Mumsie, my dad's lovely wife, makes a really great poppy seed cake that people rave about. When I had it I asked for the recipe and I've been passing it off as my own here in California, and I get all the praise.

So cut to tonight .. I planned on making it for the Principal Coffee for tomorrow. I bought the main ingredient, and after dinner tonight I went and printed up the copy of the recipe from my email. Well poppy seed cake - you need poppy seeds, but I didn't have any so now I'm making pound cake instead (same recipe no Poppy Seeds). I start mixing together slowing going down the list ... eggs oil... etc.. when I get to sour cream.. Again - no sour cream... so what to do ... I substituted Buttermilk instead. It smells great and it baked beautifully.

I'm just wondering when I get to really call the recipe as my own.

This past week, after a very cold summer we finally got up into the 80's and even once we hit 90. I never thought I would welcome hot weather. Megan and I took advantage and have spent 2 days at the pool and one day at the beach. Some pictures are up at Shutterfly - Muttmansion but here's one of my California Girl.

Included in the shots are ones from LA, Our clean House experience and going to the American Girl Cafe.

Summer has just flown by. School starts next week and we will be in Disneyland for a weekend in September.

We biked today along the bay in Alameda (a city north of us) we drove up, searched for parking, and then headed over to crab cove on our bikes - and then south along the bay trail . We went over the draw bridge and along the bay behind the Oakland airport. We stopped to rest, drink water and take in the view before heading back the way we came. All told about 10 miles.

Its been a great summer - last weekend we went camping to Portola Redwoods State Park and since then Megan and I went down to Monterey Bay Aquarium. I love this state!

Megan and I are in LA for the weekend. She doesn't know it yet but tomorrow we are going to a garage sale from the TV show "Clean House" (a show she loves!) ... after we will explore La Brea Tar Pits before heading down to Torrance for dinner with Aunt M.

Sunday we are going to see my friend Barbara and her family including her new beautiful baby girl! Finally Monday - and again the Megan has no idea - we are having lunch at ... wait for it ... the American Girl Cafe - don't you just wish you could join us! - Megan is going to be so excited when we walk in to a whole store (Building) dedicated to her American Girl Doll! - I only wish she'd brought the doll shoes - as the doll has a seat at the table with us and they may not serve her without shoes! - She's at least wearing a shirt.

For your viewing enjoyment - a few pictures I found on the camera.

Megan and I on the ferry from SF last week.

Perhaps my favorite picture of Mimi - taken by Megan...