This recipe is from Rose Levy Birnbaum’s The Cake Bible, my favorite book for cakes, hands-down. This cake is moist and delicious. Don’t let the addition of mayonnaise throw you off. This is a cake you can depend on with company coming. I have never had one problem with it even when substituting honey for…
Tag: timed writing
After a Long Day and a Pesky Cold
I need to go to bed. We have been up and running since early this morning. My nose is also running from that malady that my family had last week, which is apparently contagious. I am alternatively stuffed up and then drippy-nosed. I say, “Pick a position and stick with it, for goodness sake,” but…
Sitting in My Living Room in Texas
I am sitting in my living room in Sherman, Texas. It is 10:35 and I need to write for 20 minutes. I have had a long, but good day seeing old friends and making at least one new one. Tomorrow, we will be up early so we can attend to business that needs to be…
It is Done!
Jury duty is over! Hurray. I can’t say that I am happy with the verdict, but it was certainly a fair process – everyone taking turns to express their opinions and standing up for important points. Still, my side was voted down. This was a civil case about a young woman who believed that a…
On this May Day
Ray is sniffling and coughing in the next room. His eyes are red and he looks tired. I am certain he is suffering from a hefty allergy attack. Rachael has already gone upstairs to bed after deciding to take the day off from work so she “can feel better” after throwing up several times two…
Jury Duty Woes and Lunch Spots
I am sitting here tonight wondering what to write about. I can’t write about the trial since I can’t talk about any of it until it’s over, so what else is there to discuss? My life is somewhat on hold until we are finally dismissed from duty, and I have already reported on the few…
Family Sickness and Jury Duty Update
Ray and Rachael – both of whom rose at 5 am and drove to Ojai to fertilize our orange trees – are now sick in bed. Ray has been congested all afternoon since returning, and Rachael has thrown up at least 5 times. Ray’s ailment is probably related to allergies; Rachael’s looks a bit more…
A Few Pieces from the Urs Fischer Exhibit at MOCA
Today we went to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) here in Los Angeles. There was an exhibit by an artist named Urs Fischer. Here are a few of the pieces: Thousands of “raindrops” suspended from the ceiling A Close-Up of the Raindrop A Full-Sized Cabin Made of Bread Loaves …
Practical Lessons of Jury Duty After One Week
I can’t talk about the case since we are still active jurors, but I can mention a few things I’ve learned so far that won’t go against the judge’s orders. When you’re a juror: 1) Lunch becomes VERY important. 2) Sunshine becomes VERY important. 3) Breaks become VERY important. 4) Learning your fellow juror’s names…
A Delicious Honey-Sweetened Flourless Chocolate Cake
My husband loves dark chocolate. I made this cake recipe specifically for him since I knew that it would make him exceedingly happy. It did, by the way. This is EASY and fast and delicious. It is not for anyone who is not completely in love with dark chocolate, but for those of you who…
20 Minutes a Day 