A Wonderful, Busy Week!

  Wow, what a busy, but great week! My adorable listing is finally in escrow with a CASH buyer (phew!). Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce is making great progress, thanks to our wonderful president, Rachel Unell. My friend, "M" her daughter, the monkey & I went to visit STAR education (and their STAR EcoStation) in Culver City, and this wonderful non-profit wants to help the mountain communities get some enrichment afterschool programs here.

   Because we are such a small, rural area, we are used to people treating us like we belong at the 'bottom of the heap,' but the STAR people were so interested in our situation here, and couldn't have been more hospitable and kind. They treated us and the children like VIPs, and spent four hours with us, informing us about what they do for children, and introducing us to every curriculum director that was in the office.
   The assortment of programs they have to offer is mind-boggling, and they have a keen interest in serving the areas that are most lacking in programs and support (Beverly Hills was put on a wait-list to get their programs; I'm sure that was shocking to people who are used to being shown the front of the line in every other aspect of their lives).
   We are hoping beyond hope that ETUSD & Gorman don't waste any time in learning more about STAR by having them come up to present to the boards and the community, and availing themselves of the services they can offer. We had tears in our eyes several times, during our visit, seeing what COULD happen for our children here. Wonderful educators with the thirst for knowledge (you can never stop learning), passion and love for children that all educators should have. They 'get' it; a teacher that has the same exact program every year, with the exact same bulletin boards isn't teaching to the best of their ability.

   The monkey had a wonderful visit with my sis, who took him to Bubble Fest at the Discovery Science Center, and to the L.A. Zoo to see the new reptile house. The dogs were sooo happy when he came home! We had a great visit with my sis, who stayed for dinner.

   Yesterday, we finally took all our old bread to the park to feed the ducks and geese.

   Last night, the hub and I had a date night, and had a nice time with drinks and some small plates at the Padre Hotel, and seeing 'my boyfriend,' Chris Isaak in concert. There are beautiful wildflowers blooming north of Fort Tejon.
   Life has definitely been a challenge the last few years, with this tough economy having a huge effect on our lives. BUT, we have been able to keep our beautiful home thus far, and still find the joy in life. In fact, I think the hard times have had a positive effect in my appreciation for every good thing in my life: family, friends, and simple pleasures. OH! Which reminds me, I forgot to mention I dug out two new planting beds! Now, if the overnight temps could stop plummeting to 25 degrees and less, I could get some veggies going!

Random Update & More Brulee!

   The other night, we had a wonderful dinner party with our wonderful neighbor friends, the 80's rock star & his lovely wife, the dog trainer/rescuer extraordinaire (I need to come up with cool nicknames). We had: real caesar salad with real anchovies, fettucine alfredo with asparagus, garlic bread AND of course, creme brulee. I made my specialty, chocolate, but for the first time, I also made lemon! I just added lemon zest and some lemon juice to the standard recipe I posted earlier this year. YUM. I really want to try to make lime next time (I love anything lime: vodka gimlets, key lime pie, key lime cheesecake, mojitos...).

The next day, I believe a year to the day of last year's massive storm, we had a decent snowfall, about 6 inches, with bigger drifts. It was enough to close school at PMLC the next day, and for the monkey and his friends to enjoy sledding.

   Speaking of the monkey, here he is with Moose, the a.m. it began to snow...

  At the end of the day, I took this shot of the daffodils the hub rescued, in a Tobin James glass. They are going to add this shot to their slide show in the tasting room. I am seeing more signs of spring, and will post them tomorrow. Don't forget to become a follower if you like this blog!!

Back From the Vet

I was so happy to bring Kosmo home from the vet yesterday. He picked a fight with Moose the other night, & was bit in the shoulder. Yikes. I missed my little sleeping buddy...

Henry was happy to have his 'mini-me' back, too! Love our wonderful vet, San Joaquin in Bako...

This is what the front yard looked like when I left for the vet. Sadly, most of the snow is gone (mud chunks in the house soon to come). In my version of 'Where's Waldo,' can you spot Moose & Henry??

By the afternoon, most of the snow in the yard was gone, but there was plenty on the deck for the monkey and his friends to play in!

Hope the monkey didn't eat any yellow snow...hee hee

Yesterday ended with another mountain 'Maxfield Parrish' sunset...

March Snow!!

   Well, I finally got my snow! Just enough for sledding. This is the monkey going down our 'advanced' sled run...Hopefully we will get more!

   The hub right after he slipped (the mud under the snow is really wet!). Too bad I didn't get a photo of him down...

   Get mama!!

  Had to try out the front yard...

Cub Scout Blue & Gold

   Wow, I am behind! This is from the weekend of Feb. 25...This year's Blue & Gold (a celebration of Scouting's birthday) had a camping theme. We had a great time feasting on hot dogs and yummy sides. Three of the boys, including the monkey, decorated cakes for the cake auction. This is the monkey's cake. There is a teddy graham trying to catch a yellow 'fish,' a bear in a cave, a man sleeping in the tent, and a man with his head on a pretzel pillow. I thing the pretzel pieces in the 'stream' are supposed to be sticks in the water.

   These are the other two cakes. With the auction and donations, the boys raised $80 for the pack. Excellent fundraising, considering are pack is so small, and no tiger cubs came.

   This is the monkey working on his cake. The night before, the hub & I had a rare night out with our great friends, K & T. Sushi in Bako, then karaoke at our local dive bar. I actually got up and sang to Hole, just because it's something no one would expect me to do (and fortified by sake & gimlets). LOL

Crazy Hair Day

   Yesterday was 'Crazy Hair Day' at the monkey's school. I used egg whites & hairspray to get his hair to stick up. I ran out of time, or I would have slicked the sides back. Too funny!

   I got to sub yesterday with the class I had the 100 day assignment with, so I was extremely happy! They are such great kids! Miss them terribly...

A Bon Mardi Gras!

   I hosted a Zatarain's Mardi Gras House Party on Friday, February 17. It was a fun food-fest, with my friends bringing some wonderful cheeses, pie, salad & adult beverages, inc. a fantastic 'thunderstorm' (a faux hurricane, get it?). I made red beans/rice, yellow rice, salmon cakes, gumbo, & mardi gras cupcakes. I used Zatarain's mixes for all the entrees/sides. For the gumbo, I sauteed celery, pepper & onion, and also added chicken, hot sausage and shrimp. YUM!

Dang! I ran out of time to put on makeup!

   Even Moose dressed up for Mardi Gras!

My friends...I had some cute decorations, but of course I didn't snap enough photos!

The food table; you can see the brie & cupcakes, but not the gumbo & buffet!!