Author Archive
Santa Ynez Trail at Topanga State Park
For total serenity and silence, I suggest the Santa Ynez Trail at Topanga State Park. Hike is a four mile loop that's downhill going to the falls and uphill back. Trail is very clearly marke...
Historic Greystone Mansion and Park
Incredible getaway for a lazy afternoon - free and SO close! In 1926, Edward Laurence Doheny gifted his son Edward "Ned" Laurence Doheny Jr., and his daughter-in-law Lucy, with a 12.58 acres parcel of land. Greystone ...
Marshmallow Skewers
Fun No-bake Treats! Melt chocolate and margarine in a double boiler. Dip marshmallows in melted chocolate and then in toppings. Cool to set chocolate and toppings. Thread onto skewer. A big hit! You can pick almost anythin...
A Dozen Simple Bagels
I took the recipe from the King Arthur Flour website, which I really like. (By the way, best thing to order from that website is precut sheets of parchment paper - lifesaver for baking). I would modify the recipe next time - not sure wh...
Fryman Canyon Loop
Centrally located and a very nice alternative to Runyon Canyon! It is a short, 3 mile loop that isn't very crowded. Located in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains on the north side of Mulholland Drive, it offers spectacular views. A...
Easiest Plum Torte Recipe
Seasonal prune plums started appearing in local markets a short time ago. They're great for baking...split, pit, and bake them in this quick and easy dessert. I mix the five ingredients in a food processor and then bake in a 9-inch round fo...
Yingst Farm
About an hour away from our area in Little Rock is Yingst's Farm. The owners are super friendly. Fun wheelbarrows to push around while you pick. Wear closed shoes because there are prickly things on the ground that are unpleasant tou...
Egg Challahs
I baked round Challahs for Rosh Hashanah last night. I love Mrs. Heller "the Challah lady" from NY's recipe. The recipe is: 4 Tbsp Dry Rapid Rise Yeast 6 lb bread flour (a 5 lb bag + 4 C) 6 C warm water 1 - 1.5 C sugar (depending on how...
No-Knead Bread
It's kind of cool - you put flour, yeast, water, and salt in an ordinary bowl, join the ingredients, let it sit 12-18 hours and throw it in the oven. Absolutely nothing to it...and the bread is delicious. In a large bowl combine flour, ye...
Beacon Hill at Griffith Park
Beacon Hill at Griffith Park. Great hike. 2.5 hours long and easy to moderate difficulty. Great views of the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown LA! Directions: Turn left at Los Feliz and cross the freeway and turn right on Crystal Spri...
