Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, y'all! Since we moved to the country, this is the single day of the year that I regret not living in the city. We had NO trick-or-treaters. I used to love seeing all the little clowns, witches, super-heroes and monsters. It was so fun with the dogs barking at the doorbell, and running to the door to behold the array of costumes. No ding-dong this year.

Sigh. The next year that Halloween falls on a weekend, I'm going to Kevin & Suzie's to hand out candy so they can take their girls trick-or-treating together. I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 2014!!! No fair.

Here are my favorite pics from years ago, enjoy.

Abby & Keystone 2009:



Amber 2003:

T 2001:

T 2000:

Saved the best for last.

T&T 1997:

It's Pumpkin Time

We went to a pumpkin patch last Sunday on my birthday.  I think I may have gone to one over 20 years ago but never did the hayride.  And because I don't really remember it, it doesn't count.  I wanted to experience the pumpkin patch with Kevin & Suzie & their girls.  Since it was my birthday, Todd couldn't say no! 

They had many animals to visit since it was a working farm.  We saw a yellow lab puppy (chewing the front porch), a couple of pigs, geese, roosters, chickens, and who knows how many goats, donkeys and horses.  The most odd fowl we saw was a chicken (or maybe it was a rooster) with feathers on it's feet.  I don't know what I was thinking not taking a picture.  It was SO WEIRD to see a poof of feathers down like where you'd think of it's ankle.  I will have to do some research on that oddity.

Todd appreciating his favorite meat

(and Suzie starting early with the lesson of "never listen to Uncle Todd"):

We rode on the trailer full of hay bails out to the pumpkins:

It would have been way more impressive if there had been boat loads of pumpkins.  Should have gone earlier, but it was fun!  Next year, maybe we will do a corn maze.  The idea sounds intriguing.  I can just hear it now "Marco"...

Many of you probably already know this little trick, but I just learned about this.  Pumpkins rot from the outside to the inside.  So when you get your pumpkin, wash it in a sink full of water with two caps of bleach.  That will kill any bacteria on the outside.  Be sure to wash the entire stem and let it dry in the sun.  This will keep your pumpkins lasting longer!  All of mine still look like I just got them.

I leave you with this parting pic of one completely sweet baby:

And one cute cowgirl (LOVE those boots):

Serendipity?

I haven't had a massage in almost 4 months.  That is like half of a lifetime in dog years!   I wear my stress at the tops of my shoulders in big knots.  It was getting to the point where I hurt, all day every day.  And that was making me very grumpy.   There isn't a Massage Envy here in this little town, or an Ahhhh Massage.  Where am I supposed to go?   Drive 45 minutes to Zonarosa to the closest Massage Envy?  Surely there was a better solution.  I turned on my GPS, and searched on the word "massage".  I half way grimaced as I pressed the Go button, not knowing what would come up in the results.  Thank goodness there wasn't an oriental happy-ending place that showed up on the list.

There were several options that showed up.  Two pages worth, surely there was something decent!  I looked through them all and checked some of them out on Yelp.  OK, I was over analyzing the situation.  I decided to just try the closest one to home, and hope that it wasn't being run out of someones basement.   Angie's Salon, it was.  Besides, I hurt so bad, I know I wouldn't walk out feeling worse than I walked in.  I called last Friday and ask if they do massage.  Yep.  I asked if there was an opening on Saturday.  There was only one opening.   2:00 was mine.  At least it was a good sign that there was only one last minute opening.  Let me also explain that the closest part of town is the poorest part there is.  Read that sentence again, and you'll understand how apprehensive I was.

I expected a little "blue hair" place smelling of rotten eggs (perms) and lace curtains.  Think: Steel Magnolias.  Maybe there was a hunk of plywood on saw-horses in the back they used for massages, and if I was lucky, maybe it would be covered with a towel.

I walked in apprehensively, expecting to be disappointed and I was in for a huge surprise.  Wow, was I ever shocked to walk in and find a modern spa.  When I opened the door, I saw Redken hair products so that was a great sign.  The place is huge on the inside, and modern!  There was a separate spa pedicure area with a sort of tranquility area.  There were rows of hair cutting stations with tons of space between each station.  Immediately, my spirits lifted at the thought that this could actually be a good experience!  Erin was wonderful and my massage was great.  I walked out without pain, totally relaxed, and I swear I was 2 inches taller!  Did I mention the pain-free part?!?

I actually went there again tonight for a pedicure.  I haven't had a pedicure since I went with Tric in Sparks--it had been that long.  I've trimmed my own toenails twice since then <shudder>.  I had a very good pedicure.  I can't say that it was the absolute best I've ever had, but it was one good pedicure and I will go back again.  As a matter of fact, I'm going on Saturday for a hot stone massage with Erin, to keep my wicked shoulders in check.  And I'm going to try something I've never done before--ear candling. 

Can you imagine?!?!!?  I'm a waxy ear girl.  I know that is TMI for many of you, but hey, it HAPPENS!  It's natural.  I'm just too natural.  So I have to use ear wax removal drops to try to keep it in balance.  Well, it's a pain to remember to do it and most importantly it makes me dizzy, so I don't like using the drops.  So on Saturday after my hot stone massage, my earwax will be in better balance.  If you're interested, I can let you know what it's like.

What a happy surprise.  I found this GEM of a little spa in this little town, and it's only FOUR miles away!  I am thrilled and had no idea it was even possible.  What a great find.  They will definitely get to know me as a regular.  I might even <gasp> let them... cut my HAIR!

The Fam

I promised that I would post pictures of our new furry family members--here they are, finally.

This is Shadow (AKA Chateau), a strong-willed, independent, bull-headed, huntress of any rodent-type of creature on our land.  She refused to live anywhere else, and demanded that we accept her.  Darn good thing she's cute.  Cause we caved.  Who wouldn't love this wonderful, intelligent, good-looking and endearing dog?!?

She has never had it so good.  Love, toys, treats, dog beds, food, and a nice warm place to sleep every night.  She's got it made!

Her "sister" has been missing her like crazy lately, so Nyla has been staying over every once in awhile when the doors are open and she walks right in.  Or rather, we can't get her to leave to go back to her new home.  She simply refuses to move at times.  She is a very affectionate boxer, so full of desire to be accepted and loved.  So we love enjoying her impromptu visits.  Here is Nyla, feeling right at home:

Here is a recent picture of Abbytail:

And a goofy picture of Keystone:

This is what our living room often looks like:

And here is my favorite room, the kitchen.  I put the finishing touches up yesterday with the old glass jars on top of the cabinets with rope lights.  It's hard to see in this picture, but the uplighting is pretty cool at night.  Half of my jars are empty and I need to find dried food to fill them, but I'll get to it soon.  The cabinets above our fridge do not have a plug in, so I don't have lights up there, yet.

So there you have it, that's our family and a picture of the house.  The only room I find acceptable yet to post a picture.  I'll share my day today soon, my birthday included a trip to the pumpkin patch.  Something I don't remember if I ever really did in the past.  I think I visited a patch once, but it was just a pile of pumpkins, and nothing really exciting that I remember.  Today was a good trip and a good visit with friends--it was a good birthday!

Squash, The Perfect Fall Food

At last Saturday night's party, there were some really tasty dishes served.  My favorite appetizer was a toasted flat bread with caramelized onions, cheese, and basil.  Becky offered the personal choice of Parmesan, goat, or blue cheese. 

The onions were really amazing, and here is a picture of the goat cheese option:

Suzie must have said something hilariously funny, or I was really enjoying my Whipped Cream Vodka & grape soda: 

By far the highlight of the show was this wonderfully tasty course, which I actually made for dinner last night, it was that good.  If you like butternut squash, I recommend this dish:

Here is the recipe.

Ravioli w/Pesto, Squash & Sage:

12 oz. large cheese ravioli
1 cup butternut squash (1/2 inch cubes)
1/4 cup pesto sauce
1/4 cup toasted walnut pieces
16 sage leaves (julienne cut)
1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese

If your nuts aren't toasted, put the walnuts in the oven on broil, for about 3-4 minutes and be very careful not to forget them. If you can smell the toasty-ness, they are done-approaching-burned. You can also microwave them for 30 seconds at a time, but also be very careful.  It's easy to over-toast nuts.

Parboil the squash in salted boiling water for 4-5 minutes.  Save boiling water for cooking ravioli's.

In nonstick skillet, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil on medium heat.  Add squash, salt & pepper.  Cook and stir occasionally for about 5 minutes (or until it looks nice and light toasty brown).  Meanwhile, get your ravioli's cooking in the boiling water (use directions on package).  Toss the squash with the pesto in your serving bowl (keep in the warm oven).

Add another Tbsp of olive oil to the medium heat skillet, and cook the sage leaves until crisp (less than a minute).

Toss the squash, pesto sauce (pre-warming this is a good idea), raviolis, walnuts, and sage leaves.  Sprinkle with Parmesan, and Viola!  You've got the perfect fall dish. 

You could save a step and cook the sage in the last minute of cooking the squash, but it wont be as crispy.

It was hard to keep everything warm, but it helped to keep my covered serving dish in the warm oven (from toasting my nuts) and add stuff as I had it ready, then toss it all together.  Todd wasn't crazy about it, but he's not into meatless dishes or butternut squash.  He put a couple of pieces of bacon on his.  He will make up for the lack of meat last night with the slab of ribs we have seasoned up for tonight.  Super YEA for Rrrrrrrrrribs!!!

Tomorrow, I promise I'll upload pics of the new furry family members.  This place is a zoo!

It's Just One Big Party

We've got some dear friends in the KC area, and we get to eat & drink with 4 of our dearest tonight!  Ray & Becky cook up a storm when we go to their place.  After we moved to Nevada, we really missed getting together with them Saturday nights at their place or ours and cooking & eatingdrinking with a little drinkingeating.  The cooks usually end up snockered before the food is served, but what do you expect when it takes that long to fix a table full of unbelievably yummy food?

Also, Kevin & Suzie get to be there and Suzie had a big birthday yesterday!  WAHOO for birthday weekends!!!  I can't wait to hear how her birthday surprise happy hour went.  I wish we could have been there, and I hope she had the best birthday.  Can't wait to catch up with them all.

In other news, Shadow, also known as Chateau after a few cocktails, has blended nicely into the family.  Our goldies are not exactly sharing a plate-licking with her, but they tolerate her just fine.  She seems very thankful to be part of the fam.

We have kind of a fourth doggy-visitor.  Nyla is a very friendly boxer.  I have never known a boxer and am amazed at her wonderful personality and desire for affection.  She likes to kiss all over the face of every other dog.  Abby can't really stand it, but Keystone doesn't seem to mind.  I think it's her way of saying, "Hi, You're CUTE!" in a friendly and expressive way.  We let her into the house in the evenings to chill out for just a little while to hang with us.  So she's like a niece to our kids.

And then there's Bo.  He is a tall, dark, lanky and extremely cautious boxer.  He is often found sitting in the field just staring.  At what, who knows?  He must have had traumatic experiences with people as a baby, because he is extremely skittish.  But as he has become familiar with us, he is getting closer and closer.  He has a crush on Shadow.  I think because we are taking good care of Shadow, he sees how happy we make her, and that makes him start to trust us.

In the morning, everyone goes out to potty, and they all race back in for a treat.  Whoever happens to be hanging around gets one.  Since Todd bought gargantuan sized dog bones, they get to eat them outside.  One day last week Bo was there.  He looked very interested in the treats but I could tell he felt conflicted.  How close should he get?!?  I must have looked fairly evil.  He got to within 15 feet of me, so I tossed him one.  He took it and hopped off a little ways and ate his new found prize.  TODAY?  I got to hand him his bone.  For a split second, I was connected to Bo by his treat.  THAT's progress.  He was really just over to say good morning to his little girlfriend, Chateau, and he got to see me too.

Bitchy Post Warning

I HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE mortgage companies.  It's all attributable to one reason.  They are unpredictable.  If they were *consistent* in ANY WAY WHATSOEVER, this blog post wouldn't be happening.  I am TIRED of them jacking us around.  Oh, we want this, oh no, that person dropped the ball so, here's another person to deal with.  And oh, since WE missed OUR deadline for responding because we are SOOOOOOO busy, here's another form for YOU to sign.  So that it looks like we did our job on time.  BUT THEY DID NOT DO THEIR JOB ON TIME.  They aren't even DOING IT.

I hate, loathe, and despise those unpredictably horrible bastards with a deep rooted passion to rival all others.

And the worst part?  I'm completely powerless.  Absolutely nothing I can do.  I can't wait for the day I can stop feeling this emotion.  It really isn't good.  Oh, but then who knows when THAT day will come.  It's not like I'm going through a PREDICTABLE process.  Fuckers.

Only Missing A Few People

The things I miss about Nevada, in no particular order:











....crickets chirping....















Ok, there are a COUPLE of things I actually do miss.  Errr, rather, people.  Who/what I miss:

Tric (my B&B bud, the best friendship I made that will persevere through a cross-country move)
Amy (worlds BEST mail carrier and overall generally awesome person)
Camping trips with George & Sue (they introduced different parts of CA to us and our dogs loved the hikes)
Friday nights with Greg = perfect trade off, we cook & he fixes a pinball machine!
Mountain biking with Ayla (never would have survived my lay-off without these therapy sessions)
Driving around a town with mountain ranges around the perimeter (but who really needs it?!?)
Cactus Creek prime rib, seafood dishes, and pomegranate martinis (we can imitate at home)
No ticks, fleas, chiggers, poison ivy, or bugs in general (probably because life was not meant to thrive or even struggle there...)
Eboni at Massage Envy  (OMG do my shoulders miss that woman!)
How dog-friendly the West is...  I could take my dogs to Home Depot, and it was not a STRANGE occurrence.  You could take your furry canine companion to any store that didn't sell food.  Imagine that in the Midwest, HA!

Some notable mentions that we enjoyed:
Jim Boy's Mexican food -- first place I ever ate at on my first trip there.  (I admit it, I miss Del Taco and El Pollo Loco too.)
Albeta's Mexican food -- best crispy tacos in town.
Black Rock Pizza -- the first restaurant we ever ate at on our first trip there together.
The Lakeside Grill -- breakfast tostada and egg's Benedict.

Sadly this is a pretty short list, but I am sure I am forgetting important stuff.  Just wanted to document this stuff here so I can look back and remember the good stuff.  For all of 4.5 years, the list should be longer, but at least it's high in quality.