Back From Magical California

After my quick trip to California I have a few observations about a road trip.

1. You will never leave on time. My experience has been at least an hour late.
2. People traveling with you on the road do not embrace cruise control as much as you and slow down and speed up way too much.
3. Although you think you are making progress and moving up the line of cars something will happen and the car you passed 15 cars ago will suddenly make a move and get 15 cars in front of you.
4. The slow truck lane never lasts long enough and when it does end the truck gets over in front of you.
5. The moment you pass the last exit and rest stop for several miles you have an incredible need to use the restroom.
6. After passing that exit and the need to use the restroom becomes urgent traffic will suddenly come to a dead stop for a long period of time.
7. After finally speeding back up when you think you are home free everything will come to a stop again.
8. When you finally get home you are too tired to take the bags out of the car which is interesting since you have been sitting in the car all day.
9. When you do get the bags out of the car you realize you forgot something.
10. Its always good to be home!

Made It to Magical California

After 4.5 hours through the hot desert (temps peaked at 114) I made it! A huge rush to get out of the house did it in 1.5 hours and on the road with the 3 pooches. Schnitz is hanging at the parents so he should be eating some kind of amazing feast my dad has cooked up. A few days in magical California hanging out with Brian's mom. Then back through the hot desert home just in time for the pie off with some friends. Hopefully, some of the California magic will come my way as I want some apple pie victory!

Is there a better job ever? Vanna?

Last night I had a girls night out with my mom, sister and cousin Elaine. It was a great evening which started out with a yummy dinner and then to watch a taping of Wheel of Fortune. In Vegas to tape "Couples Week" I was able to get tickets to watch the contestants spin the wheel for big money. Unfortunately, I did not get to spin the wheel but did come to confirm a suspicion I like many others have...Vanna White has the best job ever! I mean really? She floats on the scene dressed all swanky stands in front of a computerized board, pretending to "turn" letter that in reality "turn" themselves, she smiles, she claps and then 40 minutes of taping and I'm outta here. While watching the show I always had this inkling that her job was so amazing but seeing it (what I could actually see from our seats) I was even more saddened by the reality. She didn't even stand between the puzzles! Oh to have such a task and get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars while people fix my hair, makeup and dress me in fantastic clothes. Not to be a hater but Pat also has a sweet, sweet gig. Maybe a little more labor intensive then Vanna but sweet none the less.

I now have a new objective on my resume "To gain a position as a game show co-host that requires little interaction with people, fake smiling, lots of clapping, world travel and pays lots of money!"

Remember to watch the show Feb. 10-11, 2010. You may be able to see half of my face for 5 seconds!

Martha Stewart Really?

In an effort to bring the blog back on target I decided it would be fun to make a cake. Conveniently, my mother-in-law had just sent me Martha Stewart's Versatile Cake Recipe. She sent it with her friends rave reviews and the suggestion that Brian may want to make it. Oh, she knows me so well.

Although the mention of Martha Stewart does make me cringe. I took Martha's perfection challenge, threw caution to the wind, got the Kitchen Aid out and dusted it off. To the store I went to buy the joyful concoction known as buttermilk and the ingredients to make the homemade frosting. Oh that's right...I was going big or not at all!

I preheated the oven, separated the eggs, sifted the flour, measured the sugar, melted the butter (just a little since it was supposed to be at room temp), found the vanilla, greased the pan, poured the yummy cake batter in, set the timer for the recommended 30-35 minutes of baking time and sat down for a little read. Everything was going great! Then the 29 minute mark hit and what is that? Smoke? Was the oven dirty I wondered? No! It was the cake! The top was brown the sides where black and the oven was a little dirty.

I was defeated and didn't even get to the frosting. I think it was the smoke but there was a little tear.

Martha 1
Sharon 0

Grow A Garden in the Desert

In the spirit of the grow locally movement the boys and I have decided to grow an herb garden in our spare time. So far so good with the basil, cilantro and thyme. Not so much luck with the lavender. It has only been a few weeks so we are still in the small sprout stage. A little more time and we will be harvesting our fresh herbs. Next step, growing giant zucchini!

Psycho Missy

This weekend one of my parents dogs, Missy lost her battle with cancer. She was a white, fluffy fur ball that packed a punch. Fondly know as Psycho Missy she was quick to growl and even bite if you took the chance to pet her. She had a screech that could make your hair stand on end and got her kicked out of a few pet spas. We inherited her after dog sitting for a co-worker who decided she didn't want her back. Abandoned as a puppy, Missy didn't really know what life could be. She was alone all the time, completely untrained and unloved. Poor Missy.

Although she had a lot of issues she was a good dog who loved the family. Missy would greet visitors with a loud, excited bark (with a sock in her mouth) and run around their feet. She would follow my mom around the house all day and sit by the door when she was gone. She loved walks and did enjoy a good scratch from the brave souls who would risk bodily injury. Psycho Missy was a difficult pooch but had a lot of love to give. We will miss you Missy!

There are lots of pets out there that need a good home like Missy did. Please rescue a pet in need. Petfinder.com is a great way to find rescue organizations in your area http://www.petfinder.com/.

Nothing More American the Apple Pie (few days late)

To celebrate the 4th Brian and I made our first attempt at the all American favorite, Apple Pie. A little daunting due to the power of the pie. However, Brian was determined so off to the store we went to buy the few ingredients we needed. One huge reason for not wanting to make the pie is the large amount of work to prep the apples. Peeling, coring and then cutting 20 something apples into small, even pieces can make even the most die hard pie maker cry. Half way through this process it was discovered we did not have brown sugar. Off to the store take two. Upon my return...What was that? Not enough butter? Off to the store take three. After the runs to the store, the prep work and baking we had two fantastic pies. The apples were perfect bite sized pieces of evenly cooked joy. The crust was sweet (since it was mostly brown sugar) and crumbly. The best of all was I got to use my Grandmother's apple pie dish. A huge hit with the family and a wonderful 4th of July with the family!

Giant Zucchini

Brian came home Tuesday night after a week being away and he brought me a lovely present. Jewelery you ask? Maybe even cake? No, a giant zucchini. When I say giant zucchini you may think he was just happy to see me but no. It is a real giant zucchini. So you can truly get an idea of the size I took a picture of it with Schnitz. Anyone like zucchini bread?