Luscious Lemon 

Since the late 1970's I have been a loyal Trader Joe's customer. One lesson I learned over the years is if you love a product they carry, buy in quantity. It's all about the price. If they cannot get a store product at a good price, they will stop carrying it. That is why I bought 3 boxes of my absolute favorite pasta, pictured above.

I searched the internet and found the easiest sauce recipe that I promise you, is restaurant quality. 

1. Cook pasta in salted water. When cooked, drain, but SAVE 1/2 cup of pasta water.

2. In a large skillet melt 2 tbsp butter, add 1 tbsp minced garlic and cook for a minute or two. Do NOT burn the garlic.

3. Add the cooked pasta, the saved water, 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese and a large handful or two of freshly torn spinach. STIR after adding each ingredient.

4. Add the juice of half of a lemon. STIR. Add 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese. STIR. 

5. Top with a bit of lemon zest and/or freshly ground pepper.

6. Serve and Buon Appetito!

Does a Tree Have Feelings?

One of the things that I love about our backyard is our big, OLD, glorious apricot tree. I remember one spring there were so many blossoms that when they dropped it looked like the patio was covered with snow. I dreamed of making three ingredient apricot jam. Just apricots, sugar and lemon juice – sweet and a little tart.My mouth still waters when I think about apricot jam over butter on toast, or what about crepes filled with my homemade apricot jam? Organic sugar – check, organic lemon – check, organic apricots from our tree, nope. Never happened.

Despite always having blossoms, we aren’t that lucky with the actual fruit. I think the most apricots that have ripened has been a lucky dozen. Here’s the problem, I think. Squirrels, bad soil, and no fertilizer.

Every spring, early summer TJ’s sells cartons of large ripe apricots. I once bought a carton and Tony complained that they weren’t as sweet as ours. Perhaps. But the apricots from our tree are few and far between and so tiny that they resemble cherries, not apricots.

Today while shopping at TJ's I noticed they had just put out jars of organic apricot jam. I was tempted. But I feel guilty, like I'm cheating on our tree.

Dreaming of Fresh Grapefruit & Vodka

The Orcutt Ranch Horticulture Center is a 210-acre Historical Culture Monument located in West Hills. Just 3 miles from our house, we had only visited it one time in the last 24 years. But, as of this past Saturday, our visits have increased by one. Which now makes it two visits in the last 24 years.

Twice a year they open the ranch early, at 7:30 AM, so that neighbors can pick grapefruits in February and oranges in July. The cost is $3 per bag – bring your own – and they have fruit pickers to rent for just $1. This being our first fruit picking experience we had no idea what to expect, so we got there at 8:00 AM just hoping for the best. 

As you can see from the photo above, Tony was grinning from ear to ear. The air was crisp, the grapefruits were plentiful and we frolicked in the orange and grapefruit orchard.

 

Broadway Memories Part Two

You may not know his name, but bet you are familiar with his most famous Musical – Wicked. According to Wikipedia, "Stephen Schwartz is one of the most successful Broadway and film composer/lyricists of his generation."

Back in 2014 I was in NYC to visit my daughter. We were meeting at a bistro called Chez Josephine, which is named after the famous singer/dancer Josephine Baker. I was pleasantly surprised when Jean-Claude Baker, Josephine Baker's son, greeted me at the door.

We chatted a bit and I shared that my daughter and I were here to see the revival of Pippin. He then asked if I would like to meet the lyricist and composer of Pippin, Stephen Schwartz. I immediately said yes, not knowing he was sitting at a table by himself, just a few feet from where I was standing.

After the introduction he asked me to sit down. I am pretty sure it was because he was afraid I might faint. I gushed, he smiled and it was a magical Broadway moment I will never forget.

 Broadway Memories Part One

In the early sixties, I was part of a group of girls who would head off to NYC every Saturday to see Broadway shows. It’s hard to believe now, but back then you could purchase a standing room ticket for $3.50.

After the show you would find us at the stage door waiting for the stars to emerge. We were all excited after seeing “How To Succeed In Business Without Even Trying” to see the star of the show Robert Morse, exit with an older man with glasses. I got Robert Morse’s autograph and then asked the bespectacled older man if I could have his autograph. I gushed (what can I say, I’m a gusher) that he was wonderful in the play. He immediately looked over at Robert Morse and together they laughed. It seemed odd because I hadn’t said anything funny, but I was so thrilled to have captured two autographs that I didn't give it another thought. 

That is, until we were comfortably seated on the bus heading back home to Elizabeth, NJ. As I gazed through the Playbill (the show program) I couldn’t find a photo of the older man. Then I saw it. He wasn’t IN the show, but he was a star. He was the writer of the play, Abe Burrows, and had won a Pulitzer Prize for the book.

I have experienced many embarrassing moments in my life, but this is the only one that still makes me chuckle. I made both Robert Morse and Abe Burrows laugh. Out loud. I was a comedian, not just a naive girl from Jersey!

 

At the End of the Rainbow

Public Safety Alert - City of Los Angeles Emergency Alert: The National Weather Service has forecast that a major storm will impact the City of Los Angeles beginning Monday, February 16, and is expected to receive 2-4 inches of rain. Get ready for the storm and take extra precautions during the rain.

I have 4 umbrellas, one raincoat and we have moved the newly painted chairs, new cushions and new table umbrella into the garage for safe keeping. Now it's time to think about the end game. The rainbow. 

In 2012 a video of Katy Perry popped up on my YouTube feed. It was from a charity event called “Night of Too Many Stars”, hosted by Jon Stewart. Proceeds of this event went toward autism programs in schools and services all over the country. Katy Perry sang "Firework" and was accompanied by Jodi DiPiazza, an eleven-year-old music prodigy who just happens to have autism. Sorry Katy, it was Jodi who was the star.

Since first seeing that video, I have followed Jodi on YouTube. Just recently a new video of hers appeared on my YouTube feed. Jodi has grown up and is a beautiful young lady. But what made the video so very special is the song she wrote – "At the End of the Rainbow".  

Jodi, YOU are the rainbow. 

Remember someone you loved

When I saw the kit for the Heart Basket pictured above, I just had to give basket making a try. Over the years I have crafted hundreds of things – from quilts to jewelry - and have had no trouble selling or giving them away.

But this basket ain’t going anywhere. I take it out just once a year. Can you guess which holiday I commemorate? Yep, it’s my Valentines Day Basket.

This year I am doing something different with my sweet basket. Instead of filling it with candy, it will have just a slip of paper. On it will be the name of a loved one I have lost all contact with. For 2026 it will be Susan Roller. She was my college best friend, and I remember her joy for life, her talent and her beauty. 

Happy Valentine's Day Susan.