Today is 'Thirsty Thursday'

It's that time of the month again!!  SIP is having their 'Thursday Thursdays' tonight!!  Hmmmm, Hmmmm good! 

Thirsty Thursday February 23rd- Red Rhones

SIP! Mendocino’s ongoing event series continues February 23rd with an exploration of red Rhone varietals such as Carignane, Syrah, Grenache and Petite Sirah.  Perfect wines to soothe the winter blues.  Sastisfying appetizers will warm your tummy.  Cover charge is $20 for non-wine club members and no cover charge for one person per each SIP! Mendocino wine club membership. 

See ya there!!

Had a blast in Reno last week!!

Me with Arthur Hayden

The girls and I headed to Reno for a couple of days of fun. Stayed at the 'Atlantis' and totally loved the band that was playing (they played there the last time we were there too) Got to converse and meet the Lead singer, Arthur Hayden, of the 'Steppen Stonz'

Had so much fun we stayed an extra night -- ready to head back again real soon!!

Potluck Saturday Nights!!

Here it is again - working on a Saturday nights so it must be Potluck Saturday Night!!

Brenda said she was bringing 'Chicken Almondine'  Hmmm, Hmmm good!

I decided yesterday while I was pre-testing a few recipes for next weekends Super Bowl party that I would go ahead and make a few cupcakes for the potluck tonight -- that way I didn't have to get up early and make anything or make a run into the store for something!!  Just had to frost them and take them.

Couldn't find my regular cupcake pan (duh!!  I had left it at work in my locker the last time I made cupcakes for work - not heading into town 30 minutes away for a cupcake pan) so I used the mini cupcake pan that I had!!  thank goodness I still had enough liners for that pan, only a few short and boy were those good cakes!! : )   Better remember to buy some more though!

So here are some of the mini spice cupcakes I'm taking into work tonight!!

A Cute Crochet Story

A Cute Crochet Story

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about. For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents. "When we were to be married," she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll." The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness. "Honey," he said, "that explains the dolls, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?" "Oh," she said, "That's the money I made from selling the dolls."

Dehydrator!!

Last year my friend found my old dehydrator that I hadn' tused in years, in fact, it still had sunflower seeds from who knows when on the racks!!  LOL!!

He got all excited about it and wanted to try to make jerky.  so we cleaned it up and got to town.  The jerky came out pretty good.  When he headed back home I let him take the dehydrator with him.  In my move to the new place, guess what I found in an unopened box under the sink?  Another dehydrator. LOL!!

It got me to thinking that I wouldn't mind making some more jerky.  So I found me some lean cuts of beef and marinated it in a spicy teriyaki sauce and popped it in the dehydrator!!  The last few hours of the the drying I brushed the straight teriyaki sauce onto the tops of the jerky!!  Wow!!  The best batch yet!!!  Even the girls at work were impressed.

Although I was kinda hoping for a little more kick than it had!!  Next time I think I'll sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top for that added kick!!











As I was finishing up the jerky I was going through the refrigerator and found some cherry tomatoes and fresh basil that were heading towards there last legs, so I cleaned them up and threw them on the dehydrator next!!! 

Oh my goodness!!  They are great!!

Wasn't as impressed with the fruit.  Although the Strawberries, apples, pears and pineapple weren't too bad. 

Need to work on the bananas though!!

I think I'm gonna like this dehydrator!!!

Our 2012 Theme Tree!!!

When getting ready to take down my Christmas tree that I had put up on my front porch this year, my landlord who lives upstairs said she thought it would be kinda cool to keep the tree up (it is a fake one) all year long and change the decorations to fit the upcoming holidays!!

We were all in agreement on that on, esp. me as it saved me from having to take it down and find a place to store the tree!

We decided that for January our tree theme would be a combination of New Years!! and celebrating Carrie's 21st birthday.  Carrie is my best friends daughter.

 Here is what we came up with:

First addition to the tree was on Jan 7.  White lights, multi-colored mardi gras beads, party blowers and Malibu Rum shot glasses.

 The second addition to the tree was added Jan 8 by Carrie and her mother!!  Birthday party hats, birthday garlands and more party blowers!!!

 On Jan 24th Alycia, Carrie's mother, added small bottles of margarita mixers!!!











I still want to get or make a garland sign that says 'Happy 21st Birthday Carrie in 2012' -- This week???!!!!  Then we will need to get a picture of her next to the tree!!!

Next months theme is:  Valentine's Day!!  We encourage all friends who want to come and visit to feel free to bring and add appropriate themed and weather items to the tree!!  The more the merrier!!

 Kresley Cole eReader Giveaway

Win an eReader in time for the Holidays!

One lucky entrant will win an eReader of their choice: either the Amazon Kindle Fire (Color 7" Multi-touch Display) or the Barnes & Noble NOOK Color (7" touchscreen). Contest ends 12.10.11. Enter today and good luck!


Contest for free eReader!!

Fabshophop!!!

Come join the fun and a chance to wins prizes!!

For you little sister!! Love You!!