Category Archives: Happy Couples

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Saving the Best for Last ~ A Christmas Bride

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Dana and Andrew tied the knot! And everyone was aglow – I’m sure it was because of all the love and joy in the room. The rooftoop wedding was stunning and the rain waited till after the ceremony to  lend it’s winter chill. 

The location, Loft Seven was a great site –  and delightfully intimate for this party of 130 friends and family.

These are 2 of the 5 sisters. My favorite daughter of another mother, Tash was ebullient all night long. 

I loved this clever winter wonderland display for table assignments. 

Remember my dear brides, simple and elegant equals a beautiful and memorable wedding.

Public Declaration of Love on Father’s Day

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That’s my hubs on the surfboard below, and this post is his gift today.

Isn’t he cute?  he’s 56 and  as handsome as he ever has been.

We’ve been married since 1979.

I don’t mean to sound like a know it all, but I pretty much know everything about him.

And so do his kids.

Hayden James wrote his college essay about my Johnny,  about the person in his life he most admired. This is what he said about his Pa:

“One aspect of my father’s personality that I try to mimic is his treatment of others. He treats everyone the same way, whether he’s talking to the nine-year-old kid he coaches in lacrosse or his boss at work.  There’s no condescending tone and he talks to you as an equal, no matter who you are.”

Nice, huh?  He really is a genuine good guy dad with a heart full of love. Allison likes to say that we won the family lottery.  We like to hang out together, go figure!

On his birthday this past year he got the “I love you dad” letter from sweet LBC. (It was a little about me too,  but that’s not the point today) I made him forward it to me and I read it over and over.

It made me feel so good  - I read it aloud  to him a couple of times too.

Here’s my favorite part:

“But I’m not scared of love, and I have the two of you to thank for that. I know that it’s hard, and it takes a mountain of patience, a forrest of compromise, and a few oceans of good communication, but you’ve taught me that it’s possible. And while it’s not always rainbows and butterflies, if you put in the time and the effort and if you really do love someone and they’re ready to love you back, amazing things can happen. That is by far the most important thing that you have ever taught me, and the beauty of it is that you didn’t teach it to me, you showed it to me through your love for each other and your love for all of us, and for that I am forever grateful. “

Blessings on the best dad  of all time,  I love you forever John Cook.

 

Sustainable Salmon fit for the QUEEN!!

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Perhaps, we weren’t all a twitter with the rest of world about the wedding. You know the one. (Where do they get those hats anyway?)

BUT…  I do know where they get their royal SALMON!!  The same place I do!

Loch Duart Sustainably Raised Salmon was the main course last Friday at the royal reception, and  we got that confirmed through our friends at Clean Fish. For all you Angelenos, you can get it at any earth conscious fish monger – I’m particularly fond of my friends at Fish King in Glendale.

Pip Pip, cheerio and good luck newlyweds. Keep eating well!

The Bannon’s Blissful Vegan Wedding at the Natural History Museum

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A vegan wedding at the Natural History Museum?
That’s certainly a beautiful venue and no problem for the team at Jennie Cook’s.  Jennie has a long history of cooking delicious vegan/vegetarian  offerings and has an extensive menu  (partially listed at Plantbasedparties.com).
As the ceremony was finished… the guests were treated to passed appetizers of risotto fritters, beanie pops, and  empanadas.
The reception was held in the rotunda, a stunning room with a giant statue of the three Muses as its centerpiece. Guests arrived in the rotunda to a plated salad followed by tomato soup.  Bread and seasoned Olive oil with arugula flowers were waiting for them on the tables. The third course  was a buffet that offered Celebration Loaf (a vegan take on Beef Wellington), sliders, grilled vegetables, and cashew cream potatoes gratin and our signature green beans with chile pecans and a sesame drizzle.
There were quite a few remarks of “hmm wow, that’s vegan?”  After the food was eaten and coffee/cake service was finished, the guests retired to the Fin Whale room (a huge space with the 75 foot skeleton of a Fin Whale hanging above).
Once there, the music was cranked up and they danced the night away.  We wish the Bannon’s a lifetime of happiness.

Know Cow, Know Peace

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It’s that time of year again. Farmer Chris is taking orders for  his delicious grass fed beef.

The Kerstons
The Kerstons

His farm, Chaffin Family Orchards,  is  up the pike in Oroville.

I split a 1/2 cow last year with 5 friends.  If your interested, Let me know and we can increase  the order to a whole animal.

one pound packages
one pound packages

He’ll deliver at the end of June if the schedule is the same as last year. (Their olive oil is also delicious as well as the apricot preserves.)

Call for prices it’s different than your usual purchasing arrangements.

It’s a community service,  there is no mark up in the cost.

New York Strip Steak from Chaffin Family Farm

New York Strip Steak from Chaffin Family Farm

And they have big beautiful chickens for order too.

Remember… EAT WELL TODAY!

Chez Panisse for the Big Five Oh

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Last week, before my 50th,  I was sure my lacrosse loving husband had nothing planned for my birthday except a tournament game or two on the fields of the LA LaCrosse league.  Well, sweet thing  of mine, flew up to San Francisco and had scads of great activity planned!

Lindsay, Hayden, Mrs Cook and Allison

Lindsay, Hayden, Mrs Cook and Allison

We ( me and the kids)  were having a quick lunch before heading back  from our  Spring Break road trip, and the man showed up with hotel reservations and   a dinner date at Chez for  the whole gang!  Dinner was fantastic but the company… second to none!  I guess I’ll keep him for another 30 years.

 

LBC, ASC, HJC and Papa John

LBC, ASC, HJC and Papa John

How to Rig Stringer Lights

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When you need a post that isn’t there, try using an umbrella stand with a fence post. That’s what I did for this party. I also rented weights (sandbags) for the umbrella stands because I had so many, and when we ran out of those, we got big boulders from the parking area. I’m glad I did , it felt much safer that way.

We started in the afternoon, and danced into the night.

We started in the afternoon, and danced into the night.

loving the lights.

loving the lights.

The lights were as pretty as the bride and groom.