Where Have Our Tricksters Gone?

This was taken about 12 years ago - back in the day when pictures had to be "developed" - and the best thing ever was the 1-hour processing at Costco.  Back then when we actually get excited about halloween in my household.  Yes,  those days, when we would have Disney characters romping around our house for the entire day before and after post sugar fits and slumps.  Over the years since then, Disney gave way to zombies, Scream mask, pillow covers, and soon gave way to no effort at any costumes at all.  Disney now come in the forms of neighbors.

This Halloween with only the pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns for fun company, we could not help but miss Cruella and Blue's Clues.  They are out being themselves and stuffing themselves silly with candy.  Because in our house, no one brings home candies anymore.

Way Back

I don't even know why this song, why this morning, but it feels just right. I barely remember the Beatles.  My only definitive memory was John Lennon gone when I was in 3rd grade - and I did not even know who he was, but the teachers were pretty upset.  The songs were soundtrack to parts of my life, I am sure, but  damn, if I can name any of those tunes.  But this song reminds me of my "titas" in the 70's and for some reason that feels nice

Enough Said

Via Kelly L. Cox - US Presswire

There was a tornado warning in the Sierras.  The Presidential debate went largely unnoticed.  The freeway was practically empty at 5pm on a Monday.  But at AT&T park, there was magic all night long.  Go Giants!

Slow Saturday

Almost always, Saturdays trip me.  First of all,  I think that it ought to be lazy - being just after Friday and all - instead it whizzes by on supersonic time.  Unfailingly, I usually spend the day chasing after it - being always at least six hours behind!  My mission so it seems every Saturday is to make it all worth it by bingeing on stuff to do, leaving me quite exhausted at the end of the day and ironically relieved that that it is finally all over.  Today though was going to be different, I was going to just let Saturday follow me around like a puppy - it will be my day.

I started the morning with banana and blackberry pancakes at Orphans.  Something I can totally make on my own for free, but this morning, I'd rather have someone make it for me - preferably some place where parking was scarce.

Then, I ran around Mckinley Park to overcome my guilt over the decadent pancakes.  

And then I decided to kiss my layers goodbye and embraced the bob back.

As if the carbs from the pancakes were not enough, I had to have boba too  - although to my credit, this one was avocado, which is literally - meat, right?

Then I decided to dig up my severely neglected Kindle and read a book aptly called The Forgotten Garden. 

And finally, as I waited for the night to get really late so I can go to sleep, I found Carla Bruni.  I guess for some of us, nothing is ever enough, apart from being a top model, and then France's First Lady, she is a singer too.  And you know what, she doesn't sound bad at all.  Really, when I think about it, I have not done nearly anything today.

The King of the Hill

We took his sister here too, and now it is his turn.  Nathan - my friend's son - is now three - he talks more like he's ten and he knows what he wants, and he will tell you so - mostly by saying "No!" - pointedly to me because he was just fine and and dandy with Mel.  When I was not trying to make Nathan like me, I was liking sights of apples and pumpkins everywhere, the apple donuts and just the hint of coming fall if only there were not busloads of people to suck all that out of any air.  Nathan did really well, did not throw fits as any three year olds would do after the nth stop for apple pie and such.  Over-all, it was a fine day with the apples.

Not A Fair Weather Friend

It is almost November, but here we are with the temperature still at the 80's!  I cannot wait for the weather to make up its mind already and make Fall happen.  I had pho today and wished for a pho weather, but alas, it was still as chirpy as spring out there.  You can still go out and wear nothing but shorts and feel just fine - isn't that wrong with only two months away before Christmas?  I want my brrrs when I hunker down with my pho - come on already!!!

My Popover Runneth Over...

One of my earliest memory of my mom was her baking goodies in a small oven over a portable gas stove.  She used to have a repertoire that included broas, marble cake, and popovers.   Our neighbors used to order from her and I remembered our house smelling so sweet early in the morning and afternoons.  The popovers were especially magical because of the way they "pop", then deflate as if they had been holding their breaths while in the over and then exhaled as soon as they are out - some of them just blew up revealing slight gooeyness inside.  My sisters and I used to call them "po-po-bers." It was rare and amazing treat when we get these "po-po-bers".

This morning, I found a recipe for popover that is good for two people.  Increasingly, it is just Mel and I in the house - so I thought, this would be something different than pancakes.  It was pretty easy to make and I was exceptionally proud of the cream that I whipped with the peaches and strawberries to match the fruit toppings.  The best ironic thing about popovers is how they look so decadent when in fact they are nothing more than half air inside.  It was a good Sunday breakfast.

Waiting for Fall.

It is not quite here yet, but I wore my boots today and it felt almost right.  The time will not change until November I heard (what?), but soon enough, the air will bite, and I cannot wait to drink coffee all day because I have to.  The picture above is one of the farms at Apple Hill - where trees do wear red in October and November.  And yes, the apples are good too, especially as donuts!

Night of Ughs.

Well first it was the debate - where my dog stood by while a more caffeinated pup shot down Big Bird, and worse, while feigning love.  Everyone at the CNN was losing his/her mind about how Ohio would think when it wakes up tomorrow morning! Even MSNBC was sheepish to say the least.  Then my vision of petit pains au lait did not quite turn out right.  I should have known from the start -the dough was not exactly sighing under my fist as I kneaded it.  But when it comes to bread, my reference remains that sad day I kneaded a pan de sal on the floor.  But I do know Big Bird and it stuns me that a man aspiring to be the leader of the free world would sacrifice him to earn debate points from his base who are inspired by the letter J it seems.  Must be a night if one can find consolation in Britney Spear's putty face - at least all is well in that world.  P.S.  the bread does not taste so bleakly as it looks.