A General Update

I've been MIA for a little while, and I'm quite sure you are ravenous for information, so here is a general update.....

Crazy Lady continues to stalk us. We have to plan our outside time around the times that she's sitting on her porch staring our way. We get about 20 minutes a day.

The White Trashies Boxer is still barking like crazy but it's not so noticeable since the Jims installed the privacy fence. We enjoy watching them. They're possibly the only people in the neighborhood with a yard worse than ours.

Hippie Lady has nothing new going on. She's been mowing our strip of lawn that's next to hers. We really like Hippie Lady.

Still on Weight Watchers. Still hungry.

We almost have our first tomato.



My weed garden is coming in nicely. It must be all the water and nutrients I'm giving it.

Liesl has taken up scavenging the yard for toys. Around bedtime she starts collecting rocks and sticks and some choice items off of Big Jim's boats. This morning we went outside to discover dirt all over the deck and some sort of root that she dug up from who knows where.

I keep missing wonderful photo opportunities. Like last week, Jim and I were at the post office and a very funny man who was putting out vibes I can only describe as "midlife crisis at its worst" parked next to us. Oh, to have had a camera. You would have enjoyed him.

Jim and I are going on a road trip this week and leaving Big Jim in charge. I will be taking the camera along and hoping for excitement and entertainment along the way.

Breakfast Pizza

Ingredients:
4 Eggs
2-3 Tbsp milk
1/2 cup shredded cheese
refrigerated croissant roll dough
bacon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cut the bacon into bite sized pieces and cook over medium heat until crispy. Drain on a paper towel.



Roll out the dough. Please put the dough into the bottom of a glass pan or in a oven safe pan, just anything enclosed. Be ye not so stupid as me, cookie sheets and pizza pans don't work well. I had a very dirty oven to prove this.



Beat the eggs and milk together. Season with salt and pepper. Pour onto the dough. Sprinkle with the cooked bacon and any other toppings you wish. Cover with cheese.



Cook for 15 minutes or until the eggs are set and the croissant is cooked.

Liesl Goes to the Vet

Liesl had her first visit to the vet today to get her puppy shots.

She was a little nervous getting into the Jeep. We didn't want to haul her gigantic carrier around so she sat on the floor board in front of me. She was a little whiney at first and kept trying to climb onto my lap. Just when I thought she had calmed down, she puked.

Once in the vet office she was actually really good. She sat quietly next to Jim, except for one little outburst toward another dog that was next to us. We explained to her that she shouldn't bark at dogs that are much, much bigger than her.



The metal exam table caused a little concern. She came very close to falling off 4 or 5 times. It's very slippery.



When she first met her vet she looked to Jim for comfort.



This is when she, uh, had her temperature taken, if you know what I mean.



After that, she kept suspicious eyes on the doctor.



She acted like a pro in the waiting room while we paid. She eyed another big dog, but she took our advice and stayed quiet.



Three more sets of shots to go.

Raspberry Vinaigrette

Ingredients:
3 Tbsp Raspberry Syrup
4 Tbsp Raspberry Vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp lemon juice
pinch of salt

First of all, the Raspberry Syrup can be found in the coffee aisle of any grocery store. The Raspberry Vinegar wasn't at my market, so I used Pomegranite. Whatever works.

Combine all the ingredients with a blender or whisk it really, really well.



This isn't really part of the recipe, but instead of croutons which can be pretty unhealthy, you can make some crunchy tortilla strips.

Spray a low fat or low carb tortilla with cooking spray. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut thin strips. Cut those into bite sized pieces. Cook in a 300 degree preheated oven for 20 minutes or until crunchy.



This salad was made with chicken, strawberries and feta cheese. The salty feta cheese is a great combo with the sweet dressing.

Salt Lake City

I have inherited a new destination site. Along with cities in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, I will now visit Salt Lake City, Utah on a regular basis.

I have been traveling through the SLC airport several times a week for a few years, but I have only really visited the city once. It was about 2 years ago. I was with one of my bosses so I didn't get to see much.

I went there last week on my own and was excited to stop by the Mormon Temple for a little picture taking on my way to the airport.

It was rainy and really stinkin' cold but I decided to brave the conditions, driving around cluelessly until I found this big, beautiful structure.



I got out of my car and put every one of my coins into the parking meter, totally anticipating that I would be picture taking for at least 20 minutes.

I ran back into the car because, again it was rainy and really stinkin' cold. Just as I was gathering my camera stuff and umbrella to make my way over to the building, I was surrounded by protesters.



I waited for them to march past me with their signs and chanting before I braved getting out of my car again. Having been away from my small town roots for several years has still not prepared me for big city turmoil like this.

Finally they moved on and I was able to make my way to this stately, historic building.



As I approached it I noticed several unsavory looking folks on the steps leading up to the entrance. I changed directions.



I got another couple shots of this side then decided to drive around to the other side. That's when I noticed I wasn't at the Mormon Temple at all. I was at some stupid courthouse.

I retraced my route until I found a sign leading me to Temple Square.

Ahhhhhh. There it is.



Then I drove around it for about 45 minutes trying to find a parking spot. Around and around the block I went to no avail. It wouldn't have mattered anyway. I spent all my parking meter money at the courthouse.

Call Me Captain Angie

We spent our first day on Big Jim's boat this week.

(Warning: For those of you suffering through 95 degree weather and 100% humidity, look away. This will only serve to cause you more pain.)

It was in the high 60's and gorgeous.



Big Jim got us started out. He had a goofy grin on his face the whole time.



Then I took my turn at the helm.



If you can see my face in the rearview mirror, you'll notice my grin is even cheesier than Big Jim's.

I'd never driven a boat before so I was going like 2 knots and still managed to drive in a circle so My Jim took over.

As I've mentioned before... he likes to go fast which was alright by me.



I enjoyed the ride.

Booger Etiquette

The other day I was at an undisclosed location speaking with an undisclosed person that had a booger hanging out of their nose.

I hate when this happens.

If it's someone I'm close to then I'll just say, "Hey, you have a booger." This was not someone in my inner circle.

What to do, what to do?

I tried to be all psychological by constantly wiping at my own nose, hoping the act would be contagious and he/she would simply mimic my actions.

Nope.

I tried to ignore it while we carried on our serious conversation. Or rather while he/she carried on a serious conversation. I was having my own mental conversation about how to tactfully handle this predicament.

People, heed my warning. If you are talking to someone and they start obsessively attacking their own nose, it's a sign. It's you. You have a booger.

In the end I just avoided looking at him/her while we finished our conversation. It was just too much for me to handle.

Two days after the booger incident, I had another similar circumstance involving nose hairs.

Ughhhh. Vanity is very bad, but self awareness? Self awareness is very, very good.

As I tried to carry on yet another serious conversation amid nose distractions, I couldn't help but wonder how this person did not know he/she had hair the length of mullet bangs protruding out of their nostrils. Do they never look in the mirror?

This person is married. Where is their spouse on this one? Surely they've noticed it at some point. My gosh, it was long enough to tickle their lips.


Note to Self: Buy all my loved ones nose hair clippers for Christmas.

Starbucks Mini Album

This album was made with a real Starbucks cup. I just cut the bottom out then cut in half. It's bound with a machine called bind-it-all, but an old fashioned hole punch and binder rings would do the trick too.

Thanks for looking!

Thank Goodness for Spray 'N Wash

This mess is the result of just one cookie. One overly milk soaked Oreo.

I like to take my Oreos to the brink of disaster. Only the strong survive.

Hey guess what?

For the first time in a hundred years, there will finally be a new artsy post tomorrow!

Stay tuned.....