Well, after all these years I have some good Chinese Recipes worthy of company. Jamie and I have been testing them out and I know I am ready to serve them to family and friends. Today, Summer, Jason and the girls are coming to feast with us. What I love about Jason and Summer is they are so easy to be around. Today, quite unexpectedly we ended up with a slab leak. No water for part of the time so Jason and Summer jumped in to help "get the party started". Summer and dad hand washed dishes while we did have water. Jason jumped in and fried the egg rolls. After the chaos passed we got the girls cozied up in grandma's bed. Then, the big kids settled in to watch Captain American in 3-D. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Relaxing, comfortable, and simple.
On the menu: egg rolls, fried rice, beef with brocolli, lettuce cups, and home made (scratch) coconut cake. And, my hubby wanted home made Rum Raisin Ice Cream. Join us!!!
Prepping the pans for the cake...
And, the cake...
I learned many of the techniques and recipes from Folly. Now that I have been making them I have modified them to be mine. One of the key tips I got from Folly was to be sure to use uniform pieces in the cooking.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps. I found this pre-made lettuce wrap sauce in the Asian Aisle. I have tried making the PF Changs version and it is very time consuming. Also, it does not taste the same. However, this sauce is very easy and really good.
Home made carmel corn using my popcorn contraption I found at Good Willie...
Egg Rolls...
Fried Rice...
Gettin' ready for the movies...
Home made coconut cake (from scratch) and home made rum raisin ice cream. I tried a buttermilk white cake recipe. I am not sure I really liked it because the cake was so dense. I will keep trying to find the perfect scratch white cake.
Chicken Face...
What a great day! Even a slab leak could not dampen (pun here) our Chinese Take in afternoon with our family!!!!
Ever since we bought our 3-D TVs with Tauna and Tim we have been doing movie nights at each others house. Nice, comfy and CHEAP!
I was tasked with the dessert. I was going to pick up Marie Calendars Banana Cream Pie. But, while I was at "Winnie Winco" I decided to make my own...
Come and GET IT!!!
The salad...
The spuds..
"GAH"lic Bread...
Tauna's famous Pot Roast...
The table is set...
2 bad boys...and 1 good girl...
And they call it...Puppy LOVE...
The Pink Folder. Jamie fills up the folder with jokes he gets. He tells us corny jokes, we groan. This has become a tradtion in our little group.
The "Rocky's"...
We have so much in common with Tauna and Tim. One thing in particular, our love of animals. They have a family of Racoons that live in the giant tree in front of their house that they feed. Each night we are over their house we hope for a sighting. Tonigt, we were in luck. They come to the back door. Molly and Maggie signal their arrival with barks and hustle and bustle. Then, Tim gets his paper plate and fills it with food. Funny story about this. At a home owners meeting in their neighborhood they were discussing the Racoon situation in the neighborhood. One lady said, funny thing...I often see them walking down the street with a paper plate. Well, you are in on the secret...shhh...
The movie is about to start...seats everyone!!!!
Tim and Tauna always decorate for the holidays. Here is the house at night. Spooky!!!
Harely loves hard boiled eggs. Did I say LOVES. So, to communicate to him he is going to get a special treat we call it Eggie Goodie.
Well, Jamie loves eggie goodies too. His, though, is in the form of scrambled eggs. I added some ham and tossed them inside some of my home made rolls. Delish!
Tonight, we are having our family over for a Retro Party. We are getting our new TV's today, equipped with 3D Action!
On the menu: Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes and Banana Splits.
I went to Goodwill yesterday looking for Banana Split dishes.
No luck with the Banana Split dishes. But, today the journey continues...Who knows what deals I will find!!! Instead, I found these:
Westbend Electric Wok. I have been wanting one of these. Folly used one of these when she cooked Chinese food for us. Who would have thunk I would find it at Goodwillie for only #10, which retails new for about $50. What a deal!!!!
Then, I found a hand cranked popcorn maker. This is another contraption Folly brought over in one of her sleep overs. This was only $3.99!!!!
Getting ready for the party...
A comfortable little bed...Come to my Casbah...
The meatballs...
This is the chicken I will use in the Chicken Pot Pies...
The rolls...
Summer, Kailey and Sammy came a little early. Good thing! I put the to work to help with the dinner prep. When I added in the mini Chicken Pot Pies I got my timing way off.
Kailey formed the burgers. What a pro!
Watching a little TV before dinner...
Thank you Summer for ALL your help...
Pappa Ron...
Summer put together the appetizer tray...
Mac and Cheese...
Cheese Fondue. This was a hit!
The sistas...
The girls..
Pappa Ron...
Tim...trying to get him to pose is always an adventure...
Salsbury Steak...
Tauna's Asparagus. This is SO Good!!!
Chicken Pot Pies...
Abstract...I don't know how I got this shot. But I love it!!!
Yesterday, I went to MWD for a meeting with their top managers to discuss their water contract. MWD is one of Reclamation's major contractors for Colorado River Water. The meeting centers on determining whether MWD uses Colorado River Water in a beneficial way. I can tell you - YES.
So, here I am, dressed for a meeting of this sort. Making my way down the hallway of Union Station. From where the trains arrive and let out their people-massed loads. In a rush - all of us to get to where we are going. Purposed, strident walkers...
Except one...
There he was. A small black man. Using a walker. With his pants down. Struggling to pull them up. No balance. OMG.
I was slightly passed him. I turned back. Eye contact with a black woman. Do you want to help she asked me? Yes, I said.
With no further words we went into action. She bent down to try to pull up the pants. I got behind him to stabilze him.
She tried and tried to get the pants up. He had a belt on that was making it difficult.
Then, she recognized someone in the crowd. For the first time I saw she worked for Amtrack. She called over another Amtrack worker = another black man for assistance.
Then, with no words...we got to business...
She stepped back. He stepped in. I held onto my post of stabilizing him.
Then, some other black woman, with her sassy mouth yells out - YOUR PANTS ARE DOWN!!!
Then, out of nowhere the small black man, surrounded by strangers belted back - I KNOW GOD D.... IT!!!!!
Then my mommy voice kicked in...NO, NO, NO, to no one in particular. No time for this nonsense.
In my distraction I let go of the little man. He lost his balance. Struggling to stay up. Waving his arms alternately struggling to hold onto the walker.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA I said. My eyes BIG with fear.
Then, he stabilized.
I got back behind him and determined to hold onto the back pack. Firm, strong, I have your back little man. I could smell the urine on him. I was so sad for him in this moment. My heart swelling with care for this man I did not know. Just holding on....
Quick, words between the 2 black men. Hurry said one. Do it yourself said the other. Out of frustration. And then, done...
Finally, the pants were up. The little black woman told the little black man to seek help making his way to his Doctors appointment.
Four people connected by their humanness. Then, we all went our separate ways...
I had an interesting week last week. Two episodes that caused me to further consider my life, where I came from, where I am today, and where I am going...
I met with my friend Karen to discuss the World Water Forum project sponsored by my agency. She works for Redlands University, so I wanted to give her info on the program as well as get contacts from other colleges and universities.
She introduced me to her boss...
A hard, driving, ball-breaking, tough woman who will stop at nothing to "hit her target". OMG, it was like looking in a rear view mirror. Seeing myself as I was...many years ago. RB Graphic days, Wilden days, and to "some" extent Altura and Eastern. Chasing, chasing, and never getting to the end...Exhausting, tiring, depleting...
Over time, living my life with Jamie has changed me. I think it has changed him too. Over time, barely noticable. Like a frog in cold water, the water gets warmer, warmer, hotter, hotter - until it finally is boiled and dies - yet never noticing... This is how I feel. The old me...is dead..in many ways...
I no longer have this indeterminable urge to climb the corporate ladder. To seek money, title, the corner office, the men, status, "things". I had all of this. All the things the world promises will make you happy, at peace, but NEVER does.
Yet, being with this woman brought it all back. I was interested. Network mode - let's stay in touch. Keep me in mind. I could feel it - yet not feel it. Something did not feel quite right...
I called Folly, I called my mom, I talked to Jamie...my go to network. The people I tell everything to. After talking it out, I realized, no that is not what I want. It sounded good talking like the old me. Gettin' in the groove. Sound bites. Buzz words. Selling yourself. Being sold...
But, to be that person again...NO WAY!!!!
Then, I was at MWD. Meeting with a young, up-and comer. Yet, he has a personality that could either get him far. Or get him over-looked. Not knowing when you shut up. Saying too much. Uncouth.
In our meeting he made 2 comments:
1. About our house. He golfs. We were discussing local golf courses. Saying I hoped maybe Jamie and I could get into golf. Option1: Canyon Crest, which caters to a broad group of people and is affordable. Option 2: Victoria Club, which caters to the "elite". He encouraged Canyon Crest because the if the Victoria Club people knew where I lived they would snub their nose at me.
2. He was telling me if he ever took a job in Riverside it would be with a particular agency. Well, after my recent meeting with the ball-breaker I went into network mode. However, he did not get into "how cool would it be to work together mode". Hmmmm.....
Another conversation with my peeps: Mom, Folly, Jamie.
Conclusion...
All of this made me realize I am where I need to be. And, as I move forward, I don't want to move backward. I don't want to be the person I used to be. Been there, done that! No need to do it again.
And, I know for sure Jamie and I don't want to be part of the "elite crowd". I used to play heavy politics in Riverside and was very connected. Now, not so much. One night a friend of mine invited Jamie and me to a New Comer's party. There, were all the "intellectual elites". Conversations about how awesome they were. Trying to impress each other. One arrogant aristocrat cornered Jamie talking about his house on Poppycock Hill. All Jamie wanted to talk about was surfing. Jamie and I could not get out of there fast enough. We don't want to fit in with these people. So we don't care what they think about our house. As evidenced by this blog, this house is filled with love. If they don't like my house - tough shit!!!!! I DO!!! Because it is more than a house. It is a home. It is my peace and my joy.
As far as the next job. The networking. What do I want? I want to retire! Why do I work. To secure my future. To be able to live independently. Not looking for an easy way out. Healthcare. I need to be sure I have access to health care. And, NO, I DON'T WANT OBAMA CARE!!!!!! Have you been to the DMV lately????? I don't want to depend on government supplied cheese, health care, welfare, or unemployment. Unless, I really HAD to.
I want to be able to work a couple of more years, secure my retirment, access to health care, pay off debt, made a few improvements to our house - and then retire. I want to back pack whereever I go with my husband. Using public transporation, finding hotel deals, and meeting new friends along the way. Or, get a real cool RV be "Fair Groupies". Follow the county fairs throughout the US. Or train trip. Take Amtrack throughout the US. Taking public transportation when we can. Or renting a car if needed.
I want to live my life. Slowly. Unnoticing the subtle changes as I go along the way. Small steps to a new journey. I want the water to be turned up gradually. Slowly, warming, heating up. Doing it with class (I am stealing this line from Jamie). I am still learning how to do the classy thing, but I am working on it...
Until the end...
Who will I be tomorrow? Who will I be in 10 years? 20 years? 30 years? I don't know. But what I do know is I don't want to go back. I want to evolve. A slow, gradual process. Living, then dying...
Who will I be when that time comes? Only God knows...
What I love about Jamie is he encourages the kids to express their sense of humor. A few weeks back one of the kids teased him about his shoes, which he thought were bowling shoes. Jamie corrected him and let him know they were very "expensive" Sperry Topsiders. So, he came in one day and found this on his board:
As well as a kid from his class who was proudly wearing his "bowling shoes".
I happened to get free tickets to the Long Beach Aquarium. I told Jamie we should go. He agreed. For some reason I started looking at other "happening" going on in my beloved LA. I saw that Gustavo Dudamel the conductor at the LA Phil was heading up a concert the night before. I told Jamie and we both decided to we wanted to see the concert. Ok, now...the prep...
1. Get someone to watch Harley. Our usual nanny, Miss Sarah's daddy just passed away so I did not want to ask her. So, for the first time we asked Isabel. She was in!!! Yeah.
2. Next, a hotel. I got on Priceline and began the bidding process for a 4 Star Hotel in LA. Success! We got the Westin Bonadventure for $90 bucks. Yeah!!!
3. Finally, tickets to the venue. Got on the phone with the gal to help me find the best seats available that met our needs. We wanted to be able to see the Maestro in action. Gustavo Dudamel is a passionate, exciting, young and fresh conductor. You have to be able to see his expressions, hand movements, and engaging personna. Score. Front row to the side. Perfect seats. Yeah!!!
We left a little early so we could grab a bite to eat. Our first fight. Jamie kept picking places that were not on the way. Even though we left early we did not have time (according to me) for excursions off the path to our destination. I told him I thought there was a Baker's along the way. He loves Baker's. This is how you sooth the "Grumpy Grandpa", give him something to eat...
Salute!
Jamie and I really enjoy travelling like Vagabonds. Back Packs and Public Transportation.
That's how we "Roll". Here we are waiting for the train...
There is a back story to this shot. Jamie wanted me to get a shot of him looking for the train. He was positioning against the yellow line. The next thing we hear is this bellowing, female, security officer yelling get back behind the yellow line. Actually, through photographic evidence we discovered he never actually crossed the stinkin' line...
Which way to LA????
My love, my life...
A quick snack at Big Mamma's Pizza. One of our favorite places in LA...
Friends Along the Way...
One of my pet peaves is when people "accuse" Jamie and me of some sort of discrimination because our "core values" are different than theirs. That somehow, we don't respect the rights of others. Well, our actions, consistently, prove otherwise. No matter where we go...we make friends. homeless, gay, and professional, working class...we do not discriminate. We make time to know and appreciate the humaness that connects us all. Despite our differences, "we are the world" and it is made up of interesting people from ALL walks of life. And we celebrate each and everyone of them that comes into our life...
One of the locals...I have to say this guy is the most "fancy" homeless person I have met yet. Love the glasses!!!
As we were leaving the hotel I saw a man. I noticed his shoes. He held the elevator. We went down. We talked. This is Nathan from San Francisco. An Italian/Jew from New York. A new friend...
As we were approaching the train station to head off to Long Beach I noticed this Security Guard. Mean look. No smile. He reminded me of the Police in Mexico stationed outside banks with machine guns. Can I get a picture I asked? He nodded yes. Jamie asked me - do you think he will smile. No I said - he is in character. Ok, he proved me wrong. Look at his huge smile from ear to ear!
Then I noticed him. Standing at the corner with a hand made sign. Different than the rest. Not yelling for you to come to God for redemption. Not asking for money. Dressed nice. Clean. Handsome. Who are you??? I caught his eye. I waived. He waived. I took his photo. Walked over. I asked him - are you part of the Wall Street protest. Yes, he said. Began talking. Introductions. I am Michael Palmieri, director/writer. See here for his full accomplishments http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelandrespalmieri. He told us he has been a Democrat all his life. Accomplished and successful in Hollywood. Tired of direction of our country. Wanting to make a stand, a difference. Enough to stand on a street corner with his hand made sign. A silent protest. Feeling divided and manipulated by our government. Separating the country by distracting us. A media who will portray him as some "left wing" crazy person (he was nothing of the sort). It is time to take a stand. We could not agree more. Different politics. Same sentiments. Standing together as Americans. He told us to look for more protestors in Long Beach. We said we would.
Long Beach Protestors...
The cart. In previous posts I talk about the shopping cart that brings back fond memories of me and my mom walking to the grocery store in New York and bringing back our goodies in a cart with wheels. On the train ride home I saw one. I slyly took a photo of the cart...
Then, I "saw" the owner of the cart. Lovely black woman with the most fascinating "blinged" out nails and bright orange shirt. I waited. Patiently. For an opportunity to get to know her.
Then, I got my chance...On her way out I stopped her. I told her about my fond memories of the cart. She smiled and understood. I said I love your nails. Can I get a shot? Of course, she said and posed for me...
And, one last shot of the cart...I am definitely going to get me one of these!!!!
The Bonadenture. What a deal at $90 bucks!!! It is like a small city inside...
"I am the King of the World!!! (King James to YOU)...
Welcome to our room...
A room with a view...
Testing out the bed. Yes, it is a comfy as it looks...
It's bath time...
This is how LA looked in days gone by...
Franken Foot...
I saw the sign for the "French Kitchen Store" while I was going up the elevator. So, of course I went to explore. However, what I found was Asian tea items. Is this deceptive marketing???
Date night!!! Off to see Dudamel!!!!
Since we did not have a car, Jamie got a map from the Concierge and we walked. I love walking because you see so much more than when you travel by car. Here are some of the sights we saw as we headed to our destination...
Disney Concert Hall...
The Concert. This was the first night that the LA Phil did a "Casual Friday" concert. The orchestra and the conductor all dressed in casual street clothes. A lecture before by Eric Bromberger an accomlished musician and academic who passionately described what we would be seeing, hearing and experiencing during the concert. Educating us about Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2 and Tchikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor. Learning about each man and who they were as people, their dark and light sides. Interesting, to find out about how both ,men loved children. Playing snippets of what we would hear and how to intepret it. Giving us inside information about one of the piece's...just when you thought it would be over...a trap... the music continues. We felt empowered knowing this so we would not show our appreciation with applause at the wrong time...
We actually got a few shot of the orchestra and theatre before we got busted. No photographs please!!! Jamie shot a couple after we got busted. We got in a small tiff because I was scared we would get caught again. He kept shooting. I am glad now he did.
Then, the concert...
As I said, our seats were perfect. We got a side view of the Maestro. Entering. Commanding. It begins...
Jamie, mesmerized...look at his hands. How delicate...flowing, leading...
and then...
Powerful energy...passion...Bravo!
It ends...
He acknowledges his orchestra...quick glances, small movements, facial expressions...
Applause, applause, applause. Standing ovation.
Then, he comes out. With the Director of the Theatre, one of the musicians, and the Maestro. Answering the questions of his fans...young, old, diversity. He makes the experience belong to you by giving himself to you. Accessible. If you did not stay for the Q&A you could go to the cafe and meet the orchestra.
What I learned in the Q&A:
1. This man is influencing future generations. 2 moms stood up who brought their sons, about age 6 each, with their batons, conducting with the master...
2. He is a musical genious. He conducts without sheet music. He has a photographic memory. He absorbs the music into his body and soul and it show with his performance.
3. He loves children. The same as the 2 musicians whose music was played for us that night. I found a youtube video of Gustavo I thought I would share....Enjoy!!!!
Getting ready to leave for the Aquarium...
We walked to our breakfast destination...here are the sights along the way...
Here comes the Mayor...
There goes the Mayor...
The Mayor's wife...
The Belly Buckers...
Surfin' LA...
Street Walker...
The Pantry. I found this place by accident. It is now one of my LA hotspots for breakfast.
So good, ya gotta wait in line...
The Blue Line...Long Beach...
Peeker...
The Aquarium...
The Jellies...
The Strange Fish...
The Spider Crab...
Posing for the camera... say cheese...
Nemo and Dorrie...
Crush...
I'm BATMAN!!!
Just beautiful...
Lion Fish...
This is a FISH...
Buck Fish...
JAW (James Alan Whitney) Fish...
A little Skipbo on the ride home. Jamie got me 2 to 1!!!! Wah....
On the way home these 4-gangsta kids sat next to us. We contemplated making friends with them...
Jamie did magic...they did not notice.
I decided to snap a shot when they all took a nap. I asked Jamie if I should show it to them. He thought they wouldn't care. I agreed. We continued to play cards. The Sherrif came walking through. Asked for tickets - 2 of the boys had tickets - 2 did not. The Sherriff's moved them down stairs. I went to the bathroom. Walked passed the Sherriff. No boys??? What happened??? A family came and sat in their spot. They told us the Sherriff threw them off at the last stop. Bye, bye gangstas!!!
I have been thinking about Jamie and what he said regarding my ethical responsibility to this blog. I have learned not to discount his thoughts and opinions on matters because his influence on my has been life changing. Small changes over time have turned into significant expressions of new ideas, philosophies and growth in spirit.
As a result, I decided to push the envelop further. Deciding to post more of what I normally would have surpressed. Daring to be me and in the process discovering the people who will love me for who I am. With my flaws. With my goodness. With me as a person of substance and shallowness all at the same time. So, I decided to post a photo of me that I decided not to post the first time I saw it. A conscious decision to represent myself in a more flattering way in an alternate photo selection. So here it is. Back fat and all. This is who I was in this moment of time....
So while life is not always pretty as seen above. It is beautiful. Even though I look fat I was feeling happy and satisfied. Spending time with my best friend in the gardens I love so much. Having lunch, spending time, sharing our love of photography. Life is definitely beautiful...
No matter how it looks on the outside, on the surface, dig deep...to what really matters. You too can find the beauty - if you look for it!
