Category — Random

As I mentioned yesterday, the final couple hours of the road trip were the most challenging. The endless lines of traffic getting onto the Bay Bridge was brutal, especially when you don’t have the “lane changing” abilities you’re used to, while you are in a U-Haul and pulling a trailer. I’m just thankful that I was the passenger and not the driver. Dave has abounding patience and I have… none!

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Our journey to deliver Marissa’s belongings to San Francisco began around noon on Friday, July 29th, and ended when we finally arrived at her new home on Saturday, July 30th around 4:30 PM.

Most of our 14 hours of drive-time were spent on either I-10 between Phoenix and Los Angeles or on the I-5 between LA and San Francisco. The remaining couple hours were spent on the slow crawl to get onto and then across the Bay Bridge; at least it felt like 2 hours!

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About a month ago, ivillage posted a list of 10 cheap super-foods. I went out and purchased their “top 10” and decided to put them to the test. Over the next couple of days, I’ll show you how to incorporate several of them into your diet with some easy and tasty recipes. Not all 10 of the ingredients are included here since a few of them, you’re probably already using on a weekly, if not daily, basis. See how many of these foods you agree are “super” in your kitchen.

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Last day of July! Hard to believe, that summer is almost over, at least in most of America. In Arizona, it will last another 2 1/2 months, but here in San Francisco, it feels like autumn. Heaven!  Here is Marissa on the beach, which is less than a mile from her new home. Yes, she is in her new HOME! So exciting, and it is so cute and big!

Oh, and if you want to watch the Train video “Save Me, San Francisco” CLICK HERE

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Moving is a pain. No two ways about it. And moving in July, in Arizona, in 107 degrees is… I won’t say it out loud.

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… is the 2nd birthday of Les Petites Gourmettes’ blog. And we are going to celebrate!

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My son is an artist. My daughter is a writer. I am a cook. And my husband…. well, he is really super-duper good at math. Three out of four creative people in the same family is not bad!  But when it comes to crafts, we are all worthless.

Here is a little example story I will share with you. Many years ago my friend Lorie and I were shopping and saw these gorgeous votive holders covered in glass stones… you know, the little glass stones that look like marbles, but with a flat side. They were expensive, and we said to each other, “We can make those ourselves!” Don’t you say that all the time too – when you see something you like but can’t afford?  I do, and then I never end up doing it or forget about it by the time I get home.  Anyhow, we bought all the supplies to make the glass-covered glasses. Did you know that it is very difficult to glue glass to glass! You need really heavy-duty epoxy and a ton of patience.

We invited our friends, Peggy and Anne, to make the jars with us (because misery loves company!) and we all gathered at Lorie’s house. We sat around Lorie’s kitchen table making our little glass-covered glasses and we laughed and cursed and talked, and cursed and laughed some more.  The little glass pieces would look like they were sticking just fine, and then suddenly they’d begin to slide down the glass jar all at once! Aggravating, to say the least, but we prevailed and each ended up with pretty little jars.  We cleaned up and piled into my car, jars in tow, and headed home.  About three-quarters of the way, I came to the realization that I was high, high as a kite!  Stupidly, I went on, dropped off Peggy and Anne, and by “the grace of God” made it home in one piece. High? How did that happen? I was drug-free – seriously! I honestly didn’t know the answer until the next morning with a clearer head … it was the really heavy-duty epoxy and no ventilation!  Did I mention this was in chilly December or how I (we, in this case) have a tendency to not read warning labels, and that we laughed and laughed?  I have no idea where my little jars are today, somewhere in this house, I’m sure. Point of this little story? I am not a craft person.

But this time is different! This time I easily prevailed in a craft project and I am sharing my victory with you, because if I can do it – anyone can do it! Guaranteed!

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About a month ago, I quietly added another link to a very special blog that I absolutely LOVE. OK, not just love, but am completely obsessed by and obsess over daily! I know, me, obsessed with something? So out of character…

Vignette Design

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There are so many little everyday things in life to be grateful for, such as allowing the last artichokes of the season to go to flower instead of picking and eating. Then there are those things that just annoy the living daylights out of you!  You know, things you consider to be the actual bane of your existence. During summer cooking classes, I have two such things that happen, not just once in a while, but daily… every single day, people!

The first of these has to do with the 12 aprons we use in class. Aprons – now how can aprons possibly be an issue? Here, look at these pictures and you shall understand.

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And an extra special Happy Father’s Day to the Superdads in my life. My Dad, Gene. Seen here doing Superdad stuff with me and my brothers, Andy and Dennis.

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