The never ending adventure

Gosh sorry for the delay

2012-02-10T15:07:00.000-08:00

This has been what I have been up to...

Organizing Mother-in-loves garage...on going oui vey is me!

Gardening withthe help of my new Babay Casey...I have to thank this little puppy becuase she has gptten me back out into my yeard. I have just had no desire since my accidnet to get creativce...but once out here it is nevcer ending the things I havce neglected...I will keep the gardening up on the Dirty Lil Blog

Made Blueberry Peach Jam I decided rather than complain about how I can not fill the water bath and get it to the stove ...waawaaa I would have Pa fill and put it on the stove for me the days I want to can....Also I have done some Pressure cooking made Black Bean Soup and Pinto Beans...new obsession.....wootwoot

Yup school is out...I had to drop the class I am having surgery again on March 16trh and I can not hold a camera with both arms because the break is not healed...yulk..but so be it

Lookie here Kaiser has a pianist who plays music all day how sweet...he was playing the sound of music when I went by....feel the love Kaiser...they rock

Dinner with the girls from High School always a good time and lots of laughs

Yup my dad and Lynn got a new puppy an airwaster...lol..so damn cute...Mia

I swear my life is one thing after another...but it all seems like it is suppose to be this way....ya think?....Alright just to catch you up .....God Bless and the puppy here so much for putting the water up at night she found the gosh darn fountain

Ok what happened to College ??

2012-01-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

Alright-y then we started school officially.....great day but there are a few things I would like to discuss...First I got there a bit early and found two Bill Gates types sitting at the official table we will referrer to this as the digital table here on out..This adventure goes on for months...yippee...We have not had this much fun since the car accident....So I get there early which I see most dorks do...Damnwish I had pictures ...after all photo class...duhhhhhhh...next week

So my new geekz are talking about how in the rain maybe the teacher is not coming...guys it is 10:45 we have 15 minutes....And on and on this is the most negative little group...so I look up and there low and behold is someone who is perhaps only 15 years younger then myself...I say "So have you taken pictures before" Little did I know what I started....he says "Well I use to have a company in the early 90'z that specialized in suggestive photos for loved ones abroad to get them home faster"...???? he continues ..." don't get me wrong they were not nudes...(the two little geeks were so memorized by there digital toys it went right past them).....As Suave Bole' is going on and on I start to fake read my book to make him stop....Please Make Him Stop...zzzzzzzzzzzz

So the crowd is starting to gather at front of the door....It was funny they all stand say 15 or so staring at the door...not a word said to each other why you could have heard a pin drop..... I am really amazed because as you all know it takes nothing to make me talk...While enjoy my new Geeks they were fun and I will enjoy them this semester... the door opens ...Hey wait that is not our teacher...Geeks get excited with man I told you dude!....But as we walk in there is a note on the board..Teacher running late be here by 11:15....

The air thick with anticipation still no talking...What the F@***&*( is this the new generation all the gadgets but not a word to one another)...So be it.....Because of my broken arm it is taking me the extra 15 minutes to get my jacket off plus it is new so it is crunchy sounding (Parka) Do you thing the dip shit behind me might help me as I under cuss and breath like I'm doing a X90 video.....Oh hell no!

All right then the jacket is off I am all sweaty and ready for break time....In walks the teacher and the only one possibly close in age.....So he starts the lecture it is interesting but numbers?? fractions??? I thought I was going to vomit...I am a Math Moron....Breath Lani Breath.... breath in Faith breath out fear in out in out....Ok Now comes the Film part it is a series and the teacher says...Excuse ME...you on the right of the classroom you need to wake up for this part...You can go back to your nap after...Hello Nappers..." I thought I was going to fart my pants to funny here is the catcher...these kids were not even fazed by being woke up they just nodded like no problem...Good Lord....

Break Time

Now lets get to the waiting list add on office visit....I go trotting off to the office the rain has let up...great no umbrella I go in ....it goes something like this...
Oh no student Id number go to the registration
Oh it is to late to add the class
You need the code...I got it jackass now what
You need to log on to one of the computers over there and do it yourself
WOW ....Where are the humans...Alright I go over to the computer with 8 minutes of break and the last day to do this....I'm in to the computer after changing my password for yet the 7 time...I see the class is not the same number I started with....Excuse me Mr. (guy who's desk just happens to be next to me..poor soul) What the hell the number is not the same...Ok Mame (Mame are you kidding me next thing I know he will be asking me paper or plastic..) just put in the number he gave you...Do you have the code...Yes I have the secret code...because if not I have to go to the Dean...ya think he might have better things to do the dean is probably one of my neighbors kid's......OK the code is in it is time to pay and I almost have a heart attack when I see the cost...Wait it was not this much in 1886.....LMAO>..Who the hell am I?....So I pay and get up to run back to class and of course it is pouring rain remember that umbrella I did not need....

I could go on and on but the class is done and I stay to tell the teacher I am not so math skilled he say look just enjoy the class....and stay awake with a wink...This is going to be fun!
ahhh Mondays !

Stuff gotta love it ....NFL Playoffs

2012-01-22T16:54:00.000-08:00

This little lovely was sitting in the bottom of a box ...Dried out and ugly ...I took it home for a mere .50 cents and made it beautiful.It brings back ,memories of dip and chips and football. Not from today but my parents use to have the best football parties all season long. Neighbors and friends would come over..And even if you did not like or liked the sport our house was a sport all to its self. Beer, popcorn and whatever anyone brought. Sunday at the house was football, beer and lots and lots of Run God Dammit run....or Go you stupid bastard....lol.sorry for the profanity but Pu really can not candy coat it...

So in caring on the good ole' boys and girls time...we are watching NFL playoffs while I pressure can black bean soup.....Rah Rah

Really.... again

2012-01-16T21:20:00.000-08:00

Ok so those of you who follow my life know I have had my fill of
diets.....And here we go again this year that same god damn 10 pounds that haunts me is back....First of all how the ~~hell~~ heck does it do it...I watch what i eat...I watch it and I eat it. I am a good girl....I am good at eating....I joined yet another thing ...I'm to embarrassed to even mention which one.....Whatever...Today I thought OK I joined last week so I have stocked the refrigerator and have my etools......And today is the day...So I go to my mother -in -loves house to help her. We had to purge her garage today...Ok so yesterday I went to help her squish her Christmas stuff back into the cupboards and it would not fit...Now keep in mind that she has not bought any new stuff and only took out what she needed....Ok then how the ~~hell~~ heck is it not fitting...While I am roaming through her garage I ask Oh lulu why is there a box of at least 200 envelopes for Mass's for the dead? Oh Lani you know you just never know when you may need to send a prayer card...Yes I get it but really???? So many....Then I mosey over to the other side of the pray counter and there are boxes now these boxes are full but of what...Let us take a closer look huh! Full of other boxes and bags...lots and lots of bags ...not just any bags plastic bags....So I ask oh lulu why so many boxes and bags...Well Lani you never know when you may need them for stuffing or storage....Ah Huh.....Now my mind is thinking what is next......well behind the box's and bags here are gift box's and bags from the last oh say 15 years....oh Lulu why all the bags...well Lani now I never have to buy any....Need I call the hoarders line???? No it was not quite as bad as it may sound but I went back today to clear out her stuff .....Oh Jeseeee off topic we were talking about my ~~fat ass~~
weight issue....So after we went through the garage dumped the stuff into her trash can ..her neighbors trash can and my husbands work dumpster we went to get her lunch...So I am at the table saying ok so let's get a cup of tea I already had lunch and we are not doing desert....I must have been in a coma because 15 minutes after I ordered my tea the waitress brought me a molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate....~~What the Hell~~ how did this happen ..well needless to say I had to eat it.......after all if not the ice cream would have melted and made a big mess....And the extra weight makes me cuss like a truck driver...It is never ending...Wish me luck with this weight issue and My mother-in-loves garage...xoxo

Our New Babeeeeee

2012-01-15T17:35:00.000-08:00

Busy bee 2012

2012-01-05T21:58:00.000-08:00

Alrighty then lets get this year going! I have checked in with all my doctors and so far we have

The Arm - slow healing but okie dokie
Oncologist - good still cancer free boobies yum yum
Gyno - Gagina is alive
Cardiologist - The Heart is still beating and they are upping the meds...as needed - really I do not want surgery so we will do what ever to avoid it
Physical Therapy - Neck still sound like rice krispies when I turn it but it turns - the arm we are working on helping it go up in the air because I really need to shave that arm pit

Soooo-ohhhh with that here is the plan...this week I have made it to the gym with so many restrictions that when I am there I just stare at the things I can not do and half ass the things I can.....I walked the dog everyday at 6:0 except one day when the older dog trapped us in the kitchen and would not let us leave until we told her where we were going. We told her we were testing out leashes for when she can go for walks again. She is really sick she got mauled by a dog in the hood and is not recovering and it does not look good for her....but back to "me"....I have updated my blogs and find that I have allot of hobbies and until I stopped long enough to look Baby Jesus I'm busy...I have baked some new bread that i would not feed to anyone...horrible the bread was so bad that when it rose to be baked I looked at it and it fell like a bad souffle' ....Oh but i did make a killer good jam Carrot Jam from a cook book I found at Casey's (tear) when I was packing her stuff...I still can not believe that my sister is gone.....Oh crap oh and I enrolled in school to learn how to use the camera I bought last year...yeah you think that maybe I should learn to use it after all it only cost 5 gazillion dollars....Ok I'm going to go I'm tired and my shows start back up tonight....I love you all and miss the heck out of my blogging...Stay safe and pray to Baby Jesus that this is a peaceful year for me.....xoxo

Slap me a Happy 2012

2012-01-01T18:07:00.000-08:00

My New Years Eve party crowd....

Well this is going to be a great year I can smell it already...It is a beautiful day the sun is shinning and I have a lot to do in the New Year.....What you ask? Ok I have adoped my Sister Casey Canary so now I have tow one girl and one boy..The Boy Canary sings so much all day and the girl sitsw and stare at him saying hwne the hell are you going to shut up...I happen to love it...Ok next a yard full of stuff to grow....And the list goes on I will not tell you everything other wise you won't check the blog for these thrilling updates....But betwenn People..Food..Animals and Fun shit I will hopefully keep you a entertained as in years gone by...Oh let me apoligise for 2011 it was a borning blog year becuae there was so much personal stuff that I could not keep up on or find to muh humor in....Hey happy new year and let get this party started....xoxo...God Bless..

Are you Ready for the Holiday?

2011-12-23T16:26:00.000-08:00

I hope you all are ready for this holiday season...I'm not...but to make it so much nicer our family has decided this year no gifts...yup we are going to gather and eat our way through the Holiday...It has been a year that felt like a roller coaster but I know that I am never given more than I can handle. I am so blessed to have the family and friends in my life that support me ..even when they doubt me....This next year is going to be a great year as was 2011 ...At times I had to look up to the clouds and say Really? Really? then take a moment to remember that I was put here for a job and it has not been completed yet...Ok I do not want to get to gushy so to all my friends a Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas and to all my peeps not so close to me to you I wish all the things you yearn for and more...I will be taking Mama back to Simi to spend this Holiday with us and we are going to PARTY down...If anyone is alone or would like to get out of your house for a while this Christmas well you know where we live and you are welcome to come by for some good food and a few laughs...Happy Holiday to all and to all a full Tummy!...xoxo

The parade in the hood!

2011-12-19T08:09:00.000-08:00

I live in the coolest neighborhood..Horses-goat-Cow Farmers on a small scale....First the people are all great and I would like to know anyone who lives and gets along with their neighbor's....Hey even if they do not get along with me I force myself on them.....I love people ......I love hearing what they are up to and what is new ....call it noisy I call it taking an interest in your neighbors...Hey back in the day if you did not know what was up in the neighborhood you were either stupid or agoraphobic...what ever!

So tonight wasthe Annual Bridle Path Parade and it is when all who want decorate their truck, car horse etc. for Christmas and go up and down the streets...It is so much fun...this year Apron Strings girlfriend saw it fore the first time..Where was she the last 4 years??? Anywho she said that the parade would keep her happy for a month! Love it! It is so good to be home and to be among my peeps.....

This truck is full of kids...HAPPY HOLIDAYS..they yelled

OMG Santa....How sweet he took the time to come see me!

Sports cars included with plastic Santa...HoHoHo

Hey ......Could you be having so much fun these kids were laughing so hard and yelling "You have a cute doggy"....Our Aussie was sitting on the porch watching every car..... funny.....

I want those ash's Damit!

2011-12-15T16:38:00.000-08:00

Ok so we are trying to wrap up this whole 4 months of heartache and they do not have Casey's ash's ...for gosh sakes are you kidding me.....It has been two weeks and I want to sprinkle her already my garden is begging for them...Casey told me to sprinkle her in my garden so I can finally grown something ...She had a green oh so green thumb she look at a plant it grew...I think they were frightened if they did not she may put a spell on them...She had the gift...I have her mobile home all cleaned out a really nice lady that owns a estate sale warehouse swept the place...You know there were so many nice things but they meant something to her and for me well lets be honest she had so much stuff it took three days to clear it out...Mama is feeling better and her hair is starting to grow back she has a little mullet in the back I will try to get a picture of it is really is funny.....Today we are going on a Target outing....grab some last minute stuff before I head home...Speaking of home I wonder if Pa remembers he is married...I have been out here since August going home only on weekends when I knew it was safe.....I would leave my home on Sunday and say it was time to go home wait a minute ????? The time I have been able to spend here has been a blessing for me...I am truly blessed to have had the time to help Casey through her illness and get mama past her brain cancer ....We have the last appointment at the Oncologist today so she will get the map of the future how blessed she is...I can not imagine what my mama is going through having had the cancer and loose her oldest baby in such a short time....But it is all in Gods time and I believe Casey's work was done and Mama still has more work to do.....Life what an adventure and but for the grace of God my adventure still continues.....I could not figure out why I was spared in my care accident last June but after going through the last 6 months I do know why.....God Bless..xoxo

Why I will never have Kidz!!!!!!!

2011-12-14T09:06:00.000-08:00

I was Ms.Independence why I could do it all...move mountains...blah... blah.... blah.... What a gift today is...It is my Little Baby girls 26th birthday As I look back I remember the Disco and the dance but I do not remember saying I wanted children????? Ok so I had one but two are you kidding me?????
Thus the love of my adult life was brought into this world....Baby Heather she did not smile until she was oh say two...had no hair and even with the pierced ear's and a dress a lady once still said "What a cute little guy" Really?

She wore her brother's hand me down until she realized "Hey girl clothes work for me" But who else could get sent home in 4th grade for wearing a skirt that is to short...Why it would be my baby girl......

Here are a few of the highlights:
1. With friend hold a little boy each girl one leg and drop him on his to see what happens.
2. Ride you first pony at 6 and do some jumps and yell "Look mom no hands"
3. Decide that 7 thousand rides on your horse were not enough but the horse did and bit you ear off....literally!!!!
3. Put a Barbie doll ring on your finger but no do not tell mom till your finger is bright purple.
4. Forget to hang up the phone when calling home (message machine still on) and start talking about your sex life......at 16!!!!!
5. Sing your way through High School
6. Be so independent and strong ......

I could go on and on but here is a link to a funny time..

Happy Birthday to the little girl I could not imagine my life without....you make me smile and cry with joy ...you are an inspiration to all of your family and we love you dearly....mama

Casey's weekend

2011-12-10T22:20:00.000-08:00

This was one of the weekend I brought Casey down to my house to spend the weekend before she was to ill to travel...It was funny every time I tried to take a picture she would cover herself or flip me off...the nerve....When I get home I have to post some more pictures this was just a little way of checking in.....Yes I have been gone so much....I have been in Hemet taking care of Casey and Mama..... I do say the time went by to fast....If you did not know I lost my sister last Friday she put up a hell of a fight and lost the battle but Woot Woot to her and her bravery and strength.....Today was her Party friends and family got to together to celebrate her life and what a life it was...Yes yes yes she was an ole' battle ax but I know for a fact she was the most creative person on earth....Creative you ask she was beyond creative 30 years at various studios Disney, Hanna Barbera, Filmation, Name it she worked there and the stuff she made I will be posting some of her stuff next week when I return home She was 60 so young. I had a good relationship with her out of all those 60 years we did not see each other for 5 I was raising kids she was raising hell! I learned so much from her and I Hope she learned from me from time to time....We laughed so hard sometimes we would pee our pants...We use to say "You padded up?" because we were sure to pee our pants if we were together.....I love her so and will miss her more...I am so sad but so grateful she is out of pain and in Gods hands......I promise I will post daily no pictures till i get back home next week. Still watching mom but she is in remission and getting stronger.I can not imagine what my mama is going through after her Cancer treatment and loosing her first baby girl.....Pray for her she deserves the prayers...God Bless and thanks for listenreadingish....xoxo

Go East... Come West... Go East

2011-11-28T19:26:00.000-08:00

Ok sorry I have been so silent but good lord my life is a go-go-go even more action than I do on my own...you all know the situation but here are a few giggles

A. I go back to the desert to take mama to the doctor's one morning we needed to be at the radiology doctor at 8 am ..Ok so mama says she will wake me up the appointment is at 8am...I'm all cuddled up in my blow plastic rubber bed....Really! Mama comes in and is all dressed and says Honey it is time to go! Ok That was at 10 minutes to 8 ...are you kidding me...I almost went in my jammies...

B. I had to take Sis to the doctors she was getting sicker and so we are on our way out the door and her legs go rubber on her down she goes..I'm running back and forth thinking 911..911...Some men were walking by the house I'm in tears and ask for help...God bless them they get her up and into the walker none the worse from the fall and they say "Could you pull the car out into the street..She yells no way I will not let anyone see me this way...Again.... Really..I gab her shirt and tell her this is not time to go all Ego on me....Into the car off to he hospital...

C. I have sis in the Er waiting for a room they want to check her in and I had to go to the car to get her something..? Carmex or something I misplaced the keys I got a bit ruffled and ran out to the hall wondering Holy moly where are they ...Low and behold they were zipped into my purse safe...She says to me Look little girl when you come back I want those keys....Really! like where is she driving to in her condition!

D. I'm at the hospital getting everything set to bring sis home with Hospice and my mama decides she is going to go on a little adventure to Target...She comes out and lost her car 20 minutes later she get it and drives down to Michales she goes in get her stuff and comes out...She could not get the darn keys into her car so she goes back inside to ask help of the kind young man..He comes out and tires an tries to ge the key in she is looking around and turns back to the young man and says oh look my car is down there...So this guy is trying to open a car that is not even hers! Really!

Well tomorrow is anther day and I personally think I need the prayers more......Mama is Cancer Free and sis is coming home with help from Hospice keep her in your prayers!!! xoxo

Happy Turkey day

2011-11-23T23:18:00.001-08:00

Happy Anniversary

2011-11-11T17:07:00.000-08:00

Seriously no one has better friends
then Pa and I...Happy Anniversary

Bobby and Linda.......

Sitting in a tree k-i-ss-ing first came love then came marriage then came Lani In the Neighbor Carriage..Woot Woot

40 years who-da thought

Get the boy's there is work to be done

2011-11-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Pa and Hank Moved a bed from one home to the other....

Ok so I called Pa and Apron Strings and told them to get their ~~asses~~ butt's down here there is work to be done....We have a bed that needs to go from Mama's to Casey's because she just can not sit on a couch any more to much pain needs a solid surface....So my mama has the day bed yes the one I sleep on and it has to go down there...They live 6 doors down from one another...that of which makes my job mucho bueno.......So they get the bed done and need I say I am sleeping on a twin blow up bed....Really ! lol....on to the next project the palm trees.....

Wha da ya thunk?

So outside we go look at them you would think they were going to be cutting down a redwood that was 250 feet tall it is a fricken palm branch cut the god damn thing and move on to the next project....Look at Casey I am trying to take a family photo shot and she is looking at my Pa doing his work ??????

Ok Pa get to work

Casey Hello ? Hello ? Stop watching the worker for gosh sakes!!!

Ok now does anyone have any kinda sympathy for me as a photogetter...not a photographer....

All in all the chores got done. Lynsie made us a delicious Lasagna dinner and we all had a good laugh and the the patients have a new list going for the Boy's...lol......Thank you ...I love my Men!

End of the day dinner done zzzzz

Robe Twins

2011-11-01T23:18:00.000-07:00

My mommy is such a copy cat!

Happy Haloween

2011-10-31T07:19:00.000-07:00

Mama's Treatment 1st Week

2011-10-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

Mama & Leonard

What a trooper! Mom did super and that office has some of the kindest most loving staff and Doctor's ...I have to say her quality of care is A+

Now after this week mama and I came up with her new name ready

"Silence of the Jans" why well she has a big white cage that she wears on her head and let me tell you she came up with the name....I told her we need to get a hand truck and put her on it and take a picture on the hand truck with her head cage on saying we are transporting her...Ok if you have not seen the movie Silence of the Lambs you won't get this....
I am taking my sister home with me I think she needs a change of pace and she is really weak so I will pack her and her little varmint of a dog and off we go to Lani Land.....xoxo

Mama and Dr. Vera

Mama Ally and Janice

Poptarts

2011-10-25T15:27:00.000-07:00

Homemade Poptarts

Ok while in Oakland I picked up some homemade poptart from the Kitchen 388 and mom and I have had a jar of Nutella waiting to bake something...no we never ate it...but while in Oakland I found some Poptarts made with Nutella filling...And They are Super great tonight I am going to attempt to make some so we will see how that goes....

Oh Yummmmm

Heaven Im in Heaven

Casey's first treatment

2011-10-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

They look pretty happy ya think...Well the Doctor is because this is the first time this facility has been able to use this new drug Yervoy it is the newest from the FDA and we are all pretty excited she gets to have it...See that smile on her face I only wish my battery did not die because once she got all set up they gave her some meds to calm her...lol...and she took a tranquilizer...lol...I went to the car to have a snack and when I came back she was in Happy Land and said..." This is awesome Lani I'm having such a good time"...lol..you had to be there ..I am in no way making light of the situation but like my mama and Casey both say attitude and laughter they are the best medicine...Hey is that why they are keeping me there for a good laugh.....Hell Yeah!

Please do not tell mama that it is not her phone she so enjoys the large size...LOL....Really she know we thought it was a funny picture see now you know where my sense of humor comes from

Day of Departure

2011-10-20T19:42:00.000-07:00

So the morning I leave the Island of Oakland my baby shows me yet another great place for food....A girl has to diet prior to coming here....This little restaurant has homemade poptarts...Oh Yeah baby and a Chai Tea that took 15 minutes to hand brew and it came in a soup bowl....I had an egg sandwich that was on homemade biscuits....with home made cherry jam and being a jammer-canner I adored that !

Yumm I will let the pictures tell the story themselves.....

Look at the pop tart!!!!!!

waiting for my sandwich

poptarts

The sandwich.........................................

Running off my breakfast around the Lake she lives on....What a life

We jogged right into a store and I had to spend some more money................

This guy sold me some voodoo rocks to heal mama and Casey..Who do? You do Voo Do? Does anyone remember the movie with what's his name Cary Grant and Shirley Temple grown up that the who do line was in???

Ok Last day ...

2011-10-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

One of each please

Ok first stop Cupcake store for a nice selection of sweets for the movie...I know but we use to go to the movies all the time when my little baby lived in Simi but alas we need to make up time when we can and chris left us free passes.....We saw Money Ball the other night and today 50/50 both great movies so go see them....

Let me in

Her heart belongs to Crap what is it called Eclipe? Elipse? Ebite? Twilight! right I may have to come up as she has no one to see this life altering movie with ...

Shop till she drops

My first time to shop at an H & M need I tell you what type of shop this is only the best shop to get the hippest stuff at the best price...And since I am so damn hip ~~NOT~~ I need to spend at little money ....Yes the bag is full

And this is why they call the Salon Calm

Hum Gray with Highlights

The two mad scientist figuring out what color to do my hair and let me keep my snow cone on the top....Yup the Gray hey I like it ...Right Carol....

Yummy

Dinner at Mua and it was so good...Calamari and then I got a bowl of mussels and they put the french fires on top ...Weird but it worked..Now to go home and assemble the table.....

How do you go from

2011-10-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

This in the morning to me under a table that evening?????

Really?????

Thank you honey!

A new table and rug....Sweet even though it took me 45 minutes to get up off the floor......Oui Vey is me !

Day two on the Island

2011-10-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

Stella my granddaughter helps me wash up each day ...She is a water cat.....So after we washed up Ms.Independence and I headed over to Golden Gate Park a very large piece of Frisco that has enough to keep us busy for several visits...So today we will go to .......The California Academy of Science now neither of us are brainy-ax...but after great mental thought and the fact that we had a heart attack over the price 30.00 per person hey wait I'm a senior that knocks off 3 dollars...Ok were in....and it was worth every single cent.....I will let the pictures tell the story today with a live caption at the end of our field trip!

My Vanna White pose

This is the roof a yard on the roof go figure....

The Rain forest

Come on Junior lick up the pace

Heather with a relative

Jelly FIsh .....Oh the Memories

Really??????

Nothin but butterflies....

Lunch by the fountain....I love Oakland !

Ahh the Island Of Oakland

2011-10-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

And were off......to the Island of Oakland

You all know how much I love this place ......I am so happy Ms. Independence moved here...when I come up here i feel 20 years younger...the people the food the just the everything.....I got into Oakland yesterday and first stop the Farmers Market where we picked up some purple cauliflower for dinner with some Focaccia bread for dinner......yum and let me say there are so many dog's in Oakland they are about as many dogs as there are people...I got some cute shots they are on the Dog Blog......So after we got dinner we walked around some of my favorite stores and off to the new spot for Ms. Independence to get here caffeine high ...this is a tea place that has tapioca balls in the bottom of the cup...So as you drink you eat big tapioca bubbles...I am hooked.....Then I went into a few used book stores and found some great ole' canning and preserving book...they are talked about on Canarella....Next stop back to Lake Merritt to cruise our other shops and off to the movie ...home for dinner and relax for the big day at Golden Gate Park today...Woot Woot

Dinner veggies

Tea with Balls....who a thought

Gifts from Europe trip

Favorite card shop

yummy dinner

Grama!!!!!

So the 1st hospital adventure with mama...

2011-10-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

And I thought I would share some of the adventure of being with my mama and my sister....now granted they are both sick but if it were not for the ability to laugh at ourselves we would have gone bananas.....The first day I got there I told my mom she looked like ~~shit~~ icky....now keep in mind this is a 82 year young woman independent and really packed quite well....So for her to look crappy means something is wrong......Now my mama was brought up Christian Science and if you know anything about them they do not believe in doctors modern med's etc.....Now yes she had since converted to Catholic but old habits do not die ....so I say mama let's make a doctor's appt...no...mama we need...no...If you...no....But i think...no.....Alrighty then I will take your phone book into the bathroom and do it behind your back...Oh memories of the old days.....

Partner in Crime

Ok so off to the doctor we go and he takes xrays etc and comes up with a bruised rib...ouch ok that makes since..mama do you remember falling or hitting something to make this happen...Nope!..ok moving on ..now that was Friday and by Monday I am literally caring this woman to the bathroom....hum must be something more to cause her left side looks a bit well weakish, limpish not right so off to the doctor we go again with my big sister I refer to her as battle axe why you ask because she takes no ~~shit~~ rap from anyone...be scared be very scared.....Ok so we dump mama into the car and off we go back to the doctors and the doctor says..."Oh Jan you look bad" Ya think??????? So into the hospital mama goes with us in tow...

Now comes the fun part she needs CT and MRI's because I believe she has had a small stroke thus why she could not walk good and when I thought she was giving me the evil eye she was actually not able to keep one open....baby hints.....So like me she is so claustrophobic and so they give mama a little adavan this is a drug that calms you.....Not my mama they could not get her into the MRI and the CT scan well as the nurse said "There is a big fist in the CY and it is not the nurses"......SO back to the room the little fighter goes and man do not give my mom drugs ...first she asked me what the hell I was trying to sell her?....It's me mama...your little lani....then tells the ole' battle ax to move her space ship will be landing any minute... ok then time to go and put this little fighter on 24 hour watch .....Oui then comes the transport to a specialist because she has a tumor in her head thus the strange attitude.....Ok so I spend 24 hours with her waiting for the transport but nope no bed yet...Then I decide to go home and have the battle ax call me when she is being transported and I can make it to Loma Linda just as fast as they transport her....As you may well think by now I have gotten over my fear of driving since my accident funny how god works for ya when you do not even know......So i posted this just to give you a little in site into our first adventure there have been so many since and I am doing my catch up and letting all my friends be a part of yet another adventure....God Bless...Both my sister and my mama are grateful for my humor lately because we all know now attitude and humor are the best medicine

Ernies

2011-10-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

I know I know ...and Fabrezzze

2011-10-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

I promised to bog daily but peeps my mama got really sick and my sister has cancer ...soooooo I have been in the desert doing what I can for both but this post is not about that it is about Fabreze...Now as some of you know I have been a do it yourself kinda gal most of my life and I have taken it to the next level in the last few years. I do not believe I gave you the recipe for making you own Fabreze ...I know the excitement is overwhelming and here it is........

My-brezzz

Homemade Fabric Freshener

16 ounce empty spray bottle
1/2 teaspoon essential oil
Distilled water
1/2 cup witch hazel

Add Witch Hazel, water and essential oil to spray bottle

Shake and spray!!
Notes to self.....
witch hazel is only 1.49 at wallymart but almost 5 bucks at local drugstore
do not use this spray around an open flame.
You can also put a little bit in a small, travel size pump bottle to freshen up in a pinch

Suggested Essential Oils:
Lavender – stress reduction
Cedar – a gentile woody smell to freshen up your closet and drawers and dissuade moths from making their homes in your wool sweaters. Ceder is also great for pet beds because fleas can’t stand the smell!
Mulberry – great around the holidays
Vanilla – great base scent if you plan to add another note.

Enjoy that you made it yourself...........................

Well went a pickin today

2011-09-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

I picked this woman's brain on sauces from back in the day

So Underwood Farms had a pick your own tomatoes at 25 cents a pound so 45 pounds later......Ms. Independence came in from Oakland last night and the priority today at the crack of dawn was to go with Mommy to the Farm...Fun yepperzzz now here is the funny thing at the farm were two young men in charge of all us pickers...Now what young men cute as a button get up that early and are that nice...Seriously they were super nice gave me tips on my picture ....what tips you ask well as Randy was taking a picture of myself and the little girl and I was ready to leave and he said.....Don't you want a picture of how much they weigh...Brilliant young buck....Now he was not alone because the other young hooligan nice as the day is long lugged my tomatoes into my car..........All in all a great morning...Thank you Underwood farms...but the most thanks goes to Randy and Louie....Sweet Boys.....hey hey wait a minute my daughter was with me DUHHHHH Always take a young hot girl with you when you are old as the hills......

WootWoot

Add caption

Stylish helper

See the weight

How cute could she look

The helpers Randy and Louie

Holy Moly it is September

2011-09-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that this summer went poof gone missy! Good Lord started out birthday woot woot for me then off to Oakland for the concert boom boom car accident did not make that concert...ok rehabin' all summer and now wow September ya gotta be kidden me....Wow so here is my idea of the rest of the year....Get all rehabbed and betta ....Get back to quilting and that is so important I use to quilt every Wednesday night when I was working and since I do not work out there anymore the drive was a bit inconvenient and gas is expensive but I am goin' back ya' ll! Hubby says the sooner I get back to doing the thing I normally did the sooner I will heal...hummmm he may have a point....Ok well I'm back in full swing and will post daily ...I miss you all.....

Family gotta love um

2011-08-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

Ahh California

Well as most of you know I had my niece here from this last week....What a pleasure and what a lovely girl......Why I even learned things I had no idea i had done...go figure .....Here is the story she is my brother Pace's daughter and I have not seen her in four years but really have spent no time with her at all. So this was a special time for me and I know that may sound selfish and well it is. Here is the story I love family and I think that regardless of how koo-koo la roo most of them are we only have one. And please I do not care how normal you say your family is there is a touch of the big D in all of them the big d being Dysfunction...that is what makes families so great ya just never know.....Where else can you go to the Holiday dinner and eat and laugh in one room and talks crap about one another but love each other non the less................

Cousins

Good to have a baby back at home .....

Ok off that box and on to the little ones visit. So my baby Savanaha is now turning 19 in September and has grown to be quote a lovely young lady although she does still show signs of teenage-izm it flares up about every 12 to 14 hours as expected. So it was nice she spent time with her cousin Apron Strings and I got to spend time with her to...the best is that she was able to spend time with her dad they are not the closest but time heals all wounds......like it or not...lol.......The visit did my heart good these are the things that make my life complete family is family not a thing you can do to change them and who would want to the dynamic are thrilling and what make your family so special..so today if you have not done it call one of your family members to tell them how special they are....god bless

Ok so here is the rest of the story...........

2011-08-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

Fair so My friend Darcy picks me up I of course come out with he3r hot coffee and breakfast muffin for the long drive up north.....20 minutes but the way we talk 45 at least......So we go we arrive not a big crowd but enough ... First things first Corn Dogs ....then off we go to the Photo building and nope no ribbons but the thing we both do not get is Why???? now there are some great pictures some really good ones but some of the ones that won we both scratched our heads......And I just kept saying you never know what the judge is ~~has been drinking~~ looking for .......

mustard and tabasco ...drooling

So we jot on off to the home goods this is the most fun because there is such a variety of stuff from the jams and baked goods to tablescapes, quilts, knitting, gourds, painting, scrapbooks, cards, needlework and on and on.....and on and on..~~zzzzzzzzzz~~...so we first go to see what I won of course and 4 blue ribbons made me quite proud...all together we got 12 various ones.......2 Blue for canning and 2 Blue for baking woot woot you can see those ribbons and winners on the Canarella Site ...............

So now we are done in there and we are off to see all the little animals rabbits, chickens, pigs,goats, sheep...~~zzzzzzzz~~ there were two adorable little 4H boys with there chickens and one feel in love with Darcy and she spent so much time with him and listened to his every word it was adorable...My kid I got the one that had one chicken and not a lot to say but hallelujah cause I would have stuffed the little boy Darcy got into the cage with his chicken ......no no no that is not true.... hummm....So after we got the history of the chicken and all it's relatives from the past 45 Fairs prior to this boy even being a born we ~~got the hell out of there....~~ left

So we go out to the fairway to go to our next adventure and low and behold there are two swash buckling cowboys one little ponies hummmmm attached to their bodies??? Well it was a photo opt. now I do have to admit I am not my self with regards to photo shots I am the queen of take it anytime anyhow anywhere but as of late no so much......

Now we are off to the KKK Goats and Sheep why do I say that well they all had on white coats and hoods look at the pictures am I wrong...They were all shapes and sizes who have thought there were so many kinds...And these animals are taken better care of then me..They have all the food they want , plenty of water, clean room, they are groomed so you could practically eat off them and I gotta say this is the life....

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Ok these two are too cute sleeping.....

Lil Bluegrass

Off to shop......

Ok now the shopping trip...now granted Darcy told me this is the only place in the whole wide world she shops and she loves loves loves the clothes....but had I known we were going to spend 7 days and become part of the extended family phew and can I give some advise to these booths and the fair have some chairs for us old people..Aries & Taurus clothing family......So Darcy had more fun shopping and I got to tell you it ticked me to see her so happy....for peddle pushers and a couple of tops...What some women do for a good piece of clothing....

What do you think?

I know I saw it here last year?????

George, Anna, Barbara and Darcy so happy...~~to take her money~~

Look closely at the woman she is hiding potato chips behind her left arm seee.........looks like she has no arm...lol......sneeky...but what a nice display of the old day's......

Back to the Fair

2011-08-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few of the selected entries and I am off to the Fair yet again......

Some of the entries

Is this gorgeous

Checkout the holes the smell is so yummmmm

Love my sourdough

Well I dropped off the canned goods and the pictures I thought were ribbon worthy last week ....now this week this crack of dawn I am yet off again to take baked goods. Mimi and I spent most of the weekend baking up a storm...pheww how do the pros do it.....so off I go to deliver the goods...I am going to try to sneak into the canned area and check out if I got any ribbons......Oh here is one picture that I took of my sourdough it was a beautiful thing.....

To gray or not to gray

2011-07-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

This is a very serious questions ...let me explain myself...I have a bit of gray ok the whole crown of my head has been gray for the past few years...So a few months back i mentioned to Ms. Independence (daughter) I think i might like to grow my hair out...like a vampire to a neck she is spot on me...Remember she is a hairdresser. Ok here is what we do for our clients. We will streak the crown and while it is growing out you will not notice so much and then decide....This is a good idea.......Gosh I wish I had a camera I need to get that done.....Remember mine died.....;-( and a camera is vital to the blogger like spices to the chef....anywho now it has been a few months since we started this adventure...A few obstacles.....since the accident my hair is so dry like the desert in Death valley and the little one says that is because of antibiotics.....Do ya think the doctors may have taken that into consideration when pumping me full of that .....think about it infection? shiny hair? infection? shiny hair.....I'm sorry but really?

Alright here we are you know I never made it up to Oakland in June via Accident and so the hair is growing out and I am like a puppy looking at a biscuit each morning in the mirror. Hoe do you guys feel about gray hair? My hubby god bless him could care less if I am bald he just loves me ........ Alright it is not like I can do anything about it today but obviously it is something that is on my mind....it si not like I need to look any younger it just seemed easier but then there are some people who can wear gray Louann and some of us who well decisions decisions..........I will get a camera in the next few days and give you guys some head shots....Like I am a super model........ in my own mind....lol.....

Off to Fair we go.....

2011-07-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

My canning for Fair

So off to Fair I go ....and yup that is the little car we bought....the color is bright but everyone says it matches my attitude.....

The new ride..wootwoot

Cute huh!

I took some of the pictures i took this last yer in the garden and cooking and entered them..I will post them tomorrow I have copies ...I was amazed at the amount of pictures people put in and the pictues are amazing....Mine are like the little beginner shots the ones people say how cute ....

First stop Photography

Yup that is a lemon it is always about food with me

Here are my canned goods...this is my favorite part. I was smart enough to do a lot of canning this year and put many aside for Fair....Who of thought how handy that came in so 14 little jars of yummy

My jars getting checked in

Stopped by my favorite nursery

Retail therapy

I can not do an big time gardening so I got small stuff to put in pots for now.....

A picture tells a thousand words

2011-07-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

God Bless good humans who stop and help

That is me on the stretcher going to the helicopter..wootwoot

Hi just a quick note to where in the world is Lani? I was in a car accident and have not been able to get back on the computer or much else this past month.I am only putting one picture up of the car we have many of myself through surgery into recovery and the poor little car .....but they are really graphic.......but here is the good news I'm getting better everyday and hopefully will be able to get back on track really soon.....My poor camera died in the car accident so pictures well I'm on the look out for a new camera as we speak....It is like I lost my best friend. I never realized how much I loved taking pictures and how much I documented everything....The last month has been a blurrr and uneventful beyond doctor -doctor and more doctors...So I look forward to getting back in the saddle...Oh thank you to all well wishes cards and help during this time.....Love you all and God bless

ouch

Ventura County Swappers

2011-06-20T19:27:00.001-07:00

Ventura County Swap was a great success. The mood was delicious! I first want to thank all who attended you made this Swap a success and for that I thank you. Well the array of goodies was endless. Jared and Liberty with Baby Miles (to cute) brought us Fig preserves, Marmalade's, Kim Chi which I ate they had to pull me away from their area ....oh yum...and the amount and variety of greens was awesome. Bobbi who was getting information on starting a swap in Sylmar brought some yummy cookie dough balls ....Cindy and Lynsey mom and daughter duo came with some shortbread bars and body scrub. There was no lack of jams and the variety was really unique lots of strawberry but out here in California it is on every corner the strawberry trucks picked straight from the fields daily. Juli came with a great amount of squash and nice plants aloe, Iris and Day Lilly's. Stephanie and Josh came with butters and cranberry bread and lemons which I can always use. Karin had some delicious brownies with and without nuts...

Go here to see our pictures I am trying to figure out how to get a slide show up and going...Hey I can jam but tech stuff.... not so much...stop laughing Liberty

The reporter Anne who came to cover the story let us know she had a good amount of peach's and that the swap for August is looking like she may participate. I must say that the people coming together for this Swap was great. I learned many thing but most of all we all looked forward to our next gathering. The energy was so good. We even discussed the fact that there are people out there that would love to swap items like more plants, hand made knits and wools and recycled and hand made paper goods. Wow it is amazing that when we get to know the people in our own community who are making and growing their own products it could seriously be endless. And everyone was talking about places they knew we could host our next swap.

I could go on all day but all in all a great success and fun was had by all

Thank you Ventura County Swappers

The swappers were full of useful information for one another and was eager to share.

Painting yup the class

2011-06-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

My life at the Senior Center is becoming quite a lot of fun. It is quiet. I am making new friends. The gossip is off the wall funny. And I am doing something I always wanted to do...Not so well but doing it never the less ..here are two of the latest pictures. The birds well I crossed out his wing because it looked like he ~~shit~~ he pooped a wing...The teacher said "Oh Lani no no no you can fix that no more x's...yeah yeah yeah...The magnolia well it took two weeks but I'm feeling alright about it.

Here is the deal. People are constantly moseying around the room looking at every ones work...And they come to mine and either shuffle by fast or say "Oh Hon good job for your first class" Is that like take more honey you need it ....well no matter I love the class and I am learning something new.....Picasso I'm not but hey at least it is not a paint by numbers....

The catch up list

2011-06-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

Alright I know it has been a while and there is no excuse none what so ever but really I was grounded. Ok I I I have been busy at the gym?...painting? I had a baby? ...no not to busy for you to busy for me..I know I updated the other blogs so what are you chopped liver ...no but as long as we are on the subject of food.the swap went really well...Swap What Swap you ask go here and read about it ...but come back I have a lot to tell you ...So I have gone to painting class that will be a separate story today...I canned Plums from the neighbors tree this Am...Had my birthday and today going to go to dinner for fathers day..okie dokie ....went to Mommy's ans hopwfully next week i will get back to my quilting.....Alright I have a stove going I am going to take a picture of the lovely magnolia I painted in class it is not so much the class as the students that keeps me there....xoxo

Got the Prada's

2011-05-27T18:54:00.000-07:00

Ok now which ones look the best est...the bottom ones help my lips look so small and pointy...love that

Height Chart

2011-05-27T17:22:00.000-07:00

Ok so when we were younger we put our children against the wall and mark their growth...Well I'm putting myself up against the wall and marking my shrinkage as I embrace Senior world.....Enjoy

So the Watercolor Class you ask

2011-05-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

The Fruit.....from Hell

Yup still going to my Senior Center for my water color class....and it is getting heated...First think I'm doing quite well....Seriously how can you do wrong but I have found it hard to paint with one arm in the air for four hours ...that is because I am always asking questions ..
.The teacher is a little cute and very kind woman...

Ok so each week I place myself at my table very carefully because the things these women talk about is truly amazing....Gosh I love my life....I know I told you week one was the Royal Wedding and that the only reason that Prince Charles ever marrieds Diana is because his mom told him if he did not he would have ugly babies....LOL....Really?????????

Now they are so serious when they chat and each group has it's own dynamics's...and my new boyfriend yup do not be to jealous ...ready has a sweet gray ponytail....Jesus sandals.... wait for it..... wait for it with Socks..and really nice Bermuda shorts...Hot to trot...And his bifocals are not to thick.....and he has some nice brush's so big and long with very soft fibers...ok back to the class as you see I practiced on my fruit...The teacher must think I'm not good enough to move on she said " Lani "Dear" why do you not practice that fruit at home this week" Huh? I want to move on to the exciting Tree!!!!!!

My cute little Teacher

So while back at the table the ladies have started chatting the subject today ...... Last week I was absent but this week the subject is knee's and surgery and sleep...How do you talk about that for so long I think that is what threw my fruit off...So while they talk about the knee they start in with sleeping and how hard it was the other night...One lady says that she is up at 4 (I wanted to get her number so we can chat) and when she gets up it is dark and what is a woman to do? She use to have a hubby to complain to (What happened to him) so now when she gets up it is so quiet and she likes it that way...now does this mean she lost him or murdered him? Now lady number three starts in with the other night how she woke up at about 1 am and had the hardest time sleeping and while talking mentioned the bottle of wine she had...Well Well an alkie in the group..it just keep getting better and better...So you think all the sugar in the wine might just might have kept her up.....Lady number two was very busy painting her flowers which are Great seriously she is my water color hero....moving on

While I'm trying to get the ~~stupid~~ shadow on my fruit I ask How do you make gray? Well they were on me like flies to S***...... But the one person who really interests me is let's call her The Master...She swerves around like the lickity split and just rambles off about 450 different combo's my poor little head is just about exploded when I think I hear three combo colors and it turns out fine but right after she helps me she cruises over to my Chatter Heads and says to one of my ladies "Oh more Flowers?" oh no you did not!!!!!!

The Master .....

Flower Lady

Lady two say' it is a set and her face she should be thankful it did not freeze that way..so as The Master leaves the area Lady #2 says "Bitch" ..........LOL and this is the Senior's...God I love my Life.......I bet you can not wait for next weeks class.......I know I have pictures let me go look again no names as to protect the innocent That would be me......

New blog

2011-05-25T17:20:00.001-07:00

Hey peeps my sister has her first blog ...she is a bundle of talent and I hope she will keep it up...If you blog and would like to go visit her blog it is new and could use support...Tribe of Dollz....Thanxxxx

The Gym is Open and

2011-05-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

I already have one victim from the BBQ last night Josh's fiancee is coming she needs a partner and I love the company she is fun..But let us first take a vote on if she will even show...9 to 1 she will sleep in have some where to go or will not answer her phone...I know but it all sounds good the night before...but I'm on my way and that is what is important..But in the pictures see the guy well he is the one who promised to make all my dreams come true...no no no no name because I do not want someone to steal him from the gym...Hey go join it is right here in Simi and only 9.99 a month ..remember it is a no frillzz gym...I just got off the scale and I'm weighing in at 153 a mere 8 pounds mow then last year..shit I better get goin....Stupid cooking.....

Oh Crap the Gym is Body Xchange

Step right up we will make you scream

Ok so the Cheesecake came out good BUT

2011-05-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

Ok so I get the recipe the "secret" Italian Ricotta Cheese Cake from the mother in love and go right to the kitchen to get this thing done. Now I have the new stove ....double oven sweet deal.... I have all the ingredients what else I'm all sassy and bitchen in my kitchen ....Get all the grub together and it is lookin good peeps. Turn the oven on - go get the crust done pack it down pour the batter in and it is good even raw I tasted it and yes yes yes....So down into the new oven it goes....I asked hubby to stay up few extra minutes (God must have know what was going to happen next....So in it goes-- I'm on the computer just a stone throw away and snif snif hummm that smells funny...I open the oven and all this Crisco is dripping out of the bottom of the new Spring Form on to the New Stove...So I whip it out with a dry towel in a lit oven....Ok that should do it......Few minutes go by and snif snif damn more but now a white cloud of smoke is coming out so I break open a few windows and open the oven and it is dripping even worse but it was strange looking drips that is not crisco...well I will just put a cookie sheet under to catch the stuff that's the ticket....Close the oven then I go sit and look back at the oven and it is completely engulfed in flames....I'm having a heart attack I'm all "PA PAAAAA Hurry the kitchen is going to blow up .....He comes in looks at me and says what should we do...What the Hell your asking me I created this shit your the man do something..So I go grab the baking soda and hand it to him and say Throw IT NOW......I have seen baking soda on many a counter I think it is to put out grease fires???..He throws the baking soda and the oven says Dumb shit I'm on FIRE better start thinking outside the box...So Hubby says we will not give it any air we will smother it and shuts the door LOL it is still going...I yell get a fire extinguisher...He looks at me like I have four heads I have one in the truck....Ok go go go....He starts out and I say WAIT I think it is out...He looks at me..... I say you open it..... I think the house is going to blow up ....LOl...now I'm not laughing at all when this happens....So it goes out were a bit more at ease and I say the Cheese cake now what..and I go on and on about all the time I spent and how It would have been so good...He looks at me and says Cook it anyway start over.....Are you Fricken kidding me...But wait let me dump the batter in a bowl make a new crust and start over....So when I do this I look and the New Spring Form pan was never closed all the way...Look I'm not from baking I just started this game...I can cook a storm around most but baking Not so much....So i secure the spring form pan make a new crust pour the half cooked batter in and put it in the top oven..by now it is 9:30 do you know how long you cook these things ......for an hour cooked then another hour so the thing can rest like it worked out in the oven then cool in the refrigerator.....So I sent Hubby to bed and put the cake in the upper oven and sit and I mean sit next to the oven for the next hour and watch it like the oven was giving birth....It did smoke a bit half way through but it came out so good ...I think I will call it the On Fire Chese Cake...All is well....and I'm am beat......Great recipe though so go to Just Maz cooking site for the recipe

The Cheese Cake

From the fire zone

The Damn Gym Open aready

2011-05-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

Does this look ready to open

For gods sake when the hell is this place opening???? I signed up in February for the place and every month they say oh the first of March…The first of April …Oh it is right around the corner….The first of May for gosh sakes I will be 56 in June could ya do it for my birthday I have grained 7 or more pounds from this cooking adventure I have been on 56 recipes ago and I need to work this off. I know Linda I could be walking but I have lacked the get up and go…I still get up at 5 but the go is just not there ……Ok so I saw the other day a sign see it Grand Opening well if this is true Thank the Good Lord….Will see Im going there today right after my Saturday Coffee time with the ladies.....

RIP Tony

2011-05-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

Good Ole' Tony

The Grave site

Yup after three year relationship my Tony is Gone...I had a small and intimate funeral today only the dogs were invited and really I can not say to much more...BUT I did go run out and buy a new Tony this one Is Tony Two short it is TT...So life goes on......

Woowhoo Tony Two TT

Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

My mommy I'm so proud of how she has turned out.....

What your here again...Is there no peace

The color wheel

2011-05-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

My first work of art....

Yes it is that time again time for all Seniors to get to class...... Yes I signed up for another class the Gardening one was just not enough and it is one more I can cross of my Toilet list ~~shit I have to do~~ . Let us start at the top for new readers...I got ~~retired~~ fired and until I can find a new job which we are always on the prowl for I need to stay busier...like i do not do enough...but the way i go go golanigo is the way I am built...So I took the gardening seminar where a Master Gardener talks each week about a different subject and it was really good. Why I even got a boyfriend named Herman oh do not be jealous just because he is 86 and smells like Old Spice....I know you want him but he is mine ladies....Ok so I went back to the Center one day while I was walking with one of my gal pals and noticed that they were going to have a water color class so I said this could be yet one more adventure....But before I went I did get Linda to go with me for a Senior Tour and to show her all the great things this place has to offer to us.....I thought perhaps she would like to go become a Picasso with me but once she got a wind of the woodcarvers class I knew I lost her...... But worry not my little ones i have gone singed up and will be attending the Water Color Class and will be updating you weekly...Why if I was not so focused on my color wheel I probably would have been able to join in to a couple of hot and moving conversations....About what you ask ...Well one was the state of the Royal Wedding and all the gossip that goes with it...Like "Well you know the only reason the Queen let Prince Charles marry Diana is so they would not have ugly babies" Now who da thought....The other was the price of paper towels and how to use the copy machine.....It just keeps getting better and better....I better find a job fast.....God Bless ...

The Trip with the girls....Shut Up Lani

2011-05-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

Ok so we start out a happy group of girls ready for a little adventure ....We meet I was going to drive but two people flaked so we decided that Shelly will drive....So off we go talking like a bunch of cackling hens all the way to Oxnard...We were going to talk to some friends down there....So we get there and settle in ...did not want to spend the money on the BBQ so we opted for Billy Barty Hot Dogs that make the desert look moist....but hey enough mustard and relish can not complain ~~yes I can~~ ok so we choke down the hot dogs and then one of the girls says hey I want some thing sweet....Ok We jam on into the hall and get a nice variety of sugar and sit at the table and poof sugar gone like lightening....but let me tell you Jenni stashed one in her purse and that will come up later......

Look how happy we are

Oh for Christ sake it is just a picture

Could not help it nice peely tree huh I will put this on the gardening blog

Ok so we start home and if I have said it once I have said it one hundred times when I drive I do not mind getting a little lost...It is just one more of my many adventures..... So right off the bat we are still in the parking lot and I shout out Right and yup Shelly goes right...Why I ask Why did she listen to me she is so smart but I think she was tie tie .... So She Says..."Lani shut up and I'm not going to listen to your directions anymore...humm ok that could work..... but it is like verbal direarrah can not help you should have just gagged me....So we get out of the ;larking lot and get going down the road...la la


Holy Shit where the hell are we ??????? Lani shut up

Alrighty then we are going through downtown Oxnard the hummm busier part of town if I do say so.....And to me it seems no one else knows where we are and I'm liking this left ..........right......... Lani Shut up how long could I do this and she will still listen...Oh mean while the girls in the back seat with me are laughing so hard I am surprised we did not have to stop and pee...Oh not me I pad up for road trips....ya never know.....Alright by now we are in farmland some where between the Pacific Ocean and Some City could be Ventura could be Camarillo could be HELL......Shut up Lani


Ok least there is food on the road

Alright I make a point that if we get lost we have one bottle of water ...... We can send out a few of us to collect strawberries out of the field and Jenni's got a hidden cookie..She clutched her purse closer..... Now the sun is setting and it was a lovely view ...Please note that through out this whole trip and it was a trip I got some really nice shots of the hour and half trip from Oxnard to Simi....It only takes 20 minutes to get home when you do not have me in the car.....

I think it was the full moon..Lani Shut Up

The mountains that I said we should head toward...Keep in mind we were surrounded by mountains

This is where it got scary she starting going no lie 90 miles an hour

TA DA HOME....Shut up Lani..Thank you girls for yet another great day with my women

Ok so the Microwave broke

2011-05-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

So I go to make a bag of popcorn yes I know I am going to buy an air-popper but someone has to eat the bags that are left....I put the popcorn in and POP that is the sound and not the pop of popcorn..yupp after over 13 years in the same spot the poor thing died...Hubby says..."let's go get a new one..well honey we can look but I must have matching micro and oven so it may have to wait....so we can do without the micro for a while...after all the only thing i use it for is to warm up water at times and the popcorn.....ok ok I will go get the Air-Popper tomorrow....So a few weeks go by and Hubby say lets go look at microwaves and I gave him the ok BUT I am not buying one till we can get oven and micro together and the oven works just fine....So off to Lowe's and we look and we look and Hubby say's ok just get both make a decision and buy it..~~Oh must we~~ ..Oh no no we can wait.....~~This is a grand day in Simi~~ ...Well your right we are here and we do nned it.....La La La the Lani Dance boom cha ka la la .......You have seen the acceptance pictures yes? here they are here at Bitchen Kitchen

Now the installation pictures....I gotta say at times it is a good thing that Apron Strings is here to help hubby....

Ok you know what your doin?

I don't know do you? Is mom watching

You think it is going to fall

Ok mom here is a smile now leave the room

Make sure it is level

TA DA right in time for the recipe a day adventure on Just Maz

The Table ta da............

2011-05-05T10:14:00.000-07:00

Today while cleaning my house I am going to try to post once an hour to catch everyone up on some of my adventures.....First the table now I tried to get this crap in order but this blog will not mind me...The pictures I sat for 45 minutes trying to get them in order but noooo the blog would not cooperate but you get the idea....

TA DA

Ok so here I had to put feet on not really so hard just drilled the holes..but I have to say a tear did drop having to rip the silk inside after all where in the world is a suitcase with silk any more i ask you....

This is one of the suitcases

And this came with a LL for yup Lani Lasko

The feet only cost a dollar each

The stain effects the brain ventilation is good....

The hole for the foot

This is in thew suitcase it killed me to have to damage the silk....

The foot

Woowhoo four feet

These guys cut my glass from Aladdin Glass

For the shine and to make the stickers stick

With a few of the stickers

More Recycle tips

2011-05-03T15:03:00.000-07:00

Ok then I took my sun shield that has fallen apart cut it up and hung the strands of silver on the fruit trees...vawah lah....Go bye bye ravens (crows)....yup I know I know you just cannot wait for the next senior Tips....hey use it even if you are a youngin'

Well this is a good one mulch mulch and more mulch do it daily and it is not so hard and waste nothing....

I am going to Prom

2011-05-02T20:23:00.001-07:00

Sustainable Senior

2011-04-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

Yup new part of the blog is Sustainable Senior,,,well because I am a proud senior citizen so here are some of the things I do daily weekly and here and there...First we all know that I have the Barrels for the earthquake....right? Well I made my earthquake prepared tupperware thing a ma gigger...here look ...ok so I also refill my water bottle no longer buying bottled water, and besides they made the tops so tiny I have to hire someone to open the god damn thing...ok calm breath.......

I put soap on my sponge wet it and wash my dishes with out keeping the water running ...do you keep the water running when you wash? brush your teeth? why seriously why? Ok I use old maps that we have from our travels to wrap presents..yuppers...Hey it all goes in the trash and I think it sends a message I have had so many people tell me that that is such a good idea....yeah and a bow who needs it ...get over yourself if you think it is cute it is a big fat waste of land fill you want to make oh never mind I'm getting my depends in a bunch....LOL...have a good day.....

My mom is at the Royal Wedding

2011-04-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

Do not be jealous

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

Enjoy your day with family and friends and do not forget to thank the Bunny.........

Thank your Mommy

2011-04-21T17:31:00.000-07:00

No wonder our mommy's did not work a 9 to 5 job for gosh sakes. This week on my cooking website Just Maz I have been going through my vast collection of cook books and picking a recipe a day to cook till i have gone through them all ...Well this is the first week and i swear i have gained 10 pounds because everything they cooked had milk, butter, bacon, chicken fat, and all thing grease..so do not get me wrong they are so delicious and in the end I will have to go back and tweak them.
I have to do them by the book that is the whole adventure. Wow and the amount of pots and pans you use unbelievable I have to say God Bless our Mommy's.....Oh crap I have to go my Tamale Pie is almost done so let me waddle over to the stove and get the wheelbarrow to get it out and on the table....

Here is your Sign

2011-04-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

Ok we are driving to the beach area and this sign is up for a garage sale..now am I coocoo yes I am but find the garage sale part of this.....LOL...Look at the upper left corner...Now ask yourself why? LOL...It is the little things that make me smile and this one lasted for days..I can just hear a mommy saying "I said make a god damn sign and put it on the corner Wilbur and do it NOW"

Bitchen Kitchen

2011-04-09T23:59:00.000-07:00

This is all we went to get one little spark plug....but hey he asked .............

Ok we went to Lowes (My favorite toy store) to get Hubby a spark Plug for his trimmer......OK back up my microwave broke a couple of weeks ago but I rarely use it for cooking....Anywho so Hubby says lets go look at microwaves and I said nope I won't get a microwave till i get a new stove because i want
them to match and things change to much to fast now a days...Ok ok but lets just go look...Alright after all if this is going to make him happy after all he cooks NOTHING....but warms up everything in the
micro....funny ...LOL ok so we go look I see some oven now I do not want to get stainless steel but my other appliances are stainless so ...I would like to get a wolf but hey a girl can dream .....but being a cook i want the best quality with the best stuff to maximise my cooking skills ...now most oven have that waste of space drawer on the bottom...does anyone remember when it use to be a fricken broiler down there...yup the broiler was on the bottom under the oven separate from the oven...those were the days.....ok back on topic...I got a double oven super nice appliance and a sweeettt microwave ...And they are made by different manufactures but they compliment each other after all a girl has to look good when she is sweating her balls off at the oven but i can not complain because i get such pleasure out of cooking and more pleasure out of seeing people enjoy my stuff. ok well enough for now ....god bless ...oh I ran back in the store while hubby paid told him I forgot something but I got Eugene the salesperson to snap a few shots of me with my new toys...lol

So when I went to

2011-04-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

On my Bike heading out

the swappers day down in Silver Lake I stopped at the farmers market down in Hollywood...The first thing was Elizabeth Taylors star on the blvd..who would not have stopped to pay tribute....then stop at the farmers market in Hollyweird while I am there they are selling Crabs...Now I am not a crab cooker ok I have never cooked it before in my life.....So the fish monger is yelling 15 for two 15 for two I stop look....ok it is the jew in me that can not let a goods deal go...I turn like a dicso dancer and say Hey you how about two for 10 ??? he looks at the owner and say is that ok the owner says who asked...The young man points at me I throw a wink the boss way and he says yup....Holy Crap now what they are alive and will be living on the way home....Ok they bag them up put them on ice and off I go to my home...

Tribute to Liz

The Boss and the Wink taker

Back on the bike goin' home

Next is to explain to hubby that he is cooking them....He said I should leave the room because they scream really loud when they hit the water........jackass they do not I said after i left the room to cry about the murder....but they were delicious fresh and there is nothing like fresh anything....Ok gotta go ....god bless

Cutie sales boy

HELP MEEEEEEEE

Good Times

2011-04-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

Yup Pot Head


Yup proof					Alright so you know Linda and I walk a few times a week ....I always take the camera for moments like this ...oh sure there are many beautiful trees, many doggies to bark...fellow walker that ignore us...but it is moments like this that I cherish...Yes we came upon a small medicine bottle I of course thought ~~Heck what is left~~ wow wonder if some one dropped that .... Now we know my Linda does not do pick up stuff off the ground so I did it and made her hold it so I could takethe picture that is where the I think I am going to vomit look comes from because she is in great shape and in no way even so much as shows tiredness.......Well I do not need to say much more but we were going to sprint home to get out the bong but there is none in the bottle...damn maybe next time.......

You could just feel .....................

2011-04-02T14:18:00.000-07:00

So this morning the boys are going put to dirt bike ride....The testosterone was so thick you could have grown a penis. Then they fill their ice chest now here is my question ..??? The ice3 chest is empty only ice...now is it a man thing to take it and fill it else where ??? I have Gatorade- water -food -snack but noooooo they need to go to Charlie Browns Farm snack shack to fill up .....Seriously it is like when I go out of town my hubby god bless the man gets and eats so much crap Italian Sausages ...Steaks....Ice Cream...Potato chip now do not get me wrong...it is just i try to eat health local and home grown....but not when the men get together and look at Bobby from up the street he was on his way to play with his street rod and to hear he gibber jabber regarding all things men ...my transmission....My hydraulic la la la la.....SO i captured all these nice shots and what do I get for it...Right before they leave they tell me i should skedaddle into the house before some one see my outfit......Oh Great leave what a nice thought balls up peeps......

ok ready to roll

man bikes

man truck

Little boy's

Bobby and Hubby

ok loaded up

Apron Strings and Bobby

and bike 2

The look

running start

Bike 1

The LA Food Swap

2011-03-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

Ok one jar of jam for the adorable baby

On my way

Sing in and set up

Our host Emily woowhooo

Sconesssss

Well delighted does not even describe how I felt at this event. Our Hostess was just a delight and sweet as could be. The coffee was Oh yeah baby.....It was my first swap and being an avid cook, canner and gardener I could not wait..... The pictures are pretty self explanatory but the fact that Christy with her Dark Chocolate covered caramel with sea salt was next to me good lord and they were to share....Yummmm....There was everything from exotic jams to beet fettuccine....Marmalade's -Butters- of all kinds.. baked good that were so good and they looks to good to eat but sample I did..... everything.... There were essential oils, lavender, home ground wheat and flour in home made sacks.... Honey... garlic confit..... it goes on and on and I scored some mighty fine grapefruits that I used yesterday in my Onion Jalapeno Marmalade for the next swap....I want to thank Emily for putting on a great gathering and hope I can do so well for my locals. I have started our own little Ventura County swappers here is the webpage and the link for the FB page....If you want to be a part of it the email is vcswappers@hotmail.com .....

Tomatomania

2011-03-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

A day in the Life of Lani & Linda

2011-03-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

Your WHAT? Driving...ok ok ok ...ok

So lets take a drive because you need to get some tablets to put into my Water Troth's so they will stay fresh for the BIG one so off we go to SOS Survial store in Van Nuys..... lol....Now this was a big day for my Linda because she always drives....not that I can not she has to ...It is a Linda thing without

going into long dialog on both of our habits lets just say Who cares she has a Saaaweet car and fresh water for me with Martha Stewart on the radio when I get in ...I might as sit in the back and point ....lol....ok ok ok so we are going to Van Nuys to the Store get there walk in and look for the water purifier tablets I thought it was going to pay oh say 5 dollars per container....Ok go back Linda and Bobby gave us three of these 55 gallon. Heavy duty molded plastic construction. FDA approved resin. 2.4 mm wall thickness. 35 1/2" H x 22" Diameter. Blue

drum with solid natural cover and metal lever lock ring closure. Because they did not need them anymore because Spirit their horse passed a few months back. And it would just give Linda one more thing to dust...don't ask.....

Ok back on topic so we go to the store to get the water stuff and I nearly have a heart attack because the tablets are not tablets they are little bottle that cost me $6.00 per bottle that is hang on I have to use my fingers..two ten... twenty four... almost 40 bucks.but the kind man explained that for 5 years it is good so over the five years it pays for itself and more...ok I am not doing the math my fingers are sore from the addition i did earlier.....lol....and Oh my gosh does anyone watch the Next Great restaurant yes right there on the street is the place they shop now to most this is really unimportant but to a cook and Foodie lover GOLDDD

What do you mean you have to be a chef

Ok to wrap the day up I forced her to go to Buzz's appliance I have a freezer called the Kelvenator in the garage sounds like it was made by Arnold Swartz but not anywho it is taking up room so perhaps Buzz wants it? Well Buzz is really Kim Chong la la la and he would be delighted to come get it.....and after promising it to him i find out the county will pick it up for free and to boot the electric company will pick it up and give me 50 bucks for it... Damn but Kim Young Gee wanted it for parts and it is local and a good give....God Bless

Great Weekend at Mommy's

2011-03-21T12:29:00.001-07:00

Yippee she is cooking

Bahhhhhhhhhhhhh

11-12-13- ok 10-11-12- ok ok 10-11

Seriously come on its March

So the monthly trip to mom's was good....Cards Friday night a usual stop with the cronies no pictures this time but you can jump to see my friends by clicking here .... So I let mom know that I applied for Tigers Blood internship she nearly feel off her chair and we laughed and had a good time with it.......Hey come on lets get real what are the chances of me 55 unemployed sex pistol getting the job...Hey Mrs. Goddess to you all.....SO we used some of the preserved lemon to make a throw together dinner ....but it turned out so good I will post a separate post with the recipe.... But check out my mommy in the kitchen helpin' then when we had to go buy our annual lottery tickets she got into her wallet and I thought it was hysterical how she counted every dollar to get it just right. Personally I think she could use the cash and should go for the Tiger Blood Job herself.......Oh yeah Grama she would give Winner a run for his tiger money.......Also got some pictures of some cute little lambies ...and the rain crap who want to leave in this storm....hum wait or go.....

Ok today is all about the Internet and Ginny the gopher

2011-03-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Ok I am spending the whole day updating and getting all my internet stuff done ....I have a Website that I have not yet gone public....Like I'm so famous but today I hope to get it close to opening...I just want it to be how do you say...Worth going to ...It is going to be all about cooking and the recipes I do and resources to get going...Wish me luck because my back is in so much pain from the gopher and the garden work Wednesday...I named the gopher Ginny the ~~Jackass~~ Gopher....Oh my god the Lifespans of a gopher can reach 12 years.

Hey I always love a contest

2011-03-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

GO to the Soup plantation to join this childhood one......Eat Like a Kid

Ok so even though

2011-03-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

Charlie Sheen has not called for my job interview I got a clothes line is not allowed in our little community ....tough crap i am putting one up ...the magic is it is there and then POOF it is gone so I made a tiny picture in case anyone squeals on me....But it is magic....I already dug the hole and bought the cement ....Does anyone but me remember how nice ti smell to have fresh sheet from the line....Grama Pace us to have that smell. God Bless her....So I will keep you up to date this project I know BORING but hey a girls has to stay busy while waiting for that big job....I'm waiting Charlie I need some a tiger job.....

Getting close so

2011-03-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

Ok the sign is up here

And here but come on where is the equiptment

Ok I will enjoy the day

While I wait for the gym to open I will enjoy the Corn Beef

Ok got to step two with Charlie Internship

2011-03-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

Woooooowhoooooo

Lemon Marmalade

2011-03-11T21:03:00.000-08:00

Lemon Marmalade (tart)

4 cups lemon pulp
2 lemons sliced thin about a cup
1 cup thinly sliced lemon peel (rinds)(just peel)
¼ tsp baking soda
2 cup of lemon juice (fresh squeezed its best but bottled will do)
1 cups of water
5 cups of sugar again to taste I like 4 but I like tart
1 packet of pectin and a pinch
or
gel to the gel point of 223 degreez for no pectin

Ok the first thing to do is get the rind cut this is the only way to do marmalade if you do not it does not have that little bit of tangy that real marmalade peeps love

So thinly slice your 2 lemons this is the rinds that keeps the pulp on it. It comes to about a cup or so give or take.Now take the slices and cut them into quarters. Put the slices in 1 cup of the water and 1 cup of the lemon juice add the baking soda and put it in the pot bring it to a boil . Now turn it down and let it simmer on low for oh 20 minutes this tenderizes it.

In the mean time cube up your lemons and this is without the peel cut enough to have 4 cups of chunky but like all my tips you make it the consistency you like after all its your jam.

Ok once the slices have simmered add the rest of the liquid and the chunk and the pectin
Bring this to a rapid boil foamy like. For I say oh 5 to 7 minutes stirring all the time this is when a friend or husband saying “Oh my gosh that smells so good”

Ok next add the sugar slowly (Have your sugar measured out and ready)

Bring back to a boil to dissolve sugar then to a rolling boil just to gel point that should be 223 on a thermometer

Ladle into jars

Give them a bath 15 minutes is my standard time

This is a super one and you do not need pectin that is great let me explain if you bring your marmalade up to a rolling boil with a candy thermometer to 223 you will get it to the right gel point but this takes practice so do it once you have mastered it with pectin

Ok I applied for Charlie Sheens intern...

2011-03-10T10:27:00.000-08:00

Ok I need a job and beggars can not be choosers and this guy really needs my help......

Joined yet another gym.....

2011-03-10T09:13:00.000-08:00

It is in construction

Yes I am serious why why why ? ? ? I lost the infamous 20 pounds in the last say yearlong...but 6 are back...and gosh darn if i do not stay as busy as the day is long...yesterday i was out in the yard from 6:30 AM that is AM till it turned dark but there is another story to that the gopher story I will have show you...personally i look like Bill Murray from Caddy Shake yesterday...no joke...ok back to the gym...So this gym will open April and I will be there why this gym you ask ..well 9.99 cents a month yup and it is a no frills there is nothing that irritates me more then going to the gym and having to either listen to a 15 year old use Like ..like..likee every other word loud enough to wash out my earplug music...also the dating strategy is disgusting..for gods sake hit the bars ladies or go to the grocery store and feel some fruit the same goes for you guys ......When did anyone say It was alright at 40 + to wear that type of gym wear and Hello it is called a sports bra....HELLLOOOO ....hang on i have to get my panties out of a bunch .....Ok back to the original subject sorry I get so side tracked...but any way I am up to 150 I was down to 142 and that is a good fighting weight for me at 5 8' ok ok 5 7' oh my god alright 5 6' ...now let me take you back because in high school i was 5 8 how does a person shrink that much in 55 years....Oh my gosh I need to stop or go get my heart monitor ....lol...well god bless and enjoy this great Day because the weather else where is crappy...

Maz Mac and Chicken

2011-03-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

This is one of the things I do best get what is left in the refrigerator and start a cookin

Some onions - peppers and mozzarella cheese

Fry up the bacon you can use any kinds of bacon turkey or meat

Stir fry the veggies in the bacon greezze

crumble the bacon

Cook the chicken season with some smoked paprika and pepper ...

Chop the chicken bite size

Shred the cheese

layer the yummy stuff

Mix it up top with remaining cheese/bacon and bake


Oh My Yummy in the Tummy

Maz Mac and Chicken

Ingredients

2 Bell Peppers pick your color
I love red and yellow because they are pretty and have a less bitter taste
3 Scallion onions

I love these onions they have a gentle taste and they are the only ones in the frig
2 large chicken breast bone off cut into squares after cooked
1 + cup of mozzarella cheese shredded
Bacon 6 strips fried and crumbled
Whole wheat macaroni

Directions and tips for your dinner

All the stuff is pre-cooked then you just mix that stuff up bake and wala dinners ready everyone....
Look lets face it we all want to make dinner fast and easy but i am a true believer that real dinners are not fast action to do's

So pre-cook the macaroni set it aside
Spice and cook your chicken while you are prepping the rest of the stuff
Take your two chicken breast wash them and put them into a baking pan. I season with smoked paprika and pepper. ya know you can season with the seasoning you like just keep in mind that you want your taste to mesh....moving on

I always line my baking dish with aluminum for easy clean up... I will have to stop this soon as the guilt of the aluminum waste is weighing on my mind. but lets move on ....

Ok while the chicken is cooking Hey set the timer fro 20 minutes for the chicken at 375 degreez
Alright lets get the beacon going now i use real pork bacon because i get the drippings i need to cook the peppers and stuff think of flavor of this after fried yummy again

Alright the bacon is done set it aside and pour out the drippings i put them in a can cause ya just never know when I may need them .....
Ok take your chopped onions and peppers and put them in the bacon pan stir fry just for taste not till they are mushy...I like my veggies to have a crunch to them in my food it makes me know they are fresh....but again it is your dish so do what you will.
Ok lets see oh shred your cheese yes you can buy pre-shredded but fresh shredded again the flavor....choices.....
Alright lets check what we did ....the macaroni...done...the chicken..done...the bacon and veggies..done.... the cheese ...done...ok lets mix....

Get out your casserole dish out and put a layer of macaroni in now add the rest of the stuff....yummy hey the cheese save some for the top oh and the bacon save some of that too....Alright mix all the stuff together and top with cheese and bacon...pop it in the oven and yell

"Kidz dinner is ready its Mom's brilliant dinner surprise...come get it...."

The pictures help ...Bake the dish in a 325 degree oven now remember that the stuff is already cooked to we are just melting all thew flavors together judge it use that cookin head of yours I will leave it in till oh heck 20 minutes

Enjoy and Thank you

The couch...from hell

2011-03-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

Ok lets get to work

The helper waiting for her time to jump......

I know I know the outfit is so sexy hey it took a long time to get the "look"

The front..... now I need to make the table

The Back

Teh history of the Little Couch from Hell...Ok Linda and myself ...Linda who hello? the walk partner....ok so one day we decide to go to the simi valley mall....and check out all the business that are closing how entertaining...so we stroll and stroll in and out of stores...then we happen upon Urban Home...little history I gave my old couch to Ms. Independence two years ago....and when she got to Oakland they found out they could not fit it up the stairs thus it ended up a free giveaway on the streets of Oakland and yes it found a home....most free things do..so I have been searching for just the right couch and size for the sitting room because there is only enough room to sit that is ti sit and sit more ..so two years the search has been on ....ok so Linda and I go into Urban home ..ok a little more history on the living room we have dogs they take over the furniture when we sleep thus the gates throughout out the house and the doors all closed when we sleep...and it is not so much Angel it is the baby blu (pictured above) who thinks my furniture we buy is designed for her comfort....so any who I did not want to buy a couch because I knew she would sleep on the couch it this is a room that can not be barricaded off it is a central room.. who'd a thought this story entailed so much history....So back to Urban home we find this cute little couch and it is smaller than the average couch..after all in the ;last few years things have gotten a lot more economical and smaller...so so so we go into Urban and there is the cutest little couch so I ask my friends opinion and for 299.00 who gives a la de dah....So next on the agenda get hubby to come up and approve the purchase....Done ...next go order the couch...now all this is in the span of ohhh three weeks in the mean time got the approval from the face book friends family and the dogs.....So Linda and I return to the store to purchase the couch ...order....sign ....give the credit card...done...wait a minute....hold on the employee of the month notices that my name is not on the credit card yes I have the last name and am a signer on the account but...do I look like Gary ??? Do i sign like Gary ....hummm lets call upper management ...no do you think in the times the way they are and the fact that i have an ID am a signer on thew account etc etc etc they would just say OK for gosh sakes are you kidding me...so Linda mulls around the store and I of course sit and stare at her now the whole time i think she is calling to get permission to give me copies of the stuff i signed....Oh no Sergent Sell a lot is making sure she crosses all her t's .....After 20 minutes myself and Linda telling her over and over and over that I am a signer call my husband come on you have got to be kidding me...now regularly i would never go back to this place...Linda suggest we go on the world wide web and search for who ever else may have this cute little couch...well to the www we go and do you not know that it is make Exclusively for Urban Home..I'm caught between a rock and a leather couch.....So back I go that weekend and order my little couch and here I am putting it together please note the sexy outfit...Imagine how hard it is for my husband to leave me each morning looking so HOT......God Bless

The walks

2011-03-03T16:18:00.000-08:00

I'm not even barking at them anymore

Ok so you get it?

Horse country

Ok Linda liked this one even though she did not know what it meant

Mike the neighbors garage how cool

Linda and Mike debating the garage floor....

My Linda and walking partner etc..etc...etc...It is 6:30 and I'm still asleep

Ok Monday Wednesday and Friday at least that is what I try to do .....My pal--- friend ----co-hort---Linda goes with me and we can walk 4 miles or more but I think it is the sites and the information that is the real reason for our walks.....Ok here is one walk for example..... Starts out good I'm asleep she is awake....

Magic

2011-02-28T15:38:00.000-08:00

Stuff before I work my magic

Before the suntan

The dryer

This is true sustainable living

Cauliflower/Potato soup

2011-02-25T11:22:00.000-08:00

Cauliflower/Potato soup

1 whole cauliflower
2 carrots
1 half yellow onion
2 tablespoons Italian parsley
2 quarts chicken broth
On stick of butter
5 tablespoon flour
2 cups of milk
1 cup half ad half
Pepper to taste
4 small potatoes

In a large soup pot melt half your stick of butter
Add the onion cook until it starts to turn brown
Add the carrots cook an additional couple of minutes
Add cauliflower and parsley and stir to combine now turn the burned down to low cover it and let it simmer for say 10 minutes or so
After it has simmered pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer.
Make sure you skim all the stuff off the sides of the pot waste nothing

I let this stuff simmer for about a half hour before I go to the next step

In a medium saucepan melt the other half of your cube of butter
Mix the flour with the milk and whisk to combine in a separate bowl

Add flour-milk mixture slowly to the butter whisking constantly
Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup half-and-half
Add mixture to the simmering soup
Add the potatoes
Allow to simmer for 1 hour or till you potatoes are soft….oh yummmyyyy

Notes to self

I use Italian Parsley because it just has a better not so tart taste like regular parsley
I use a food processor to chop the carrot and half of the cauliflower
I do not salt my food when cooking I think it should b left to the eater
I just love each process of cooking I do not jump from step to step I stop long enough to think does this need a little extra time to get its flavors together on there own prior to adding the rest of the stuff this holds true for most things I cook not all…..

Lemons Preserves

2011-02-24T10:01:00.001-08:00

Preserved Meyer Lemons

* Note use as many lemons as needs to fill the amount of jars you want. I used a few because I filled them with more than just salt...yes thus again tweaked....This shows one jars

6-7 juicy, ripe Meyer lemons
1/4 cup salt
1 cinnamon stick, snapped in half
4 coriander seeds
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon Cheyenne pepper
1 tablespoon Mahleb
2 dried hot peppers (you pick)
[extra lemons to make up juice]

Sterilized half litre jars

Put one tablespoon of the salt into the bottom of the jar. Cut crosses in the lemons to within the 1/2 inch of the bottom so that they are still joined as one. Sprinkle salt on the exposed flesh.

Squoosh the lemons into the jar, packing down tightly as you go, adding the spices and more salt evenly between layers. If there is not enough juice expelled by the lemons, to cover them all sufficiently, then add more fresh lemon juice until they are all submerged. Leave a little airspace at the top and seal the jar.

Leave the jar in a warm place for 30 days, shaking the jar each day to distribute the juices throughout the jar. To use the lemons, first rinse them and then remove the pulp. The lemons do not need to be refrigerated.

Gnomeo and Juliet

2011-02-21T10:24:00.001-08:00

Let's talk Oscar bound!!!!! Yes I took mommy to her first 3-D movie .....look how foxy we look...This movie was so adorable and really fun...Young and old alike and Gnome freaks like me will love it.....Oh gnome heart of mine..... yes I will go see it again any takers......

Happy Valentine Day.....

2011-02-14T06:58:00.001-08:00

The Tigress did it again...

2011-02-07T19:17:00.000-08:00

She "The Tigress"made mustard and so I took the recipe and tweaked it...I added honey....I feel you can give and take your taste to make the mustard the way you like it. The best part of this is that it gives you the real mustard taste....

sri lankan mustard

adapted from at home with madhur jaffrey

6 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds
4 cloves garlic, diced
1 & 1/2 inch slice ginger, peeled and diced
1 cup apple cider vinegar
3 teaspoons cayenne powder
3 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
4 teaspoons sugar

1. place mustard seeds, garlic and ginger in a bowl or jar and cover with the vinegar. let stand for 24 hours at room temperature.

2. place vinegar mixture in blender, add cayenne, salt, turmeric and sugar and blend until a creamy consistency is reached. you can add a bit more vinegar if it is too dry.

3. once blended, place in jar and let stand at a cool room temperature for 3 days. store in the fridge thereafter.

I added a 1/2 cup of mustard to the mix to make it sweetish.....

Be creative

Back in Oakland yet again .....

2011-02-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

Last night Heather and I went to the Art-Mermer this is like taking a trip back to the 60'z seriously to much fun....vendors..beer...lots of funny smelling smoke...music it was a blast...and look close at the picture they play a movie on the building right by the street fair....God I love this place a city for the young and the young at heart...SO then this AM Chris and I dumped Heather at the airport she is going to Houston...bye bye seee yaaaaaaa and Chris and i headed to the farmers market then home and to play with my granddaughter now we are off to a basketball game that the little hooligans that he teaches are in...so I will update you later....
Ok last night we w

Love this plac e ......

Just Maz Chicken & Stuff Soup

2011-01-28T21:28:00.001-08:00

Just Maz Chicken & Stuff Soup

2 tbs olive oil
1 large onion chopped
1 red/yellow bell pepper chopped (half of each)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili power
1 box organic chicken broth
can organic/fresh tomatoes
2 whole boneless chicken breasts chopped into squares
2 ears of corn fresh is best
1 cup cooked/canned cannellini beans
Pasta what ever kind you like you only need a hand full
Salt to taste

Cheese for the top when you serve it

Heat the oil in your soup pot and add the onions , peppers and the garlic to this and sauté

**** Garlic tip I learned this on Food TV they put kosher salt on the garlic cloves before they smashes it to bring out the flavor I do say it works. Ok peel the garlic and put it on the cutting board then sprinkle some kosher salt. NOT TABLE SALT …. Now take the flat side of your knife and smash down now pick up the garlic and pop it in the soup…….I rarely chop because I love the flavor of the garlic….at the end I fish the garlic out prior to serving…if I remember….;-)

***** Did you cook your pasta oui this can be done while you re cooking the other stuff.

Now I can say that you can cook the pasta half way because it will cook more in the soup.

Add you chicken and spices to the pot more sauté
Now add your tomatoes
Add the corn is next

*** look at the nice trick for cutting fresh corn and keeping it in one spot. I use to have such a time with that I only wish I could remember where I got the tip it is not original….Thank you who ever you are!

Alright now add the chicken stock and mix everything up
Now the beans and the pasta

When you serve the soup top each bowl off with cheese I use shredded by hand mozzarella

Yummy enjoy your soup you know you can use canned or frozen on the veggies but fresh is so much better
Oh brother I could go on and on…

This is why I run

2011-01-26T14:11:00.001-08:00

Right there in the yellow

Got a letter today and it said.......

2011-01-24T14:11:00.000-08:00

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment

* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective

* If you plant hard work, you will reap success

* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.

Think about this for a minute....

Cart's anonymous meeting

2011-01-20T08:29:00.000-08:00

Need I say any more and Why here??????

Picture this Photo Contest January 2011

2011-01-19T18:34:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh found the coolest gardening blog "Gardening Gone Wild"website and learned something new at the same time......I learned how to take pictures in a jar....New concept and I will let you go to there website to learn how but here is the picture I chose to enter and scroll down to see the rest...I had fun with stuff ....jars all sizes.....lighting in and out of the home...and the things to put in I kept it garden theme and really had fun I may even do more tomorrow just for the fun of it.....Enjoy this and go to the web site it is really nice and lot of info.......Hey thank you to my face book pals who helped me decide which picture to use....Im putting all the pictures up at my Gardening Blog go here to see them all

Maz Brownie Pretzel Crunch

2011-01-13T17:10:00.000-08:00

Maz Brownie Pretzel Crunch

Ok I have yet to tweaked yet another recipe and this one is good if you like dense good lick your finger desert a little time consuming but good...

Ok a tip I find that when I mix the dry goods in any recipe that i sift the stuff together into a bowl this way i know they are mixed and there are no lumps or stuff in the dry mix...in a separate bowl of course

Ok

Maz Brownie Pretzel Crunch

Takes about 20 minutes to prep 30 or so to bake at 350 deezgreez and makes a whooping bunch of blocks...cut to the size you like.....

2 cups of all purpose flour
1/ 1/2 tsp of baking power
1/4 tsp of salt

theses are the things you want to sift together in the separate bowl

1 1/2 stick of butter melted or room temperature
1 1/2 cups of brown sugar I like dark gives it a rich flavor
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract use pure it is the best
1 cup or so of chocolate chips and yet another cup for the smooth yummy glaze oh yeah
1 cup of crushed pretzels. I use whole wheat honey pretzels that i get at Fresh and Sleezy they have a good taste and a little sweet with the salt.....
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter there are your nuts but you can use smooth big baby

Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with parchment paper it makes it easy to life out and cut when they are done and your pan is so easy to clean

Oh sift you flour, salt and baking power together in a bowl look how smooth it is ...a miracle i say
Ok in a separate bowl mix your butter and sugar till they are smooth
Beat in your eggs and add the vanilla
Ok now add that sweet smooth dry mixture stir in 1 cup of the chocolate chips add the pretzels
Now the batter is thick and not so easy to spread so blop it into the pan and then nice and easy spread the mixture it is worth the extra time after all this is going to taste so delicious.....
Alrighty cook for 30 minutes or till a toothpick comes out clean as a whistle how clean is a whistle that comes out of cooked goods? Good question to google

Ok take them out and while they are cooling make the topping melt the other cup of chocolate and mix in the peanut butter till it is cooked together nice and smooth....Now do not try to do this in the micro this is one time you will want to take the time to put a bowl over a pan of boiling water and melt the old school way...Now drip onto the brownies and sprinkle with some more pretzels or not you decide.....Oh my gosh if you are not stuffed from licking your fingers this last hour get a cup of milk or coffee and enjoy....

Enjoy

Quess what I am doing this fine day

2011-01-13T10:07:00.000-08:00