked a huge warm cookie for dessert while we ate dinner. Evidently, I have never

Fifteen Questions by Guest Terrific Tanya

2011-03-23T11:54:00.000-07:00

Meet Tanya (pronounced "tan (like brown) ya"). A titian-haired and peaches and cream beauty raised in central California, she was an interior designer in San Diego until she moved to northern Utah last year. She has never seen so much weather. You must ogle the blanket she made from upholstery fabrics. I have one in the works! I would like an airline ticket to: Paris . . . I want a real

Fifteen Questions

2011-03-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

The next few days will see first-time guest bloggers to popcorn and apples! These are tried and true friends who have lots to say and love to say it. It will keep you coming back for more . . . I am trying my questions first on myself. A human guinea pig in full regalia. I would like an airline ticket to: somewhere I've never heard of, or Vietnam. If I wasn't born in the U.S., I would have

The Garden Before

2011-03-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

In the last month, I've spent many 5 o'clock hours admiring the garden in the late afternoon. The sun sheds and makes the world golden. Though I have no evidence, I imagine the plants take the most from the world during this hour, because they are so beautiful. Scout is coming next week to pick up my three largest plants: a jade and two crowns-of-thorns. I am glad she will shed the pots and

Create: How Do You Choose?

2011-03-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

February! A short month with a long memory. For my happiness project, I had a long list of things to create, including writing a novel in 30 days. I should have known better but did not have the heart to tell myself it would be a push. Also on the list were free motion quilting, sewing projects, making tarte tatin, and my Americana exchange blocks. I did make a bit of headway on the Americana

In the Stacks

2011-03-10T19:33:00.000-08:00

Because I have too much to do, all my library requests have come in. Here are the players: Burmese Days by George Orwell (thanks, Gretchen Rubin) The Food Matters Cookbook by Mark Bittman The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool The Seamstress by Frances de Pontes Peebles The New Terrarium by Tovah Martin Winner of interior page layout: Burmese

Book Club(s)

2011-03-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

What I really like about bookclubs is to find out what everyone is reading. To me, it is more exciting to unveil a book than to watch the Oscars. I participate in three book clubs now. It is a mixed bag. Reading the book is the cake and icing and quite solitary. Talking about the book is apart, like watching five people who witnessed the same crime testify in court. Everyone has a different story

Peanut Butter

2011-03-03T21:16:00.000-08:00

Because I buy this peanut butter, I cannot make these. Or these that Scout told me were the best pb cookies she has ever had. I cannot make peanut sauce for dipping. Because I buy natural peanut butter. That is really great on toast. And the crunchy flax seeds get caught in my teeth and I find them when the peanut butter is gone. But the nice thing is Trader Joe's posted a recipe to use this

Open

2011-03-01T11:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my friend told me about her extended family gathering on Sunday. This is the frame of the story. They held a big family get-together honoring my friend's nephew. Among the attendees was an ex-wife of my friend's brother (the brother is now deceased). The ex-wife often attends reunions. Because of the ex-wife's long history with the family she knows a lot and she herself is not blameless

Read Needs

2011-02-27T17:06:00.000-08:00

Gretchen Rubin writes in The Happiness Project of her love of books. On page 229, she accepts her "idiosyncratic reluctance to read any book (or see any play or movie) that centers on the theme of unjust accusation." She then names books she will never force herself to read. Oliver TwistOthelloTo Kill a MockingbirdAtonementA Passage to IndiaBurmese DaysCrime and PunishmentArthur and GeorgeI've

Black and White

2011-02-26T19:24:00.000-08:00

The wall over my desk is blank except for a black and white image of the Seine. The photos of the happy couple are down and the happy man is down. Vibrant, they lie on the desk. The Parisian shot is taken from a mini calendar I extracted when the year was over. Sometimes we cut up our days, keeping and tossing. My Seine is an aerial view that fits four bridges and one long and narrow island. The

National Treasure: Jinny Beyer

2011-02-20T15:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I attended two lectures while the rain thrummed on the auditorium roof. Jinny Beyer flew out from the East Coast and spoke to quilters. I paid $25 to see and hear her which is $15 more than I paid to have Martha Stewart sign my cookbook 12 years ago. Both were money well spent. If you don't know who Jinny is, don't worry. Most quilters are not rock stars. She is however, an amazing

Candlemas, mas crèpes

2011-02-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

With lit candles, we eat crèpes. La chandeleur, mas crèpes.

Tortillas with Beans

2011-02-02T17:30:00.000-08:00

I like them all: flour, corn, wheat, Ezekiel, and wheat and corn (Trader Joe's). I'm not super into the color wraps. Colored chips and other foods are pretty garish and don't taste super great. Back to tortillas: I love they can be warmed to a crisp or malleable to roll and dip in salsa. Today I am focusing on beans because I just made some. My favorite burrito is bean and cheese. My friend

January: Books are Closed

2011-01-31T18:54:00.000-08:00

Or, how prepare turned into organize: It began with preparing for the year to come, or what is yet to be seen. If my living space is organized and reduced, chances are my mind is likewise (reduced in clutter, not brain cells). I notice I am better when my surroundings are comfortable, useful, and pretty.Things I ran through and then donated: closet, jewelry drawer, dresser, books, kitchen (

Happiness Can Be a Project

2011-01-25T13:21:00.000-08:00

Though I am a happy girl, I know there is room for improvement. My improving moments often find fruition in organization. I love to clean out, pare down, throw out, give away. Part of this habit stems from living in a small space for most of my adult years. I champion those who moved all their belongings in covered wagon. What would one leave home with if one was leaving their home? During our

Leaving the World

2011-01-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

When you drive a while to get there, you stay. Three and a half days at the happiest place on earth. It is especially exciting when you are seven or four. When the swings are not crowded you stay on eight times until your aunt excuses herself, taken by headache or stomachache . . . it is so hard to distinguish. You tear off a ride and beg for more. You don't mind screaming at top speed and often

American Girls

2011-01-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

We knew it was a holiday and we went anyway. To the Grove. To the American Girl store. We reasoned it was better than Disneyland on a holiday. The Grove was wall to wall. The store was wall to wall. As I kept track of Bo and Taylor and Gramma on the down escalator, a presence swept by. I halted our descent, waiting for the next one to board the moving stairs. She was older, in a jeweled caftan.

Early in the Morning

2011-01-03T05:03:00.000-08:00

I guess I'm not the only one up. I just heard a softly squeaky door and Brian's music. By my computer is 4:18 am in California. Looking out my window earlier, it is snowy white in St. George. Snow is quiet. I knew I wouldn't sleep again and the last of our company leaves at 7:30 this morning. It's been a holiday season of reunion. Donn (father's first son) and Nancy always come after Christmas.

Best Snaps of 2010

2011-01-02T22:13:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread Cookies for All

2010-12-29T21:08:00.000-08:00

We have taken father's tradition of gingerbread cookies every year at Christmas. He would make them himself in earlier years, all by himself. Now, we delay until Donny arrives and make them all together. Donn delivers a tinful to Tom when they return. All father's children were raised on gingerbread cookies. Robin hosted our event this year and we arrived to chilled dough. We wore aprons. Robin

Our Holy Family

2010-12-24T21:08:00.000-08:00

Mary, Joseph, and the babe Wise Man (post dessert) pictured with Joseph. Photos by the angel who brought glad tidings of great joywith a fearful grandmother shepherd at her elbow who worea cooking apron with her headress.

Surprise: Small Stocking Stuff

2010-12-23T19:37:00.000-08:00

We are very excited. Mother's stocking preparations are complete. Since everyone loves a list and everyone loves gifts, here is what Santa decided on. There is something very covert about piling in gifts to treelight, clad in nightwear. One should do this more than once a year.silicone baking liner (for the toaster) Ghirardelli Luxe Milk Almond Listerine Whitening Multi-Action Pre-Brush Rinse

Christmas Eve

2010-12-23T14:17:00.000-08:00

This is the second year for our new shared Christmastide—at mother's on Christmas Eve and at Robin's on Christmas Day. I will let you in on the little menu for the eve. We have made it simple, roasty, and delicious (we hope). Pork RoastPotato-Gorgonzola GratinRoasted French Green Beans and Brussels SproutsWaldorf Saladand for dessertBaskin-Robbins Yule Log (Mother and I did not say no when we

Seasonally Speaking

2010-12-17T16:54:00.000-08:00

If you are like me, you have bookmarked and torn-out recipes you must make. Some of these recipes insist on perfectly seasonal ingredients—ripe tomatoes and pears, the roots of winter, fresh berries. And, if you're like me you don't use enough Spanish onions. As I often comb through a stash of recipes (which I've tried without success to keep to three notebooks), I find I've missed the season.

Hey, Good Lookin' . . .

2010-12-15T16:00:00.000-08:00

I used to make a lot more goodies than I do now. I bake when I'm at home with family. But by myself, I normally wait for an occasion. Last weekend presented my occasion as I entertained a happy few on Friday evening. I overspeak; they brought the goods. I supplied Ikea gingersnaps in the red tin. The tin is so nice; the cookies are yum. Andréa made her mother's cocoa recipe. It is delicious.

Cataloguing: Part 2

2010-11-28T22:25:00.000-08:00

The season of mail continues and not a card in sight. The element of surprise in a mailbox, however, continues with mice in a box finger puppets. One of my December goals is to visit Chinaberry for real in Spring Valley. I cannot wait. I have long loved their catalog for their choice of wares. I find a lot of intriguing book titles. Like this. Recently, mother gave me her Eat, Drink, and Be

A Large, Fine Meal

2010-11-26T07:23:00.000-08:00

roasted tom with pomegranate glazethe contessa’s gravybuttermilk mashed potatoesherb and onion stuffingcranberry saucecorn puddingpineapple dressingvirginia rolls with butter and jamgreen peasrelish trayand the piesdutch applepecancoconut cream with meringue Brian once watched a movie where a character ordered "a large, fine meal" and he was brought to a feast at a banquet table. The tom

Cranberry Thanksgiving

2010-11-22T15:06:00.000-08:00

But forget all that today. It was Thanksgiving, her favorite day of the year. The cranberries had been picked, boxed and sent to the market. The dried corn had been soaked and the corn pudding made. The turkey was roasting in the old iron oven. Turnips, tiny green peas and a pumpkin pie were ready. Then cranberry bread was cooling on the wooden board. The real work was done and the feast was

Cataloguing: Part 1

2010-11-17T21:15:00.000-08:00

1My family receives a lot of mail, much of it catalogs. My mother orders from them. I think it is great fun looking at catalogs. I rarely order from them. So, when I visit the family, I browse the catalogs. I have been especially interested this month as it tis close to December and we are getting in the mood. Today I came across a gift I can approve of, the personalized topographic jigsaw

Stockings, Not Nylons

2010-11-13T19:00:00.000-08:00

The children have taken on the charge of mother's stocking these past years. It is very fun. I am a bit exacting toward the others. I insist on each finding a few items that are small, light, and her favorites. They hand them off to me before Christmas Eve and I keep them in a drawer in my closet. Despite our annual successes, I have run into a few snags with their offerings. Robin always buys

I Love You Sew Sew Sew Sew Much

2010-11-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

My niece Taylor and I have a lot in common. We can both look cross-eyed and we can both whistle. These are no small talents in this family. Often the three eldest take turns for their sleepovers at Gramma's house. Since Taylor let fly last month she wanted to learn to sew, I was glad she was up next. Thus, our Saturday night. We started by choosing and cutting out frabric for her sewing project

The Unexpected

2010-10-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

Here is mother pictured at her Saturday night party at the rehab facility. You can tell she loved it. Then there were three others who look like her descendants loitering around the halls. They look like a cross between Patti and the Chipmunks. Of any of the family who could be in a rehab facility, we would not have guessed it would be mother. Father turned 88 the same day. We celebrated at

October Weather

2010-10-05T15:31:00.000-07:00

In my experience the reunion of long-ago friends is likely to be average. But, not this weekend. Despite this norm, I spent a lovely visit with my true and steady girlhood friend, Karen (also). She continues strong, comic, and heartfelt. Scott ran the marathon and she hoped to get together. I was eager to rejoin. I spent a happy hour with her on Saturday evening during a day of running to and

The Menu

2010-09-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

I love those occasions that call for a menu. Like a dinner party, a weekend of guests, a restaurant. For a dinner party, I create a printed menu to place by the table setting of each guest. My menus are less ornate, more simple as I progress through life. When I learned Jeff and James would come for a long weekend, the first thing I did was jot down menu ideas. To me, the menu is anticipation at

Saturday Night Baths

2010-09-16T12:33:00.000-07:00

Sometime this year I bought a product from The Body Shop. This is not news. In fact, last time I was in the shop, a sales associate labelled me one of their best customers. Folly? Perhaps. Yet, I continue to flash my green card and buy with discounts. The product I bring to you today is a cleansing oil. The scent of my oil is heavy and foreign. It is probably not a terrific match for me. I could

Foot Traffic

2010-08-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

This was one of the mornings I woke up and decided to trot down to the beach. I love Sunday mornings when the air is cool, the foot traffic is light and mostly silent, surfers bob, and I walk alone. The sand is wet, soft, cool. I happen to live where I climb down a cliff to the water.There are perks to this "goat trail" and they are the drama of the cliff, the few who dare to brave the goat trail

S'more Summer

2010-08-17T11:52:00.001-07:00

I was tempted to list a s'more as my death row dessert. Both last summer and this summer my goal was to eat them one evening. My favorite s'more venue of recent years was my sister's gas firepit at her previous home. It was easy, outdoor, and fulfilling. Her new home has no firepit; I don't know if she has realized the loss. Last week in St. George, we had s'mores the night before the keeds went

July is for Birthdays

2010-07-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

We start with mother, move to Jeff, then comes Maysen, and finally Brian. There is cake around all month. The banner never comes down. Mother enjoys chocolate so this is hers. We turned it into a three-layer majesty. Her frosting was half room temp sour cream, half room temp melted chocolate chips. Don't make me repeat this. Let it be the key to your success in life. You will never regret it,

Dinner on Death Row

2010-07-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

Donn and Nancy left today. We love their biannual visit. Here Donny found an empty Red Bull (pun) can in Robin and Duane's yard this morning. Inside, Maysen reported it was his father's. During the week, we interviewed everyone at dinner with the question, what would you eat for your last supper on Death Row. Donny had earlier stated his favorite food which spawned the answers. And, here they

Year One

2010-06-29T16:20:00.001-07:00

We did almost everything on our list. What was not done: a nighttime walk at the beach and remaking a flat apple pie. Jeffy is very open to a "new possible favorite" so we went to Bangkok Bay in Solana Beach for dinner on Saturday, our anniversary to the day. We celebrate the day of our second date, not the day we met, or our first date. It was a mutual decision. I ordered red curry with tofu. He

From There to Here

2010-05-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

On your last day with baby Hodge, you can sit under a tree. Until his mother urges you to sit in the sun to offset the beginnings of jaundice.Your mother will send you home with roses and your brother will burn a CD of the Carpenters. Yesterday once more.You warm a serving of Chicken and Rice Soup for your sister and everyone gets a baggie of Chocolate Charlies. And shelve The Bishop's School

Spring in Saint George

2010-05-12T21:09:00.001-07:00

It is perhaps the best time of the year to visit. When things are blooming. The weather is normal. Mothers have their day.And that makes one more little boy.

The Great Cake Bake

2010-04-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

We convened Saturday evening at six. The anticipation, the ovens had been fired. I brought Carla's tomato bisque and we had two salads and someone opened and baked a canister of prefab bread dough. There were a variety of cake recipes and formats. I made a layer cake: the Lady Baltimore. It was fine but different if you know what I mean. Lots of almond extract and a whipped icing with raisins,

Receipts and Heritage: The Collection

2010-04-22T16:51:00.000-07:00

Because I am insane, this week I acquired two new cookbooks. At least I can attest, they have been on my wish list. And, of course, the cookbook is useful. Especially those from The Junior League. My acquisitions are Charleston Receipts, the oldest Junior League cookbook still in print (appearing much older than its 1950 publication date), and California Heritage (Pasadena). As stated, I've had

Wild Geese

2010-04-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

by Mary OliverYou do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the

Happy Easter, Egg!

2010-04-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

I made the assignments last week. Mother agreed to Baked Virigina Ham from the Contessa and deviled eggs. Robin took one for the team: starch and carbs. Her world famous rolls and scalloped potatoes, which morphed into funeral potatoes by Easter day. I had high hopes for Curried Pea Soup but forgot to purchase butter lettuce the day prior. I settled on Green Peas in Cream from Edna Lewis who

A Fling for Spring

2010-03-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

We had a fling this weekend. Jeff came for a good time and it was had by all. He drove down on Friday, joining me at work for the last few hours. He came to the temple on Saturday morning and we loved being there again. The rest of the weekend was made of quality time: long walks (day and night), church fun, and eating. In fact, he told me when he called on the drive home last night that the

Private View of a New Collection

2010-03-11T16:53:00.000-08:00

A number of years ago, I planned a soiree. It was to be an Art Salon. Set off by the art show invitation in Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband, I set to work planning a small group of artistic friends who would create original art to be displayed against a backdrop of canapes and gougeres. The occasional man would sport an ascot. All men would wear jackets. The women in black and pearls or silk. As