December 29, 2008

This blog was not created to rant and rave about life and the little roadbumps we encounter. However, after thinking about this for a few days, I'm going to rant and maybe rave, as well.

Don't you just love our media. It's not just in the Dallas area, it's all over the country. Our weather forecasters have become alarmists out only to get ratings. Over the last few years, the term "wintry mix" has been used frequently. It's a delightful little term but when used by the "meteorologists," you'd think the Ice Age was about to return. "If you don't HAVE to go out, don't." I'm retired so I don't have to go out but last year when I DID have to go out, I did. I worked less than 15 miles from my house. If using the North Dallas Tollway, I would go over 10 to 20 overpasses [we call it terrain change]. There is, however, an access road that stays close to the ground - which I used successfully every time. Wintry mix, my foot! Okay, higher.

So, that was annoying enough. The other day, Friday or Saturday, we had wind - gusty wind - but it was warmish. Not tornadic winds, just wind. Our local ABC affiliate had a "reporter" on the scene OUTSIDE, mind you, who said: "Dozens of leaves" have been blown around. Dozens of leaves! Can you just imagine the fear she must have instilled in North Texans! So, I stepped out to our back courtyard and took this shot of probably more than dozens of leaves.



It was very scary but thank God and Greyhound, we survived. Now, that felt good. I may rant or even rave more often.

Happy New Year! Stay safe.

Post Christmas 2008

I sure hate to post without a photograph but here I go.

Christmas has come and gone. Christmas Eve is when Jay, Steve and I got together. We had a wonderful [if I may say so myself] meal of chateaubriand, twice baked potatoes and broccoli after a lively appetizer of shrimp cocktail. Jay handled the dessert of CC Brown's Hot Fudge Sundae. I'd been baking all day and when I picked up my KitchenAid Mixer, I felt a little twinge in my lower back. Wine and champagne seemed to alleviate pain on the Eve, but on the Day and day after, I took to the heating pad and meds. Watched a couple of movies and nodded most of those days.

Alas, the dawn broke on this fine day with just a little pain. To celebrate, Jay took me to Grand Lux for brunch. I had a terribly mediocre Eggs Benedict. What a shame! Cafe Eden serves such a wonderful brunch but not on Saturday. I don't think I'll be recommending Grand Lux for brunch any longer. Denney's is better for breakfast and one doesn't have to put up with an overaged, overly energetic and loud talking server who thinks she's 25!!! Oh, yeah, our wait person was a pain at Grand Lux and we've had her before and have been known to leave. She also has a loud screechy mid-western accent as well. Maybe that's why the Eggs Benedict were not good.

I hated the back issue. Danielle and I had planned on lunch at Loft 610 and a movie on Friday but I was afraid I'd get physically stuck. We're going to try again next week. No more baking for me unless Jay gets the mixer up.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. More soon - with photographs - I promise.

Nearly Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All.

Not too much has been happening. Last Sunday, December 14th, four-fifths of the Baguettes had brunch at Eden on Lovers Lane in Dallas. WOW. It was terrific. Danielle had been there before but not for brunch. It's been hyped as having the best brunch menu in Dallas - YES IT DOES. Three of us had the Eggs Benedict [awfully terrific] and one had a made-to-order omelet [she said it was FAB]. The food was perfectly prepared and our server, Cameron, was absolutely THE BEST. It's a BYOB establishment and that's definitely NOT a problem. We will definitely return.

On Friday, the 19th, I had lunch with my former boss, Monica Velazquez, at Loft 610 in Plano, right on the Frisco border. Monica had been there before and really liked it. She knows her stuff - it was terrific. I had a smoked turkey reuben which was wonderful. The side was a mix of regular and sweet potato french fries - great. The only addition I can think of is to add an aioli dipping sauce for the fries. The Alchemist in Waterbury Center, Vermont ranks high on the dipping sauces. [Thanks to Steve, my son. He's younger and has a better memory and has also been to the Alchemist more than I.] The Executive Operating Partner, Chad Holland [originally frolm Upsate New York] gifted us with a dessert of white chocolate bread pudding which was pretty darn fantabulous. They're not open for lunch/brunch on weekends but definitely deserve a visit.

Tomorrow will be devoted to cookie baking - oatmeal cookies and chocolate chip cookies. I've already got a batch of burbon balls in the refrigerator [which are ripe and ready].

Oh, and last Sunday, I saw MILK and can't recommend it highly enough. Sean Penn BECAME Harvey Milk. Emile Hirsch was superb and Josh Brolin was the evil Dan White. Terrific film

Saw The Dark Knight the other night - 3/4ths of it was wonderful but it appears they just didn't know how to pull it all together at the end. Heath Ledger was a huge loss and will be missed. He was a wonderful Joker.

Tomorrow, I'm going to see Austrailia. I've heard it's not all that spectacular but I truly want to see it anyway.

I have 30 pages of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle to finish. I could have finished it last night but am so afraid Edgar's going to die and I don't want him to. Probably one of the most beatifully written novels I've ever read.

So, stop by in the next few days for fresh Christmas cookies and perhaps a glass of the nog or the grape.

In any case, have a Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah or Holidays.

Peace and Love to All.

Thanksgiving 2008

Well, we've done it! Survived another Food Fest! It was just Jay, Steve and me, but there sure was enough food - and then some! I found a recipe for this carrot cake on Allrecipes.com and must say it was mighty tasty. Steve, who loves carrot cake, gave it a thumbs up.



These potatoes were put to good use. The mashed potatoes might have been the best I have ever made. I think the half and half along with the sour cream did the trick! The sweet potato was grated and sauteed in olive oil and garlic. Tasty. Steve made his chipotle sweet potatoes with adobo sauce - spicy and yummy.



Jay was just thrilled at the Cowboy victory over Seattle!



I got a new digital SLR camera and tested using available light on Steve. He also got a new digital SLR [thanks Mom-Mom] but it's way too complicated for me! He takes really great pictures but leaves the people pictures for me!



Alex sampled the pate, mashed potatoes, stuffing and turkey and seemed to like them all. She's a terrific dog but certainly has a mind of her own.

In the next several weeks/months, I'm going to be taking random pictures in order to learn my camera so be patient, please. I will be using all sorts of settings on my camera and taking all sorts of shots.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Feast. Now get out there and stimulate our economy! Buy, bye!

November 19, 2008

Okay, I just wanted to see if anyone was reading. Today was an absolute BLAST. Yep, I woke up. Waking up is always good. I'm NOT looking forward to the day I don't wake up.

Vicki drove Ginger to JFK Airport so that Ginger could visit family. THEN, Vicki took her car to Bob's brother's body shop. I went to Bally's and took a Silver Sneakers class. My butt hurts.

THEN, and hold on, I got my hair trimmed - just trimmed.

THEN, I bought a few things for dinner.

Thats it. No pictures. Nothing really.

But please stay tuned as it might change and I might do something FUN.

Halloween Weekend 2008

To all my diehard fans [okay, maybe 3], I have finally gotten to the task of completing this part of my blog.

I got back to Dallas on Monday night and must have caught a bug on the plane. No details; suffice to say, I was down for the count for a day and a half. Then, on Thursday, I had a wisdom tooth extracted. No pain whatsoever during the procedure and a few hours later I took 2 Aleve and have been dandy ever since.

Vicki and I spent Thursday to Sunday in Seekonk, Mass. The weather was glorious [no scenery shots - sorry Steve] and we had a wonderful time.

Grandma Dina woke Josh up and he's excited about his First Halloween [poetic license, here].




Grandma Vicki got him dressed but he's too excited.



Mommy gets Josh ready for his pre-costume bath.



Josh learned in Vermont that splashing is very much fun.



Josh just can sit still. he wants to be Tigger.

And here they are: Tigger Josh and Doctor Laura.

Titi Mary stopped by and tried to talk Josh into another costume but failed.

Here is Doctor Laura in her pre-surgical attire. She looked adorable and had a real stethescope.

So that ends my 2008 trip to the Northeast. I hated to leave as Dallas is so far away from Vicki, Jim and the Seekonk crowd.

I don't know when there will be another trip, but stop back from time to time to see. I may even post a trip to Central Market - complete with pictures!

October 29, 2008 Wednesday

It's Wednesday and we're going to have my sister Kathy and her fella, Jimmy, over for dinner so we're off to shop. Also, we have to prepare for our trip to Seekonk tomorrow.

We shop and lunch at a local diner and Vicki puts together a WONDERFUL sauce/gravy with meatballs and sausage. It's an extra huge pot so we'll take the rest to Seekonk.

I think I've mentioned a street in Hackensack that goes ALL OUT for Halloween. In fact, at night during this week, the street is closed to all but foot traffic. While I was out there today walking the street, a group of school children were on tour with teachers and aides. This is some street! Following you will find just a few of the over the top houses!

Vicki said this street has been doing this for years. Of course, there are homes all over the area that are decked out for Halloween. I've not been here for Christmas since Steve was in college so I don't know the type of decorating they do for that holiday. Maybe in a year or two. . . or maybe I can get Vicki to make a contribution to my blog???

So tomorrow we got to Seekonk. Pictures will follow but not until Sunday as Carol isn't wireless yet. Stay tuned and I promise you will see pictures of the MOST beautiful children ever!!

Nite.