I Smell Like Waffles!!

While everyone slept, I was up and at 'em by 4:30 in order to get ready for the onslaught of people to the Elks Mother's Day Buffet.  Try as I might to go to bed early, one of my neighbors in the new subdivision held their house warming with a for real band that sounded like they were on MY patio.   At least it was country music!!

I moved to the back bedroom ... not that it helped.  Luckily they quit about 9:30 and I got some rest before working my butt off in the kitchen.  Not a bad thing ... I could use a little less butt!!  I know, I need a purple shirt, but purple really isn't my color!!

There's a lot to get ready, since the menu has expanded so much.  There's Mexican Egg Casserole to make up (6 turkey roaster sized pans) and hash browns to season and pan up for the oven.  We spent Saturday morning panning the sausage, biscuits and waffles ready for baking.  The Dirty Thirty were hard at work.   Along with the waffles there was butter, syrup, strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate sauce and powdered sugar to get ready ... they leave nothing out!!  Not to mention the sausage gravy and scrambled eggs made by the other side of the kitchen.

It all becomes a dance with the clock, since the casseroles take 45 minutes at one temperature while everything else requires another.  The biscuits and waffles are pre-baked, so they just require a good warming before going in the crisper.  I think I baked 8 pans of these (that's 384 biscuits), 8 pans of waffles and 6 pans of sausage, plus the five pans of ham.  Whew!!!

TEN pans of hash browns went in the oven, all coming out crispy and brown after a few stirs.  Yup ... every pan had to be stirred at least three times, including the egg casseroles.

Here's my ovens ... boy do I wish I had these at home!!  There are two more warming ovens on the right just out of view to keep things warm after baking, so this was my workstation for the entire morning.  I only had one minor mishap (okay, maybe two) ... are you amazed?  I certainly am, but the first one wasn't my fault.  Someone came along and upped the temperature to 400 ... thinking they were doing a good deed ... and burned the first batch of waffles I had in.   Not burned black, but way too brown for my taste!!  I switched the dial back and refused to let anyone come near.

The second was a problem ... one lone sausage jumped off the tray.  The sausages expand when you cook them, so if you fill the pans too full, some try to escape.  One did ... all the way in the very back of the oven, on the bottom.  Smoke started to roll out when I opened the door.  RATS!!  I had to remove one rack and brave the screaming hot sides in order to drag it out with the longest spoon I could find.  Success!!

It wasn't all bad however ... when the young kitchen crew came in to do all the cleanup, we got some nice views to recharge our batteries.  You cannot imagine how much work these guys do ... for one, they washed 25 big pans and 28 sheet pans that I dirtied, not to mention all the plates, utensils and that huge meat slicer!!

The quiet before the storm ... we fed almost 500 people.  I finally had one biscuit with gravy, followed up by one small piece of waffle with strawberries, followed up with the biggest piece of Costco cake I think I've ever eaten.  I was miserable, but that's what I get for going off the diet.

The weirdest thing happened when I finally got home ... I kept smelling waffles.  Every time I moved around the house ... there's that sweet smell of toasted goodness wafting on the breeze.  I guess it was that blast of heat every time I opened the oven door.

Today I'm heading off to get my closing documents notarized, as well as send off my hard earned money and close the deal for the Arizona House.  I hope they don't mind that I still smell a little like waffles!!

Happy Mother's Day To All Moms

I hope everyone has a wonderful chore-less Mother's Day.  Take Mom out to lunch or dinner and show her how special she is!!

Back to Yosemite, with me in the picture, you get a little more perspective of the Merced River water level.  We were only about 15 feet from the road.  Truly, it couldn't have been a nicer day with temperatures in the 70's and bright sunshine.

Here's a flower for all the Mother's ... dogwood blossoms.  Me, I'll be cooking by the time you read this.  The Elks put on one of the best brunches around for Mother's of Members ... for FREE.  We got everything set up yesterday morning, and by 6:30 am I'll be baking biscuits and egg casserole.

Majestic El Capitan is the rock to climb, if you're into that kind of thing.  My rock climbing career thankfully ended before anyone suggested this behemoth!!  On any sunshiny day, you can stop in the meadow and watch the diehards climb the cracks.  In case you were wondering, it takes a good three days to reach the top.  Of course there are those that can do it in record time, but the rest spend a couple of nights in hammocks hung from the tiniest of carabiners.  Not my idea of fun since I'm a restless sleeper.  

These two were about a quarter of the way up near the front point.  There are many "trails" up, some easier than others.  All are too hard for me.  

These two were about half way up the rock, getting ready to lock in for the night.  Directly below them and to the left were four climbers, two being the smart ones who were staked out on a tiny ledge.

Just to give you a little perspective, here's the same climbers as the above picture, next to the little dark spot you can see in a previous picture.  I don't think so .... absolutely not. 

As we made our way around the construction to one of my favorite places to take photographs, the river was wider than ever.  The nice slow moving smooth as glass creek that makes for great reflection images, was twice as wide as normal and running like a freight train.  Still, I was able to capture El Capitan on the left and Bridle Vail Falls on the right.

The mountains to the far right still had a little snow, with more rain clouds coming in.  It's always a great day in Yosemite, in spite of the traffic and crazy amount of people on a THURSDAY!!

I got a big surprise after lunch ... Tammy got me a birthday card and a gift card ... for Sees Candy no less!!  Good heavens ... my first "second" birthday present!!  Thank you Tammy ... you're a sweetheart.  

I hope everyone has a great day while I'm slaving away in the kitchen!!  It's okay, it's worth it to see 400 happy people eat breakfast at the Elks.  Maybe I can even swipe a small piece of ham for MY kids, Cooper ......

and Jessie and of course don't forget Jonathan.  Maybe a donut for him ... or her as the case may be.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

A Treasure In The Mountains

You have all probably heard of Yosemite National Park, just a short 90 minute drive from my house.  I should go more often.  This trip was to celebrate Mothers Day with my friends and my second birthday of the year.  As it turned out, only Tammy and I were able to make it, getting a late start.  That meant TRAFFIC ... LOTS of it!!  Parking was definitely at a premium.

Along the way, we stopped in at El Portal to check out the Merced River.  That's the hotel on the edge way in the distance.  Many years ago the river was half this wide, but with the big flood of 1997, it expanded it's boundaries.  Usually not much more than a trickle at this point, it was a raging river the day we were there, looking like a pot of boiling potatoes.  Everyone is on flood watch due to melting snow.

Water, water ... everywhere!!  I had to drive through several flooded sections of road in the park where water was sheeting off the mountains.  These two white stripes down the granite in back of the Ahwahnee Hotel are waterfalls.  Since I used to live in the park, several brand new waterfalls have appeared, flowing off the cliffs and into the valley due to erosion and river course changes.  

With all the flooding, half the valley was shut off to traffic, making very narrow single lanes going every which direction ... against the normal grain of traffic.  We barely made it in time for our lunch reservation, even with using Valet Parking.  By the way, you can't call for reservations any more ... although Tammy was finally able to find a phone number ... if they choose to answer.  

You have to go online to Open Table and make your reservation.  They do take walk-ins, but the wait was upwards of 60 minutes.  The place was packed!  If you ever visit, head around the corner to the right and up the stairs to the balcony.  It's a great place to get an idea of the grandeur of the hotel.  

We were finally seated in the main dining room.  It's such a spectacular venue, it's hard to concentrate on the menu.  Bring your biggest credit card and plan to stay awhile.

There is however, no use coming to such a grand location and being the cheapskate I usually am.  I splurged on the florentine crab appetizer at $17.  I know ... I almost choked on it too, but it was made with fresh spinach and was out of this world, so I figure it was worth it.

Next up ... rainbow trout.  Chef Patty would be proud of me for picking one of her favorite dishes.  I have to admit it was fabulous, along with the saluted onions, squash and green beans, with rice under the fish.  The plate is HUGE and enough for two people.  We found out too late that if you want bread, you have to ask for it.  They still bake it themselves and it is available at no charge, but if you do not ask, you do not get!!

After Tammy expounded on the virtues of the lemon meringue pie, she had a few months ago, I couldn't resist.  We both had a piece.   I could have eaten THREE pieces.  

Remember the trip to Maine with the Westerfields where we scouted out the best bread pudding?  The Golden Spike Train group was here a couple weeks ago, and they said the bread pudding was top of the line.  What the heck ... I ordered one to go.   Maybe it's because no one can beat Jerome Arizona's bread pudding, or maybe it was because it sat in my truck (in a to-go box) for four hours, but it didn't get a passing grade this time around.  

Lunch for two came to $111.05, probably the highest I've ever paid.  If you stick with the fish and only one dessert, it will run you about $30 each.  But what's the fun in THAT!!

Full to the brim, we wandered through the gift shop, non-existent when I was here.   Again, bring your BIG credit card.  The small red purse I looked at was $325 ... yup you read that right.  That was a little more than my $20 budget, so I passed.

Out front the dogwoods were blooming like crazy in every single tree around.  Unfortunately, try as we might to find some redbud, there was only one to behold.  I'm guessing the hot-no-water weather has killed most of it.  Maybe there's some at the higher elevations.

It was a trip down memory lane, except nothing matched up with my memories.  Degnans Restaurant where we caroused around the piano as Doug played the latest hits (after hours of course), was closed and half the grocery store is now another gift shop.  There's a new-to-me sandwich shop out front, where these guys get their fill.  I certainly hope they sterilize those trays before they serve food on them.  

Back in the truck, we headed through the employee section so I could show Tammy the dorm rooms. Right under my window was an old fashioned telephone booth.  Remember those with the sliding door?  One night a young bear got inside the booth and closed the door on himself when he turned around.  You should have heard the racket.  We all hung out the windows, but no one had enough nerve to go downstairs and open the door.  

We called the rangers, but they were slow to arrive.  We finally grabbed a broom and tried to push the door in far enough so he could get out.  He squalled every time it hit him in the butt.  At long last, he turned the right direction and escaped.  We never saw him again.  Don't you think he had tales to tell his mama!!!

Finally back at the Yosemite Lodge, I really thought we were out of luck in the way of a parking spot, but on the first round, I spotted a car backing out.  Tammy jumped out and stopped all the traffic (mainly so they wouldn't steal our spot) and I whipped the truck in backwards in a flash.  

With all the snow melt, the falls were pretty spectacular.  This is Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls.  The roar was deafening, even from the parking lot.  

As we got closer, we could feel a very light mist on the breeze.  In no time we were at the bridge and soaking wet.  

As we rounded the last corner, you could see how much mist there was at the bottom of Lower Falls.  The wind produced by the falling water was throwing the mist sideways, soaking everyone to the skin.  I stayed back trying to keep my camera dry.

Tammy went right up close into the eye of the storm.   We're still a long way from the actual base of the falls, but close enough to get drenched.

I've got more pictures I'll show you tomorrow.   It was getting late, so we loaded up in the truck and headed back home.  To my surprise, Tammy brought Smokehouse Almonds and pretzels to snack on.  This girl knows how to travel!!!  By the way, I really tried to drive nice.  I think I only scared her once!

With another trip to Morgan Hill in the books yesterday, I was exhausted and hit the sack early.  This morning is Mothers Day Brunch prep at the Elks, then it's nap time for Nancy.  Cooking for the brunch starts at 6:30 am on Sunday ..... won't THAT be fun!!

A Little Teaser!!!

What a day!!  If it weren't for the amazing views and crazy waterfalls, the traffic and road construction might have put a damper on my trip to Yosemite.  It was supposed to be the three musketeers, but unfortunately, my good friend Diane's husband ended up in the hospital after lots of testing.  We considered canceling, but it's Yosemite, so Tammy and I took off together on a gorgeous sunny morning.  I like this girl ... she brought smoked almonds, pretzels and water.

Surprisingly, I remembered the way.  Many MANY moon ago when I was 18, I took a drive up to Yosemite to the horse stables where I tried to get a job, being the cowgirl that I am.  The head wrangler sent me to the main office.  "Tell them I said to give you a job" ... so I did ... and THEY did.  Having just come from Junior College computer programming classes, I fit right in with their desire to switch over from paper reservations to paper reservations.  No really ... the only difference was the second set of papers were key punched cards.

My typing skills were pretty valuable ... type the info in (a series of holes were punched in the card), type it in again as it was verified and type it in a third time before it was sent off to the hotels to await tourist arrival.  That was before the days of computers.  I was pretty proud to be a part of that at the time.  Almost as proud as being the one who recorded all the information on what to do in the park.  If you called the information number, that was me on the recording.

Initially, I lived in a tent cabin.  Clothes and accessories were stuffed under the old twin bed with a most uncomfortable mattress.  Lights consisted of a bare bulb hanging from a long cord with a string to turn it on.  Not exactly the Ahwahnee hotel.  Especially when you had to get up in the middle of the night and walk 200 yards to the porta-potty.  No, I'm not kidding.  All for $1.81 an hour.  I was rich.  Talk about inflation!!

The valley soon became my home ... and when I was away, I missed it terribly.  What I didn't miss was the parties at Sentinel Beach.  I wasn't one of the "in" crowd that smoked, tobacco OR marijuana, nor did I drink.  I went that direction once, and that was enough for me.

Eventually I moved into the Women's Dorm, a lovely corner room about 20 feet square.  At least the bathroom was closer and NOT outside.  Usually there were more MEN in the dorm than women.    The Men's dorm was next door and in spite of them trying to keep everyone apart, you know it didn't work.  Sorry I don't have more time for stories and pictures today, but I'm off to Morgan Hill again and have to get my act together.

So here's a little teaser before I race off.  This is the front of the Ahwahnee Hotel, now called the Majestic Yosemite Hotel.  It seems the concessionaire who has had control all these years, decided they owned the names.  When the National Park Service went with another vendor who offered more, the first concessionaire got mad and took the names with them.  The NPS couldn't argue because there was nothing in the contract that said otherwise.  When they finally went with a NEW concessionaire, the old ones sued to take the names with them, and won.  Everything in the park has now been renamed.  For those of us who have worked there, the names will NEVER change.  This is the Ahwahnee Hotel and always will be.

Although I carved out 2-3/4 hours for the 2 hour trip, we just barely made it in time for our reservations, which were another story.  At any rate, we made it, the food was delicious, only surpassed by the hundreds of dogwood trees in full bloom.  Despite the traffic and construction, it was still worth the trip.

My favorite meadow where you can cast an eye on Half Dome.  If you're real adventurous, you can climb the cables to the top.  Wear your big girl panties ... it's almost straight up the back side, not to mention the 9 mile hike to get there.  More on all that later.

I got home at about 7:45, where the puppies were happy to see me.  It was a very long day and we still didn't get near the pictures we wanted to.  Going really early in the morning is definitely a must if you want to find a place to park.  I'll have more pictures tomorrow after I return from Morgan Hill.

The Squar Egg

This is a quicky today ... I'm heading out early this morning on another adventure.

I spent yesterday at a Trash to Treasure friend's house in town.  He and his wife collect all manner of things at yard sales and antique fairs, then sell them around the country.  They specialize more in signs like Mobile Oil, Burma Shave, those kinds of things.  Since he was out and about, I asked him to keep an eye out for dutch ovens.  Unfortunately, I didn't exactly explain the difference between a dutch oven and a frying pan.

This week he called to say he had several for me to check out.  It happens that these were in very good condition .... even ready to hit the stove, both pans having baby smooth non-stick bottoms.  Now it's up to me to do the homework and see what they are worth.  The best thing about this friend is he tells me to just pay him whatever.  Whatever can be either pretty expensive or pretty cheap!!

I have more work to do in checking the dates, but this Wagner pan was made around 1922 in Sidney Ohio.  It has thinner walls than what you see today, but is heavier in weight.  It's definitely a keeper.  I think the one above is newer, but that will require more research. 

This Griswold Squar Egg pan is actually from the 1940's ... not really old by my standards.  In MY book, old is the early 1900's.  On the other hand, I'M an antique to most!!  I guess 77 years counts as old.  It's an original and worth around $50.  There is another just like this made in the 60's without the value.  There's one more to show you but it will have to wait.

I'm off this morning for lunch at this magnificent hotel in Yosemite ... The Ahwahnee.  Yeah, I know they've changed the name, which is just ridiculous!!  It IS and always WILL be the Ahwahnee.  I worked in the park for a couple of years when I was a kid.  Boy can I tell you stories about THAT place!!  Yosemite is a haven for misfits ... me included.  I'll tell you about it over the next few days.

For now however, I have to get ready to go with three other gals for our Mother's Day/Birthday foray into the land of gorgeous scenery to photograph and what I call the Mucky Mucks ... the upper class ... the posh crowd ... because you see, I lived in a tent cabin on the far side of the Valley.  I told Diane to wear her very best flip flops!!

The Magic Kingdom Of Bingo

It was that time again yesterday .... HOWDY DOODIE TIME!  Just kidding.  #not #itfeltlikeit

Sometimes I think I'm on an out-of-control kids show when I volunteer at the Magic Kingdom.  Everyone is running around screaming and pulling their hair out, including me.  You just have to laugh about it ... like when I won the Biffo Ball at Cartoon Town with Claribel the Clown.

I always had to go to Modesto with my mother when I was younger, since there were no babysitters back in the day.  She had one of the original television cooking shows, teaching people how to cook BEEF for dinner ... part of the Cattlemen's Association/Cowbells organization.

Immediately after her show was Claribel (not the original one) who made the kids laugh and gave out prizes.  They needed a couple of extra kids, so I got to stay.  Claribel never made anyone laugh and we never got to see ANY cartoons.  We just sat on these hard wooden benches until they said GO, whereupon we would clap and yell.  Claribel would pick one of us to tell a dumb joke ... we were maybe six years old ... and we would then get a prize.

I actually got picked, which was probably a setup.  I don't remember the joke I told other than it was pretty lame, but I definitely remember the prize.  I walked to the big barrel and picked out a Biffo Ball ... the big beach ball on a string.  That was a LOT more fun than Bingo ... but I digress .........

The night started out nice enough ... I even had a glass of wine to relax before the confrontation with the Moneychanger.  Amazingly, he came over and gave me a hug.  I guess he thought I needed it ... probably saw the Evil Witch of the Castle in my eyes.  I guess I need to tell him off more often.  With that out of the way, it was time to mingle with the peasants.

Everyone was surprisingly nice.  Okay that's not quite true.  One other volunteer who shall remain nameless came and made a big point of taking a dobber and saying he would return with the money ... he wasn't LYING ... and he wanted to be sure we knew he would be back ... with the MONEY.  Really?  Turns out he's friends with the $2 lady.  C'est la vie .... he brought the dollar back and we thanked him profusely.  There's one in every crowd.

The night breezed along while I counted cards and explained the entire process to many brand new players.  It's always good to have an influx of new peasants.  It means there's more money in the pots resulting in even louder BINGO'S.  A noisy house is a happy house, except when it's at our table and we can't hear.

The Castle Lawyer and I, professing to be on a low carb diet, sent the kitchen into an uproar last week when we ordered our hamburger with no bun, but extra lettuce.  Don't deviate from the norm, that's the rule.  They didn't know what to charge us.  THIS time we just ordered a regular hamburger, then threw the bun away.  You would be proud of me ... I actually DID that.  It's a waste, but better than disrupting the kitchen.  You don't want to upset the provider of vitals.

At long last it was time to close up.  The infernal machine balanced to within two dollars ... good enough for this group because no one really cares whether we balance or not.  Only the Castle Lawyer and I seem to think the cash box SHOULD match the tape.  I'm glad I'm not a fly on the wall when we both are gone, which will happen this summer.  I'd probably die from a heart attack.

In other good news, my income tax refunds were deposited in my bank account!!  THAT made me extremely happy since now I won't have to sleep on the floor at the Arizona house.   My first purchases will be a bed and a television.  I can't wait.  I'm packing every single nook and cranny in the rig and the jeep with things for the house.  I have plenty of stuff ... years ago I had an apartment in Monterey, and luckily kept everything when I moved out.

Tomorrow I'm driving three gals to the Ahwahnee Hotel (now known as the Majestic Hotel) in Yosemite for a Mothers day lunch and birthday celebration.  I'm having another birthday this year ... my second one.  No one said I can't have TWO in one year.  Hopefully I'll get some beautiful photos along the way to share with you.

Smoggy With A Chance Of Green Beans

Another reason to leave California.  SMOG CERTIFICATION.  I absolutely hate seeing this on my diesel truck registration.  If you have it done once, why do you have to continue every other year?   Are there really that many people who run out to the garage and disconnect or change whatever the equipment is?  Does it get them 20mpg more in their fuel usage?  And who in the world would know how to do that anyway?  Can you teach me????  Just kidding.  

I think the lawmakers have smoggy brains.  Course I know the REAL reason.  Having worked as an accountant in the County coffers, lots of this money SHOULD be returned to the locals, along with the State's share of welfare money.  The State didn't want to cut their budget, so they upped the registration fees, then transferred THAT money to the Counties for their welfare contribution.  I'm sure it's all much more convoluted now ... I've been retired for some time and the laws change constantly.

So I took my truck in yesterday to a local repair guy ... NOT a dealer ... and in ten minutes it was done.  Honestly, I didn't even see him check anything.  For $67.00 they signed the certificate and I put it in the mail.  I actually think Arizona fees are comparable to California, there just won't be any SMOG stuff there.  Were the timing right, I would just wait to register it until I get the house, but it won't happen this year.

I forgot to mention the car I saw while returning from Morgan Hill.  Isn't she a beauty?  A 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton, restored to her original state.   This was Tom Mix's car, the one he died in many years ago.   Unfortunately, I couldn't catch up for a picture, so I found this one on the internet.

This guy had a pretty fascinating life.  Born in Pennsylvania, his father was the stable master for a wealthy lumberman.  He learned to rope and ride early on, but his penchant for the circus got him in trouble.  After a stint in the Spanish American War in 1898, he went through several marriages before joining Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show.

His acting career began in 1909, becoming a big star, along with his horse Tony, making 120 films.  In 1913, he bought a ranch in Prescott Arizona, which became Yavapai Hills, a planned community.   I guess that idea has been around for awhile.  In 1929, he was a pallbearer at the funeral of Wyatt Earp.

In the 30's, he went to work for Universal Pictures trying to pay for all those ex-wives (five in all), when he bought the Sam Hill Circus.  When he went to do promotional tours for the studios, he left the circus to his daughter Ruth, who promptly ran it into the ground.  For that, he disowned her.

In October of 1940, he was traveling towards Phoenix after visiting the Sheriff in Tucson, when he came upon a construction site and could not stop in time.  The car overturned and he was hit in the back of his head with a large aluminum suitcase that was not tied down.  It was full of money, jewels and travelers checks.  It broke his neck.  He was a young 60 years old.  

He was my hero in the old western shows I watched on television as a kid ... that is when we finally GOT a television in the mid 50's.  He was a handsome devil and always got the bad guys, as did I.  I deposited them in the saddle house jail at the back of our ranch, riding off into the sunset on my horse Pico!

I spent the afternoon working on my canvas in the afternoon.  I wish you could see how sparkly and shiny the threads are.  It looks just like scales!!  

Still trying to keep to something of a no carb diet, or at least LESS carbs, I picked up lots of veggies at the grocery store.  I've never really liked green beans because I could never cook them satisfactorily.  They were tough, half raw, stringy and tasteless.  The instant pot has changed all that!! I whipped up another batch with bacon and onions for dinner.  Boy were they delicious!!  If you come to my house for dinner, there's a good chance of green beans.

It's Magic Kingdom night again ... it came WAY too soon.  I imagine I should apologize to the Moneychanger, which I don't relish one bit.  I've had that conversation in my head 25 times already.  Yup ... I worry about stuff like that.  In fact, it can ruin my entire day, just like the Giants losing yet another game.  They are becoming the Giants of 2002 all over again.  Everyone hurt, terrible pitching and lots of losses.  It's okay though, I'll always be a fan.   Now to figure out how to pry those apologetic words from my mouth.

This Is NOT Your Grandmother's Needlepoint

Over the hill and through the woods ... to Madonna's House we go!!  Amazingly, I survived the trip into the Valley of Evil Drivers.  Even though the speed limit was 65, I cruised along at 60, determined not to go crazy along with the pack.  Sometimes you just can't help yourself, right?  You just start driving the same speed as them!!  When I hit the freeway, they went 75-80, I went the speed limit, 65.

This is the reason for the trip .... this fabulous mermaid (although I was informed she is a SIREN) needlepoint project.  Sure, I could just do the up and down method and make her flat and uninteresting, but I wanted the canvas to be as fabulous as she was.  Especially since it cost me a small fortune.  These are from Leigh Company and they are all hand painted.  They are so expensive, they don't even give you a price.  Just fork over that credit card!!

I've had her for about eight years.  The problem was I did not purchase the yarns and threads required to complete her.  Ever since, I've been looking for a store that sold the required stuff, but they kept going out of business.  FINALLY ... I got the name Madonna Needlework from a lady who gives lessons.

The minute I walked in the store, I knew I was in good company.  The door was open fifteen minutes before the official time and three ladies were already working on projects.  I met Teri, the wonderful owner who had already picked out some threads and planned the stitches.  No more straight up and down for me!!

Things have changed since the OLD days of your grandmother sitting by the fire with thick yarn and a flower picture.  The canvases available are amazing, as are the stitches you can use to make them come to life.  Teri is an artistic wonder of epic proportions.  She set me up on her frame holder with a magnifying glass light and showed me how to make her tail look like scales.  There will be pearls and beads in between each tiny square.  All of this written out on graph paper with each thread noted.

I was so happy to begin work on this masterpiece, I gave her a big hug.  I also gave JACK a big hug because he's just the most handsome guy!!  Jack is her Shih Tzu puppy ... the cutest thing EVER.  Well not as cute as Cooper, but he's a runner up for sure.  He loves toys and balls just like Cooper, but he doesn't chew them up.  He also did some great tricks ... like rolling over and dancing.  His toys are spread throughout the shop.  Definitely my kind of people!!

Finally ready to head home, I was STILL craving that Taco Bell taco I talked about awhile back.  AHA!!  There is a Taco Bell in Santa Nella about 40 miles from home.  I'll stop there.  As soon as I saw "shredded chicken burrito" on the menu, I caved.  I figured to eat half for lunch, saving the rest for dinner.  

Gee ... the bag felt kind of light for a big burrito.  I knew better, but I drove to the front instead of checking it first.  What to my wondering eyes should appear but a bag full of napkins and sauce.  I looked again.  Surely, way in the bottom, is my lunch.  Nope ... it was not to be.  Well you can just imagine how happy THAT made me!!

I went inside where it was a chilly 39 degrees (I'm not kidding, it was THAT cold in there ... must have frozen those kids brains) ... and headed to the counter.  "Can I help you?"  Why yes, yes you can. I just ordered a burrito and this is what I got ... I poured it all out on the counter.  There were maybe twelve napkins and fifteen packets of sauce, along with not one, but TWO receipts.  

Since I said NO sauce, I'm guessing she gave my burrito to the guy ahead of me and I got all his sauce.  She quickly made another burrito, adding extra cheese for the inconvenience she said.  A taco would have suited me better.

Just a tip here ... never EVER order the shredded chicken burrito.  When I finally got it out of the bag, it was about the size of my wristwatch.  NOTHING like the big burritos of old.  After taking a bite, I almost put it back in the bag.  That's not saying it tasted bad ... the taste was okay ... it was the LOOK of the thing that got me.  I don't want you to lose your lunch, but seriously, it looked like it had already been eaten by someone, and I'm not THAT picky!  I'll eat almost anything!!  That killed my craving for Taco Bell pretty quickly.

Finally back home, I spent the rest of the day working on the needlepoint.  I'm going back Friday for another lesson.  Mostly, I just want to play with Jack!!

Bright and early this morning I'm off to Jacks R Better to smog my truck.  Yes, in California you have to smog your diesel truck every two years.  It will cost be around $100 and make me crazy mad, but it has to be done.  I can't WAIT to get Arizona plates!!