Cherry Blossom Season

 

It is cherry blossom season around my neighborhood and things are looking bea-u-ti-ful! I love these trees whose delicate flowering blooms last such a short time (roughly one week to 10 days). In honor of these beauties, here are some fun facts and a couple of California gardens where you can enjoy them.

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Sore Throat Remedy

                                                    (picture by Floydian)

You know the drill: first comes the scratchy throat then a runny nose followed by an irritating cough and next stop…bed for a few days, yuck! This was one dance I didn’t want to partake in (dancing, even on a good day, is not my strong suit) when I felt the first “tingles” of a sore throat. Luckily I have learned of a few sore throat busters if you catch it early enough.

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Two Years After Goodbye

Today is the second anniversary of my mom’s death. It is interesting the skills you sharpen after saying “goodbye” and what a gift they are. Here are two big gifts (for two years), when looking back, I realize I gained from my mom Two Years After Goodbye.

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Free Hollywood Adventures

“And the Oscar goes to…” that is what many of us will be listening and waiting to see this coming Sunday evening at the 89th Academy Award Show. With all of its glamour and pomp, living the Hollywood experience seems out-of-reach to many of us. However, you can get into the spirit by visiting these free attractions in and around Hollywood,

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Valentine’s Day

This is a day that conjures strong emotions be it love, hate, rigid indifference, saturated marketing campaigns…whatever your present situation, I hope you enjoy the day.

Here are some qualities to consider when choosing your Valentine, are they

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Rainbow, Did You Know?

So, it is still raining in California…unbelievable and delightful!

One of the most beautiful things about rain is its rainbows. They are magic colored stripes in the sky that capture our imagination…promising us that the world will once again be beautiful and that the skies are full of fascinating wonders.

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Best Park in Oslo, Norway, Vigelund Park

The seemingly impossible natural beauty of Norway is invigorating and intoxicating. Combine that with museum quality sculpture and you get Vigelund Park.

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Top Santa Barbara Lunch Spot

SB_EateryAll this rain we are having in California has left me soggy. Even though I know we need this rain with our severe drought years in the running, it has nevertheless left me dreaming of sunnier days. One such day was spent at the delicious Benchmark Eatery in Santa Barbara, California.

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Easy Sweet Potato Kale Pasta

SWPKP_PlateThis Sweet Potato Kale Pasta is an easy one-pan recipe that is nutritious, delicious and doesn’t leave a mess in the kitchen. It’s “clean cooking” at its finest.

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Norwegian Klippfisk

Norway_Klippfisk_1.jpgName that fish. Well, you have a bit of a head start as it is in the title of this post, but go for it — yes, Norwegian klippfisk! Norwegian klippfisk is a dried, salted cod that is the old/new darling of northwest Norway. It was also once one of Norway’s most important exports.

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