Do you remember your favorite teacher? Mine was in high school. Mr. Purcey taught Health and Safety to freshman and Anatomy to upper classmen. I was fortunate to have had him for both. On the first day of class, he told us everyone had an “A”. He then informed us it was up to us to keep it there. His belief that we were capable began the year on an encouraging note. He was the only teacher besides my forth… [Read More]
I’ve been a rogue blogger for a few reasons: The Heat – Many of our days have been on flex alert which means we’re asked not to use appliances until after 6 PM. With the heat and humidity the last thing I feel like doing is firing up the oven to bake cookies, let alone dinner. Social Calendar – We’ve had some fun and impromptu dinners with friends who nourish my soul. Going through the rigors of daily life, I forget how… [Read More]
I entered two culinary blog posts in the Orange County Fair this year. Last year I won first place and Best of Show. Couldn’t score any higher. Competition was fierce this year, I was told. I received second place for a culinary tutorial post with recipe and honorable mention for a reminiscent post with a recipe. The honorable mention post also included a tutorial because that’s what I do and I don’t edit my routine to please the judges. Points… [Read More]
Just a quick “Kate Spade Alert” on the “All In A Day’s Work” design in the Shannon wallet – Quick because I’m on-call for jury duty this week and have to drive to the court house given a 45 minute notice (have you ever heard of such a thing?) and am continuing with my nightly Photoshop intensive class, therefore I’ll have no baking goodies to share with you this week but one can always shop online at 2 AM, no?… [Read More]
As my cookies dry today and I scramble to clean the house for unexpected company this weekend, I have a bizarre story to share with you. Whether you’re a believer in an after life or in just random unexplained happenings, you’ll probably find this odd. It happened as my husband, Rob, and I were driving up north a couple weeks ago for the parents weekend for our son’s fraternity (two posts ago). We were driving up the 405 freeway… [Read More]
Even a speeding ticket being clocked at 82 MPH, or so I was told, on Saturday morning couldn’t squelch my enthusiasm to go hear Matt Armendariz, world famous food photographer, author of MattBites.com and famously nice guy along with his partner, professionally and personally, Adam Pearson, who is one talented food stylist and nice guy in his own right. An intimate group met in a photography studio near Venice Beach and listened to Matt and Adam share their mercurial rise… [Read More]
I’m headed to a silent auction this weekend for my son’s fraternity. They’re hosting “Parent’s Weekend” (translation – fundraiser, where the parents bring the funds). It will be very nice. There’s a BBQ at “the house” on Friday (I saw photos of the house. Assorted bed sheets adorn the windows. I am choosing to avert my eyes and focus on the love). The boys have also organized winery tours via a chartered bus for Saturday followed by dinner at a… [Read More]
I’m still feeling the love from attending the Vera-Palooza this past weekend where, if you read my last post, you read about the Vera Bradley A Colorful Day event in Las Vegas that I had such a wonderful time at. One of the speakers was a charming representative from Real Simple magazine. She showed different existing VB products with new uses. My favorite idea was using the mini hanging/cosmetic bag as a sewing kit or travel kit with first aid… [Read More]
Happy Monday! While I wash the casinos out of our clothes and run to the grocery store I’m thinking of how to describe the fabulous Vera Bradley event I attended this past weekend in Las Vegas. Some words come immediately to mind… colorful, high energy, surprises, generosity of spirit, wonderfully open, approachable and friendly people. It was quite an event and I was very impressed with every aspect of the day from greeting us with electro swing music (who knew… [Read More]
Baskets and jellybeans are optional this Easter. As soon as I came upon this mini Polo tote I knew I would be putting it out for the Easter Bunny to fill with pretty, colorful treats. After Easter it’ll find its way to my desk to hold incoming mail or pens and such. I found it at an RL outlet store on our trip last week. In case the Easter Bunny overlooks our house this year, since we already had… [Read More]
