ON THE FRINGE

It is always fun when someone I know makes it to the 'BIG TIME' with things and stuff they are doing.

My friend, Courtney Walker, has her first young adult book coming out in October this year. It is a paranormal story of a girl named Claire who is struggling to deal the murder of her childhood crush, Daniel. A near death experience mysteriously reconnects her with Daniel and they wonder if the experience will keep her trapped on the fringe forever.

The reviews I have read so far have been really good. You can check out an interview Courtney did this week at the following blog site:

http://blackfingernailreviews.blogspot.com/
(that's black finger nail reviews)

You can pre-order Courtney's book from Amazon for delivery in October. I have already ordered my copy, you should all order one also!

CINCO DE MAYO!

I just got back from New Mexico but the conference this year was at the Hyatt Tamaya Resort just outside of Albuquerque so I did not make it to Santa Fe for my traditional "Huevos" at the Plaza Cafe. Because I missed my traditional Cinco meal I decided that I needed to take some-'things' and stuff into my own hands and have our own Cinco De Mayo party this year. Actually we did it on Sunday so it was more like Uno De Mayo, but the thought was there!

For those who don't know, Cinco De Mayo means the Fifth of May and it commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It started out as a Mexican holiday but it has become a traditional celebration all over America also.

For our celebration we served up steak and chicken fajitas on the grill, fresh tortillas, mexican rice, a green salad, 'cowboy caviar' and VIRGIN Raspberry 'Sangre" Margaritas. YUM!

I am not sure where the name 'cowboy caviar' came from but it is one of our favorite summer snacks. Sometimes it is even considered dinner. It is so good and really easy to make.

RECIPE: COWBOY CAVIAR
I start with a container of fresh salsa or pico de gallo from the produce department. Some people spend a ton of time chopping tomatoes, onions and peppers but it is so much easier to just buy it already chopped. I like 'Condies' brand the best but any fresh salsa will do. Add two cans of black beans (drained and rinsed), a can of corn or a package of frozen corn (I like white corn better than yellow) and two or three chopped avocados. When all of the ingredients are in a bowl, add a package of Good Seasons Italian dressing mix, a little olive oil and some apple cider vinegar. Stir it all up and serve it with tortilla chips. I like to use the 'Lays Baked Tortilla Scoops' because they cut the calories a little and taste just as good... and the scoops make the dip easy to eat. Fresh and delicious!

Colorful chicken fajitas cooking on the grill outside... Soooo TASTY and you can buy them marinated and ready to grill in the meat department at Dan's. We also did steak fajitas. So good!

Cheers and a toast for good family fun and traditions with our virgin raspberry margaritas! No one wanted to be in the picture (everyone was in 'lounge' wear) so I just cut off their arms.

If you want to make our Raspberry Margaritas the recipe is SO easy!

STRAWBERRY MARGARITAS
Put half a can of Welch's White Grape Raspberry Juice Concentrate and a bunch of ice in a blender. Add some diet Sprite or 7-up and grind it up. Add some more soda and grind it some more until you get it to the consistency. I like it only slightly slushy. Just be careful to only add the soda a little at a time so it doesn't foam all over. Messy!

I did the flowers but I gave Samantha the assignment of draping the table and hanging the lights; I think she did a masterful job!

PREP-ING FOR THE 2011 GREAT EASTER EGG HUNT

Easter is just around the corner and the 'things and stuff' necessary are piling up getting ready for the big event! The candy and prizes have been purchased, the eggs just need to be filled!! Mr. and Mrs. EASTER BUNNY have their hats and are ready to hide some eggs!

Let the festivities begin!

CHOCOLATE TUFTED GOODNESS!

When you think about all the 'things and stuff' in life, could there be anything better than chocolate? I really think not! When these brownies came out of the oven I thought they were beautiful! Really... almost like a tufted matelasse' silk fabric. Jut as an FYI, Matelasse is an embossed compound fabric woven on a dobby or Jacquard loom.

The secret? Betty Crocker red box brownies and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Follow the recipe on the box. After you pour the batter in the pan, press in unwrapped peanut butter cups in any pattern you desire. I don't really think you can put in too many peanut butter cups! Bake as directed.

A hot brownie and a big class of cold milk. So, so good!

FUN IN THE SUN!

Suzie had meetings in Orlando this week so Erin and I tagged along just for fun. The conference was at Disney but the Swan Hotel messed up our reservation so we had to stay over at the Gaylord Palms Resort. Sad for us...NOT! Luxury resort at conference prices. It was really a great little get-a-way. Laying in the sun, hanging out, eating and playing!

Erin and I spent one day at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. It was so much fun! We rode our favorite roller coaster, The HULK, four times and obviously it was a kick! We also rode Dueling Dragons twice, Jurassic Park and then The Amazing Spiderman. Then, just for fun, we rode Dudley Do-Rights Buzz Saw Rapids and got soaked! That ride is like Splash Mountain on steroids!

It was so much fun just to spend a little time with Erin away from all the crazy stuff at home. We really had a great time. I love her lots!

JUNIOR PROM TRADITIONS

Wow! Time really flies when your days are filled with 'things and stuff'. but often time goes faster than it should! It seems like yesterday that Deni was going to Prom, then Erin... now my baby who is really, OBVIOUSLY, not a baby at all!

A tradition I have had with all of my girls is that I give them pearls on their prom. They may not wear them to the dance but it is something that, hopefully, they will cherish and remember.

Sami and McKay

Could they look better? I think not.....

STUNNING!

THE WRECKING BALL COMETH, seriously!

The time has come... the kitchen is tired. "THINGS AND STUFF" have to change!

The kitchen is the first room we did when we moved in seventeen years ago. The room has been well used and honestly, loved. It has entertained guests, hosted parties and played a part in hundreds of family memories; but all good things must come to an end.

Time to say good bye to the old and hello to a whole load of work,
starting with a bunch of demolition!!

Actually, the demolition is the fun part! It is the putting it back together that is hard, especially when it is a design as you go project... kind of typical for us. We won't be sure what it is going to look like until it is finished.

This is the progress so far this week. I will keep you posted as we go forward. The plumber is coming tomorrow to push the drains and water supplies up into the floor joists since we removed the drop ceiling. Then I will be looking for someone to hang some sheet rock and do a little mudding and patching! Any suggestions?

Start date: 28 March 2011. I am not sure that I dare venture a guess when it will be done...