Cocktails and Tagine

FN came over last night for new tagine experiment. Chicken, rosemary and apricots. It turned out great. She also brought an early BDay present in the form of four mini St. Germain cocktail carafes. We fell in love with these glasses while sipping champagne cocktails last November in Brooklyn. Somehow she was able to track some down and get a set. To say the least, the night ended unexpectedly tipsy.

Happy Anniversary

The Simpsons are 25 years old today.

Famous

A few days ago we did an interview with one of the most famous actor/activists on this earth. Can you guess who he is by this photo from the production manager looking through a window?

Malibu Day

Spent a great day in Malibu yesterday doing a cosmetics commercial. The sun was out, the shots were excellent and the talent looked spectacular.

Snow Covered

We went out to Garden View Nursery last weekend to look for some spring plants. From underneath the shiny new con ed towers, the distant mountains were still snow capped from the cold rains earlier in the week. Always a spectacular sight.

Kitchen Still Life

With Oro Blanco Grapefruit season coming to an end soon..... I'm trying to get in as many as I can.

Grapes

I was outside yesterday thinking of getting rid of the grape vines when I came across some very small but very present nascent bunches. I guess we'll keep the vines for another year and see what develops.

Taming the Sage

Before above and after below.



The white sage near the front door was in need of some major trimming. The branches were close to touching the front door. I whittled away at the extremities and now have it more a vertical garden presence instead of an overwhelming one.
Below, the lavender is in full bloom and encroaching onto the front walk.

Morning Dog

A round bounce light perfectly halos the dog

Weeknd Dog

Monie's pooch Patty inconceivably enjoys some very hot pavers on an Easter afternoon.

Weekend Dog

Seven gets his shank steak on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon.

Easter Baskets

We spent Easter day with Fran and Monie and their annual afternoon brunch. We brought along a paella and some adult themed Easter baskets.

A Pause

We were shooting downtown LA last week with a beautiful model..... during a pause in the action, DP Tristan chatted with our actress while everyone else checked their smartphones.

I Would Run To You

The epic commercial we did for Nike Free a few weeks ago showed up April 4th. Watch it here
The Daily News has some reaction here

MAG and More

I was in Rochester last week to visit Mom and get my big toe looked after. While there, we went to the Memorial Art Gallery and saw their modern furniture show. It was a bit all over the place but the permanent collection never ceases to impress. Included is my favorite Jonas Lie painting "Morning on the River". The gift shop also had some treasures and I walked away with a few Miro inspired chain stitch pillow covers. Although I did not get to Country Sweet for some wings, Sticky Lips and it's excellent BBQ fulled in nicely.

Pride Overload

After our torrential rains last weekend, the pride of madiera plant's blooms grew too much too fast. About half of the over weighted flowers are dragging on the ground. Although the bees don't seem to mind.

Liquid Gold

I recently obtained a mason jar of my brother's excellent homemade maple syrup. Today was gloomy and rainy and the perfect day for pancakes. WL was hankering instead for waffles so off we went to Williams and Sonoma for a waffle pan. Instead we found a stove top "Hong Kong style" egg waffle maker. Our first attempt was tasty but not exactly a show piece. They got better with practice and of course, the syrup helped erase all flaws.

Doc Martin

After a two year hiatus, Doc Martin returns for series 5 of the popular British dramedy. We have been tearing through the dvd this weekend and find it as good as any of the other seasons. The new baby adds to the Doc/Louisa relationship and it's great to see Martin Clunes' co star from William and Mary, Julie Graham, have a two part cameo. Although Aunt Joan is no more..... Eileen Atkins fills the new Aunt Ruth role with curmudgeonly aplomb.
Broadcast dates in LA begin the end of the month.

Weekend Dog

Seven keeps a lazy guard over the front garden.

Purple Garden

March is purple month in the garden. The lavender and false holly both in bloom and attracting loads of bees.