To Go Please

 

Digital To Go List

 

Birth Certificate

Passport/Visa

Social Security Card 

Drivers License

Marriage License

Morning Walks

Some things that catch my eye when I walk through the neighborhood. 

 

Donna's 75th Birthday Party

My Morning Thoughts on Travel

 On my walk this morning I was thinking about this quote which I'll post below. It says essentially "don't wait to do the things you want to do..." That led me to think about my mom and how she always wanted to travel (and she did finally in later life) but the first half of her life she was busy working, raising kids, taking care of my grandma. When the opportunity came up she sent me to Europe instead of going herself. Traveling up til then was not on my radar nor was it a heartfelt desire like she had felt. But that first trip opened my eyes and ever since then I am ready to go anywhere at the mere mention of the prospect. When I worked at UCLA I had a friend in the department whose son was sailing around the world. He would send her long letters from exotic travels and she would share those wonderful adventures with me. One time he was in Bora Bora and I thought if only I could go there. Sometime later I was getting married and thinking about a honeymoon. I longed to go to Bora Bora but we didn't have the money for that. When our children were young we would spend summer and Christmas vacations in Ohio to visit Mike's family. I am happy we were able to take the kids to be with their grandparents. I especially appreciate this now that our children and their kids live far away. It means a lot to see the kids. But back then I wished, like my mother had wished for me that we could take the kids to other places. As time went on we took them many times to Hawaii but one year I guess it was a big anniversary I planned a trip to Bora Bora and finally we made the trip. It was a great time with naturally a lot of funny stories. Eventually I took Aria when she was 15 to Paris and then Athena to Italy when she was about the same age. Now both girls far surpass their mother as world travelers. I guess my point is that quote "Take the trip, buy the shoes, eat the cake" has always spoken to me. I have long recommended travel to everyone but especially when you are young. Take the trips, if you are able. There are such wonderful adventures and discoveries waiting for you.

Love her shoes!

 

Maui Aria was 13 and Athena was 8

Hula Grill at Sunset in Maui

Haleakala Volcano Sunrise

 

 Tahiti airport Aria was in high school

dinner at Bloody Mary's

 

Kayaking in Bora Bora 

and swimming with sting rays in Moorea

 

Aria in Paris 15 years old

 

A favorite memory visiting Aria in Florence Italy during her junior year abroad. Aria was 20 and Athena 15. 

 

 

 

 

Trip to the Opthalmologist

 

 This is either sad or funny. I just came back from my ophthalmology appointment for a series of tests. At one point they were doing a regular check on my long range vision. She covered one eye and the 5 images were really unclear. She said ‘tell me what you see.” I said “4, 7, 9, 0,3 but really I can’t see them well at all”. She said well I’ll change this now and maybe it will be better.” I said “Did I fail that last one? And she said “well they weren’t numbers, they were letters!” 2 minutes later I was still laughing and so was she!

 

 Ps to the ophthalmology test faux pas today, I told Mike at dinner and he didn’t laugh! He said the test has always been letters! Any who he’s no fun. I added well the tech laughed a lot and so did I. I ‘m still laughing. She and I really bonded after that. I asked her if she was a student and she said yes. Not ophthalmology like she intended. Working there has given her insight that it wasn’t for her. She’s working on a masters now in Epidemiology, studies disease patterns and determinants in populations, focusing on how diseases spread, their causes, and how to prevent them. I said that’s so relevant esp now.

Mother's Day Morning Walk at the Colorado Lagoon

 Lots of Moon Jellyfish today.

Your Purpose

 

 "Your purpose is not just the thing

you do.  It's the thing that happens

to others when you do what you do.

It's how you make people feel and 

remember you by doing what you

do.  It's the experience that your

energy leaves upon them.

  By mastering your unique gifts,

you step into the realm of the

infinite possibilities.  The greatest

blessing you can give to humanity

is owning your purpose and inspiring

others to courageously own theirs." - Ryan Blair

 

Mother's Day

 It was a quiet Mother’s Day here. We talked to the Dallas kids and I had a nice delivery of treats from them. They were on their annual Mother’s Day 5/10k Bagel run. Rocco was excited to show me his medal. The Aussie contingency celebrated Mother’s Day yesterday. Mike made me pancakes. My friend Tracy stopped by to give me her chocolate dipped strawberries and lemon bars. We went for a nice walk at Colorado lagoon where we saw many beautiful moon jellyfish. We had an early dinner which Mike has been working on. He made his mom’s spaghetti sauce with meatballs, pork ribs and beef rolled and stuffed bracciole. It was really delicious. Today has been thankfully cooler than yesterday. Sitting in the front yard watching the sunlight through our orange trees. I loved seeing everyone’s post remembering their loved ones, especially loving mothers. I thought about my mom today too and my daughters that are now mothers. I am so grateful I had a wonderful, loving mother. She taught me in so many ways how to love others. Happy Mother’s Day to you all.

 

Lemonade Scone Recipe

 

When we were in Australia we were invited to an Easter brunch.  One of the hostesses made scones which were delicious.  I learned this scone recipe unlike traditional tea scones does not contain butter. These  Australia specialties have only three ingredients and are quite easy to make. They are called   "Lemonade Scones". 

They are called lemonade because they use a brand of carbonated soda in Australia called Schepps lemonade. In the U.S. you can substitute 7 up or Ginger ale. They work fine. Some tips the oven was 400 degrees on convection mode. If you have a regular oven I think 350 works well. The dough was rolled or patted to about 1 1/2 inches. It's quite a sticky dough so flour your board and hands well and  knead a few times (don't overdo the kneading).  Flour the cookie cutter each time you made a scone.   I placed them on  a parchment lined tray.   Brush the top of unbaked scone with cream. I baked for 15 minutes. On the side to go with scones  I whipped the cream with  some powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla. Also served with a berry jam.  The second time I made them I served with whipped cream and strawberries. 

I asked for the recipe. You can google Lemonade scone recipe and see youtube videos as well. Here is the basic recipe:

Ingredients

• ▢ 3 1/2 cups self raising flour , plus extra for dusting 
  
• ▢ 1 cup thickened cream (heavy cream), not whipped!
• ▢ 1 cup lemonade 

 

• Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F convection setting if your oven has one.  (180°C fan). Line tray with baking/parchment paper.
• Combine the flour, cream and lemonade in a bowl and mix until flour is mostly combined. Do not over mix, it will make the scones dense! The dough should be soft and fairly sticky.
• Turn out onto a floured surface, and knead gently just 3 - 5 times to bring dough together, then gently pat into a disc shape 2.5cm/1" thick.
• Use a 6cm/2.5" round cutter to cut rounds - press straight up and down (don't twist), flour cutter in between. 
  
• Use a knife or similar to scoop up (avoid touching sides) and place on tray, slightly touching each other (they help each other rise).
• Brush the tops lightly with milk.
  
• Bake for 15 minutes until golden on top. Place on rack to cool. Place tea towel over them to stop the tops from getting crusty.
• Serve with copious amounts of cream and jam, and of course tea!

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italian Reunion Potluck Lunch

 Today I was invited to a very nice lunch get together with my Italian language friends . 

  A special guest was Hugette whose late husband Edgar (aka Mario was our dear classmate).

 

                                                         Lovely Hugette

  Great to be with le mie amiche Judy and Isa

 

 and la mia professoressa Luisa (seated in the following photo)

 

 

We viewed a 2023 Italian film “There’s Still Tomorrow”. Filmed in black and white this story takes place in Rome post World War II 1946. It was a touching comedy drama.

 

 

A lovely reunion of dear friends.

My Niece Amanda

 My niece Amanda is touring Southeast Asia. She is traveling independently as she often does.  Her free spirit amazes me. 

 

Cooking Class