and it is almost Sunday AGAIN!

The days just roll on by.  Filled.  Busy.  Good.  With some hiccups here and there.
We were able to enjoy a fantastic dinner in Monterey last Sunday.
We were the recipients of a gift certificate to a restaurant called Passionfish from one of the kids.
Left Garbo fur baby with another one of the kids and off we went "childless".
Celebrated yet another year of married bliss.  Those numbers are starting to look BIG!
It was a very fine experience.

Passionfish prides themselves in preparing sustainable fish and produce.  Local to the degree they are able.

At the top of the menu a quote:

"I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security.  Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad.  Otherwise what is there to defend?"
Robert Redford

True enough.  I too wished more people would take it seriously.  Here especially!

Many small steps...

If we all did what we could.

Less seriously I might add that the photographer chose Main Lobster while I ate Scallops with a savory rice custard.

There was a puppy class.

The dog park.

All the regular work week stuff.  Looking forward to the future Chef coming home for a short spring break.  And a visit by my long time friend Maud and her friend Pia.  More people to cook for if Garbo lets me.

That will mark the end of February.  Oh my!

Roundabouts make a lot of Sense to Me

Hollister Landscape

A roundabout is a type of circular intersection at a road junction which allows traffic to flow continuously.

There are so many benefits to such an intersection versus the traditional 4 way stop sign or stop light intersections.  We have all experienced the annoying and sometimes frustrating experience of coming to an intersection and waiting for a green light to go forward or to make a left turn when there are no cars around or just one or two cars moving thru the intersection.  This type of intersection works very well with heavier traffic as well.  Roundabouts make a lot of sense by reducing traffic stress, saving fuel, saving wear and tear on the car, better for the environment, and reducing major car accidents at intersections.

I am convinced that if we had more of these roundabouts in our community we would wonder why we haven't had these roundabouts much earlier.

Here are two links about roundabouts that I think are interesting if you are interested in learning more.

http://www.carscoops.com/2010/11/not-in-my-town-americas-resistance-to.html

http://www.roundaboutsusa.com/

Garbo says Hi

When The Pyr Pup Life Goes From Perfect To Pain

Yes, we have our days:-(

Days when one realizes that one forgets, from between one puppy to the next, how intense life becomes.  A bit like having small grand children visiting.

Days when I think, Oh My God.  What have I gotten us into.
Days when everything seems wrong.
Days when I look at the cream coloured carpet and see that it is more mud colour than cream.
Days when I look forward to our potted freesias to bloom any second, to find the pot upended, dug out,  with leaves and buds spread all over the court yard.
Days when we have been to the dog park, gone for multiple walks and she piddles on the cow hide anyway.

Days when Mister Kitty looks at me pleadingly and I can "read" his mind as he is wondering where the Ralle dog is?  Can't we have him back?

Days  (or nights) when I miss how I could take a bath and soak a while, read a chapter or two of my current book.  Without worrying about what she is "up to"?
Days remembering a floor NOT covered with shreds of cardboard boxes and flattened plastic water bottles and multiple headless and disheveled toys.
Days when I chide myself, knowing how wrong it is to compare this puppy with our last  dog. ( Just as I disliked it when the teachers compared my children, when they were going to school).

.... and then I have  a day like today.... look down at my feet and see that I am wearing one red sock and one blue... this is what happens when you dress in the dark to dash out the door, for that first five thirty.. six o'clock poop and pee.......  Both the photographer and I had to laugh!!  Quite stylish he said!

Guess we won't give her away today!
EVERY day, we LOVE our puppy!   The exuberance is infectious, the joy of life so obvious, so contagious!  She is SO HAPPY!  I do not want to wish any of it away.

This "Mom" is just having one of THOSE days, today!

The Super Bowl Tradition

Around 32 or so years ago our family's  annual football parties started.  My Alameda Cuz (he has always been a Saint, a more helpful kind and person is hard to find) came with his wife and then tiny baby Amy to spend Super Bowl Sunday with us.  That is the way it has been ever since.  The memory of startling Amy, who spent that first game in some ones arms or in her tiny little infant seat still vivid.  Her eyes would open wide as we were jumping up and down cheering, screaming and hollering .... I have no idea who was playing!

This annual get together has become a tradition  and a fast point for us all.  There were years when the photographer and I were unable to attend.  During the years we had Oakhurst Feed and Pet Supply for example.  Since the game started late on a Sunday and it was for us a 3 1/2 hour drive from Mariposa to the Bay Area there were years we did not go.  That of course also being true during our years living in that awesome wind mill in Scania the southern part of Sweden.  This year and last, we are back in the fold enjoying the gathering with all the family members that were able to show up.

Enjoying that amazing assortment of goodies, my cousins wife ALWAYS bringing her hollowed out french bread bowl filled with that most awesome Spinach Vegetable Dip.  I don't think it would be Super Bowl Sunday for any of us without it!  Who cares about the game?  Just bring on the Spinach Veggie Dip!

This year our Number One Grand Daughter arranged her own Super Bowl Party in Seattle, in her new apartment that she shares with her boyfriend.  Our Grand Daughter Number two, the future Chef,  toughed it out in Providence, without the Spinach Veggie Dip as far as I know, we did check in with both of them during the gathering via the amazing video calls..... man, this new technology is something else!?

Garbo lived through her first Super Bowl and did well.  She was an uplifting presence during the  dull one sided "bad" game.... we all had a great time sharing food and family.  Looking forward to next year already.

"Flat Elliott" was visiting at the Super Bowl Party too.  He was all dressed up, rooting for the Colorado team, to no avail....... Having him there made us remember "Flat Ryan" who went to Sweden AND the Philippines.  Later "Flat Linnea" who came to work at our feed store and had flat fish for dinner among other things.... "Flat Elliott" is going to check on the water conditions under the Oakland Bay Bridge this week.  He is getting around... hope he wears his life vest!