He's on a roll

I went grocery shopping this past weekend, and whole chickens were on sale for $.89 a pound, so I bought one.

On Wednesday, I came home from work to find our son had made a delicious boiled dinner with the chicken, some fresh carrots, and potatoes.

On Thursday, he made Chinese-style steamed dumplings stuffed with chicken meat (and also pork, leftover from our neighbor's barbecue) and sauteed Chinese greens.

Today he made chicken soup with barley, leeks, peas and fresh herbs (tarragon and chives)!  Wow!

Cabbage

This weekend we enjoyed a neighborhood get-together. There were a lot of people!

The menu was barbecue. I helped with the cole slaw.

I had no idea cabbage was so much fun!

Perfect evening

The canyon is mellow, mist at sunset.

Jack's happy. He had a good day, playing with his friend Seamus the poodle, and eating treats.

Pie

At some point this weekend, there was pie.

Best sandwich in America

According to Nora Ephron - and if anyone would know, it would be Nora Ephron - the hot pastrami sandwich at Langer's Delicatessen, in the Westlake District of Los Angeles, is "the finest hot pastrami sandwich in the world."

There are some who would disagree. Katz's Deli, on New York's Lower East Side, has its champions. Certainly having a pastrami sandwich at Katz's can been a stimulating experience.

But I'm with Nora. I like Langers.

Night out

It's late - we attended a big celebratory event tonight.

Cocktail reception, dinner outdoors under the night sky.

sound and light presentations.

Orchids in the ladies room, and little dishes of breath mints. I'm exhausted now, good night!

Mental health day

Prickly pear margarita at Cafe Habana in Malibu.

Waiting for the staff at the only bookstore left on the west side to reopen after lunch. A drink and a fish taco to pass the time.

Above the bay

We went walking yesterday, up Tuna Canyon, to an outlook over Santa Monica Bay.

Just hazy enough to cut the sun's heat, it was beautiful.

From one direction, Santa Monica and its beaches.

From the other, Malibu and Point Dume.

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms!

Tonight's dinner

Braised spiced pork shoulder, mashed potatoes, and steamed pea fronds. With pickled red onions.

Did I mention my son can cook?