Southern California The more we eat peppers, the more we want them. So why not spice up Thanksgiving with Southwest flavors and a little smoke? Fresh ingredients like sweet potatoes, zucchini and Mexican squash, tomatoes and even turkey are enhanced by the heat of peppers. Enjoy turkey and all the fixings … Southwest style. …
Culinary Artists Transport Us To Another Place
San Bernardino, CA People who work in the culinary industry have the extraordinary opportunity to transport their guests to another place, even for just a short time. They are artists who rely on their skills, experiences, expertise and creativity. Some are extremely successful in their quest. Mapping the Day When we lived in…
Belgian City Evokes Fairytale Memories
Brugge, Belgium Brugge is located in the northwest corner of Belgium. It is an old city that dates back to the first century BC. It is canal-based, so it is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the North”. We traveled there for two nights in late September and found a delightful fairytale city. …
Belgium’s Local Cuisine Influenced by Neighboring Countries, but Original
Tongeren, Belgium From our home base in the Mosel River area of Germany, we were a short drive on the Autobahn from Belgium. We spent several days exploring the small country and sampling their wonderful local cuisine. Mapping the Day Since Belgium is surrounded by strong culinary influences of France, Germany and The…
Trick or Treat for Halloween Bloody Mary Bar
Southern California Even though it still feels like summer here in Southern California, it is the end of October and time to celebrate Halloween. We have fond memories as children of dressing up for Trick or Treat, then taking our own kids around the neighborhood to gather their candy loot and even attending some costume…
World Series Baseball Team-Themed Slider Recipe Competition
Southern California MAPPING THE DAY The 2012 Major League Baseball season is culminating in what promises to be a fantastic finale with the World Series starting tonight. The final seven-game dual has come down to the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants. LOCAL STORY Granted our beloved Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim did not…
Travel to Munich in Early Fall, Enjoy Bavarian Beer and Cuisine
Munich, Germany Beer and brats lunch at Spatenhaus was our best meal in Munich MAPPING THE DAY Traveling to Munich in early Fall is a perfect time to visit. Crisp, cool air was comfortable for walking. Throughout the city, the tree leaves were just starting to turn colors. There were crowds in the Hauptbahnhof and…
Festivals in Germany
Brauneberg, Germany MAPPING THE DAY Festivals in Germany are an integral part of the lifestyle. In our twelve-day visit there, we found the Brauneberger Wine and Street Festival, Spangdalem Oktoberfest, Heidelberg Herbstfest, and the granddaddy of all festivals, Munich Oktoberfest. Brauneberg is located on the Mosel River in the Western part of the country called…
What to Do on Sundays in Europe
Tongeren, Belgium Mapping the Day Sundays in Europe are family days. Shops are closed, churches and festivals are open. From our home base in the Mosel River area of Western Germany, we woke up early on a Sunday to the village church bells chiming. Our hosts, my son David and his wife Kathee, packed up their…
Pier Dining on the Pacific Coastline
San Clemente, California MAPPING THE DAY Before we left for our European vacation, KO and I stopped by the pier in San Clemente for a quick lunch. It was a perfect day with sunshine-filled sky, calm surf and 80 degree temperature. We decided to stroll down the long pier to peak our appetites prior to…