The Lotus Festival in Echo Park, Los Angeles takes place July 15th and 16th. If you haven't seen these beauties go this weekend. Lotus blossoms don't last very long, and this year they've bloomed even earlier. Come! Take in the sites and enjoy the food and fun. … [Read more...]
Lemon Sandwich Cookies
The road to success is paved with the debris of failure. These lemon sandwich cookies are a case in point. My well-worn life has been populated by many successes: Opened a bakery at 23. Returned to college and earned a teaching degree. Began a new career at the age of 41. Traveled for work and pleasure. The secret. Maybe secret is the wrong word. The … [Read more...]
Laughter Is the Best Medicine
2017 has been a hell of a year. In my journal, I flippantly wrote, ‘2017 the year I lost the Bij and my boob.’ It was only 50% true. I still have my breast. It all started after the Women’s March in January. Eight or ten friends walked to the march. The crowds were massive, and the group I went with wanted to move from the place we’ve been standing in for more than an hour. … [Read more...]
I Will Miss You Bijou Cat
Bijou the cat was the longest relationship I've had. It ended yesterday. Bijou happened into my life. I had just purchased the duplex that I now reside in. I sat on the kitchen floor, heat gun in one hand, a cigarette in the other, tears streaming down my face from fear and frustration that I had just done the worse thing in my life by buying this piece of shit building. … [Read more...]
Chicken Croquettes Wrapped in Shredded Fillo
I am a very good cook. I can chop, butcher, saute, grill, you name it. But I’m not the most creative cook. In fact, I’m a bit of a thief when it comes to new ideas. I outright steal from chefs: talented and extremely gifted chefs. Here and abroad. My travels to Valencia, Spain brought me to restaurant Seu-Xerea (pronounced: essay-u-se-er-e-a). (After watching this video … [Read more...]
