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