Adios California, see you next year!

Tomorrow we leave for an 11 day road trip to Sedona, Arizona.  We've not been away for more than 5 days in more than 5 years and this is so very necessary.  I will try to post from the road.  I wish for you all many good things and much joy to come!

Today's Photo

I took the original black and white shot of the Medusa door knocker in Rome 26 years ago while traveling with my mom.  It was a quick trip but filled with so many wonderful memories of outdoor restaurants eating family style, butt-pinching men young and old, Gypsies, fountains, the Sistine Chapel and so many more beautiful things.

The expression on her face has always touched me.  She is not an evil creature seeking vengeance by turning people to stone but rather alone and forever unable to look into the eyes of another. 

My First Polenta

It wasn't as hard as I'd heard it was.  I added fresh garlic, salt, pepper and corn to the dry polenta and water mix,  nuked it for 8 minutes,  then put an inch layer in the buttered pan.  Then went down a layer of ortega chilies, black olives, and sauteed mushrooms in garlic.  Another layer of polenta on top of that, then muenster cheese, then baked it for 25 minutes at 425 degrees.

Rhett's 50th B-Day Party