Happy Accidents

Firstly, Ellie snapped this shot.  Secondly – I’m not sure how she did it.  The camera advances on its own.  Thirdly, I like this shot… Kinda colorful and artsy and a mix of people and place – inside and out.

Makes one understand that in photography, as in life, the random accidents and surprises are where the good stuff resides.  

The Coffee Bean

Once again, SW joined us from Singapore via iPad. The night before, he called me during another dinner with a mutual friend. It is special that he carves time out of a busy life with work and family commitments to make space for his friends across the seas. And in this flattened world, to have an active friendship like this is exciting to me.  I have learned so much about keeping relationships alive through the common interests I share with SW.

Thank you SW for teaching an old dog new tricks……

Harvest Moon – Neil Young

Come a little bit closer

Hear what I have to say

Just like children sleepin’

We could dream this night away.

But there’s a full moon risin’

Let’s go dancin’ in the light

We know where the music’s playin’

Let’s go out and feel the night.

Because I’m still in love with you

I want to see you dance again

Because I’m still in love with you

On this harvest moon.

When we were strangers

I watched you from afar

When we were lovers

I loved you with all my heart.

But now it’s gettin’ late

And the moon is climbin’ high

I want to celebrate

See it shinin’ in your eye.

Because I’m still in love with you

I want to see you dance again

Because I’m still in love with you

On this harvest moon.   

Things that go together well….

Let’s talk great combinations….  

• Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
• The Captain and Tennille (ok, I couldn’t help myself)
• Chocolate and peanut butter
• Butter and anything

SW hard at work….

This week Wong pulled triple duty…. He called in from Singapore, watched the pot and served the wine.

Or that’s what he would have done… along with shooting stills.

While I enjoy the virtual Wong… I miss the real deal and look forward to the New Year and the chance to go off shooting again.

The Table

Simple = good…. Macerated fruit

I have been doing this for years and it is always a favorite.  Most often with strawberries, but I have found it to work equally well with peaches.  I usually take about a pint of strawberries – or in this case 6 peaches – core, peel and slice them.  Squeeze about 1/2 lemon over them and add about 1 tbsp brown sugar.  Let this set in the refrigerator for most of the day, bring to room temperature and serve over pound cake, angel food cake or biscuits with a touch of creme fraiche.  The flavor combination of the sweet fruit, syrup and tart creme fraiche is a fan favorite and simple to do.  Thanks to KC for making the pound cake.   It was delicious and a worthy “7 minute” investment.

Cold Over Pound Cake

2 sticks of butter

2 cups sugar

6 large eggs

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp almond flavoring

1 tsp vanilla flavoring

Cream butter and sugar very well – this is the secret to the success of the cake. Then reduce speed on the mixer and add eggs, one at a time. Add flavoring, then flour a little at a time. Put in cold oven; turn on oven to 300 degrees and bake 1 hour or until spaghetti noodle stuck into center of cake comes out clean.

Cha Cha = Chanito

There is a very funny story here, but it is not mine to share….  The story, however,  ends  at my table with great friends and little Ellie practicing how to say Chanito – Chano’s childhood nickname.  

And there is another story, not so funny, about the importance of friendship – committing to work through any challenge.  It is also the story of life being short and remembering what is really important. This has definitely been a part of my journey this year and I wuold love to spare anyone else with treasured friendships to forgive and forget.

This was Chano’s first PM and I hope not his last.  Knowing him, as I have for these last 6 years, knowing his values and ethics and his goodness made him a natural for inclusion in the PM family.

Thank you for spending time with us Chanito!