Farmer's Market

I think Farmer's Markets are a really good idea.  We all benefit from eating fresh, locally grown produce.  It helps the local economy and is healthier for us.  So, I'm pleased that we have a nice market just a few blocks from my home.  However, when you are a working slob like me, it's hard to find time to attend an event held during regular working hours.

So, as I had an early morning appointment, and was going to be late for work anyway... I took  a little detour on my way to the office.  Whittier's Friday morning Farmer's Market is a surprisingly bustling place.  It was the first time I'd been since they moved to the parking lot off Bright and Philadelphia.  I got some really fresh vegetables.  Yummy and flavorful.  There were more vendors there than I remembered from last time I visited.  Some really evil man was popping popcorn in a huge vat.  I love popcorn and the smell was maddening.  It reminded me of a Saturday morning matinee, without the sticky floors and screaming kids. 

After tasting some of the produce I purchased, I'm sorry I didn't buy more!  But it's hard to tell sometimes how much to get.  It all looks so good, but there's a limit to how much one person can eat. 

Often I will stock the fridge with really great produce, only to get caught up in my hectic life, and later discover it has all turned to soup by the time I get around to eating it.  My doctor, who is from India, has been trying to encourage me to go vegetarian for years.  When I complained to her about this principle, she thoughtfully suggested I make soup when I first bring the veggies home instead of waiting for it to turn into soup on its own. Yeah, she's a real smart alec.  But she does have a point. 

I spent a few years as a vegetarian, so it's not like I haven't tried it.  Living in California for any length of time does that to you.  It's the same with going into therapy or rehab.  If you live here long enough... but I digress... I actually bought some tofu last week, intending to marinate it and fry it up with some greens.  It's still sitting in the fridge, too.  I'm going to try NOT to wait to see what it turns into when left to its own devices in the cold dark of my frigidaire, so I need to get to the store tomorrow for some marinade.  Except the Chuck season finale is on TV tomorrow night, and I can't miss it, which may put the kabosh on any experimenting in the kitchen. 

And so it goes... Sometimes I think that Purina should just come up with People Chow for folks like me who are so hopeless in the domestic department.  You know, it could be labeled like they label cat food:  there could be People Chow for kids, for adults, for seniors, for seniors with an active lifestyle, and special formulas for folks with diabetes and other ailments, canned versions and kibble.  Soylent Green analogies aside, I think it could work.

Day in the OC

Angela, Denise (not visible) Sabrina and Dannika at our marketing meeting.  We have a nice group of  marketers in our company.  It was nice to spend some time with them.  We've got a bright, creative and supportive bunch.Here is Emma.  She was in charge and did a fine job.

Cognito Ergo Dim Sum.. I think therefore I like Chinese Food...

I work with a lovely bunch of people.  Today one of our senior engineers, Doug, took us all - the Corporate office and the LA office -  out for dim sum lunch at the Ocean Restaurant in Monterey Park. 

This restaurant is lovely and noisy!  It's like taking a little trip to China without leaving California.  Here I am with Hilary, who is currently in the process of getting her master's in engineering.   She is a lovely young lady.

Here are the other two tables of our coworkers.  Barbara is facing the camera.  We had a good group in the far corner of a very large dining hall.

I was seated at a table of 8, and was one of two Caucasians at our table.  Below this picture you will see Edward and Ivy - caught by surprise by my lightening fast super hidden camera. (sorry!) I've taken to carrying said camera to inflict terror and humiliation on unsuspecting folks.  It's nice to have a pictoral history of places I've been.  This is an extraordinary place.  You can see behind them how huge this place is, and it is always quite packed at lunchtime.  The waitresses all speak Chinese, too, so it is really a fun cultural experience.          

Here are Hilary and Christina (below).  It was nice having four Chinese speakers at our table.  They helped to run interference with the Chinese speaking wait staff, and helped explain certain dishes.  Some things took a little courage to try.  And it was a test I failed miserably this year.  Last year I was fairly brave.  But this time... well, however delicious they may be, I couldn't make myself try the duck feet.  Lots of yummy food, besides that, believe me, I didn't go hungry - but there are always a few things that just don't look appetizing to my Western palate.  We had such a pleasant time, though, overall, and I certainly enjoyed the company.  I think it's very nice of Doug to do this for us every year.  Thanks, Doug. Shu shu. (or however you spell it)

April Birthdays...

Caravaggio move over...

Here is the special effects shot of Lisa, Laura and Paula's birthday party!

A great time was had by all of the participants. Thanks Mark!

Whittier Stake Emergency Preparedness Fair

The fair was well attended on Saturday. The police were there, the firemen were there, neighborhood watch groups were there, the Boy Scouts had a display, the Red Cross did too, and I also saw Whittier Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital and the Home Depot there.

There were hand-outs and demonstrations of everything from first aid to how to sprout seeds. Brother Morin was in charge of that and had some very useful handouts on seed viability and gardening.








Each ward had a different booth, and there were also several Utah companies that sell food storage items represented.



Here is Alecia Lai (in blue). I'm not sure what she was doing, but she looked great, as usual.











I was able to talk to a lot of people and get all kinds of hand-outs on things to help you through an emergency.
















Here is the Home Depot group. They were handing out yardsticks and duct tape, so they were very popular.






Sadly, my photos aren't the best. I've been experimenting with different settings, and trying to get candid shots of folks takes some practice!



There are a few things I still need to be doing to prepare my own home for emergencies, but I'm getting there! It's nice to get good ideas from professionals. I suppose you are never totally prepared for a real emergency, but every little thing you can do, does help to alleviate fears. My latest purchases have been a tarp and a solar powered flashlight/radio. Baby steps...

Administrative Professionals Week

On Friday we jad the nicest surprise!  Here is our boss, Eugene, shown here with Carmen and Barbara on the steps of the Athenaeum.

The office ladies had a treat this week for Administrative Professionals day. We were treated to lunch at the exclusive, members only club at The California Institute of Technology, The Athenaeum.

The Athenaeum is supposed to be in the top 4% of private clubs in America.

The Athenaeum was built in 1930, and in 1931 hosted the first big formal party - for Albert Einstein.


It was fun getting to dine where Einstein had dined. I kept my eyes open for the seismologists they interview from Cal Tech all the time when we have earthquakes - but didn't see them! I had to be content to bask in the radiant erudite intelligence of the other clientele.

Lunch was a buffet with carved rack of baby lamb, swordfish steaks, fresh fruit, and more salads, veggies and yummy stuff than you can possibly imagine. Dessert was a white chocolate mousse with a hazelnut raspberry crust. Talk about hog heaven. I'd forgotten how lovely a 4-star restaurant can be. The white jacketed waiters kept out of site, but were there the minute you needed something. It was truly a treat.


Here are Barb, the office manager, Carmen, our receptionist and me in front of the entrance. The architecture was splendid and old world European, with coffered ceilings and hanging tapestries, It was just fun.  I'm so lucky to work with great people!

Earlier in the week, we received edible arrangements of fruit to nibble on. I spent all day pigging out on fruit. The pineapple was juicy and absolutely to die for, and they dipped the tart apples slices in chocolate, which is my favorite food group.

What a fun week!

Trip Down Memory Lane

Here are Even Iversen, my great-great grandfather and Kjersti Madsdatter, his wife. His children were the first Evensens of our clan and the first the come to America in the late 1800s from Ringsaker, Hedemark, Norway.

They gave up all they had to come to America.

They settled first in Murray, Utah, close to Salt Lake City.

Their son Nils is my great grandfather.