North America
Bread and Records from the Past

Bread and Records from the Past

The good ole days of department store restaurants is a lost treasure. This old box from May Co reminded me of lunching in The Mission Room in the Mission Valley store. Driving through Mission Valley, you can still see where the restaurant had been with the windows facing the freeway. Their strawberry pie was famous...
7 San Diego Hidden Gems

7 San Diego Hidden Gems

San Diego is a top tourist destination and these 7 informal and friendly activities need to be on your radar. Sure, there are many popular tourist spots but these chosen places around San Diego County may surprise you. In fact, you’ll want to return and explore more in the uncrowded and inexpensive attractions. Take in...
Kitchens For Good Cooks Up Change

Kitchens For Good Cooks Up Change

My article was published in the Food Wine Travel Magazine winter 2020 issue.  Unfortunately,  single articles cannot be downloaded, so this is the best copy for my site.  If you’d like to move the slide to page 72 you’ll find the article. Thanks for understanding.  
Chula Vista and Bonita, CA filled with hidden treasures

Chula Vista and Bonita, CA filled with hidden treasures

The Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista is a fun adventure for all ages and nearly all the exhibits represent local wildlife and marshland habitats.  Easy and accessible walking trails and bird watching are a few of the activities in our own backyard.  Did you know there’s about 150 turtles in the bordering bay? ...
Orange County Held My Attention With Sweets, Fish and Meat

Orange County Held My Attention With Sweets, Fish and Meat

First stop on our SoCal Orange County road trip was, what else but a bakery.  Sweet Lili’s Bakery is right off  freeway 5 in Laguna Hills and if you watch Fox 5 with Shally, Lili is her mom.  Lili has been turning out Persian desserts and flatbreads for many years. I spotted a cream filled...
Pechanga More Than a Casino-Come Experience it All!

Pechanga More Than a Casino-Come Experience it All!

Let’s go on an adventure in Temecula, my travel writer friends proclaimed. We decided on lunch and a tour at Pechanga Resort and Casino as guests of Pechanga. Pechanga was easy to drive to since it’s conveniently located off the 15 Freeway and Temecula Parkway. Once entering the resort and casino, there is a parking...
Finding new treats and a new friend on Big Island, Hawaii

Finding new treats and a new friend on Big Island, Hawaii

One of our favorite restaurants on the Big Island, Hawaii, is Mai Grille by Chef Allen Hess.  The restaurant is the “Home of Bacon” cured in-house.  We invited a woman sitting by herself to join us and learned Arianna was from Sicily, Italy.  Arianna is working on her PhD in bioengineering and was on Hawaii...
Our food adventure in Wailea, Maui

Our food adventure in Wailea, Maui

Where to find very fresh fish in Maui? Miso Phat! In 2016 the restaurant was featured on Guy’s Diners, Drive ins and Dives. I was able to take a picture of owner Joy and two great sushi chefs with Guy’s signature on the wall behind them. I ate the TNT roll-shrimp tempura, crab and ahi...
Santa Fe Serving Historical Cookies and Wines

Santa Fe Serving Historical Cookies and Wines

Santa Fe, New Mexico was the site for the 2019 International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Conference and I attended the conference to network with colleagues, plus, eat and drink in Santa Fe. The official cookie of New Mexico is Biscochitos and usually made for special occasions with recipes handed down in families.  They are...
Barrio Logan, San Diego-Food and Arts with Mexican Roots

Barrio Logan, San Diego-Food and Arts with Mexican Roots

Las Cuatro Milpas Get there early and forget your diet, my friend told me. Lunchtime at Las Cuatro Milpas on Logan Avenue is known for long lines and authentic Mexican food in San Diego. Waiting in line is worth it because once inside, aromas of home-cooked Mexican food take over the senses. The menu is...
You're Never Too Old For San Francisco

You’re Never Too Old For San Francisco

Mom proved at 91 years old, she’s not too old to fly to San Francisco, especially when it was to see her grandkids!  Our adventure began with buying mom’s favorite coffee at Graffeo Coffee Roasters on Columbus Avenue. The Italian company began in 1934 and Luciano keeps the family business brewing bean by bean. Don’t...
Bavaria in the State of Washington

Bavaria in the State of Washington

2 hours north of Seattle, Washington is the German Bavarian town of Leavenworth. I felt like I was back in Southern Germany with the ornate details on the buildings and interior German designs.  Colorful paintings just like in Bavaria are ever present on the chalet buildings and blooming flower boxes reminded me of the alps. ...