Book Group Christmas 12-18-19

Today was our annual Christmas Lunch and we didn't take a picture!  We usually forget because we are so busy talking, eating, exchanging gifts, and just generally having a great time. 

So, here is a somewhat formal image from March 2019 taken at Placentia Library. 

Book Group  March 2019

Teresa, Nancy, Carol, Verna, Ann

Del, Marlita, Kathy, Joann

Book Group Christmas 2010

Marlita,  Carol, Nancy, Verna, Del

Kathy, Teresa

[I did a typo and had the wrong date here, this image is from December 2010 not 2019.  Sorry]

Book Group Spring Tea  Circa 1990s

Teresa, Verna, Carol, Del, Ann, Kathy

Friday Food 07-27-18

Dessert sounds good tonight - or any time!  So, I looked through my picture files and chose these three desserts.  I don't always have dessert when I dine out, but if I do, I usually photograph it.  I've done it since I took a trip to England in 1990 and one of the ladies on the tour took pictures of almost all of her food.  She said she did it so she could remember all the great meals she had.  If I hadn't taken these pictures, I would not have remembered these special desserts.  

A berry tart - delicious.  Book Group dessert at Teresa's  02-19-14 

Restaurant made vanilla ice cream with a chocolate fish and triangle cookie.

The Fish Company in Rossmore, CA    06-28-12

A special occasion dessert at Solare in San Diego  9-26-17

The title was in Italian, but it meant salami with ice cream with the salami part being chocolate with pistachios and nuts that looks like salami. 

And here is a detail.  I don't remember what the little flecks were in the ice cream, but I do remember that is was one of the most delicious desserts I have eaten.  

And YES, I did go to See's and bought a box of 12 of my favorites.  I will stretch them out for the next six days, because I can't just eat one! 

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Today's Dessert 09-26-17

I showed you Korean dinner last night, tonight I share dessert.  I drove today to San Diego with my friends Carol and Teresa, to see the current exhibits at Visions Art Museum: Contemporary Quilts and Textiles. 

 

Afterward we walked to the other end of the block to have lunch at Solare, an fine Italian restaurant.  This week is Restaurant Week in San Diego so Solare offers a special menu.  Teresa had gnocchi and Carol and I had the salmon with roasted veggies.  We all prefaced this with the delicious salad with baby greens/pears/candied walnuts/ gorgonzola cheese - one of my most favorite salads. 

 

I thought I could look up the dessert menu online, but their site doesn't list desserts.  This one is 60% chocolate with nuts and, I think, dried fruit, topped with a wondrous gelato with bits of nougat in it. 

 

Update.....09-27-17 - Carol looked online for the recipe for the dessert it is called:  

 giada-de-laurentiis/chocolate-dessert-salami

and the URL is: 

 http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chocolate-dessert-salami-recipe-2107416

 

It does look like salami doesn't it?  Maybe not quite as red. 

It was easily divided because there were three slices of the chocolate "roll".  We shared the gelato and the raspberry puree.  I ate the raspberry.

We thought at first glance that there was whipped cream on top, but discovered it is a tiny meringue.

Closeup to see the bits of nougat in the gelato. M-m-m-m, good.

 

It was a great day with nice temperatures, but 95F back home in Placentia.  We were gone about 7-1/2 hours and poor KoKo stayed home alone.  He was a good boy. 

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Ladies lunching out 08-23-17

My friend Carol has been talking about this restaurant since she went with friends a month or so ago.  So we matched up dates with our friend Teresa and gave it a try yesterday.  It is Farmhouse at Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar.  I used to shop for plants at Roger's Gardens, an upscale nursery with fabulous plants and imaginative hanging baskets and multi-plant pots.  They also have patio furniture, a top rated gift shop, and just about anything a gardener would be seeking.  It isn't for penny-pinchers as it is located in the very elite area of Corona del Mar, almost adjacent to the VERY upscale Fashion Island.  Years ago, when I lived in Huntington Beach I did a lot of gardening and would frequent Rogers for unusual plants and unique planting ideas.  I will post some pictures later that I took yesterday of the flowers on display.

 

I thought I had taken pictures of our lunch plates but all I took was dessert.  Of course!  I had wonderful Icelandic cod with baby broccoli and farro and a lovely mild sauce.  Carol had the Grilled Hanger Steak with Heirloom Tomato Salad, and Teresa had a Gorgonzola & Granny Smith Apple & Chicken  Salad (w/candied pecans, dried cranberries, mixed lettuce and raspberry vinaigrette). Everything was delicious and beautifully presented.  Of course, we couldn't resist dessert. 

 

Flourless Chocolate Cake w/fruit, red wine sauce and whipped cream.

Peach Crisp w/brown sugar and oat topping, vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce.

Carol Bednar

Teresa Malinowski

On the right, Teresa and Carol choose our table for next time. 

 

It was a lovely day. 

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Illness still dragging on 12-27-16

I'm hoping this is not going to be another of those years when I am sick all winter.  I feel better, but am still coughing and still no energy.  KoKo and I go for a walk every morning and most afternoon/evenings.  But sometimes the evening  jaunt is too much for me.  I still don't have a good jacket so I am still layering, which works pretty well except when the wind is blowing as it has been this week.  I'm going to check on some online companies, though having to return things that don't fit is on the bottom of my list of favorite things to do.  I don't want to go out into the crowds at the mall or even the big box stores because my resistance to germs might be too low to protect me.  It's miserable to have to consider every breath, isn't it?

We have had warmer weather in the 60s the last week and promises that will continue though it will rain on Thursday. 

Thanks to all who have made comments or sent e-mails.  Being confined at home can get pretty lonely, though I do check on Facebook every day to see what everyone else it doing.   I enjoyed Teresa's annual cookie delivery, she is such a good baker and friend.

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Still coughing 10-27-15

Day nine - There is some slight improvement, but I still have the cough.  Little KoKo is a loving presence and my Book Group friend Teresa brought me some invalid food today - delicious bread and cream cheese with honey and pecans - and bottled fruit juices which I have chilling.  Hoping tomorrow is a better day. 

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A visit to Visions Art Museum 01-01-15

On Tuesday in a gentle on and off rain, I drove to San Diego with my friends, Carol and Teresa.  Time is getting short to see the fabulous "The Sky's The Limit", International juried exhibit.  It is worth your time, but you have to be there before it closes at 4pm on Sunday, Jan 4th.  

Teresa Malinowski, Carol Bednar and Del Thomas.

Quilt in the background is Emily Richardson's "Swiftly" (72"W x 54"L).

There are so many outstanding quilts with great techniques and lots of handwork - quilting, embroidery, edge finishes, ... you name it!  One of the quilts I admire for the fantastic machine quilting done on a home sewing machine is Sandra Ciolino's piece below.  The catalog shows a detail, but not quite close enough to get the impact of the quilting pattern.  

If you can't visit the exhibit you should buy the catalog, available from Amazon, and enjoy the quilts and the great photographs by Eric and Susanna Nancarrow.  If you use this link a percentage of your purchase will go to Visions Art Museum: 

Sorry, I was mistaken.  The only place to buy the catalog is at Visions Art Museum or on their website store www.visionsartmuseum.org or you can call them at 619-546-4872  or send an e-mail to visions@visionsartmuseum.org

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Dessert at Teresa's for Book Group 02-22-14

Good Food at Fitness Grill 10-08-13

When I heard the news of Lisa Quintana's failing health I was so down I needed to be with people.  Like so many bloggers I felt that Lisa was a very special lady and a cherished friend.   The only thing I could think to do was find someone to go to lunch with me.  I would be out of the house, not alone, and unable to let my mind dwell on the loss of a friend.  I called my friend Carol to find out that she and Teresa had a lunch date set up.  Carol invited me along and I was out the door.  We ended up talking for several hours and the wait staff kept telling us not to worry, we weren't in their way.  The conversation and the company of two of my "bookie" friends helped me deal with my sadness.

Fitness Grill in Yorba Linda has been in business for years and I have eaten there, but it is off my usual routes and I don't think of it as a possibility.  I will in the future.  The food was fresh and imaginative and the service friendly and timely. 

Teresa enjoyed: Fitness Rolls - Blackened all natural chicken breast, caramelized onions, avocado, and ginger rolled in wheat tortillas and flash baked.

:

Carol ordered:  Spinach Chicken Wrap -  Blackened chicken, spinach-artichoke mix, low-fat mozzarella cheese and fresh spinach baked and wrapped in a spinach tortilla.  Served with a side of cucumber and ginger.

 

I had: Kinki Ahi Rolls - Seared Ahi, caramelized onions, avocado, red cabbage, lettuce, cilantro and ginger rolled in wheat tortillas and flash baked.


My  wrap came with a soy, ginger, oil, sesame seed dip.  But Teresa's plate came with a creamy dip that the waiter said contained ground macadamia nuts.  It was fantastic.

Lunch with friends 02-02-13

Yesterday my friends Carol Bednar and Teresa Malinowski went with me to San Diego to see the "Brainstorms" exhibit at Visions Art Museum.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day - sunny and in the low 70s.  And it was an easy drive down - nice to be able to use the carpool lane since there were three of us in the car. 

I gave my docent tour, which Carol and Teresa seemed to enjoy.  I'm always surprised that no matter how many times I looked at the quilts I discover something I haven't noticed before.  There are some wonderful pieces and three of them have been sold.  The exhibit closes on Sunday, Feb 17th.  If you haven't seen it yet I hope you can squeeze in a visit. 

Then we went to lunch at Solare, which is in the same block as VAM.  It has changed owners and I am still  not sure it is my favorite restaurant, but it comes close.  I have a problem with the very heavy cologne worn by some of the waiters - interesting that the waitresses don't douse themselves.


Carol had beet soup that we expected to be cold, but it was hot.  I, of course, had to have a taste on the tip of my knife, and thought it was delicious - so did Carol and Teresa.
 

Carol followed this with a salad of different colored beets with with greens and shaved Parmesan.
 

Teresa ordered a pear/Gorgonzola salad which looked marvelous.
 

I couldn't resist the salmon with caper sauce and veggies - perfectly cooked, delicious.
 

Teresa and I both have a "sweet tooth" so we decided to share two desserts.  This is the out-of-sight chocolate torte with semifreddo (basically it is wonderfully rich ice cream).  The chocolate was like fudge - m-m-m-m-m-m.
 

This sphere is also semifreddo with a filling of raspberry and a light coating of cookie crumbs.   I can't remember what it was called on the menu - not a word I have ever seen.

  I checked with Solare and found that their name for this spherical desert is "Sfera".  I believe they have named it after this sculpture:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sfera_con_Sfera

 

 

Cutting it open reveals the raspberry heart.  The semifreddo was different in this, more like frozen mousse than ice cream.  I think this is one of the best desserts I have had in quite a long time. 

 

We headed north on I-5 and stopped at Oceanside Museum of Art to visit the Quilt National quilts on display there.   This exhibit ends on Feb. 10th.   There are some extraordinary quilts in this section of QNational.  I especially enjoyed Elizabeth Brimelow's "Rook Road", so original and so beautiful.  Heide Stoll-Weber's " King Lake 3: Ghost Trees" is also awesome.  And ....  well, I like a lot of the quilts that are currently hanging at QMA.   I hope you get a chance to see them. 

 

Carol, Teresa and I are in the Book Group, so we spend some of the drive time talking books which makes the drive go much faster.  It is about two hours each way.  We were home about 6:30pm.

 

Visions Art Museum - San Diego 03-18-12

The weather didn't look promising for a drive to San Diego today, but my friends Teresa and Carol and I had a hard time finding a day we were all available for a visit to the exhibits at VAM.  However, the day turned out to be mostly sunny and when it did rain we were inside.  We each had an umbrella and perhaps that was enough to ward off the rain!  Driving home it was very windy, but the traffic was light and we made the trip in less than two hours - record time.  The blue Pacific was anything but pacific and a picture would have been nice, but I needed to keep both hands on the wheel due to the wind.  Next time - when I don't have precious passengers with me.

Teresa Malinowski, Del Thomas, Carol Bednar. 
Karen Cunagin was "sitting" the gallery and was willing to take this picture for us.

We had lunch at the Tin Roof, just a block from the Museum - Crab Benedict and 
Grilled Shrimp Sandwiches with delicious cold German Cole Slaw (that is the one made with vinegar/sugar dressing - no mayo).  We had a lovely day together.

Visions - the Int'l exhibit in Oceanside 01-25-11

Another trip to Oceanside today with three friends from the Book Group.  Verna and Teresa are quilt makers and Carol is a quilt admirer, so sometime when the exhibit is on we like to go down and talk about quilts and techniques. 

 
The sky was pretty clear as we drove down and the Oceanside Civic Center is as white as always!  This view is looking at the back corner of the museum building. I didn't notice the flag on the left side center, too bad the wind wasn't in a different direction.

 
Right now the Bird of Paradise flowers are everywhere, they are a great addition to the winter landscape.  The camellias are starting to bloom, but I got sidetracked and didn't take a picture.

It was very nice to look at the quilts without the crowd that was there on Saturday, but I missed Charlotte Bird's comments on the quilts.  I wish I had been able to tape them to go over in the peace and quiet of home.  But I know a number of the artists' work and am familiar with many different techniques, so I gave a pretty thorough spiel.   Two ladies, neither of them quilt makers, joined us here and there and seemed to enjoy seeing the exhibit.

Afterward it was a toss-up between Sammy's Wood-Fired Pizza a few miles south on I-5 or Ramos House Cafe in San Juan Capistrano for lunch.  They insisted I make the choice, so we went to Ramos House.  It was delicious, as always.  One of us ordered the sweet potato fries and I almost ripped them off her plate - yummy.  We all enjoyed the meal and the visit and the rustic atmosphere.  Where there was a small parking lot there is now a small park, so it is imperative that one park in the two level garage on the opposite side of the RR tracks.  I forgot and had to make a circuitous trip back to park after dropping the others off at the restaurant.    And then the drive home as the rush hour(s) traffic was starting.  Nice to have three carpool buddies to allow driving in the reserved lane.   Lovely day. Lovely company. Lovely lunch.  Thanks, my friends, it was a treat.

Book Group Xmas meeting 12-15-08

I don't remember when we added dinner to the Book Group December meeting. We haven't done it for 35 years, maybe 25? As with all of our meetings someone volunteers to have the meeting. She also makes the main dish and asks the members to bring different things. The meal is usually okay, but this time it was very, very good. We also exchange small Xmas gifts - always an interesting and eclectic selection.

Our hostess Carol Bednar serving salad. Notice the bottle of wine? There are always two bottles and one never gets opened - we are just not drinkers.

Verna Wheeler and Teresa Malinowski worked together at the CSUF Library - along with Carol, and Kathy Frazee who couldn't be at the meeting last night. Notice that Verna is eating a bowl of soup - she has been on a medical diet and lost over thirty pounds since the first of October. We are all cheering her on.

On the other side of the table were Ann Morgan, Nancy Mastroianni and Marlita Bellot. I guess Nancy was just sleepy because in both the pictures I took she has her eyes closed!

Isn't this a lovely plate? So colorful and so delicious. From top right: green and wax beans, carrots w/parsley and a very light sauce, apricot halves in a cold salad, stuffing, and a fabulous butterflyed turkey breast - cooked to perfection. For dessert we enjoyed a Tiramisu cheesecake. Yum-O!