NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

The name of my blog (and business) is, after all, A Little of This That and the Other and as I have never even come close to posting or talking about cooking before, I think this qualifies as 'Other.'  I made this salad for Thanksgiving at my cousin's house.  I was told to bring something green.  I considered bringing green jell-o, but decided salad might be more appropriate.  I asked a friend for a suggestion since I didn't want to bring the same old salad.  He recommended this salad.  With a little trepidation, I went to get the ingredients.  I had to ask what kale actually was and even broke off a tiny bit to taste.  It was VERY bitter, but as I had been assured that the salad was very good, I got everything I needed and went home to make it.  It was delicious!  The dressing and the cheese somehow take the bitterness away.  I have since made it a couple of times.  It lasts quite a while in the frig, so making the full recipe isn't a problem if it is only for you or one other person.  It is also perfect to take to a pot luck. 

The name of the restaurant this comes from is called

True Food Kitchen.

SPECTACULAR SKY IN SANTA BARBARA

The sky seemed to be on fire!  It was just so beautiful.

The sun sinking into the water.

Me and Dan

 Dan Smith and Matthew Hester

Dan Smith, Don Townsend and Brett Brooks

I was in Santa Barbara this last weekend for a memorial service to celebrate the life of Michael Hester, Dan's step-brother.  We took the Double Dolphin out to put his ashes into the sea.  It was a very emotional and touching tribute to someone who's life ended much too soon.  Although the occasion was sad, it was nice seeing old friends and family.

And for anyone wondering why I've been posting so little of my work lately, it's because a lot of what I've been doing has been either picked up by the designer or delivered by me to the client, but there hasn't been anything to photograph.  A pillow cover without the pillow form inside never looks quite right in a picture. The same goes for valances that aren't on rods.  Hopefully, this will change soon and I can go back to posting pictures of my actual work.

THE EVER POPULAR WHITE LINEN

 I delivered this slipcover yesterday to a client in La Jolla.  There was no need to take a picture of the 'before' as it was also a white linen, but was waaaay past its prime.

 Side view

 Instead of the buttons I normally do, my client requested something different.  This was after I had already cut the slipcover with the intention of doing buttons, so I had to figure out another solution.  They have dogs and were afraid that the dogs may chew the buttons off.  It was too late to do a zipper down the side and in an effort to foil the dogs, I chose to do ties.  

 The ties are hidden so there is nothing for the dogs to munch on!  My client was very happy with the compromise and I now have another option to offer future clients.  

Since I normally do not get sunset shots, I thought yesterday was the perfect opportunity since I was in La Jolla at the right time.  I left my client's house and made my way to La Jolla Shores.  As you can see, I was a little too late and only got the very last sliver of the sun sinking into the ocean.  I may try again today, here in Coronado, as we are having simple beautiful weather and the sunsets have been pretty spectacular.

A WINTER SUNRISE SKY

I couldn't resist taking pictures of the sunrise this morning.  My iPhone takes okay pictures, but as I didn't have my camera with me, it was better than not taking them at all.  I know most of the country is buried in snow.  Luckily, that is not the case here, though it  was kind of cold this morning (53 degrees) and I do realize that it is all relative.  We will warm up to the mid-70s today.  This is my idea of a perfect winter temperature!

A ROUND CHAIR

Yes, it truly is a round chair!  Seems like something you might find in Las Vegas covered in red satin.  In this case, though, it is just a very comfortable chair in a home here in Coronado.  And instead of red satin, my client went with brown velvet.  I keep thinking I've seen everything when it comes to furniture styles and what can be slipcovered, and inevitably something else comes along to, once again, show me this isn't the case.

AT IT AGAIN WITH PHOTOSHOP

 When I was taking pictures before Christmas at the Hotel Del, this was on the front porch and I couldn't possibly pass it by without taking its picture.  I just knew I could alter it in Photoshop.

 This is the inverted version.  It's not great, though I do like the colors.

 Now we're talking!  This is simply posterized and I just love the look.

With a filter of some sort.

But this is by far my favorite.  I like this one so much I made it the wallpaper on my iPhone.  I just love the colors and the overall look of it.

One thing I really want to do this year is more photography and then figure out something to do with all the great images I come up with. 

 I'm open to any suggestions!

STARTING THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT

Freshly cut from my tangerine tree!  And I just love the orange with the aqua colander and the green grass.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2011!!!

Do things you never knew you could do.  You just may surprise yourself in the process!

Make it your best year.  EVER!!!

(I swallowed fire 8 years ago.  Just an example of what you CAN do if you put your mind to it!)