Day 196

The Doggies' New Ride

Kona Swimming After the Ball...Over and Over

Dixie, the Little Swimmer

Today, we put the dogs in the back of the Blazer for the first time.  Dixie was strapped in with a short leash.  And, they loved the back of the car, while behaving.  Everyone was happy.  No Dixie climbing to the front, getting into trouble!  :)

We drove them over to Shadow Cliffs, a nearby swimming hole.  It all started with a long walk to the dog beach and then the swimming began.  Dixie went in right away, while Kona held back for a moment.  There was already a young dog playing in the water.  

The tennis ball was thrown and Kona went swimming back and forth for the next hour and a half.  More dogs came and went.  At one point, there were seven dogs swimming and playing.  Dixie didn't want to chase after the ball but she went for a swim every now and then.  

It was a fun time and now we have some sleepy dogs!

Day 195

My First Apricot Pie

I had bought a container of apricots for $0.98 the other day and thought of making a pie.  Below is the recipe.  I followed these directions with the use of a Trader Joe's pie crust from the frozen section.  It was incredible...honestly, my favorite pie I have ever tasted!

Ingredients:
4 cups sliced fresh arpicots
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pastry for double-crust pie (9 inches)
Milk
Additional Sugar

Directions:  In a bowl, toss apricots, sugar, flour, and nutmeg.  Sprinkle with lemon juice and mix well.  Line a pie plate with the bottom crust;  add filling.  Roll out remaining pastry to make the top.  Place the top crust and seal.  Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar.  Cover edges of pastry loosely with foil.  Bake at 375 degrees F for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown.

Day 194

The Trap Shooting League Trophy

The First Place Team

Go Chris...MVP!

We went to the dinner to celebrate the end of the trap league and surprise, surprise...Chris' team WON!!!  As it was said when their win was announced, this was a newbie team that crept up to the top through the weeks.

Day 193

Lunch with the Ladies

I had such a great and relaxing day.  It all started with...sleeping in!  I have to embrace my last days of summer break.  

Well, then I went to get a pedicure with my mom since Chris and I gave her a gift certificate for her birthday.  After, we walked around downtown Pleasanton.  Next was lunch at Fontina with my mother-in-law, Jill.  I ordered a yummy bacon, egg, spinach salad with grilled chicken.  I had never eaten at Fontina but would now recommend it and go back again.  The day was not over...

We walked around the shops again and then it was time for my mom to see some clients and for me to go to my acupuncture appointment.  To finish off my day, I went lap swimming with Chris.  It was a good day.

Day 192

Cucumber Salad

I used the cookbook, America's Most Wanted Recipes, for a lunch item and for dinner.  

Above, you see pictured the cucumber salad from Boston Market.  I had this for lunch today and have much more left since Chris hates cucumbers and I love them!  The recipe is:

2 medium cucumbers, with skin, cut

1/4 red onion, diced

1 large ripe tomato, diced

1 cup oil-and-vinegar dressing

1 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes

1/4 cup olive oil (I did not use this since it seemed to be too much liquid)

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients, except salt and pepper (add when ready to serve).  The recipe suggests to marinate the salad for 24 hours but I had it right away and it was yummy.

Margarita Grilled Chicken

Above you will find what I made (with Chris' help) for dinner.  I marinated the chicken and Chris grilled it.  Then I put the chicken on top of black beans and Spanish rice.  Topped with pico de gallo and avocado slices, it was fabulous.  The recipe is from Chilli's and is as follows:

1 cup liquid margarita mix

1/4 cup tequila 

1 tablespoon minced garlic

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients, except for the salt and pepper.  Marinate for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.  Drain the marinade and season with salt and pepper.  Grill the chicken. 

Day 191

My Favorite Store

We have been loving Fresh & Easy for a while now...great prices and pre-made meals.  Check it out!

Day 190

Chilli's Happy Hour

Gotta love a place that has ALL DAY Happy Hour on Sundays.  We had our half-off appetizers for lunch and a cold beer after working out. 

Day 189

Ruby Hills Winery

For Jill's birthday, Shawna gave her a gift of taking her wine tasting.  I was asked to join them on this journey, which I gladly accepted.

We began at the Ruby Hills Winery.  Shawna joined their wine club so we were able to participate in a special wine tasting with food pairings.

Retzlaff Winery

Second, we stopped at Retzlaff, a favorite of Jill's.  I loved the small, quaint ways to this winery.

Bodegas Winery

Next, we made a quick stop at Bodegas to just pick up a bottle of wine.  I always love their label.

The Big White House Winery

The picture I chose for this winery was to show some of the art pieces displayed.  The winery uses the young woman's art pieces as their wine labels. 

Bent Creek Winery

Bent Creek is always a favorite since:  

1.  They have a free tasting

AND

2.  All their wines are tasty (white and red)

Tesla Winery (The Singing Winemaker)

Our last stop was at Tesla or The Singing Winemaker.  It was so much fun here.  This man pictured, poured the wines, sang songs, is the winemaker, and was the only one working that day.  Jill loved singing with him and we encouraged her to start pouring at this fun winery, as a job that pays in wine. 

Girls' Day Out

Here we are, Jill, Shawna, and myself.  We had a fun, fun day.

Day 188

Replacement Microwave

I had a VERY irritating experience at Costco, but what's new about that?  I, at least, made it out alive with what I intended to buy...a new microwave.  Our old one lasted over 10 years but started to beep loudly and uncontrollably, for no reason.  My "favorite" was when it went wild with a long, non-stop beep at 4 a.m.  

So, here's our new one.  Hopefully, it will last just as long.

Day 187

Margarita Time

Here is a margarita blending away while the other one waits for its turn.  The recipe for these yummy treats:

1 can of frozen limeade

Fill the can full of your favorite frozen fruit (my favorites are strawberries or mangoes)

Add the amount of tequila you desire

Add half a can of ice

Blend and enjoy!

Day 186

Hilarious Movie!

We went to see "Bad Teacher" today.  I don't know if it is that I am a teacher and Chris was a teacher, that made it so funny or that the movie was just funny?!  We laughed so hard and had a great time.

Day 185

Finally, A WIN!!!

This was the fourth game we have been to, this season...and the FIRST WIN we have seen!  

We had a GREAT time with our good friends, Colleen and Ryan Bowling.  It was wonderful catching up with them and seeing a win.  It was a fun night!

Day 184

The Second Book in the Women's Murder Club Series

The Same Author as The Time Traveler's Wife

Amazing Story

I noticed that I hadn't updated this blog with the books I had read recently.  All of the above are definitely ones I would recommend. 

Day 183

Chris and His TV

As a 9 year old, Chris made a deal that he would read 30 minutes per day for 365 days.  In return, he could get a TV.  Little did anyone know...he did it!  And after completing the task, Chris' grandparents took him to pick out the TV.  But, Chris wanted a small, portable TV to take into his room as well as to his many swim meets.  His goal was to watch baseball, duh!  His grandparents had another plan.  They wanted him to buy a bigger TV and when he objected, they refused to purchase it.

After learning that Chris did not get his TV because he chose the smaller, less expensive one, Chris' parents took him out to purchase this TV that you see him holding in the picture. 

This TV brought the entire block the news of the Bay Bridge collapsing during the 89 quake and was the only link to civilization during that time.  

Today, Chris is holding the TV after his parents cleaned out their garage and asked for just this one thing to be saved.

Day 182

Finally

We finally got the pictures up.  Complete...well, almost.  One of the frames is awaiting some photos.  I want to put in a childhood picture of me and Chris but need to find the pictures.  Hanging up the pictures was quite a task!

Day 181

Cat in a Bucket

This is what happens when I try to organize.

Day 180

Wall Dodge Ball- AKA, "Buns Up"

In my Games Around the World class we have learned MANY new games.  Since we had only 6 kids, I had to come up with a variation of Dodge Ball and Chris taught me, "Buns Up".  Although, I called it, "Wall Dodge Ball".  Either way, the kids loved it.  Here is the ball going at the wall on the playground.  Fun times but I am sure glad that tomorrow is the last day of Summer School.

Day 179

My Anal Retentiveness

Yes, this is a model of my frames that I am planning to hang.  I made a half sized scale of all the frames so that I could plan out the wall.  Hee, hee, hee.

Day 178

Our Wedding Day- 07/12/03

Happy 8th Anniversary to us!

Day 177

Riding Her "Horsey"

As I am talking to Felicia on the phone today, I hear all sorts of ruckus in the background...her 17 month old daughter was "riding" their cat, Ashley.  Ha, ha, ha!  I had to see it.  So, Felicia sent me this photo!  Too funny.

Day 176

Little House Cafe in Alameda

Today, I met my friend, Maria, from college.  She was up in the Bay Area and Alameda was a good spot to meet and catch up before she had to fly home.  

I have always loved Alameda and I sure enjoyed my visit.  The breakfast sure was yummy too!

Day 175

At the Circus

My mom called and asked if I wanted to join her and my two nieces to Circus Vargas...yes!  So, today we enjoyed the acts at the circus.  Sadly, there were no animals but many interesting acts.

Katie is so grown up at the age of 8 and looked so cute in her plaid dress.  Ashley, age 4, was funny and cuddly.  

The quote of the day.  When Ashley was asked if she likes clowns, she replied that her daddy was one!  Ha, ha, ha! 

Day 174

Pleasanton Fairgrounds' Horse Races

Chris and His Mom

For Jill's (Chris' mom) birthday she wanted us to take her to the horse races and a day at the fair.  

Today, we ventured to the Alameda County Fair which is nearly in our backyard, well a mile away.  We bet on four races, enjoyed a hot dog lunch, walked around the fair, checked out the animals, and finished off the day with a frozen margarita.  We even didn't lose too much since we put in $20 for races and walked away with $7.90 in the end.  The money was worth the entertainment that the races gave us...the horses were incredible.

Day 173

Card Games in Summer School

Oh my!  I did not realize how hard it is for kids to:

1.) hold cards in their hands 

and 

2.) have good sportsmanship.  

For my "Games Around the World" class we have been playing card games.  I have taught them how to play Speed, Spoons, Solitaire, and BS (which I make them call "Liar").  We have had lots of fun but, it has worn on my patience!

Day 172

Because I Couldn't Take a Picture

Today, I experienced something new...acupuncture.  I don't know if I am a 100% believer but it was very interesting, relaxing, and I will go back next week.  The acupuncturist spent so much time with me and really educated me about everything she was doing. 

Day 171

Look What I Found???

It's amazing what I find when I clean out bins in the house!  I am SO excited to try some of these recipes.  Here are a few of the recipes I want to try:

Applebee's:
-Low fat grilled tilapia w/ mango salsa

Benihana:
-Japanese fried rice

Boston Market:
-Creamed spinach
-Cucumber salad
-Spicy rice

California Pizza Kitchen:

-Chicken tequila fettuccine

The Cheesecake Factory:
-Cajun jambalaya pasta

Chili's:
-Margarita grilled chicken 

Hooter's:
-Buffalo shrimp 

P.F.Changs:
-Chicken lettuce wrap
-Chicken w/ black bean sauce

Red Lobster:
-Cheddar biscuits

Taco Bell:
-Mexican pizza

T.G.I. Friday's: 

-Jack Daniels' dipping sauce

I will report back when/if I make something!

Day 170

Color Guard with Each Branch of Service

Festive Lou Seal---Gotta Love the Belt

Fly Over

Lincecum Warming Up

On Our Walk Back, By the Bay Bridge

Proudly Flying the U.S.A. Flag at Home

Grilling Dinner, with a Helper

Hot Dog Eating Contest, For the Dogs!

Setting the Mood

A Serious Game of Mexican Train

Our Fourth of July was a good day!  We started out by driving into San Francisco for the Giants vs. Padres game.  Unfortunately, the Giants couldn't bring a win, but we enjoyed the game and the sunshine.

After the game, we made a quick stop at the Walker house to visit and then went on our way home to save the dogs.  We knew the fireworks would start up once it got dark, so we had to hurry.

Chris grilled up chicken for us and hot dogs for the dogs.  It was time to hold our own hot dog eating contest.  Dixie won, for sure!  She even bullied Kona out of a few pieces of her own hot dogs!

Dinner was enjoyed outside and we lit the Tiki torches.  Then it  was time for Mexican Train...a fun domino game.  I do have to say, I dominated!

Happy Fourth of July...I am always proud to be American!