Wharf

 

                                        Old Fisherman's Wharf -  Monterey, California

                     

     I took these photos from a restaurant at the Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. We were there for a car club dinner. When we arrived, it was daylight. I enjoy taking pictures and could hardly wait for the sun to set so I could capture the lights from the harbor with my iPhone. 

    I recall going to the Wharf in Monterey as a little girl with my parents on a weekend.  My dad would always get a bowl of clam chowder and usually a little plastic cup of wine. We would stroll the wharf as he ate his soup.  It was always a happy day for me. I could always look forward to choosing something special from the souvenir shop, then an ice cream cone. At the entrance to the wharf, there was always "the man with the monkey." This was the icing on our day at the Wharf. The man would crank his music box, while the little monkey dressed in shorts, suspenders and a hat, would take a penny from your hand. I can't remember where he would put the penny after taking it from me...I was fascinated with this little monkey - cutest thing I ever saw for sure. I can still see him at this moment, like it was yesterday. 

    The monkey hasn't been at the wharf for several years now. I think I heard it was not politically correct to have him as a form of entertainment and source of income on the wharf. There was always a large circle of people around this monkey working the crowd. Now and then, he would get a dollar bill or two.

    Today, the Old Fisherman's Wharf is still thriving. You can buy fresh fish from the local fishermen, spend a few hours on a whale watching boat and end the day with a great meal. It's a great spot for people watching too. 

    I live on the other side of this bay. I'm thinking it's time for a drive and some clam chowder. 

Vegas

                         The water fountain show at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada    

    I took this video on my birthday last October. There are over 1000 fountains in this water show, combined with lights and music. The water moves with the music. It's quite spectacular. There is an 8.5 acre man-made lake in front of the resort where the fountains shoot as high as 480 feet and have been entertaining tourists since 1998. 

    The Bellagio fountains is a Las Vegas landmark and a place of marriage proposals, selfies and even weddings. It is one activity and source of entertainment in Vegas that is free. It's especially nice to have a dinner reservation with a view of the fountains. The genres of music in which the fountains dance are diverse. During the winter months, you can expect to hear holiday music. 

    We never spend more than two nights in Las Vegas. We usually fly in for a show or concert, dinner, a little gambling and time for relaxation. That's plenty Las Vegas for me!  Enjoy the show.

Uptown Girl (Official Video)

                      

    This is one of those songs that tell a true story. It's a love story about Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley. I remember when I learned they were dating. I thought to myself, "What an odd couple!" After all, Christie Brinkley is an uptown girl, the face of Cover Girl as well as the cover of many high end fashion magazines. Then we have Billy Joel, as the song says "A back street guy," who once was a piano man playing in bars. To me, they seemed odd together like they didn't fit and yet they always looked happy together. Obviously, looks are deceiving because they divorced. I believe their daughter Alexa Ray is a singer-songwriter like her dad. Alexa's parents are still going strong with their new partners and families. Billy continues to make beautiful music and Christie continues to brighten up the page or screen with that beautiful smile of hers. Cheers to them both! 

    

Trail

 

                                                                        

    This is a trail around the corner from my home. It is one of many trails into the Forest of Nisene Marks. There used to be a sign up ahead that alerted hikers to the presence of lions and what to do and what not to do should you come across one. It took me a while to have the courage to start hiking here. The sign is gone now and I know the lions aren't. I also realize there is a very small chance I would come across one. I have not heard of anybody being approached by a lion in this forest. I do stay off the trail at dusk.                                                

   

                                                

                                                         A perfect Sunday afternoon

    

    I never noticed this bench before. There was a dedication emblem on the back rest. This would be a perfect place for meditation or a sack lunch.

                                                Hmm...which trail do you think I took?

                                                               Sweet little meadow

      I took the trail to the right and glad I did. I was all alone up to this point, so it was nice to come across some humans. They inspired me to invite my husband on my next trek.                                                                                        

                                                                      Wildflowers!

                                                     Spring is here - time to get outdoors!

                                                               

Sunset at Rio Del Mar Beach

 

                                                                                

    This is just one of many spectacular sunsets at Rio Del Mar Beach in Aptos, California. You might be more familiar with Santa Cruz, which is 10 minutes from Aptos. I took this photo a few years ago. If you get to the beach at sunset, you will meet up with many others who are there to witness this beautiful sight. The different phases of a sunset amaze me. One mustn't take their eyes off the sun setting for a moment. It is a beautiful progression. No one sunset is ever the same.

                                                                 

Rosie

 

                                                                            

                                                                                  

 This is my dog Rosie all bundled up in the back seat of our truck. We're heading to our condo in Lake Tahoe. She doesn't like being cold and is well prepared for the change in temperature as we approach the mountains. Maybe some of you have heard about the massive amounts of snow Lake Tahoe received this year.

     

    Along with the snow came unbelievably cold temperatures. We arrived at our condo on the North Shore and decided she needed some warmer clothing for her outdoor outings. We found a cozy pet store in InclineVillage. She had her Christmas sweater on that I brought from home. We bought her a hat and shoes to keep her extra warm. She has never had shoes before and was not thrilled about wearing them.

    Rosie is a purebred Boston Terrier. She is sixteen years old and in good health. You can't see her physique, but she still has a muscular body and very active. Her little gray face and cataracts show proof of her age. We love her so.

    Here is a picture looking outside the window of our condo. We have never seen so much snow in Lake Tahoe in all the years we have been coming here (40 years). Lake Tahoe hasn't seen this much snow since 1951-1952. Tahoe has received 812 inches of snow this year. That's over 60 feet!

    This final picture is taken from inside the truck, going down our street toward town. The snow plows hadn't gotten to this road yet. How absolutely beautiful right? A true winter wonderland. The Palisades (formerly known as Squaw Valley) will be open for skiing through 4th of July this year. That's how much snow there is. We're headed back this week for a few days. Of course, Rosie is coming with.

I can't recall where I put Rosie's little snow shoes...I hope I find them, they weren't cheap!

Quiche

 

                                        

    This cookbook is a wedding gift I received from my brother and his wife thirty-six years ago. Terri knew that I was very much concerned about my lack of cooking skills and practice, so this book was very much appreciated! There is a recipe in this book that stands out in my mind. It is Quiche Lorraine on page 166. Very early in our marriage, I had a small group of women over and I made this recipe. I forget what the occasion was, but Terri was at my gathering and she raved about the Quiche Lorraine I made. She went on to make this quiche for the ladies at her church and continues to make it to this day.

    I pull this book out at every holiday. I use it now and then throughout the year too. I made my first Au Gratin potato casserole from this book. It goes so well with a really good steak! I'm planning on passing this cookbook down to my only daughter. I found a handwritten recipe from my mom in between the pages the other day. If you're looking for a dish to go with your Sunday brunch, I highly recommend this recipe:

                                                                   Quiche Lorraine

Ingredients:

Pastry for 9 inch one crust pie

12 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

1 cup shredded natural Swiss cheese (4 ounces)

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

4 eggs

2 cups whipping cream

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

Directions:

Heat oven to 425*.  Prepare pastry (I use ready made Pillsbury Pie dough). Sprinkle bacon, cheese and onion in pastry-lined plate. Beat eggs slightly;  beat in remaining ingredients. Pour into pie plate. Bake uncovered 15 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 300*. Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean, about 30 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. 

6 servings; 625 calories per serving.

A simple, yet elegant dish.