the morning after

Boston we loaded up and drove to Salem.  There wasn't much open because the tourist season didn't start for another two weeks.  (If you happen to be going to Salem next week, you're in luck.)  We walked around and saw a few things and had pizza here.  (At this point I'm realizing these aren't the easiest days to be going without bread.)  They did have spinach squares that I ordered.  They were really good.  It probably wasn't the best selection though because I (keeping this short and sweet for the fear of TMI) had to miss out on The House of the Seven Gables.  I might not have been able to take the tour but I can say that reading several books has been added to the top of my to-do list.

Here's a random shot.  You'd never guess how much I like this area by the number of pictures I made.  Seriously, I really like Boston and Salem.  They are such cool places.

After leaving, we headed towards New Jersey.  We had no plans of driving in New York City and figured New Jersey was a fast and easy place to stay.  It was nice there.  Even though the hotel didn't have any non-smoking rooms available, they had recently remodeled and allowed us to make sure the room was okay.  We arrived in time for dinner.  We took the hotel shuttle to Outback.  I was totally bummed.  Seriously, Outback?  Why would I want to go to Outback when they are all over the place here?  I wanted something I could only get in that area.  Okay, okay... I wanted White Castle.  I know the whole bread thing was an issue but I was willing to take it off.  So, we went to Outback.  I admit it was good and easy to walk to.  Next stop... New York City.

and while we were

away...

Well, I don't really know what happened while we were away but I'm pretty sure it was something like this.  More posts on the trip coming tomorrow.

boston was cold and

wet... but delicious.

We knew going into this that Eric was going to try pizza from as many places he could.  The picture is from the first place.  The best?  This place.  I tried the toppings (and the wine) since I'm going without bread right now and they were delicious.  We also ate here (also delicious) but Eric only had the fried calamari.  While on the topic of going without bread, I took a couple of pictures of what I missed out on.

My mouth is watering now.  I couldn't fix the lighting on the second picture because the restaurant is that dark.  That's about it for the Boston pictures.  I didn't really want to get my camera out in the nasty weather.

so we finally get to

Boston.  The winter storm that was blowing in as we pull up to the hotel added to our crankiness.  We check in to our hotel only to find they gave our room away.  We have a a room with ONE double bed for FOUR people.  We were NOT happy.  They did let us use a rolling bed and luckily Mom brought an air mattress.  It was cozy...yeah, let's call it cozy. 

Here's a picture of the room with the portable bed.  There was just enough room to walk by and hit your toe each time.

Let us not forget Mom over on the air mattress in the entry way, just outside the bathroom door.

They told us they'd have the right room for us tomorrow.  Whatever.  To make a long story short, the rack in the closet broke when we put one bag on it, the floor was wet all along the window because of the rain, the toilet clogged up on paper and oh, did I mention it was a handicapped accesible room?  This means the bathroom was basically a shower stall with a tall toilet.  When we questioned the manager the next morning, she simply explained that there were a lot of walk-ins so they took all the rooms.  Ah, right.  Walk-ins void out all reservations. 

They gave us a room the next day.  It was better.  Except for the fact that the phone didn't work and there was no pot for the coffee maker (and probably only a few more things) the room was much better.

To give them time to clean a room for us, we started our cold, wet day in Boston.  I'll talk more about that tomorrow... if NYC doesn't wear me out.

NOTE: If this post doesn't make sense or there are more typos than normal, it's probably because my bedtime was about 2 hours ago.

day 1.5

1.5, you ask?  that's because we drove for 36 hours.  Anyway, here are scenes from the drive to Boston.

Getting closer, already in New York.

We drove through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama (there's a funny story there), Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and finally Massachusettes.  That was all one drive, three drivers and many bathroom stops.  We pulled into our hotel 3:30 Monday morning.  As soon as we opened the door, the violent wind slapped us with the cold rain.  There is some bad, cold, wet weather in Boston.  To make it all better, the hotel gave our room away.  They gave us a room with one double bed... for FOUR people.  More on that tomorrow.

Here's a story from Alabama.  We pulled over at some gas station around 3:00 Sunday morning for a couple of things, bathroom being one.  There was only one man working.  He kinda looked like Santa Claus, after hanging out in beer joints and pool halls and working on cars for the last 60 years.  Mom walks in first.

MOM:  Do you sell socks?

MAN:  Socks?  No.

Mom walks on to the bathroom.  Cosme walks in for the bathroom.  I go in, stop to look for Ben-Gay then head for the bathroom.  Mom walks out of the bathroom and I tell her to ask him if they have Ben-Gay while I go to the bathroom.  Mom walks up to the counter, Cosme follows.

  

MOM:  Do you sell Ben-Gay?

MAN: No

COSME:  (to Mom) What state are we in?

MOM:  What?

COSME:  What state are we in?

MOM: What?

COSME: What state are we in?

MOM:  Kentucky.  (Addressing the man)  Are we in Kentucky?

MAN:  This is Alabama.  I think you better get some sleep before you get back in the car.

There were a couple more things that were said but since I wasn't there yet, I'm not real sure what it was.  Everything was told to me while we were laughing how messed up and crazy the man thought we were. 

I'll post more about the Boston hotel experience tomorrow or the next day.  Right now we're off to Salem and then on to NYC. 

note to self

"you STILL don't like to use Match Light charcoal".  I don't know why I thought I'd like it any better yesterday than the first time I tried it.  Yeah, the coals were ready in no time but all of our food was thrown out.  We didn't finish our burgers because they tasted like they'd been marinating in lighter fluid.  To make it worse, the few bites we did have lingered with us for the rest of the evening.  A quick trip to Taco Bell solved it all.  Dinner served.  Okay, so maybe Taco Bell isn't the best or even close to it but it filled us up and we did have cake to top it all off.  I made a white cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.  (Okay, technically it wasn't white since I used the whole eggs but you get the picture.)

Oh, I also have to post what we had for dessert the night before.  I made a pecan shortbread.  It tasted a lot like the Pecan Sandies cookies so I think I might use the same recipe and make cookies of it one day. The toasted pecans in it were so good.  Anyway, I whipped up some cream to put on top and sprinkled strawberries over that.  The shortbread pieces were a little crisp to eat with a fork so it was easier to put a little less of the topping on and eat it like a slice of pizza.  Here's the shortbread with strawberries and cream.

I think I need to eat breakfast now.

the other day i did

yard work.  I cut a lot of things back.

I put all the brush on the side of the road for the trash truck.  They got most of it but a few pieces were left behind.  I took the garbage out this morning and was picking up the stray pieces to put in the garbage can.  I picked the last two things up and a little snake was all coiled up underneath it all.  I just remembered, that's one more reason I like to pay to have yard work done.

Actually, there was a snake on the side of the house when I was doing the yard work.  When I saw him on my shovel, I came inside to take a break and gave him time to get away.  I can't stand snakes and I don't understand why I have so many.  It seems like they're always in my garage too.

No, the picture I posted has nothing to do with snakes but is of some of the things I cut back the other day.  I didn't want to post a snake.  I can't stand the sight of them.

for the sake of each

of our comfort levels, there are certain types of movies that Eric and I will not watch with the other around.  We saw Brooklyn's Finest last night and liked it.  There were scenes that I'm sure made him uncomfortable as he sat next to me, probably just as uncomfortable as they did me.  I couldn't help but laugh through them.  You'd think we would have thought about that before we sat next to each other.  We all liked it though.  Also, we rented The Goods over the weekend.  I can't find a trailer for it but it was entertaining.  It wasn't the best movie (think Step Brothers and Talledega Nights) but it was entertaining.  Luckily, Eric saw that one before me so he knew ahead of time and said he didn't want to watch it with me in the room.  I took his word for it.

and then there were

muffins.  I already had them on the brain when I bought blueberries yesterday so I guess I didn't really need an excuse to make them this morning.  Here they are fresh out of the oven. 

Don't worry about all that stuff that's spilling over the muffin tin.  I know they look strange and not like your average muffin and that's because these have a crumb/streusel topping.  I know they also look messy but they actually fall right out of the pan.  If the overflow has an overcooked piece just break it off.  If not, crunch away at the sugary topping.  Here's one out of the tin and on my plate.

Yum.  I actually added about 1/2 a cup more blueberries than what the recipe called for.  Here it is cut open, just before it was smeared with butter and disappeared.

I love blueberry muffins.

it really doesn't seem like

a weekend morning when 6:00 looks like this...

 

or better known as the time my alarm goes off Monday-Friday.  (I'll blame the blurry picture on being tired.)  This wasn't even a picture of me hitting the roads at 6:00, this was me heading home.  (Ouch, right?)  I woke up before 5:00 so that Eric could be at the school to leave for UIL on the bus that was leaving at 6:00.  With a sky like this, at this point I was wishing I was at the beach.  I bet that would have been pretty.  One of these days I will be there as the sun comes up.  I am determined.

According to Yahoo, today is International Women's Day.  Does this mean cake is involved?  Maybe that's a good reason for me to bake a cake today.  Or, blueberry muffins sound good too.  Yeah, I think I need blueberry muffins... right now.

i finished the yard work

well, the yard work I planned on finishing.  Don't get me wrong, there is more to do.  Not much...but more.  My arms are still sore.  I'm not even going to lie.  A lot of times (especially when cutting back is involved) I pay to have it done.  Actually there are two situations when I definitely will NOT touch it.  First, when everything is way overgrown and just too overwhelming.  The second is when the poison ivy is out of control.  Okay, maybe there are times when it's too hot and I have a lot of other things to do and need a quick and easy fix.  Anyway, it's done.  Next on the list: dirt or sand.  (I haven't figured it out yet.)

Oh, and that morning walk?  It never happened.  By the time it was warm enough for me to be out, I knew I'd better get started on the yard.  And this morning's walk?  It's about to happen.

Now I show you Heidi, one of Lauren's two cats.

i need to do some work

in the yard today.  You know how the word on the street is things need to be trimmed back on Valentine's Day?  Well, it still hasn't happened around here.  I want today to be that day but I really have my doubts.  I'm tired.  I've realized I cannot take Zyrtec D before bed.  It ruins my whole night.  I woke up at 3, 4, 5 and then the regularly scheduled 6.  This is after not being too tired last night and falling asleep close to midnight.  I wouldn't blame it all on Zyrtec D but this isn't the first time that's happened after taking the stuff.  Anyway, after my morning walk, I might be too tired for yard work.  I'm just sayin'.

And for no particular reason, I decided to post this picture.  (You need to read that as Forrest Gump would say it.  Not that it makes anything any better but that's just they way it went through my head as I typed it.)

Yeah, okay, maybe not.  On that note, I'm off to start this productive day I have planned.

i went for a little drive this

morning.  I stopped in a cemetery and saw this...

as well as a new one posted here in the Undefined category.

i don't think i'd

care for any bacon flavored lip balm

but bacon flavored envelopes?

I'd love to try!  If you don't believe these things actually exist, you can see for yourself here.

i had a spot on my bedroom

wall that needed something.  One day last week it hit me.  Duh... I have photographs.  I am very pleased with the results.  Here are the prints I have hanging now.

 

 

The first one is New York and the second is Boston.

it's a dirty job but

someone's got to do it.  I promised Cosme I'd bake this cake.

 

This isn't one of those cakes that was at every family function as a kid but it's been around.  I called Mom last year and told her I needed this recipe.  Little did I know it was in one of the cookbooks I "inherited" from my grandmother.  (Okay, I didn't actually inherit the cookbook.  I took the thing.  Walked into the kitchen, picked it up and took it.  I didn't do anything wrong.  It's not like she was using it.)  Anyway, back to my post.  It was one of my grandmother's cookbooks, is dated 1968 and is in great condition.  Mom has one and I always liked it.  I didn't know what was in it but I liked the cover as a kid and I know Mom has always used it.  (I think most girls can relate, right?)  So last year or so I took Dodo's copy because I've always wanted it.  I've used it a couple of times.  Most recently, I used it yesterday and today to make this chocolate cake.  When I finished with it today I noticed that the once near-perfect pages with the chocolate cake recipe are now curled at the edges.

 

The once white pages are now speckled with chocolate and powdered sugar.

 

How is it my grandmother kept this cookbook nice and neat for 40 years but when I make one recipe a few times it's scarred?  It doesn't bother me.  I actually think a cookbook is supposed to be stained and worn... but I've had the thing about a year and have done more damage than she did in 40.  Oh well, maybe I need to actually try recipes on other pages.

NOTE: I know it probably sounds inconsiderate of me to go in and take the cookbook but look... I'm the oldest granddaughter and there are only two other granddaughters.  Since our mothers each have the same book, they will eventually get their own copy.  They're younger so they can wait.  Totally makes sense to me.

i never pay much attention

to the Olympics but there sure seems to be a lot of drama and tragedy surrounding it this time around.  Is it just me?  Every time I get online the headlines talk about some controversy, an accident or death.  Hmm.  Maybe I should start watching that instead of The Real Housewives.  Or... maybe not. 

I still don't have much to post.  Remember yesterday?  The cake?  The pictures?  Dinner?  Yeah, well, same goes for today.  I dropped the cake off yesterday then Cosme came in here wanting a piece.  So next up on the agenda: chocolate sheet cake.  We rescheduled the pictures from yesterday for today so that will happen shortly.  As far as dinner goes, tonight will be arroz con pollo.  On the plus side, the headache is not near as bad.  I could take some of my non-drowsy sinus/allergy headache medicine but even half a dose knocks me out.

Okay, enough chit chat.  I'm getting back to work.

man, i'm really

slacking as far as blog posts go.  I have a lot going on but it's nothing exciting.  I've just been pretty busy.  For example, I need to get a cake baked within the next couple of hours before I run and take pictures before I can hurry back to get the cake delivered before I come home and make dinner.  To top it all off, I have a headache.  I just read that and it's making my head hurt a little more.  Sheesh.  I better get busy... again.

happy birthday to

Cindy!  Here are a few pictures I want to share.

Here she is with Lloyd in what is now Jake's front yard.

 

Smiling for the camera... while Dad is probably pleading for something other than a lederhosen to wear.

 

It looks like Dodo always had Cindy and Dad dressed up and ready for a camera.  I'm surprised they never rebelled.

 

Oh wait... maybe I was wrong.  Nice overalls!

 

(In my best overdone Southern accent) Well I do declare, Miss Cindy looks down right charming.  I'm sure she was the belle of the ball.

 

Here are Cindy and Lisa in 1980 partying it up with Bum Phillips.

 

I think she might already have a couple of these on Facebook but don't worry.  There are plenty more for next year!

i was really starting to

feel bad because it's been three days since my last post.  Then I looked down at my friends and family list of blogs... 1 week since a post isn't too bad.  I understand people get busy.  But Lauren, seriously.  Two months?

yesterday i told

Lauren about a salad I was making for dinner.  She thought it sounded good so I wanted to post a picture and show her how it looked.  This was after we ate so a lot of the peppers are gone.

 

I don't like cucumbers or tomatoes but I really liked everything else about it.  It had a good flavor.  Kroger didn't have ficelle so I bought a baguette.  The peppers, onions and bread were all grilled but tossed with the other ingredients.  

Oh, I realized yesterday afternoon that while I was outside grilling in my sunny, high temp of 69 degrees, Lauren was out shopping with snow piled everywhere with a temp of (according to my iPod) 39 degrees.  That's crazy considering we're just a few hours away from each other.  I might grill again today...just because I can.

happy birthday to

Jake!  Look what all I've found.

Aww, happy little baby with two front teeth.  Too cute.

 

I like this one.  Poppie is opening a birthday present and Lauren is totally fascinated with what he has.  She's not paying any attention to Jake who is fascinated with what she has...and is stealing it.  It's probably the camouflage that threw her off.  She never saw him coming.

 

Attack of the playful puppy.

 

 Fourth of July, maybe?  Cindy will have to answer that one.  I'm just going by the lawn chair and the fact that they're sitting out in the dark.  I could be wrong.

  

 Cheesing it up - big time.

 

I love doing this.  Next week I get to do Cindy's post.  Get ready.

yesterday was

Mom and Dad's anniversary.  I didn't post anything because I forgot about this picture.  Going through all the old pictures, I don't find many of Mom and Dad alone.  Most have me in them and the rest are of Mom or Dad... with me or Lauren.  I forgot about this one in Grandma's album though.  Maybe a prom picture?

I'm sure I don't need to ask where they went for dinner last night because Mom sent me a picture earlier in the day of their snow covered yard and street.  I'd think going out for dinner would surely be postponed.  Who wants to get out in snow?  Yuck.  Oh well, I guess they'll just have to make up for it by taking another cruise or going somewhere tropical.

during his down time

Eric and I watched a movie.

He knew I saw it and liked it when I was a kid so he dvr'd it.  I think he deleted it as soon as it was over.  He wasn't impressed.  Cosme walked in about halfway through and spent the rest of the movie trying to figure out why we were watching it.  I'll admit it's cheesy but I sure loved it when I was six.

this post should actually

come after the following post but Blogger does it like this.  So here's my post that should be read after the next one.

TA-DAH!

I conquered the yeast.  Above are two of the "cakes" fresh out of the oven.  They might look small but they're about a foot long and four to five inches wide.  The next picture is one we've already eaten half of.

Since we are trying to eat healthier, I'm only keeping one for the house and it is one I made a little smaller for that reason.  I'll probably take the other three up to the KC Hall tonight to see if they can be sold with the cakes at Bingo.  If not, well, I just don't know.  Oh, and in case you're wondering whether or not it made Eric feel any better... no.  He doesn't really care for them.  More for Cosme and me.  Score.

i know what she's thinking

"Melanie has been waiting at least a week for a clear day to head to the beach. Staring out this door, I can't, for the life of me, figure out why she hasn't left yet."

Okay, maybe she isn't thinking anywhere along those lines but I surely did. I checked my iPod this morning and we're supposed to have partial sun today. Let me just say there are bigger things brewing on the home front. I've had dough sitting in the refrigerator overnight. I'm making a cream cheese coffee cake this morning. Well, actually I'm making four because that's how many the recipe makes and also, I don't really consider it a cake. Imagine a giant cream cheese kolache but rolled up jellyroll fashion, almost like cream cheese in a blanket... with icing drizzled on top. That's what's going down this morning - assuming my rare attempt at working with yeast isn't a total fail. Besides, I can take the car out anytime I feel like it. Eric stayed home again today. He's still not feeling well. He's got a "cough due to cold". (I'm quoting Forrest Gump, not the doctor.) I'm taking Chris Rock's advice and giving him Robitussin. If you aren't sure what I'm referring to, watch it.  (It's on YouTube) His fever broke yesterday evening but last night got a little weird. He had bumps all over his arm. It was only his left arm and it looked like mosquito bites. I grabbed the alcohol and some ointment we had to get after he had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic last year.  This morning the bites/bumps are gone but he still isn't feeling well.  Maybe my cream cheese coffee cake will help him feel a little better.  Only one way to find out.  I'm off to mix my filling.

once again i planned

on showing up at the beach ready to catch the morning sun.  I tuned into the news at 6:00 to make sure it wasn't going to be a gloomy day.  It was.  I decided not to go out and got started on laundry.  Guess what.  The sun was up.  Well, now it's going away but still... I would have had plenty of time.  Whatever.  It's frustrating.

We actually watched the Superbowl yesterday.  A few weeks ago I wanted the Saints to win so that Brett Favre wouldn't go to the Superbowl.  (Can we have a quick reflection?  When he pulled that last minute crap on the Cowboys it was defended as "taking care of business" but when it backfired on him against the Saints it cost him the Superbowl.  Karma at its finest.)  Anyway... Yesterday I wanted the Saints to win because a) they were playing against a team with a Manning and b) I figured since they eliminated Favre, I owed them that much.  I'm glad the Saints won, but it should have been the Cowboys.

 

  

i don't make a lot

of casseroles.  I'm okay with them some of them but Cosme pretty much hates them.  Then along came the casserole I mentioned yesterday.  I had my doubts and was figuring out a backup plan but guess what... we liked it.  Let me rephrase that.  Cosme and I liked it.  Eric didn't.

I told Eric if he were hunting and they served this he'd eat it.  He agreed and reminded me that he wasn't hunting.  Here's where the magic happens.  Cosme told Eric to eat it if he didn't want me driving him to school every day.  Presto.  One serving of casserole and approximately 2 TBS of ketchup later, the plate was empty.  I love how that works.  I can't wait to start using it ALL the time.

wouldn't you know

I stayed inside yesterday because of the rain so I made plans to head to the beach first thing this morning to catch the morning sun.  (For my camera, not a tan.)  Didn't happen.  The clouds decided to stick around.  Oh well...

On another note, I'm going through an "eat healthier" phase again.  Eric hates it.  I found a website I've been trying low calorie recipes from.  The night before last I made their Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Vegetables.  Today I'm making King Ranch Casserole.  I had my doubts because instead of using all the cans of soup, you create a mixture.  One of the ingredients is yogurt.  I'm not a fan of yogurt, but when it's mixed with tomatoes, chili powder, oregano and cumin? (blgh)  I had to try it before I assembled the casserole and it's actually pretty good.  We'll see how the final product turns out.

it rained today so i stayed

inside.  While inside, I was trying things out and experimenting on my only willing subjects.

hi there

Don't ask.  I just got bored and had a weak moment.  I'll continue on with nothing to say or show.

i don't really

have much to say.  I don't have anything to show either.  Sorry.