Well it's been a long week and here I am working because the building was doing power work which puts my telephone office on generator power....so everything went smooth and they actually got done before 6 a.m. (they couldn't do everything tonight not sure if it was parts or the skill set)

Anyhow I hope you all have a great weekend and wish you all the best no matter what struggle you are dealing with today.


Jerry sorry I couldn't join in much but, I had to shuffle my priorities and since I like to eat well WORK won out.

Hope You enjoy the Road Trip Pic's
BH
***

BH, we've been missing YOU!!!! Sorry you're working though!!!
I'm still up but all my company's now in bed It's ME time here LOL!

Missing you at HH and have new Crown just for us LOL!

I'm on my way to see your pics; bet they're awesome!!!

Missing ya'll too!!!!

Maybe things will slow down next week.

OK, we'll hold you to it
Seriously, your pictures were NICE!!! Looks like a great trip you had with good friends. Thanks for sharing!!!

Goodnight and don't work too hard!

Will try not too....have a goodnight Kobi and I will do my best to join in next week.

Enjoy your weekend.

I off here also....got some things to finish and then I'm heading out.

Say Goodnight Gracie!

Goodnight Gracie/Geroge.


Good Morning everyone. Kobi, did you go back to bed and power up for your black belt shopping today?
I'm just now fueling up with some breakfast so I can do my usual Saturday morning routine. Today is the only day this weekend that I can clean, shop, fix, trim and mow. Tomorrow I need to be at the volunteer tent at 5:45am for the triathlon. It should be a fun event, but z-z-z-z

Good morning all!!
I've been painting and feeding my fur and shell (Henry) crew. The coffee is ready and VERY tasty today!!

I'm going to be doing some serious painting today, then this afternoon Rafe & I will go get Brody. We are taking him to PetSmart to pick out bowls and food. That's what I did w/ Calypso, I let him pick his stuff out. And we get to see how Brody acts in public...this should be interesting!!!

Tomorrow, we shall dive!!!!!

good AM all, today is it for us, 3:05 PM flight out on Delta :-(

Denise, I hope you have a good trip home. I'm sorry it's your last day. Go out and have a FANTASTIC morning, take lots of pics posing in front of your favorite places!! And drink something w/ rum!! It's 4 O'clock somewhere!!

Good Morning all! Denise.

Hubby is off camping for 4 days, crazy morning today!

Yesterday I did something I would never do. There was a woman who I new years and years ago and I knew she owned a shop in a nearby town. It was one of those things, I have always wanted to say hi but was either too afraid too as she might think I was a wierdo. But, I thought, nope I am going out to say hi, took my kids etc. It was awesome!!!!!!! It was a nice 45 min visit! It felt so good after!

Anyway, I am off later to hit Costco, my mother-in-law is taking 2/3 kids. The grocery prices are insane now and I am stocking up on meats. Next month is the bi-annual paper shop.

Now that I have bored you all!!! Have a great mornign

Hey Eileen!!
I've done that, not talked to someone for years, then too afraid to talk to them, even tho I'm thinking about them. That's great that you went and saw her!! And it all was good!

I'm going to be real short today, as we are leaving for Honduras 0500 tomorrow. I still have miles to go before I sleep. Anyway, I am not sure about internet access where we are staying. I have heard conflicting reports. Anyway, if you don't hear from me, stay healthy and wise. See you upon return.

Have a safe flight Denise. I wish you good weather on your return. It has rained every day on me and my tan is fading fast. Good flying to you as well Jim!

Today is a NORMAL Saturday finally. I am working right now and heading off to feed critters. We have in the rehab section a grey fox (very uncommon for Illinois) and he is a snot! We also have 3 screetch owls, 3 red tailed hawks, a HUGE great horn owl and are you ready....2 quaker parrots. The parrots are living wild in Chicago and someone found 2 babies on the street below a nest and brought them in. We can't release them because they are not native so one of the volunteers is going to give them a permanent home. They are a riot! They love to be held so they will be great pets. I'm just amazed that these parrots have evolved to handle Chicago winters. Amazing!

(Message edited by jeanineclark on July 12, 2008)

Jim, aside from the fact that you are going to be vertically challenged today, I hope you have a GREAT trip!!! Please give a trip report when you return. We have been talking about going to Roatan, and I'd like to hear how it goes

Hello BH (gotta see your pics on the other thread next), Kobi, PS, Eileen, Jeanine, Denise, Linda and Jim....Looking forward to a Roatan report too..headed there in December!
We're still in the smoke although it is much lighter today...yay the sky is not orange...Sure has put a damper on any outdoor activities this summer.
Latest smoke map shows a high layer of smoke but viz at ground level is finally greater than 1 mile!
Have a great weekend all!

Morning!!!! Did my stint at the gym, had my bowl of cheerios and a round of BT to top it all off ---- life is good
They have our fire over 80% contained and Guy (and the other members of Air Support) are shuttling crews and equipment off the fire lines The hand crews really did an amazing job of protecting homes on this one; that and a very very sweet Mother Nature
So it looks like Guy will be gone till at least Sunday night if not Monday night - but it's good $ and really good flight experience.

Me... I'm going to work in the yard. You can sure tell who does the bulk of the maintenance around here -- as in, since Guy's been gone it's kind of gone to poop!!!

Yesterday one of my Lipstickers met me at FedEx and we ended up going for wine after work... I had to laugh thinking about Kobi's blackbelt shopping... Girl... you would have to have a PHAT wallet here. This mall where we went used to be my favorite -- Eddie Bauer, Sears, Macy's, Bed Bath and Beyond (fair to middle range price stores). Some who-ha got the grand idea to upscale it and now it's Ruth Chris Steakhouse (they put in valet parking), Tiffany's, Coach, Louis Vitan and a bunch of other waaaay to expensive places that are foreign to me. OMG!!
I want my KMart!!!

Okay Rant Off!!!!

PS can I have some more coffee

Denise and Jim safe travels home -- isn't Patrick headed back too????

Boom want an egg?

Only if it's done over easy with fresh tarragon and a nice steak

Man, is she demanding!

Guess you'll have to head to Ruth Chris Boom...LOL

Auction Time!!!!!

I'm almost out of my Curry Ketchup -- too bad a bottle of that wasn't on the auction list - I'd be bidding on it for sure

Tara, give this a try.

Comfort food making it's way back at some of the top restaurants, and my house as well.

Here is a dish that I have been playing with for some time now. I call it a rainy day BBQ.

Done with a grill pan on the stove.

Serves 2. Adjust as needed.

10 med size red potatoes.
1/4 sliced red pepper
1/4 sliced yellow pepper
1/4 sliced green pepper
EV olive oil
1 egg
1 hand full of baby portobello mushrooms chopped.
1 chopped garlic clove
1 med chopped shallot.
Aged (thick) BV
8 oz lean ground beef.
8 oz ground pork.
8 oz ground veal.
2 ears of corn
1 stick of butter (room temp)
1/4 cup of cream
4 slices of smoked bacon
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 tbs dry oregano.
Pinch of smoked paprika
Pinch of truffle salt.
Salt, Kosher is good.
Fresh ground pepper.
Beef stock (low sodium) (Emeril lagasse brand or Sawnson)
Beef demi-glace. (Demi-Glace Gold)
2 chunks of gorgonzola cheese.

2 lg oven proof plates.

........................................................................................................................................................
Boil water for potatoes.
1/4 the potatoes, skins on, place in water cook about 15 mins, we want then still a little hard. Heat the grill pan over med heat. Toss the potatoes with a dash of olive oil, a pinch of oregano, and a pinch of smoked paprika. Place potatoes on grill pans and remove when soft. Cover and set aside.

Slice the peppers and grill. Remove when still a bit crunchy, toss with olive oil and a splash of BV and add a pinch of oregano, salt and pepper, cover and set aside.

Mix the three meats together along with the egg and 3/4 of the oregano. Cover and place in the fridge.

In a med pan, heat a dash of olive oil, add 3/4 of the mushrooms, 3/4 of the shallot, the garlic, saute until tender, do not over cook. Add to the meat and mix together, add the cheese, mix, mix, mix.

Heat 1/2 cup of beef stock, when starting to boil, add the demi, one tbs, mix, mix, mix. Add the remaining mushrooms, shallots, lower heat to low. We want the stock to thicken.

Turn oven on, set at 125.

Heat the Cream over low flame, add 1/2 the butter.

In a sauce pan add the potatoes, mash away adding the cream and butter till smooth with a few chunks here and there. Pop in oven when done. (Covered)

Check stock, if needing to thicken more, add some flower, just a dusting at a time. Mix, Mix, Mix.

Cover corn with a thin lawyer of butter, add to grill pan, med-high heat. Grill till soft. Then done, cover and pop in the oven. Add the two diner plates to oven to warm. Mix the potatoes.

Remove meat from fridge, make two patties, pop on the grill pan, med heat. Cook about 5-7 min's per side.
When done to your liking, add the chunks of gorgonzola cheese, remove and cover.

Cook bacon till crisp.

You are done. Have a sip of wine.

Remove plates from oven
Add a big scoop of the potatoes to the center of the plate, place the patty atop the potatoes. Ad the bacon on top of the patty.
Mix the dimi again and spoon around half the potatoes like a big C. Remove the corn, and add the truffle salt, a pinch at a time. Add to the plate. Add the peppers,

Wine time.

Hiya Babs --- no RC for me too expensive and not nearly the ambiance of my patio

I've become a snob

The only thing that intimidates me on that recipe is the Truffle Salts
sounds expensive and hard to find... no?

I do want to make something really good for when Guy finally comes home

Also, today I want to play around with my Thai Basil. I've got a gorgeous plant going and want to harvest some... got any ideas???

Here ya go Boom...

There it is... I was about to pop open a beer!!!
Great gif btw - I snagged it for later

hmmmm.... wonder where everyone went????
Time for me to jump in the shower and get a move on. I'm heading over to the farmer's market.

Check in later to see what Cynde's Agent has been up to in the Auction

Rafe & I are off to get Brody Beauregard Bosephus Slaughter!!

Then to PetSmart, then to introduce Calypso & BBBS, then to Big Daddy's to introduce them! Tara, save me a beer, I may need it!!!

Hi guys n gals, these days seem LONG to me alone! I've done so much, everything is spotless! (except me?) lol Have to get a shower.

I think it's going to be a wild salmon night, with salad and I don't know what. Or I could just call Larry and ask if he wants to order and PAY for pizza! ???? Might do that.

Just feels good getting everything done, even the rugs and bed linens are washed and everything smells good.

Larry is wanting me to join him and his work friend tomorrow to dive Venice - early in the morning till late, a 2 tank day. sigh I'd like to just let them go without me, I've dove Venice a gazillion times (though I do love it). BUT, I'd like another day, I think, home alone, taking care of business. One where I can get in the pool when I'm done, and celebrate knocking things off my list. Sometimes a person NEEDS to be alone to get things done, y'know? And I need to paint those adirondak chairs by the pool. The banana's leaking syrupy stuff made marks that can't be removed by bleach. I've got to sand and repaint.

AND I've got to book our planes to BON and back!

Hi! Looks like everyone has been busy today. Me included. I am TIRED!!!! Got to fix dinner, bid on the item I want most, pack for tomorrow and get ready for bed.
Kathy, what color will you be painting your chairs? Pink? One day I will go with you to Venice.

Linda, I think I'll paint just plain ol' boring white again.

We're going again to Venice next weekend, I think I got out of this one, tomorrow, lol. Wanna go next weekend? See, I love to hang around the reef, and Larry loves to dig in the sand like Pigpen. I like to seahorse hunt, and look closely at things on the reef. I have enough teeth to give 100 away a week! (and I do give mine away to kids, Larry saves his.) He is truly a dive addict. I am glad for him to have a possible new dive buddy. Venice is Venice. I want to go somewhere else. I love Venice, but I want blue, clear water.

I think I'll try this Thai Chicken recipe
Ingredients :

1 pound chicken - cut into bite size pieces
3 garlic cloves, chopped fine
1 yellow pepper - cut in chunks
1" of ginger - slice thinly
3 small fresh green Thai Bird chilies or any kind of chilies
a small bunch of Thai Basil
1/4 cup chicken broth or water
2 tbsp Asian fish sauce (naam pla)
1 tsp of dark soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp fresh lime juice

1. Heat a wok or heavy skillet and add oil, garlic, ginger and stir-fry until lightly brown. Add chicken and cook, stirring constantly to prevent sticking, until all chicken turn colour about 2 minutes.
2. Add chilies, pepper, broth or water, fish sauce, sugar, soy sauce, dark soy sauce and stir-fry until combined. Cover and let the chicken cook for a few minutes.
3. Check seasoning, add in basil and stir-fry 30 seconds. Lastly stir in lime juice.
4. Serve with warm rice.
Posted by I Cook4Fun at 9:54 AM
Labels: Asian Dishes, Chicken
From KitchenSnippets.com

Also I'm going to try it in salad dressing with sesame oil --- yummmy

don't get too excited Carole, I'm heading back over to the Auction!!!

Gotta go do all those errands that I missed this morning --- I didn't dare leave the house and miss the close of the auction.
Man I really need to get a life

See ya'll later........

Tara, what time is dinner tonight? Looks yummy....
Any leftovers Jer?

I'm home from my crazy puppy day!! My son is just so happy and he has Brody now! That dog just worships him!! I have lots of pics, but I gotta get them off my camera w/ my laptop. So, I'll post them soon....
We went over and got Brody, then went to PetSmart and got more stuff than any dog would ever need. But it was fun. I couldn't believe how well behaved Brody was while we were there. He picked out toys and food and treats and bowls! We let him pick everything!! Now, let me get my pics ready to post...
What a fun day!!

YAY, a happy story indeed!! I can't wait to see pictures of the newest family member You're a great Mom, PS, and I know Rafe is a happy fella. Brody's got a great family!!!

Sounds like you have one happy puppy! Congrats.
Nite all.

(Message edited by tlraz on July 12, 2008)

Brody Beauregard Bocephus







Scroll over the pics

Very Cute PS!!

Absolutely adorable pup! The smile on Rafe's face SAYS IT ALL
Brody's a lucky fella to have such a loving, forever home!!!

I love it !!!!!!
They are both handsome happy boys!!!!

Rasta and I ended up driving up to Santa Ynez to visit Guy at the airport. We had dinner with the crew at a local pizza joint. It was a nice little road trip