Pancakes and Donuts Bring Fond Memories
Many years ago, my good friend Nancy Ryan (Nancy Knox back then) introduced me to the Swedish pancakes with lingonberry butter, German pancakes and cheese blintzes at The Pancake House in El Cajon. Over the years, we’d meet for breakfast to eat the pancakes and catch up with each other lives. We even brought our...
Learning how to Pack Smarter From an Expert
I am a terrible packer and when I found out about the Pack Like A Pro seminar at Index Urban in Hillcrest, I signed up. You might remember this luggage store as John’s 5th Ave, a locally owned and family run store for 60 years. The seminar was taught by Briggs and Riley luggage company...
Sailing away from NYC to Bermuda
Sail away from New York crossing the Atlantic to Portugal on the Azamara Journey with 700 passengers. How fascinating it is to pass the Empire State building and Statue of Liberty with picture post card views. Always a beautiful view to behold. After two days, we docked in Hamilton, Bermuda and I was ready to...
A Cape Cod Bakery and NYC Banana Pudding
Aromas of butter swirled inside French bakery Maison Villatte, in Falmouth, MA on Cape Cod. A busy morning and I waited patiently in the long line. Since it was the start of spring, shops were reopening for the upcoming sunny season and repeat customers were picking out their favorites from the pastries and breads. ...
Martha’s Vineyard with Oysters and Ice Cream
The way to Martha’s Vineyard is by ferry and we always get a reservation ahead of time for our car and passengers. And it’s not cheap, about $150 round trip. Once on the island, we finally got to meet grand nephew Cecil and it’s true, he’s very cute and smart! Strolling on Main Street, we...
Vermont-Cake and Covered Bridges
Our drive to King Arthur Flour in Norwich, Vermont was a dream come true for bakers like me. How I love their flours and other items for supreme baking! I use their online baking recipes and my sourdough breads come out so delicious. The company is employee owned and maybe sometime I’ll take one of...
Three weeks of adventures and many places to visit, here we go
Another adventure begins! We couldn’t wait to met new grand nephew, Cecil Oliver Hinshaw on Martha’s Vineyard. And of course, there were plenty of side trips…and a transatlantic cruise. So off we went with many miles to cover and first stop was Boston. After our plane landed and we checked into the hotel, we headed...
Jerusalem Mediterranean Grill-Kosher in Las Vegas
I figured I’d order a Greek salad when my husband said we were going to a Mediterranean restaurant for lunch. Little did I know my previous experiences with Mediterranean food were about to be expanded. Away from the strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, and noticeably without the glitz and glamour, we drove into a small...
Knott’s Berry Farm and the Boysenberry Festival
A Southern California berry is celebrated at Knott’s Berry Farm with a sweet annual festival. The boysenberry is one of a kind which makes juicy jam and pies, so it’s fitting to honor this prized fruit. The Boysenberry What really is a boysenberry? The berry may look like a blackberry, but it’s a cross between...
Time To Try New Bakeries
O’Brien’s Boulangerie in Poway is just what is needed in-between freeway 15 and hwy 67. The Escobar family has been baking breads for 30 years, mostly wholesale, and it’s new location also offers pastries, breakfast and lunch. You can watch bread being made and order a very buttery palmier cookie like I did. My turkey...
Big Island, Hawaii-Coffee and Chantilly Cake
Anytime is coffee time, and I discovered the Kona Mountain Coffee store on the Big Island. The coffee is 100% grown and hand picked on the family’s Kona farm, then roasted in the store. I met the owner Bill Dwyer and his daughter Heather, and they are committed to producing the smoothest coffees. Chocolate candies...
Big Jake and Randy Serving Big Island Style BBQ
BBQ at the roadside stand Big Jake’s in Honaunau, south of Capt Cook, Big Island, Hawaii. It’s all about the barbecue ribs, meats and chicken cooked over keawe wood by Jake. Jake was raised on the island, cooked in many established kitchens and is a certified bbq pit master. You know its good bbq when...
