“How to Blow Smoke”: The Art of Smoking Meats…

"Smoked" Baby Back Ribs

“Smoked” Baby Back Ribs

This guide or cheat sheet is a combination of many hours of hard work smoking various meats, researching and reading “how-to-smoke” via websites, TV programs and the trial and error method.

Good luck — “Blowing Smoke”.

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“A Desert Vacation: La Quinta Resort & Club”…

Bella has been working weekends for the past few months due to her responsibilities as Chair of a local music organization.  As a result, she is LONG overdue for a golf and spa resort vacation.  I suggested she may like the La Quinta Resort & Club where I spent a weekend back in 1996.  As I recall, Arnold Schwarzenegger stayed at the resort the week before I arrived.  Back in the day, stars such as Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Ginger Rogers, Bette Davis, Robert Montgomery and Erroll Flynn were guests at the resort.  In fact, Frank Capra wrote the script “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the resort.

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“A White Christmas in Connecticut”: Photo Essay…

Well, I can’t dance like Danny Kaye but I have been tempted to “attempt” a karaoke of Bing Crosby.  It’s been nearly thirty years since I’ve seen snow during Christmastime.  Bella and I are crossing our fingers that we might “sniff” some of the powdery white stuff (so-to-speak) while we are in town visiting dad over Christmas and New Year’s.

“Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it ‘white’.” — Bing Crosby

NYC: Rockefeller Center

NYC: Rockefeller Center

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“Holidays in Cambria”: Photo Essay…

We haven’t been to Cambria in nearly three years and it’s hard to name a much better spot to get into the holiday spirit than ever-so-charming Cambria, CA.  We have less than 48 hours this year so we’ll have to “sniff in” on only our favorites or new additions on our short list.  Even though it’s early December we’re already feeling in the Christmas mood after just celebrating Thanksgiving with my brother’s family at our place.

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“Irving and David Go to the Circus”: Venice, CA

My college mentor, Doctor Irv, was in town with his wife Irina for a convention.  I met the doc 21 years ago during my college years at a local swim, tennis and athletic club where I was a personal trainer and he was a member.  I was fortunate enough to be available for a Saturday jaunt with Irv in Venice, CA.  I haven’t been to Venice since about 2002 so this should make for good entertainment and fun photographic opportunities for both of us.

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