Happy Hanukkah

Indio, California: Happy Hanukkah to everyone! A fun little holiday - celebrating a battle victory and a miracle - observed by eating potato pancakes. What could be better? My friend refers to Hanukkah as "one of those there was a battle, we won, let's eat holidays".

Look at this gorgeous turkey breast - organic, free-range, etc - 4.5 lbs


Stuffed with figs, pine nuts, kalamata olives, thyme and goat cheese


Carefully rolled up and tied together (with help from my sous chef, DT)


One hour and thirty minutes later


Come to Momma

Unfortunately, I  did not photograph my perfect bite-sized latkes... topped with créme fraîche, smoked salmon and fresh dill. Dang, if they weren't the most wonderful appetizers ever created for the first night of Hanukkah, I don't know what else you could consider. Our neighbors, Steve and Karen, stopped by just as I was preparing the latkes. I offered to send down a plate of the pancake perfection, but they politely declined... claiming latkes were too unhealthy... fried in oil, etc. Ten minutes later I had a phone call from Karen. "What? Are we crazy? Who would turn-down home made latkes on the first night of Hanukkah?" I love this woman. Two minutes later, Karen was at our door, drooling, as I fried her latkes, topped them with dill-laden créme fraîche, a bit of lox and a garnish of fresh dill.

DT insisted I even fry a pancake for their part-beagle dog, Frankie. Life is good in this trailer park.

Caprese salad


Pumpkin mousse topped with ginger snap crumbles

We enjoyed a quiet day with the 'rents. They had a long drive from Yuma and are resting tonight at a close-by hotel. (No, we did not ask them to sleep on our floor in a blow-up bed.) Tomorrow, we have a nice day planned with my folks. Tune in to check-out our adventures.

Until my next update, I remain, your "Happy Hanukkah" correspondent.

RV Park: Signature Resorts Motorcoach Country Club