Brain Power

Interesting fact: to be most effective at optimizing the flow of the chemicals oxytocin and serotonin - which boost mood and promote bonding - hold a hug for at least six seconds.

Life

Memory Lane

Drawn by Mike T (12/2003)

Pink Leaves

Artist: Unknown

Plant Life at the Old Mission

On July, Friday the 13th I celebrated my 53 birthday. The Old Mission is one of my favorite spots in the city. I decided to stop and enjoy its beauty before heading to my birthday dinner. After 40+ years I still never get tired of this lovely place.

(Please click on each picture since blogger cuts off the end. These are only a few of the pictures taken that day. More shared at a later date.)

Mission Santa Barbara is a Spanish Franciscan mission near present day Santa Barbara, California. It was founded December 4, 1786, the feast day of Saint Barbara, to evangelize the local Chumash (Canaliño) tribe. The mission grounds stand on a rise between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and were consecrated by Father Fermín Lasuén, who had taken over the presidency of the California mission chain upon the death of Father Presidente Junípero Serra. Mission Santa Barbara is the only mission to remain under the leadership of the Franciscan Friars since the day of its founding. Source: Wikipedia

(This was originally posted on flickr.com in 2007.)

Go For It

Bon Appetit

I've always loved to cook. My Great-Grandma Hicks and my Grandma Mamie began teaching me the family recipes at the tender age of three. I was fortunate to live with both of them for the first 5 years of my life in Columbus, Ohio. Then our family moved out to California when my father got transferred to Vandenburg Air Force Base (about 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara, CA). That's another story I'll share someday.

The first dish is chicken breast with red peppers and leeks. It was seasoned with 5-spice powder, sesame oil, some fresh ginger, white pepper, and minced garlic. Serve with some wild rice and a simple green salad.

The second dish is my Pork & Garlic-Pepper Tofu Stir-fry (with fresh ginger and leeks). It's pretty basic - sesame oil, minced garlic, some sesame seeds, 5-spice powder. I usually cook with plain firm tofu but thought I'd give the favored one a try. The taste was ok, but I still prefer it plain. This allows me to do my own experimenting with the seasoning. I served this dish with Thai Jasmine rice and with some Wasabiyaki sauce on the side.

For me, the kitchen is the heart of a home. Some of my fondest memories are of my grandmother's kitchen. The smells, the chatter, the laughter, the radio slowly playing in the background. Such wonderful memories, and as I think about it, both my grandmothers prepared our food without using a cookbook. It was always a pinch of this or a handful of that. To this day I cook the same way, even though I own over 50 cookbooks. I'll follow a recipe for the most part but I definitely make it my own.

There's nothing better than breaking bread together with family and good friends. Toss in some board games after dinner and you've got a wonderful evening full of laughter, good conversation and yummy food in your belly. Life is good.

I Need A Rainmaker

Santa Barbara is covered with ash. The firefighters are worn out. My little city could use a nice cool downpour today.

Redhead in Coffee Cup

I love paintings like this. What's up with that robot?

Artist: Unknown

A Brief Suspension of Consciousness

The Battle of Puebla

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a regional holiday in Mexico, primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico. The holiday commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.

We celebrate it here in Santa Barbara, CA because of our large Latino population. Let's be honest, any holiday in this city is a reason for people to get crazy and party. You should see the crowds of people downtown on Groundhog Day. Just kidding!

Bliss

The Waiting

La Couleur Rouge

Red has never been one of my favorite colors - until I saw this painting. I've changed my mind. (Artist: Unknown)

Happy May Day

Photo: Will Merydith