David on November 30th, 2009
Today’s video is a recording of Nat King Cole’s classic performance of “The Christmas Song,” which is ranked No. 2 on my List of Top 10 Holiday Songs.” To go to a previous post with the Top 10 List of Holiday Songs, click here.
Happy holidays!
David on November 29th, 2009
The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.”
– Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)
David on November 28th, 2009
Happy Birthday to Peggy, who turns seven years old today. On this day in 2002, Peggy was born at Reid Ranch Miniature Dachshunds in Lancaster, CA.
After seven years, Peggy is still so wonderfully Peggy-licious!
Photo Credit: Lisa DeNeffe Photography
David on November 28th, 2009
Today’s video is a live performance of Mariah Carey’s rendition of “All I Want for Christmas is You,” which is ranked No. 3 on my List of Top 10 Holiday Songs.
To purchase Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas CD from Amazon.com, click here.
David on November 27th, 2009
THE OLD WISDOM
“When the night wind makes the pine trees creak
And the pale clouds glide across the dark sky,
Go out, my child, go out and seek
Your soul: the Eternal I.For all the grasses rustling at your feet
And every flaming star that glitters high
Above you, close up and meet
In you: the Eternal I.Yes, my child, go out into the world; walk slow
And silent, comprehending all, and by and by
Your soul, the Universe, will know
Itself: the Eternal I.”
– Jane Goodall (B. 1934)
David on November 27th, 2009
“Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don’t worry… I’m here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you.”
–Charlie Brown to Snoopy
David on November 26th, 2009
It has been one year ago today– November 26, 2008– when more than ten coordinated attacks took place across Mumbai, the financial capital and largest city in India, resulting in the death of 173 people and wounding more than 300 other people. The attacks occurred at some of Mumbai’s most recognized landmarks, including the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower and Oberoi Trident, two luxury hotels.
This month HBO Documentary Films airs a 64-minute documentary, called “Terror in Mumbai,” which is narrated by Fareed Zakaria, chronicling the events that unfolded on November 26, 2008 and continued until November 29, 2008, when the final terrorist was shot and killed by authorities.
To learn more about the HBO documentary and to view a schedule of upcoming showings, go to the official website by clicking here.
David on November 26th, 2009
“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”
–Albert Schweitzer (1876-1965)
In honor of Thanksgiving Day 2009.
David on November 26th, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving to all Jankenpon friends and visitors.
David on November 25th, 2009
If you’re planning any holiday shoppping in San Francisco this year, be sure to stop by the Under One Roof retail shop at the Westfield San Francisco Centre, at Market and Fifth Streets, and at 518 Castro Street, in The Castro. Founded in 1990, Under One Roof is the only non-profit retail store of its kind, raising more than $4 million to support over 30 non-profit agencies that provide HIV/AIDS education and support services, including promoting positive, healthy lifestyles.
The shop at Westfield Shopping Centre will be open during the holiday season only. The Castro Street location is open year round.
If you prefer to shop online from Under One Roof, go to their official website by clicking here.
David on November 25th, 2009
One of my favorite cocktails is the classic Bellini, a delicious combination of Prosecco (or champagne) and fresh peach nectar. According to some mixologists, the Bellini was created in 1948 at Harry’s Bar in Venice, by bartender Giuseppe Cipriani, and was named after one of his favorite painters, Giovanni Bellini, a 15th-century Italian Renaissance painter.
With the holiday season approaching (and peaches still available in some areas), this is a festive way to celebrate the season.
INGREDIENTS:
1. Fresh white peach nectar (see recipe below).
2. Prosecco (or champagne)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Pour 1 part peach nectar into a champagne flute
2. Slowly add 2 parts chilled Prosecco
3. Serve, enjoy and repeat as needed.
When visiting Venice, be sure to stop at Harry’s Bar and order one of their tasty and authentic Bellinis. It was one of the highlights of my visit to Venice (and a “must-do” for first-time visitors).
PEACH NECTAR RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
1. Six fresh, ripe white peaches (Peaches must be ripe.)
2. 1 cup water
3. 1/2 cup sugar (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Immerse whole peaches in a pot of boiling water until the skin begins to loosen. Remove peaches and immerse in ice water to halt the cooking process.
2. Peel peaches and remove the pit.
3. Cut peaches into slices.
4. Combine 2 cups of sliced peaches, 1 cup water and sugar in a blender. Liquefy until mixture is smooth.
5. Strain the peach mixture through a sieve.
6. Store nectar in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
If you’d prefer to use ready-made peach nectar, try the White Peach puree available in stores and online from The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley. Go to the official website of The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley by clicking here.
To go to the official website of Harry’s Bar Venice, click here. To go to previous posts for more cocktail suggestions, click here.
David on November 25th, 2009
“Be not the slave of your own past. Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
David on November 24th, 2009
Congratulations to Susan Boyle, who was catapulted to worldwide fame through her breakthrough, bravura performance on Britain’s Got Talent, on the release of her debut album, called “I Dreamed A Dream.” The album, which was released earlier this week, was the biggest advance seller of any music CD in Amazon.com’s history.
To order your copy of the CD from Amazon.com, click here.
David on November 24th, 2009
The 2009 holiday season is approaching, and the holiday music is coming. Here is my list of TOP 10 HOLIDAY SONGS.
1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, performed by Judy Garland, from the film “Meet Me in St. Louis”
2. The Christmas Song, performed by Nat King Cole
3. All I Want for Christmas, performed by Mariah Carey
4. Mele Kalikimaka, performed by Bing Crosby
5. Christmas by the Bay, performed by Tim Hockenberry
6. Merry Christmas Darling, performed by The Carpenters
7. White Christmas, performed by Bing Crosby
8. I’ll Be Home for Christmas, performed by Barbra Streisand
9. Feliz Navidad, performed by Jose Feliciano
10. Auld Lang Syne
The go to other Top 10 Lists, click here.
David on November 16th, 2009
“A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.”
– The Wizard of Oz, to the Tin Man, from “The Wizard of Oz,” 1939, MGM
David on November 15th, 2009
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
– Leo F. Buscaglia (1924-1998)
David on November 14th, 2009
“Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something.”
– H. Jackson Brown
David on November 11th, 2009
“Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while, so that we can see Life with a clearer view again.”
– Alex Tan
David on November 8th, 2009
“Mama, face it. I was the slut of all time.”
– Gloria Wandrous (played by Elizabeth Taylor) in Butterfield 8 (MGM, 1960), Directed by Daniel Mann, Screenwriters John Michael Hayes and Charles Schnee
David on November 6th, 2009
“If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today, I still have a dream.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)
David on November 6th, 2009
“Farewell… my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say, Do not weep… not all tears are an evil.”
–Gandalf, The Wizard, “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King,” J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973)
David on November 6th, 2009
“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way.”
–Dr. Seuss
David on November 4th, 2009
“Remember there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”
– Scott Adams (B. 1957)
David on November 4th, 2009
“Do not watch the petals fall from the rose with sadness, know that, like life, things sometimes must fade, before they can bloom again.”
– Anonymous
