Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Baking In the Garden

Say, you were going to a party.

Say, you needed to bring cookies for a cookie exchange.

Say, you decided to make Pumpkin cookies.

Would you use the spice on the left or the spice on the right?

Need I say more?

Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Christmas Decorating.......

.....Baby steps, little baby steps!!!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

I don't want to catch a virus!

Just a quick note to let you know that my computer is in the shop again and I won't be able to post any new pictures till I get it back. I had to take it back to the shop to have Windows reinstalled and when I got it back I got to thinking that I hadn't seen Spybot running at all. When I called the shop and they told me how to check, it said the last time it had run all my virus protection programs was NEVER!!! EGADS!!! New hard drive, new system and no virus protection!?! Pulled the plug, took it in and FIX IT PLEASE!!!!!!

I hope to get it back soon. You just can't be too careful!

I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving and a stress-free Black Friday.

Hugs!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Pulling the wool over our eyes!

We saw such beautiful country on our recent trip. Breath taking scenery from rivers to mountains to prairie land. On our way home we took Highway 89 north to Salt Lake City on the recommendation of my blog friend, Anna. It was such a beautiful drive through a valley resplendent with mountains, old towns full of historical houses and buildings and lots and lots of ranches and farms. A little something for everyone. I have a feeling that they get lots of snow in the winter, but the people who live there are warm and friendly. I only wish we could have taken more time to explore the area.

As we were driving along the traffic slowed down and then stopped. At first we though there was road construction. Then we spotted the sheep. A local rancher was moving the herd from one field to another. At least that's what I think he was doing. All we could do was sit and watch the parade go by.

It was actually a nice break from all the traffic and "modernness" in which we live in. A little throw back to simpler times.

We live in an area of California that is agricultural and the cities are encroaching on the farm land. Sometimes you will be driving and get behind a piece of farm equipment on the road (Listen to International Harvester by Craig Morgan!) and you can't go around it. Some people get impatient I know, but I don't. I like to sit back and relax, take a deep breath and appreciate being out of the rat race even if it's just for a little bit of time. Besides, the farmers and ranchers were all here before we were!!!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Eating our way across America!

All of our friends know that when Sweety and I travel it's all about the food! We do research before we go anywhere to make sure we hit all the local favorites. One of our favorite television shows is Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We've been fortunate enough to be able to eat at quite a few of the restaurants that have been featured. Some great, some not so much!

On our recent trip to Denver we made a point to stop at the Bagel Deli which is a mere 20 minutes from our son's house!!! How lucky can you get? It was featured on the show and did not disappoint. It's a classic Jewish deli. If I lived close to it I would seriously have to join Jenny Craig!!!

It is not fancy and it sits to the back of a little strip mall, but don't let the outside fool you. They have awesome food and the most friendly help.

This is what I ordered. Egg salad and pastrami. I know it sounds weird, but Guy had it on the show so I thought I would give it a shot. All I can say is OMGOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was absolutely delicious - messy - but beyond awesome!!!!!

No, folks, this is not a Thanksgiving dinner for a family of four. It's Sweety's sandwich - pastrami, corned beef and brisket. Again, absolutely fabulous!!!!! If you are in the area, you must stop here. Just take an appetite!
In Salt Lake City we stopped at Ruth's Diner, a local favorite. It is a warm and friendly comfort food sort of place that again, was featured on Triple D. For an appetizer, they bring you a plate full of the biggest biscuits you have ever seen!!

It started to snow while we were there, which made it all that more beautiful!

Another stop we made in Salt Lake on our way back was Pat's BBQ. We didn't eat there but Sweety got an order of ribs to go. Our van smelled heavenly!!!

In Winnemucca, Nevada we stopped at The Griddle . It hasn't been on Triple D, but it should be. In fact, if it weren't so far from us, we'd be going there often. If you are driving through Nevada I highly recommend you stopping by. Great food, friendly employees, I give a 5 stars!

We ate at other restaurants along the way, naturally. We always stop at Cracker Barrel and I get the Chicken and Dumplings (hold me!) We stopped at a restaurant in Reno that will remain nameless that had been on Triple D that was terrible! Dirty, disgusting, cigarette smoke and terrible food. We stopped at Altitudes in Laramie, Wyoming which was wonderful!!!! I had the Turkey Havarti Panini and it was great. I don't remember what Sweety had as I was too busy stuffing my face!!

While at our son's we ate at our local favorites, Jim and Nick's for Bar-B-Que, Rosie's for breakfast (the best breakfast ANYWHERE!!) and The Village Inn (great food and free pie on Wednesdays).

We had to cut our trip short to get back to help out our daughter, so we were unable to go to some other restaurants in the Denver area that we had planned on trying. I'm hoping to make one more trip back there before our son leaves so I can go to them.

There were other restaurants we stopped at but it's starting to become one big calorie laden, fat, and carbohydrate haze! Aaaahhh, life is good!!! The only thing I can't figure out is why my jeans are tighter and the tires needed air put in them........ Hmmmm, what's up with that!?!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Thank you, Maggie

Ever faithful, always watching over us....

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Maggie's Excellent Adventure

I got my computer back from the local "computer hospital" and I figured out how to download pictures again. I thought I would show you some of the pictures from our recent trip to Denver.

We took Maggie with us, naturally. The weather was going to be cool so there was no concern for her safety if we needed to make pit stops. She is sitting on our pillows (we always take our own) but went back and forth to her dog bed, as well. She doesn't look like it but she is in there safe and sound. First of all she has on a harness, not just a collar. Then she is attached to this which fastens into the seat belt latch. This prevents her from being hurt of running away in case of an accident, a sudden stop, or just opening the door. Using the harness is the key. If you just used a collar and stopped, your dog could get choked, or worse. She loves her little perch and travels so well. She is able to move around a little, see the sights and nap. See the cubby to the right with the water bottle in it? There is one on the other side that I filled with her dog food for snacking. Hubs kept an eye on her using the mirror in the visor a.k.a. "Maggie Cam".

She loves going to Denver to visit our son because she also gets to visit his dog, Abby. They get along so well and are a big help patrolling for squirrels and bunnies. (I'm going to be doing another post soon on Abby. She is going to need a temporary home while our son goes overseas again and I will be asking for help.)

Our son's yard is huge by California standards. Maggie just loves it. One of her favorite things to do is to sit waaaaaaaaay to the back at the top of the slope and survey all of the surroundings. She doesn't have that luxury here at home and I felt bad for her when we left.

On our way home we stopped at a wonderful rest stop in the canyon outside of Denver just before you get to Glenwood Springs on Highway 70. Maggie got really excited because she saw her first snake! I couldn't take a picture as I was trying to keep her away from it. Hubs said it could be poisonous (something about the shape of the head) so we didn't want to take any chances.

Maggie was really excited to see the Colorado River for the first time.

We walked down and she got to get a drink of clear, cool water.....

....and immediately peed! My apologies to the people who get their drinking water from the Colorado River!


We also stopped at the Bonneville Salt Flats outside of Salt Lake City. They are beautiful! We tasted the water and it was way saltier than you can imagine.

I'm really proud of our little Maggie. She was absolutely no trouble on our trip. She's very patient in the morning at the motels while I get dressed so she can go outside. The best thing is she never gets car sick.

We stayed in the Larkspur Hotel Truckee, California on our last night coming home. Like the other motels we stayed in, they let you bring your dog but this establishment takes it a step further. They have a container of dog treats on the counter when you check in. They also give you a dog bowl, a dog chew toy and one of these to hook on the leash. What a great place to stay!!!

I'll post some more pictures of our trip soon. We ate at some amazing restaurants and you have got to see the food!!!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Holiday Magazine

I don't do a lot of holiday decorating at my house. It has a lot to do with stress and having to figure out where to put all my regular stuff to put out the holiday decor. I don't like to rearrange furniture or nick nacks at all. Weird, I know, but there you are. I put something somewhere and there it stays. For years! I don't go out and purchase lots of holiday magazines because I figure I don't need the inspiration and magazines are getting expensive, anyway.

However, I do subscribe to a few magazines and was beyond thrilled when I found this in the mail box yesterday!



This is definitely a keeper and has the Maggie seal of approval!!!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Making Do

One of my favorite things to do when I'm feeling tired and stressed out is to take a nice long hot bubble bath.

I set the stage and get everything ready. A candle for atmosphere.

A good book to read and a tall glass of ice water.

A bath pillow to lean against.

Ah, the stage is set. Just one problem. I'm out of bubble bath. What shall I do?

Improvise! Works for me!!! It's a good thing I have grandchildren that come over and spend the night.