I have to tell you about the wonderful weekend I had. My daughter and I went to Arlington, Va. to see my sister Adriana in a play. The trip down was different from any I've ever taken.

We borrowed a machine for the car called a GPS system. This is a global positioning satellite. It was so funny telling us what to do like “stay in left lane for 5/10th of a mile, now turn into right lane for 4 1/2 miles, now back onto left lane. When you did what she told you to do, a bell would ring. When we went the wrong way, she would say “now make a legal U-turn.” We thought she kept saying “make an illegal U-turn.” We couldn't believe it until finally we understood correctly what she said.

Usually Adriana is the director, but this time, she was the actress. It was a comedy called “Over the River and Thru the Woods,” and it was funny, funny, funny. It was great to see her perform. I try to go and see the shows she directs, but having the chance to see her act made me so happy. Ever since we were kids, I would try to be in the audience every chance I could.

There was another plus to my trip. There is a couple there and they have been friends for many years. The husband is an actor also. In fact, years ago he and Adriana had the lead in the show “I do, I do” which was the show they did where Adriana did dinner theater at Springside Inn that summer. Well they came one day, and had breakfast with us and we had many laughs reminiscing.

Before Adriana had to be to the theater for the show, we went out for supper to a Greek restaurant and the food was delicious. After the show, of course, we went out to eat again. Another Greek restaurant with an amazing Greek menu. The place was packed, and when we were leaving at about 11 p.m., there were people still coming to eat at that hour. Big cities do have amazing habits.

I don't know if any of you had the same feeling during October, but I was sure I was going to have to start my “winter project” extra early this year with the weather we had, and I still had stuff to do on my “fall project.”

Turning back the clocks didn't help, did it?

I guess I would like winter to be the shortest season. Maybe eight weeks would be good so the skiers and the skaters could enjoy it. I think I just heard them all yelling “no, no” at me.

We had the Octoberfest party at the Boyle Center, which is always such a fun thing to be at. Sam Giangreco played the music that everyone was used to from many years ago. I love helping with those occasions.

If I concentrate real hard, maybe a chance to go away for a few days will suddenly appear. I hope everyone has a healthy November and a happy one.

My ethnic recipe this week is Hawaiian, and my other recipe is one my sister gave me. It is for granola.

I have to tell you about the wonderful weekend I had. My daughter and I went to Arlington, Va. to see my sister Adriana in a play. The trip down was different from any I've ever taken.

We borrowed a machine for the car called a GPS system. This is a global positioning satellite. It was so funny telling us what to do like “stay in left lane for 5/10th of a mile, now turn into right lane for 4 1/2 miles, now back onto left lane. When you did what she told you to do, a bell would ring. When we went the wrong way, she would say “now make a legal U-turn.” We thought she kept saying “make an illegal U-turn.” We couldn't believe it until finally we understood correctly what she said.

Usually Adriana is the director, but this time, she was the actress. It was a comedy called “Over the River and Thru the Woods,” and it was funny, funny, funny. It was great to see her perform. I try to go and see the shows she directs, but having the chance to see her act made me so happy. Ever since we were kids, I would try to be in the audience every chance I could.

There was another plus to my trip. There is a couple there and they have been friends for many years. The husband is an actor also. In fact, years ago he and Adriana had the lead in the show “I do, I do” which was the show they did where Adriana did dinner theater at Springside Inn that summer. Well they came one day, and had breakfast with us and we had many laughs reminiscing.

Before Adriana had to be to the theater for the show, we went out for supper to a Greek restaurant and the food was delicious. After the show, of course, we went out to eat again. Another Greek restaurant with an amazing Greek menu. The place was packed, and when we were leaving at about 11 p.m., there were people still coming to eat at that hour. Big cities do have amazing habits.

I don't know if any of you had the same feeling during October, but I was sure I was going to have to start my “winter project” extra early this year with the weather we had, and I still had stuff to do on my “fall project.”

Turning back the clocks didn't help, did it?

I guess I would like winter to be the shortest season. Maybe eight weeks would be good so the skiers and the skaters could enjoy it. I think I just heard them all yelling “no, no” at me.

We had the Octoberfest party at the Boyle Center, which is always such a fun thing to be at. Sam Giangreco played the music that everyone was used to from many years ago. I love helping with those occasions.

If I concentrate real hard, maybe a chance to go away for a few days will suddenly appear. I hope everyone has a healthy November and a happy one.

My ethnic recipe this week is Hawaiian, and my other recipe is one my sister gave me. It is for granola.

Today's blooper

My blooper today is about a woman who found out she was having a cholesterol problem. She was discussing it with a friend who told her the great thing to lower it was cinnamon. She told her to sprinkle a teaspoon of it on her food every day. She did and called her friend to tell her it was terrible. She could not stand the taste of 1 tablespoon of cinnamon on her food. Her friend said 1 teaspoon not 1 tablespoon.

Diana Sobus, of Auburn, specializes in making ethnic foods

Keoki's Pea Salad

Makes 6 servings

1 10-ounce package frozen petite peas, thawed

1 cup celery, chopped

1/4 cup scallions, chopped

1 cup cashews, macadam nuts or water chestnuts

1/4 cup bacon, cooked crispy, drained and crumbled

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup Italian French dressing

Salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl combine peas, celery, scallions, nuts and bacon. Mix together sour cream and dressing and season with salt and pepper. Can be made ahead and served chilled.

Granola

9 cups oatmeal flakes or 4 cups buckwheat, 4 cups millet/rice and I cup oatmeal

1 cup almonds, chopped

2/3 cup walnuts, chopped

1 cup sunflower seeds

4 teaspoons cinnamon

Liquid:

2/3 cup olive oil

4 tablespoons maple syrup

Mix together liquids and pour over top of dry ingredients. Oil two cookie sheets with sides; divide mix in two parts.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Turn and stir two times.

Pour into bowl and add raisins, dried cranberries and apricots and 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional). This is delicious served with plain or vanilla yogurt on top.