We are back.

Got home veeeeery late last night, finally hit the sack around 11:45 and I am off to work this morning, so I will have a post up on our Fun weekend tonight.
PS we had a blast, and NO we did not set fire to the car in the Hotel's parking lot.

Kick back day

This morning the guys and a couple of the gals are heading out to the range. I am staying here at the hotel to catch a litte R&R . All the gambling, shopping and touristy stuff yesterday, and staying up until midnight plumb wore me out.
We are having a fabulous time meeting and getting to know all the bloggers. I will have pictures when I get back home. Sorry you are not here too.
PS the slots and I are battling it out, they are winning by about $5

we have arrived at last

Yesterday we arrived at Circus Circus Reno Nevada around 5pm. a couple of posts ago I mentioned we are here for the Gun Blogger Rendezvouz.

After checking in we went up to the 3rd floor to check out the Tahoe conference room, where all the attending bloggers will be meeting over the next couple of days, to see who all had arrived.
At this point I am not going to use names, just the blogger names, as some folks prefer to keep their ananomity. K from Smallest Minority was there as was another bloger who's name escapes me at present, ( I am VERY tired and am lucky to remember my own name)

After getting our luggage on and off the elevator and into our room we changed our travel clothes into "business casual" attire and headed over to the Eldorado to attend the "Vine for life" in honor of breast cancer awareness month.

What an event, it was very classy, the food outstanding,the wines delicious and warming giggle !!
well it is time to get ready for breakfast.
more later.

I'm a cat with some class!

There's nothing quite like a drink of nice cool fresh water, specially run in the sink just for me. Drinking out of the toilet is for, well, you know, those canine creatures. (said with distain)

Slow Cooker Fajitas

Have you relegated your slow cooker to some out-of -the- way place? Now is the perfect time to dig it out and put it front and center on your kitchen counter.
Cooler weather calls for warm comfort foods that you can cook without any effort, go out and do your yard work, or go shopping and come back to wonderful aromas coming from your kitchen.
I especially enjoy Fajitas, and the left overs can be put over rice for the next days meal.

1 each med. green, sweet red and yellow pepper cut into 1/2 inch strips
1 med. onion thinly sliced
2 lbs. beef sirloin cut into thin strips
3/4 cup water
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Place peppers and onions in 5 quart cooker, top with beef.
Combine the water, vinegar, lime juice and seasonings; pour over beef.
Cover and cook on low 8-9 hours or until tender.
Fill your tortillas, add some shredded cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, salsa, sour cream, and ENJOY.

Coming up, four days of fun

Some 25 years ago Mr.C and I visited Circus Circus in Reno Nevada. On Thursday we will be back there attending The Gun Blogger Rendezvous.

Mr C has put a lot of time and effort in planning this get together. There is a dinner planned, time at a range for those shooters who would like to go, and a hospitality room where we can all get together for social time.

Even though I am a competitive shooter, I do not want to spend three days standing around talking guns and shooting, and I am sure some of the other ladies attending feel the same way., So I think us gals could find something to do together, after all there are casinos, shopping, and who knows what else we may find to entertain us. Mr.C is wondering if the guys should take along extra money to *bail us out* Anyone would think we are going to get into trouble or something, He He He !

Most of the bloggers attending I only know by name, now I will get to meet them and their spouses in person. It is always interesting to meet people who you only know from their blogs as you have a pre-conceived idea on how they look, sometimes you are surprised, a blogger friend of mine described it as surreal.
We are taking along a laptop so hope to keep you udated on our activities. I will have pictures to post when we get back on Sunday.

Pavement Art by Ulla Taylor

Ulla Taylor is one of my favorite pavement artists.

Artist Statement:
I often work as a street
pavement artist, or
"Screever". With pastels and
kneepads in tow, I create
original street murals at
festivals and special events.

Back to report later

AM We are off to a steel plate match. Cross your fingers for me as my shooting lately, has been, (to borrow the younger generation's term) SUCKY!!!


PM UPDATE: We are back from the match, I should have asked you to cross your toes for me as well. I did not shoot well at all. I do believe I am burned out after a long season of shooting and am ready for a rest during the winter months.

Banana Oatmeal bread

For those of us watching our cholesterol, we know how good oatmeal is for us and if you substitute the whole eggs for eggbeaters you will have a healthy bread. Enjoy it for breakfast with your favorite jam, or a snack, or warm a slice in the microwave and put a dollop of Cool Whip on top and eat it for dessert.
I have even added a few extra spices to the mix giving it a little extra flavor.
This morning, for my breakfast, I ate a slice with a spoonful of homemade 'freezer blackberry jam' Yummmm!

Banana Oatmeal bread

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unpacked brown sugar
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
3 tsp canola oil
1 large egg(s), beaten
2 medium egg white(s), beaten
3 large banana(s), ripe
1 cup uncooked old fashioned oats

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, stir together dry ingredients. Add oil and eggs; mix thoroughly.

2. In a smaller bowl, mash bananas with a potato masher or fork. Add bananas and oatmeal to batter.

3. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. (I like to put a piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan, then all you need do once the bread is cooked, is run a knife around the edges of the pan, and the bread will drop right out)
Pour batter into pan and bake until top of loaf is firm to touch, 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes. Flip out and cool on a wire rack for another 10 minutes.

I always find the best places to snooze

It didn't take Rocket long to discover the tunnel inside the deck chair cushion I had tossed onto the spare bed. He curled up inside the warm cushion tunnel and snoozed the afternoon away.

Thursdays are fun

Last Thursday, I met for the first time, Phyllis, a blogger sister also from Whidbey Island. Today I met her sister Mary Lou, also a blogger from Whidbey Island, two of the most fun, and nicest people you could ever wish to meet.

We had a very nice lunch and chatted about this and that, and got know a little more about each other. We hope getting together for lunch, will be a regular thing for the three of us.

Another day in the life of Keewee

I sure do not have anything to complain about concerning the location of the business where I work. It is located in the same building of a beautiful Inn beside the water. I always have my camera in my purse just in case there is something worthy of a picture, and there always is.

Yesterday, as many days are lately, was a picture taking day. As I arrived at the spa I was struck by the absolute silence. I swear I could have shouted *Hello* in a loud voice and I would hear an answering *hello* from Camano Island across Saratoga passage.
The water was almost mirror perfect and the Loons were happily diving for breakfast popping quietly up out of the water with small shiny fish in their beaks which were quickly swallowed, then the Loons dove back down for seconds and thirds leaving ever widening circles on the water's surface.

The sailboat chugged past under motor power, heading out, I am sure, to catch some wind to fill it's sails for a wonderful day of sailing pleasure. I wish I could have been going with them.

Around early afternoon, during a break from my chores, I watched this cute little sailboat taking advantage of the light breeze which had come up, filling it's red white and blue striped sails, blowing it over the ruffled water. The crew sure looked as though they were having a bunch of fun.

It is now very late in the afternoon, and as I glanced out the window of the spa, there was the larger sailboat which had motored by earlier in the day returning from their day out.
It crossed my mind *did they find enough of a breeze where they were headed this morning, what great adventure awaited them, where did they eat their lunch, will they go out again tomorrow?*
I just love this island life, there is so much to see and ponder.

Summer's End

This must be what they call an Indian Summer. Our days have been teeshirt wearing days, temperatures in the 70-80's with cooler nights.

This morning it was 50 degrees according to the thermometer on the side of the house, I suppose it won't be too long before we wake to a frosty morning.

The heavy dew is misting up and away from the pasture in the warmth of the early morning sun.

The drifting fog is being burned off as the sun rises over the marshland. It promises to be another glorious day.

The hardy little Primroses are still coming into bloom, showing some color before snoozing through the winter.

Carnival Of Recipes #110

This weeks Carnival of Recipes is being hosted by Adam of Men In Aprons

There is chicken and dumpling soup, (A shameless plug for my entry)

Christine, of Morning Coffee & Afternoon Tea has a recipe and picture for Bavarian Apple torte which is guaranteed to make you drool and run out to buy the ingredients to make it if you don't already have them on hand.

There are many other recipes you need to go check out.

Did you ever wonder?

A little bit of silly fun to amuse you this Sunday morning.


Haven't you ever wondered what happens to your icon's at night when you go to sleep ...Haven't you ever noticed that they just aren't in the same place when you wake up.
Well if that has happened to you, just click on the web site and see for yourself.


http://www.xs4all.nl/~jvdkuyp/flash/see.htm

OLD IS WHEN:

A lady goes to the bar on a cruise ship and orders a Scotch with two drops of water. As the bartender gives her the drink she says, "I'm on this cruise to celebrate my 80th birthday and it's today.."

The bartender says, "Well, since it's your birthday, I'll buy you a drink. In fact, this one is on me."

As the woman finishes her drink, the woman to her right says, "I would like to buy you a drink, too."

The old woman says, "Thank you. Bartender, I want a Scotch with two drops of water."

"Coming up," says the bartender.

As she finishes that drink, the man to her left says, "I would like to buy you one, too."

The old woman says, "Thank you. Bartender, I want another Scotch with two drops of water."

"Coming right up," the bartender says.

As he gives her the drink, he says, "Ma'am, I'm dying of curiosity. Why the Scotch with only two drops of water?"
The old woman replies, "Sonny, when you're my age, you've learned how to hold your liquor. Holding your water, however, is a whole other issue."


"OLD" IS WHEN ... Your sweetie says, "Let's go upstairs and make love," and you answer, "Pick one; I can't do both!"

"OLD " IS WHEN ... Your friends compliment you on your new alligator shoes and you're barefoot.

"OLD" IS WHEN ... A sexy babe catches your fancy and your pacemaker opens the garage door.

"OLD" IS WHEN ... Going braless pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.

"OLD" IS WHEN ... You don't care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go along.

"OLD" IS WHEN ... You are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police.

"OLD" IS WHEN ... "Getting a little action" means you don't need to take any fiber today

"OLD" IS WHEN ... "Getting lucky" means you find your car in the parking lot.

"OLD" IS WHEN ... An "all nighter" means not getting up to use the bathroom.

"OLD" IS WHEN ... You are not sure these are jokes

Autumn Begins Today

There is a crispness to the air, geese are honking their way south, critters are looking fatter with their winter coats and stored fat and we have pulled our cold weather jackets out of the closet.

In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year,
bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil.
And at no season, safe perhaps in Daffodil time, do we get such
superb colour effects as from August to November.
- Rose G. Kingsley, The Autumn Garden, 1905

Chicken and dumpling soup

3/4lb skinless chicken breast,
cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 cup flour
4 cups chicken broth, divided
1 cup water
2 cups frozen french cut green beans
1 1/2 cups sliced onions
1 cup coursly shredded carrots
1/4 tsp. dried marjoram
2/3 cup reduced-fat biscuit baking mix
1/3 cup cornmeal
1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup milk

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper
In nonstick pan saute chicken in oil until browned.
In large saucepan, combine flour and 1/2 cup broth until smooth.
Stir in water and remaining broth.
Add beans, onions, carrots, marjoram and chicken.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer uncoverd for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the biscuit mix, cornmeal and cheese.
Stir in the milk just until moistened.
Drop batter in 12 mounds into simmering soup.
Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in a dumpling comes out clean.

We meet at long last

What a perfectly wonderful day I have had. It started out at the Weight Watcher's meeting where I weighed in and much to my delight I lost 2.8lb Everyone give a big *Way to go girl*

Next on to Gordon's restaurant where I met Phyllis, (a blogger sister) for the first time. I was hoping Phyllis' sister, Mary Lou (also a blogger sister) was also going to be joining us for lunch but she did not make it. Phyllis did call her from the restaurant letting her know what she was missing and I did get to say *naaa nana na na*

Phyllis is a delight. She has a wonderful sense of humor and we giggled and talked, giggled some more and polished off a yuppie lunch. The term yuppie was used by Phyllis in her post about our lunch together, I stole it because it was the perfect word to describe the food, which was very good. Sure hope I did not blow all the good work I did in losing that weight this last week.

We asked the woman who was our waitress if she would take a couple of pictures for us. You need to go HERE to see the one she took of the two of us and the rather stern expression on my face. I was concentrating,( instead of smiling) on watching the waitress, to see if she knew how to use the camera.
Why should I doubt her capabilities you ask. Well first of all, the waitress brought us someone elses food, then later, someone elses bill, she also spilled food or drink on a customer. (phyllis and I were trying very hard to keep our giggles under control) so you can see why I was wondering about her capabilities in using a camera. I should not have doubted her, she did a fine job of taking our pictures.

After lunch I headed up to Oak harbor for a little shopping, then planned on stopping by Mary Lou's place on the way home. So much for that plan, I spent more time shopping than intended and I ran out of daylight so decided I had better go home before Mr.C sent out a search party for me.
A great fun filled day.

I have the best of friends

My dear friend Hostagirl and her husband JW sent me this beautiful arrangement.
Absolutely gorgeous flowers and a very pretty vase.