Joshua Tree

I was at a dinner the other night and didn't realize that one of the women there was in her late 20's. I found out quickly when I mentioned how when I was 14 I spent the entire summer listening to The Joshua Tree album by U2.

She looked at me quizzically and said, "Who?"

Ohhh. We are not the same age, are we? Yes, that made me feel a bit old but it I also felt badly for her that she had not ever listened to one of the greatest albums EVER.

So I'm posting this here in case you've never heard it or needed a good reminder of some good music.

The entire album is AMAZING. It's awesome driving music, great break up music, great i'm in love music, great cheering up music.... It's just GREAT!

They've remastered the original and you can get it on amazon.com if you're interested. Or download it from iTunes. You can't lose either way.

So if you're on a street with no name, and you haven't found what you're looking for or if you're running to stand still ... remember this is God's country! Wow. I love this music!!

Enjoy!

My favorite facial cleansers

Trader Joe's Jojoba Oil

After years of being in direct competition with the country of Kuwait to see who has more oil - them or my face -- Kuwait has finally taken the lead! It's only taken them 25 years to beat my oily face out of the competition. One would think that at 40 years old I'd  be buying "aging" creams. But no I am still spotting a greasy face by 3 pm. So while that bodes well for less wrinkles (not that I'm not getting some!) it really doesn't bode well for acne. Yes. Acne at 40 is the bomb! Not!

Sigh.

Trader Joe's Natural Facial Cleansins Pads with Tea Tree Oil

So how did Kuwait finally beat me out? After years of spending big bucks on every type of cleanser out there - in a hasty mad rush to the store one day - I discovered Trader Joe's facial cleansing pads. It was on a whim and one of those "I'll try anything to fight this stupid acne" approaches and this time it really worked!!!

Here's the dealio, though. Those pads can be too drying for my face. 20 years ago - I don't think so. But since some of the aging process has calmed down my grease production some I can't just use these cleansing pads alone every day.

That is when I discovered the Jojoba Oil for my face as well. Who knew that cleaning oil with oil really does work?! I mean I had heard of that working before. And in my 20's I did try it to see if it'd work for me, but no luck. But now that I'm not the ultimate oil producer (thanks Kuwait!) the oil is really working for me AND my wrinkles!!!

Depending on my makeup level and grease level I either use the Jojoba alone (put a little on a cotton ball and wipe face down) OR I'll use the cleansing pads and then the Jojoba.

Oh, and I guess I should I also mention that for my birthday a few years ago I bought this beauty for my oilyness:

The fabulous Clarisonic facial cleansing brush. I had a facial in Hawaii and my facialist used this on me and suggested that I buy one as well. It took me 6 months to do it (I hate spending a lot of money on something that really doesn't work). But I tell you - this thing works!!!

I bought it at Nordstrom but you can also order it online as well. The woman there, though, suggested that I also by Philosophy's Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash to go with it. I swear that between doing that in the shower in the morning and my nighttime Trader Joe's routine that my face has turned a MAJOR corner!

So if you're having oil field issues on your face -- hopefully these suggestions will you help you as well. It took me 25 years to get this under control and I'm telling you IT'S AMAZING!!

Enjoy!!!

I'm smitten with Smitten Kitchen

I can't remember if I've ever posted one of  my favorite food blogs. If I have and you happen to know this... my apologies. But even so - look at this here cake!

Bee Sting Cake by Smitten Kitchen

I'll admit that I haven't been following her as much ever since she got way too busy and very popular on the talk shows. But here recipes are tried and true. I haven't made a bad one yet. But I just love how she makes things that are so everyday normal and tweaks them to perfection. AND AND AND also makes the different recipes out there and makes them more accessible to everyone else.

Take for example her post for today -- Bee Sting Cake. It's a German cake that her mother loved as a little girl. I loved that she kept trying for perfection (FIVE TIMES to get it right!) and that she doesn't quit. It's so nice to see nowadays. It's impressive.

So if you're a little late to the game about this food blog - never fear. I'm here to share.

If you already know about Deb and Smitten Kitchen then you too know how divine it is already!

Hope you enjoy!

Candied Almonds

Williams-Sonoma Medici Almonds

My grandfather was a lover of all things related to candy or nuts.  And candied almonds were his nirvana - the BEST of both worlds. I must agree as well. There is something so satisfying biting into the hard, yet sweet, outer shell and into the loveliest almond. YUM.

We used to find glass jars filled with these nuts - hidden behind other jars of candy, hidden downstairs in the basement where my grandmother never went. I remember sitting next to him on his couch, or on the pew at church and having his big hand of his sneak a little candy-covered nut into my little hand. His eyes twinkling, but his face not giving it away that he was sneaking me a little treat before lunch or dinner. Looking back I'm sure my parents knew. How could they not? It's not like you could be quiet chomping on this in church! LOL. Ohhh the good memories I have of my grandfather. I miss him dearly.

When I was much older and living away I would come visit him at his house and he'd always offer me some candied almonds while we visited together. After my grandmother passed away he was much more open with his love for candy, although, he still kept it hid from public view. I think that was mainly to appease my mother. She and her mother used to tsk tsk at his candy / nut loving ways. But guess what? He lived to the ripe old age of 89 -- just shy of his 90th birthday. So it's hard to say who was right about his eating habits. Sure, he could have lost some weight around the middle (who can't?) but he was happy. Always whistling while he worked, buying candy from locals and sharing them with whomever he met on the street.

He was a general surgeon and doctor to many, many people. I remember sleeping over at their house when I was little and being awoken in the middle of the night from the phone ringing. He took calls from patients 24/7. He always had his black bag in the back of his car and was prepared for whatever came his way. And you know what he also had in the back of his trunk? Candied almonds!

Williams-Sonoma gives us a little history lesson with these nuts on their website stating,  "Glazed almonds were first served at lavish feasts in ancient Greece, and sugared almonds dazzled guests at the wedding feast of Catherine de’ Medici and the future King Henry II of France in 1533."

Who knew? All I know is that they're delicious and without any real testing or proof - I think they kept my grandfather alive for almost 90 years!

I love you grandpapa!

Enjoy!

P.S. Williams-Sonoma is sold out of their Medicis Almonds. But never fear. You can buy Jordan Almonds on Amazon all year long. Woohoo!