A Couple Of Firsts

I think I've eaten my way through Arizona this trip and have even experienced a couple of firsts this time around. Needless to say, I'll be dieting big time when I get home tomorrow.

Saturday we started the day off great with our first ever meal here...


I was so excited. I've read about the good food and the cute little store at Cracker Barrel so I was anxious to experience it for myself. It did not disappoint. I had scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits. I don't think I've ever had a better biscuit, anywhere! It was melt in your mouth delicious! I enjoyed the store too and bought a few cute gifts. I bet they have fun, unique items during the holidays!

Courtney is a nanny a few days a week for a professor at ASU and she and her husband invited us over for brunch on Sunday, and again, the food was great. Courtney has told us so much about them that I couldn't wait to finally meet them. They were absolutely darling and such warm, hospitable hosts. Being with them warmed my heart because you could tell that they truly love my daughter. They could not say enough nice things about her and the kids gravitated to her like a magnet. I made sure to express to them how thankful I am that they are looking out for Courtney and taking such good care of her and they let us know how thankful they are to have her in their lives as well. They said that having Courtney around has been the perfect fit and knew she was the one right off the bat. It's turned out to be a win win situation for everyone and I know Courtney will be in contact with them for the rest of her life. Luckily, they feel like family to me now too!

For dinner last night we went to one of our favorite rib places and the girls talked us into an appetizer that I had never thought of eating before...


Fried pickles! I was a sport and gave them a try but once was enough for me. Not a fan of eating warm pickles. Have you ever tried fried pickles before?

Today we hit the mall and lets just say Courtney and I can do some serious damage when we're together...but hey, it's not like we have the opportunity all the time right! Ann Taylor's Loft and Nordstrom were having great sales so we found some seriously cute stuff at some seriously reasonable prices. Again, a win win situation!

We had dinner tonight at a place the girls suggested, The Big Fat Greek Restaurant, and yes, with an appetizer that I hadn't ever had before...



Flaming cheese and pita bread! It was a first but this I liked!

We've had such an enjoyable, relaxing time and these 2 beautiful, sweet girls have been a pleasure to be around...


Courtney and her close friend Janell. This trip was the first time we were able to meet Janell and guess what, she feels like family now too!

Janell just graduated and is now looking for and applying for different teaching positions. Can you believe that adorable thing wants to teach high school math! I say good for you and God bless you Janell! It won't be easy but she's got spunk. I just know she's gonna be accused of being a student more times than she can count!

Photo Resolution 2010 and Wordless Wednesday

6/52:

Wordless Wednesday

*********************************************************

This weekend is camping club weekend! Of course, we will be celebrating Valentine's Day so I've got alot of work to do today. I'm hoping to make BIG heart shaped chocolate chip cookies, decorate them, wrap them, then give them out this weekend. Plus, I need to figure out what food I'll be bringing to the campout.

If you've been reading my blog for very long, you know that our camping friends eat very well at the campouts! No hot dogs and beans for this group! Nope, no way! Believe me, I've tried! It's always a challenge for me, the cooking impaired girl, to come up with winners because remember, I camp with gourmet cooks...and that's the truth! Luckily, there are lots and lots of cooking blogs to get great ideas from. Guess I'd better get browsing!

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: Do you like fish?

Normally I'm not much of a fish lover but tonight we had the most delicious fish for dinner. We're in Ventura Beach for our Camping Club weekend and a group of us went to Andria's for dinner. They've got the best fish and chips around and you should see the line up at the door waiting to get in. I passed on the chips and had a small salad instead. I even had a diet coke...and if you know me, that's really something. I hate diet anything but I'm seriously on one. So far so good.

Have a great weekend!

It's Official...

It's March 1st and I'm going on a full fledged diet!

I tried on about 4 things in my closet earlier today and nothing fit...couldn't even zip up the zipper. I've worn the same size for almost 20 years now and I'm not buying bigger.

I'm serious!

I didn't have this much of a problem until I started blogging a year ago. My word now I've really got a blogging butt to get rid of. It also doesn't help that I'm going through menopause!

Why oh why did I buy $32 worth of these just yesterday...



Sorry new BFF (black spray paint), you are now being replaced with a tall glass of water!

Thanksgiving Weekend Recap - Part I

Why is it that all good things must come to an end!?! Our Thanksgiving trips to Northern California are always so enjoyable that it's a little depressing to come home to reality at the end of the weekend. Who would want to leave a weekend that's filled with lots of good food, laughter, tv, game playing, crafting, picture taking, thrifting, and just plain fun! We all had an incredible time.

My sister's brother-in-law and his wife Bette Jo joined in on the weekend festivities also. We'd all spent Thanksgiving together before so I was anxious to see them again. Come to find out, Bette Jo has a blog of her own so we spent time one night talking about our blogs and sprucing hers up a bit. We even tried talking my sister Debbie into a blog of her own but she said no go. We'll keep working on her! Here's a picture of Debbie, Bette Jo, Courtney, and myself on Thanksgiving day.


Friday morning we were up bright and early for the infamous craft fair...but not before breakfast first at Humpty Dumpty, the local diner.


If you want a scrumptious breakfast, Humpty Dumpty's the place to be. I'd already eaten a good portion of my breakfast before I remembered to take a picture, sorry!


Even though they have the same old crap at the craft fair each year, it's a tradition. Another tradition is standing in front of this planter for pictures every year.




Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow!

Soup Weather

When we were in Washington not to long ago, we stopped for lunch at Ivar's in Seattle. From the looks of it, Ivar's is a popular place...and I now know why... The.food.was.fabulous!

Look at this tasty bowl of clam chowder soup. I had fish for lunch but hubby said this was one of the best clam chowder soups he's eaten. Don't you just love soup served in a bread bowl!?!


The food is so good at Ivar's even these guys stand in line to get a nibble...


This is a picture of the famous Space Needle. It's a pretty good picture considering I took it from the back seat of the car.


Seattle is a happening place, with lots to see and do. If we had been there longer we would have signed up for the Duck Tour. The Duck Tour is a guided tour where you sit in a tram type car that's outfitted to look like a duck. I think these things even go in the water. It looked like alot of fun and will certainly be on the agenda on our next visit.

Speaking of soup, colder weather sure has hit and nothing sounds better right now than a bowl of soup. I think I just may have to organize a soup exchange this winter! Have any of you ever participated in a soup exchange before? If so, I'd love to hear about it.