Category Archives: Uncategorized

Oahu Monday: OT and Side Street

Yay!!! OT is here! My husband was so upset that I had accidentally sent the donuts he was craving to Hawaii, that we immediately sent him the above picture. It was Valentine’s Day, so I wasn’t sure we would be … Continue reading

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Ich Bin Ein Berliner: Lutter & Wagner at Gendarmenmarkt

“In 1811, the wine merchants Christoph Lutter and August F. Wegner opened a wine shop on Gendarmenmarkt, which in no time at all enjoyed an excellent reputation. They became purveyors to the court of the Prussian crown prince, Frederick William … Continue reading

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Italy: Fishing Lab in Florence

Sadly, the food near my hotel wasn’t very good. I guess I used up all of my luck in Rome. But I did have a few memorable meals. If you ever see something in Italy that looks like this, don’t bother asking … Continue reading

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Italy: Convalescing in Florence

At 4 in the  morning on our last night in Rome, Bridin told me she couldn’t leave me alone in Italy with my terrible cough and she found an American hospital to take me to. I was sure it was just allergies and … Continue reading

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Italy: The Vatican Museum

The secret to not waiting 3 hours in line for Italian museums is to cough up 30 bucks or so for the “skip-the-line” guided tours. At the Vatican Museum they start about two hours before the museum opens. The only … Continue reading

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Italy: Eat, Sightsee, Rock Out

I now know why Italians can eat so much pasta and gelato and still fit into their high fashion ensembles. They are so active I can’t keep up with them. Tuesday we thought we would catch the hop-on hop-off tour … Continue reading

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Italy: the Pope is Dope

Before coming to italy I had purchased several tours. One of them was to see the pope`s Wednesday afternoon talk. I certainly would not have bought a tour in order to get a ride if I had known our apartment … Continue reading

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Seattle: Would-be Superheroes and Pike Place

Saturday after the workshop, Karen, who had never been to Seattle, asked me to take her somewhere that was not a place to eat. Since museums would be closing soon, the only thing I could think of was Pike Place. … Continue reading

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Carlsbad Wednesday

Wednesday we walked around town and shopped. We were again sucked into the vortex that is the corner of Carlsbad Blvd and Carlsbad Village Drive. We found a gastropub called Compass, with all the current hip food, like sweet potato … Continue reading

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Carlsbad Tuesday

We decided instead of going to San Diego for Sea World we would continue with our mellow beach holiday. We went to the well-reviewed Naked Cafe, which surprise, surprise was on the corner of Carlsbad and Carlsbad Village in an … Continue reading

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Carlsbad Monday

Everything is happening at the corner of Carlsbad Blvd. and Carlsbad Village Drive. There is Pig Liquor, which is where locals gather to catch up on the news. All they need is a checkerbord on a barrel. They have a huge selection … Continue reading

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Carlsbad, CA (No, not the caverns) – Sunday

This weekend Bob’s mom, Bridin, took us to Carlsbad for a 4-day beach vacation. Best known as the home of Legoland, Carlsbad also features 7 miles of beach, a cute little village with some great eateries and great surfing. We … Continue reading

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Sacramento: Biba’s

I flew into Sacto Thursday morning for a workshop. The hotel did not look promising from the outside, especially location-wise. But the room was beautiful and quiet. The view was nothing to write home about. After the workshop I couldn’t … Continue reading

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Auntie Mary Louise

My mom’s sister Mary Louise passed away Friday at the age of 97. She owned one of the farms we used to stay at when I was little. I remember eating rhubarb conserves straight out of the jar. I still … Continue reading

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Viva Casino Dining

Friday I was in workshops all day, but I had time to run across the street to Caesar’s to Rao’s. Yes, RAO’S! I was so excited! I was a little sad they don’t have the red peppers at lunch. I’ve … Continue reading

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