WHAT'S A MUKKA??

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. I got the coolest thing. Its a Mukka Express, makes a cappucino or a latte in one little top of the stove pot..it froths and brews in one adorable little machine. What a way to save those sometimes daily $3.50 purchases at Starbucks!

It rained on Christmas Day, no SNOW, just rain...After all the food we consumed., we decided to go to the movies...I think everyone had the same idea....If you haven't heard already, you must go see Marley and Me....It is the sweetest little film....please bring a box of tissues to pass around, coz you're gonna need them...Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston did a great job, but it was all dogs that played Marley that will steal your heart, and just might win the Oscar!

Yesterday, my husband and I decided to stop eating cookies and candy, get off the couch and take a walk....It was cold and windy by San Diego standards, and as the sun was starting to set, I noticed a young man sitting in the sand playing a sitar...Steve whipped out the cell phone, and captured an amazing shot. So back we went to eat some leftovers, cookies and candy.

You can image what my New Year's resolution will be.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch of their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. - Luke 2:8-11

Merry Christmas Blogging Friends

Enjoy your family, the food, the gifts

And for all of you waist deep in snow

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas.....just like the ones I used to know!

CHRISTMAS MOVIES

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THIS TIME OF YEAR IS GETTING REACQUAINTED WITH ALL THE CHRISTMAS FILMS. "WHITE CHRISTMAS" IS PROBABLY MY ALL TIME FAVORITE. I REMEMBER SINGING "SISTERS" WITH MINE WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP. THEN THERE IS THE CLASSIC “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS.” I NEVER TIRE OF THE MUSIC AND ADORABLE LIONUS DRAGGING HIS BLANKET AROUND.

YESTERDAY MY DAUGHTER COURTNEY BORROWED SOME DVDS FROM THE LIBRARY, AND WE WATCHE "CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRANKS", I HAD NEVER SEEN THAT ONE BEFORE. IT WAS PRETTY FUNNY.

ALI WANTED TO WATCH "LOVE ACTUALLY" TONIGHT…WHICH AFTER A FEW GLASSES OF WINE CAUSED THE TEARS TO FLOW….IT TAKES PLACE IN ENGLAND AND FEATURES AN ENSEMBLE CAST OF LIAM NEESON, COLIN FIRTH, HUGH GRANT, EMMA THOMPSON AND KIERA KNIGHTLY.

A FEW YEARS AGO WE WENT TO SEE “THE HOLIDAY” ON CHRISTMAS EVE….VERY SWEET FILM WITH CAMERON DIAZ AND KATE WINSLET. THEY SWAPPED HOMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS…SOMETHING I HOPE TO DO SOME DAY, PREFERABLY SOMEWHERE IN ITALY.

IT SEEMS EVERY YEAR A NEW CHRISTMAS FILM ARRIVES IN THE THEATRES,” HOME ALONE”, "THE SANTA CLAUS", THE GRINCH, ELF AND THE ONE THAT REALLY SAYS IT ALL MADE BACK IN 1946….'IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE".

SO AS WE WRAP THOSE PRESENTS, BAKE THOSE COOKIES, ATTEND THE HOLIDAY PARTIES AND ENJOY A SPECIAL SERVICE ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS MORNING KNOW THAT WE ARE ALL BLESSED. SO TAKE A BREAK AND ENJOY A GREAT CHRISTMAS FILM. I ALMOST FORGOT ONE OF THE FUNNIEST - "NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION". NOW THAT WILL GET YOU IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE?

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.....IN ENCINITAS

Tonight was the annual holiday parade in our little town by the sea. Not your typical parade, but our little parade. Let's see, there were kids on skate boards dressed like elves, a group of restored "woodies", decked out cruising happily along, lots of adorable brownies and cub scouts, dressed up as Christmas trees, angels and Grinch. We cheered as the firemen, policemen and local officials proudly strut their stuff. We had our YMCA Indian tribes, dressed in traditional Native American garb and cute Indian princesses, along with their moms and dads, decorated wagons and family dogs sporting Santa hats and bells!

We must not forget our Hawaiian dancers, and our local high school marching bands. And to honor the reason for the season, various church floats depicting Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in the manger.

In the early years of living here, my daughter Ali rode on the floats with her fellow classmates, and Courtney played flute in the middle school band.

I thought it would be cold, so I wrapped a scarf around my neck, put on my leather jacket and ugg boots. Hah! I would have been more comfortable in flip flops and a pair of capris!

All the restaurants and great shops were open along Highway 101 They were graciously handing out free hot chocolate and warm cider. I ran into a few people I hadn't seen in years. I sat there realizing how lucky I am to live in WARM Southern California, where the community is diverse and friendly, and can come together to celebrate the holidays in our own unique way.

Sorry I don't have pictures, the flash is broken on my camera!

19 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!

MAY YOU REST IN PEACE!!

Why didn’t my favorite magazine last??? Never mind the auto industry-I want my Cottage Living Magazine back—December was their last issue, I am very sad…

They have been publishing for 4 years, and I have saved every issue, refer to them often, as I do with other favorites of mine like Coastal Living and several cooking magazines. I have Bon Appetit's from the mid 90s up in my kitchen cupboard.

This little magazine embodied everything that I would like my home to be. Years ago I took an Interior Design class at the local college, and I did a paper on my dream home...I wrote " it would be a rambling cottage close to the sea….Yes, I live close to the sea, but I live in a nice track home(see above) , but I want to live in a Nantucket cottage or an old home on Martha’s Vineyard! Well not in this economy!!

I digress..will anyone else miss this wonderful magazine? Is it one of your monthly reads?

Let’s bail out Cottage Living!!!

ITS A TANCREDI THANKSGIVING!!

Family photos of the Tancredi clan - my daughter Alessandra and my brother Louis over the summer. The family playing games yesterday drinking lots of wine. My sister Lisa , the new blogger is on the left. My sister Laura in the kitchen -the hostess for Thanksgiving dinner.

Yesterday morning I served homemade blueberry oat bars...they seemed to be a hit...I think it was the large amounts of butter and brown sugar that made them taste sooo good.

Big news- My sister Lisa has caught the blogging bug.. She started her first blog called Morning Girl-check her link out on the left. At least someone in the family gets what this "blogging" addiction is all about.

Our thanksgiving dinner at my sister Laura's was way more fun than usual.. Of course, the food was plentiful and delicious. The best part was all the games we played. My sister Lisa is a manufacturer's rep for various toy companies- the whole family played Garage Band - a fun game about all types of music trivia, then Apples to Apples, an award winning game of comparison. Later the Karaoke machine came out and the wanna be singers in the group showed their talents!!

Of course, I was the only one who refused to put a mike in front of my face-it wasn't that the wine wasn't flowing, I just can't SING!!

Great times were had and we all went to sleep with a little bit of indigestion.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving...now on to the Christmas decorating.

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie


In honor of Thanksgiving, only one week away, it is time to thank some of the awesome women whose blogs I have enjoyed and who have so nicely and regularly commented on my blog the last 7 -1/2 half months. In no particular order-

Janie @ Panini Girl
Twyla @ Two Crazy Crafters
Laura @ Shorehouse Chic
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti
Lisa @ The Coastal Nest
Julia @ Jules Sand Castle
Linda @ Lime in the Coconut
Sabina @ Barefoot in the Orchard

All of your blogs are unique, creative, sometimes funny, and always inspiring. I really look forward to reading them. If you are not familiar with them, click on the links on the left. You will love them too!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you my blogging friends, and to your families.

Peace.

I MET THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA TODAY

I am sooo excited. My friend Janet and I drove up to Santa Monica today. Ina Garten was signing her new cookbook at a Williams-Sonoma store on Montana Avenue. We arrived at 11:15AM with Starbucks in hand. The signing was to take place between Noon and 2Pm. There were probably 200 people waiting already when we got to the end of the line. We stood on line for about an hour and a half. Much to our delight, Williams-Sonoma employees passed out samples of some of the recipes in her new cookbook: Parmesan and Thyme crackers, Raisin pecan oatmeal cookies, Mango Banana daquiris (without alcohol) and Tagliarelle with truffle butter. Everything was very structured. They sold 1300 books while we were there! She was very nice for the brief moment I had eye contact with her. She looks just like she does on TV. Warm and lovely, and so cute.

The woman in the photo is not me-her name is Fran and we met her standing in line. She purchased the book for her sister who is a big Ina fan.

After Janet and I had lunch we headed back home! Now I have all six Ina's cookbooks and look forward to getting inspired again.

Thank you Ina!!!

I LEFT SAN DIEGO..IT WAS 82 DEGREES...AND FLEW TO...

Rapid City, South Dakota, where a blizzard had practically shut down the city. My best friend of 45 years lives there with her family. I needed a little escape from my life here in San Diego and I have never been to South Dakota, so I planned a trip over the long weekend.

She lives in the Black Hills, home to many historical sites, as well as a lot of wildlife. Deer were everywhere. We took her two grandchildren to Mount Rushmore. We visited a beautiful Native American museum. Her grandchildren are half Sioux Indian. The second photo is a case filled with all types of beads that Native Americans use to make amazing jewelry, ceremonial clothing, and other adornments. Doesn't it look like bowls of candy!

Linda and I drove to Deadwood on Sunday, an old western town, that now offers gambling and beautiful mountain scenery. They got 4 feet of snow in the blizzard, We had breakfast at Diamond Lil’s Gambling Emporium, owned by Kevin Costner…All of his movie memorabilia lined the walls.. Of course, we did some shopping…and visited the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.

Do you find that when you get together with old friends, you talk about the old days? Linda found the journal she brought on our trip to Europe... We were laughing and remembering all the fun experiences we had at the ripe young page of 19…..the people we met, the weird food we had to eat (because we were so poor), the fights we had and the guys we fell in love with after spending one night on a very crowded train with them.

Later in the evening we discussed our wrinkles, covering our grey hair, menopause and belly fat. Sound fascinating?…..NOT!.

South Dakota is a beautiful place, especially in the snow…it was great reminiscing with Linda, but I needed to get back to my warm weather, sure enough we landed, the sun was shining and it was a lovely 68 degrees. Home!

TAGGED!!!

I have been tagged by Lisa at Coastal Nest to share seven random things about me:

I have been married twice, once in New York, to my first boyfriend, second time and LAST TIME to Steve for 21 years

I have an intense fear of spiders, pretty much from the age of about 9 when my cousin informed me there was a daddy long legs climbing up my neck

I have walked two marathons for Team In Training, one in Honolulu, Hawaii and one in San Francisco, in honor of my daughter, Courtney, a leukemia survivor

I have had an addiction to General Hospital in the past – I have finally kicked the addiction, since I stopped working in January, now my addiction is BLOGGING!!

I love to dance, but it seems the only time I do is at weddings, think I missed my calling as a ballerina!

Travel is my true passion-my best friend and I planned our first trip to Europe on the famous $5.00 a day book, while we took the Long Island railroad train into NYC to our jobs. We were 19; it stirred such a longing to see the world!!

Back in the 70’s when I was married to the first husband, I was really into Transcendental Meditation, otherwise known as TM. Twice a day I sat down and meditated, with my very own mantra. Our entire life revolved around Maharishi and finding “bliss” I am still trying to find bliss, but I don’t meditate anymore, I pray!!

I am not going to tag anyone, but if you want to share some random things about yourself, go
for it!!

Columbus Day in San Diego

What do a sausage and pepper sandwich, a bad Frank Sinatra impersonator, and sidewalk chalk art all have in common? We experienced them all as we strolled down the streets of Little Italy this past Sunday for the 14th annual Italian Festa. It was a beautiful day in San Diego (when is it not?)....Lots of artists, young and old, expressed themselves creating amazing chalk murals on the street. The wonderful aroma of pizza, lasagna and other delicacies wafted through the crowds of people where vendors sold jewelry, italian pottery, and clothing. Both Obama and McCain supporters passed out buttons and stickers. We stopped at a local cafe, had some lunch...did a little people and pet watching, purchased some nutella and fresh Italian bread and headed back home to watch the Charger game. For dinner -some of my homemade spinach baked ziti. Life is good!

FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS

When I was growing up a nice Italian girl in New York, Friday night was reserved for non meat dinners. Everyone knows Catholics didn't eat meat on Fridays, so we ate vegetarian. My mother's revolving repetiore consisted of peppers and eggs, lentil soup, tuna and tomato salad, and my least favorite, pasta e fagiole.

I hated eating it. Here I am, some 40 years later, and I made pasta e fagiole for dinner last night. The weather is turning a little brisk here in San Diego. I still have some basil and oregano growing in my garden. What to cook!! Off to Google to do a little recipe searching. There were quite a few recipes with white beans, tomatoes and herbs. I just had to try that old family favorite.

With a couple of slices of foccocia and a glass of Chianti Classico, it tasted much better than I remember.!

By the way, the new header photo is a view of the bay of Sorrento shot through the window of our hotel, La Badia, which was originally a convent. I bet those nuns are still eating pasta e fagioli.
Enjoy!


pasta e fagioli
Bon Appétit July 1990
Servings: Serves 2 to 4.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil,
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 16-ounce can Italian plum tomatoes, drained, chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans (white kidney beans), rinsed, drained
Salt and pepper
8 ounces elbow macaroni, freshly cooked
Grated Parmesan


Preparation


Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and cook 5 minutes. Add parsley, basil and oregano and simmer until tomatoes soften, stirring occasionally and breaking up tomatoes with back of spoon, about 15 minutes. Add beans and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Place pasta in bowl. Toss with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Pour sauce over and toss thoroughly. Serve, passing Parmesan separately.

OBSESSED AND DISTRACTED

I haven’t posted in a week or more – I have been kind of distracted. With what you ask? The election, the economy, the debate, the 700 billion dollar bail out. I never in my life have been so interested in politics...obsessed with watching the news, listening to the news, the commentaries, and of course, reading blogs about politics.

Without sharing with you who I would like to see President, all I can say is my mouth and my opinions have gotten me into trouble at our block party, our Bunco group and other social events. Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker -in other words, I can’t keep my trap shut. But here is the interesting thing – its very stimulating and I feel like I am using my brain for something other than what new pillows should I buy today, or is the rug in the living room too small?? Believe me; ordinarily these are important decisions in my little life.

I guess my question for you dear readers is---is what is going on in these United States lately concerning you, bugging you, scaring you??

I can’t wait to till November 5th. I can get back to important things like what menu to serve for Thanksgiving this year. What new decorations I am going to buy for Christmas and what yummy home made treats I can give as gifts this year….Last year it was Italian cookies and home made Limoncello.

Please vote for the candidate of YOUR CHOICE!!!



OBAMA IS MINE.

BALLARD DESIGNS TO THE RESCUE!!

OK so what do you think? It came today, and I found this rug at Ballard Designs. I listened to your suggestions, I chose a light rug with yellow and green in a small pattern –I think it works well with the dark floors.

Did I make a good choice or should I return it????

Sunshine, the cat, took right to it!! I guess he was tired of laying on the wood floor…

MARTHA STEWART...A GOOD THING??

In a recent post, I was discussing pumpkins and recipes. I went to TJ Maxx the other day and found a pumpkin spice cake mix by none other than Martha Stewart. Needing a quick recipe for our neighborhood block party, it was worth a try. You need to add butter and milk, so it’s not totally a mix. OK it is, just like Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines. With a cream cheese frosting, it actually turned out quite good.

Speaking of Martha, when my daughter Courtney was recovering from her bone marrow transplant, she would watch two Martha Stewart cooking videos over and over again. She memorized some of Martha’s little sayings and style of speaking. “Let’s get the bird” and “I’m putting my pheasant in the smokehouse” were a few of her favorite lines. We laughed all the time at this little 3 year old imitating Martha. So when Martha started publishing her magazine, I decided to send them a photo of Courtney with a Martha video in her hand. I explained her story and how she was probably Martha’s youngest fan.

Guess what we got in return –an 8 X 10 glossy photo of Martha signed by Martha….To Courtney-You’re a Good Thing!

Well, geez, at least they could have sent her a free subscription to Martha Stewart Living!!!

As I have said before, I find the best things at TJ Maxx!!

WHO LIKES "OLD" BOOKS???

I just realized that I have reached 25 posts!!!! It seems that a lot of bloggers like to have give-aways to celebrate these achievements. Ok, so it’s not 100 but I have to get rid of some of these books I have. I also would like to get rid of all of my decorating magazines from the last ten years, but I can’t part with them.

So, the first 2 people who comment get to pick one of these books for their very own. I will happily send them off to your beautiful homes.

Hopefully you actually might be interested in one of these:



Laura Ashley Complete Guide to Home Decorating
Laura Ashley at Home
Country Garden Planner
The Comfortable Home
The Romance of Country Inns
Home Landscaping
Easy Roses
Arbors & Trellises
Mary Engelbreit’s Outdoor Companion
Rachel Ashwell-Shabby Shic
Rachel Ashwell’s Treasure Hunting Guide
Mary Emmerling’s American Country Cottages
Decoratve Painting for the Home
Growing Herbs

Ready ---set---comment!

PUMPKINS BY THE SEA

Imagine, - big, beautiful pumpkins growing by the sea in our little town. Actually the land is owned by the Self Realization Fellowship, featured in a previous post.

For years, they put on a big community Halloween Festival and they displayed amazingly decorated and carved pumpkins from their own pumpkin patch. It was a fun event to take the family to. I don’t know why, but it’s no longer done. The pumpkins still grow though. Imagine how many pumpkin pies, pumpkin cheese cakes, and pumpkin crumb cakes one could make. Hey, what about pumpkin ravioli????

If anyone has any great pumpkin recipes they would like to share, please send them my way because....

Maybe one night when it’s very dark, and the moon is bright, I will go to that pumpkin patch and steal one of those colossal pumpkins.

Just kiddin!!

Fall is upon us, even here in San Diego. Enjoy the harvest.

DOUBLE NICKELS!!!!

Yes, that is correct, I am turning 55 today. Kind of scary! But, there is a silver lining. I can get 10% off at Ross on Tuesdays, and now I can go to Denny’s and order from the Senior Menu. Well, I really don’t like Denny’s, but I have found a few bargains at Ross over the years.

My two daughters and I are heading up to Santa Monica. We’ll stay at a nice “beachy” hotel. For dinner, it would have to be Italian (maybe some risotto or gnocchi, and chianti), where we will watch the sun set over the Historic Santa Monica Pier, which was built in 1909. We’ll do a little shopping at the Third Street Promenade and tomorrow find a great place for breakfast before we head home.

While hubby is sunning himself in the Adriatic, we will be soaking up some rays in LA!!

Have a great weekeend!

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS OLIB?

It’s where my husband is spending the next two weeks, rediscovering his heritage. Along for the ride are his mom, uncle and two cousins. Olib is a tiny island off the coast of Croatia, somewhere in the Adriatic Sea. It is remote, rustic and untouched by tourism. Believe me, the only things there are an internet café (with one computer), a bar, and two restaurants. I should know, we went there in 2004 and my daughters were bored and unimpressed. At the time, they couldn’t appreciate the natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and most of all, that Olib is the place where all four of their paternal grandparents were born. Maybe they will appreciate it as they grow older. I have read in travel magazines that the islands of Croatia are the next “in” place to holiday in Europe. I hope that Olib stays the beautiful, pristine place that it is. Have fun honey, see you in two weeks.

SCENES FROM MY LITTLE TOWN

We are all proud of where we live. I know that I am! Encinitas is a great place to live with its awesome weather and close proximity to the ocean. We actually have a main street…. Coast Highway 101, with little stores and charming antique shops. One of those shops, "Magnolia Creek" was featured in the recent issue of Romantic Homes magazine. There are yoga studios, pilates studios, surf shops and cycle shops. Do you think that maybe there are some fit and/or athletic people here? A lot of triathletes live and train here. Don’t worry, I am not one of them! Last night we drove to Moonlight Beach, parked ourselves on a bench overlooking the ocean and watched the sun set into a puddle of purple and deep grey clouds. We then walked around The Lumberyard, listened to some jazz and stumbled upon a store “Art & Soul” where everything is handmade and all the proceeds go to various charities. Crowds spilled onto the sidewalks as the fragrance of Italian, Thai, Argentinean, Mexican and Vietnamese cuisine filled the humid night air. There’s even a famous old theater in our little town, La Paloma Theatre. It was built in 1928 and is home to many community events. The newest addition is a brand spanking new library. It’s really modern, with an incredible ocean view patio, where you can read to your heart’s content. So there is a little bit local info for you. And remember, whenever you're in town, please stop by. I love visitors! I'll have the wine and antipasto waiting!!

HOT DAYS DEMAND A COOL SALAD

It has actually been hot here, even near the beach in San Diego. Maybe it’s the humidity, which I do remember from 26 years living in New York. Here is a great salad to serve with burgers, chicken or grilled fish. My daughter Courtney loves this salad and she made it today without any assistance from me except to tell me the basil from our garden had bugs on it!! Thanks dear daughter. Omit the basil please, just for today!

Here is a picture – excuse the dark exposure, my flash broke on my camera and I need to buy a new one.

SPINACH ALMOND PASTA SALAD

1 BAG BABY SPINACH, WASHED
1 SMALL BAG SLIVERED ALMONDS, SAUTEED IN BUTTER TO JUST BROWNED
1 12 OZ. BOX OF PASTA – ZITI, PENNE OR CORKSCREW WORK WELL
1 BUNCH GREEN ONIONS, SLICED THINLY
3 T. CHOPPED FRESH BASIL


1/3 C. OLIVE OIL
3 T. SOY SAUCE
2 T. RICE VINEGAR
½ TEASPOON SUGAR

COOK PASTA PER PACKAGE INSTRUCTIONS.
MAKE DRESSING AND SET ASIDE (DO NOT REFRIGERATE)

DRAIN PASTA, ADD SPINACH. BASIL AND GREEN ONIONS, TOSS IN THE ALMONDS AND ADD DRESSING

SERVES 6-8

THANK YOU, THANK YOU AND THANK YOU TOO!

First, I want to thank you all of you for your wonderful and creative suggestions on my living room rug dilemma. It is so nice of you to share your ideas. It helps me to think outside of my own box and see things in a fresh, inspiring way. With all the creative bloggers out there, I was like a kid in the candy shop each time I received a new comment. Muchas Gracias!!!

Yesterday was my husband’s birthday. He played golf, got a massage and then we went to the Padres game. We lost to the San Francisco Giants in the 10th inning. I baked him a yummy chocolate zucchini birthday cake with freshly whipped cream on top. I tricked him – he does not like zucchini. I had to get rid of the ones I got at the Farmer’s Market some way! I found a recipe with the”dreaded”vegetable hidden amongst the ingredients. Isn’t it great to just go on the internet and have thousands of recipes at your little fingertips? Anway, the cake was moist, chocolately and delicious!!

I followed some other reader’s suggestions to cut the oil in half and add ¾ cup of applesauce and also about a cup of chocolate chips. Check out the recipe here at ALLRECIPES.COM

YOU OPINION MATTERS!!

I love looking at design blogs. Love the photos of beautifully designed homes. There are a lot of talented women out there in blogland who have a great eye for design and a wealth of great ideas. I have never claimed to have that talent myself. I enjoy the hunt for deals, watch HGTV religiously and have stacks and stacks of decorating magazines that I browse through. But let’s be honest here, I NEED HELP!!!

I want to put an area rug in my living room, where the new floors are very DARK! Most things in the room are dark. I can’t afford to buy new furniture. I need a suggestion for a 5 x 7 rug to go under the wrought iron and glass coffee table. Do I go with a light solid, a small pattern, a zebra stripe (ha!!) or something else entirely different? Before the floors were installed, we had a sea grass rug in there. My husband has now claimed that one for the office.

Any and all suggestions and or “constructive” criticism are appreciated….

GAS PRICES TOO HIGH? GO ON A STAYCATION!

So in order to give this blog more of an Italian feel, we say goodbye to the photo of Beacon's Beach, a ten minute walk from my house and, and insert a photo I took last year when we were in the beautiful town of Amalfi. We had lunch overlooking the beach, walked around admiring the incredible view, and enjoyed some decadent dessert at a sidewalk cafe. We hopped back on the bus that was packed like sardines. Much has been written about the crazy bus ride through the towns on the Amalfi Coast. The bus drivers have to be commended for their bravery in maneuvering around other vehicles without an accident on the narrow winding road.


This year there will be no trip to Italy - it's time for a staycation. Living in San Diego - America's Finest City, there is lot to see and do. Last night we took our speed boat out with a few friends on San Diego Bay. We enjoyed a crisp Pinot Grigio, some Jimmy Buffet music on the CD player, and took in some of the sights. The US Midway is now a permanent fixture in our harbor, along with other navy ships. Petco Park, home to the Padres is now our downtown ballpark. Across the bay is Coronado, home to the historic Hotel Del Coronado (remember the movie "Some Like it Hot"). They have the best Sunday brunch!


It may not be Italy, but it's home. Tomorrow we could visit the S.D. Zoo, Sea World, The Wild Animal Park, or Legoland. But, since Beacon's Beach is only a 10 minute walk, I think we'll save gas and go there instead.

WHOSE BLOG IS THIS ANYWAY????

Well its Friday another week has flown by….got to spend time with my sisters, brother and niece and nephew earlier in the week. I started sharing with them that I have a blog. They don’t get it….why would you have a blog?.. What is so interesting about blogs? I shared my blog with them. Showed them some of my favorite blogs.…I felt like I had to defend myself. Boy, am I sensitive, even at the ripe old age of 54. They pointed out that my blog title and the photo in the headline don’t make any sense. So of course, I spent part of yesterday trying to find a more relevant photo or illustration for Cucina Cara Mia. I googled Italian foods, Italian kitchens, looking for something that describes my blog better. I guess I could use my own kitchen photo. I know the photo is dark, and the camera is not the best digital out there. I am sure it can be more creative and interesting. Should I have someone do a blog design for me? Any suggestions on where to find free photos? The point of this---do we blog to make ourselves happy, or are we trying to please others????