What's Your Favorite Dessert?

Cupcakes are THE dessert of the moment. And, that is totally understandable. A delicious cupcake is one to savor and enjoy. So many today are stuffed with all sorts of delectable fillings. What's your flavor favorite? How much chocolate do you want? Do you like peanut butter? What about carrot cake? Red velvet cupcakes are currently so popular. I love Ina Garten's recipes, so you can always check out a few of her cupcake recipes including this one for Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes at the Food Network site.

Claremont Heritage's Home Tour & Oh, Yes, The Border Grill Truck

Today Claremont Heritage held its Annual Home Tour. Were the homes fabulous & interesting? Yes! We're the artisans & crafts people showing their wares excellent? Yes! Were the workshops offered excellent? Yes! Was having the Border Grill truck there to offer food to folks coming to the event a superb idea? Yes! Were my tacos - Cilantro Chicken & Yucatan Pork - both with guacamole- fabulous? Did they live up to all the hype about the Border Grill and the talents of Mary Sue Milliken and fellow chef Susan Feniger? You betcha! Are we glad we went? Yes!

Lightning, Car Alarms, Thunder - All the "Fun Stuff"

Lately, Southern California has seen some amazing lightning storms with scattered rain - sometimes while the sun is brightly shining - and strong winds, with the accompanying debris on the streets, in the yards, and in the pools. When the storm cloud is directly overhead, the flash of the lightning and the crack of the thunder are right together. Car alarms just love that sort of thing. So do the lights that dim and then quickly return. So do young school students who cry and want their mommas (heard that directly from my daughter who teaches 1st grade). Then out come the rakes, out come the street sweepers, out come the pool skimmers, down go the pulse rates of those who dislike thunder and lightning, and then we can all smell the clean air and the "calm after the storm." Hmmmm. There must be some sort of comparison here that's been made many times. Yes, I guess there is for me. Is there for you?

The Budweiser Clydesdales

A highlight for me this year at the LA County Fair is the Budweiser Clydesdales. They are such spectacular horses and such an amazing sight. They participate each late afternoon in the parade around part of the Fairgrounds when the high school bands from different cities march as communities throughout the area are highlighted and people from each community are recognized. The parade features floats filled with people throwing strands of beads to the crowd (this is a big crowd favorite) and cars both old and new driven by their proud owners. The Fairgoers stop to watch the parade, catch a strand or two of the beads, and smile and wave at the parade participants. My family and I had a wonderful time riding in the parade last week and it was a treat to see all of the people along the parade route. It's a "good feeling" parade and a fun time for everyone.

The Los Angeles County Fair

For pure fun, engaging educational opportunities, and so much to see and do, the LA County Fair is unbeatable! From my first trip to the Fair when we first came to Claremont and a new friend took us to ride the rides to the many trips with the students and teachers at my school, the Fair has been a fun part of my life. To have something this big and exciting and just plain fun right almost in our backyard is unbeatable. This Fair is one of the largest in the country and it is well-planned and well run. The educational exhibits & activities for students are fun & entertaining with a lot of learning happening all the time. The Big Red Barn offers children & adults the opportunity to watch cows, goats, and sheep being born, to see chicks hatch, and to pet goats. There are pig races and goat milking and sheep shearing. California Heritage highlights the history of our state. The many competitions from beautiful handwork and crafts to culinary treats of all types are very popular. Horse races take place daily at the Grandstand. The Budweiser Clydesdales pull their wagon each evening in the daily parade when an area community is highlighted. The high school bands from the different communities march each day, along with cars & assorted floats. Claremont Day is September 23, and my family & I will be riding in the parade as some of the honored citizens. Oh, yes, you can buy almost any food you can think of that has been deep fried. I'll check that out and let you know THE most amazing one this year.

Go Jayhawks!!!

KU stumbled in their opening game, but they came out ready to roll today. They took on Georgia Tech, ranked #7, and they beat them in an exciting game in Lawrence. I've loved football since I was in grade school and so has Butch. Now we're watching Texas play. Have we had the TV on football since Thursday night? You betcha! Go Longhorns! Go Jayhawks! Yes, Derry, I'll root for OU if they're not playing the 'Hawks or the Longhorns. Still owe you that dinner for last year. We will celebrate soon FOR SURE.

The Pool Man Begins "School"

Today was Luke's first day at "school." It's a super place where both his brother and sister have gone. Did he feel like a "big kid" carrying his lunch box just like his brother and sister? Yes! Did he love this new place? Yes! Did his mom have some pangs about leaving him? Yes! Was he a happy camper when she picked him up? Yes! Enough said.