Mmmm

What do you get when you add Trader Joe's Pumpkin Muffin mix, Betty Crocker cream cheese frosting (far superior to Pillsbury...) and top them with mini chocolate chips? Really happy co-workers!!! Add this recipe to things to make at our future bakery.

I'd post a picture, but they're already on the main desk and I'd probably look really full of myself if I started a cupcake photoshoot for all to witness...if I didnt already buy all my ingredients for the Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake & Pumpkin Pie Wontons I'd make these instead!

Abnormal

I finally got a call back from the dermatologist saying that both mole biopsies show abnormal cells. When I asked what that means exactly she went on to explain - only she used medical lingo that was way over my head. When I asked if these could be cancerous she said I'll just have to watch them closely to make sure they're healing properly and not growing back. If they do come back I'll have to have a different kind of surgery. If all heals well I just need to have them re-checked in 3-6 months.

Auntie C - have you ever had any come back abnormal and if yes is this anything to fret over?

Northern Lights

This past weekend the fam rented a granny mobile and drove up north. One thing about these granny boats is that you'd expect all kinds of room to stretch out and chillax, however, in this case about 50% of the car was the trunk.

We stopped off at our usual, Harris Ranch, for lunch and spotted Jason Hervey aka "Wayne" Kevin Arnold's older brother on The Wonder Years. That was the only positive thing about that stop - the server was rude, the food was so-so & wayyy overpriced. Boo.

We finally reached the Baham's house and ate dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory. It was lights out early because we were going to the city in the a.m. All the ladies rode BART to Powell St and started our day off at Sears Fine Foods - famous for their swedish pancakes & home of Al's Special (swedish pancakes, eggs, hashbrowns & cornbeef hash). TO DIE FOR. We all split up and went shopping all over Union Square and we witnessed a HUGE group of people protesting the passing of Prop 8. It was overwhelming and emotional to hear that many people chanting, holding signs and people all around us were cheering them on. Truly one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed. It felt nice to be back in a place that is so accepting of other people and I teared up a bit alongside Mary as we watched every single one of them pass us by.







I guess over 1 million people around the US were out protesting on Nov 15th - wowww!

We saw Changeling that night and it was soooo good. I've heard people say they heard it was slow and uninteresting - I disagree. Every single person was perfectly cast and Angelina deserves an Oscar for sure. Very haunting & disturbing at times, but worth paying $10 to see.

The drive home was interesting - Dad seemed sleepy so I took over for a few hours and then Mom drove from the Grapevine on. It was a family affair. (In case you're wondering - Mary isnt 25 yet and can't legally drive a rental car). We spotted some fires on the hillsides outside Castaic on the way and it was very smokey. We all guessed the exact time we'd pull up to the house - Mom guessed 9:40 and then changed it to 9:50, Tony guessed 10:05, Mary - 10:00 and I guessed 10:23. We pulled up at 9:45 on the nose, which means Mom won (nothing but a chance to gloat) and yet she was also the driver...coincidence or scam?

Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone

Sings the infamous Joni Mitchell. She probably wasn't singing about Pumpkin Curry and all of its bountiful glory, but I digress...

I was introduced to the wonder that is pumpkin curry while living in SF. I was hooked with the first bite. I've always proclaimed my hatred for curry and it's smell, but this is different, I assure you. It's sweet and intoxicating and now it is no more.



How was I to know that this isn't a common dish at Thai Restaurants? That Sri Thai on Lincoln Ave was unique? I called about seven places last night and every time I got the same response. First a hushed laugh, followed by an "Excuse me?" Followed by "Did you say pump-kin curry?" Yes. "No we don't have that here." Click.



I had to settle for Carls Jr. and let me tell you - Carls is NO substitute for pumpkin curry. Waaaaaaaaah.

Mixed Emotions

I watched and listened to Obama's speech last night with chills and a few tears. It was one of those I'll never forget this moment kind of moments. It was transformational where I felt like we do have an impact and we will come together and change for the better. I'm baffled that not everyone is on board and it's hard to understand where they're coming from. I'm really trying.

But this morning I am heartbroken.

I'm shocked and disheartened that prop 8 passed. We've come so far how can discrimination still be alive on such a huge level? A friend shared this article with me and so I will share it with you, my 3 readers. I couldn't have put it better myself and I won' t even attempt to:

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/11/stripped-of-the.html

The Hunt For The Ideal Black Purse

It's been tricky, folks. I'm not one who is typically drawn to black. And so when it comes to finding a black purse it's nearly impossible. Most of them I see are too dull or way too shiny, almost plastic-ky. I found one I adored in this little boutique on Haight St while living in SF. When I took it home and loaded her up there was this overwhelming fish smell. I was paranoid every time I used it, not wanting passers by to think it was me & not the bag. It went away eventually and was told by many it was the smell of fake leather.



It wasn't a happy union - the bag was very difficult to get stuff out of and I was constantly feeling like I lost stuff when really it was just "lost" in the deep dark pits of the fish purse. She eventually pooped out on me and a huge wire rod poked through the "leather" and snagged many a blouse of mine.



Alas, after many months of searching I found one that struck my fancy. I hope she's better to me than the last...