Having Fun Is Hard Work...

We have returned and cliches and quotes are at the forefront...

Wine is bottled poetry. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Having fun is hard work. ~Unknown

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. ~Elisabeth Foley

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow. ~Lin Yutang

Some people go to priests; others to poetry; I to my friends. ~Virginia Woolf

What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do - especially in other people's minds. When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road. ~William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways

As you change in life, no matter who you become, there is always a bottle of wine to greet you. ~Sandy Comstock

The trip was spectacular. Filled with delicious cuisine, breathtaking sights, fruit of the vine and food for the soul.

Until later...

Did A Little Carvin' And We're Off...

As I've mentioned before one of my very favorite traditions is pumpkin carving with my niece and nephew. This year my nephew brought a couple of his best buddies along and everyone pitched in an helped clean (eeewww!) and carve.

Of course I was in my glory just hanging with them - man they make me laugh.

And laughter people, is the very best medicine!

Here's a shot of the four of them (Taylor, Alec, McKae and Clark) with the final product. This picture doesn't do the pumpkins justice - and as for the kids, well anyone can see that they are all fabulously cute!

You might wonder why we are carving so early this year. Well, the Senor and I are heading out on another adventure. While away we plan to relish Little Italy and the Fisherman's Wharf, gaze upon the Golden Gate bridge, marvel at the splendor of Muir Woods, drink our way through the wine country and challenge "Lady Luck".

Yes, I should have all kind of tales to share upon my return.

Until then...Adios...Auf Wiedersehen...
au revoir ...αντίο...
arrivederci...adeus...
vaarwel...
bye-bye!

Okay, So I'm Not Martha...

I absolutely ADORE this entry way table.

Of course, it is from Martha Stewart designs and is PERFECT as only Martha can do!



I knew mine mine would never measure up to Martha's but decided to give a knock-off a try anyway.

So, mine is on a much smaller scale...

and missing the awesome mirror...

and the spooky silver accents...

but other than that they are very similar, right?!!!!!

Oh Well, I DO LOVE that little Boo! tag, don't you?!

Look Out World...

I gotta ask you folks...

Can a girl get much cuter than this?







Cate is now 6 months old. I just can't believe it.

Her Mom sent a video a couple of days ago of her sitting up on her own.

She rolls over like a champion and I'm sure it won't be too long before Miss Cuteness becomes mobile and then...

Look. Out. World!

If Only I Knew Who Should Get The Credit

This morning I was searching my recipes trying to find something new and different for dinner when I came across a recipe for Chicken Pot Pie. My first thought was, wow, that sounds great. My next thought was, where did this recipe come from? I've never made Chicken Pot Pie.

Anyway, I read the recipe and it sounded simple enough so I tried it.

In summary, it is certainly NOT HEALTH food but might possibly be the ULTIMATE in COMFORT food. And after all, who doesn't need a little comfort now and then?

Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:

Chicken - You can use leftover chicken, deli chicken, or even canned chicken. You'll need enough to cover the bottom of a 9" X 13" baking dish
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can Cream of Celery Soup
1 Cup Peas - you can use frozen or canned (if canned be sure to drain them)
1 Cup Carrots - frozen or canned
2 Potatoes - Cut into cubes and boiled until fork tender
1 Cup Self Rising Flour
1 Cup Milk
1 Stick Butter
Salt and Pepper


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease baking dish or spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Cover bottom of pan with chicken pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Add peas, carrots, and potatoes, distributing evenly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine soups, mixing well with a spoon. Spread this mixture on top of the vegetable layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Melt butter over low heat and pour into a bowl. Add the flour and milk, along with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of pepper and mix well using a whisk. Pour evenly over the soup mixture.

Bake 45 minutes to an hour or until golden brown.

The Perfect Playground...

The sun is out and I am LOVING it!

I took a few pictures of our newly landscaped front beds and thought I would share them. Of course I realize you can't really get the full effect from these pictures but you'll get the general idea.

I actually took a few pictures of the many, many small craters that have been left behind by my furry friends with the cute outfits but a picture just couldn't do them justice so I'm not including them. After all, if you can't get the true look and feel of their artwork you might not fully appreciate it.

So take a look at this beautiful Japanese Maple. I LOVE the color of the leaves and wish they would stay throughout the fall and winter but I know they won't. Four Dwarf Nandina circle the tree. The tall whispy plant to the right of the maple is a Castiron plant. In the very back corner is a Japanese Aralia. It is very pretty but I couldn't seem to get a good shot of it.

This is the view of the right front bed from the center walkway. The four bushes under the windows are Encore Azaleas. There are three more under a separate set of windows on the left side of the walkway. The Azaleas will bloom in both the spring and fall and will add some much needed color to the front of the house.

Also sprinkled through this area are Cream de Mint, Dwarf Day Lilly, Bearded Iris, Monkey Grass and Petunias.

This is a view of the left front bed from the center walk way. The Azalea are the bushes under the bay window. The bushes under the far set of windows are Wheelers Dwarf Tobira. There are also Cream de Mint, Dwarf Day Lilly, Bearded Iris, Monkey Grass and Petunias along this area.

The Wheelers Dwarf Tobira is a low growing shrub.

The tall tree in the corner is a Yew. I was not familiar with this particular tree but it is very whispy and I think I'm going to like it. Four Dwarf Nandina circle the Yew.

In the coming weeks our new beds will take on the look of fall...

a wonderful mixture of color and texture...

the Pecan trees will begin to lose their leaves as a result of the crispy night air...

the yard will be covered in a golden blanket...

the perfect playground for a squirrel.

New Do...

Wow, I'm excited!
I feel like I just got the best new haircut ever except
it's not my haircut that's new
it's my blog layout!

Can you believe how cute it is?

Many thanks to Danielle - The Design Girl - she did a FANTASTIC job.

I feel like a new woman!