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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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....

Digitally Archive Precious Photos and Important Documents

I hear this over and over from clients..."oh I didn't back up my computer....all my photos were in a box...I lost my paperwork...I'm crushed...I don't have any photos of memories from my past...they were destroyed".  I see it on the news during devastating times....thousands and thousands of people who lose precious photos and are broken hearted;  documents that can't be duplicated, or if they can, take weeks and months of precious time and lots of red tape to replace.  It doesn't have to be this way.....If you don't want to lose your important documents and sentimental photos and videos...please take the time to scan and digitally archive your precious memories. It's such a simple thing to do...it just takes a little time every day to get it done. Make sure you triple save it...whether on portable external hard drives kept in a waterproof case, on DVDs also kept in water proof cases and/or on an internet cloud.  Make sure you put them in 3 different places with easy access so in times of emergency, you can grab it. This way, you will ALWAYS have a copy on hand no matter what happens. Please...make the time...or hire someone to get it done for you...you'll be glad you did!

©2012 Rebecca Dru  All Rights Reserved

STOP

Stop…whatever you’re doing…whomever you’re criticizing…or judging…or yelling…or complaining about….just Stop….for a moment…take a deep breath…appreciate that you’re alive…be grateful…   ©2011 Rebecca Dru Photography All Rights Reserved

Post Physical Therapy!!

On Jan 25th, I had knee surgery to clean up a multitude of tears in the cartilage in my right knee.  While not a huge fan of surgery, it was time to deal with the pain and the inability to function in terms of my lessening mobility.  Dr. Louis Kwong juxtaposed it to a ripped fingernail; if you don't even it out and file it down, the tearing continues until there's nothing left but chronic pain.

I began Physical Therapy (PT) a week later at Joel Scherr, RPT, Inc (in the West Cedar Sinai Medical Tower) with Ernie de la Torre.  I was weak and severely out of shape....beyond what I thought...

I'm thrilled to be able to use my precor elliptical 546 again adding 5 min. increments every few days...today I start at 35 minutes. I already have my big ball for my mini-squats (That doesn't sound right!).. my resistance bands and free weights; I'll use the bottom landing instead of buying a STEP for now.... I just got my multi-position slant stretch board for my calves, legs and back.... I have a REBOUNDER mini-trampoline for jogging and my Pro Fitter Physio Kit for continuing to strengthen my legs and gluts, both due in any day...and now I just have to look into bungee cords for some other forms of strength training.  The only thing missing is Ernie....my Physical Therapist.  Upon viewing Ernie's pix on FB, my husband stated," Oh, no wonder you like going to PT, he looks like a Playboy!!"  Yes, Honey, he does...but a very married one. 


Here's to building strength and maintaining it!

©2012 Rebecca Dru  All Rights Reserved

I choose "Happy"

It takes more effort to be miserable than to be happy and yet so many people choose misery....  Choose Happy...small steps...start finding moments in your day that lift you... focus on them....laugh...heartily...let go of those who drag you down....get rid of the chaos... Find creative outlets; write...draw...paint...snap pix...sing...and laugh, laugh some more... I choose happy!!

©2012 Rebecca Dru  All Rights Reserved

Want to learn a new language?

Do you want to learn a new language...not sure how to go about it?  A dear friend of mine who teaches languages...in fact, was my French teacher in 7th grade (A LONG time ago...), suggested to us, when wanting to learn Italian, to label, in Italian, every single item in our home with stickies.  This way, every time we looked at something, we'd see and say the Italian word and start to use it.  Then...learn some verbs, even if you get the tense wrong, start to use it to put sentences together with the items around your home.  Eventually, you'll start thinking in that language.  Lastly, find people in your neighborhood who speak the language and try using it with them....or go visit that country where they speak the language, if you have the opportunity...and use it.  You'll  start to get the hang of it.  Every time my daughter visits a country, she takes a course in the language there so she can keep building up her skills and apply it while there.  Little by little you'll become proficient!!

My Rant of The Day: INVESTING

When FB had their IPO...I had lots of people asking me if I was going to invest....and I thought long and hard about it but decided they were way overpriced...I mean WAY overpriced.  Had they opened at $8/share, I would've dove in for the long term.... but they were 5x's that amount..no thanks.  With millions of people on FB....they have definite potential... but for now, it's all air right now.

So here's the way I have always looked at investing; Investing in the stock market is a legal form of gambling....if you're going to put money into it, don't put it in unless you have it (don't borrow from someone) and be prepared to lose it, so it's not going to make you or break you. 

Remember the stock market is a roller coaster;  It's great when the stocks you buy go up....but they also go down; it's all cyclical. Use your head and do your homework; Just because people hype a stock, doesn't mean that you buy it..that's why they're hyping it..they convince you to buy and then they sell...you've lost and they've made a bloody fortune.  

Read...Read...Read....the internet makes it easy now inform yourself, financially.  I read everything I could....every publication out there... this was after I asked a relative, who's livelihood is in the NY Financial District, to help me and he refused...I educated myself. Then, and only then should you think of investing.   

I, personally, will never use a "financial advisor"...because in the end, if you're up on everything...they don't know anymore than you do...and now you've entrusted someone else with your money.  Good luck!

©2012 Rebecca Dru All Rights Reserved

Beauty on my Balcony

Well...we may not have been able to see the Solar Eclipse from West Hollywood today...but we could still enjoy the sun....

©2012 Rebecca Dru  All Rights Reserved

Seafood taco from Primetime Cuisine on Wheels

Yesterday, Lovey and I went to LACMA for a lecture on Latin American Art and then enjoyed the exhibits pertaining to the lecture (will get to that in a different posting).  Being that we keep saying we're going to try the food trucks, this was a perfect opportunity as they're always lined up on Wilshire Blvd across the street from the museum.  One thing I always do with truck owners/cooks/chefs...whatever label they give themselves...is..I want to know from where they got their passion to cook and how they have developed their palate. So as I visited the trucks, I asked. I'm only featuring one of the 3 we tried (too full to go on)...because they're the only one whose food fit their passion.  

The first truck is called Primetime Cuisine on Wheels; the owners of the truck are from Mexico. The husband handles the orders and the business and his wife cooks...and boy does she!  She's from a town near the sea outside of Mexico City..next time, I'll remember... (as I want to know what region they come from and are they seaside or inland). We're going to make this one our stop next Saturday...and try some of their other dishes... (and we promised the Hungarian Hamburger guy we'd try a burger and goulash too...  

We also tried the Korean NY Galbi Truck, did not like at all...and the Cali Bhan Mi Truck...his flavor was good but his execution was lousy..the veggies inside were too thickly cut, and his pork was dry and tough which made it unpleasant to eat.  I asked him about how he got into this type of Vietnamese cooking...and at first he seemed incensed that I would ask him..but..I like to know about people's passions....his was from eating it in San Jose....but never had he gone to Vietnam or really studied it.  His bread was good..his spices and flavors were good....I just wish he'd learn how to cook the pork for it...and slice his vegetables thinly...if not via knife..then get a mandolin.  These things make a difference.  I can only wish him well..but I will not be returning...nor will I recommend it.

Okay..so let's get back to the Mexican.....

The first truck we came upon was Primetime Cuisine on Wheels which was strictly Mexican (as opposed to a fusion) so we went up to the window and asked what is their specialty; seafood, with the fried crispy shell....so I ordered only one taco to taste.

I'm not going to go into a food writer's dissertation here...it's plain and simple...OMG...OMG....SCRUMPTIOUS...YUMMILICIOUS... I should've trusted my taste buds and not bothered with the other trucks...and just ordered more from them....perhaps next Saturday, I'll see you there!

©2012 Rebecca Dru   All Rights Reserved

Whenever I Go to a New Doctor, I Say This.....

I hear a lot of people complaining about their doctors...never questioning them on treatments or if they don't quite understand something or feeling less than. Remember, you're paying for a service, you should feel comfortable with whomever you choose.  Don't be afraid to ask questions, to be informed about every aspect of whatever your issue is.  Don't be afraid to say something if you feel intimidated by your doctor.  Here's the way I see it....

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.

Don't ever be afraid to speak up!!

First...let's get down to business....If you live in CA..please make an effort to sign this!

Since this is a California Ballot Initiative, we need in-person, physical signatures. We cannot gather online and have until April22nd to gather 800,000 signatures to get this on the 2012 California Ballot. California registered voters can go to http://www.labelgmos.org/ and find their local area leader and find out where they can sign. :) Thanks for being aware and helping spread the word.

Do you ever think about what you're putting into your mouth....and I don't mean going to extreme's...just basic things...processed things...  Here's just an example..  Ethanol and Shellac are common ingredients in processed food, chocolate, candy and confections... read on to see what these.  Next time you think about eating a candy bar, a breakfast bar...snack food...put on your glasses (if you need them) and read away....I think you might be horrified by what you see and think twice about putting it in your mouth...something fresh... organic, non-GMO might be a better alternative.... 

Ethanol within the human body is converted into acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase and then into acetic acid by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. The product of the first step of this breakdown, acetaldehyde, is more toxic than ethanol. Acetaldehyde has been shown to increase the risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver, multiple forms of cancer, and alcoholism.

Shellac is a brittle or flaky secretion of the insect Kerria lacca, found in the forests of Assam and Thailand. Shellac is considered edible and it is sometimes used as a glazing agent on pills and candies. This coating may not be considered as vegetarian as it may, and probably does, contain crushed insects. In the tablet manufacture trade, it is sometimes referred to as "beetlejuice" for this reason. Shellac is known to cause allergies on contact, resulting in skin irritations.

©2012 Rebecca Dru  All Rights Reserved

Rebeccadru on Redbubble.com

Started a new page on Redbubble.com... posting my favorite shots I've taken over the years.

To the "Entertainers" out there and the people who mimic them...."Conversate" is NOT a word. The correct word is "converse". It takes less time to write, less time to say.... Learn it!

Do you pick it up or pass it by?

I was brought up to believe in the value of every coin....and we collect over $100 in coins every year just along our walks...sometimes it puzzles me how many coins we find as though someone just emptied out their pockets at the mere annoyance of coins.


Curious....if you see a coin on the ground...be it a penny, nickel, dime or quarter....do you pick it up or pass it by?

Today, as we returned home from our walk with the dogs, I found $60 today wrapped up in an ATM slip that someone obviously dropped walking up my street... some would say...keep it....but I feel it necessary to go to the bank to return it to the rightful owner seeing as their bank balance wasn't too high..that could be a day's pay....

What would you do?