koko's corner

Crab-u-licious

Last weekend I ran up to Laguna Niguel to visit with Squeaks for the weekend. She told me about a couple of craft fairs in the area and thought we should hit them up to hopefully find some Christmas gifts. 

Aaaand...that Bill was having some Maryland Blue Crabs flown in Sat. for our dinner that night. Oh, happy, happy, happy,  yummy, yummy, yummy. 

As usual I ate like a king while I was up there. 

We did our usual shopping and running around, dang, that makes one hungry. Knowing we were in for a crab-fest for dinner, but needing to stave off our hunger, we stopped by the Surf and Sand for a little snack and drinks. 

We ordered from the appetizer menu and it was the perfect amount to hold us over. 

 I had the fried calamari that was served with a creamy dipping sauce and red cherry pepper rings, 

Come see what else we had. 

Work day at church

Last Saturday was a work day at church. A day to catch up on some neglected chores and spruce up the place a little.

 I volunteered to be one of the workers, I mean, how hard can it be? The only thing I didn't want to do was clean any ovens, I despise cleaning ovens. I would have if it was needed, and would have done it with a cheerful heart, not overflowing-ly cheerful, but cheerful.

Thankfully that was not on the list. I should have known none of the chores would have included any kitchen duties; because after potlucks, you can't get into the kitchen for all the clean up volunteers. 

This is what I saw as I arrived at church. Holy Moly a couple of pallets of brick. Dang, someones going to be sore tomorrow. 

 

Cleaning ovens was beginning to look better all the time. 

More Vegas shots

I was totally thrilled to be in Vegas. It had been over 20 years since I'd been there. 

Friday morning I just had to toast the city with a mimosa. Yohoooooo so excited to be there. 

 

We were eatin' good in the hood. Come see some of what we had. 

Pastry Class at Laguna Culinary Arts

 

My friend Squeaks and I spent an evening learning how to make some classic French pastries at Laguna Culinary Arts.  

 

At the end of the evening we enjoyed the fruits of our labor. 

 

What happens in Vegas,

will eventually end up on the internet, at least if you go with me it will. 

A few weeks ago was the Baker to Vegas Law Enforcement relay run.  A few of my friends/co-workers and I decided to lend support to our co-workers that were running and volunteered to help the organizers of our team. 

  Which meant, WEEKEND IN VEGAS!!!!!!!!!!! WOOT WOOT

 

When our porter saw two women and 12 bags he asked how many of us will there be. Umm just one more is flying in tomorrow and none of these are hers. 

We brought besides the obvious clothing etc... a cooler, champagne, pate, caviar, smoked salmon, prosciutto, honeydew melon, several flavors of cream cheese, bagels, orange juice, crackers, and scones. I'm sure I'm forgetting something. 

 

Easter Sunday Rainbow

Easter Sonrise services this morning in our little mountain, back country church was glorious. The services were held in our outdoor amphitheater.

As we were singing, 

 

Clebrate Jesus celebrate
Clebrate Jesus celebrate
Clebrate Jesus celebrate
Clebrate Jesus celebrate

He is risen He is risen
And He lives forevermore
He is risen He is risen
Come on and celebrate
The resurrection of our Lord

We were treated to a little budgeoning rainbow in our partly cloudy sky. 

 

 

Oh yeah, and after services we were served a wonderful breakfast of pancakes, sausages and eggs.  

Wonderful way to start the week. 

 

Lunch with the girls

Today I met up with a couple of my foodie friends for lunch. 

Can you tell we had Vietnamese? My delicious bowl of Pho

We met at Kim's Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant in Encinitas. 

 

She's off and running and we're drooling

Amanda Simpson of Food Porn Daily and What We're Eating fame wrote a fabulous cookbook, "Food Porn Daily." I swear it should be a coffee table book it's so beautiful and beautifully written.

Her publicist scheduled a cross country book signing tour for her. Lucky for us local food bloggers and fans of Amanda, the tour kicked off last night at the Borders Bookstore in Mission Valley; and lucky me, I got to go. 

Being the classy lady that she is, she brought cookies; the best danged cookies on the planet I might add. She brought a deconstructed version of the cookie. The cookie recipe alone is worth the price of the book. 

 

Oh how I hate fire season

Keeping a close watch on what has been dubbed The Cowboy Fire. We were ordered to go home early from work. 

 

So far it's in an isolated area and from what I've heard so no structures are in jeopardy.

 

Some of my friends from work were told to get ready, just in case. 

 

 

View from Cameron Corners. 

 

 

It still seems far enough away from the cottage and the wind is blowing the other way. Unfortunately toward some co-workers. 

 

They have some heavy duty fire fighting planes and helicopters in the sky.  Hopefully it will be out soon. 

 

God bless our firefighters and please keep them safe. 

 

Rock Canyon Vineyards

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to meet Tim Petersen in our local Albertson's market in front of the display of San Diego County wines. He was with another gentleman and one thing that struck me about him, was that as they were talking, Tim was straightening the bottles of wine on the shelves. I thought what a nice person, and he truly is, both he and his wife.

We struck up a conversation about the San Diego County wines and when he told me about his winery, I weaseled an invitation out of him for me and Stan to visit his winery, Rock Canyon vineyards.

Oh, I couldn't wait to see the rows of grapevines and the wine cellar.

Come visit Rock Canyon Vineyards with me, you are in for a treat.