"They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for." Thomas Edward Bodett

We hope you continue to enjoy your visits to great hotels, restaurants, and travel destinations. Hope you are enjoying the many stories that appear in our web magazine. Our hotel/chef preview this month is The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara, Lulio Restaurant.

Prayers for all during these politically violent times. Bless those who are out there fighting for all our rights under danagerous conditions. Stay calm, and carry on to prepare for the upcoming election.

Please enjoy special updates on the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival in Tinseltown Tidbits. The 41st Festival is scheduled for Feb 4-14, 2026. Visit www.sbiff.org for updated information and ticket purchases.

BookBites has news on a great new writers retreat with Les Zemeckis and the new Santa Barbara Literary Festival, new food related books, art and writers event news, and more. Latest tips on hot new books to enjoy at home or while traveling. See Sense of Style section 2026 for story on Santa Barbara EarthQuake25 commermation events presented by EQ25.org. I served on the steering committee and it was outstanding. Also, a thank you to friends on this writer/publishers journey around the sun one more time in Epicurean Events.

Use your library in your local area and enjoy the tapes. I love listening to language tapes and am always eager to learn new languages. Support your "Friends of the Library" groups as well.

Culinary Coup covers dates and information on great new food shows in 2026 and delicious morsels to be savored at the coastal hotels.

Health Minded includes story coverage on my own delightful, healthy birthday week adventures with friends and health tips for seniors, especially traveling seniors in new www.coastingwithbonnie.com.

Wow! Creations celebrity gifting suites news and more. Tinsel Town Tidbits has all the winner info on the Oscars, Bafta and SBIFF.

Matt & Mark Harris at Wow! Creations Oscar Celebrity Suite with Coasting with Bonnie.com in attendance

Celebrating my birthday on the California Coast this 2026 with friends at some favorite venues enjoying dishes I adore!

Ritz-Carlton Bacara features January Birthday Brunch at Lulio, story up in hotel/chef profile and also www.coastingwithbonnie.com.

LBN recommends two of my favorite Central Coast family owned destinations for romance, Madonna Inn Hotel and Hofsas House Hotel, where Valentine's Day is always special, and I will look forward to visiting when its safe. Hope you enjoy some sweet desserts and treats featured in SIPs section this month.

Give her or him a special spa session with Burke

Williams Spa products for Valentines Day. They have countless LA locations and offer some amazing and sensual products for couples to enjoy during a romantic weekend together. Visit: wwwburkewilliams.com.

Another super romantic destination is The Landsby Hotel in Solvang where a bevy of divine Danish delights are available, not to mention outstanding wines. Visit: www.thelandsby.com. What ever you do for Valentine's Day -- savor every moment and be happy!

Please join me each day in praying for our American families throughout the country. Safety, for our troops fighting in foreign lands, and for all men and women who serve to keep our great country safe and free. PRAY FOR THE UKRAINE, FOR PEACE BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD - PRAYER WORKS and God Bless America!

Philly Cheesesteak Chili
Serves 6-8
Time: 2 days

Ingredients

(6) 6” round loaves of sourdough bread

5 lbs well-trimmed boneless beef chuck or short rib

2 Medium Onions

1 head of garlic (about 16 cloves) peeled, chopped

1/3 c anocho chilies, ground

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground allspice

2 T. ground cumin

¼ tsp ground clove

1 T. coco

1 (12oz) bottle of dark beer (stout or brown ale)

2c beef stock

1 (28oz) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes

2 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp kosher salt

2 T tomato paste

3 T masa (corn meal)

Chili Toppings

2 Lg Onions, thinly sliced

1 Green Pepper julienned

1 Yellow Pepper Julienned

1 tsp chopped garlic

½ tsp salt

2T olive oil (pure)

2 c grated sharp cheddar cheese

½ c green onions (scallions) thinly chopped

1 c sour cream

1 ripe avocado sliced

1 lime- cut into wedges

Instructions

Chili: begin day before serving

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1/3 of beef sprinkle with salt. Cook until browned, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer beef to large bowl. Repeat 2 more times adding 2 more tablespoons of oil and the beef.

Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon oil and chopped onions.
Saute until soft and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
Add garlic; stir for 1 minute.
Add ground anchos, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, cloves and coco; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add beer; stir 1 minute, scraping up brown bits. Return beef and juices to pot.
Add tomatoes with juice, 2 cups of beef stock, oregano and 2 tsp of kosher salt.
Bring chili to boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover with lid slightly ajar and simmer gently until beef is just tender 2-2 ½ hours.
Cool 1 hour, then chill uncovered until cold.
Cover; chill overnight.
Spoon fat from chili. Bring chili to simmer over medium heat.
Stir in tomato paste
Sprinkle masa over; stir to blend
Simmer uncovered until thickend and beef is very tender, stirring often and adding water by ¼ cupful if too thick, about 30-45 minutes
Now it is ready to serve.

Philly Cheesesteak Fried Onions + Peppers

(make these within the last 15 minutes of finishing the chili)

Over medium-high heat; heat 2 T olive oil
Add onions and sauté until they begin to brown
Add peppers
Sauté until onions are brown and caramelized and peppers are slightly charred.
Add garlic and sauté for 1 -2 minutes.
Remove from heat and place in bowl. Cover with foil until ready to use.

Bread Bowl:

(prep these while finishing the chili)

Set round loaves of bread (boules) onto a cutting board. Using a bread knife, carefully cut off the top of the bread about 2/3 from the bottom of the bread. Then using a small bread knife or serated knife, cut the inside of the bread out. Use your hands to pull out the middle to create a bowl. Save the top of the bread. Set aside. While you re-heat the chili.

To Finish the Chili:

Ladle chili into bread bowl
Top with fried onions + peppers and cheddar cheese.

If you would prefer a simpler bowl of chili; ladle into bowl, top with desired condiments and serve with cornbread or pretzel.

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Philly Cheesesteak ChiliServes 6-8Time: 2 days

Philly Cheesesteak Chili
Serves 6-8
Time: 2 days