Knott's Berry Farm

  

 

We had a fun day at Knott’s. This was Rocco’s first trip to an amusement park and it was really fun to see his excitement. Sofia is fearless and loves the big roller coasters like her mom did as a child. They take after Mike who loves them too (I don’t like them). We got there when the park opened and Sofia and her mom headed straight for the huge coaster that goes in circles. Rocco was disappointed that he couldn’t join them but the first coaster at Camp Snoopy is pretty wild. He insisted that that would be his first ride. He went with Mike. Daniele and I were so apprehensive. I said well it will be that he either loves it or comes off crying and saying let’s go home! Turns out he’s like his grandpa and came off the ride with a huge smile and insisted on going again immediately with Daniele and then a third time with his mom and Sofia. Also fun the train ride with the pretend robbers. The cowboy told Rocco hands up and then “Gimme 5! “ when Rocco high fives him the cowboy said “ I mean 5 dollars!” Baby Michael was great and at the end of the day he was zonked out. Guess everyone will sleep well tonight.

Friday Night Dinner at the Beach House

 We had a fun sunset dinner tonight at The Beach House with Aria and Daniele’s friends Sara,  Marianna and surprise guest Luisa (my Italian Professor who is also a colleague of Sara). After dinner while the friends chatted Mike took Rocco and Sofia to explore on the rocks by the water. They were so excited to find two crabs. It’s the little things that count!

The Kids Are Here!

 Today while Aria is working we are happy to be with the kids. Mike and Daniele took the kids to Colorado lagoon in search of jelly fish. I’m with baby Michael at home. Yesterday they arrived and we went to Seal beach with the small metal detector Mike gave Sofia. She found a Nickel that’s all. Sofia is having fun playing with her mom’s old Polly pocket dolls while Rocco draws and plays ball outside and blows bubbles. We are having fun with the kids. Tomorrow Knotts Berry Farm.

You Deserve This

 

 "You deserve to be surrounded by 

wonderful and supportive friends."

Daily Thought

 “Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” -Dalai Lama

Hugette and Mario's Fave Wine

 

Obsessed With This

 Late to the "Younger" party but having a great time.

Details I Loved at the Pasadena Design House 2025

 

The room where you arrange your flowers.  My favorite room of the design house.

 

See you There

 

The Palm Court at The Plaza NYC  Come for High Tea

In Loving Memory Judith Joy Altman

 Written by Judith's daughter Renee May 15, 2025: 

"My beautiful, funny, smart, and unforgettable momma passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon. She was a force to be reckoned with. She was the most fun, outrageous and outspoken person I knew. Even though sometimes when I was younger , I wished I had more of the “Kool-Aid” type of mom, now I’m so grateful that I had you. I love you." 

 

 

I wrote this : Renee the service was wonderful and the slide show brought back so many memories of the happiest of times and the great bond of love and laughter that made your family such a joy. It is one of my profound joys in life to have known all of your family starting with Harriet and Karen and then knowing you and Jason. Watching your lives evolve and sharing all of life’s highs and lows is the full circle of life, your mom made us all laugh. She was full of life and gusto. Thank you for this post and for speaking of your experiences as Judith’s daughter yesterday. Priceless that she was center stage once again!

Sofia's 4th Grade Commencement Promotion

 

A Very Accomplished Woman

 

Sometimes I feel like I live under a rock of unenlightenment. I received some photos of Rocco and Sofia dressed in matching blue tshirts with their class mates. I was told it was a school wide “field day “ with lots of special events.

The kids were excited and so was my daughter Aria for a different reason. She sent a photo of herself with a group of women with a distinguished looking woman in the center of the picture. The caption in the text “and I get to hang out with Ruth Simmons.” I didn’t know who Ruth Simmons is so I googled her and among her many wonderful achievements she has served as past President of Smith College which is Aria’s Alma mater. I then asked her”was this a meeting for your Smith book club ?” She said no and sent me this article on why Ms. Simmons is on campus” . I am attaching this article about Ruth Simmons which shares her accomplished life and what she continues to do for academic communities. She not only serves as an inspirational role model but also demonstrates how a strong educational program especially in the poorest of circumstances can change lives. I want to suggest her book for my book club. Ruth Simmons clearly demonstrates how education can be the beacon of light for everyone. Hers is a story that inspires. Her story is attached.

 

 https://www.smu.edu/news/latest/education-leader-ruth-simmons-to-receive-smu-honorary-degree

 

Aria was the faculty host as she had nominated Ruth Simmons for the honorary degree.

 

 

Borscht

 

Mike has been reminiscing about our sister in laws mothers borscht. I said I don’t remember having that ever. He said he’d try to make some for dinner. He used this recipe only as a guide not following it exactly. It turned out great. He also made a side dish with the beet greens. This was also very good. Recipe follows: https://natashaskitchen.com/classic-russian-borscht-recipe/

Sunday Morning Walk May 18th

 We took a long morning walk to the Seal Beach pier from the Crab Pot. It was cool in the beginning but as the sun came out quickly the weather was breezy and sunny. Fun watching the surfers. It was a beautiful Sunday morning walk. 

An Impromptu Visit

 

 

 

I had a nice visit today with my sister Jocelyn and my brother in law Vicente.  They had an errand in Long Beach so we were able to have an impromptu visit and lunch together. Even though she lives in west L.A. which isn't that far from me , it’s not that often that we manage seeing each other unless it’s a planned get together. Today was a treat!

Babe the Pig

 

This past weekend we couldn’t find a movie to watch. Mike asked: “Have you ever watched a movie about a pig called “Babe”. *It was made in 1995. I remember my mom bought that movie and when the kids would visit her, she would say let’s watch this and she’d take out the vhs with the picture of Babe on the cover. She loved that movie. Unbelievably, I had never watched it until last night. It was the sweetest movie and I got so teary when Babe was being loved by the momma dog and he asked “Can I call you mom?” And she responded “Yes”

 

So sweet. After that movie ended we watched “Babe in the City” the next night. 

 

 

 

Though we were 30 years late to the party for Babe we had a wonderful time! Ps James Cromwell who played the Farmer was ever his wonderful self... “That’ll do pig!”

 

 

 

*little known fact :Mike long ago use to say “I always wanted a pet pig!”

 

PSS

 When chaos is happening and all the animals ex: monkeys going wild, sheeps being herded by the pig , orangutans getting dressed… this is an example of one of our typical conversations : I ask in disbelief “are they using real animals?” Mike responds “does it matter?”

Italian BackPack

 

To Go Please

 

Digital To Go List

 

Birth Certificate

Passport/Visa

Social Security Card 

Drivers License

Marriage License