A Celebration

On August 9th Spence and I were in Utah to celebrate the 70th birthday of my brother Bill's wife, Marlene Mahaffey. She knew the immediate family that lived nearby would all be their for their monthly Sunday dinner, but Bill planned a few extra surprises. Crystal and Rob came from AZ, Kathryn Hancock (her best friend since 4th grade) came from AZ, Bonnie and Joe came from Idaho and Spence and I showed up from CA.

They labeled 3 doors in Shannons house, and the surprise guests (except for Rob and Crystal) each hid behind a door. As she chose each door, she discovered her surprise guests, and it was wonderful.

Doran and Greg BBQ'd all the kabobs we had put together, and along with Bill's baked beans, Shannon's salad, rice pilaf and all the extra fruit and veggies and good stuff that people brought, we feasted. Of course it was topped off with a birthday cake decorated in pink, to signify the battle to fight Breast Cancer.

We took pictures and laughed and took more pictures until we were all so tired we had to call it a night.

The next afternoon, the 5 Mahaffey kids and the rest of the out-of-town guests joined Bill and Marlene at the Brick Oven in Provo, for a farewell luncheon. Yummy....We had to leave early, because we were expected in St. George by 7 that night.

Marlene looked gorgeous...better than I had seen her in 4 years. It is hard to believe what she is actually going through. Crystal, her AZ daughter, is planning on doing the 60 mile, 3 day Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk in November in her honor. Check out the website and support her if you can.

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/ArizonaEvent2009?px=3098075&pg=personal&fr_id=1290

Libraries, Museums and Cinnamon Rolls

When the Utah Smiths came down to Southern California this summer, we deviated from the usual activities and explored some new and exciting things. We went to two museums and had a cooking class.

Grandpa Spence was showing his Amateur TV stuff at the Reagan Library, so the boys and I decided to take him some lunch. While we were out there we decided to go have a look-see at Air Force One, which I had NOT seen, either. I figured the boys would just want to head straight for the airplane, but as we started passing through the museum, they wanted to stop and look at everything. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk a bit about our government and patriotism and the legacy that Ronald Reagan left us.

Walking through Air Force One was quite an experience. With all the wax figures to show us what actually happened on the plane, we were able to learn a lot. We took a great photo at the entrance, which hopefully I can get a copy of to scan to this blog. Our last visits were to the Berlin Wall outside, and then to Reagans actual tomb. The boys just couldn't quite believe that he was buried right there in that spot.

A couple of days later we spent some quality time in the kitchen, with each of the boys making his own pan of homemade cinnamon rolls. They did all the measuring, pouring and stirring and even a little kneading. Each boy rolled out his own dough, spread it with the sugar/cinnamon mix and butter and rolled and cut them. When they came out of the oven we glazed them with a buttery orange glaze. We were all in heaven, and it smelled SO good.

Right before they left to go home, Lisa and I took all the kids to the La Brea Tar Pits, and that was quite an experience. It is hard to believe something so ancient is right in the middle of downtown Los Angeles. We could see the tar oozing and bubbling, and in the museum we saw all the wonderful skeletons of the Wooley Mammoths, sloths and sabre-toothed cats. It was a real slice of the past.

Mrs. Higgins

The horses are off and running at Ascot, and I will be right there with them, as I again have an opportunity to play Henry Higgins' mother in My Fair Lady. The first time was about 10 years ago with Camarillo Community Theater, with Damian Gravino as my son, Henry.

This show is going to be especially fun, because for the first time in 5 years I will be reunited with Jennifer Richardson, who played my Maria in The Sound of Music that I produced. I am excited because we actually have two scenes together (2 of my 3). Mrs. Higgins is a very small role, but she is such a wonderful character, and has some of the funniest lines in the show.

Now....all I have to do is get the English accent going again. One would think it would be quite easy, but I do struggle so. (There...did that sound English?)

Laker's Ordination

Spence and I made a flying trip to Utah last week to witness the ordination of his oldest son, Laker, to the Aaronic Priesthood. I planned our flight schedules around my Census work, because they said I could ONLY have 3 days off and keep the job, so I scheduled us out later Friday evening so I could work the required 4 hours that day. JOKE....After our week of training, we never got more than 2-3 hours a day, and the day before the trip they laid us all off. Too late to change flights at that point, so we didn't get in until late Friday night.

We were going to all go to Stone's soccer game on Saturday, but it rained most of the night Friday and then right up to game time Saturday morning, so all was canceled. So, Lisa and I used the time to plan our 'after the ordination' family party. We decided on a Pasta Bar, and headed off to Walmart to buy our food.

Lisa opted to make a delicious Alfredo type sauce with chicken, and I did the classic red sauce....and I mean classic. I bought 3 jars of Classico red sauce in different flavors and mixed them together. What a snap. We sauteed mushrooms, onions, peppers and garlic shrimp for toppings, added a salad and garlic bread, and cut up fruit for dessert, served with sour cream mixed with brown sugar. That was so delicious...tastes like a light caramel sauce but not icky sweet.

Laker was sustained in Sacrament Meeting with all of us present, (Smiths, Noels and friends and other family including Suzanne Smith and her new husband, Russell Dye.) Lisa, Laker and Jaxon all bore their testimonies which was a lovely surprise. After the block Laker was ordained, and the Bishops Office was packed. We then headed home for the food and a lovely relaxed evening. I was so focused on dinner I forgot to take my usual pictures, so I will wait for Lisa to send me hers, so I can add them to this post.

We returned to Simi Valley on Monday.. Way too quick of a trip.

Moroccan Magic

Thanks to the inspiration AND help of Liz Smith, Evan's wife, our Gourmet Cooking Club had a Moroccan feast at our house on April 18th. I was so inspired by seeing Liz' blog for their dinner that I decided to copy, and it was a great decision.

Liz surprised me with a box full of lanterns, pots, spices and a beautiful cloth to help me create the atmosphere. I used her blog, with its pictures, for ideas, and then I called my good friend Doreen Neser to come over and help me put it all together. My contribution was finding place mats and a runner for the table. And Spence picked the oranges and lemons off the tree for me.

The table was set, and Liz' CD of Moroccan music was playing as the guests (other cooks and spouses) began to arrive. They were AMAZED at what they saw. I have NEVER done decorations for one of the dinners before.

In our club, the host decides the theme and prepares the main course with accompaniments. The other 3 chefs prepare the appetizers, soup/salad, and dessert. These assignments are rotated with each different dinner.

This time, the appetizers were prepared by Kent Hambly, who brought Moroccan Cigars served with many types of olives in his own marinade. These were coupled with a Crispy Vegetable dish, similar to Ratatouille, served as a lettuce wrap. These were both delightful and different taste treats for the palate. The Moroccan Cigars were made with filo dough filled with seasoned beef and baked to a golden brown. The marinade for the olives had lemon juice, olive oil and a variety of delicious herb.




The salad course was prepared by Ruth Gulden and consisted of three different salads (all courtesy of Liz Smith). My favorite was the Radish Salad because it was so different and an unexpected way to serve radishes. It was accompanied by an Orange and Olive salad sprinkled with crushed anise seed and mint, and Moroccan Spinach, made with Moroccan Preserved Lemons Lemons and lots of cumin.

For the first course, I prepared a traditional B'steeya, which doesn't show too well in this photo. It is made with a filling of chicken, simmered with many spices and herbs, combined with egg and stuffed in a filo pastry shell. It is unusual because it mixes the sweetness of cinnamon, sugar and almonds with the spicy chicken mixture. It was a huge hit.

Following the B'steeya, I served Lamb Tangine with Cous cous topped with a mixture of caramelized onions, toasted pine nuts, raisins and cinnamon.

Following the main course Steve Hambly served the Persian Love caked served with sugared rose petals and pistachio nuts. It melted in your mouth with its whipped cream topping flavored with saffron and the subtle cardamon flavoring in the delicate cake.

This was an evening to remember...and we all toasted with our Pomegranate Orange Spritzer, and left with happy tummies.

A People Counter

Well, on April 6th I began my training as an enumerator for the US Census Bureau. I received a notice by email from Church employment, and I thought, why not me? So I signed up, took the test, and was one of the lucky ones to be called. I am thinking speaking Spanish helped me get this job.

I thought it was going to be a physical challenge, because they asked us to work 30-40 hours a week, after our 5 days of training, but that actuality never materialized. I did spend 2 8-hour days on my feet, but with no problems. It is stop and go walking, which works just fine for me. I didn't even borrow the clever little cane that has a seat on it from my friend George.

We were told we would be working for about 8-10 weeks this first round, but that didn't materialize, either. The government, in its wisdom, hired too many quality control people for the amount of listers. I am quality control, and we can accomplish our task in about 20% of the time needed for the listers, and we cannot do ours, until they are through. So...the listers are working 40 hour weeks and getting behind, while we are lucky to have a 10 hours week. We (the intelligent quality control group) suggested that they transfer some of us to listing, since we were trained to be listers, to even out the work load, but NO....the government couldn't do that. It is a separate department, evidently...so we sit around and wait. This is only the 4th week, but it looks like we will be through by the end of the week.

I did get to use my Spanish on at least 10 different occasions, however. A funny anecdote....I knocked on one house, showed my badge, and the 6 year old standing there looked at me and asked if I lived in the jail. Wonder what has gone on in that house? Illegals, maybe???

So far, every penny I have earned has gone for car repairs... My car died, and I needed not only a new battery, but a new fuel pump. Ahh....such is life.

I never thought I would go back to work!!! Well, except maybe to be in a movie or a TV show or a commercial.

Too Much Happiness

"A banquet AND and dance. That is too much happiness." That is one of my favorite lines from my favorite Gilbert and Sullivan operetta,..The Gondoliers. The music is SO much fun to sing, and beautiful to listen to. This particular production reunited several old friends and brought many new ones into my life. We had an absolutely incredible cast, including my dear friend Andy Krigel, with whom I have done this particular show twice before at Moorpark College. It also reunited me with Karen Cozen with whom I have done gobs of shows, Gabe Vega with whom I have done at least 5 shows. Comedy Tonight, Gabe's company, produced this show which was performed at Oxnard High.

Our female leads all had incredible, legitimate, gorgeous, outstanding, and marvelous voices. They really helped me to raise my standards and perform to my best ability. Kudos to Virginia, Kristin and Cathleen...amazing.

Our guys were incredible, too....Kenny, Luis, Noah, Gabe and Andy....in fact...everyone was incredible. I guess that is why Rita Moran said she almost felt 'blissful' when the whole company was onstage singing. We WERE an incredible ensemble.

I will ALWAYS love G&S....and I hope I get a chance to do more before I can no longer move on stage. This one had a fair amount of choreography (simple, but...I still had to dance), and I also had to get in an out of a cleverly built gondola...with doors that swung outwards. Bet you don't see one like that in Venice. Thanks John! I will post pictures as soon as I get my CD.

Geriatrics and Gymnastics

When I found out that my grand niece, Natalie Williams, was going to be competing in a gymnastics event in Costa Mesa, I decided to make the trip down to watch her perform. Since it is about 90 miles to Costa Mesa from here, I decided to go down a day early and spend the night. I had just recently hooked up with my old friend, Chris Kennedy, on Facebook, so I invited myself to visit her and Kurt for the night. Fortunately, they were willing.

I drove to their lovely home in San Clemente on Thursday afternoon, and the 3 of us had such a lovely day visiting. Their home over looks the ocean and Catalina from their living room and back yard...What a view. They drove me all around the town, which is lovely. I have only driven through San Clemente, but have never seen the gorgeous town. We walked on the pier, and I took tons of pictures, most of which never turn out, but that is the beauty of the digital camera.

After breakfast the next morning, I headed for the Fair Grounds in Costa Mesa, where I spent the next 6 hours watching these beautiful young women (many of whom are Olympic hopefuls) do their routines. Of course it was wonderful watching Natalie. She made quite a splash. There were 11 girls in her age range and ranking, and she garnered a first in beam, a first in vault, third in bars, fourth in floor and second in overall, missing first by only 0.5 of a point. I joined the team for dinner at Denny's after, and then drove my 90 miles home. It was a lovely day. Here are some video links of her performances. Enjoy them..

Mother Abbess, again?

This goes way back to last March/April when I was a cast member in Sound of Music at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. I was one of the nuns, but was also the understudy for the Mother Abbess, which role I performed the last six performances of the run. I also did the part the night of the two dress rehearsals because Kim, the REAL Mother Abbess, was ill. The following montage of video and photos by Larry Schilkoff is very entertaining and beautifully done, and it just happened to be filmed during those two dress rehearsals. If you have 12 minutes to spend, click on the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1053041050789