March 31, 2009

Ahh Venice

No I didn't go to Venice Italy again...we went to Venice Beach which is as opposite from Italy as you can get.  
A seagull sitting on the sign welcoming us

The weather people said go to the beach on Saturday because it will be the warmest day of the weekend and no marine layer. I think everyone else had the same idea.

Maybe someday I will take surf lessons

We stopped to watch a very intense basketball game

The only man working out at muscle beach

March 30, 2009

glazed chicken

What you need:
2 cups pomegranate juice
1 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
3 garlic cloves
salt and pepper
2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
4 bone in chicken breast halves (I used chicken legs)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed backing sheet with aluminum foil - or I BBQ mine

To make the glaze - in a large skillet, combine juices, rosemary, garlic, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup about 15 minutes, stirring and scraping down sides.

Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a liquid measuring cup; stir in vinegar - reserve 1/4 cup glaze for serving.

That all sounds good but mine was really thick - I didn't have a sieve - and I didn't have 1/4 cup glaze to save for the end I was lucky I had enough for the 3 pieces.

 mine turned out thick and not alot of it

BBQ legs 3 of the glaze 3 regular bbq sauce - it was a good sauce I just wish I had more of it

March 28, 2009

Amazing!

I know many of you are busy but please take 3 minutes to watch this video. It is amazing, yes I know you are thinking Jill and her sheep again but this is good.   This video made me smile and hope it makes you smile too.

March 27, 2009

Fun Friday

Hope you enjoy your weekend!!! 

March 26, 2009

Bags

In Brussels we had to bring our our bags to the grocery store - Joe and I thought we would continue this process here, however we always forgot the bags.  Last night we finally remembered our bags.  The person bagging our stuff was just looking at our bags funny.  

March 25, 2009

fresh off the tree

Oranges at a road side stand

They are so fresh they are rolling in from off the trees. 

St. Francis

Memorial marking the Dam Disaster
The Dam with very little water behind it

Sunday we took a drive to see the dam site.  It really isn't that far from our house and it is sad to think of all the people that died when it broke. 

March 24, 2009

appointments

In Belgium they play this game called guess what time is open when you make an appointment...for the doctor, cable, restaurant reservations basically they say what time would you like to come in... I would reply 2:00 to which they would say no I can't do 2:00, how about 3:00 no I can't do 3:00 O.K. tell me when I can come in, no-no what time would you like...this goes on for a while till I finally say I wanted 2:00 and  you said no please tell me what is open.  Which drove Joe nuts, me I just went along with it. 

Today however I was thinking of opening up a bottle of vodka after dealing with these people.

 I have been dealing with this company for a month or so that drives me crazy.  Today I finally get an appointment for Friday after the boss calling me to set it  up.  Then 2 seconds later the phone rings and it is this moron that I was dealing with before, I do mean moron in the nicest way. She said "can you send me an email or fax stating the time and date of the appointment."  I almost lost it..."why am I sending  you confirmation of my appointment I just talked to Henry and made it. "  her response was I don't have any of the info of the date of time...How in the heck did she know I had an appointment then????????????  So I called the Henry and asked "why am I sending an email telling her when my appointment is??????"  

Is is just me or is this frustrating? 


La Frite

After having a nervous breakdown on Saturday night that I'm stuck in a suburban life, Joe took me to Studio City (15 -20 min drive) for dinner and to absorb the craziness of the area.
 
We found a little french bistro place on Ventura Blvd.

The even had a enclosed heated area just like in Brussels and Paris

Poles painted the colors of the French flag.  Of course they had valet parking, something Joe is having a hard time getting use to. 

March 23, 2009

Download

This is how I spent a couple days last week.  Of course it was a nice weather day I picked to stay in and down loaded cd's on to ipods and my iphone.  

March 20, 2009

Fun Friday

Sunday we went to Nobu LA (west Hollywood) for Joe's Birthday dinner. We were running late and I rememeber my camera a block or two away from the house but we didn't have time to go back. These photos are taken with my iphone. There is no flash on the phone and you really have to hold still to get a good photo.  My entree photo was to dark to share.  

Yummy!
 
Joe's sushi plate

 A Very Happy Birthday Boy! 

March 19, 2009

Welcome

to Los Angles President Obama 

Birthday Breakfast

Sunday was Joe's birthday! 

Ingredients for Breakfast-disclaimer we don't eat like this every day we try to be healthy - everything in moderation is the key - but sugar is my weakness I'm trying to cut it out. 

Birthday muffin with sausage, egg and cheese.  Yum Yum Yum!
Then Joe took a huge bike ride. 

March 18, 2009

Happy Birthday

Happy 29th Birthday Mom & Brenda!

March 17, 2009

March 16, 2009

Paramount Ranch

With Joe not being "in to" the LA movie scene (there are 2 studio sets within 5-10 minute walk from his office that I want to check out) We compromised on the Paramount Ranch, I get the movie set and he get the hikes.

Here is a little history about the ranch.

In 1927 Paramount Pictures purchased 2,400 acres for use as a "movie ranch." After World War II the studio sold the property to private investors. In 1952 Bill Hertz bought 326 acres that still bear the Paramount name, where he turned the land into a western town. In 1980 the National Park Service purchased the land and revitalized the old movie ranch.

We walked on a couple trails one Hacienda Trail it is where they built a homestead for “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman”.

The other trail is Backdrop Trail it goes along an area of the Ranch that is used for any outdoor shot because it shows no telephone poles or any distinctive features.

A view of Backdrop Trail  

Not sure what this is but it is pretty.

My favorite tree - it took a while to get this photo but I think it was worth it- meaning artist discussions with my photographer Joe. 

Main Street USA

Foxy at the Barber Shop

March 13, 2009

fun Friday

The other night we had dinner outside. 
 Joe came home from work and I told him to keep his jacket on because we were eating outside.  
Our table with Foxy in the yard. I did add candles on the ground all around the table.

March 12, 2009

outdoor pics

Here are a couple photos from around the house

Wild flowers on the side of our house
the view from the end of our drive way looking down our street - it is also the same view from the guest room - minus the road.

March 11, 2009

vasquez Rocks

Sunday we went to Vasquez Rocks

Just a couple of movies were filmed on and around the rocks.  The newest movie is Star Trek due out this summer. 
High up on on a rock
A rock
Foxy is telling me she had a wonderful day and loved climbing rocks.  We are sitting up on the very top of a huge rock.  You could see the crows flying below us that is how high up we are. 
Foxy seriously loved climbing the rocks Joe & I have never seen her so happy she really is a outdoor dog with a great wardrobe.  

March 10, 2009

Friends in the backyard

Bunny on the side of the yard -photo taken through the window and the seal is broken so it a bad shot.  We have had 2 of them in the back yard at night when Foxy has to go out before bedtime.  She chased one the other night. 
We also have 2 of these things.  This is the one with the long tail 
This one has a short tail.  If they get in the house, I already told Joe he is coming home from work to "deal" with it.  
In Brussels we had a lot of snails...glad to see we have some here too. 

March 9, 2009

peeking

It is no secret that I often peek out of our floor to ceiling window  on the side of our house and look at our neighbors gorgeous pool. (i know you would do the same thing) 

 Saturday morning as I was peeking I saw a duck in their pool. Then I noticed the dog trying to get he duck. So I told Joe I need his telephoto lens on his camera so I could take a pictures, however Joe did all the photo taking of the duck and the dog. I just enjoyed the show.

The black and white dog is up on the right side.

I can fly and you can not! 

March 7, 2009

Sheep

This is another reason I love Paris (I hope to go there this June)...I must have been busy traveling or packing or something to miss this last November. I thought it was crazy when tractors drove down the streets in Brussels. If I would have know there were sheep at the Effiel Tower I would have hopped on the next train to Paris. Yes Anne and Kate I would have dragged you with me.

Sorry if you don't find this as funny as I do (I'm still giggling as I type this) I still wanted to share it. Sheep in Paris. Not sure what the one Germany guy is doing in the clip below.

The other reason I find this funny is I have a book called "A Spree in Paree" where a farmer takes his animals to Paris for a vacation. (yes a children's book)  Here is a little bit of the book- When they arrived, Monsieur Monmouton circled the Arc de Triomphe and parked his truck under a shady tree on the Champs Elysees.  The sheep immediately jumped out and hurried off to the Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honore to check out the latest fashions. 
 
I wonder if this farmer took his sheep to Channel or Hermes! 






To get rid of the ad that appears just click on the half an x that is on the right side. Not sure why the whole thing will not fit - I even adjusted the sized on You tube.


March 6, 2009

Are you...

Going to get a job?  maybe this will answer that question.  
City of LA unemployment rate 12%  (out today)
LA county unemployment rate 10.8% (out today)
Even if i was looking I don't think the odds look very good for my area. (retail/fashion) 
 

Fun Friday

Besides the space challenges in the house (no basement) my other challenge has been to merge Joe's European treasures with mine. In Brussels he had is own area to display them. Here are a couple of examples of what I have done.

His mirror merged into the guest bathroom. Works nicely I think.

One old photo/painting of a Italian cyclist + a big empty frame and voila 

Hilary

So I leave Brussels and the first political figure I would like to see or deal with the motorcade traffic jam was there Thursday.  Brussels is a major hub for leaders of many countries because of the EU headquarters (so all the European leaders are in town and there is NATO)  Not to mention lots of Kings and Ambassadors get police escorts around town that makes bad traffic worse. 

 

March 5, 2009

Ellen

Did any one watch Ellen today (thursday)?  She had her PA in Valencia, Ca, that isn't the amazing part...They were at the apartment complex we lived in for a month and a half.  How crazy is that. 

If you missed it looked on her website for the gold digger game - it was the clip of the day (for thursday) 

Life's a Beach

Saturday we drove to the beach! 

Looking at Santa Cruz island

Foxy trying to help Joe with the kite

Foxy soaking up the sun and sand

Little pink houses for you and me