Monday, February 28, 2011

Mellow Yellow Monday #110 - and More - Santa Cruz and Sony Holland, February 28, 2011

Our beautiful California coast with its yellow blooms - we saw this all the way down to Santa Cruz

When I got the news that my beloved Sony Holland and her equally talented songwriter,
guitar virtuoso husband, Jerry Holland, were headed north for a two night gig, first in
Santa Cruz, 60 miles south of Daly City, then at the Rrazz Room in San Francisco, I 
contacted two friends and we decided to make a weekend of it.  We knew Sony's local
fans would head to Santa Cruz and it would be a family reunion for all of us. A weekend
of beautiful music, Holland style, with dear friends, was just the medicine I needed
right now.

My nurse practitioner friend, Kris, drove to my house from San Francisco and we
picked up Edith on the way.  Our trip started with a delightful surprise when we spotted
this little deer in a yard as we head out to the highway.  I was amazed since we were
in a residential neighborhood!  She was so cute, posing very nicely for us!



Just as we got into Santa Cruz, we stopped for lunch at Vasili's, as I have every time
for about the last twenty years. Vasili's is a wonderful Greek restaurant and it was
packed - as always!






Edith, who is part Greek, had to be photographed, of course, with the Greek flag!

We had about a five minute wait for a table.  That gave us enough time to carefully
look at  what everyone else was eating and we already had our orders decided by the
time we sat down.  All of us chose the same thing - the lamb shish kebab.   I also had
taramasalata, a dip made from fish roe.  I love it although I'm sure my primary care
 physician would tell me I should avoid it because of my hypertension.









Edith and Kris



Edith says she's going to drive down to eat here once a week!



Outstanding lamb kebab



Award winning red Greek wine for $18!



Kris and me, too full for dessert!

It was delicious, though, and I've never had better lamb shish kebab.  We washed it all
down with a nice award winning bottle of non-retsina ( never could get attached
to the taste ) of Greek red wine that cost only $18!

After lunch, we checked in to our hotel for a little nap.  It was so cold but the predicted
snow didn't materialize the whole weekend.  It was wonderfully bright and sunny.



Puffy Santa Cruz clouds


I did try to get online from the Hampton Inn but they had to have the absolute worst wi-fi
connection I've ever encountered.  I finally gave up and packed away my computer. 

We headed out early to get to the Kumbawah Jazz Club in plenty of time.  It was a good
thing because it was hidden away in a remote alley and we had difficulty finding it.  A
kind college student guided us so we were able to see our Sony Holland buddies and
catch up on gossip long before the show started.

I can't begin to say enough about Sony and Jerry's performance.  They are absolutely
fabulous on a bad day ( on the rare occasion they might have one ) but they were super
stars on Saturday.  Jerry has a new guitar - Sony joked that he still has time to return it
but, if the tunes he played on it are any indication, that guitar is definitely a keeper. 
When he accompanies his beautiful wife, there is no other musical instrument needed.
Sony sings all kinds of music, songs from the Great America songbook, country, blues,
the whole gamut - but where she makes chills run down your spine are when she
sings the incredible lyrics her husband has penned for her.  This man, in my humble
opinion, rivals - and even surpasses, the greats like Cole Porter.  He is a genius with
his lyrics.


Sony Holland


Jerry Holland






Edith and Sony


Sony and Carmen


Sony and Jo

Before I left for San Francisco, I had dowloaded a list of all the bars in Santa
Cruz, figuring we would go out and celebrate after Sony's show.  Well, the first
two reinforced what we already suspected.  We were not up to the UC Santa Cruz
college scene.  A block away, we could hear the music blaring and, once the
door opened at the club, we were blasted out into the street,   I looked at the
young man sternly and said, "I know you are someone's son so where would you
send your mother for a drink and some nice music?"  Within five minutes, we
were settled at a lovely spot, 515 Kitchen and Cocktails, where I had a fabulous
blend of tequilas and Parma Liquor, Edith drank only a ginger ale, and Kris had
a champage cocktail with Elderflower Liquor ( that is the yummiest stuff ).  We
shared some appetizers and were in bed by 2AM.

We had a beautiful coastal drive back to San Francisco, had another geat Sony
and Jerry Holland performance at the Rrazz Room, dinner at American Sushi House,
and now it's back to reality, packing and facing the future.


Sony at the Rrazz Room


Sony Holland fans


I am participating in Mellow Yellow Monday - check out the site and join in the fun!




Mellow Yellow Monday, #111, Indian Women in a Field, March 7, 2011

This week, I am again using a photograph, so graciously allowed  by my dear friend,
Rohan Saraf, Royal Caribbean beverage manager and outstanding photographer.  This
was taken recently during his vacation at home in India.  I found it very appealing and
immediately thought it would be nice for Mellow Yellow Monday.   Thanks, Rohan, for
letting me share it with my blogging buddies.


This photo is copyrighted and is the property of the photographer, Rohan Saraf. It
may not be used in any way without his express permission. I appreciate being
allowed to share the beautiful photography of my friend, Rohan, with all of you.

I am participating in Mellow Yellow Monday -  check out the site and join in the fun.




Saturday, February 26, 2011

Camera Critters, #151, Not So Itsy Bitsy, February 26, 2011





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Friday, February 25, 2011

Friday Flash 55 - Shivering - February 25, 2011

I can't believe the headlines,
Snow may be on its way,
For San Francisco natives,
We don't know what to say!

I had lived here just a month,
When snowfall made the news,
In the thirty-five years since,
We've had no wintery blues!

Imagine all the crazy thrills,
With snow adhering to our hills!

Carmen Henesy


Copyright (c) Carmen Henesy
February 25, 2011


I am participating, like so many fun and witty other folks, in Friday Flash 55,
the brainchild of Mr. KnowItAll.  Check out the site and join in the fun.


 

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Alphabe Thursday - "T" Is for Tripe - February 24, 2011


Tripa ala fiorentina by avlxyz

"T" is for tripe,
I think it's quite yummy,
Though many won't let it,
Enter their tummy!

This stomach of beef,
Or sheep, pigs or goats,
Can't make it down,
Some people's throats.

Tripe needs preparation,
And a good cleaning, too,
Slow simmering till tender,
Is what one must do.

Then one adds the things,
That make it sublime,
Garlic, spices, tomatoes,
And pour on the wine!

From Mexican menudo,
To andouille of France,
Honeycomb tripe,
Is not looked at askance!



tripe by acme

I ate tripe last Friday,
A taste of old Italy,
The dish was as fine,
As any could be!

Don't turn up your nose,
Without trying a bite,
You may finally decide,
That tripe is all right!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) Carmen Henesy
February 24, 2011

I am participating in Jenny Matlock's Alpabe- Thursday - check out the site and join in the fun!





Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Ruby Tuesday, Silvia's Paintings, February 22, 2011

My friend, Silvia, has a collection of wonderful paintings.  I photographed three of
these for my Ruby Tuesday offering today.










There is hardly an inch of wall in her home that isn't covered with art of some kind.  I
always enjoy being there!

I am participating in Ruby Tuesday - check out the site and join in the fun!




I want to take a moment here to thank the beautiful Dulce, who lives in the Canary
Islands, off the mainland coast of northwest Africa. I've cruised in the area but have
not had the pleasure of stopping there.  I would so love to meet Dulce who writes the
most amazing poetry on her blog, My Duality.  She has given me a "Stylish Blogger"
award and with that I understand I am supposed to let you know five things about
myself.  Well, in a couple of other awards, I believe I've told all and there is nothing
else to say. 

I'll give it a try, though.

1.  I went to a Catholic boarding school in north Alabama, about 150 miles from home
     for my first year of high school.  I had a scholarship.  It was run by the Benedictine nuns
     ( very strict ) and I lived in a dorm with ten other girls.  Camilla Livingston ( now Camilla
     Arthur, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama ) slept next to me and, to this day ( over fifty years later ),
     we are still the closest of friends!  She lives in Marietta, Georgia and we continue to see
     each other but not nearly as often as we wish.

2.  When I was a student nurse in New Orleans, during Mardi Gras, I challenged a sailor to a
      raw oyster eating contest.  I finished six dozen - he gave up at five dozen.  I could have
      probably eaten another dozen.

3.  My first cocktail was a sloe gin fizz. 

4.  I know everyone thinks this is gross but, when I die, I want to be cremated, and my ashes
     put in film cannisters ( I hope I've saved enough for my large body since no one uses film
     anymore ) and I want my friends, whenever they travel to take a cannister and send me flying
     about all over the world!  I am REALLY serious.  That's what I would like.

5.  My favorite confection is marzipan.  It doesn't need to be made into cute little fruits or
     anything ... I'll just eat a stick of the stuff.

I think I'm supposed to give this award to five people.  I know some folks don't like
receiving awards so, sorry, don't be offended.  You needn't do a thing.  I just like your
blogs and it's my way of saying so!

1.  Icy BC at Dances of Dreams

2.  Indrani at Frozen Moments

3.  Mountain Woman at Red Pine Mountain


Sunday, February 20, 2011

Mellow Yellow Monday, #109, Blue and Yellow Macaw, Honolulu, Hawaii, February 20, 2011

These pictures are from my archives, taken almost 23 years ago, when my oldest
son, Shawn, was seventeen ( he is now forty ).  We were on a trip to Hawaii,
vacationing in Honolulu.  On our way to snorkel at beautiful Hanauma Bay, we
passed a man on the road with a large yellow and blue macaw.  He had a sign up
offering photographs with the macaw so we stopped.  Th macaw was older than
Shawn!













I am participating in Mellow Yellow Monday - check out the site and join in the fun!

 

Check out the site and join in the fun.

Shadow Shot Sunday, #144, Cheers, February 20, 201

I enjoy a Grey Goose martini, on occasion, and, several years ago, when I found
these extra large martini glasses on sale at Macy's for half price ( they were
originally $15 each ), I bought eight.  Made in the Czech Republic, I thought they
were very elegant, especially with my specialty, Ginger Drop Martinis, in them. 
The downside is that, because of their size, they are hard to store!  I've also been
glad to have three living room couches so friends can stay over when we've had
a couple!

They make pretty shadows.






Here are the glasses.  My friend is selling hers but I've got more than enough.  With
my impending move, I should sell mine, too, but I love them!

I am participating in Shadow Shot Sunday - check out the site and join in the fun!


Saturday, February 19, 2011

Camera Critters, #150, Day of the Iguana, February 19, 2011

Iguanas are native to Central and South America and the Caribbean.  I am not especially
attracted to them but some people keep them as pets.  I have seen them most often on visits
to Mexico and Puerto Rico where I have requested they keep their distance from me.  They
have not always obliged!




I am participating in that delightful meme, Camera Critters!
Check it out and join in the fun!