Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

Wonderful travel news on 2026 happenings and exciting new Viking cruise ships for fall and winter.

I was so graced to be a part of the Olympic Family during the summer games of 1984 and traveled as a media/athlete escort on a 5 city media tour, meeting with President Reagan, Mayor Koch and many additional dignitaries throughout the country. Below is a rather worn copy of an article published on my Olympic adventures. I love the Olympics and wish all our fine athlete's the best in Paris, France.

Very hot weather everywhere it seems. Stay hydraited and relaxed to insure your good health. People are traveling like crazy and trying to catch up on what they may think they lost during past few years. Take your time and enjoy the moments.

Wine events and food festivals are back and our Coastal wineries have some great events scheduled on their calendar.

We also have local art and special interest in BookBites and some new items in the gift guide. See story on George Lucas Museum Opening in Sense of Style section. Helpful news in Kids K and Teen Times for summer, along with upcoming coverage of the darling flamenco dancers in Old Spanish Days Fiesta events on the way August 5-9. Sister Cities Interntional celebrates 70th Anniversary in July 2026.

The weather has been too hot and If you live near the water take advantage of this time...go for a walk near the water to relax and try to kiss your post pandemic stress off, while drinking lots of water. Hotels along the Central Coast are providing rooms for all the people taking auto vacations this summer, and check out the higher rates being charged by car rental companies in your area before renting a car. Keeping it simple right now is paramount to enjoying the summer. May the devils amoung us be driven from our earth and may peace reign supreme again!

Special events along the Central California Coast and throughout the country are in Travel Section. Check out nice wine news from my local favorites in SIPS. Kudos and thank you to FoodBank of Santa Barbara and all the charities who have served to help those in need during the past year, including the amazing www.Organic Soup Kitchen.org!

Pray for peace and I hope you all will join me in remembering our soldiers who are fighting in other countries, and pray for their safe return to their families. God Bless the people of Ukraine and help them. God save the children being killed by Israel in Gaza. May the great spirit of our Nation reign now and forever, and may our citizens find hope and prosperity thenselves and for their families.

GREAT ITALIAN SQUASH FLOW RECIPE - TESTED BY LBN

These are my photos of recipe I made following these directions. Mangia Bene!

Frittata di Fiori di Zucca

Squash Flower Omelette

Ingredients

6 organic eggs
Splash of milk, I use coconut - rice milk
1 small zucchini, grated
12 large squash flours
A handful of chopped chives
Sea salt and pepper to taste, I use gomasio instead of salt
Extra virgin olive oil

Method

Rinse squash flowers well, remove the outside points and inside piston. Clean well and tear in quarters.

Crack the eggs open into a bowl, add a small splash of your choice of milk and a light swirl of olive oil. Whip slightly. Add the flowers and grated squash, then the chives. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir well. Meanwhile, oil an omelet pan with a generous swirl of extra virgin olive oil and swirl it around so it covers the bottom of the pan. Place the pan on a very low heat. Move the pan so that the oil covers its entire bottom.

Add the whipped egg mixture and let cook on a very very low heat for up to 45 minutes without stirring. Keep an eye on the edges of the omelette. When brown, flip the omlett on a plate and put the top side down into the pan. Let cook for another minute. Flip the pan back onto a clean plate, and serve with artisan homemade bread.

Recipe from Loren CookingVacations.com.

____________________________________________________________________

Additional contributing writers are included on an individual issue basis. Please contact the editor with questions regarding journalist assignments. Email: writebc@aol.com