Hot Off the Presses

Yeah, my brother was quoted in LA Weekly. Love it. Love my baby bro.

Click the pic for the article

Alarm Will Sound

An LA Weekly write up on my brother's show happening this Saturday night!
Click here!

Dirty Jobs

What are you doing this Saturday? The coolest event in town will be at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Dirty Projectors will be performing with the LA Phil & Alarm Will Sound. That's my baby brother Matt Marks' group and he's arranging the music.
They're presenting The Getty Address. It's a story about a guy named Don Henley (yeah, that guy) who falls in love with a gal named Sacajawea (yes, that one).
I like their song Ascending Melody. Here's a link. It's a trip.

My brother's group is classical, but they recreate a lot of electronica - among many other things - but here's one of my faves.
Here's 4 by Aphex Twin...

Here's Alarm Will Sound's version with instruments.

Just Beachy

Manhattan Beach Pier on Monday.

See the hint of a rainbow on the left?

Don't stand so...Human ladderI spyMuscle beachChoppers & surfersBeginners

Sweet Nothings

I had a little Valentine's Day party! Take a peek..
(your surprise is at the end of the post...)

Sammy stopping to smell the roses...For moi?!I see pink elephants...
Christy & Jaden opening their gifts. Always my favorite part!
They baked these sweet treatsGive me a smooch!Hearts on the ceilingMy gift unwrapped!

When I was young, my mother surprised me with treats on Valentine's Day. A bit of chocolate, stuffed animal, candy hearts or stickers. I loved the anticipation of a gift. The surprise! Knowing it would look pretty, taste or smell good. (That's still how I roll.)

So, this Valentine's Day, I learned my favorite 9-year-old Jaden had bought me a Valentine's present with her allowance. That's when a funny thing happened to me. I turned into my mother.

I didn't realize it until I started putting this together. This is just like what my mom used to give me.

And she loved it!
BTW, Jaden bought me the pink elephant, because I simply adore pink pachyderms!
Don't think I forgot your present!
Click here to print a big coupon.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone xo

A Thin Line

between love

and hate

Hitting the Sauce

Isn't this sweet? I made it!Sam liked it too!
I know, gross. And yes I washed the plate immediately...after finishing what she left behind. ha

So, feeling a little under the weather + craving comfort food = made mom's spaghetti.
I added ground turkey meat to the beef, but the turkey turned white & had a strange consistency so I'm sticking to beef next time. (Normally add a dash of olive oil & minced garlic but forgot.)

I sauteed the mushrooms with pam to soften them before adding them to the cooked meat.
After combining the two, I added one chopped onion, several cans of tomato paste, diced tomatoes and water... oregano, basil, garlic powder (because I forgot the minced garlic), salt & pepper.

Let it simmer for an hour. The longer the better!


My kitties grew impatient & took my computer hostage so I made a healthy dessert to pass the time.

This ambrosia cake is not 100% homemade but it's easy. I watched Sandra Lee make it on the Food Network. Click here for the recipe.. I did not follow the complete instructions btw.

Take one angel food cake from the grocery store & slice it into three layers.

I opened the cool whip to let it soften a bit.

Grew impatient & tried to spread it on, which didn't go that well.Dollop crushed pineapple on top of the cool whip. I drained most of the water, but I would've used more water from the can to let it saturate the spongy cake next time.

Next layer, apricot preserves. Apply liberally!Then top with mandarin orange slices. Lots! I didn't add nearly enough.

I cut up strawberries & tossed them in stevia, which is natural & more healthy than sugar. It sweetens them and takes away the tartness.My cake isn't perfect but it's yummy!
I didn't cover the cake in cool whip because I like fruit & filling more than frosting. Sandra's recipe calls for mixing vanilla yogurt with the cool whip. Maybe I'll try that next time.

Hiding my face because
1. I didn't feel good and was wearing no makeup
2. look at my pretty kitty & cake!


Everyone was happy with the results!

Made my mom's spaghetti recipe from memory and she's mailing me the full & correct version! ;)