Valerie Turns Into a Teen

On the morning of October 25th Valerie & I headed out to a 4-H fundraiser ... But not before a big old breakfast at Morning Thunder with Madelyn & her mom too.
















Excuse me, I ordered a LARGE??














Michael & I surprised her by swinging by the pet store & letting her pick out a couple of rat buddies. She went for the males this time.













The albino is named Sardines and the hooded blue is Big Savings. They are so small and only a month old now. But these guys will get twice as big as Cookies & Cream were.













Valerie, Natalie & Amira with pocket pets.















A gaggle of teens!! Valerie, Ruth, Natalie, Madelyn & Briar.















Valerie got a gluten free Marion berry pie from the Sweet Cottage. I could eat this every day!!! This purchased pie followed an entire scratch meal by request: chicken cordon bleu, kahlua yams & spinach salad with warm bacon vinegrette. I didn't even feel guilty about buying that pie.













We had everyone line up tallest to smallest. Valerie is only just barely shorter than me. The rest of the girls are crazy tall!














After a long night doing whatever it is that teen girls do, they came together for doughnuts.














Remember when we could eat those without the side effects?














Later in the day Natalie & my kids took the rats outside to carve jack-o-lanterns.























































































































That evening we went to Susan & John's house where they cooked up a meal and baked a cake for a combo Valerie-Alligator birthday. Look at that cake! My hat is off to Susan!





















Happy Birthday Alligator!

One Night In Bangkok

Okay, it was two nights in Bangkok ... But I felt the need to use the song title! I'm a sucker for cheesy stuff like that.

I had an opportunity to follow Michael to Bangkok for a quick trip. I'm not about to turn down a free ticket!

Here is a quick snap shot of our whirlwind trip last week.

Our hotel was conveniently located on the river where we could take the water busses up and down. That was a delight! Jump on, jump off ... But do it quick as they don't stop for long!








Here is a quick look at the colors and fresh produce that popped out at us everywhere.








Coconuts were very refreshing in the heat and humidity.








Our first morning out we took a tour of the Emerald Palace & caught the changing of the guard.








Thai Beefeater? He made a nice prop.








The princess was coming the following day, so it's a good thing we went the first morning when it was open to the public.








Next we took a canal tour on our private boat. Like Venice ... Not.








These critters were all over the banks! Well, in the water too.








The world famous reclining Buddah.








We had lunch at a restaurant where this tree grew right out of it. It was like something created for Disneyland.








Chicken soup, papaya salad & Thai iced tea!








We got caught in a down pour!








The garden pool & bar at the Royal Orchid Sheraton (our hotel).






Mango & sticky rice heaven!






We bought a beer from this lady for our boat driver ... I know!






Wow!






Michael kept trying to get the best picture of a boat motor for Scott. I hope you enjoy!






In lieu of toilet paper, nay I interest you in a sprayer?






Or, perhaps a bucket to flush your squat toilet?






Classic Thai dancers at dinner ... Can you say, "Tourista!?" We loved it.






A duck curry & some delicious snapper with chili sauce, Mmmmmm!






Tuktuk!






Last night in Bangkok we went out for Shabu Shabu (which is actually Japanese) Thai style. We cooked it at the table. Fantastic!







Bye-bye view from our room on the 23rd floor!












Bye-bye actual gold plated temple with claws.







Bye-bye fun guide & Asian bees that have no stingers.





At 150 km/hr through the city & running red lights at 3:30am, we made it to the airport in 20 mins. (It took us 40 mins to get to the hotel from the airport on our way in at midnight.)

Autumn Activities

Well, autumn is here ... Or so I've been told. At least the mornings are cool and the afternoons, while warm, are tolerable. But I tell you this place is bone dry. I went for one of my delightful park walks with Eve & Julia. We took turns playing bait for the wild things (mountain lions, rattle snakes, poison oak, etc). I always feel safe hiking with them, wedged in the middle on the trail. We observed deer, a random prickly pear (and speculated how it got there!) and then this lovely creature:






Friday night was movie night at Amira's school. She took her buddy, Ruby. This month's movie was Muppets Most Wanted. I wasn't keen on it at first, but then found it delightfully hysterical and full of wonderful jokes and cameos that I'm sure were lost on the kids. I recommend this movie to anyone who grew up watching the muppets.



On Saturday Rex had another ball game. We caught the end of that and then ran over to the Fiber Fusion event at Patrick Ranch. Valerie was there for her October Fiber Sheep 4-H meeting. Here's most of her group showing off the "arm knitting" they learned at the end of the day.


This event had loads of crafts, work shops and demonstrations. We caught a sheep dog demo upon our arrival. There was a yak, sheep, goats and even bunnies present. Amira & Ruby spent most of their time hanging with another 4-H group and the bunnies. The bun-buns were pretty cute with little collars and bells & harnesses. So sweet!


Rex wrapped up the day with some archery at the in-door range down the street.


Today I spent some time putting together soups & casseroles for the week. Monday night we'll be having a "squash bake". It's like lasagna but with spaghetti squash (from our yard) instead of pasta. The kids will hate it!

Tuesday we'll have a chicken lime soup made from the left overs the other night. Shhhh! Don't tell them it's left overs.

Wednesday I'll be pulling some beef stew out of the freezer. It may also have a ring of familiarity about it. Bwahahahaaa!

Good news, though, we will have steak on Thursday to celebrate Michael's return from Spain. Yay! Steak night!

And because I was in a cooking mood, I baked down and strained several butternut squash. Now I can just whip out those pies and muffins like it was nothing.

Today I baked up these delightful little grain & dairy free muffins. They are so moist and chewy, the kids will never know. Or, if they don't like them, that means more for me.




The recipe was inspired by one on http://paleomg.com/?s=Pumpkin+muffins&x=0&y=0

Enjoy!