KA-BOOM!!!!!!

KA-BOOM is right!

I decided I wanted to get another Espresso/Cappuccino Maker but I didn't want to spend a lot of money on one - Riyoko spoiled me in LA, making me a Cappuccino every morning and I then realized how much I had missed mine!  So, I set out to Wal Mart yesterday and bought a Mr. Coffee 4-cup Espresso Maker and I went to make a Cappuccino this morning and the frother wouldn't work - I packaged it all up and returned it.  I decided to try another one, same kind, and, as it was brewing, it exploded everywhere and coffee, coffee grounds and glass all over the place!  Thank goodness I had walked across the kitchen because glass flew all over and the coffee was steaming.  I had a pot of soup on but it did have a lid on it!  It scared the hell out of both Dick and I and I then preceded to clean up the mess, including the food saver, the shutters, the stove, the floor and anything that was in the way - it  took me an hour to do this but the floor needs to be mopped again!

I thought about putting all of the pieces of glass in the box that I was returning to what was left of the machine but changed my mind so off to Wal Mart I go tomorrow to get my money back and I will then go to the Mall to find a decent maker!

Will let you know what happens with the next one!!!!!!
                                           

THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS!

Yesterday was a busy day - we first went to AT&T so Riyoko could transfer her Blackberry to Dick and put him on their plan because Dick will be helping Cory do the travel and hotel coordinating for a movie that Cory is working on.  Dick's first stop will be Moab, UT and we have been calling him "Moab Dick", but I don't know where the next stop will be for him!  Cory goes on to Costa Rica, however, he has help down there from someone who speaks Spanish.

On to lunch at a fabulous Japanese Restaurant where we had a little bit of everything as well as a Ramen Soup which was delish!  I tried to get a nice picture of Riyoko & Cory but Cory insists on making his faces so after 11-1/2 years of their marriage I still don't have a decent picture except for when we had pics taken at a studio and they both were making faces - so much for that.

Homeward bound and I gave a little help to Riyoko while she was fixing dinner that she calls, "Sunday Supper" which consisted of Veal Meatballs, Hot Italian Sausage, Beef Tenderloin Chunks and many spices cooked in Riyoko's home-made Pasta Sauce - the dish was excellent and it was served with a fabulous salad!  (Riyoko is a great cook and it's always something different - Christmas Eve dinner consisted of a Short Rib dinner that cooks for quite some time and falls right off the bone along with many other side dishes.)  While dinner was cooking last evening, Riyoko and I watched the movie, "Bridesmaids" and it was a funny chic flick.

Friends, Wenyee and Melvin and Joe, the bulldog, came for dinner and an evening of fun.  Wenyee, who is a wonderful Baker, picked up a cheesecake and decorated it with raspberries and blackberries, made home-made ice cream and hot fudge that topped off the evening meal!

Melvin showing Riyoko something new on his phone (this was not such a good picture but the one of Wenyee and Melvin together was worse).

Isn't Joe soooooooooooo handsome but he is the sweetest boy?!!!!

This a picture of Joe and I!

We "Old People", as Riyoko and Cory call us and Riyoko's parents, headed off to bed about 10:00pm after an evening of fun with the young-un's but I have now been up since 3:30am when Burn came in for me to let him outside to tee-tee and I couldn't go back to sleep with Dick snoring so Crash came out to the Florida room to keep me company.  I will be very tired by early evening so I know it will be an early to bed evening for Colleen!

We have had a fabulous time and can't wait to do this again!  I hope everyone had a fabulous healthy and fun Holiday like Dick and I had!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LA!!!!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!!  We are in LA and, no, it doesn't look like this here but I have always loved the Thomas Kinkade pictures!!!!!

We are having a wonderful time with soooooooo much food and so many cocktails - my jeans are really getting tight - UGH!

We didn't bring the dogs over this Christmas but we have been enjoying Crash and Burn - the kids' babies as seen below!

The first two pictures are of Burn in front of the Presto - the portable heater!   Back in the sun room, there is no central heat so in the morning and evening, the portable heaters are used and Burn wants to make sure he keeps warm - one crazy pup!

The second picture is of Crash (Crash & Burn - long story) and he has to wear a Depends 'cause with his last surgery, a little mistake was made and he doesn't know when he is making a mistake, and when he does, he feels soooooo bad so he wears a Depends-who knows, I may be there soon!

Tomorrow is another day in LA with more food and drink and pictures of all of us so stay tuned - we have had so much fun and I hope y'all have had as well!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!!!!

Happy Birthday to our son, Cory, who is 41 years old today - how can that be - I'm in my early 50's, don't I wish!

It's been so long since we have been able to spend his birthday with him and go over what happened 41 years ago, however, it's still very real in my mind - I don't think women ever forget, no matter how long!

Last year, Riyoko, Cory's wife was in NYC and this year Cory is in Philly working on a movie and soon to leave for Costa Rica with the movie so he spends his birthday with whomever!

I remember years ago when Cory was a teenager, (weren't those wonderful years), we continually did butt heads and I knew one of us wouldn't survive but we both did and he grew into the most loving, caring, wonderful and charitable person anyone could ever have for a son and Riyoko is the same way! We are very lucky!

Happy Birthday, my loving son - I love you very much!!!!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all of my family and friends and I wish for you the Best of Health, the best of everything to our Troops who fight every minute to keep us safe in order for us to share the Holiday with family and friends and then have many Memories!

This is the first year in eleven years that we are spending Thanksgiving in Las Vegas - we usually go to LA to be with Cory & Riyoko but Riyoko is spending the Holiday in Tokyo with her parents, sister and grandfather and it may be his last Thanksgiving! Cory is in Philadelphia/Costa Rica doing all of the travel arrangements for the actors/actresses for a movie, for which I can't remember.

I gave in and we are having Turkey (most of y'all know how I feel about chicken & turkey) and it is because I love dressing and mashed potatoes with loads of gravy - OH YUMMY!

Dick decorated two weeks ago, only the ledge between the kitchen and family room and the large bathroom, downstairs, and in every other room there are little inklings of Christmas - it really has put me in the mood!

Not only is tomorrow about food and being Thankful for everyone and everything we love but it is FOOTBALL - the Packers are playing the Lions and being from Wisconsin, I am pulling for the Packers who have not lost a game! Go PACKERS!

Be safe, enjoy the day and please remember those who are less fortunate than we are!

Christmas anyone???????

Well, it's that time again for Dick to do his big Garage Sale and it isn't like a typical garage sale! There is Christmas everywhere, dining room tables completely set with dishes (buy the table and chairs and the dishes are yours - what a deal), secretary desks, small appliances, lots of dishes including Christmas ones and even a dryer. We have Harley Davidson Leathers, not mine, and a Stetson Hat for the Rodeo! Our garage is completely set up like a store - shopping anyone? I have to go in there shopping in case he has stolen any of my things! All dishes are completely washed and are spic & span.

All said and done, who in God's name wants to sit outside in 50 degree weather at 8:00am and be nice?! I'm out there, dressed for Alaska with my grumpy face on and grumbling until it gets warmer!!!

Tomorrow, Saturday, is the last day 'til Dick decides to do this again but I have a couple of weeks to get warm!

I have met so many nice people at the garage sale, even people from Portland - you never know who will show up so that is one thing that makes the time go fast!

A NEW ITEM OF CLOTHING!!!

So what do you think - does it add to my wardrobe or go with my wardrobe?  It does feel very good in supporting my back so we will see after my back surgery!  This one is not as colorful as the first one that I had but it was the wildest of all of them that I had to choose from!

It really is a ta-ta holder - who would have thought? You too can have one of these!

A FANTASTIC & FUN WEEKEND!

The kids were here for the weekend and they brought Riyoko's mom, Osako, and dad, Hiroshi who are so much fun and wonderful, kind people!  Hiroshi is a hoot and just loves to tease, especially Cory!

They arrived about noon on Friday and the Tanaka's  stayed at the MGM so they could get up and gamble and they won which makes it even better.  That evening we went to dinner at Stacked at the Mirage which was excellent and then off to "Love", a tribute to the Beatles which was very -  I was surprised.  Then it was off to the MGM to meet Kenji, Cory's good friend thru school and Kenji and his family recently moved back to Vegas from MS.  Kenji is now VP of Operations at the Primm Hotels.

The next day, Cory and Riyoko took me to see "The Help" which is the movie that Cory worked on in MS for six months and if you haven't seen it, you must and you will never look at chocolate pie in the same way.  We did have lunch at the Cracked Egg which was excellent - you must try it.  That evening I cooked and made a Beef Tenderloin, a salad with Fuji's ginger salad dressing, Miso soup (for the Tanaka's and the kids, Dick and I don't care for it), Roasted Potatoes in my NuWave,  and Spinach with Lime zest.  We had hot fudge sundaes with home made hot fudge for dessert.

On Sunday, before they left, we went to the Paris Hotel for Brunch which did look delicious but I was so sick to my tummy, I hardly ate anything and preceded to get sick in the car - aren't I lots of fun. 

We then got home and they packed up the car and the dogs and off to California they went.  I'm glad we were able to see the Tanaka's now 'cause for Thanksgiving (when we normally see them in LA), they are going to Japan to see Riyoko's sister, Yoko.

These pictures are of Hiroshi, Osako, Riyoko and her dad and, of course, Cory, who will never let me take a decent picture of him!

Fun was had by all!

LEARNING SOMETHING NEW!

I met a lady at Curves in February who does excellent wire-wrapping around Cabs and I had the pleasure of going to her house today and learning how to do it myself!  We'll see what happens when Sue isn't here and I have to do it all by myself.  I will just take it slow and easy and I hope I can remember the first part and the measuring.  I thoroughly enjoyed wrapping my first Cab, and thank you, Sue, for your patience and much-needed help and I will do you proud!

The top picture is the back and the bottom is the front!

Learning and making new items is very exciting and it isn't as difficult as I thought it would be but it does take patience!

My last two classes were very enjoyable and we made some beautiful pieces!

The pink one is just so soft and feels like velvet - this is my third one in this stitch and the first one was all purple, too big for me so I gave it to a friend and the second one, which is all Christmas green, is almost finished!  I was so tired of working on the same color that I went and picked up four different colors of the pink/purple family - it's my favorite!

On Sunday, of last week, we did a chainmaille class which is my favorite thing to work on and found out that it is the easiest class that I have ever taken - love the bracelet but no challenge, however, I found it in a magazine and asked Colleen to make it!

This next Saturday we are going to make another Copper Pendant which is something I always love doing - just learning and doing and working with different mediums makes me HAPPY!

I will post my Pendant after class!

Chicken Tortilla Soup!

This fantastic soup is from the Pioneer Woman so, if you are interested, go to her site and it shows all of the pictures as how to make this!

I did do some substitutions - I used precooked chicken so I added all of the spices to the liquids.  I did not do the green pepper and instead of the Rotel's with Green Chilies, I used the ones with the Habaneros for a little more spice!  Instead of 4 cups of hot water, I added additional chicken broth and I didn't do the Cornmeal or Masa - it doesn't need it, it gets thick on its own with the beans.  Also, I didn't mess with making my own tortilla strips, I used the chips!  

I took some of this to Colleen with extra cilantro and chopped spring onions with the chives and taco chips and she said that she enjoyed it - it is even better the second day!

Bon Apetit!!!!

MY NEWEST GADGET!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, as many of you know, I absolutely love gadgets and when I was at Walgreens today, I saw these, which I had seen on TV and thought about Jackie struggling with the hard boiled eggs!  So, I tried these tonight - I only had one in the pan so it turned sideways but if you are just going to cut it up, it won't matter, however, if you want it for deviled eggs, it might look a little strange!  I love  these - it made a perfect hard boiled egg!

So, you will enjoy these, Jackie!!!!!!!

COPPER, COPPER AND MORE COPPER!

How I love Copper! Yesterday's class was, of course, Copper and what a fun class it was with a fantastic teacher! We made our first piece and when we were finished, Colleen gave each of us two brass discs to make another one but I have not finished mine! As soon as I finish it, I will put in on my blog.

We used the rolling mill and then we cut tubing which none of us had ever done before and Colleen's big secret was the Super Glue for Copper - it is a little pricey but how often would you use it so the $15.00 for the Glue is worth it!

Copper classes are always so much fun and I can't wait to take the copper class in August - I will have to start giving some of my pieces to my sisters!

Thank you, Colleen, sure did enjoy it!

Down, Down and Away

Down, Down & Away! I was going to name this What Goes Up Must Come Down, however, there are a few dirty minds out there that I changed my mind!

I borrowed Carla's Inversion Table to help take the pressure off of my lower back and it does help - you don't have to completely hang upside down but it does feel better that way! I looked at this picture and saw that my working out has paid off in my arms.

Come over and hang with me!

TWO NEW PROJECTS!

These are two of new projects that I have done these past two weeks! I did two pendants for Alison, my manicurist, and now I have an order for two more! I'm charging $20.00 per pendant - I take the picture to Office Max, have them shrink it down and I also provide the chain!

The first set of pictures are pendants that I have been making for my two sisters and myself. The first picture are my parents and, I believe, this was an engagement picture, the second one is of my dad when he was in the Army, and the last one is of Cory about 38 years ago!

The bracelet on the right is the last class that I took at Colleen's, and, I plan to make many for birthdays and Christmas!

From YUCK to WELCOMING!!!!!!

We had to empty our pool this year, not because it hadn't been done in 3 years, but, because of the high winds every day, since the beginning of March, and all of the pine tree and palm tree droppings which made it sooooooo green! It was so nasty and upside down, and no turning it around, so it had to be emptied and power washed - I would never have another pebble-tech pool but I would never have another pool AGAIN and Jackie thinks she wants a pebble-tech pool! Even if you don't have all of the trees around, it is harder to keep the chemicals balanced! It is sparkling clean but it still looks green and that is because the pebble-tech is green colored.

Jackie - think twice - your pool is beautiful and use your money for other things!

We never use our pool but we do love looking at it when it is clean and love to run the waterfall, which is the large thing on the top! I may do a couple of floats this summer to get some color on my white body! After all, brown fat looks better than white fat!

My New Copper Bracelet!

On Saturday, I took a class on making a copper bracelet, this is my third class in makin copper bracelets and I love making them!

We had one new lady, Sharon, who is very talented and has had some of her jewelry published in the jewelry magazines, and so very sweet and nice. We had another lady, Carol, whom I had met in another class and also is very nice! It is great to have new ladies in classes because you learn new techniques from them as well finding out from where they order different supplies!

Thank you, Colleen, for another fantastic class!

Happy Mommy, Granny and Great Great Granny Day!

Happy Mom's Day to all of the Moms, Grand Moms and Great Grand Moms!

Mother's Day, I feel, that is a very special day for Moms but do Dads feel the same way - Dick tells me that I am not his mom so he doesn't feel that he doesn't have to do anything for me - how special!!!!!

So to all of you fathers - please do something special for your wives - they deserve it!!!!!!

Have a Great Mother's Day!

I received these beautiful two dozen roses from Cory and Riyoko (aka Crash & Burn) and how wonderful they smell - I have the best son and daughter-in-law but she is like my daughter and they are the best - I hope y'all have the same!

My last two Jewelry Projects!

These are my last two Jewelry Projects but the Faux Bone isn't being shown too well - it looks better in person!

The copper Celtic Piece is one of my favorites and I will make more of them at home!