ITALIAN POSSIBILTIES

You know when someone does something nice for you, unexpectedly, it really makes your day. Well on Saturday, Patti, of The Liberty Post (see link) really made my day by mentioning my little blog on her big, wonderful, creative blog. I was touched and honored and it made me realize again the power of the blogging world. Sometimes it takes a stranger to see past all the No's, I cant's and I shouldn'ts to make you realize that all things are possible; you just have to believe in yourself and do it!! So this year, I am going to think of the possibilties that await me-maybe I will start a home based business making pesto or foccaccia, Italian cookies, pizza or Limoncello.

Last year at this time, I didn't have a blog, I really didn't even know that much about them, but here it is, and it has been very enjoyable. So, I am trying to be open to something new this year, even though there is a lot of fear, even at the ripe old age of 55. Tapping into something in me that ignites the passion, so that it overrides that fear.

So thank you Patti, for patting me on the back . I needed that.

NEW YEAR'S EVE SURPRISES

Yesterday, my daughter Ali, packed up her car and drove up north to San Francisco. She is starting her junior year at San Francisco State. This is not the first time she has left the nest, but it seems she has grown up a bit, and kept referring to San Francisco as her new home. She called last night and said she was looking at the lights of the Golden Gate Bridge, and was excited to be in a new city, starting a new year. She is a good kid, and I hope it is filled with new adventures and infinite possibilities.

My husband and I went to one of our favorite italian restaurants for dinner, not even a mile from our house. Who was sitting at the table across from us????? Greg Brady, as in The Brady Bunch, otherwise known as Barry Williams. We kept staring and saying to each other is that who I think it is. We were eavesdropping on their conversation and we heard the woman who was with him call him Barry. There was an adorable little boy also sitting with them. His name is Brandon. How do I know that? We came home and immediately my husband looked up his bio on the internet and he has a 5 year old son named Brandon. My husband said don't you dare stop and say Hi to him. I wouldn't think of it, but if it were George Clooney or Brad Pitt or Tom Selleck....that's another story!

Everyday is filled with surprises....unexpected moments, and possibilities.

I hope 2009 brings all of you surprises, special moments and endless possibilities.

Happy New Year!

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!!!