Modesto, CA, My Hometown!

We rolled into town for my Dad’s birthday just in time to be part of the beginning of the Summer of Graffiti in Modesto. A month long celebration of car shows, music and cruisin’ the main drag of McHenry Avenue ties to the iconic coming of age movie, American Graffiti. The writer/director, George Lucas is from Modesto and graduated from my high school, Thomas Downey High in 1962. American Graffiti touched the hearts of millions and created a kind of “time capsule” of what life was like through the eyes of American teenagers and how it was changing in that pivotal year of 1962. In fact, Universal Pictures describes the film as capturing the “heart of America’s last age of innocence.”  Continue reading →

Dublin Iced Coffee – Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

Happy Birthday Dad! This cocktail from Soda and Swine, right here in San Diego, reminded me of my Dad immediately. He loves his coffee and he is an Irish guy! When David and I took my Mom and Dad to Ireland to visit our “Irish Roots”, we discovered that Guinness makes you handsome! Who knew? But all over town there are signs telling us just that, so it must be true. Now that couldn’t be just a load of Irish Blarney, could it? In fact, I do believe when we left the Guinness Brewery, after a pint or two, we all were just a wee bit more handsome! And that’s no Blarney! Continue reading →

No More Moldy Berries!

Life can be very hectic. Learning to slow down, smell the roses, pick the berries is something I am working on. So many times I rush through the market grabbing the things I need to rush home and make the things I want. But there are times when I pause to look around me at all the beautiful colors nature has provided for us in our fruits and vegetables. It is the rainbow and I am grateful for it!

My Mom taught me to thunk the melons, smell the strawberries and squeeze the citrus to get the freshest and sweetest fruits. I do that to this day so when I bring my well-felt and sniffed fruit home I want it to last so I can savor every piece. Continue reading →

Creamy Orecchiette Pasta With Peas and Ham

It just couldn’t be easier and that’s exactly what I needed! I love one pot dinners or a meal in a bowl! Summer is really ramping up with so many parties that my head is spinning……in a happy, creative kind of way! The calendar is getting a very festive look to it as I fill in each new party date. So with planning all the future great things to eat, tonight’s dinner got put on the back burner, so to speak.  Continue reading →

Ruby Grapefruit Basil Martini – Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

Ruby Grapefruit Basil Martini

I picked up a lovely basil plant at the market yesterday, since the snails gnawed through my last one, and the whole car smelled so fantastic that I just had to find a way to infuse the flavor into a cocktail this week. This is how the process evolved. Continue reading →

Dilled Salmon Tartare on BBQ Lavash

Awhile back I had Lavash chips at a local restaurant sprinkled with seeds and thought they were great. Dining out always gives me inspiration to create something at home. I was going to make a salmon appetizer and thought that BBQ Sauce on Lavash would possibly make a tasty chip. The combination of flavors from the savory, salty bite of the salmon tartare and the sweet, tangy bite when you crunch that chip is amazing! Continue reading →

Pomegranate Daiquiris – Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

I remember as a kid, riding my bike over to the 7-11 to get a Slurpee. On a hot day it was worth the ride knowing that I would soon be sucking the icy, fruity concoction in through the striped straw, sitting in the shade of our front lawn tree. Makes me happy just thinking back on it. Now that I am all grown up, it doesn’t mean that a Slurpee won’t be that satisfying again, it just means that it has alcohol in it now and I won’t be riding my bike! Continue reading →

Herb Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken with Spicy Orange Sauce

It’s 3 o’clock in the morning and my mind is wandering through my mental recipe files. Sleep….no, eat….just can’t stop seeing food combos. Counting chickens instead of sheep. What to make for our anniversary dinner this year? The weather’s great so grilling is perfect. An elegant chicken, not an everyday chicken is where I am going. Keep it light so we don’t feel stuffed on this romantic evening. Stuffed….that’s it! I’ll stuff a chicken breast and drizzle it with sauce. Continue reading →

Greek Yogurt Cheesecake with Raspberries and Pistachios

Happy Anniversary to my sweetie! And my sweetie has a sweet tooth, or two and I’m a savory character. Our philosophy is to always put each other first and do what makes the other happy and if you do, you will both get what you want out of life and the marriage. 

With that in mind I wanted to make a dessert for us that was not too sweet and not too savory. One that was just right. I think this one does just that! Anyway, it surely made us happy!  Continue reading →

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