California Dreaming

Ice Soup, or, Venezia Gelata

Here I am complaining about our dismal winter with the lack of rain/snow, in my little part of world. Yet, Europe is being slammed by an Arctic storm that has very low temperatures and has killed people. I won't complain any more.

Even Rome had snow, which is very rare. But LivingVenice recent post shows the beauty of such a brutal cold snap, in Venice.

Ice Soup, or, Venezia Gelata.

Make mine a "Sazerac", please.

Phew! What a holiday season! But now that I have caught my breath and enjoying being home. I can start to tell a few stories of a magical holiday season, that was had by me!

As I hinted back in December, I went to New Orleans to celebrate a BIG birthday.  New friends met us for the big birthday weekend, which was their first visit. This trip had fun, fun written all over it! 

This wasn't my first trip to the "Crescent City", but I had a few things to see, do, eat and drink. Please note that not one item is on Bourbon Street.

Disclaimer:

I don't "do" Bourbon street, but for our "newbies", we walked down Bourbon,  at 8:30 in the morning, on our way to Cafe Du Monde.  Anyone who describes New Orleans and uses Bourbon street as part of the describtion, is doing New Orleans a great disservice. That's all I have to say about Bourbon street.

Any hoooo................................

 

My "Must Do" list included several items, here were a few:

• Find & Eat Calais.
• Have Sunday breakfast/brunch at Elizabeth's Restaurant.
• Ride the St. Charles streetcar to view the Christmas lights.
  
• Beignets & Cafe au Lait at Cafe Du Monde
  
• Watch the fireworks, at midnight, in Jackson Square.
  
• Drink a Sazerac.

When it came to Sazerac's, we found out that not all Sazerac's are created equal.

The  best Sazerac's, in our humble opinions, were from the following establishments.

The Sizzle Stick Bar

Muriel's Jackson Square

The Sazerac Bar, at the Roosevelt Hotel.

 

My favorite was The Sazerac Bar, which claims being the place were the drink was invented. BUT   this is highly disputed, depending where you get your resource material. Anyway, the Sazerac Bar is the type of bar that I love and usually they are set in old established hotels that exudes an old world elegance & style. 

The Roosevelt Hotel is one of these hotels.

The Christmas decorations at the Roosevelt are part of the Holiday experience in New Orleans. Sorry this photo doesn't do it justice but it was magical.   

Travel Tip # 1: The woman's public restroom is one of the elegant ones. If you are around Canal street, it's a good thing to know in a city with few public restrooms. Remember to tip the attendant.

Just off the lobby is the bar.

After many hours of walking, eating and shopping, this was an oasis in the middle of the desert. It was time to taste the famous drink.

For those of you who watch the series "Treme", it was a Sazerac, that Jeanette threw in the NYC critic's face. Sorry, I digressed.

You ask, "What's in a Sazerac"? Well....................

A true cocktail with 3 ingredients. But this isn't a sissy drink, it's a true sipper. It is the perfect cocktail to partake while relaxing in this elegant bar. Watching the bartenders is entertainment in itself.

The drink being prepared in this shot, is a Ramos Fizz. At home, I use a blender, not sure if I have the skill for this technique! 

Next time, make mine a Sazerac, please.

Etta James R.I.P.

Ms. James, you have been singing in my ear and bringing joy to my life, thank you.

May you rest in peace.

 

 

California Dreaming -Winter Fruits-Citrus

As I find myself crawling above the stacks of work and personal obligations, I wonder, "Where did the holidays go? Wasn't it Christmas & New Years, yesterday"?

It doesn't help my diminutive sense of time, that I went from a glorious 50th birthday celebration weekend, in New Orleans (more on that later) to the frozen tundras of Kentucky for work.

There in Northern Kentucky, I found fellow associates, born & bred Californians complaining about the quality of the fruits & vegetables, especially citrus. This discussion made me stop and think , "Do I take for granted the daily bounty of California?".

Answer: yes.

Winter months in California provide an abundance of citrus;from grapefruits (Oro Blanco, the best), Mandarins, Navel oranges to the ever present Cuties.

Citrus is everywhere.

Growing up in the Central Coast of California (a.k.a. Salad Bowl of the USA), citrus was part of my Christmas flavors (also Dungess Crab, See's Candy & sourdough bread). I have lived in places where I had avocado, fig & citrus trees growing in a backyard. The idea of not having easy access to these fruits/flavor, is foreign to this Cal Gal.

Where am I going with this diatribe?

As I peel my "Cutie", I give thanks for living in California.

Amen.

Flashback Friday-Elvis Costello, "I Can't Stand up for Falling Down."

Talk about time travel, that's what this song does for me. This brings up memories of my youth and the unbridle confidence I once had. Yes, my confidence now is more conservative and reserved. Could that be my age? Or is it more the saying, "Ignorance is Bliss".

This video also shows a VERY young Elvis Costello and some interesting fashion choices.

Has anyone else notice today's youth embracing the 80's skinny jean look? Thank goodness, maybe that baggy pant look will start to dissappear. I don't want to see some young wanna be stud's underwear. Oh don't get me started with the bra strap thing either.

Oh NO! Have I become one of those of another generation that would "tsk, tsk, tsk" me & my friends????

Oh well........TGIF.

 

Walking to New Orleans-Fats Domino

What happened to the month of December???

Did you all have a good Christmas? Well, I had one of the best, in fact I would say it's in the top 5 of great Christmas's.

Now I am approaching a little old milestone of birthday and in true Robinson style, it will be celebrated in the most intimate way and in a very wonderful city. A city that is on my top 5 list of favorite cities, by the way.

Side note: Hhhmmmm, I see a trend of the number 5 here. Could this be an omen?

No, I am not going to lament about how many birthdays have been celebrated before this BIG one or of my progressing age. Nope, it's not my way.

I am going to celebrate this moment and I will be taking more pictures this time, I promise.

So without further ado, I leave you with the legendary Fats Domino.

I will see you next year!

 

Flashback Friday-The Williams & Osmond Brothers, Happy Holidays.

Sorry that I have been on the dark side of moon with this little ole blog. Between work being absolutely bonkers and a side trip back to New England, I barely had enough energy to bath, feed and clothe myself. But here I am!

Believe it or not, even with all of this stress and hectic scheduling, I am still eking out a bit of Christmas Cheer. I am feeling the spirit of the holiday by llistening to the three holiday channels on Sirius  radio during my commute, watching the cheesy Christmas movies on TV while wrapping my gifts and sending out Christmas cards.

Today is the official start to my Christmas week. I can't think of a better way to kick off the week than a Flashback video from one of Andy William's Christmas specials, circa late 1960's. This song  includes the Osmond Brothers, with a VERY young Donny. Oh, how I remember the huge crush I had on Donny, talk about "Puppy Love". Sorry I couldn't help myself!

Back to Christmas.

This music reminds me so much of the Christmas's of my childhood and this song always makes me smile, especially when Andy is singing it.

Do you have a particular Christmas song or artist that instantly transports you to your childhood?

 

 

 

Flashback Friday-Another Past December Morning

Two years ago, a totally different morning.

December 1st, already?

Tell me it isn't so. It's December 1st. The dreaded but much loved Christmas season. I know I am paradox.

Just like Thanksgiving, I am not prepared. Within the next 30 days I will take two major trips, pull in and decorate the tree, make room for another major piece of furniture (which constitutes re-arranging the living room), buy and wrap gifts, celebrate a major milestone birthday, prepare for my company's yearend inventory and try to enjoy the season. All of that with only two more weekends at home.  AAARRRGGHHH!

Are you tired just reading the list? I am. Can we postpone or extend the month of December, pretty please?

Of course, if I was Martha Stewart and her staff of many, it wouldn't be a problem. But this Cali Gal is on her own.

Now I know why people put booze in Eggnog, to help relieve the anxiety. Pass the nog, please.

 

Happy Birthday, Mark Twain.

One my favorite Mark Twain quotes is:

"Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn’t any. But this wrongs the jackass."

While visiting the island of Kauai, he visited Waimea Canyon, which he dubbed "Grand Canyon of the Pacific. As you know, I am bit partial to the island.

Happy Birthday, Mark Twain!