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Orange County’s Farmer’s Market

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Last week, I mentioned the Orange County Great Park hosts a Farmer's Market every Sunday.

Not long after I wrote that post, I got a request to please stop by the Farmer's Market for a visit.

So, I did.

I ended up having a great time, in spite of the heat wave (!!) we're experiencing right now. 

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Jalapenos for sale at the Farmer's Market.

It was nice to see so much locally grown produce.  

Some of it came from right here in Orange County, and some of it was imported from an hour or two away.  (In Southern California terms, an hour or two hour drive is not far at all.)

I came home with some very sweet, white, corn.

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Fresh corn on the cob.

Produce tastes so much better when it's freshly picked.

Some of the signs at the Farmer's Market made me laugh.

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Got Nuts?  Roasted peanut sign.

The man selling roasted peanuts laughed at me as I took the above photo of his sign.

Walking around the Farmer's Market made me hungry.  A lot of the vendors were giving out sample of their produce/food.  It was a good thing too.  My breakfast consisted of their "samples."

Everyone seemed more than eager to have me take photos and write about them.

I couldn't resist indulging when I saw cupcakes from my favorite OC bake shop for sale.

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Meringue Bake Shop at OC Farmer's Market.

There's nothing wrong with having a cupcake for breakfast, is there?  (Honestly, having one of their cupcakes makes a trip to the Farmer's Market worthwhile all in itself.)  I'd show you a photo of a cupcake, but … ahem, some random 16 year old boy might have inhaled them the moment I got home.  

Meringue Bake Shop also sells "push cakes" which are amazing.

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I've got more to share with you about my morning at the Farmer's Market, but I'm going to save it for future posts.

(For example, I might have found myself 400 feet up in the air, tethered by a rope, at one point.)

I'll definitely make future trips to the market.  I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety of products for sale.

I also really appreciated how much effort the vendors took to gain the attention of their customers.

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Funny sign on the fruit at the Farmer's Market.

I'm not exaggerating when I say I brought home some of the best fruit I've ever tasted. 

I'm wondering why it took me so long to visit?

© Twenty Four At Heart

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Water Dogs

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I own two water dogs.

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My Golden Retriever and Chocolate Lab enjoying our swimming pool.

We've been having hotter than normal temperatures here, and both dogs have been spending a lot of time swimming in our pool.  (Being water dogs, it's almost impossible to keep them from jumping in.)

A lot of dog swim time also means I've been trying to prevent both of them from getting swimmer's ear.

And no,

I'm not joking.

It's a rough life, being an Orange County dog.

© Twenty Four At Heart

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The Correct Way to Buy a Bra

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Yesterday, I stepped on my own nipple as I got out of the car.

I knew, immediately, it was time to purchase a new bra.

By the way, stepping on your own nipple is extremely painful.

(Especially when you have hyper-sensitive, bionic, nipples like I do.)

As some of you may recall, I had breast reduction surgery at the urging of my orthopedic surgeon a couple years ago.  He felt my ginormous boobs size DD breasts were making things worse on my disabled arm/shoulder.  I bought all new bras at the time, but I guess bras aren't made to last for a lifetime.

Ever since I had breast reduction surgery, my nipples have been very … alert.

I've found Victoria's Secret BioFit bras work best for me.  (No, Victoria's Secret isn't sponsoring this post.  They know nothing about me, or my bionic nipples.)  I like the BioFit bras because in my size, a C, they don't add a lot of padding but they do cover up my attentive nipples.  They also have a nice, seamless shape for wear under t-shirts, etc.  

(I'm not saying this is the best bra for you, I just happen to think it's the best bra for me.)

I was actually on another errand yesterday, when the incident of accidentally tripping over my own nipple occurred.

I decided to make a quick pit-stop (tit-stop?) into the mall to make an emergency bra purchase.  (I often buy these same bras online, but I was close to the mall so went to the actual store.)

The problem was, I couldn't remember what my favorite bra was called.  I knew, however, I had purchased it at Victoria's Secret.

I walked into the store and responded to the cheery VS customer greeter with a confident hello.  Then I walked through the store and gazed at the stunning array of colors, sizes, and styles, of over the shoulder boulder holders.

My mind went blank.  I felt suddenly confused by the dazzling assortment of bras.

I stuck my hand down my shirt and tried to squish the padding to see if it was thick, thin, a semi-lift, or some other type of contraption.

That is exactly how the befuddled VS sales lady found me.

(Yes, right in the middle of the store with my hand in my own bra squeezing the bra this way and that way.)

She might have thought I was fondling myself because she seemed very taken aback.

What?

I can't be the first person to have their hand down their own shirt squishing around in their bra, can I?

"I can't remember the name of my bra," I said, in an attempt to explain what I was doing.

Then I added, "It has writing inside it though, and not much padding … but enough padding so my nipples don't wave at everyone."

She laughed.

She also looked a little relieved.

(The crazy woman fondling herself in the middle of the store was not actually crazy.)

She quickly deduced I was looking for a BioFit bra and escorted me to the area of the store I needed.

"What size are you?" she asked.

"DD," I answered out of habit.  (I was a DD from age 11 until just two years ago.)

She looked at me appraisingly and frowned.

"Oh wait," I said suddenly.  "I'm not a DD.  I had them cut off and now I'm a C!"

I grinned, proud of myself for remembering my new smaller size.

She looked … well, a little taken aback again.

"O-kaaaay?" she said hesitantly.

At this point, I realized she was going to be of no further help, whatsoever.

"I'm fine," I said.  "I just want to look at the pretty colors for a minute before I choose which one I want."

A few minutes later I picked out a nude colored bra to replace the one I was wearing and a shocking pink bra just for fun.

The pink bra is so pretty.

I smiled for the entire rest of the day just because I knew I had a bright pink, pretty, bra on.

My shopping mission was a success.

That, dear friends, is the correct way to buy a bra.

© Twenty Four At Heart

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Orange County Great Park

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Orange County, (Orange County, California – of course), has a park I've never told you much about.  If you live in Southern California, or have an opportunity to visit, you will probably want to check it out.

It's called the Orange County Great Park and it's located in the city of Irvine.  It's relatively new and it isn't quite sure what to do with itself yet.  (The El Toro Marine Corps Air Station used to be at the park's location.)

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People playing chess at the Orange County Great Park.

There are a few tables at the park where you can play chess.  Personally, I don't think I'd ever think to go to a park if I had a sudden urge to play a board game but maybe some people do?  It isn't that I don't like chess, it just isn't a game I think of as "park recreation."  In any case, the chess boards (warped, no less) look very appealing sitting out on the tables.

(There are outdoor chess tables at Laguna Main Beach also.  Outdoor chess tables might be a new trend in Southern California?)

The Great Park has a food court area which is very convenient if you need a beer some nourishment.  

Once in awhile there are concerts or other events held at the park.

Last weekend, I also showed you a photo of the beautiful carousel at the Great Park, making the park kid and family friendly.

A few months ago the Great Park also began hosting a Farmer's Market on Sundays.  I haven't made it to the farmer's market yet, but I plan to visit soon.

The park is definitely most famous for being home to "The Big Orange Balloon" as we (OC natives) are prone to call it.

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Orange County's "Big Orange Balloon."

In the above photo, my friends are pretending to hold the Great Park's balloon.  In reality, they're nowhere even close to it.  

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A close-up photo of the Orange County Great Park hot air balloon.

It's a hot air balloon capable of holding up to 30 people.  It's also a free "ride" at the park.  When you go up in the balloon, it remains tethered to the ground.  (It can go up as high as 400 feet.)

The balloon is lit up at night and can be seen floating in the sky from miles away.  Around Halloween the balloon is decorated as a giant jack o'lantern.

By the way, there's a sign by the balloon stating you aren't allowed to jump from it.  I find the sign very amusing.  (When you ride the balloon, you're in a cage so you can't jump out and fall the 400 feet even if you are really, really, drunk!)

The park is a little random right now – evidence of its growing pains.

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My friend, Nike, and I riding the giant bike (actually a bike rack that goes absolutely nowhere) at the Orange County Great Park.

I think the park is going to grow into something really good, given a little time.

It's already off to such a good start.

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The sunsets at the Orange County Great Park are spectacular.

© Twenty Four At Heart 

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The Best Homemade Barbecue Sauce EVER!

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I'm not a food blogger, but occasionally I can't help but share a great recipe.  

I especially like easy recipes.

This summer I've been making batches of homemade BBQ sauce to use on chicken, turkey, tri-tip, ribs, etc.

I originally got this recipe off of Food Network, but I've modified it a few times over.

As is, it makes a huge batch.  It's perfect if you're hosting a barbecue (or cook-out as some of you call it).  If not, you might want to cut the recipe in half.

Twenty Four's Famous BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

Fresh Thyme (about a handful)

2 slices bacon

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 onion, chopped finely

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 cups ketchup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses  (I use a bit less because I don't like my sauce quite so sweet.)

4 Tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 Tablespoons dry mustard

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons paprika

Freshly ground pepper

* Red chili pepper flakes are optional for those of you who like to make things spicy.

Directions:

Wrap the thyme bundle with one or two pieces of bacon and tie with twine.  (If you don't have twine you can use a shoe lace.  An unused shoe lace would be preferable.)

Heat a little of the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.  Add the thyme bundle and heat for about five minutes.  (You just want to render the fat enough to get the flavor of the bacon and thyme!)

Remove the thyme bundle.  Admire your handy-work at tying bundles before you throw it away.

Stir in the onion and garlic and heat slowly for around five minutes.  (Don't brown the onion and garlic, but DO enjoy how yummy your kitchen now smells.)

Add all the remaining ingredients and stir. 

Heat on low.  Cook slowly for around 20 minutes.

Baste with some of the sauce, and reserve a portion for serving.

Delicious!

P.S.  I was just kidding about the shoe lace.  

© Twenty Four At Heart

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Party Up, Party Down

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Last weekend was busy.

One of the events I went to was a surprise birthday party for a long-time neighbor and friend.

Like many (most?) parties here, it was held outside.

The party was catered, and I was handed a margarita promptly upon arrival.  Have I ever turned down a margarita on a warm summer afternoon?  (I mean, I'd consider turning it down but I might hurt someone's feelings and then I would never be able to forgive myself.)

There were Mariachis wandering around entertaining us.

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Mariachi playing his guitar.

I wonder if they get tired of playing the same music night after night?

There were two "Taco Bars" set up in opposite corners of the backyard.

Gavin, one of the caterers, was cooking at one of them.

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Party caterer making tacos at a taco bar.

Taco bars are very popular at parties in Southern California.  

Gavin was nice enough to let me take his photo.  (Of course, at this point I was a little tipsy from the never-ending flow of margaritas so Gavin isn't in perfect focus.)

After everyone had finished up with their tacos, the mariachi players left and a DJ arrived to play dance music.

Please take notice of this next photo:

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DJ playing music at a party.

First of all, LOOK – IT'S ROD STEWART!!

(Not really …. but, maybe?)

Second,

Did you notice how the quality of photos I took got worse and worse the further along the party went?

I'm sure that had nothing to do with … tequila.

© Twenty Four At Heart

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The Importance of Owning a Trademark

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I know this is a little "off topic" for me, but it's an important post and it needs to be written.

On Friday I was contacted by someone saying they were also "24 at Heart."  Their email was signed with a link to a blog of the same name.

I was getting ready to head out the door when the email arrived, and my immediate thought was, "What the hell?"

Then I googled "24 at heart" and Google sent me to myself – which is kind of funny when you think about it.

(By the way, a lot of you google 24 at heart instead of Twenty Four At Heart every day to find me.  I know this, because I get a report showing me what "searches" are made bringing people here.)

As many of you know, I began writing Twenty Four At Heart over three years ago.  When I did, I purchased TwentyFourAtHeart.com, .org, .info, and a host of other dot-somethings so no one else could accidentally (or purposely) use the same name.  At the time, I also looked at purchasing 24atHeart.com, .org, .info, etc., but to be honest I couldn't justify spending a lot of money on a website I was just beginning.  

By the way, those names were all available for purchase when I looked.

Also?

At the time, I was in a bad place (surgery after surgery) and had no idea Twenty Four At Heart would grow into what it has become.  In fact, I couldn't have imagined, in my wildest dreams, I would own a business of the same name just three years later.

In the last year, it has become clear Twenty Four At Heart has grown into its own entity.  Last winter I talked to my lawyer (Keith Bremer) about what steps I needed to take to protect myself, and my business.  We began taking the steps necessary to formalize Twenty Four At Heart into a corporation and to trademark the name.

Over the course of the last few months, both of those steps were finalized.

I was not happy with the news someone else was using "my" name (in any variation).  This was magnified when I realized this same person had "24 at Heart Photography" on their Google Profile.  I've been very active with a lot of top photographers on Google Plus and my photos are all copyrighted with the Twenty Four At Heart name.  

I really did not want/need this type of confusion in my professional life on top of the physical challenges I face every day.

Now, before everyone gets up in arms on my behalf …

I'd like to point out I *think* this situation was unintentional on behalf of the other party.

Of course, I don't know this person so I can't say for sure  - 

(Although, it is eerily coincidental especially when you throw in the photography piece.)

In any case, I emailed the other party, explained I was not trying to create a problem for her, but informed her I own the trademark.

I then contacted my lawyers and they promptly got back to me.  How many lawyers do that on a Friday evening after 5:00?  

(Best lawyers ever –  Bremer Whyte.)

By the way, this self-proclaimed "Christian" then called me a "mean" "sad" "bitter" person on her blog.

(That is a whole different issue called libel ……. but I won't get into that today.)

Initially, I wasn't going to write about this situation but I decided it's important for people to understand what happened.  If you write a blog, or are starting a business, it's very important to protect yourself legally.  I realize, in our economy, no one wants to spend money on lawyers, right?

But …

It doesn't matter if someone intentionally, or unintentionally, "takes" your name.  It doesn't matter if you, or they, "had it first."

What does matter, is who owns the name.

Trademarking is important unless you're prepared to give up the name of your blog/business to someone else.  I should have trademarked the name Twenty Four At Heart three years ago, but I'm lucky I began taking the steps to formalize my business in early 2011.  If I hadn't, anyone could start selling photos, or doing whatever, under the name Twenty Four At Heart (or a slight/confusing variation of it).  

Trademarking was just one of the legal steps I took to protect my business, but it was an important one.  

(I was asked by someone last week if trademarking and copyrighting are the same thing.  No, they are not.  Copyrighting your writing and/or photos is an entirely different topic.  Trademarking allows you to "own" your blog/business name.)

One of my friends made the following comment to me on Twitter last Friday:

Protecting your business does not make you a bitch, it makes you a business owner.

I'm closing comments on this post due to some of the legal issues still swirling around this situation.

I am, however, urging all of you to protect yourselves and your businesses through proper legal channels.

© Twenty Four At Heart

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Life

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I took this photo Friday night at Orange County's Great Park.

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An antiqued photo of a carousel (merry go round).

It resonates deeply with me.  I feel like it describes life – the whirlwind along with the steady continuity.  

On an even deeper level, I view it as a pictorial of the life of a chronic pain patient.  The pain is always there, steady and unmoving.  The quest to be rid of it is a never ending blurry circle.  I could go on and on about how much this photo speaks to me, but I won't.

Perhaps, in some way, it speaks to you too?

© Twenty Four At Heart