A much needed vaca

*sorry these are out of order.

Spring Break comes early in my lil part of the world. So, to get away from winter we headed to California.



I have always wanted to go to Alcatraz! It was so very neat to finally go there. 50% of the island and buildings are closed off to the public and all employees - it just isn't safe.











Chinatown! It would have been nice to get out and actually walk Chinatown, but after 3+hrs of walking around Alcatraz, we weren't up for it.



Another place I have always wanted to go...Winchester House! If you are into the paranormal you ought to know about this place.
Sadly, they don't allow pictures in the house :(



We started and ended our trip in Reno, NV - a good layover for such a long trip.



Virginia City is just outside of Reno, a must see if (again) you are into history and the paranormal.



The Pacific Ocean!!! Water, finally Water!!! Been landlocked for way too long.



We camped in wine country - I swear the area is the spitting image of the Happy Cow Commercials. Why would you choose to live in LA when you could live in wine country? Just BEAU-tiful!



The Golden Gate Bridge.

Pyrex Grecian Platters and Plates

Great find! Grecian platter and plates. These are gray on white. Wonderful pieces.

Cool Summer Salad

Cool avocado, cucumber, chicken w/ rice noodle salad topped with sweet chilli sauce, Mmm. It will be good on a hot Summer night.

I love vintage

My newest item in my etsy shop.

I love vintage.

Homemade pico de gallo. I used the same recipe as the guacamole minus the avocado.



American burger - patty with american cheese, ham and egg.

This had really good flavor.



Another Mexican burger.

Patty, pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo and sour cream...it was good, but honestly, the American patty w/ ham had more flavor and tasted better.

Soul Food and something old made new

Ma's cornbread in muffin form.

3/4c corn meal
1c flour
1/3c sugar
3/4tsp salt
3tsp baking powder

MIX

Add 1c milk, 1 beaten egg, 2tbs melted butter

Mix all together.

Preheat oven to 425. Cornbread in pan bake for 20min, muffins 18min.




Black Eye Peas and Sausage - Mmm. Simple, but oh so good. 1 thing to make this better would be a side of collards and pepper sauce.





S'mores --- Something old is new again.

1 pre-made graham cracker crust. Add the:
12oz chocolate chips

put in the oven for 5 min to melt the chocolate

top with 1 reg jar of marshmallow fluff stuff.

Stick in the oven on broil til brown.

Let cool, then serve, a little goes a long way.

craving and Mexican style hamburger patty

I have been craving guacamole. Today, I was finally able to eat it (been on a little post fill diet). 1 avocado, 1/2 jalapeno, 1/2 tomato, 1/2 red onion, 1 garlic clove, tbs cilantro, lime juice from 1 lime, salt & pepper.

*notice my pretty, little, blue Pyrex bowl? Luv it!




This here is a Mexican style hamburger patty.

I put salsa on the plate first, then the cooked 3 oz patty, shredded cheese, the guacamole and sour cream. It was really yummy.

I might try some other styles this weekend of hamburger patties.

Relay 4 Life

I am walking the Relay 4 Life, with some good friends, to honor those that have lost their battle w/ cancer, fighting the battle w/ cancer and the survivors. Please help me reach my goal.

Let's do this! http://main.acsevents.org/goto/AmyRelay4Life

8mths post-op

After 4 months of getting off track...I'm Back!!!

Went in today for my 8mth post op and I am down 7Lbs in 3 weeks! I have come to realize that I HAVE to measure my food. I have to.
Total weight loss 49Lbs.
I go back in 8weeks.
Lets hope I keep it up.

Back at it -

I'm back at the gym doing something I love - aquacising!!! Yes, the class is 95% older people, but I figure if they can do it SO CAN I.

Love It!

Taco Stew

Boil chicken (reserve some of the water after)

Dice up the chicken

Add salsa to pan w/ the reserved water to thin it out as much as you like.

A dash of salt (we all know that salt helps tomatoes taste better)

*Serve in a bowl, topped w/ cheese, sour cream, (maybe a lil shredded lettuce) and a smashed chip.

My new fave food and something new

Squash Lasagna (similar to spaghetti, but w/ more cheese).

I took 5 summer squash and 5 zucchini (they were small enough Not to have the seeds removed) - washed.

Uniform slices. Boiled in salted water for 3 minutes.

Layered like you do lasagna. Or you can serve it up like spaghetti. Yummy! I never make lasagna or spaghetti with noodles anymore (it is best served a day later). LOVE.

*Notice the nice green Pyrex dish I am serving it in (when my pyrex is cold, I ALWAYS put it in the oven to heat up with the oven at the same time - that way it doesn't go into shock and shatter).

I don't know what this is called, but I have seen it around and for some reason today I have been craving it.

Cook up a hamburger patty. Fry up an egg. Put the patty on a plate, top it with cheese and then top that with the egg. I served it with homemade brown gravy, but hubs and I both agree that it would have been better with salsa.