Monthly Archives: January 2015

New York Pizza Made in California

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“Like sex there is no such thing as bad pizza.
It just is an extraordinary taste treat.”
Andrew Zimmern

Homemade Pizza Pie

Our Homemade Pizza Pie

Who doesn’t love pizza. In fact, I don’t think I know one person that says they hate pizza. It’s been a staple in my family and my husband’s family all our life.

My husband is from New York, so he knows that the best pizza comes from New York. We have been searching for good pizza in Southern California for the past 23 years. It’s mission impossible when it comes to good pizza made in California. I’ve been telling my husband that the reason is the water. California water is so horrible compared with New York’s water. That’s the only ingredient that is missing from California pizza. But, he never believed me until we were at Cortina’s and an Italian women from New York City agreed with me about my water theory.

We decided to try our hand at home made pizza. I made the crust from scratch; I bought fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh homemade sauce. We cooked it at 500 degrees on our grill. I thought it tasted pretty good. My husband said it was good, but it still didn’t taste like New York pizza. He agreed with me that it must be the New York water that makes “real” New York pizza so delicious.

Our next attempt at pizza will be using New York water. We just haven’t figured out how our New York City friends can send us some New York tap water. When we do figure out how to get the water, we’ll have the best “real” New York pizza made in California.

Shine On

I’m Happy

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“Being happy
enables one
to be freed,
or largely freed,
from the domination
of outward conditions.”
Robert Louis Stevenson

happyhamsterComedian, Jake Johannsen has a funny comedy routine about the subject of being happy. He tells about his little daughter who announces out of the blue, that she is happy. Life is just that simple, as this comedian points out. Life is about, being happy.

Being happy may sound simple and easy, but most people don’t even know what makes them happy. That’s why I believe there are so many people on Prozac. Some people believe that someone else can make them happy. Others believe that having lots of money will make them happy. I believe that everyone, first of all, needs to know what makes them happy, to become a happy person.

There are a lot of generous people that help less fortunate people and that’s what makes them happy. Volunteer work is a great way to give back and get back. The other way to give back is a “pay it forward” type of giving.

The concept of “pay it forward” goes back as far as ancient Athens in 317 BC. It was also written about by Benjamin Franklin in 1784. Not until the book and movie, “Pay it Forward” written by Catherine Ryan Hyde came out, did people begin talking about this concept.

In her book, the author describes “pay it forward” as: . . . an obligation to do three good deeds for others in response to a good deed that one receives. Such good deeds should accomplish things that the other person cannot accomplish on their own. In this way, the practice of helping one another can spread geometrically through society, at a ratio of three to one, creating a social movement with an impact of making the world a better place.

It’s always amazing to me how life can sometimes imitate art. Because of the impact of the novel and movie, an organization “The Pay it Forward Movement and Foundation”  was founded in the USA helping start a positive ripple effect of kindness acts in many places around the world.

It doesn’t take much effort to be happy and to make others happy. A smile, a “how are you”, a nod of approval or just telling someone you love them, can make all the difference in someone’s life.

I feel very fortunate because I know what makes me happy. What makes me happy? Usually, they are little moments in the day, but those moments last a life time.

That’s why, “I’m Happy !”.

Shine On

That’s Living

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“Be as you wish to seem.”
Socrates

Coleus plant from the Manhattan Beach Mall.

Coleus plant from the Manhattan Beach Mall.


There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and the people who create it.

Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.

Love the people who treat you right.

Pray for the ones who don’t.

Life is too short to be anything but happy.

Falling down is part of life, getting back up, that’s living.

J R
Shine On

Dreaming Big

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“All our dreams can come true,
if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Walt Disney

The Great El Capitan in Yosemite National Park as painted by Albert Bierstadt.

The Great El Capitan in Yosemite National Park painted by Albert Bierstadt.

For the past few weeks, the news has been covering the free-climbing of El Capitan by two young determined men. The men made history Thursday, January 15, 2015 when they reached the top of El Capitan.

With daily news of terrorist attacks, blizzard killing storms and a dysfunctional Congress, this ascend by two steadfast men gives us all a glimmer of hope.

Perseverance. Team Work. A positive attitude. These are just some of the virtues that these climbers of El Capitan had to help them climb this historic mountain in Yosemite. But their real inspiration they said came from their families and each other.

Their climb to the top of El Capitan is an example of what can be achieved when you set your mind to something. I know I will never ever climb to the top of El Capitan. Mostly because I suffer from acute mountain sickness. However, I do believe that we should always reach for the stars. Always reach for the impossible. Sometimes achieving it. But most important is to never stop dreaming big.

Shine On

On A Clear Day – You Can See Forever

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“Could anyone among us have an inkling or a clue
What magic feats or wizardry and voodoo you can do?
And who would ever guess what powers you possess
And who would not be stunned to see you prove
There’s more to us than surgeons can remove
So much more than we ever knew
So much more were we born to do
Should you draw back the curtain, this I am certain
You’ll be impressed with you”
Alan Jay Lerner

Mid afternoon on the Esplanade
It’s as clear as my eyes can see
Watching the dolphins and sea lions
Skimming through the water
Watching the seagulls and pelicans
Flying, floating smoothly and so free

My mind is clear of clutter
My thoughts are few between
Except for one beautiful song in my head
By the dear Alan Jay Learner
Sung by the great Barbara Streisand
On a Clear Day – You Can See Forever

By: J R

Shine On