PUBLISHER’S NOTE .   .   . August 2023

Letter from the Publisher

August 2024

Dear Life Bites Readers,

Wonderful travel news on 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris with great stories, photos and food news as it is hapening.

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.

Montecito Club will feature revival of Old Spanish Days Fiesta Party in 2024

  !

Wine events and food festivals are back and our Coastal wineries have some great events scheduled on their calendar. Margerum wines now have more new choices to enjoy in a can for picnics and beach enjoyment.

We also have new book updates in BookBites and some new items in the gift guide. Helpful news and advice in Kids K and Teen Times for summer, along with coverage of the darling flamenco dancers in Old Spanish Days Fiesta events. Great stories coming up on Puerto Vallarta visitors enjoying Old Spanish Days Fiesta activities and news from Sister Cities Interntional this month. 

Look for LifeBitesNews videos on Youtube. Some great new Fiesta Video will be up. Bonnie1 Carroll

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. As the 2024 Elections are upon us it will be a stressful time, but stay calm, help with the voting if you can and be proud to be an American to vote to protect your democracy.

Jack Harwood, son of Dacia and Rielly Harwood, selected Spirit 2023 of Old Spanish Days Fiesta, also danced at Fiesta/Tablao del Museo 2024 at Santa Barbara Historical Museum. See story in BookBites Section.

See upcoming Feature Story on Santa Barbara Historical Museum Viva!

100TH Anniversary

 
2024 VIVA LA FIESTA

Enjoy the online coverage of the Olympics in Paris, and stories here in LBN. Special events along the Central California Coast and throughout the country are on our menu. Check out nice wine news from my local favorites in SIPS and Au Bon Climat 30th Birthday. 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.

Pray for our President Joseph Biden and Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris. Watch for updates on the 2024 Campaign, and know I will be voting with the Blue WAVE for Harris on November 5th. Make a contribution to her campaign if you can and I thank you in advance. God Bless America and God Bless President Joe Biden, in my opinion the greatest President of all time!

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. May the great spirit of our Nation reign now and forever, and may our citizens find hope and prosperity thenselves and for their families. 

Cordially,

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.

____________________________________________________________________

LBN Staff 2024

Bonnie Carroll, Publisher/Editor

writebc@aol.com  

Rosalie Frances, Contributor, tolifebites.com

Mary Hilton, Content Contributor/Marketing Director

Maryehilton2000@aol.com

Cody Chandler, Teen Times Columnist

tolifebites@aol.com

Mike OConnell, Photo/Video Director/Contributor

tolifebites@aol.com

Isabella D'Angelo, Rome Correspondent

tolifebites@aol.com

Natasha Melikoff, Montreal Correspondent

Cyndie Woo, Asian Food Content Correspondent

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

LBN Offices

Email  contact preferred please