BnB '14 the Summer Edition

Let's lighten things up, shall we?  Many fun things have happened that I haven't shared.  Let me recap one very fun week I had in June.  It was Booze & Beads 2014 (minus the beads, but we thought about them)!  It was time for T2's yearly visit. 

We started our week together by opening a box her mom had sent the prior week with instructions to wait to open.  She knew what was inside.  It was an awesome box of lovely handmade items including this quilt!  We also got an assortment of beautiful kitchen towels.

If you can't tell, this is a BACON themed quilt

We had an entire week planned with shopping and gardening, eating and drinking.  We had rain every other day with at least one good old fashioned thunderstorm with some pretty amazing lightning.  Overall, it was an incredible week.  

We started the week by shopping locally and had wild success at finding way too many ridiculously cute clothes.  That rarely happens for both of us, so that was even more amazing.  We never made it to the waterpark with the world's tallest slide, but that's OK.  It hadn't opened yet anyway and there's always next year.  I wonder if we will have the guts to do it... 

Here's what we ate for breakfast:

Puffy Pancake!

Breakfast sammich

Here's what we ate for lunch:

Naan pizza (pretty self explanatory on this dish)

We had lunch at Blanc Bottles & Burgers, like we have had a few times in the past.  Except this year, when we arrived to our destination, we realized... it's closed.  They moved.  That should have been our clue to change it up, but we sought them out.

I took a great picture of my burger:

At least it LOOKED good

Overall we were disappointed in this place.  Why?

1. I make a better Pickle Martini according to pickle-martini-aficionado Tullybird.  
2. My burger had very little bottom bun which meant that by the time I was half way through eating my burger, the other half I was trying to hold onto went to mush and disintegrated in my hand so I ended up eating it upside down like an open faced sandwich.  
3. Cold/old onion rings (which happen to be photogenic).  At least the sweet potato fries were fresh because they initially brought me the WRONG fries.  (Uhhh, no, I don't like your truffle oil-bomb fries.)
4. The waiter was clueless about the coupon I had.  
5. It was BLOODY HOT in there.  
6. No martini/drink menu--WTF?  

Time to find a new place--which I happen to have picked out already!

Here's what we ate for dinner:

We had steaks, tomato/basil/mozzarella salad, smashed taters, and asparagus from the garden. 

Mmmmm, beef

Mexican Lasagna
Mix all of your favorite burrito ingredients together such as:

• Seasoned ground meat
• Refried beans
• Corn
• Green chili's
• Black olives
• Grilled onions

Mix it all together and layer it between tortilla shells (flour or corn) with taco/enchilada sauce and cheese, then repeat the layers like a lasagna.  Cook until heated through (350 for 30-40 min).  

Enjoy with your favorite tasty beverage, such as a cream soda and chocolate vodka.  Or not, like if you enjoyed one too many Bahama Mama's the night before (not judging).

Tasty to the 10th degree

We had magical stuffed burgers.  This BBQ sauce smothered burger was hugging a hot juicy load of blue cheese and grilled onions: 

I highly recommend stuffing your burgers with blue cheese

I would have taken a picture of the middle of my burger, but my hands were kind of messy with oozing cheese and grease.  You'll just have to make one for yourself.

We also had this for dinner:

RRRRrrrrribs!!!  Very tasty ribs

Tullybird cooked us dinner!  She found a fabulous recipe which I've already made again (with grilled onions and blue cheese), it was that good.

Put on a burrito with scrambled egg for breakfast the next day and enjoy the leftovers

Tullybird said that she wanted to play pinball, so we had a few pinball players over.  I knew if we didn't have a night designated for it, we would probably never venture to the basement.  Fortunately, my evil plan worked.  We played pinball for several fun hours.

We served pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans, and Rotel/Velveeta cheesy dip.  It was yummy.  Someone decided to eat it all together.  I have to admit, it was pretty (but I'm a boundaries kind of eater).

Garbage sink nachos, anyone?

Pinball night!

And then there was this with the pulled pork:

Chimichangas and guacamole

Here's what we drank.

Most importantly, here are some of the tastiest beverages consumed that week.  I know you've been waiting for this list.

We had Bahama Mama's. I may have loved them a little too much.  You can find a boatload of recipes on Pinterest. 

Warning:  these might be too tasty

While building electronic kits for Todd, we had Pickle Martinis which I had planned for months....

Pickle Martinis

• Pickle Vodka* 
• Pickle juice
• Spicy pickle relish

Place in a shaker with crushed ice and do a little jig.  Strain into a martini glass, garnish with a pickle, and sip.     

*2 months prior to indulging, cover drained spicy pickles with vodka in a mason jar.  Screw on the lid and place in the fridge.  Wait patiently.

Personally, I choked.  I couldn't handle the spice.  So that left more for her.  I'm a giver like that.

I'm really glad SHE liked them!

Adult Strawberry Lemonade

• 3 parts Moscato wine (white or pink)
• 3 parts Lemonade
• 1 part Strawberry rum (or Dragon Berry which is a combination of strawberry and dragon berries, whatever those are)

I'm not a white or pink wine fan, but let me just tell you how stinkin' good this combination is!

Try it, and then come back and thank me.

Orange You Happy

• Orange Float Malibu Rum (seriously, if you've never had this and even remotely like orange, you must try this stuff)
• White Moscato wine
• Ginger ale
• Pineapple OJ
• Apricot nectar

I don't remember ratios, but you can basically go by the relation of the container sizes in the picture.  Mix some, try it, adjust to your liking.  I liked it juuuust fine!

 

Didn't even have this one planned!

And now for the most whacky experiment of the week...

Cucumber Jalapeno Margaritas

• 1 Frozen cucumber (cubed)
• A small chunk of frozen chipotle in adobo sauce (drained before freezing)
• Tequila (3 parts)
• Triple Sec (1 part)
• Squeeze of fresh lime
• Ice

Mix it all in a blender and enjoy the burn!


Grape Margaritas

• A bunch of frozen red grapes
• Tequila (3 parts)
• Triple Sec (1 part)
• Chambord (or raspberry liquor) (1 part)
• Squeeze of fresh lime
• Ice

Mix it all in a blender and blend, blend, blend.  Keep blending so all the grape skins are pulverized.  This could entice you to put that fancy shmancy super-expensive blender on your Christmas list next holiday season.  Cause you know you wouldn't have to blend this long...  Sip and enjoy the sweetness!

Cucumber Jalapeno Margaritas and Grape Margaritas (guess which one was mine?)

I would have to say the margarita experiment was a success.  She loved hers.  I loved mine.  She's savory, I'm sweet.  Just means I get to experiment more! 

At the end of the week, we were tired from having so much fun...

Jessie

Keystone

Joey

I can't wait for next year.  But who knows, maybe she will be back for BaconFest this September!

BnB '13 the Fall Edition Finale

What a great visit Tullybird and I had.  It was great for her to experience another season in the Midwest.  It was fun to see someone observe things that I take for granted.

Cicada's are in full chorus in the trees.  I love the sound of those awesome little (actually, not so little) bugs.  It's like Mother Nature's white noise to me.  Next to softly falling rain, it can lull me right to sleep.  I really wish she could have heard the screech owl.  That would have been a real hoot.

The highlight of our time for me was the horseback trail ride.  We started the day with a tasty breakfast sammich.

Grilled homemade bun, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese and an over-easy egg = yummy

The day was beautiful and warm.  Not too hot, not too cool, it was just right.  I got to introduce Tullybird to my boyfriend Jake, and she got to see all the other animals too.  Here we are on the trail.

I know you're thinking of the theme music to Bonanza

Cowgirls!

Our horses casually walked the hour long ride.  It was just long enough to make our tail bones remind us that they are there.  This was my view on the trail:

There were just 5 of us on the ride

Towards the last part of the ride, we went through a grove of trees.  All the other horses were hanging out there since it was nice and cool.  The guide had instructed us to keep our horse on the path following the horse in front of it, and don't stop.  This picture is really blurry, but you can see the horses on the far edge. We had walked right by them.

I hope you're not adjusting your glasses, this isn't meant to be in focus--I was ON A HORSE!

We were almost out of the "forest", and the "lead" horse, the top dog, the alpha male, the #1 Kahuna, decided to "play" with us.  He came up and stood right in front of my horse.  HOLY COW.  So I told Cheyenne (my horse) to Whoa and stay.  The lead horse wasn't moving out of my way.  The horse in front if it, started to act like it wanted to kick back.  That made the lead horse act like he wanted to kick my horse!  So, I kept mine still and didn't move any closer.  Then all of a sudden, the lead horse walked in line, like he wanted to go on the trail ride with us!  We all walked a little ways, then he just went on his merry way.  It was intense--and SO COOL!!!!  

Horses mystify me.  They all have their own personality, just like dogs.  They are huge, playful, beautiful, vulnerable, and strong, all at the same time.  I am so enamored with them.

After our ride was over, the other couple had brought apples and carrots to feed the horses and let us have some too.  It was funny to see which horses did not like apples, and which did not like carrots.  I believe most preferred the carrots.  Our trail guide was actually Topgun (and his owner).  He's absolutely magnificent.

Topgun, you melt my heart

After our morning equine adventure, we planned to stay in that area.  We went to a farmer's market type of store, only on a farm.  I am happy to report, it is officially PUMPKIN SEASON!!!!

This extra tall pumpkin made my heart happy to see its beauty

Two more pumpkin beauties

We visited a local winery, ate at their restaurant, and did a little shopping in the little town.  We returned home to have a wonderful prime rib dinner.  I can't believe we hadn't prepared this for her yet.  I made a homemade raspberry dressing that turned out pretty good.  We dined like queens and a king that night!

Beef!

The next day, we went shopping on The Plaza.  We had lunch at our favorite burger place Blanc Burgers & Bottles, and had martini's.  Now, that's a good day off!

Our lunchtime 'Tinis

Tullybird loves their Homemade Pickle Martini.  My Strawberry Blonde Martini was just alright.  It needed to be sweeter.  It had limon vodka, strawberry vodka, and strawberry puree, and probably something else that I don't remember.  It was missing something, but I still drank it!

I hadn't had seafood in awhile, so I opted for the Salmon Burger.  I heard it was great.  It was very nice and light.  I was not overly stuffed and miserable after I finished it, but I was very full.  I enjoyed every bite, and the Asian slaw was brilliant.

Yep, I gave my pickle to Tullybird

Smoked Gouda, bacon, an onion ring, some fancy ale BBQ sauce, those were the highlights of her burger

Tullybird's burger looked incredible and she loved it!  I'm having that one next time if I am in the mood for beef.  We had sweet potato fries, and OMG were they tasty.  I really loved them, especially with the slightly spicy aioli dipping sauce.  My mouth was on fire, but I didn't care.


We had chicken stuffed Mexican style Giant Marconi peppers for dinner.  We had watermelon margaritas for our evening beverage.  Hey, it was her last night, so we had several watermelon margaritas!

My cheesy chicken stuffed Giant Marconi pepper

Very tasty way to eat watermelon

The next morning, we actually got to stop by a garage sale in my old neighborhood.  Tullybird got to meet the old 'hood.  Then I dropped her off at the airport.

It was back to reality for her.  Luckily, I had a few more days off.  I can't wait for her next visit!  We have So. Much. Fun.

BnB '13 the Fall Edition

Surprise!  Tullybird came for another visit this year!  She wanted to experience another month in the Midwest besides May.

We started her visit off with an excellent lunch, at Oklahoma Joe's.  I tell ya, at 3:30pm, this place was still hopping.  But it was a manageable size of crowd.  We opted for the dine-in experience, since she has never eaten inside a gas station.  It was tasty.

The Z-man sandwich.  Amazing.

The evening of her first day, we had on the agenda "meatloaf surprise" for dinner.  

Meatloaf surprise (cheesy hotdog), roasted root vege's, homemade bun, and salad with fresh raspberry dressing

Todd always puts a river of mozzarella in the middle of his meatloaf.  And he hides something.  This time it was mini cheesy hotdogs.  Yum.

Oh yea, and we had PB&T's for our beverage that evening.  We had a version of this drink last year, but I believe it was even better this year with a few changes.

PB&Ts

 PB&T's, the enhanced version:
2 parts Sprite
1 part Grape Juice
1 part PB&J Vodka (yes, this is peanut butter and jelly flavored vodka)
1 part Raspberry Liquor (like Chambord)
1/2 part Raspberry Vodka

These should mix like a martini.  However, if you serve them in a beer mug, I suggest that you limit consumption to 3.  Because 4 is just 1 to many.

This morning, we had a puffy pancake that I call a Dutch Baby Pancake.  It was sooooo good!

It's a MAGIC pancake!

Breakfast also included eggs and bacon.  It was tasty.

Blueberry butter on the pancake was great--it looks gross before it melted, but it was wonderful

We had a Mexican fiesta tonight, but I forgot to take a picture of Todd's awesome chili Verde.  That man can cook some pork!  We skipped the margaritas though, because we are waking up early tomorrow to hit the trail.

I leave you with a picture of the kids from a few weeks ago.  Aren't they precious?

Bye bye!

Cowgirl At Heart

My department had a team building event a few weeks ago.  It was so cool that I have to tell you about it.  It's by far the best day "at work" I've ever had.

We went to a local equine center and spent the day with animals.  We had a quick lesson on the different styles of riding horses (Western vs. English).  The horse trainer demonstrated some tricks.  Then, they let volunteers brush the horses before they showed us how to saddle them.  I ran for the brushes!

I've never cleaned a horse before, and I've always wanted to.  The instructor showed me how to use the double metal loop to gently brush with the grain of the hair, then follow up with a bristle brush.  They said how it's important to clean where the saddle will be so that dirt doesn't cause irritations to the skin.  I had fun cleaning Top Gun.  He was a big beautiful boy.  One of my co-workers cleaned Top Gun from the other side.  He must have thought it was spa day.

Then they saddled up the horses and asked who wanted to ride.  YOU BET!  Since I sort of started a relationship with Top Gun, I ran for him.  Wahoo, I got to him first!  I was able to get up without incident (hey, it's been decades since I've ridden a horse, and he's a tall boy).  They adjusted the saddle, and away we went.  We walked around with the instructor holding the lead.  He told me what to do, which sounded so simple.  What, wasn't I doing that?  Ummm, not really.  Ok, I see how I tried to use the reigns like a steering wheel.  Which only confused poor Top Gun.  Once I fixed that mistake, he was much happier.  Top Gun soon relaxed.  Then we were not only walking, we were trotting.  The trainer warned me that Top Gun has a bumpy trot.  He wasn't kidding.

Soon we were both at ease with each other, so the instructor turned me loose and told me to go wherever I wanted in the arena.  We not only trotted, we cantered!  It was so cool to ride that big beautiful horse.  It gave me such a sense of glorious freedom.  It gave me the bug to go riding again.

Just starting to ride Top Gun

I monopolized about as much of Top Gun's time as I could, then decided that I should let someone else enjoy him too.  The instructor (Top Gun's owner) told me that he doesn't adjust well to following commands from other people riding him, and he did really good.  Glad he told me that after, or it may have made me nervous.  Which would have made Top Gun nervous!  I dismounted without a step just fine.  Whew!  I did it.  And I loved it.

So, I know what we are doing for my birthday this year.  Trail riding, and I can't wait.  The last time I rode a horse was in college with my college roommate, Jus, probably the summer of '89 or '90.  For something fun to do, we went on a trail ride towards the end of the school year.  Wish I could find the fuzzy out-of-focus picture from way back then.

I rode a couple of times growing up (as in single digits, not like I did it often).  The first time or two was on our family vacations to Colorado.  Here's a picture from when I was 10 or a little younger...

I guess I had a flair for wearing clothes that clashed on the weekends as a kid, too.

After riding Top Gun in the arena, I walked around and looked at all the other animals they have.  

Meet Ham (left) & Bacon (right), not their real names

The llama

Beautiful horses

And I met my new boyfriend, Jake.  He's a total lush when it comes to a butt rub, so we bonded.  Both of his eyes were brown/blue in each of his eyes.  I've never seen another like him.  

I'm a sucker for those eyes, and his hair

I have a weak spot for border collies/Australian shepherds.  But alas, I know that breed is not for me.  Not until I can devote all my time and attention to one, and when could that ever happen?!?  Not until I retire.  They are slightly smaller than a Golden, and their lifespans are longer.  And talk about smart.  Smart enough to get into trouble.  Every day, I'm sure.  So, I will admire him from afar, and visit him every chance I get.

Speaking of visits, Tullybird will be here tomorrow--in just a few hours as a matter of fact!  I have the week all planned out for meals/drinks/shopping, and... horse back riding!  We are going to hit the trail for a ride.  WAHOO!  I am so excited that she's coming for a 2nd visit this year!