Pink Pigs r Cute!

I bought a recent magazine that had these darling pig cupcakes on the cover. I knew an opportunity would come soon where I could offer them up. We made these for a cake walk at a church Halloween party.

Here is Tiny decorating the frosted cupcakes.

As you can see, even big kids are delighted by these cuties.

This tray came home empty.

I used a strawberry cake mix. I substituted milk for the water to make a more firm cupcake. Frosted them pink, snipped the marshmallow in two. Poked lead holes for the nostrils with a small carving fork, and filled the holes with upside down butterscotch chips. Used mini chips for the eyes, and strawberry wafer cookies cut into triangles for the ears. EASY!

As cute as these cupcakes are the exact polar opposite was this ugly Green Hulk that adorned my front porch. The Glad man LOVES to dress up for Halloween!

Bridges and Rainbows

Malaina has taken the GRE or the Graduate Record Examination. It is the test that Graduate schools want to see when considering you for a doctorate degree. Malaina will be looking at 10 schools with good Molecular Biology labs to do her graduate work. Needless to say Malaina is run down, sick and tired. But will be graduating in April !

Jordan has moved back home. She is tired of room mates. So she moved in a couple of days ago wearing zebra print shirt, black slacks and heels. We are thrilled to have her and her 9000 pairs of shoes, coats, undies, and dresses back in the house.

We got our precious cats ashes back tonight.

They were returned in a really pretty cedar box. She was also put in a velvet bag with the Rainbow Bridge mentioned. I loved this poem and I think anyone who has lost a pet can appreciate it. You can see her lovely paw print below the poem.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Real Food Tastes Best

• You know how some people become addicted to caffeine or tobacco?

• The first thing they think of in the morning is their smoke or their cuppa?

• They plan their work breaks around the cigarette they are dying to smoke?

Well the newest sensation to hit Facebook is Cafe World. I guess it is not really new by gaming standards, but it has gained just 1.5 million users just today. This game is so easy to play that even a dingbat like me can do it. Basically what you do is run, build and maintain a little cafe by making dishes to serve. You unlock levels and foods etc, as you progress in the game. Zynga, the makers of Cafe World and other popular games would be my suggestion to those looking to invest in a sure thing. Wow, they have made it so easy to get hooked! I actually planned my day around the game today. I ran out to run errands and I knew I had to be back in 54 minutes because that is when my French Onion Soup was going to be ready, and if I missed the window, it would spoil and I would lose out on 4 hours of work.

There is virtually no cost involved in maintaining this game unless you count your happy marriage, your children's school progression, and dinner on your real life dinner table as worthy of losing. I will cook whatever food I have on the stoves in my virtual cafe, get it finished and delete soon. At least in a couple of days or so.....

So it was Opera Night

Svetlana (also known as Malaina), Jordan and Me have season tickets to the Salt Lake Symphony and Opera.

Last night was Macbeth (also known as "Guilt will Kill Ya") Those of you who have never read Shakespeare's Macbeth, well in a nut shell it is a power-trip by Lady and Lord Macbeth to take the Scottish throne. Guilt eats them alive and they go insane with guilt and eventually die. Utah Opera did a really good job of Verdi's Macbeth. The tenor who played McDuff was very weak sounding however. The costuming was really clever, and I told the girls they should go as "wenches" for Halloween.

We Glad girls always, always go out to eat on Symphony night. We like to try new restaurants that we have never gone to before. Tonight was Thai Lotus, 212 E 500 S. SLC, UT. Well, I always order everything HOT, as in spicy HOT, and at Thai Lotus, they burned all my taste buds down to little nubs. I was sweating, and in lots of pain, but the food was awesome. We had Som Tam (green papaya salad) their version was missing the dried shrimps, too bad. Then we had Ginger Beef, umm.., Then came the Pad Thai, and the Green Curry Chicken. All were very, excellent. I love Thailand and the beautiful men dancers; all the best female dancers are men impersonating women. The most beautiful woman Dave ever saw was a man dressed as a Thai dancer.

I am the second most beautiful woman he ever saw.

Mika - "Blame It On The Girls" Letterman 10/14 (TheAudioPerv.com)

I think Mika will be the one who takes home all the next Grammy Awards. You can hold me to that!

I adore this kid! I make my kids watch it all the time since I saved it on my satellite hard drive.

Doesn't he remind you of Freddie Mercury? He is such a doll. Adam Lambert look out!

Venison Stew ala Emeril

Say what you will about Emeril Lagasse. He is really obnoxious, but he can cook some amazing things. I made this tonight for dinner, even Jordan ate it. I have to say I used a "back strap" cut, and it was really tender and nice. I didn't tell them they were eating venison. Then Tiny had to give it away and blow my cover.

Why is it my sins of omission always get ratted out? Could it be I do not know how to keep my mouth shut? Huh? anyway... Don't miss out on this stunner of a recipe. Even if you want to come and get some venison from me. Wait...please come and get some venison from me!!!

Venison Stew from the FoodNetwork and Emeril Lagasse.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds venison stew meat
• 1/4 cup flour
• Essence, recipe follows
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes, peeled and seeded
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup red wine or apple cider *my addition*
  
• 4 cups brown stock
• Salt and black pepper
• Crusty bread Yes, I always make my own crusty artisan bread, Always!!
  

Directions

In a large pot, over high heat, add the olive oil. In a mixing bowl, toss the venison with flour and Essence. When the oil is hot, sear the meat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add the celery and carrots. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic, tomatoes, basil, thyme, and bay leaves to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Deglaze the pan with the red wine. Add the brown stock. Bring the liquid up to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer the stew for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the meat is very tender. If the liquid evaporates too much add a little more stock.

Remove the stew from the stove and serve in shallow bowls with crusty bread.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup

Double Trouble

Here is my oldest friend. We have known each other from the womb. When a friend calls and needs help... you show up! My friend Danese is going through some painful times and called me to go with her on a day of "ESCAPE".

So we loaded the bus, to Deer Hunters Widow's weekdend to Wendover and had some fun.

There was this nasty security guard following us around and telling us to stop taking pictures. I finally told him to get the heck out of our shot and to stop being such a downer. (Only not that nice.)

Here we are doing what we do best together, getting into trouble.

I can never pass up good oportunity for an "artsy" shot. Here I am out side of same casino taking a photo of myself.

I have to say, I had lots of fun. And won lots of money. *grin*

The Many Faces Of "O"

OH ME, OH MY, I wish that I could buy...
...everything from Ikea that is.

Just look at my new purchase!!!

Orange is the best color on earth!!!!
Passion, Heat, Earth

This man is so disgusted with me interrupting his playoff game.
Ohh, Ohh,Phillies!

I needed something to put my crap, uh, I mean crafts in. My supplies are readily at hand now. I have yarns, and all my batik paints out of boxes that were in my living room for 2 years. I bought a pretty basket to put my sofa cushions in too.

Here is the recent feud with the neighbors.
(Note the ORANGE violation sticker)She hasn't moved the Command Post for 5 days, I called today and put in a complaint. How does one woman have so much stuff? I have a smaller house and more people living in my home and she still has more junk than I do. Just keep it put away please.

I think this is a darling photo of Tiny glowing in the orange ambient light of my new Ikea lamp. Here with her cute boyfriend Brandon.
Retail therapy and blogging, just what the doctor (literally) Ordered.

What the Crap?

I finally did it. I am not sorry either. I finally made the phone call to Zoning and Nuisance Abatement , and Parking Enforcement about my inconsiderate neighbor. I have tried to do the Christian thing by turning the other cheek. But, since they brought home yet another trailer full of crap to park on the street in front of my house I snapped. I am tired of the carpet on the driveway, the abandoned car and Winnebago in front of the house, the 15 foot storage trailer, and the "Command Post" RV trailer and the antique washing machine, and dilapidated boat decorating the front yard. ENOUGH! Please de-crap your yard!!!!!

Neighbor's should be considerate of each other. Please, get a dumpster and clean out your S*@T. (stuff)
Call a charity and donate your broken down vehicles to them. You will be happier, and so will your neighbors.

In this city, it is illegal to park an unregistered vehicle in your driveway, or on the street. It is illegal to have a trailer or RV on the street that does not move in 72 hours. I think we owe it to ourselves to keep our streets attractive, and show some courtesy to others by doing the same with our yards.

I have a hard time imagining the fancy houses up on the hill or those city council members who live there tolerating such zoning infractions. It is a voting year, do those same council members or mayoral candidates who seek my vote really care about the West-side? I mean do they really? Seriously they have mandated the parking around Brigham Young University. You have to have special passes to even park there. Whoopdeedoo! Who cares? Who really cares about the West-side? Let me hear it!

Do you think I am wrong in calling the city to complain? Vote at the poll on the right.

Hatch Green Chile Love

I am a true New Mexican American at heart. My cousin Angie has traced some of my maternal lineage back to the French Alps, then to Spain, then with the conquistadors who brought Catholicism to the Northern Mexican territory and became the founders of Santa Fe, the oldest capitol city in North America. Go to Bernallio Cemetery, and I will be related to nearly everyone there. The Spaniards mixed with the Indian people of the area and voila! Here come the Lucero's.

My maternal Grandfather

Same Grandfather as a young man

My Mother and her Mother behind her. My Mom is the young girl in the middle.

Here below are some Hatch green chile's that my parents brought back to me on their recent visit to my sister last week. If you go to New Mexico in September, you will be greeted by the amazing smell of roasting chile WHEREVER YOU GO!!! There is no other perfume like a roasting green chile. All of my Coloradoan cousins know this is a smell of family and hearth and home! My paternal grandparents were settlers of Colorado too. They were there to meet the Mormon settlers who came later to the southern Colorado region. Voila' then came the Suazo's. Suazo is a Basque surname. We have not been as diligent on that side of the family with our genealogy as we should. But it should be easy to follow that name into the past.


Above is the way I roast a multitude of chile. Then I freeze them. When I want to use them I defrost and peel the roasted skin away.