Calendar

I officially started celebrating my July 20th birthday last night. My cousins, Amie and Carol took me to dinner at Hurry Curry on Sawtelle Blvd. in the Westside's version of Little Tokyo. I call the area Mini-Tokyo. We managed to stroll the Boulevard a bit and check out some of the great little shops. Dinner was delicious....I'll review the restaurant at a later date.
As we were walking down the street, my cousin Carol related a long-forgotten story to me about our grandmother, Ethel Bloom and this area of Sawtelle. By the time WW II rolled around, the Bloom family was living on the westside of Los Angeles near Barrington and Pico. Ethel was a realtor. Most of the Sawtelle area consisted of little shops and nurseries owned and operated by Japanese. Ethel had friends and business associates in this area. When many of the Japanese were moved to internment camps during the war, my grandmother "held" a few properties in the area for some of her Japanese friends so they wouldn't lose their property to the government. After the war, she "sold" these properties back to the families that owned them. Ethel Bloom was an admirable woman!
So, even though I'll be doing various things with other people in my life this weekend to celebrate my upcoming birthday, I will give myself some time to check out a few events happening around town this weekend.
Modernica is having its huge warehouse sale. OMG! They have the best modern furniture EVER! This is their 20th anniversary sale and it should really be fantastic.
This week the Original Farmers Market is celebrating its 75th anniversary with various activities. Today (Thursday) is a big day, with a giant cake and birthday card shaped like the famous clock tower. There will be live music all day too! I'll be there later today for the WeHo SnB. I'm meeting up with some of the goils early in the evening to have dinner at the ever popular Dupar's Restaurant, the cornerstone of the Market!
July 20th, 1969 was the day that Apollo 11 landed and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first humans to walk on the moon....on MY birthday! It was very exciting. There are a number of exhibits, lectures, etc. at the Griffith Park Observatory to commemorate this historic event.

Really Working

I'm on vacation from my day job for a few days. I really like my job, the company where I work and the people I work with. I like sitting at my desk, doing my clerical chores, of filing, answering phones, preparing documents along with cruisin' the web in a nice, air-conditioned setting. I have accumulated too many vacation days. I really have to use them. So, I decided to take off a few days surrounding my b-day, which is Monday.
I'm having a tiny b-day brunch on Sunday with a few of my knitster friends. If you read my blog you know that we've been doing some remodeling this year. Our house is chaos. There are bins and piles of stuff in the living and dining rooms that don't belong there. We're slowly re-organizing and clearing things out. There is lots of caulking, touching-up and hanging of paintings to be done. There's nothing like having a little get-together to push us to get everything in order.
So, today, tomorrow and Friday I'll REALLLLLLY be working! Some vacation, huh?

Cooking - The Easy Way

I've been following the Twitter feed for Cooking with TJ for awhile now. The blog is also fabulous, sharing new recipes. The two women responsible for this blog and for the new "Cooking with All Things Trader Joe's" are Deana Gunn and Wona Miniati. I frequent at least three different T.J.'s around the City and none of the stores stock the cookbook! This is rather unfortunate, as I believe the best marketing strategy for the sale of this cookbook would be to pile a bunch of them at the checkout counter.

I've been talking about the blog and the cookbook for a few weeks now. My cube-mate (and frequent Ravelry knit and crochet model), Jessica gave me the new cookbook as an early b-day gift today!! Woo Hoo! I've been looking at all the recipes and making a list of what to pick up on my way home tonight at Trader Joe's.

One main dish favorite is "Go Go Mango Chicken." All you need is three ingredients: 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts; 1 (12 oz.) jar Pineapple Salsa; and 1-1/2 cups frozen Mango Chunks or frozen Tropical Fruit Trio. Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish, cover with salsa, top with mango chunks (don't thaw fruit). Lightly drape with aluminum foil. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until chicken is done.

How easy is that? My favorite kind of recipe!

So far, one of the yummiest sounding recipes and inventive desserts is "Honey, I Ate the Chocolate Bread Pudding." The ingredients include Whole Wheat Honey Bread; Brownie Truffle Baking Mix and some milk. You'll have to buy the book to get this divine recipe for yourself! Here's another review of this book. It seems that the authors have no affiliation with Trader Joe's, they just wanted to create a cookbook for busy people who shop at Trader Joe's.

Thank you, Jessica.

Boosting the Economy

Lenise, Rhoda, Jewelry

On Saturday, my friend Rhoda and I did our part to boost the economy....or at least Lenise's economy! Our friend, Lenise has a little side business where she helps people prioritize their belongings. She also helps with estate sales, etc. She offered to give us first shot at purchasing a bit of the estate jewelry that she has acquired. WOW! What a haul!!!

Vintage Earrings

We met at Lenise's place on Saturday at noon. Rhoda and I (along with Lenise's friend, Ian) tried on all kinds of vintage costume jewelry. It was like playing dress-up when we were little girls. There were some very unusual pieces.

We were so overwhelmed after about an hour-plus of shopping, that we had to walk around the corner and break for lunch at Jan's Coffee Shop in West Hollywood. Jan's is a classic coffee shop with many dining choices. I particularly like places when they have photographs of the food on the menu. The owners of Jan's also own The Astro in Silverlake, a lovely example of Googie architecture by the famous architects, Armet & Davis.

Ian in her disturbin' turban (right) @ Jan's

Classic Diet Plate

California Turkey Melt

Anyway, after we had a delicious lunch, we walked back to Lenise's house with clear heads, full stomachs and were ready to decide about our jewelry purchases.

Ian rocked all of the dangling gold animal pendants

I must say, I happened upon some very unusual pieces and am extremely pleased. This was an early b-day gift to myself! Thanks Lenise!

Vintage Photo Friday

Debbie Reynolds Knits

In-between cleaning and re-arranging at home this weekend, I will be knitting and crocheting with groups...Saturday morning with the WeHo SnB, 10am to noon at the Original Farmers Market, upstairs dining area. Then, from 3:30 to 5:30 I'll be at the Fairview Branch of the Santa Monica Library in the patio.

I've come across a few vintage photos online of celebrities knitting. I thought I'd share them with you to kick off a crafty weekend for all!

Marilyn Monroe Knits

Audrey Hepburn Knits

Cary Grant Knits

The Dionne Quintuplets Knit

Grommit Knits

Skipper and Barbie Knit

More Vintage Photo Friday

Calendar in L.A.

Lots of things to do and see in Los Angeles this weekend.

I'll be at the Original Farmers Market from 10 to noon this Saturday with my WeHo SnBr's. We meet in the upstairs dining area for stitchin' and bitchin'. We had a record Saturday turnout last month for Knit-in-Public Day. Hopefully, we can match the turnout this Saturday!

Lunch with friends after that and then I'll be heading out to Santa Monica for the Fairview Knitters group from 3:30 to 5:30. I do enjoy my second-Saturdays!

The Renegade Craft Fair is happening downtown on Saturday and Sunday...sounds interesting.

One of my musical heroes, Chip Taylor, is performing at McCabe's on Saturday night. Chip was a long-time writing partner of my radio mentor, Billy Vera. Chip's music just knocks me out!

Another knock-out performer, Exene, will be reading her poetry this Sunday at the Craft and Folk Art Museum on the Miracle Mile.

You can always hook up with a docent-led walking tour with the Los Angeles Conservancy or check out the free live music schedule at the Farmers Market. The F. Mkt. is celebrating is 75th anniversary this year....lots of activities are planned!

Maybe I'll run into you out and about in our beautiful City of the Angels this weekend!

A Bit of Progress

Installing the Room Fan

Over the long weekend Larry and I managed to do a bit around the house. We've finally moved into our new bedroom and are slowly putting things where they belong. We're finding that we have tons of stuff in our garage to furnish our new room. Mostly, we've been digging around in there and pulling out old treasures. This will take awhile!

Not sure which art to hang in the bathroom

Larry found this old file cabinet in the garage

Tony de Carlo paintings look good in this modern room!

Herman Miller Eames Hang-It-All Coat Rack

What a Surprise!

Mystery Package

My friend, Gale really surprised me on Monday morning. After a long weekend of watching Michael Jackson coverage, Wimbledon, celebrating the 4th of July and working around the house, I really didn't want to come into the office on Monday morning. It was definitely "Blue Monday" for me, after having such a relaxing and pleasant time off.

Sitting on my desk was a curious white box, secured with tiki-tape! I saw that it was from Gale. Woo Hoo! What could this be? I'd recently sent her a couple of DVDs that I had hangin' around the office. I also threw in one of my vintage crochet pamphlets from the late 1960's. This was a pamphlet so ridiculously dated, that I thought excellent photographer, Gale would enjoy seeing the models' poses in the crocheted fashions. I wasn't expecting anything in return.

The gracious Gale sent me some gorgeous wool from her home state, Connecticut. It's called Andy's Merino and there's a photo of the sheep, Andy on the tag! How did Gale know that "Brick" is my favorite colorway? Also inside was a vintage crochet pamphlet featuring my crochet passion, GRANNY SQUARES, along with one of Gale's photographic sheep notecards from her book.Gale is the photographer of one of my favorite books, "Shear Spirit." I wrote a review of this book awhile back. I still re-read certain sections of the book when I want to escape! Gale and I became friends through Ravelry. Thank you, internets. Even though we've never actually met, I feel like I've known her forever. Maybe we'll meet when Gale finally organizes that bus tour of sheep farms for knitters. I'm waiting.Thanks, again Gale. You made my week!

4th of July Fireworks

Fireworks, Inglewood, 2009

Once again, our friends, Carol and Thane invited us over to their house in Inglewood for a 4th of July barbecue. We always have a wonderful time there. Carol and Thane really know how to entertain! It was surprisingly chilly this year, but we still had a grand time.

Hors d'oeuvres and dinner were faboo. Thane barbecued pork roast and chicken. Carol and Lori made some delectable salads. Holley and I supplied dessert after the fireworks.

Speaking of fireworks....WOW! The display in the neighborhood started off a bit later than usual, so initially, we were disappointed. By about 9:20 though the firworks really picked up. Carol and Thane live about two blocks from a circle park. People usually come to the park and bring their box o' works and fire 'em up. This year, there was a group that kept bringing boxes and boxes of fireworks out of their trunk. Double WOW! These fireworks were very professional. We were all so impressed.

Here are a few photos of the evening. Larry took photos too. I'll add some of his pix to the slide show tomorrow.

Thanks again, Carol and Thane. You two OWN the 4th of July!!

V.I.P. for a day

Pepy and Ellen @ Pepy's Galley, Mar Vista Bowling Alley

We had a marvelous 4th of July at Carol's and Thane's house last night. I'll post photos tomorrow.
This morning, Sunday, we met Mom and Hal at Pepy's Galley at the Mar Vista Bowling Alley for breakfast. I've written about Pepy's many times. The food here is great, reasonable and the service is good too. Everything is very fresh and beautifully prepared. We've been eating at Pepy's for years. Before Pepy took it over it was called Peter B's Galley...also a good coffee shop, but when Pepy became the owner, the atmosphere changed for the better. Pepy is the man who greets you, refills your coffee cup, answers all your questions and mans the cash register. He always has a big hello for you, even if he's never seen you before.
Back to this morning. I was sitting next to my step-Dad, Hal, on the outside of the booth. Hal gave me some money to pay the bill and I took it up to Pepy at the cash register. Pepy took one look at me and gave me a big hug and kiss and said, "For you, breakfast is free."
Huh? What did I do? Yeah, we've been long-time customers, but my birthday isn't for a few weeks! Pepy told me that someone came to eat there from my online recommendation. The person also told Pepy about my blog posts and showed Pepy the site! I wonder who it was. Let me know, OK?
Wow! I wish every restaurant I wrote about would be so gracious! Thanks, Pepy! My folks were very impressed. You turned me into a V.I.P. for the day! The internets are a wonderful thing. Go eat at Pepy's! You will not be disappointed! Hey! You can get in some bowling too.
Pepy's Galley @ Mar Vista Bowl
12125 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles
Phone: (310) 391-5288
Fax: (310) 391-1651

Vintage Photo Friday

California Incline, Santa Monica photo by Jack

It's 4th of July weekend. Summertime in Los Angeles. When I was a pre-teen I usually went to camp for a week or so during the summers. The rest of the time was spent in summer school, taking some sort of "fun" subject like sewing, art or tennis. My folks wouldn't let me go to the beach for an entire day. They MADE me go to summer school so that I'd only spend afternoons at the beach.
All of us kids would get on the Wilshire Blvd. bus and take it west to Santa Monica. Once we reached the end of Wilshire, we'd walk down the California Incline to Tee's Hamburger Shack where we congregated on the sand. This was just north of the Sand and Sea Club, which is now the Annenberg Community Beach House.
This property was originally Marion Davies' beach house, built for her by William Randolph Hearst.
Anyway, we'd fry ouselves in the sun, using baby oil as suntan lotion. We'd eat French fries, drink Cokes and watch the antics of the boys in our class as they tried to body surf. Most of the time we'd have to trudge back up the Incline and take the bus home. Sometimes one of our parents would pick us up for the ride home. There was a place on Pico Blvd. at the edge of Santa Monica and West L.A. called Herbie's. There was this sign on the building that said "Herbie's. Hot Nuts." Of course that sent us into hysterics. In addition to hot nuts, they served ice-cream. If we were lucky to get a ride from someone's mom, we'd beg to stop at Herbie's for a snack. Do any of you remember Herbie's? It was on the south side of the street. I'll have to drive slowly down Pico Blvd. and see if the building is still there.
When I couldn't get down to the beach I would walk over to my Aunt Celia's and Uncle Bob's house.They lived about two blocks away. Their house had the most beautiful swimming pool in their backyard. It was like a grotto. There were rocks and exotic plants surrounding the pool. I think there was a small waterfall too. I spent many hot summer days in that pool.

Ellen, 1964, Poolside in Beverly Hills

Have a wonderful 4th of July everyone!
More VPF here.

Calendar

It's 4th of July weekend! There's always plenty to do in the Los Angeles area. You can go to any one of the great public fireworks displays around town. There are a few TV marathons happening. I'll be doing a bit of baking in the morning before we head over to Carol's and Thane's house for a BBQ and viewing of fireworks in Inglewood. I'm bringing dessert....lemon cake with warm blueberry sauce and a bunch o' chocolate chip cookies!

On Friday night, my fave place in town, the Original Farmers Market is hosting a music performance by Flat Top Tom and his Jump Cats. My friend, piano player extraordinaire, Steve F'dor is appearing with them. We'll probably go 'cause we loves us some good jump blues while chowing down on Gumbo!
Of course, this is a perfect weekend do to some sewing, knitting or crocheting. I found this pattern online. Yeah, let's all dress up for the holiday!

Maybe a bit of patriotic crochet is in order:

Whatever you decide to do, where sunscreen, plan your trip (including where to park), drink plenty of water and have a blast!

Totebags

Trader Joe's Most Recent Tote Bag Design

You might remember that I'm obsessed with totebags. I like to buy them. I like to receive them as gifts. I like to knit and crochet them.

Lately, I've been covering canvas totes with crocheted granny squares. Of course, my favorite is the Trader Joe's circular bucket tote that I turned inside out and covered with granny squares. I always get compliments on this one!

Well, my go-to grocery store, Trader Joe's, has issued a new totebag. It's so fantastic that I don't even want to cover it with granny squares! Isn't that incredible?

The large new tote has a flat bottom (always excellent for toting groceries in the car). The design is beautiful, using graphics familiar from their Fearless Flyer. The interior is red. the ends of the bag and handles are very Louis Vuitton-like in color and design with the trademark T.J.'s hybiscus flower graphic. I just love it! I have two of these gorgeous totes so far. They cost $1.99. Do you have one?

Has anyone bought either of the Trader Joe's cookbooks? I was wondering if you like the recipes. T.J.'s should give me a gift certificate for giving them so much free publicity!

Fairview Knitters

Saturday, after lunch with my cousin, I zoomed down to Santa Monica to meet up with the Fairview Knitters. This is a lovely group in a perfect location. No matter how hot it is in the center of Los Angeles, by late afternoon, it's always breezy in Santa Monica.

We meet on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. from 3:30 to 5:30pm. Sometimes, if there are five Saturdays in a month, we'll have a bonus meeting. Depending on the weather, we meet in the patio or the community room of the Fairview Branch of the Santa Monica Library, Ocean Park and 21st St., SM. Molly and Heather are the organizers. Molly also teaches knitting at this branch on Mondays.

Ana, Lauren, Jamie

Jamie, Barbara, Helen

Melody

This past Saturday we had about 12 attendees. There's always hot tea available and sometimes people bring treats! You should really join us sometime soon!

Molly and Heather

Summer is Here

Oh yeah...summer is definitely here. We spent a very summery weekend in beautiful L.A. The weather hovered between 75 and 90 degrees during the day...perfect. On Saturday, my cousin Amie came over to take a look at our new room addition. Today is Amie's birthday! Happy B-Day, Cous! I took Amie out to lunch at one of my fave local spots, The Normandie Bakery. She'd never been there before and she loved it! We both had yummy omelettes.

Cousin Amie

I highly recommend The Normandie. All of the baked goods are very low in price and exceptionally fantastic. While we were sitting outside enjoying our lunch, we saw many restaurant owners stocking up on French bread, pastries, etc. Next time, I'm going to try the French onion soup!

The Normandie Bakery, Jefferson & Cochran, Mid-City L.A.