“The park offers a bird’s-eye view of downtown skyscrapers, planes lifting off from the airport, Mission Bay, the ocean...”
January 29, 2014
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Stories by Eve Kelly
San Diego's top spots for picnics
Walking San Diego
Walks around town, walks in the mountains, walks next to the freeway that make it easy to pretend you’ve gotten away from it all (if you ignore the sound of traffic).
January 22, 2014
Where to go zip-lining in San Diego (over rhinos!) and beyond
It’s a new year, and the Kelly family is looking for a new adventure. “Zip-line riding is on my bucket list,” offered my husband. “I’m on it,” I said. “Our flight-line Safari is pretty popular,” …
January 8, 2014
Christmas joy over all 12 days
“On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a leaping, nine ladies dancing, eight maids a milking, seven swans a swimming, six geese …
December 25, 2013
The gift of raptors
“This year, I’m giving the kids the gift of raptors,” said Patrick. Lord, help me, I thought he said Rapture. But, no: we have several sons who are nature enthusiasts, and Patrick had just stumbled …
The most practical gift
I hated getting socks for Christmas when I was a kid. So did my husband Patrick. It always struck me as a daily necessity dressed up as a gift. So, imagine my puzzlement when, upon …
November 27, 2013
The gift of cheesemaking
"I have enough stuff,” said my aunt-in-law Cheryl when I asked her what she wanted for Christmas this year. “I prefer gifts I can eat or things to do.” I thought of cheese. Cait Gunderson, …
November 13, 2013
Taste it, Pumpkin Boy
‘Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” — George Eliot I love that quotation. It captures my …
October 30, 2013
Going medieval for Halloween
So, we’re going medieval for Halloween this year, thinking up costumes that can do double duty at Renaissance fairs (don’t ask). Fifteen years ago, I would have jumped at the chance to play a princess. …
October 16, 2013
Jetpack dreams become reality
At Jetpack America, one can practice their corkscrews, backflips, and high-speed donuts over water. Over 150 bucks for 15 minutes, though.
October 9, 2013
Black light fashion
What to wear to your next black-light-themed party? Eve Kelly is glad you asked.
October 2, 2013
Corn Chip Chowdown
Trader Joe, the organic newcomer to the corn-chip party goes head-to-head with Mr. Frito.
September 18, 2013
Cheapskate’s Corner
I don’t like to be separated from my money unless I get something great in return. Even if I were rich beyond measure, you’d never see me wrapped in sable pulling up to the Marine …
September 18, 2013
King of Cups
Who cares who put the chocolate in the peanut butter, who does it best?
September 4, 2013
Best reusable lunch bags and boxes
Just in time for back-to-school, a survey of what’s out there in the way of lunch boxes.
August 7, 2013
Paddleboard safari
Stand-up paddle board lessons are a good, easy way to learn how to surf. But don’t do it. Surfing is no fun.
July 24, 2013
Let’s get some car bling
Survey of accessories (some useful, many useless) to make your car look good and sparkly.
July 10, 2013
Cures for the summertime greens
My towheads have turned into toads. My daughters’ hair, once so golden, has gone green from too many hours in the pool. And the standard stuff at Target and Walmart didn’t get the job done. …
June 26, 2013
Covering the backyard in flames
Summerfest at Kelly Manor will officially begin with a backyard dance party. We’re going to kick up the heels, down some sangria, and party. We’ve hired the band, sent out the Evites, and reserved a …
June 19, 2013
Solutions for a dirty pool
Swimming-pool water filtration instead of replacement could save you thousands.
June 12, 2013
Sun-protection lotions after skin cancer
Once you’ve gone under the knife, your thoughts of the sun change. Last year, I lost a chunk of eyelid. Basal cell carcinoma. They didn’t get all of it the first time, so I had …
June 5, 2013
Carved, rolled, filled: custom candlemaking
Decorative candles can be carved or of the gel variety.
May 22, 2013
Margarita mixer matchup
‘If life gives you limes, make margaritas,” I sang, channeling my best Jimmy Buffett. “If life gives you hordes of guests, buy margarita mixes,” responded my man Patrick. We were in the midst of planning …
May 15, 2013
Rescues in the surf zone
There are many ways to go about becoming a San Diego lifeguard.
May 8, 2013
Coffee Roaster Tour
A tour of San Diego coffee shops that roast their own beans.
Hamster is a better idea than hamsters
The pet debate raged on in the Kelly home. On one side are the kids who ask for a dog every time they see one in a commercial. On the other side is my husband …
April 17, 2013
The ups and downs of garage doors
"Darn it, Patrick, this is suburbia!” I complained. “I am not about to put barn doors on the shed in our front yard!” Patrick has been trying to cut costs — he’s already embarrassed to …
April 10, 2013
Bringing out the butterflies
Turn your tomatoes and squash into butterflies and hummingbirds.
April 3, 2013
Car wash gone mobile
‘Shaggy and Scooby must be jealous,” Patrick said when Bernice pulled her bright yellow Dodge Sprinter down our driveway. The Sprinter has 12 seats, just like our Chevy Express, but it rides about two feet …
March 20, 2013
St. Patrick's party prep
St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching, and my Kelly hubby is heavy into party planning. “I bought green-striped thigh-high stockings [$4.99 at partycity.com] for you,” he announced, “and a little green top-hat hairband thingy [$9.99 …
March 13, 2013
Electronic cigarette smoke-out
My friend Smokee Wilson ain’t so smoky anymore. She recently started “vaping,” as she calls it — getting her nicotine fix by way of an electronic cigarette. I’ve got some family members who smoke, so …
February 20, 2013
Jam session with the Kellys
Apricot jams, spreads, and preserves are trundled into the taste-test kitchen.
February 13, 2013
Painting and wine classes in San Diego County
‘Didn’t you used to want to be an artist?” I asked Patrick as I dragged him out the door. “At least I’ll get a drink,” he grumbled. We were on our way to a Painting …
February 6, 2013
Instant oatmeal taste test
Casa Kelly’s 2013 New Year’s resolution is healthier living — nutritious eating, physical activity, and enlightenment of the mind. The easy part for shopper Eve is the eating. Out go the chips, in come the …
January 30, 2013
The Best BBQ Sauce
We use a lot of barbecue sauce in the Kelly house. Our favorite has always been Gates Original. It hails from Kansas City, and my mom sends me a bottle every year at both Christmas …
January 16, 2013
Ways to quit smoking
The cognitive thought-based method versus hypnosis for quitting the habit.
January 9, 2013
Takes some green to chase away the holiday blues
“Viejas Outlet Center has the largest outdoor skating rink in Southern California.”
December 26, 2012
Peppermint-themed birthday party turns up Peeps and Pop Rocks
My youngest daughter always feels ripped off at this time of year because her birthday comes just three days after Christmas. She gets a second dose of presents, but we’re usually too wiped out to …
December 19, 2012
Pipes and tobaccos
Contentment and pipe smoke filled the air in the late-night hours after the Thanksgiving feast. My brother Bill, visiting from Kansas, puffed merrily away on our patio, reveling in the mild California evening. Patrick, meanwhile, …
November 28, 2012
Thanksgiving Volunteering Opportunities in San Diego
My son recited a Gandhi quotation at dinner. “‘I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let …
November 20, 2012
Where to go for Thanksgiving turkey
"Don’t cook for Thanksgiving this year,” said Patrick’s mother. “You know what?” I answered. “I’m not going to fight you on that. It’s been a long year.” “So, where should we go? Our treat.” I …
November 14, 2012
Natural peanut butters
Sometimes you like to get raw and wild with your peanut butter.
November 7, 2012
Equine and Wine Adventures
Wine country rides in San Diego’s backcountry.
Presidential Party Favors
Political party: fun and games associated with Obama and Romney.
October 24, 2012