'Time in a Bottle'...I'm back!

My treasures from the ocean...including a bottom of a 1965 beer bottle; now, a 'sea glass' after 47yrs finding its way out from the ocean!The gorgeous cobalt blue dish with it's stand, is a 'thrift find' for $2.99.

Time in a Bottle~ Jim Croce 
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
Till Eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you
If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you...



Hi Everyone,
I'm back...not looking so great; but my eye surgery was a success...actually a bit 'scary'. Did not think that Retinal eye surgery would be so complicated...but if you have the faith and confidence, and know you have the best doctor, and surgical team, then half the 'battle' is done! Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words, your thoughts and your prayers!

I've been resting at my daughter's house, and just came home yesterday...but now, I'm going back there again. Cannot bend down, or lift anything heavy for two weeks, at least. My eye patch is off, and only have to wear it at night when I sleep (not to rub my eye)

I uploaded one of my most favorite song from 1973, by Jim Croce...Time in a Bottle. A couple weeks ago, my son found this beautiful huge piece of sea glass on the beach, and gave it to me...it was actually a beer bottle, from 1965, as you can see the back of it...from Geo. Ballantine & Sons, a famous Brewing company, that made Ballantine Ale. They were a huge beer brewing company that started out in the late eighteen hundred, through the sixties, until some other companies took over their name. The brewery has been shut down around that time, or even earlier! Well, that's the story on that!

Wouldn't it be nice to save time in a bottle?...yes, we can do that by cherishing every moment in our life, and spending time with our loved ones and friends! Doing 'good' for others, and seeing the 'best' and not the worst. If you could do that, you will have saved all the time, and can look back, knowing you have no regrets. Time heals all wounds...especially physical ones, and I will be on my way to recovery real soon!

I missed you, all...have a wonderful weekend! xoxo

My 'sea glass' collection...took at least 10yrs to collect these precious, perfectly polished sea glass that the ocean washes out. It's very rare to find a few, here-and-there, scattered on the beach. Just think; in order for these glass pieces to get these shapes...it takes several decades from broken bottles dropped into the ocean, to get these shapes! Beautiful jewelry can be designed by these gorgeous sea glass; I just don't have enough...or maybe!
As the saying goes..."one man's garbage, is another man's treasure". Apparently, these bottles have been dropped into the ocean off ships, storms and waves have been battering them to break up and form into shapes! You can  check out this wonderful website to actually view and purchase sea glass jewelry...absolutely amazing~
Out of the Blue Sea Glass Jewelry 

Photo, courtesy of... Out of the Blue Sea Glass Jewelry
 

What Is Sea Glass Or Beach Glass?

Sea glass or beach glass comes from our lost broken glass that found its way to the sea where it is transformed into frosted gem like treasures by the natural tumbling action of the tides. Both terms sea glass or beach glass can refer to glass that has emerged from the sea and beach glass refers to glass that has emerged from a body of fresh water such as one of the Great Lakes. In Puerto Rico sea glass is sometimes called crystal de mar or vidrio de mar. Sea glass is often poetically referred to as "Mermaids Tears" and washes up on beaches all over the world. In writing you will sometimes see seaglass, or beachglass. I love the oneness of "seaglass" after all those years in the ocean it has become something beyond man made glass. It is as if the glass has blended with the sea and the two are now inseparable. The way you can hold a seashell up to your ear and hear the ocean I find that you can feel the power of the sea when you hold a piece of sea glass in your hand.

Orcas Island Sea Glass
Amazon.com Sea Glass Jewelry 

Farewell Brunch...3rd Day!

Brunch, at Perry's on the Embarcadero-sponsored by Godiva Coffee...Granola, Yogurt, and Assorted Berries

I'm already nostalgic about posting the last day of the Blogger Festival, but then after everyone else has left, I stayed on, an additional 3 days to stay at another, more economical hotel with Joanna, since she stayed till the end of the week, it made more sense to try to economize.
"Local Farms" Stone Fruit Medley, and Artisan Cheeses...the most amazing cheeses you can imagine! There were of course hot chafing dishes of Fluffy Scrambled eggs, Crispy Bacon. Challah French Toast with 100% Vermont Maple Syrup, Homemade Fennel, and Cranberry Sausage...did not have most of these...therefore, no photos taken. The crowd waiting in line, was "overwhelming!"

No brunch is complete, without the Deviled Eggs Casserole...Yumm!

Plattered Gravalax, on Marbled Rye Toast

I'm not a "breakfast fan"...but brunch is more my style, which in this case worked, because by 10:00am, I'm ready for something good to eat, so I opted for some of these goodies, a nice cup of Godiva Coffee!

A word of advice: If you're planning a trip for next year,
do plan ahead...save your money, it's not so costly as you think it would be, because if you are a Fooddbuzz Publisher, your entry would be only $30.00...compared to $300.++. You get a huge discount for the Grand Hyatt Hotel, and even though the other 2 hotels they recommend are less expensive, but you have to take into consideration, that you have to walk 2 blocks to get back and forth to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, to meet up to take the shuttle bus to other places where the event is being held.

Also, you have to plan with other bloggers to get together, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO JOIN THIS EVENT BY YOURSELF! Do plan ahead, because you would not want to pay nearly $200. per night for the hotel room, get a buddy or bring a family member, or a friend with you. Also, you do have to take a taxi from one event to the other, and it could cost you up to $10. each way, so share the taxi with some friends! Do not venture out too far by yourself...the city is full of "crazy" people that actually approach you, if you make eye contact with them! Also, another advise!

I don't know how to tell you, other than being truthful about other food bloggers...there's a lot of bloggers that think they are "all that"...and trust me, they are NOT! You,...Me, being as friendly and sociable, as I am, had the worst time trying to make friends with others, than my little group of very, very, nice friends. We all just came together, each of us making friends, and brought them to join our table. I noticed the "young food bloggers" (20 something) are not as gracious, and/or friendly...some were totally "unapproachable"...when I actually checked their blog, I nearly fainted that here, I thought my blog was just so, so, and to think I am approaching "royalty" when I tried to make friends with them!...OK, enough said!

Just be who you are...and yes, you will be "snubbed" by some bloggers, but you are there, because you are invited, just as they are, and wouldn't it be nicer, if all of the bloggers could extend their welcome towards each other, instead of just checking out your badge...hanging in your neck on a rope, like a "puppy"...grin, and smile at one another, and say "Hi! it's nice to meet you"...and not just turn their back on you and walk away, because they never heard of your blog...Well, it goes both way, of never hearing of the other person's blog, as well!
I could go on, and on about other incidents, but I just know I had an amazing time, and on most part, almost all the bloggers I met were very nice! More photos, to continue, of the last day of the 3rd Annual Blogger Festival!

Hope to see you next year...do contact one-another, to plan meeting up, ahead. I planned at least 3 months ahead, and as a "thrifter" my plane ticket with Delta, with one stop, cost $348. less $200. with my Amex award points!
A total cost of $148. round trip...I kid you not!...perseverance, pays, by scouting for cheap prices at least 2 months prior!

This trip was from West Palm Beach to Atlanta Georgia...stop over, no waiting, just 45 min. layover, to San Francisco! I even had my seats assigned and just had to pick up my boarding pass, at the airport!...Now isn't that amazing? Why do you think my blog is called, food and thrift (finds)!

More Awards, and Norton Museum's 70th Birthday

I am so thrilled with all the awards given to me, and so honored, humbled, and overjoyed. This award was from Mina @Angellove's Cooking  and from Citra, @ Indonesian in Turkey. Mina is food blogging, from Bulgaria, and Citra, is blogging from Turkey, although she is originally from Indonesia. Both ladies are so, over the top amazing with their cooking, and baking talents that I just feel right now to be insignificant, and that I still have so much to learn. That is why we all gather together as a food blogging community, and have the support for each other, and give praise, where it belongs. Thank you my two lovely friends. for honoring me, with your lovely award!

This lovely award is given to me by my Hungarian blogger friend, Erzsebet, from Citromhab. You must visit her food blog. She is the most talented young bake that I have known, other than my own maternal grandmother, from Hungary. She makes the most amazing breads, and rolls, that you will only find, in the finest bakeries, here in the U.S. or in her native Hungary, and it will cost you a lot to buy something even similar to hers...but she puts her love, and her heart and soul into her baking, cooking, and the most amazing chocolate bon bons, or as we call them truffles. So mouthwatering is her latest one, that you would think it's almost impossible to make at home...but she did! Such talent can only make me feel humbled, and honored!

Thank you Erzsébet!

Köszönöm Erzsébet ezt a szép dijat...nagyon hálás vagyok érte!

Finally, I am sorting through my recent awards that have been given to me by some of the most amazing, and talented food bloggers. These two lovely awards, from Alisha, Adam, and Grely, the fabulous trio from
The Ardent Epicure. It is strictly a vegetarian blog, with the most unusual healthy and gorgeous dishes you have ever heard, or tasted, along with the most droolworthy scrumptious and beautiful mousse, cheesecake, and other exotic delights. I am so honored by these awards, and cannot thank them enough! Thank you Alisha, Adam and Grely!

We all know about this award, I have a long list of who I awarded this very special Sisterhood Award, received from Sandra @Sandra's Easy Cooking,  and from Mateja @Indulging Life. I especially love thie Sisterhood award, because it represents, all of us from so many different countries, and so many different cultures, fabulous dishes and desserts, that are truly remarkable and amazing. Thank you, Sandra, and Thank you Mateja. Both of you ladies have truly beautiful blogs, and I'm learning so much from all the different and beautiful things you both cook and baking. You are so talented, and wonderful friends!
I still have the original list of this Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award  if you haven't seen it, check for your name on the LIST

Last, but not least this award I received last year, from several bloggers, and this year from
Kathy@Bakeaway with me. 
I recently met Kathy who is a lovely lady, and she also has a beautiful blog. She mostly does the
French Friday's with Dorie, which I don't get involved with because my daughter...
Lora, @Cake Duchess posts about the fabulous Dorie's desserts, and dishes,
and so does my friend...
Lizzy, @That Skinny Chick can Bake, and also my sweet little friend from Goa... 
Mia@ Bright Morning Star. All these ladies are so talented, in their baking skills and cooking, as well! I am so thrilled and honored, and I love you all!

Thank you Kathy, for giving me this familiar award, that I really cherish, just like all the others.
If by any chance, I have forgotten other awards bestowed upon me...speak now...or "forever hold your peace"...I would not want to eliminate some generous blogger that might have given me an award, and I would be oh, so rude, not to thank them!

Also, I would like all of you wonderful blogger friends to please, HELP YOURSELF...GRAB any, or ALL, and pay it forward to whoever you would like to...or, JUST KEEP IT for yourself. I only ask one thing, just please mention who it came from, and link it back to ME!

Thank you all,  for the love and support you have given me. I wouldn't have this far without you!
I LOVE YOU ALL...CONSIDER THESE AWARDS AS A VALENTINE'S OFFERING!

Mediterranean Eggplant with Peppers, and Onions

So much for making my Eggplant balls. My daughter bought a ton of baby Japanese eggplants from our local Latina Produce market for about 10 for $1.00. Wow, how can you not want to get some? The trick is, finding a way of making these babies so they can still "shine" and show off their cute and tiny appearance. Unfortunately, after being roasted in a 375 degree oven, they come out looking like an over baked...or should I say "over tanned" wrinkled old lady. But do not "fret."...that's the best part. You can now, savor the flavor, of the tender,  little eggplants.
Treat them gently, and not peel them to discard their skins, or mash them up into a "Baba Ganoush" which I was about to do. Just let them be, and let their personalities flourish!

Mediterranean Eggplants with Peppers, and Onions
10 small Japanese eggplants
1 large onion
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 large tomato
1 green pepper
1 red, and/or yellow pepper
1/2 cup white wine
1 sprig fresh rosemary, peeled
2 Tbsp olive oil (not extra virgin)
1/2 teaspoon dry oregano (fresh better, if you have it)
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prick the eggplants a few places with a fork, and lay them on a baking sheet with aluminum foil lined, drizzle them with a Tablespoon of olive oil a few drops of water, and bake them for about 45 minutes. They should feel soft to the touch, brown and somewhat wrinkly. If you have room on the same sheet, (I prefer a separate baking sheet) for the vegetables, and bake them at the same time as the eggplant.
To prepare the vegetables:
Cut peppers in half and clean out the seeds, cut onion in half and cut slices lengthwise also.Cut tomatoes in large cubes. In a bowl, mix them all together with the chopped garlic, the rosemary, oregano, salt and pepper, and place them on the baking sheet, adding the wine, and roast them at the same time, as the eggplant. When both are done, wait for the eggplant to cool a little so you can slice them in thirds and in an oven proof dish, carefully mix the two together. By now, they have gotten a little cool; you can serve them this way, or put the dish back into to oven for about 15 minutes, to thoroughly heat through. Serves 4.