Natsukashii

 NATSUKASHII (adj.)

Japanese:  Of some small thing that brings you

suddenly, joyously back to fond memories,

not with a wistful longing for what's 

passed but with an appreciation

of the good times.

 

Incredible Change

 

 

 "Incredible change

happens in your life

when you decide to take

control of what you do have power

over instead of craving control over

what you don't" -S. Maraboli

The Golden Bachelor Episode 1

 Sherri and I watched the first episode of the Golden Bachelor.  We were pleasantly surprised. What a fun night! It's our thing!

 

Infinite Possibilities

 

 

 "Live your life with an appreciation of

coincidences and you connect with 

the field of infinite possibilities."

What Live is About

 "Life is not about being

rich, being popular, being highly

educated or being perfect. It' about

being real, humble, and kind."

 

Some Beautiful September Sunsets

 

A Special Birthday Celebration for Mike

 A Couple's Cooking Class with Chef Olli Cigliano

 

 

 

 

 

This afternoon we continued the weekend celebration of Mike's birthday. Our daughter Aria and her family gifted Mike a wonderful afternoon's private "couples" cooking class taught by Long Beach Chef Olli Cigliano. The class took place at Ollie's lovely beach front home on the peninsula. 

 

 

 

 It was a beautiful afternoon filled with festive drinks, ocean breezes, and laughter in the kitchen as Ollie guided us in preparing a wonderful array of seafood (Frutti di Mare), salad and dessert recipes. 

 

 

Our cooking stations neatly set up. We are ready to cook!

Chef Olli Cigliano*

Mike and Ollie prepping all the seafood for the Frutti di Mare

Lobster, mussels, shrimp, baby octopus in an Arrabiata sauce

Making limoncello Tiramisu

 

We dined al fresco on her lovely patio overlooking the sparkling blue Pacific. 

 

 

 Peach bellinis made from fresh peaches and the chef's antipasto board

Buon Apetito

Bucatini Fruitti di Mare 

 

Buonissima

 

Insalata mista and Autumnal Citrus Vinaigrette

 

Italian music filled the air. Ollie's family is from the Island of Ischia and her love of cooking is obviously in her genes though she has twenty plus years experience in the culinary arts working with such reknown chefs as Alice Waters during Ollie's years in the Bay area.

It was such a perfect way to celebrate Mike's birthday. 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to our dear family Aria, Daniele, Sofia and Rocco. It was a wonderful and most memorable birthday gift!

 

*for more information on Chef Cigliano cooking classes:

 https://www.olliegeorgecooks.com/

 

 

Happy Birthday Mike

We spent a wonderful day at the Huntington Gardens celebrating Mike's birthday today. We strolled the gardens with our friends Mary and David.  

 

 

The weather was beautiful. The cactus gardens and the Chinese Gardens were especially vibrant. 

 

 

 

Lunch was at an old fashioned diner. 

 

Mike requested "chicken pot pies" for his birthday lunch.

 

 

 When we were leaving we noticed they were selling fresh baked whole Rhubarb pies and that is his absolute favorite pie. Of course we bought one. We spent the rest of the afternoon going over plans for our trip to Japan. Mary and David are part of our big family group making the trip in November. There will be 13 of us traveling together.   This is a first trip to Japan for us. We sang Happy Birthday to Mike and ate the rhubarb pie.

 

Make a wish!

 We ended the day at home opening presents and answering many phone calls from our family. Tomorrow the celebration continues.