Simply J Life

Fox Theatre Oakland Grand Opening

February 10th, 2009 § 0

After 10 years of work and millions of dollars in renovations, the Fox Theatre in downtown Oakland reopened on 2/5. In addition to being a music venue, the Fox Theatre is home to the Oakland School for the Arts.
I did not attend the opening gala last week, but you can click here to see photos from opening night.
For more information:
http://www.foxoakland.org/
http://www.thefoxoakland.com/

Sunday afternoon @ Lake Merritt

January 27th, 2009 § 2

I got a very late start on my weekly walk around Lake Merritt which is about 3.1 miles. If I am without my camera, I can get around the lake in about 45 minutes. I remember seeing Lake Merritt for my first time in 1998 and knew that I wanted to live in Oakland.

A brand new day

January 25th, 2009 § 1

Welcome President Obama!

Festival of Desserts 2008

January 10th, 2009 § 0

These red velvet cupcakes were an absolute showstopper. They were made by friend, Marvin, for this year’s Festival of Desserts. I am hoping to get the recipe for them and I will post it here. This was the first year that we had guest desserts. I made 10 desserts, ranging from sweet potato pie to cranberry oatmeal cookies and chocolate eggnog rum cake. As always, we had ham and chicken. A great time was had by all.
Additional photos from the Festival of Desserts can be seen here. I am already cooking up ideas for Festival of Desserts 2009.

Cozy

January 10th, 2009 § 0

I got a shot of my favorite Samoyeds relaxing at Walden Pond Book’s on Grand Avenue in Oakland. I usually stop at the bookstore on Sundays to see them after morning walk. They are adorable and very friendly.

Freshly shaved…

April 22nd, 2008 § 0

I had just shaved and was inspired to take this photo by one of my flickr friends. I used a 50mm f/1.8 lens and my head is almost touching the keyboard.

Baby, it’s cold outside!

January 20th, 2008 § 0

Hello everyone! I am in Chicago again this weekend. It is bitterly cold here. I will never complain about it being 50 degrees in Oakland again. That is a heatwave compared to here. I am here visiting my mom who has lung cancer. She is in good spirits and comfortable. She told me last night that I was not was not invincible and that I needed to rest. She is right as our mother’s are always right. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Much love to everyone.

My Bakesale Betty Photo in The Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition

January 15th, 2008 § 0

I am very honored to have my photo of Bakesale Betty Bakery selected for the article “A New Gourmet Ghetto” in The Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition for December 29, 2007.

Dessert Goodness – Part 3

December 11th, 2007 § 0

Dessert Goodness, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

Once again it is that special time of year when wonderful baked goods come from my oven. The 6th Annual Festival of Desserts was quite fun this year as you see from the photos above. I will come back shortly to share recipes.

Congratulations to Bakesale Betty!

December 3rd, 2007 § 0

Apple Pie, originally uploaded by in2jazz.

Congratulations to Alison “Bakesale Betty” Barakat and her husband, Michael Camp, on their birth of their daughter, Hazel Mary on November 6. Mom and baby are doing well. I got to chat briefly with Betty when I stopped by on Saturday for a fried chicken sandwich and a slice of really yummy apple pie. Truly a guilty pleasure but I did take a short bike ride before going there.