Pageant of the Masters 2018

I gave myself a treat for my birthday this year, and went down to Laguna Beach for the Pageant of the Masters, a yearly community artistic event where actors portray famous art in tableau.  It's fascinating to see one scene deconstructed, as they demonstrate the intricate process of the event. 

This year's theme centered on "Old Laguna" and took a historical trip up through time, showing how the area became one of the foremost art community in Southern California.  Photography is not allowed during the performance, but the venue itself is spectacular, so I thought I'd share a couple of shots.

I'll have to remind myself next year that food and drink is allowed to be brought in, though no glass containers are allowed in the theater.  Parking was quite reasonable if far away, with a free shuttle available from the lots.  There's a few weeks left in the season, so if you haven't yet caught it, go!

Melissa's Muscato Grapes and Balsalmic Marscapone

Avocado Toast is so yesterday.  I made a simple spread of one tub Marscapone, one small tub sour cream, and 1/4 cup balsalmic vinegar to use as a dip for fruit on my last Hollywood Bowl picnic.  The figs from my neighbor's tree were divine with the Marscapone spread!  But the best part was I had enough leftover to last me for the week.  Waking up to sourdough bread with balsalmic Marscapone spread, topped with Melissa's Produce Green, Red, and Black Muscato Grapes at the height of season has been the best way to savor the end of summer.  

Every Chef Needs an Apron

One of my most cherished possessions is a small collection of aprons that belonged to my Grandma.  I have the blue one in this photo from the late seventies or early eighties, where my mom and grandma are decorating sugar cookies.  The apron has green and red piping on the edges and pockets in the front.  

My mom just made me a new apron, using grandma's as a template.  It's so cute, and so much fun to have one made just for me.  The fabric has playful monkeys, an inside joke with my mom.  My mom lives on the other side of the country, so this was a sweet surprise to receive in the mail.

Today I went to a friend's to make a holiday Scottish whiskey fruitcake, so I broke in my new apron.  I love creating new memories with my mom in the kitchen, even when she can't physically be with me.

I'm sure I posted about this many years ago, when my dad and I first made it, but my mom asked for this photo because of the apron, so I dug all of these up.  My grandma had nine children.  She cooked from scratch and was famous for her noodles.  Her noodle cutter saw use after repeated use throughout decades, the paint nearly worn off the handle.   After she passed, it was given to me, and I asked my dad to help me make a shadowbox with her picture.  I couldn't find a photo of her using the noodle cutter, but the apron was iconic, so this was the photo we printed for the shadowbox.  It's in my kitchen to this day.  Every time I use or see one of grandma's tools I'm reminded of her resourcefulness and fortitude.  And of course, love, just as I wear my mom's love in my new apron.