Kiddo

This kiddo (Mandy) is coming home for the weekend. We haven't visited with her since May. It will be so nice to giggle, tell stories, take new photos (since she cut her hair), and have a good family dinner. Happy Friday to me!

Maybe my other kiddo will join us as well.

TGIF.
V

Back in Time

I miss these days! This was one of our family vacations to Kona in April 2003!

The girls always made us laugh! They were always up for a good joke, a good laugh, and always pulling pranks on mom (nothing has changed)!

Those were the good old days - we have some great memories! Wish we were all packing up for an exotic vacation right now!

Aloha,
V

Rhubarb Berry Crisp

Ingredients:


· 2 cups fresh or frozen fruit (that one 16 oz bag if you get it in the freezer section)
o (I used 1 cup of chopped rhubarb and 1 cup frozen mixed berries)
· ¾ cup all-purpose flour
o (I used whole wheat flour)
· ¾ cup packed brown sugar
· ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
· ½ tsp ground cinnamon
· ½ cup cold unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into small pieces
· ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)


Instructions:
· Heat the oven to 375 degrees
· Place fruit in the bottom of an 8-inch square (or round) baking dish
· Combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon in a medium-size mixing bowl
· Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter or your clean fingers until the
mixture forms large crumbs.
· Stir in the walnuts if you wanted them (which I left out :o)
· Sprinkle the mixture over the berries in the baking dish
· Bake until the topping is browned and berries are bubbly – about 40 min’s (you can carefully
poke a fork in to make sure the fruit is soft (especially if you are using rhubarb)
· Serve warm with vanilla ice cream

Fun Weekend

Hi all,
Just reporting with a recap for the weekend.

Friday: Had our shadows (Monica/Peanut) over for dinner. Enjoyed some fine dining with rib eye steaks, ribs, spinach casserole, chef's salad, and a fresh raspberry pie a la mode for dessert. Of course, everything was washed down with some yummy Bloomfield and Hannah Nicole Wines.

Saturday: Took a short trip over to our local winery (Hannah Nicole) to pick up our wine order - had our shadows in tow. Enjoyed a relaxing break on the patio as the boys sampled their new selections.

Saturday evening Greg and I went to Teatro Zinzanni. Set along San Francisco’s historic waterfront, Teatro ZinZanni is a bewitching evening of European Cabaret and Cirque, Divas and Madmen, Spectacle and Sensuality with Live Music and a Gourmet Five-Course Dinner – set in the nightclub of your dreams! It was an evening of laughter, great food, and suspense.

Sunday: Spent the day swimming, catching some rays and doing yard work. Had my family over for our typical Sunday dinner. It was so good to catch up, share stories, eat good food, and reminisce. After our visit, Greg and I went to see the movie "The Ugly Truth". It was a nice treat for a Sunday night (there is never anything good on T.V. on Sundays).

Hope everyone had a memorable weekend.
Until tomorrow,
Caio,
V

6 not 7

I went to Six Flaggs Discovery Kingdom yesterday and had a ball. It was my first time visiting the park since the girls were 5 and 6. Boy has it changed! I love all the new rides, shows, and the short parade. My favorite was the dolphin show.

I loved admiring the giraffes; they are so graceful, elegant and quiet. I always wonder if you could grab a lift aboard a girafee.

We even braved the water ride - and yes we got soaked! It's all part of the fun and adventure. And yes, my neck hurts from the roller coasters - I'm not a spring chicken any more.

All the characters made their rounds and of course I had to introduce myself. So much fun!

We ended the day with tired feet, great photos, lots of memories, and a few sore bones.

Happy trails,
V

Taco Tuesday

Last night we gathered with some friends to attend Taco Tuesday at the Oarwood Resort. It was located near a marina; a small hole in the wall, this place had a good menu, some mean tacos, great specials on drinks, karokee, some vintage cars, and a great group of people. We can tell it was a popular hang-out and a great meeting place for boaters, motorcycles, and common folk like ourselves.
We are sure to return.

Ole,
V