The youngest of 5 and the only girl child, my grandmother immigrated from Odessa, Ukraine with her parents when she was 2 years old. They bore the journey in steerage in a large transatlantic steamer, where my grandma's mother died on board before their arrival in America. Thus, the family arrived with 4 sons, 1 little girl, and their father, but without a mother. The sons made their way across America to rural areas in South Dakota as farm hands. The father, my great grandfa

I have really fond memories of Mardi Gras celebrations with my little family here in Encino. We would eat pancakes (a real treat for the girls!), play jazz music and dance around the kitchen! AND I plan to do exactly the same thing this year! Why not? While I haven't ever been to Mardi Gras celebrations, I have visited New Orleans on business on a couple of occasions -- and I've strolled down Bourbon Street. It is a visual delight, and definitely fun to browse in the shops, a

I am soo glad that I popped over to the nursery on Wednesday and bought a few flowers. Just a few. It really brightened my spirits and made the garden sing. It's surprising what a little color can do. Or a little sugar. Oh Lord. I do love See's Candy. I've decided that Scotchmallows are my favorite candy. It used to be Bordeauxes, but it's definitely Scotchmallows now. Scotch mallows are dark chocolate covered caramel topped with marshmallow. And for St. Patrick's Day they ha

So sorry for the windy audio! Just look at the pictures -- they're so lovely -- garden color in February. Makes me so happy! And tomorrow is Fri - yay!

We're big into St. Patrick's Day -- more on that later...but for today -- we show our Irish pride by decorating for the day in the front yard! Robert made great outdoor lawn ornaments last year, and they just needed a little TLC before we put them up this year again. So today was the day! I dashed to the nursery in the morning -- just to get a a little more color for the border, and when I came home I got completely distracted decorating! Some of the new little plants will ha

It was so much fun to hear from you about all of your recommendations. I can't wait to try out the suggestions that are new to me. Watching TV at the end of the day is always my treat to myself. After the dishes are done, after I've tidied up, after I've answered all my emails, then I can watch TV. And when I don't have a series that I am invested in...it's a sorry state of affairs. I feel like I don't have anything to look forward to. But now...thanks to you...that's unlike

I don't know. I'm feeling better, mostly. But being sick really gives you perspective, doesn't it? All I want to do is what I did before I got sick. No fancy vacays. No special dinners out. Just lunch from the fridge, a coke at McDonald's, and a home made dinner with Robert. Honestly, that's happiness right there. Just the normal everyday things, no fireworks, just normal. P.S. I'm loving Ted Lasso. Football is life.

Ugh. It's been a rough couple of days. I'm ok --- but had a lovely visit at Urgent Care, and hope to be recovered next week. Thanks for all your notes!

Regular TV is hard to watch these days. The news...not so much. The Bachelor? Nope. 90 Day Fiance? Yuck. Plus regular TV makes you watch so many commercials. On cable you can usually avoid that. But there are so many choices on Cable TV that it's hard to find exactly what to watch. Lots of people have recommended Ted Lasso to me, so I will start that soon. But for now -- these are my two favorites. Each night I feel like I'm spending time with friends -- and I know when the

There was so much more to see, and so much more history to talk about -- but we had a short visit, and an even shorter video to share it with all of you. But if you ever get the chance to be in San Diego, it is a must see! I love visiting historic buildings, and imagining what it was like. It all seemed so glamorous with the movie star photos, and sparkling chandeliers, but I know that our modern technology would have made it seem primitive today. Nonetheless, it was at the

I received many beautiful entries for Valentine displays -- and it made me so happy to see all the bright spots in your homes as you celebrate the holiday in very unique ways. Rock Valentines, Blood Orange Valentines, Pansy Valentines, Rooster Valentines, Yoga Valentines, Duck Valentines, Jewelry Valentines...and so much more!!! I enjoyed them so much. And I've watched the video lots of times because it just puts a smile on my face. So, Be My Valentine!!! It's been such a rew

My husband always buys me a Valentine present! When I was working, he would always send a dozen roses to my office -- and everyone would be so surprised that after all our years of marriage he would still spoil me like that. And it was particularly sweet this year that he took me out for a surprise drive to a buy me a Valentine fashion. I know I'm lucky but... I spoil him too...so it's a mutual admiration society! In fact, we bought him a jacket very similar to the one that

Let me reiterate that I don't receive any monetary compensation for talking about any of the products on this blog. I'm just sharing what I consider useful information for persons of a certain age! Plus, as I have talked about previously, our beauty routines have been drastically impacted by the Covid experience, and this is just one more example, of something that I had given up over Covid, that I am now going to re-invest in ... because I'm worth it! Tomorrow I'm going to g

It's true...I have lots of holiday decorations. But I bet you do too -- and you just don't know it! I challenge you to do a little Valentine display! Find a little corner or a tabletop where you will be able to see a display and enjoy it. Then all you need are a few red things...a red heart, maybe a little ribbon, or a vase with a flower, and picture of someone you care for -- or even a picture of someone you admire...like Jessica Fletcher! It will lift your spirits to have a

Sigh. The days of high heels are over for me. Honestly, they are so uncomfortable and so bad for your feet that I shouldn't be boo-hooing. I guess it's just what giving up heels means. But because it's Covid - I guess it really doesn't mean that much anyway. Most everyone has ditched heels for everyday wear - so even though I'm 65, I'm in good company with all the youngsters as well. I do like the way heels look on my feet - they make my legs look less chubby, and I look tall

It 's late Sunday night and it's been long day. So just the video tonight. Matt, our son-in-law, and daughter Jackie's husband, myself and Donna, Matt's mom, went to the La Jolla shore to enjoy the sun. And also to say what a great Nana Donna is. Jackie and Abby are lucky girls to have her as mother-in-law and grandma!

Honestly, I still don't have the hang of this vlogging thing. After all that work cooking, and serving -- I didn't take a picture of the food! And the serving dishes were so gorgeous! But I think I know why this happens to me. I don't really "do" things so that I can blog about them. I just go about my daily life and if I think it's interesting, then I spend a little time making a video. But if I am enjoying a meal, or conversing with my guests, I am so old that my first reac

It's funny. When I think about my parents having guests over, or Christmas Eve dinner, or when the grandparents were in town -- this is the ONLY thing I remember my mom making! I know she must have had other "company" dishes - but this one is at the top in my memory. Also funny, I have to copy the recipe to the blog from an old recipe card that my friend Gail wrote for me when she gave me a recipe book for my wedding shower - 40 years ago!!! So many happy memories! Mom's Comp

Truly, this is so easy. I don't really know my way around bread, so I was uncertain during each step. Nonetheless, it turned out great! My friend, Gail, was right! Here's the recipe: https://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2013/04/no-knead-crusty-artisan-bread.html But the thing that I love the most about making this bread - is that I was undeterred by my inexperience. I'm that way with most cooking. If I can read the recipe, I'm willing to try it - and generally it's edible, ev