Thanksgiving, 1956, Beverly Hills

Every year since I was a tiny girl, my Aunt Mae and Uncle Marvin have hosted our family Thanksgiving. Aunt Mae is my Mother's older sister. Here we are in 1956 at Mae's and Marvin's home on Spalding Drive in Beverly Hills. Later, they moved to Bel Air and then to Westwood. We moved on to various restaurants and to the Del Rey Yacht Club for our celebrations in later years. Last year and today, we are celebrating at Cousin Carolyn's home in Valencia.

At the head of the table, Grandpa Sam, Aunt Mae (standing), Grandma Freda, Cousin Marilyn, Cousin Janet, Uncle Bob, Aunt Celia, Mom (closest to the camera), Me, Cousin Carolyn

Our family has grown and changed over the years. My cousins, Marilyn and Carolyn have children and grandchildren! Many of our aunts, uncles and cousins are gone, but not forgotten. We shall remember them all today as we celebrate and give thanks for our family, friends and a bountiful Thanksgiving!

After Dinner!
L-R: My brother, Ken, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Bob

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A memory from 2016, playing ukulele with my musical cousins!

Kismet!

The minimal exterior of Kismet

I met Suzette in East Hollywood for a belated birthday lunch.  This was a momentous b-day for Suzette, so I wanted to acknowledge it!  We met at Kismet, a Middle Eastern restaurant on Hollywood Boulevard near Vermont. I'd heard good things about this place AND it's across the street from my fave store, art gallery, La Luz de Jesus / Wacko / The Soap Plant.

The exterior and the interior of Kismet is of minimal, clean design. The star here is the food. We ordered two dishes to share, the lemony chicken and pine nut pies with tahini and the eggplant toast with fried shallots, pomegranate, tahini and mint. Both dishes were delicious!  For dessert we shared a divine tres leches pudding with toasted nuts on top. I wish I had photographed everything!

Lemony Chicken & Pine Nut Pies w/ Tahini

I spotted Kathryn Hahn, the title character in HBO's "Mrs. Fletcher" a table away from us. This tells me that Kismet must be a trendy place. When I walked in at noon, the place was empty. It filled up completely within 15 minutes!

I kinneared a photo of actress, Kathryn Hahn

I made this little Beret/Tam O' Shanter hat for Suzette.
The pattern is from Berroco, "Phannie"

After lunch we strolled across the street to see the current exhibit at La Luz de Jesus Gallery. Amy Crehore is the artist we were interested in. She paints lots of ukuleles, monkeys and cats!  It was a small show, but every piece was excellent. 

"The Musician" by Amy Crehore

I left Suzette in the Soap Plant / Wacko portion of the store, shopping for gifts. It was a lovely afternoon!  

Also, thanks for the cute switch-plate, Suzette!

The Cutest Switch Plate!

Streamline Moderne

Pan Pacific Auditorium, 1939

We live near Pan Pacific Park in the center of Los Angeles. I remember the original streamline-moderne Pan Pacific Auditorium. We saw the auto show, the boat show and even the Ice-Capades here. It was a huge venue. I've read that this was the place Elvis Presley had his Los Angeles concert debut. The Auditorium was built in 1935, designed by Plummer, Wurderman and Becket. The building was demolished in 1992 after a 1989 fire.

Just Before the Fire, 1989

Today, the Pan Pacific Recreation Center stands in the center of Pan Pacific Park in the same location as the original auditorium. This park also serves as a flood basin for the area. The entirely new Pan Pacific Recreation Center was designed by architect, Jeffrey Kalban. At least Kalban referenced the original auditorium in his design. Photographer, Larry Underhill documented the building for Kalban. You can see more photos here.

Pan Pacific Recreation Center, 2010. Photo by Larry Underhill

I'm glad that a portion of the original design of this beautiful auditorium was commemorated in the newer design. I just wish that ALL of those beautiful streamlined moderne towers had been saved and the building behind the façade remodeled. Sigh.

Happy Veteran's Day

My Dad, George E. Bloom, was born in March of 1919. Shortly after he was born he somehow broke his little arm. His arm was in a sling and since it was just after the end of WW I, they called him the "Little Veteran." He was a real veteran after WW II. Thank you, Pop for serving and protecting our country.

Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day and marked the end of hostilities of World War I that occurred at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. Therefore, the day is always recognized on November 11th, regardless of the day of the week the 11th falls on.

I salute all who serve. Thank you.

Thanksgiving Prep

November 21, 1956, Los Angeles Herald Examiner. From the L.A. Public Library Photo Archives

Time to think about Thanksgiving! This year my family is gathering at my cousin's home in Valencia. We all help in preparing the meal. If you are planning on attending a Thanksgiving feast at a friend's home this year, here are some great side dishes to contribute.
For many years, I participated in my office's Thanksgiving pot-luck. I gathered some great recipes from co-workers.

Kevin's Perky Turkey Sugar Cookies

Kevin's easy Perky Turkey Sugar Cookies, pictured above, is a sure-fire favorite!
Here's my interpretation of Kevin's recipe:
Get some of that Pillsbury Sugar Cookie dough in the deli aisle of your supermarket...you know, the kind you slice down. In the cake section, pick up some squeezable cake frosting in white, orange and black. You'll find candy corn in the candy aisle. Bake the cookies according to package directions. Smoosh a bit of white frosting on the top curve of the cookie, smash in the candy corns. Draw in the eyes, beak and turkey gobbler neck with the proper color of frosting! Done! Proudly serve your Perky Turkey Sugar Cookies!

Another marvy recipe gleaned from a co-worker is Jelled Cranberry Mold. Rochelle brought this divine dish. As you can see by the photo below, I liked it alot.

Ellen and Cranberry Jello Mold, 2008 @HBO

Rochelle's Jelled Cranberry Mold
1 large box cherry Jello™
1 can whole cranberry sauce
1 can crushed pineapple (blue can with syrup)
1 cup chopped walnuts
Dissolve the Jello™ in 2 cups boiling (or very hot) water. Add all the other ingredients, mix well and chill...that's it!
Rochelle's tip: She usually switches bowls after dissolving the Jello™ since it leaves a grainy coating on the bowl. Next, she adds the cranberry sauce and uses a fork or spoon to really mash it up well (so you don't get chunks of cranberry sauce)...then the crushed pineapple and lastly the nuts.

What are you preparing for Thanksgiving this year? What are your family's traditions?