S-p-e-l-l-i-n-g b-e-e. Recently, I volunteered at the spelling bee at my son’s elementary school.
I read words to participating students of the bee. Those words ranged from “again” to “remember” to “basketball” and the most challenging word for students, “reservoir.”
Every student who participated received a Merriam-Webster dictionary.
As a writer, I love words and it’s exciting to see the next generation love words too!
Christmas is a season of sweets and my family and I are loving Panettone, an Italian sweet bread from Italian bakery Olivieri 1882. This fruitcake is a light, sweet and soft pastry.
Thanks Olivieri 1882 for sending me this classic Christmas bread to savor over the holidays. It features Australian raisins, candied oranges and bourbon vanilla in every bite.
This bread is made in Italy at a family-run bakery that’s been making panettone for over 140 years. Made with raw ingredients in a four-day production process, these sweet breads are authentically Italian and quite delicious. They’re shipped straight from Italy and delivered in the U.S. within 48 hours. You can also find the breads at Goldbelly and Italy stores.
Their special occasion breads are available throughout the year, including Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter. Their bestselling flavors include Apricot and Salted Caramel and Triple Chocolate.
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Need a yummy appetizer or savory snack (especially during the holiday season)? Check out Brazi Bites Brazilian Cheese Bread.
Great in the oven or the air fryer, these bites are quick to cook. They’re cheesy, crispy and bite sized too, making them an ideal appetizer for parties or a tasty snack to enjoy at home.
Brazi Bites sent me some samples to try: Everything and Cheddar & Parmesan. My family and I loved them.
The Brazi Bites, which start with a family recipe, are naturally grain-free and gluten-free. The bites are frozen and ready to heat whenever the craving strikes.
How illuminating! I attended the media preview of Color in a New Light, the new exhibition at the Fleet Science Center and I was wowed. Interactive stations throughout the exhibit are full of color, design and imagination.
My sons and I enjoyed the whole experience, especially the walk-in kaleidoscope, mirrors, lenses and prisms, glow in the dark objects, a monochrome room with sodium bulbs, the light show DJ, and more.
The entertaining and informative exhibit was created by local scientists with a focus on how we perceive light and color including color that’s seen and unseen.
Color in a New Light will be at the Fleet Science Center until May 2024. The exhibit is included in regular admission.
I had an amazing time at the San Diego Press Club’s annual journalism awards. It was the chapter’s 50th anniversary! I’ve been a board member of the Press Club for nearly a decade and I’ve been a member for a lot longer than that.
In addition to enjoying the awards gala, I was honored to receive three awards for my writing: two for “House Digest” articles and one for retirement blogs for a client of mine.
Here’s are the award winning “House Digest” articles: Best Vacation Rentals in Charleston, S.C. and “Quick and Easy Decluttering in Less Than 10 Minutes.”
Loved being a guest panelist with fellow journalists talking to University of Maryland journalism students about the state of the industry, pitching, and starting/maintaining a freelance writing career.
Thanks professor David Oliver for including me!
I recently attended the “A Day to Remember” wedding showcase at Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, near Palm Springs.
It’s a stunning site for local and destination weddings in the Coachella Valley. This luxurious venue offers much to enjoy, including well-appointed accommodations, 27 holes of championship golf, a world-class spa, and much more.
Here are some of the wedding spots at Rancho Las Palmas that I visited during the showcase: The ceremony site, the Las Palmas Lawn, is surrounded by palm trees and fits 100 guests, with 700 seated. We had cocktail hour on the sunrise terrace, a two-tiered outdoor space that features views of the fifth fairway. Next, we enjoyed dinner on the starlight terrace, a 10,000 square feet rooftop space boasting stunning views of the surrounding Mount San Jacinto. The rooftop accommodates 1000 guests or 600 for dinner.
We finished the night with dessert at the Spa Las Palmas pool, a poolside area that’s intimate, private, and accommodates 60 guests. Here’s a video of my visit.
Perfect for a desert wedding, the Southern California venue has many other places to say “I Do.” For example, the Las Palmas Ballroom has 30,000 square feet of flexible indoor space. The Sixth Tee Box showcases a beautiful pond and waterfall and is a cozy venue choice for 100 to 150 guests. Check out the venue’s wedding brochure.
Thanks to Rancho Las Palmas and its parent company, Omni Hotels, for inviting me. After the wedding showcase, they hosted me for a one-night stay in a lovely room near the Las Palmas Lawn.
This resort is an excellent getaway for a vacation, weekend visit, or a special event, like a wedding. I’m already looking forward to returning to this sunny, luxurious resort.
The Fleet Science Center is celebrating 50 years with a blast! They’ve been celebrating science since the museum opened in 1973 in Balboa Park. Since then, 26 million people have visited the Fleet, which has interactive exhibits and an IMAX theatre. Their mission is, “to realize a San Diego where everyone is connected to the power of science.”
Today they kicked off the anniversary with a science experiment featuring liquid nitrogen (at -321 degrees F) and warm water topped with colorful playground balls. They put the liquid nitrogen in a 2-liter bottle and sealed it tightly. The pressure built and boom!
As part of the celebration, the museum is offering special pricing and events throughout the year. Here are some photos of the museum over the years.
Kristen Castillo 