Old Navy Sweaters

I had a gift card from Old Navy and decided to spend it on a couple of new sweaters.

I bought this white cardigan...

... and this blue cami to go underneath.


LOVE this origami embellished cardigan! And the color too!
I wasn't sure about this one - I got it in grey....
What do you all think? Is it me?





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Oscar Dinner Recap

We always enjoy watching the Oscars. This year, we took our menu from the names of production houses:

Oscar "Meyer" Weiners (MGM)

"Fox" Fries

"Tristar" Veggies (we cut our carrots, onions and bell peppers into little stars)

And for dessert... Rolled Up Red Carpet Cake (red velvet jelly roll cake - tasty!)

We also complete our ballots for the Oscars. We vie for our own statue, created 6 years ago, and quite coveted. This year The Mr and I shared the award (with 17 right each). My father-in-law was just one behind us. Maybe next year!

Did you enjoy the Oscars this year?

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Sunday Brunch Review: San Diego Brewing Company

Was the last time you thought about having beer for breakfast sometime back in college? Next time you are looking for a good brunch in San Diego, you may want to revive that practice!

The San Diego Brewing Company brews some really delightful beers and serves a great brunch.

The brunch menu is short, but good. Be sure to check out the special menu on the way into the restaurant too. Their specials are always good.

And an inside tip: Eggs Benedict is not generally on the menu, but can almost always be special-ordered. The use their jalapeno beer cheese soup in place of the traditional hollandaise sauce. Best sauce ever!

We ordered the shredded pork scramble (like machaca and scrambled eggs)...

... and the Spanish Frittata. My favorite!

And of course, a taster flight of the breweries finest.

The house beers, from bottom to top, El Hefe (hefeweizen), Grantville Gold, San Diego Amber, Old Town Nut Brown, Hop Goddess, Brain Trust ESB and Love Potion #9.
The hefeweizen is one of my favorites, as is the Grantville Golden. I think the Hop Goddess has great aroma, but is too hoppy for my taste. This was the first time I had tried the Love Potion #9 - dessert in a glass! Chocolate and raspberry - just delicious!

San Diego Brewing Company is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the effort. Hope you get a chance to enjoy it!

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Totally Worth the Cost

Playstation 2: $99.00

Guitar Hero World Tour band kit: $119.00

Guitar Hero 5 - Greatest Hits: $39.00

Playing the bass guitar while listening to my father-in-law sing Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name" and Credence Clearwater Revival's "Up Around the Bend" - PRICELESS!!!

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Making Rosemary Jelly

I've always thought that canning things - putting up jams and jellies my grandmother might have said - was difficult. I remember as a young girl, when my mom would make jam... seemed like so many steps, so much equipment... funny ingredients like pectin and parafin.

I never thought to try canning until we started our garden last month. I'm hoping that we are able to get a lot out of it, and if we do, I'd like to be able to store some of it. And since we do not have a massive freezer, I figure I am going to have to learn how to can.

I found a recipe for rosemary jelly that sounded good. We have a lot of rosemary. Grows like a weed. Tastes good with pork. The recipe looked easy. Seemed like a big "thumbs up" in my book.

The necessary ingredient list was pretty short:

1 1/4 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
3 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1 (3 ounce) pouch liquid fruit pectin

That, plus 6 or 7 half pint jars with lids.

I started by chopping the rosemary. I used more than the recipe called for because the reviews said that it could use a stronger flavor.

Pour the boiling water over the rosemary and let it sit, covered for 15 minutes.

Strain out the rosemary. Add enough water to make 1 1/4 cups again. Probably you won't need much.

At this point I put all of my jars and the ring part of the lids in a BIG pot of boiling water. I put a rack on the bottom of the pot to keep the jars from touching the bottom. They make special canning racks, but I don't have one. Yet.

Pour the rosemary water back into the pot it was in before. Add the vinegar and sugar.


Stir. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly.

It doesn't take that long.
That "watched pot never boils" saying isn't really true. Sometimes it does seem like it though.

When you have a good boil, add the pectin and boil for another minute.

Remove from the heat and skim off the foam. That's the white stuff. It isn't bad or anything, just doesn't look very nice.

Take the jars out of the boiling water and pour the hot jelly mixture into the jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Top with the jar lids, and close tightly.

Carefully put the jars back into the big pot of boiling water. I have a handy jar lifter for this. Let the boil for 10 minutes and remove.

Let the jars sit in a draft-free area for 12 hours. You will see that the jars will seal up nicely. After 12 hours, remove the rings and gently lift up on the lid. If it is not sealed properly, you will need to boil the jar again in the big pot of water.

I think it tastes really good! It will be great with grilled pork or lamb, or on fresh, hot sourdough bread.

The Recipe:

Rosemary Jelly

1 1/4 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
3 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1 (3 ounce) pouch liquid fruit pectin
2 to 3 drops green food coloring (optional)

In a large saucepan, combine boiling water and rosemary; cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Strain, reserving liquid. If necessary, add water to measure 1 1/4 cups. Return liquid to pan; add sugar and vinegar. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Add pectin, stirring until mixture boils. Boil and stir for 1 minute. Remove from the heat; skim off foam.

Add food coloring if desired. Pour hot mixture into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Adjust caps. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.

Yields 3 1/2 pints.

For more great recipes, check out The Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap! And if you have a recipe to share, please join in the fun!

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My 2010 Reading List

I've always been a prolific reader. My family read a lot when I was a kid (growing up in the Frozen Tundra, it's good to have activities to consume the long long winters...) and I've always loved escaping into stories.

This is what I've read this year:


Under the Dome - Stephen King
- Loved this one, I've always been a big Stephen King fan, particularly of his very long works and this one did not disappoint!

Real Murders: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery - Charlaine Harris
A Bone to Pick - Charlaine Harris
Three Bedrooms, One Corpse - Charlaine Harris
The Julius House - Charlaine Harris
Dead Over Heels - Charlaine Harris
A Fool and His Honey - Charlaine Harris
Last Scene Alive: Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Book 7 - Charlaine Harris
Poppy Done to Death: Aurora Teagarden Mysteries Book 8 - Charlaine Harris
- These were fun quick reads. For those who enjoyed Charlaine Harris' writing style in the Sookie Stackhouse books and can't wait until she writes another, these are a fun alternative.

Shakespeare's Landlord: Lily Bard Book 1 - Charlaine Harris
Shakespeare's Champion: Lily Bard Book 2 - Charlaine Harris
Shakespeare's Christmas: Lily Bard Book 3 - Charlaine Harris
Shakespeare's Trollop: Lily Bard Book 4 - Charlaine Harris
Shakespear's Counselor: Lily Bard Book 5 - Charlaine Harris
- I also enjoyed this series. Another fun and fast read. Charlaine Harris says she will not write any more Aurora Teagarden books, but she may write more Lily Bards... depending on time. Not sure if I want her to take her focus away from the Sookie Stackhouse series though.... ;-)

Magic Kingdom for Sale SOLD! - Terry Brooks
The Black Unicorn - Terry Brooks
Wizard at Large - Terry Brooks
Tangle Box - Terry Brooks
Witches Brew - Terry Brooks
- Look at that - a different author! Terry Brooks writes fantasy books along the lines of Tolkien. I've read a few of his in the past that I enjoyed. These are kind of "entry level" fantasy. Like The Hobbit was before The Lord of the Rings trilogy for those familiar with that. I'm loving these books and can't wait to get to the next one on the series (The Princess of Landover). Which unfortunately is the last. So far anyway.



I've got several others waiting on my Kindle for me to dive into. And some pre-ordered. And a wish-list in my head.

Maybe I should add to my wish-list a book to make me independently wealthy so I can read instead of going to work.



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The Thing About Spring

Spring brings these guys to my garden. I love roses. (as you may be able to tell, the aphids are loving my roses right now too... but I'll attend to them later) For now I'm enjoying the first blooms in the rose garden!

And these fellas too!

Can't quite see them? How about a little closer.... can you see my first strawberries?! Yea!

The thing about Spring is that Summer - in all her warm and sunny glory - is just around the corner!

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Changes in Store

This year is flying by! And I think it could bring something pretty exciting!

I think it could bring a trip to Ethiopia for me and The Mr and my sister.

And I think it could bring a trip home from Ethiopia for me and The Mr and my sister... and her newly adopted baby girl (we hope)!

My sis is in the middle of an international adoption - check out her blog "Finding Family" and send her good thoughts. The adoption process is a lot of stressful waiting and then a lot of stressful hurrying up... to wait some more. We're hoping that we get to travel this year so that we can bring home our newest family member!!


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In Like a Lion, Out Like A Lamb?

I grew up in Minnesota. In the upper midwest, March is a big deal.

The days are every so slightly and noticeably longer. And with daylight such a premium in the long winter months, a few exta minutes is heaven.

You feel just a hint of warmth in the air. You don't put away your winter gear, but maybe you don't zip your jacket all the way to the top. Not in the middle of the day anyway.

Snow is still everywhere, but it's losing it's grip. Patches will melt away soon. Green will shine through soon.

Oh sure, another snowstorm or two are likely on the way. Wet, fat snowflakes, that will be quick to melt away. Another sign of the end of winter.


Now I live in Southern California. The signs of spring are different.

March means green. After a few months of rain, everything is exploding with growth! Green is unusual in So Cal, at least green that is not culitvated. And all that green will inevitably turn brown as the summer months come, so we enjoy the lushness while it is here.

March is the time when we open up the house most of the weekend days because the weather is warm. But still close up at night because nights are chilly.

March is our time to enjoy the sun before our several gray months.


March is welcome (!!), no matter where you live!

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Best Vegas Vacation - Part 3: Birthday Dinner

For The Mr's birthday dinner, we gathered the family at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill. We're both big fans of Bobby and his restaurant did not disappoint!

Here we are in front of Mesa Grill. The restaurant is located in Caesar's Palace in the Vegas Strip.

Bobby Flay is known for his spicy food - even the ceiling has fire!

Waiting for dinner...




The menu we had is the one located online. We'd been studying before we left in anticipation. Everything looked amazing. We all started with appetizers.

The Mr ordered the Goat Cheese "Queso Fundido" - Rajas + Blue Corn Tortilla Strips. Delicious, rich and flavorful.

I ordered the favorite appetizer of the night: Roasted Pumpkin Soup - Smoked Chiles, Pomegranate Crema + Ancho Pumpkin Seeds. This was amazing. Like savory pumpkin pie, spicy and sweet, crunchy, smooth. Incredible!

My sister-in-law had the Yucatan Tacos - Grilled Red Onion + Peanut Smoked Chile Barbecue Sauce. She loved it - she said she would rather order another one of these than dessert!

She had the Sixteen Spice Crusted Chicken - Mango-Garlic Sauce + Mango Salsa. Another hit.

I think this was the best of all of the entrees: New Mexican Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin - Bourbon-Ancho Chile Sauce, Sweet Potatos Tamale + Crushed Pecan Butter. Indescribably good. This is a link to the recipe for those who would like to see if I am right.

Another favorite was the Fire Roasted Veal Chop - Horseradish-Maple Glaze, Wild Rice Tamale + Sage Butter.

The desserts were also great. We shared the assorted cookie plate.

My Sis had the Pumpkin Tart. Yummy!

I had Chocolate Cornbread Pudding with Dulce de Leche + Creme Fraiche Anglaise. So delicious.
The Mr ordered Espresso Flan and loved it! They even brought it with a candle.
The best dinner ever. And we got to share the whole experience with our families. Life doesn't get better than this.

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