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!