Leopard Skin is In

 Animal prints have always been a favorite in my family.  My mom loved animal prints and wore scarves, blouses, coats and hats.  Bob Dylan sang about a "Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat".  Here are some picks that would stir my mother's heart. 

 

Chile Relleno Tip

 

 

 Poblano chiles were on sale so we are making Chile rellenos for dinner. In the past we have roasted them and steamed them to remove the skins. Today Mike placed the washed chiles in the air fryer on French fry setting 10 minutes on each side. We let them sit in the air fryer to cool. The charred skins came off easily. It was a lot easier this way. Just thought I’d pass that on. Anaheim peppers are what we use traditionally but could not pass on these poblanos.

Capezios

 Capezios were the shoes I loved in junior high and high school in the 1960's. I had them in every color to match my outits.  I loved loved loved them.  Also a brand of shoes called Sbicca's were among my collection of shoes. 

*

1887

Birth of a Legend

Every legend has a birth place. Salvatore Capezio was born in 1871 in Muro, Lucano Italy. Although his home was picturesque, he was craving something more. After training as a cobbler in Italy, he immigrated to the United States. At just 17 years old, Salvatore Capezio opened a small shoe repair shop only a few pirouettes away from New York’s old Metropolitan Opera House. The sign above his door read, “The Theatrical & Historical Shoemaker.” He began his business by repairing theatrical shoes for the Met. Salvatore quickly made the transition from cobbler to shoemaker when he made an emergency pair of shoes for Polish opera star, Jean de Reszke. He discovered pointe shoes to be a challenging balance between delicate construction and complex engineering. In turn, his customers discovered that few shoemakers were as determined as Capezio to take on that challenge.

Not Just About A Book Club Reads "Lessons in Chemistry"

Yesterday the rain stopped and the sun was shining on the blue Pacific Ocean.   It was perfect timing for our book club meeting at the Belmont Brewery by the pier. The book we read was "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus. It was a unanimous hit and we all loved the book. The book focuses on the life of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist and her trials, tribulations and triumphs in her academic education, career, and personal life. The novel encourages conversations about women's lives, careers, and struggle for empowerment in the late 50s and early 60s and into present time.

 

 

 

Thanks to Lynda who did a wonderful job leading our discussion.
 

Food and drinks were par for the course.

 

 

 

 

 

It's always a party when we're together.

 

 

This was also a wonderful time to gather to celebrate three March birthdays

Happy Birthday Sharon

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Maria

 

                                     Happy Birthday Marcia

Thank you to all the friends that brought treats and goodies

and thanks to each member of our village

for bringing your

light and love.

 

 

 

Second Sight

 Second Sight

"Sometimes, you need the ocean light,

and colors you've never seen before

painted through an evening sky

 

Sometimes you need your God

to be a simple invitation,

Not a telling word of wisdom.

 

Sometimes you need only the first shyness

that comes from being shown things

far beyond your understanding.

So that you can fly and become free

by being still and by being still here.

And then there are times you need to be

brought to ground by touch

and touch alone.

To know those arms around you

and to make your home in the world.

just by being wanted.

To see those eyes looking back at you. 

As eyes should see you at last.

Seeing you, as you've always wanted to 

be seen.

Seeing you,  as you yourself

had always wanted to see the world." -David Whyte

from Pilgrim

 

 

 

Happy 106th Birthday Dear Helen

Today Helen turns "106" years young.  Happy Happy Birthday dearest Helen. You are like a second mother to Randy, Jocelyn and myself. We love you and cherish all the years you have been such an important part of our lives.   We love looking back at our past celebrations. Here are a few:

 This was 2006 when my daughter Aria was visiting from college. Helen was a spry 89 years old. Helen is seated on the very far right.

 

 In 2014 Helen was 97 years old

We took Helen out to lunch in San Marino at "Julienne's"  It was a lovely day. No one could believe she was celebrating her 97th birthday.

 

In 2015 Helen turned 98 years old

In 2017 Helen turned 100!

 

2020 Helen turns 103

 

When we were working on the puzzle with Helen and Mike would find a piece she would be his cheerleader and say "Gee Mike you're really good at this!"

2023 Helen turns 106!     Happiest of Birthdays to a life long wonderful friend.  You inspire us with your bright smiles, your kindness and your sweet outlook on life. We can't wait to celebrate your birthday with you.  We love you Helen.

History of Love

 

“Even now, all possible feelings do not yet exist, there are still those that lie beyond our capacity and our imagination. From time to time, when a piece of music no one has ever written or a painting no one has ever painted, or something else impossible to predict, fathom or yet describe takes place, a new feeling enters the world. And then, for the millionth time in the history of feeling, the heart surges and absorbs the impact.”

― Nicole Krauss, The History of Love