Merry Christmas My Girls

I can't imagine my life without you! It's been a grand and glorious year being back in San Diego, back among my most precious friends. I have loved our birthday celebrations (mine especially, hehe...) our knitting, our beading, our retreat.....pancakes and waffles and tuna nachos...

I love how we inspire one another, but that each of us soars on their own. Although even while soaring, if an interrupt comes our way we know there is someone right there to help.

I love you girls! Enjoy your holidays and I look forward to seeing you soon. LM

'Tis the Season

Every year, our financial guy, Sam Tapia of Morgan Stanley, and his beautiful wife Debby, host a client appreciation dinner at the Miramonte Winery in Temecula. Sam's best friend from boarding school, Cane, owns the winery and between courses they tell stories about each other which become funnier and more elaborate as the years pass. What is suspect is that they never tell the same story twice.





Look at the twinkle in Cane's eyes! He is in the perfect place doing the perfect thing for him! And he loves a full house!






The wine tasting room is always candlelit with tastefully adorned tables, intimate and elegant. This year the caterer was incredible! I'm still full. The main course was a filet minot that rivals Donovan's. But there was a salad first. Then soup (after of course appetizers ... scallops, warm mushroom baby tart, etc!), then the entree, then a rich chocolate tart of some sort with port. Good lord, I don't even want to think about how full we all were. The pours were very generous this year and we tasted 5 wines. At the end of the evening they raffled off 3 bottles and for the first time, I actually won something! Estate Syrah. Yum.

I want all my girls in that room next year because we would have the absolute best time together! Aside from giving an awesome party, Sam has done well by us (Viv, Julie Dave & us). We've recovered our losses and have actually made some money this year on our modest porfolio.

being thankful

This is the eve of the day we gather with family and friends and reflect on what we are grateful for. For me, this a big year of gratitude, for my dear family, the big and little ones and my friends. I am facing many challenges going forward, but hold onto thankfulness for all I have. 

I send you wishes of a peaceful and a loving Thanksgiving. 

Love,

Gail

Birthday Girl!

C-Level was the Place! Celebration was the buzz word of the day as we celebrated Susan's "Double Nickles" year! We were thinking it was just going to be 4 of the 5 of us, when Gail surprised us by joining us in the parking lot on our way in! It's the perfect 5!

The talking started then and didn't stop - it just got louder as Susan "encouraged" us all we must have a Birthday drink with her - of course it didn't take much convincing! Our laughter and talking at once brought out Debra Scott the chef to congratulate Susan on her Birthday and offered to bring her the requested (but no longer on the menu) cheese tortilla chips!




Not long later, she personally served a platter of scallops on tortilla chips topped with delicious caviar! With apologies that her sous chef misunderstood her and created these instead. Of course what's not to like - comped scallops with caviar!

We then dined on ahi tuna stacks and yummie calamari while Susan opened her array of different gifts...all unique and perfect for her! A wonderful candle from Gail that Marcia has and enjoys constantly! Marcia gifted her a magazine subscription to Le Vie Claire - always inspirational! Val tapped into Susan's pallette with a gift of bacon and chocolate pancake mix which is the latest in nuveo tastes and Judy created an apron out of Susan's favorite linen fish print. OK Susan, we expect to be served the pancakes while wearing the apron, burning the candle and using Le Vie Claire for the latest table design!









We love our Birthday Celebrations!













HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSAN!

working on beauty in difficult times

Girls, I have been meaning to share photos of one of the things I have been doing these last weeks when I had little control of the events of my life. 

Susan wrote this to me a couple days ago and I hope she does not mind me sharing. "When things around you are difficult, you react by creating something beautiful.  And you live in it because beauty is your refuge. I just wanted you to know that I see that, understand it and marvel at it."

The new tables are Fermob a beautiful line of french furniture Chicweed on Cedros carries. The wall hangings and many of the pots are also from them. Three very talented women, who can turn succulents into floral arrangements. Also, quite a few new pottings from me during times between doctors and waiting. And then there is always Freddie. My ever present doting boy. Terrified of the Ott light, but brave in most other ways.

 

Warming Up Joe

Dear Ones,

I brought Val's beet potatoes and the scarf to Gail & Joe's house this morning. Don't faint, but I actually did it before work! That's saying something, isn't it? I left the goodies on the front porch tickled to death that I got up early enough to do it. While patting myself on the back, I opened my purse back at the shop and discovered I hadn't put Joe's card with the scarf. Darn. I sent Gail an email explaining that it was knit with love by all of us. Shortly thereafter, sweet Joe called. He said he was overwhelmed by our thoughtfullness. It meant a great deal to him. Okay, I almost started crying ... why, I don't know. I was just so touched that he was so touched. You know how that goes. So Monday, when he starts the treatment, he will be comforted with softness, love, and warmth. Thank you all for working on it and for being the loving beings that you are.

cooking for the boy

As you all know it has been an interesting few weeks in our household. As you also know I turn maternal big time when any of my boys are hurt. So... I decided soup was in order. My catch all cure all. I set out to make butternut squash soup from one of my favorite cooks.

But, sadly I discovered I did not have the right soup pot and let me tell you I have pots. A Berndes big enough to feed a football team, a Chantal or two for other needs, but nothing right for this. I had been reading Ina's cookbooks dreaming of Boeuf Bourguignon in a big heavy dutch oven. This all lead to the need for a Le Crueset dutch oven, because I need to get inspired and try to take Joe back to a time when he loved to eat. And, this man loved to eat. Well, the pot finally arrived and man all I can say is what took me so long. Isn't she beautiful? Even Joe was impressed with the quality. So I share some pre dinner pictures of my cooking with proof that I can actually use a cookbook. So, the kitchen smells wonderful and Joe went to Bread and Cie coming home with fresh bread.

I also did something I felt was important for a good omen. Joe bought me some gorgeous Provence pots from my little neighborhood shop more then ten years ago. The boys have continued to add to my collection as I have on my trips to Provence. I decided it was time to support the local economy and add a new big vase for Joe and healing. She is the tall girl on the right. Isn't she pretty?

I must go check on my soup. I have more healing things to share, maybe tomorrow. BTW my camera battery was dead so I grabbed my iphone and took these, not bad for a phone?

Love my girls,

Gail

Pork roast

I described a most delicious meal that I made for myself (amazing in Mark's absence I cooked an honest to goodness meal) and it was so good.

Pork loin roast
Mix into paste
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tsp chopped parsley
1 clove chopped garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
2 tsp olive oil

Pat onto pork roast

cook sliced yam for 3 minutes in microwave
slice two apples

spray a pan with cooking spray
surround pork roast with potatoes and apple slices
sprinkle with brown sugar

cook at 450 for 40 ish minutes until done

Enjoy!

Barracks 19, Liberty Station

When I see the end of this video, I wonder if I'm jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Nah, I'm just kidding Marcia!

More Julian

Well....nearly 2 months later I've (thanks to Richard) figured out the glitches in my ability to post. So now I'm playing catch up. Sorry all my posts are out of order, but at least you can all see the pictures that have been sitting in my camera for the longest time!

Enjoy the memories....


First Sighting!



Do I have Food on my Face?
Being Vocal!


News travels fast!



Liquid Libations!


Susan's Famous Crab Cakes!


Val's Infamous Smashed Beet Potatoes! It was actually quite good - despite some of our grumblings!


Our first Breakfast - Is that Susan hiding?



Great Food and Beading Fun...what more could we ask for!



What a great weekend!

PS - Pat loved her "cross" and wanted to make sure everyone knew she put it on the wall by the kitchen and loves it!

More Scary Pics

As I came walking up the front porch steps, the door opened and Richard stood there with a shocked look on his face - he hadn't seen my new look! All he'd been privy to was a wig sitting on a lamp, cut netting on the floor, drip system tubing coiled by my knitting chair and felt pieces stuck to the rug! And this was my Halloween Costume before Thursday! Needless to say he insisted I come out to the Studio (garage) where he had elaborate lighting set up and grabbed my prop camera saying "Put on a little more makeup and meet me in the garage!"

The following "scary shots" are the result.....Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Marcia

After celebrating her Birthday day in Florida, we finally got to spend a few hours celebrating Birthday Lunch with Marcia. Vagabonds was the pick of the day so David didn't have to spend tooooo much time at the store alone. But with all abandon, all braved the unknown, and walked in to be greeted by a newly mustached Jerome!

After a staggered start, waiting for drinks, we finally got our orders --- all be it a little mixed up. Val's was prepared all wrong and was started over, Marica and Gail's split order ended up with salad on one plate and fries on the other. But after we finally settled, realizing this is the "Vagabond Experience", we had a wonderful visit and heard all about the Florida trip, Vale's new dress (a Jeffery selection) with felted earrings to mathc and of course announcements from 3 of us!



Marcia was delighted with the mix of eclectic gifts and they were all perfect for her!

When we all get together, our support and happiness for each other overcomes all the "meal issues" and "hangovers" (you know who you are)!

It was a great lunch!

Once again...Happy Birthday Marcia!

Scarey Shutterbug!

It was my good fortune that Richard left the house at 7:00 a.m. to golf, forgetting that today was Judy's Halloween Day at school. He always takes her picture before she leaves for work when she's looking her best, or her worse, depending upon the costume. So I had the privilege. Now I'm no Richard, but I did my best. This was my first sighting.



I took many, many pictures, most of them blurry because I was laughing too hard to hold the camera steady. Here's a lovely full length view of our Shutterbug:





She'll have to tell you how she managed to get the Bug Back. It had to do with tubing of some sort. Mind you, our Judy made this entire costume. In her spare time, of course.




As always, she does detail well.