Queen Anne's Lace and Lilacs

Russell Stover's Mint Dream

When I was in high school (Norfolk High, Norfolk, NE), during my senior year, one of my best friends was Pam.  It was 1976-77.  Pam worked at the Hallmark store at Sunrise Mall.  I often stopped by to see her and to purchase a Mint Dream. 

I loved Mint Dreams.  If a person wanted to make me happy, just throw me a Mint Dream.  Of course, apparently, not too many people were concerned about making me happy, so I just had to buy them for myself.  They were worth it!!!

A couple of weeks ago, we bought some ice cream, some minty kind with Moose Tracks, or whatever.  I asked Tim if I could have a bite, since I don't exactly need a whole bowlful.  It tasted like a cold Mint Dream.  I haven't had, or even seen, a Mint Dream in decades.  I decided to look and see if they are still around.  They are!  And you can buy them individually or by the case! 

I'm not going to do it.  I just can't.  But, if I happen to see one in some store, I'm going to buy it.  I encourage you to do the same.

That's a Spicy Nacho!

I'm thinking I may have to give up my Baskin-Robbins Cappuccino Blast.  I haven't been able to sleep, lately, which isn't totally unusual, but it's gotten worse.  This morning, I was awake at 4, after being awake until after 2:30.  I decided I might as well get out of bed at 5:30.  I began reading through my blog reader, and came upon Pioneer Woman's Restaurant Style Salsa.  I decided we could have that, with some of her cheesy nachos, for dinner.  (What a relief!  The question of what's for dinner often results in screaming and crying.)

I didn't tell Bethany about the cheeses - grated Pepper Jack and Habanero Pepper Jack -  because she refuses to eat spicy foods.  Earlier, I had made her take a teeny tiny bite of a chip with the yummy salsa nearly all scraped off.  She sat with her tongue in ice water for the next 15 minutes.  I knew if she was aware of the cheese situation, she wouldn't even take a bite.  So, I didn't tell her.  My, oh, my!  The shrieking! 

Was I bad?  I don't know.  Bethany finally squeaked out, "You KNEW this was going to be spicy!"  She refused any more cheesy chips, despite my insisting she try a few more.

You know, when I was a kid, I detested broccoli. And, I could only eat cauliflower if it was covered in Velveeta.  My mother didn't stop making me eat those foods.  She didn't care at all that I hated them.  I could have sat at the table until the day I died, but I was going to eat that food!   And, now, years later, I love broccoli and cauliflower, and eat them in a variety of ways regularly, and this is just how you have to deal with these things. 

Back to the menu.  We made some guacamole.  Tim bought a cut of London Broil steak, which we cut into strips and fried with onion and garlic.  We layered the chips, the steak and onions, and then those wonderful cheeses, and heated all of that until the cheese melted.  With the salsa and the guacamole, it was as good as eating out!  Well, for some of us.

Sadly, there are no photos.

I forgot (not really) to mention Brett.  He came in, saw what we were having, and left.  Whatever.  It's going to be fun watching these people when they have their own kids.  I'm preparing to be amused.

Apple Hill 2009

Tim and I finally made it up to Apple Hill.  Tim told me on Monday that he was taking Friday off so that we could head on up the hill after getting Bethany to school.  Just before going to bed on Thursday night, I remembered that we had people coming over late Friday morning.  So.  There went that plan.

We did manage to get in a couple of hours of riding around and shopping.  Of course, the first stop we made was High Hill Ranch for a couple of their fantastic chicken salad sandwiches and caramel apples.  Those chicken salad sandwiches are so good, Bethany even likes them!   We did get some of our usual items:  An apple pie for Thanksgiving or Christmas (whichever meal Evan attends), apple turnovers, apple crisps, and a couple of ciders.  We were there too late for the apple doughnuts.  And, we didn't have time to stop at the Buttercup Pantry for their excellent apple strudel.  We'll get around to those items, hopefully, on my birthday in a few days.  I'm trying not to think about it.  The birthday, not Apple Hill.

Bethany stayed home, not wanting to go along for the ride.  I don't understand her sometimes.  Even as a teenager, I loved going for rides out in the country.  And this is some pretty fantastic country around here!

The weather was perfect, sunny and with just the right amount of coolness in the air.  The late afternoon lighting effect was very nice.  We took a few pictures with our new, leave in the car, camera.  (Click the photos for a larger view.)

I've got a lot of catching up to do here.  Things may not be in order. 

In-N-Out Burger

If you are ever in California, there are a few places you must visit:  Disneyland, Universal Studios, the beach, the Sequoias, Yosemite, Golden Gate Bridge, and In-N-Out Burger (the best hamburgers and French fries.  Period.).  Evan proposed driving over to In-N-Out for dinner.  We rarely ignore this suggestion.  We packed up the kids and Mac and went out to eat.  Even Brett joined us!  I thought about taking the camera but quickly dismissed the idea as silly.  So, of course, we got there, and I wished I had the camera the whole time.  Evan took a picture with his phone, which turned out quite well, but the email function on the phone didn't work.  We had a nice dinner, Mac had his own hamburger, and we took the long way home for a thoroughly pleasant and cool ride.

Oh, hey!  If you're ever in the Midwest, inside of 200 miles of Lincoln, NE, stop and eat at Runza.  I would be happy to open one up out here if I could.  What I wouldn't give for a Runza with Swiss cheese!

UPDATE:  Yes, Tim, thank you.  I forgot all about the "animal-style fries" and the secret menu.  Tim happened to see that someone had "different" French fries.  He asked about them, found out what they were called, and ordered them.  They're wonderful.  I want some now. 

Three Bouquets

I thought I'd share the bouquets I received on Mother's Day (click on photo for larger view).  Bethany selected a pale pink rosebush.  Tim gave me a regular bouquet of flowers.  And Evan ordered an edible bouquet that was from the whole lot of them (Brett went and picked up the bouquet, so he was in on the action, too).  I'd never heard of an edible bouquet.  It's quite delicious.  I'd eaten half of the chocolate-covered oranges and some grapes before we even took the picture.  If they have this particular item in your area, you simply must try it.  Treat yourself!

For the record, I also received my first set of TV trays and the camera lens of my dreams.  I'm hoping the lens helps with those pesky indoor, horribly lighted action shots.  It's going to be a few weeks before we will be in that particular setting to try it out.  If this doesn't work, then it must be the camera - no way it's us!

Several months ago, we made the big switch to the Comcast phone service.  We already had their internet and cable services.  One of our concerns was how often the whole system would go down.  Now there have been a number of occasions where we have lost the internet.  It's usually for just a few minutes.  This morning, however, we lost it all.  So if you've been wondering about switching to Comcast for everything - yes, it is possible to lose the phones, the internet, and the cable all at once.  The repairs took several hours.  This only becomes worse if you are without your cell phone because your son lost his and has taken off with yours. 

You know how, when the power has gone off, you walk into a room and hit the light switch?  For a second, you're stunned.  "What?  Why isn't the light...?  Oh, yeah!"  So I was at my computer, and I'd think, "I should call Tim."  Oh....nope.  A while later, "Hey, I can email him."  Uh, no.  And later - "I guess I could call my mom."  Ahhh, no - now stop it!!  From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. I was cut off from the world.  A very weird feeling.

And finally, we have Bethany's shot put event at the Track Finals (regionals) last week.  The Finals were down in the Folsom area, so Tim left work and went straight to the school.  The problem with these track meets has always been that there is no consistent schedule.  A few days earlier, Tim had gone to watch her discus event.  She was finished before he got there.  So on this day of the shut put, he left early.  Bethany had called to ask Tim if he could bring some food.  He'd already gone to Jamba Juice and gotten her a Strawberries Wild.  She said that was perfect.  She told him the shot put would be at 3:30. 

Tim got there a few minutes early, scooted straight over to the shot put area, where he could see them practicing.  He was happy he'd left early!  Only they weren't practicing.  They were finished.  Before the time that they were to have started.  Bethany came over to him to get her drink and informed him that she had already thrown.  It was 3:25.  They still had to wait for the measurements.  This is what the video is showing.  She set a personal record and came in second place.

When Tim came home and told me about all of this, I was not thrilled, of course.  But he was quite excited that he had recorded the measurements and Bethany's jumping up and down with joy.  So, OK, whatever.   Now, this is what I have to deal with on a daily basis.  I have watched this video a number of times, and I'm still missing her whooping and hollering.   The girls giggled at "Strawberries Wild."  Other than that, the only "excitement" is the old dude's (who, incidentally, is her coach) - and that was for the other girl standing there.  Maybe Tim confused the coach with Bethany.  Tim?