Packing it Up
As we get ready our camping gear to make our annual journey to Sequoia I just realized there wasn’t a posting from last years trip. That’s not to say the event wasn’t documented nor exciting. There was Dave’s giant fires, rolling a giant log into our campsite, ukuleles galore, birthdays, haircuts,U.B.S- unconfirmed bear sightings, paella night, 6″ of snow, a speeding ticket (me) and culminated with stitches at an emergency room in Bakersfield, that would be Ollie.
Back to packing…Thank the gods we have a paramedic with us again this year.
Happy (belated) Solstice
Solstice Sunrise
I know, I know, it’s a week after the Winter Solstice but the logic board on my computer pooped out and I have not been able to download any pictures. For the shortest day of the year dinner I made paella from the Canal House Cookbook. It was the 1st time I made paella so I had to work out a few kinks. Remind me never again to ride my bike while carrying a paella pan that feeds 22 people, 2.2 pounds of Bomba rice and 3 lbs. of bearded mussels. This was my attempt to try to win Chef of the Year in Sam’s Food Blog.
The Paella
We started the meal off with 3 cheeses from Andrews Cheese Shop. I was a bit busy with the outdoor paella making to really enjoy the cheeses but you can see the selection on Sam’s Food Blog. We tried to walk the chicken, chorizo, mussels shrimp and rice off with our annual stroll down to Ocean Ave. to see the Santa Monica tradition of “The Christmas Storyâ€.
pa rum pa pum pum
A tradition since 1953, it consists of chain linked fenced tableaus of biblical scenes highlighting the birth of the Baby Jesus. Getting slightly off the path here but here’s a link to a wonderful Mary and Joseph story by Dina Donahue we heard read at a holiday concert last year. Anyways, back to Santa Monica- Each tableau, sponsored by a local church is comprised of old mannequins from Henshey’s Department Store(defunct since 1993) dressed in fake beards, Topsider loafers, and caftans from old Henshey’s stock telling “The Christmas Story.†If you are ever in Santa Monica at Christmas do go see it. The city has blocked off parking in front of the tableau’s so you can see the Christmas Story the true So Cal. way – Drive Thru-
Let's Light This Candle
For the past few years Winter Solstice dessert means Flaming English Christmas Pudding provided by and ignited by our friend Catriona. She’s from Wales, and it’s always a special treat for her and her family to share this tradition with us.
A Well Guarded Suggestion
Just like that, the day is over. I’m tired and I want to go to bed but there’s alot of dishes to do and cleaning up. The shortest day of the year is feeling a bit longer.
