Life in the Quirky Burbs of SoCal
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Winter in Rancho Cucamonga,CA.
Snow blankets the San Gabriel Mountains during the winter. Fortunately for me, the snow remains in the mountains--never falling on my front lawn.
A second nearby mountain range: San Bernardino Mountains is home to Big Bear Lake, and Forest Falls (location for: Here Today, Zombie Tomorrow).
Oak Glen: apple picking, Yucaipa: Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Farm.
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I'm always talking/writing/blogging about my pups.
This is Chanel, a spaniel-poodle mix wearing her winter coat. Chanel is 4 years-old.
My little Velcro dog is full of cuddles and doggie kisses. Chanel also tattles on Gavin when he's poking his head in the pantry or snatching one of her favorite toys.
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Gavin's the new guy.
A 1 year-old West Highland Terrier I adopted from the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Rescue three months ago.
He's a sweet little boy who loves to play and keep his (large) paws either dirty or muddy.
He lopes like a little bear and watches T.V. (really watches). His favorite show is "JAG". Grabbing his blue stuffed dog at 9:00 AM, he searches for me to turn on the T.V.
Quotes
My Favorite Quotes about Life
" On a bad day there's always lipstick."
Audrey Hepburn
"Kindness is free. Sprinkle that Stuff everywhere."
Snoopy, Peanuts / Charles Schultz
My Favorite Place (not in SoCal) to Grab a Snack
Cafe Du Monde , French Quarter, 800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA
The best cup of coffee. Ever.
Coffee & Chicory may smell like dirt, but tastes like heaven. There's a subtle bitterness to it, but the flavor's surprisingly smooth. Chicory is the root of the endive plant, and it adds a slight chocolate flavor to the dark coffee roast and takes away much of the bitterness.
The beignets are the main attraction, though. Crispy on the outside, pillow-soft on the inside, and heaped with powdered sugar, they're the best hunk of fried dough you're likely to ever have. They come in an order of three, hot from the fryer, with the powdered sugar melting softly into the sheen of oil on their surface. Eat them as soon as your tongue can take it — the hot melty gooeyness combined with the crunch of the surface is a delight of textures. It's easy to eat three by yourself.
Café du Monde has been serving up their crispy beignets and creamy cafés au lait since 1862.
My Favorite Fine Dining Place (Local)
The Magic Lamp, 8189 Foothill Blvd /Route 66 (Red Hill Country Club Dr)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
My personal favorites:
Escargot Bourguignon (10.99 this is a bargain)
Magic Lamp original recipe, served with our house made cheese toast.
Salmon Filet
Fresh salmon filet baked in puff pastry atop a red wine tarragon sauce. Served with fresh vegetables.
Cherries Jubilee
A dessert classic prepared tableside. Large bing cherries flamed in their own juice with cherry brandy and orange liqueur served over vanilla ice cream
My Favorite Drive-Thru Lunch
The Chicago Hot Dog
1 all-beef hot dog
1 poppy seed hot dog bun
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon sweet green pickle relish
1 tablespoon chopped onion
2 tomato wedge
1 dill pickle spear
2 Italian peppers
1 dash celery salt
(Never add ketchup).
My Go-To Breakfast Order
Eggs Benedict
At home I'm perfectly content to have yogurt and fruit, or hot oatmeal. However, if I got out for breakfast or prepare a Brunch after church, it's always Traditional Eggs Benedict for me-- on a toasted English Muffin, or once every Blue Moon over toasted rye bread.