Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

"Life is not measured by the number of breathes we take but, by the moments that take our breath away." Maya Angelo

Spa spoiling while Cruising...see Spa Baby Secrets for a tempting awakening of what pampering goes on while savoring a cruise on the Baltic Sea!

See story on Coral Casino and Thomas Keller agreement, bringing fantastic new food and beverage to a beloved historic venue on Butterfly Beach in Montecito, California. Word is the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara will be opening soon and will feature a new NOBU restaurant.

Below is a great recipe for Hungarian Goulish from my past visit to Budapest - hope you like it! Since my last visit Chef Wolfgang Puck opened a signature restaurant in a hotel Matilde near the Danube River in Budapest that is a huge hit, with a new Hungarian chef! Story ran in past Culinary Coup section.

September is usually a great time for traveling, especially in Europe and people are out there seeing the sights. American and European journalist friends are all out there travel writing again and stories are coming up daily from writers cruising the Danube. See story on Swan Spa in the Matilde Hotel, Budapest and the new Float Spa at Hilton Santa Barbara Resort in Spa Babies.

Watch for story on Bayou Down Under - 24th annual benefit October 4, 2025 2:00 pm for the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission; great auction, food and music at Sandpiper Golf Club. Honoree Janet Rowse, Executive Director of SafeLaunch.For reservations visit (www.sbrm.org).

Major events to support Arthritis Foundation California Please go to their site and make a donation if you can. www.arthritisfoundation.org.

Look for upcoming Emmy and Oscar updates and announcement on entertainment events and awards.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is coming right up. Look for dates and purchase tickets at www.SBIFF.org.

Enjoyed yet another wonderful cruise adventure with Viking Cruises on a special birthday cruise from Barcelona to Venice on the Saturn. Look for stories in my new senior savvy travel publication at www.coastingwithbonnie.com.

The Hotel Cerro in SLO in downtown San Luis Obispo is great while traveling on the 101 and our Hotel/Chef section has my past review, along 101 with fascinating Madonna Inn and Carmel favorite Hofsas House Hotel. The SLO area has access to so many amazing beaches to visit, where an abundance of water activities are available and I love the scenic Monterey coast. www.hotelcerro.com.

My favorite home-away-from-home in fall is Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel for a safe weekend respite. Hosfas House welcomes families and has pet friendly rooms. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very compliant community with wonderful restaurants.

The Sensorio event continues to run in Paso Robles. Go visit this amazing site and enjoy a special serenity. Also, new hotels have opened in Paso Robles to try out and lots of great restautants in Pismo Beach on the way there. I was totally delighted by the whole experience. The most delightful walk through lights and natural sunset of your life! The installation and the property take visitors to another world, one that is so beautiful!

We all must continue to pray for the people in Ukrane fighting for freedom, and for our neighbors in Maui who have lost everything and are still recovering from their losses in Lahaina. Always ongoing prayers for our US service members who are out there keeping our country safe and for all the veterans at home who need our prayers.

My live radio show on Maui 2006 with Mayor of Maui, GM Sheraton Hotel & Beverly Hills Hawaiian Chili Cook-off Winner Fall of 2004

Stay hydrated as this heat wave is raging in our country. Check out healthy tips in our Health Minded section.

Please note: Opinions in this monthly online publishers letter are those of the publisher only.

Creamy Viennese Veal Goulash

Goulash originates from Hungary. When it came to Vienna in the middle of the 19th century, it had little in common with the dish that is so popular in Vienna today: It was a kind of thin soup made of pepper, potatoes, onions and tomatoes. The Viennese cuisine reinvented it into a viscid, spicy and fiery beef dish. For the more noble creamy Viennese veal goulash you will need tender veal and whipped cream for refining.

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Cut the meat into bite-size cubes and chop the onions. Heat the oil in a casserole dish and lightly fry the meat. Remove, then saute the onions. Add the tomato paste and paprika powder and pour on the wine. Add the meat and add water so the meat is just covered. Add the bay leaf, salt and pepper and stew for about 1 1/2 hours.
As soon as the meat is tender, remove again with a draining spoon. Remove the bay leaf. Cut the apple into small cubes and add to the goulash, along with the lemon juice and grated lemon rind. Mix in the flour, cream and sour cream. Stir well.
Bring to boil then mix with a hand-held mixer. Strain the liquid and add the meat again, adding salt and pepper to taste.

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