Searching for Pedro

Sleeping Pedro is an elusive little creature. Manufactured by Homco in the 1980s, he can only be found “in the wild” at estate sales, antique malls or online. It sounds crazy, like most things collectors do, but Pedro is often favored by Fiesta Dinnerware collectors. Karen and I are avid collectors of both vintage and…

Dallas Tacos Game Day Grillers-Style

Dallas is known for gigantic cowboy steaks, no-bean chili and Tex-Mex. Years ago, our granddaughter Emily and her parents took us to a restaurant in Deep Ellum in downtown Dallas called Pepe’s & Mito’s. The chef there crafts his own style of Tex-Mex that he calls “Mex-Tex”. His recipes at the restaurant are so delicious…

Game Day Grillers in Los Angeles

It’s football season! On game days, we celebrate by cooking outside with fellow football friends and family. Whether we are tailgating, picnicking or hosting a backyard gathering, cooking on an outdoor grill is always our preference. For the 2022/23 NFL season, we will grill our favorite dishes inspired by NFL game day locations. If it’s…

Walking Dublin

Dublin on foot is the most practical way to move about the city, which is relatively compact and flat for easy walking. In a tight area, the city presents a myriad of pleasing architecture, gardens, attractions, shops, restaurants and, of course, pubs. In 2018, we spent several days before and after a cruise immersed in…

The Grande Dame of Waikiki

She’s the grande dame of Waikiki Beach. The Moana Surfrider Hotel opened its doors as The Moana Hotel in 1901. It boasted old colonial style architecture and Hawaiian elegance to a burgeoning tourist onslaught. Over the years tower additions, restorations and amenity upgrades have enhanced a modern experience, but the colonial charm was preserved. It…

Say “Cheese”

Our RoadTrip along the Oregon and California Coast last September began with two long driving days that landed us in Newport, Oregon for a well-deserved respite at an oceanfront hotel. Gorgeous views from high cliffs above the ocean revealed miles of untouched seashore. We explored the small town, dined at a locally owned seafood restaurant…

Traveling Again

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus  The sentiments represented by the Statue of Liberty resonated with me as we viewed…

L.A. Days

I worked and lived in mid-Wilshire Los Angeles in the late 1970s. Iconic restaurants, bars and attractions were a constant draw. Give me some Pink’s hotdogs, the Troubadour, Molly Malone’s Irish Bar, May Co. on Fairfax, LACMA, the La Brea tar pits, Canter’s Deli, Cugat’s, Lawry’s the Prime Rib, the Farmers Market at 3rd and…

Longing for Italy

The pandemic has certainly hindered our RoadTrip travel for two years. Hunkered down in our home most of the time, we have traveled vicariously through Andrew Zimmern’s “Delicious Destinations” and Stanley Tucci’s “Searching for Italy” on television. It’s not the same, but we have been inspired to create our own take on cuisine from around…

Isn’t It Grand

Newport Beach, California Fresh sea air, blue skies and a warm breeze welcomed us to Newport Beach in July. Our sole mission for the day was to celebrate our granddaughter, Emily, for her seventh birthday. It was just the three of us to explore the Orange County coast and pamper our girl. What a grand…