October adventures

The month of October is a busy one. Many, many birthdays to celebrate. Rather than bore you with the commentary, I present the photographic evidence that we know how to partay down!

Presenting Phyllis her Birthday Pumpkin Roll.

Phyllis looking almost comfortable holding Hannah.

At Roger's birthday, Hannah was tuckered out!

Jamie holding Caleb, the newest Anspach.

Reagan and I posing with the the "dirt"cake that was served as dessert when the Clausen's came over.

Reagan couldn't wait to "dig" in! Get it?!

Camping on Mt. Lemmon.....just look at Michael and Carter's handiwork!

Carter couldn't wait for the campfire to make s'mores.

The Williams family in the "kitchen"....just like at home! (puppies waiting for me to drop something on the floor)

Hannah was a UofA Cheerleader for Halloween.....Gooooooo 'Cats!

Her mom even made pom-poms for her!

Sangria and Tapas

If you have never tried Tapas at a Tapas Bar (say it three time fast, it sounds funny!), I encourage you to do so. Tapas are little appetizer plates served in Spain.
When Michael, Carter and I sampled Spanish tapas at Casa Vicente, we were really impressed. It was as though we had been transported, via our taste buds, to Andulicia. We sampled many little plates and a bit of Sangria. We will have to go back someday for the Paella. Casa Vicente even has Flamenco dancing on Saturday nights....reservations are suggested!
I think that this recipe is close to the Sangria we tried:

Kelly's White Sangria
In a large glass pitcher combine:
1 bottle White Spanish wine (I found Condesa de Sarabella at Trader Joe's - $4.99!)
1 large orange, sliced (peel scored prior to slicing)
1 lemon, sliced
1 cup good brandy
1/2 cup triple sec
1 very ripe peach, diced
1 Granny Smith apple, diced
Cherries, Maraschino are fine, with some of the juice

Refigerate for at least 12 hours.
Just before serving, stir in 2 cups of chopped ice. Serve in stemmed glasses with a bit of the fruit. Salud!

The best Sunday

Well, I don't have photographic evidence, but I assure you yesterday was a terrific Sunday! Michael, Carter, and I met Jamie and Hannah for breakfast at the vegan restaurant, Lovin'Spoonfuls http://www.lovinspoonfuls.com/ . Yum!
Then, it was onto the Friends of the Pima Public Library for half price day! Hannah scored a bazillion picture books (the pressure is on for her to superpass her mother's reading ability).
Once we finished at the book sale, we headed to the Tucson Art Museum. It was a short visit (see Jamie, it is possible) because the Main Gallery was closed, but we were treated to a tour of the Corbett House.
Then we went to Michael's to watch Hannah's first movie and like a dork, I cried. I can't even blame that on hormones, her dad just did that good of a job putting it together!
Michael, Carter and I headed over to Pima West to (I can't believe I am using this term) shoot some hoops and toss the football. No, I do not throw like a girl, impressive, I know.
We ended the eveing with grilled Alaskan salmon fillets, salad, and couscous.
Hello, could a Sunday be any better????

Oktoberfest 2008

I just love the Autumn in Tucson! There are so many fun things to do outside! We kicked off the beginning of Fall by heading up to the Oktoberfest at Mt. Lemmon's Ski Valley. I imagine that this version of Oktoberfest is waaaay more laid back than the real one, which is probably why I like it! Michael and I danced to properly embarrass Carter, had some food and some beer; what could be better than that? Here are some pics of the festivities:

Michael and I posing

Hannah's First Oktoberfest

How in the hell do you rotate the pictures??

The Rolled Jeans Club aka The NEW Triple Threat

Busted!

Oh well gotta finish it now!

She has arrived

So, the day began with a teary call from Jamie, who was om her way to the hospital. A few short hours (and an even shorter nap), Hannah was born. Yay, I am am an auntie!! Here are a few pics from Hannah birthday:

Pre-baby

Three generations
A well deserved turkey sammie
Great Aunt Sue Ann
Daddy's girl

Some favorite websites

Here is a list of some of my favorite websites. I thought I would list them here because I still inept when it comes to adding links to the page itself:

PostSecret - a neat art project that changes every Sunday http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Rather Good - I can't believe this site is still going http://www.rathergood.com/
My faves: Gay Bar http://www.rathergood.com/gaybar/ and Punk Kittens http://www.rathergood.com/punk_kittens/

Barefoot Contessa - Super yummy recipes, a new cookbook comes out in October people!http://www.barefootcontessa.com/recipes-summer/1-carrot-cake-cupcake.html

I cook, therefore, I blog

I have a feeling that there will be a number of recipes posted on this blog. I really should be better about taking pictures of my creations, but whatever.
Shayne invited my companion and me to dinner for Labor Day. She requested that I bring a dessert, and before she could even ask for them, I read her mind....Orange Brownies! They are a a nice summery dessert, although the name Orange Brownies is a misnomer, it has been suggested that they be called "Orange Blondies", since they don't contain chocolate. Here is the recipe:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
4 eggs
2 tsp. pure orange extract
1 tsp. grated orange zest

Glaze (I usually double the recipe):
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tbsp. orange juice
1 tsp. grated orange zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9 pan.Stir together flour, sugar and salt in a bowl; add butter, eggs, extract and zest. Using a handheld mixer, beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes or until light golden brown and set. Remove from oven and pierce entire cake with a fork.For glaze, mix all ingredients together and stir until smooth. Pour glaze over cake, cool and cut into squares. 24 squares.

Seriously, check out the link to Cake Wrecks

So, I thought I would give, as Michael would say, a directive. You have got to check out the link to the Cake Wrecks blog! WTF! People actually pay for this stuff? I really should throw my hat into the cake decorating ring.....after all I am Wilton certified.

Jamie should be grateful that she got daisies for her baby shower, she could have gotten this:

Or this:

Naked baby carrot cowboys with mohawks-- Of course!

Or this for her wedding. If only I had been allowed to make her wedding cake:

Here is one of my own cake wrecks:

What was the lesson learned? Do not try to change the Wilton icing recipe in the middle of a North Carolina summer, or at least, get air conditioning in your car, before the clwon on the side of your cake gets sniped.....he deserved it; shouldn't have been climbing up the cake in the first place!

First Post

So, I thought I would get it together and start a blog. Incidentally, this is my first foray into modern technology usage; I mean, I don't text, belong to myspace, or have cable tv.

I guess I will start by adding a couple of pictures from Michael's and my trip to Apple Annie's. We really had a fabulous time, and of course, picked more produce than we could eat! I can''t wait to return for the apple festival! And you know what apples mean, apple crisps!