Bec canning a jar of apple jam

Bec canning a jar of apple jam, a photo by rebeccadru on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Took a class with Jami Cakes in canning at Urban Homestead in Pasadena, CA....enjoyed it immensely..
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A homeless man at the sitting outside the Court building on Grand Ave

A homeless man at the sitting outside the Court building on Grand Ave, a photo by rebeccadru on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Los Angeles, CA (July 29, 2012)
©2012 Rebecca Dru Photography All Rights Reserved www.rebeccadru.com
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Zoomin' out to Fallbrook today to drop off my Suzuki Samurai for Fixin'....

Anytime I travel locally, anywhere I go, I like to research something about the area upon my return, provided I know I'm going to be returning (otherwise I do it before I go)...things I've seen, people I've met and the history of the town.  Today, we went to Fallbrook, CA (1869-) to meet up with my car, which had been towed 110 miles to the only place around that can fix my 1987 Suzuki Samurai JX.  They specialize in that car and the Tracker and all I want is to be able to drive the car again.

When traveling, I usually drive. The toughest thing about me being the the driver is that I can't take pictures…multitasking is off limits.  I see images and moments I want to capture on my camera and in order to capture them, I must rely on the person sitting next to me and hope they will shoot something as I see it.  The other alternative, if possible, is to pull off to the side of the road and grab the image…hop back in the car and continue on. It's kind of hard to do on the freeway but much easier to do once in town.

Today, my first goal was to  get to Petro Works to see if my car had arrived and discuss the details of what needed to be done to make it "like new"…okay…within reason. Once that was established, we had the freedom to drive off and explore, though, we were tired and not particularly in the mood to do much after our plans to get the car in earlier had been delayed by 4 hours by AAA's tow service.  We knew we'd be returning to pick up the car so we just did a quick once over with a few stop; noting the focus on oak trees, nurseries, farm stands, avocados and public art.

Once home and settled, I decided to do some research on Fallbrook to discover that they are indeed, like their sign, the Avocado Capital of the World.  What I noticed even more so was the display of public art.  We began on Aviation..as soon as I turned on Mission Road, whimsical sculptures caught my eye and I had to pull off to look..and the photo snapping began.  

Now that I'm home…I've already researched Fallbrook.  Did you know Frank Capra lived there?  We're going to leave early enough to take an morning drive down LIve Oak Park Road to catch the sunlight streaming through the majestic oaks…check out all the public art spots and snap pix of lovey with each piece…visit the Gem and Mineral museum to see the pink and green tourmaline...have a bite to eat, purchase some fresh tomatoes at Eli's stand and pick up my car.  Driving on the freeway at 65 mph in that toy with the wind whippin' at me…the sun beating down on me…and Lovey following behind all the way home…I can't wait!! 

KITSON'S DRUG SHIRTS SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE!

I am sickened by this message from the Kitson Men's store on Robertson, a photo by rebeccadru on Flickr.

Dear Kitson,

Who's brilliant idea was it to create these shirts....after the HUGE drug problem in our Country as well as worldwide....why would anyone in your company think this was a good idea to create drug shirts and sell them. Even if you were doing it with humor, it's just not funny and it sends a terrible message....and then to put them in the window only adds insult to injury.  I'm so disappointed in your company...

Personally, I think you should burn this project...take the window down and be more responsible in what you present.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Dru

Seth and Sara...Love at the Boxing Gym

Sisters Lissy Wilson and Rebecca Dru

Sisters Lissy Wilson and Rebecca Dru, a photo by rebeccadru on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Christmas Eve in WeHO, CA (Dec 24, 2010)
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Gay Pride West Hollywood, CA

Gay Pride West Hollywood, CA, a set on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
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Walkin....walkin and more WALKIN'.....

Lovey becomes part of the mural....

Lovey becomes part of the mural...., a photo by rebeccadru on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
La Favorita Bakery â Mexican bakery featuring family recipes from Mexico City (2305 E 4th St...on right, past Soto St)...Since 1971 large pan dulce selection. Known for great chewy bolillos. ©2013 Rebecca Dru Photography All Rights Reserved
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Flowers and Shadows

Flowers and Shadows, a photo by rebeccadru on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Beverly Hills, CA (May 27, 2013) ©2013 Rebecca Dru Photography All Rights Reserved
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Salsa Verde and Short Rib Tacos

I just came from Oaxaca...and I love their salsa verde.  I didn’t want to research any recipes...I just wanted to make it with flavors I thought worked...so I picked out 6 good sized green and 5 red jalapeños, 2 full bunches of really fragrant Cilantro (sometimes it has no smell or it smells old)...came home...rinsed it off...put the whole bunches right in the vitamix (minus the rubber bands), cut off the stems of the jalapenos..tossed those in...added a half cup of sliced deli pickled Jalapeños with the juice and pinch of salt...a swirl of Mandranova extra virgin olive oil....and flipped the switch to emulsify the mixture.... I wanted the textures smooth and creamy...

The whole thing took less than 3 minutes to make from start to finish and the flavor is incredible.  Poured it all in a quart sized jar and refrigerated it....I took the left over in the vitamix...added a little water and poured it into my simmering short ribs to add just a little kick.

The short ribs....   Took a package from Costco with 6 pieces at about 8” strips.... seasoned them with a little kosher salt...browned them on both sides..sliced up a sweet onion and tossed that in....mixed it around to soak up some of the browned bits from the meat.  Ricky from Palm Restaurant had been so kind to give me a bottle of SKYNNY white wine a few weeks back....and since I didn’t have any chicken stock....I decided I would use the remainder of the bottle (about 3/4 full)....poured it in.....added a few cups of water to cover the ribs...a heaping Tablespoon of brown sugar....the leftover salsa verde in the vitamix jar cleaned out with a little water....some red pepper flakes.... turned up the heat to boil.....then turned it down to simmer for hours....leaving the cover on but open about 2”....

4 hours later....tossed two corn tortillas over an open flame to heat up...added a little short ribs on each....a line of salsa verde across...and YUMMILICIOUS it was!!!...along with a little fresh sliced pineapple...

So quick and easy!!

Whenever I go to a new doctor....

Whenever I go to a new doctor, I always start with this...."Hello Doctor, It's nice to meet you.  I need to say a few things first.   Firstly, I'm not a big fan of doctors...I've had some horrible experiences, so this is what I need from you.  I need a doctor who will treat me with respect; a doctor with a heart, who's kind, caring and compassionate.  I need a doctor who'll speak to me in layman's terms and explain everthing to me so I understand exactly what's going on.   I need a doctor who is a human being and doesn't think he's god.  If you can give me that and your time, then let's continue.  If not, I'll turn around and walk out the door." Generally, it catches them so off guard that they soften right up and are totally different than had I not said this.

Jami Cakes on Red Bubble

+Chef Jami Cakes  has a new site and will be adding one new photo a week..check it out! Just click on this space to open the window....