Boys like to shoot guns. I like children to remain uninjured. Airsoft, which involves shooting one’s friends but also involves plastic BBs and full facemasks, sounded like it might be a way to meet halfway. …
December 2, 2015
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Stories by Eve Kelly
Airsoft gunplay around the county
A gift for a grieving friend
This has been a rough year for funerals. We are attending more than I wish to acknowledge. This past week it was a dear friend’s mama. Besides the usual flowers and meal, which feel sort …
November 18, 2015
El Niño is coming. How’s your chimney?
Pay these people to banish the raccoons from your chimney.
November 4, 2015
A hot bowl of comfort
My friend Lorraine has a golden soul. She’s the type of person who surprises you with coffee deliveries at that exact hour of need, who sends supportive texts throughout the day, who drops off mountains …
October 21, 2015
Where to get a great pumpkin
“The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed over 2000 pounds.”
October 7, 2015
Rodents love barbecues
"At least half of the barbecues I work on have rodent droppings where the burners are, and/or nests, and/or actual rodents inside. People are cooking rodent droppings along with their food. "
September 9, 2015
Fresh takes on ice cream sandwiches
Summer has the Kellys exploring the boom in gourmet ice cream sandwiches. “We are baking cookies all day long, so that we can serve you the absolutely freshest, warmest cookie for your custom ice cream …
August 12, 2015
Hydrate your hair for the summer
Summer of Love. That’s what my hubby Patrick is calling it. We’ve been invited to eight weddings of friends and family. Eight. Love is in the air. But my poor hair, it’s not feeling the …
July 29, 2015
Learn how to cook
“Our ‘Endless Main Course Salads’ class contains a solid hour of knifing skills.”
July 1, 2015
Dad’s Day on the Bay
Father’s Day. Didn’t we just celebrate 2014’s? That’s how I felt as my daughter and I discussed some options over cappucini and a quattro stagioni (four seasons) wood-fired pizza last week at Caffé Calabria in …
June 17, 2015
San Diego Reader 2015 Fun issue
Urban Adventures Beach Town Suburban Ocean & Bay Backcountry Mexico
June 10, 2015
Soapmaking 101
My oldest daughter has been thinking artisan ever since buying handmade coconut-milk soap at a farmers’ market. “Every time I use it,” she says, “I think, I could do this.” Besides soapmaking tools and ingredients, …
June 3, 2015
Buying stuff for a Memorial Day party is a patriotic gesture
Celebrate Memorial Day like a Lincoln.
May 20, 2015
Juice cleanses to feel lighter and tighter
“A juice cleanse is when you drink only juice for some period of time, typically three days,” said Hanna Gregor, owner of OH! Juice in Downtown (619-760-1292; ohjuicecleanse.com). “It gives your digestive tract a break, …
May 13, 2015
On the trampoline scene in a big way
“We turn off the main lights and turn on black lights, party lights, and fog machines.”
May 6, 2015
PASS the fire extinguisher
“We teach people the PASS method, which stands for pull the pin, aim, squeeze, and sweep.”
April 8, 2015
Have a new Easter
“I am hoping the Easter bunny brings me new lingerie, chocolate, coffee, tickets to concerts, and housecleaners, all in that order.”
March 25, 2015
Travel safely on St. Patty’s Day
“We are a charity that educates people about planning when going out with groups of friends.”
March 11, 2015
Tea like a dragonfly ride through the African bush
“Juicy brightness dapples your palate like light filtering through a poppy parasol.”
Ice skating for tweens and teens
“Word has it that the San Diego Ice Arena in Mira Mesa is the ‘it’ spot for tweens and teens on Friday nights.”
February 11, 2015
A flurry of ski and snowboard rental deals
The school offers a stationary carpeted slope and a revolving carpet to help practice skills off the snow.
January 28, 2015
Don’t let your kid grow up fat
“We made butternut squash mac ’n’ cheese, with squash substituting for cream. The kids were blown away.”
January 14, 2015
Citify your New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve festivities in the Kelly home bounce between ringing in the year at private house parties to lounging at home with appetizers, drinks, and movies. “We’ve never done the Downtown NYE party scene, …
December 30, 2014
A live wreath to go with your live tree
“There’s an ocean-themed wreath that uses starfish instead of poinsettias. It looks very cool.”
December 17, 2014
Get your Christmas tree on
You can choose and cut your own tree, or if you are not feeling your inner lumberjack, the farm will cut your tree for you.
December 3, 2014
The biggest Christmas show in San Diego
Well-traveled stuffers Solana Beach This shop is a bargain-hunter’s paradise amid the fun (but pricey) shops of the Cedros Avenue Design District in Solana Beach. Stocking stuffers galore, and all with a touch of thoughtfulness …
December 3, 2014
Where to get your cracked iPhone screen repaired
I have joined the clumsy throng: I have cracked my iPhone screen. “I got into this by learning to fix my own phone,” said Dakota Claussen of Quick Fix Tech Repair downtown (619-702-8071; quickfixtechrepair.com). “Then …
November 19, 2014
Solar-powered pilgrims dancing in the sunlight
“I’m a fan of subtle home decorating for the holidays,” offered pal Nancy. “Just not into plastic pilgrims and strobe-lit pumpkins. Thanksgiving in our home is pumpkins hollowed out and filled with succulents, tall clear …
November 5, 2014
Healthy meals right to your door
“I might make a lasagna that uses vegetables instead of pasta noodles.”
October 22, 2014
Not gummy worms or gummy sharks or gummy frogs or gummy penguins...
“Gummy bears have a magical light-capturing quality to them that makes people smile.”
October 8, 2014
Grown-ups just want to lounge in the hot tub
“I can’t afford a pool,” lamented my friend Shawn. “So what?” I replied. “Grown-ups just want to lounge in the hot tub. And it’s less water, and it feels great on your back.” Jay Gavin, …
September 17, 2014
Gifts for the new mom (and baby)
“Look out for Mr. Stork, that persevering chap. He’ll come along and drop, a bundle in your lap...” My friend Bernice sat singing the song from Dumbo as we sipped cappuccinos one recent morning. The …
September 3, 2014
Ways to save water and money
Landscaping and gardening in a drought is tough and expensive, so I started looking for ways to save water and money. “The first thing to do is evaluate the irrigation system,” said New Way Landscape …
August 20, 2014
Sophisticated water sports
Last week, I stopped by the new waterfront park at 1600 Pacific Highway with the kids and had a picnic by the enormous fountain and its “interactive” water arches. My little ones got drenched and …
July 23, 2014
A tourist in my own town
My college roommate came to town, her first visit to San Diego since we graduated an undisclosed number of years back. “I have limited time,” said Crystal, “and I want to see it all, by …
July 16, 2014
Gourmet popsicles
“Oooooh, fancy,” said my youngest as I pulled a strawberry-orange juice popsicle from its mold. (Up until that moment, her pops had all been single-flavor.) Her comment reminded me of something I’d heard about gourmet …
June 25, 2014
Chocolate-covered strawberries
My childhood friend Serena’s bridal shower is in two weeks. Our friend Lisa is preparing Spanish tapas. Bernice is bringing two gallons of her husband Frank’s amazing sangria. My job is to bring a few …
June 18, 2014
Swing dancing is the happiest dancing
“Swing dancing is the happiest dancing around,” says Margie Adams, owner of 2 to Groove in Clairemont Mesa (619-291-3775; 2togroove.com). I like happy, so I asked for more info. “If you’re a newcomer, I suggest …
June 4, 2014
Gifts for grads
“My parents wanted me to travel to Europe after my college graduation, expand my horizons.”
May 14, 2014
Sailing America
“Anyone who does happen to lose their lunch while sailing will get it back with a gift certificate to a restaurant just down the street.”
May 9, 2014
Capture your rain
I have no idea how I ended up with a $600 water bill, but it spooked me to the point where I was hesitant to put in a garden this year. Then I saw my …
April 30, 2014
Bloody marys and Roman showers for Ma’s day
“You’ve got to help me,” my brother William said sotto voce while glancing at his wife Beth across the room. “Mother’s Day is coming, and I’ve got nothing.” Little brother looked terrified. He’s a lousy …
April 23, 2014
Relieve itchy skin with olive oil and/or vinegar
“It depends on where the itch is and the age of the person.”
March 19, 2014
Get your dog supplies delivered
“We have seven office dogs that eat the treats and play with toys all day.”
March 5, 2014
Olympic Games Party
The invitations went out through Facebook. They included a photo of my man in a morphsuit: full-body stretchy spandex, red and white stripes over the face, stars down the right arm, the American flag. This …
February 19, 2014
Photographs for Valentines' Day
“Curves are in, and I am going to work on making those curves look delicious.”
February 5, 2014