Staycation Day #4

Well, well, well.....I SURVIVED!  More importantly....Sweet Sarah Survived ME on a staycation.

Today was a good day.  Good food, sunshine, gardening all at our own pace.

There aren't any action shots [honestly, why am I incapable of remembering to take pictures in the midst of a project?]

Enjoy....I'm off to rest up before going back to work.

Sweet Sarah's famous French Toast waffles.  Yes Please!  Holy moly these babies are GOOD!  Not a bad way to start the morning.

Some of the planting work....some still not done, ala the box o' plants on the ground.

Bed cleaning and container creating.  Yes, yes.  that's my big fat finger in the way.  Disregard.  Do note, however, that GINORMOUS hosta!

Seriously!  Does this give you more perspective?  And it's only MAY!!!!  Good Lord, she's taking over the side of the house.  We named her Audrey after the Little Shop of Horrors.

Just in case you thought I was exaggerating!  

Here's a baby update.  This is more a picture of their sh%$ than of them.  [as cute at these little things are, that pile of poo on the front edge of the nest is disgusting!  OH!  and do you see the egg that wasn't?  Somehow mama missed the nest.]  They very much look like birds now and are stretching and sunning themselves often.  

Our last staycation meal. [bring on the cleanse tomorrow!]  Ribs Rendezvous Style.  They were fabulous!  Paired with homemade sweet potato mashers and some corn bread....home cookin' at its finest.

Staycation Day #3

Well, another successful staycation day.

We headed out early for Mother's Day Brunch with the fam---a good time was had by all!

Here's the picture story of the rest of our day....

Basically, there was a LOT of this.  Check out the cats.  They are REALLY into the stay cation!  Don't be fooled by the two computers.  We weren't working.  I was researching VACATION destinations!  How fun is that?

We decided to crack open a bottle from our favorite winery.  SO good! 

Because we bought a half-pallet of strawberries the other day I decided I'd better do something with them.  Sweet Sarah's favorite dessert is strawberry shortcake.  I went a bit healthier and decided on angel food cake.  [sidebar: seriously, is anyone else as fascinated as I am by the whipping of egg whites?  It's AMAZING!!!!]  Also, I attempted a series of pictures during this little event.  Oi vey!  I definitely won't win any awards with these photos, the props or the background.

I took this of our bottle of homemade vanilla.  Picked up the kit at TJMaxx for around $4.99.  Add your own vodka,  place under a cabinet for 6 months.  WOWZA! If you ever see one of these, buy it and try it.  It's pretty awesome stuff!

Again, note the disaster on the counter, the cabinets open [wine on the counter--:)]  Maybe I should take the time to EDIT these before posting.  Nah.....then you would have nothing to zoom in on and snoop around the house!

This?  This?  Well this is just disgusting!  One dozen yolks.  blerg.  N.A.S.T.Y.

Here's the work of art going in to our easy bake oven.  Not kidding around here people!  When we moved in we had to buy new pans to fit the tiny size.  It's cheap and it's tiny.  It's so cheap, it doesn't even self clean [I'm guessing the 75 watt light bulb can't handle it]  Hence the nastiness on the bottom.  Don't judge!

Finally, we decided to leave the comfy confines of the family and get some nourishment. Sweet Sarah is pulling homemade gnocchi from the water.

Aren't homemade meals wonderful?  Caprese salad, baked chicken and gnocchi with vodka sauce and fresh broccoli.  [oh, and WINE!]

And the piece de resistance----Strawberries with angel food cake.  And here's a little tip....the white sauce???  Made it up last night.  I melted a little bit of canned white frosting [about 2 TBS] in the microwave and stirred it into a plain greek yogurt.  It tasted like melted white chocolate.  Try it, you'll like it!

Even though staycation has been an overall success, the native is getting restless.  Today will probably involve something active and project oriented.....stay tuned!

Staycation Day #2

Yep, I'd say I'm pretty much settling in to this staycation thing---you know, taking it easy, relaxing, no projects.  Sweet Sarah contends that it's because it's 49 degrees and drizzly.  [she's probably got a point]

Nevertheless, here's how we spent the day....

Sweet Sarah made her killer apple pancakes.  These are the leftovers.  [again, I'm just not that girl that remembers to take each step of the way.  Make for a pretty duddy blog, I suppose.]

And we tech-ed it out.  And had coffee.  YUMMY!

Then we headed to our niece's 1st birthday party.  Yes, it's May.  And yes [deep, deep sigh] I'm wearing a coat and Sweet Sarah has on a sweater.  Lovely, lovely Ohio.]

And here's how we spent the most important part of our day!!  Happy Birthday, Keira!!!

Staycation Day #1

Thus far, I'm pretty much digging the staycation!

Here's the picture blog of most of our day!

First, I got my haircut.  No pictures of that.  Then we decided to head out, run some errands and putz around a bit.  It was a nice paced day. 

First.....here I am rockin' my new shoes.  Aren't they cute?  Unfortunately, it rained as if I needed to gather animals two by two, so they got pretty wet.  I'm afraid to see what kind of shape they're in this morning.

Here's Sweet Sarah at the world's largest Dansko store.  I bought the black slip on just above her head.  I know, I know.  They aren't pretty.  BUT they are The Drayer compromise to be my new slippers, so I don't wear my shoes in the house. Who's gonna argue to get a new pair of shoes???

Oh yes!!!! Look how crazy, wild are we.  Next stop....Costco.  From this shot it looks like the store is empty, but alas, we have never been there without the other 43 million Clevelanders.  

Here's Sweet Sarah getting our loot to the car in the Noah-build-ark Rain.  What's that?  How did it come to be be that I'm taking a picture of Sweet Sarah running in the rain?  Sooooo, ummm, yeah.  Don't ask.  Bonehead move on my part.  [although I was pretty dry ;)]

From Costco we headed to dinner.  But stopped in at this place beforehand.   How does a Spice store stay in business?  I mean who says, "hey, I need to run out to Penzey's before I can make dinner tonight?"  Nevertheless, if you're a foodie or love to cook.  This is a pretty cool place.  Lots of great spice blends.  We bought a spice blend, Arizona Dreaming, to try on some short ribs we're grilling on Monday (Day #4) and some Taco Seasoning for the nights Sweet Sarah rocks out chicken tacos.

For dinner we headed to the Food Network's Chef Michael Symon's infamous Bspot.   We had been wanting to try this joint out, but the timing [mainly the wait for a table kind of timing] never worked out.  Staycation changes that!  Burgers, Brats, Bourbon and Beer.  A simple menu and really simple decor.  But the place is HOPPIN'!  

Just tilt your head to the right and read.  Yours is not to question.  See?  It was worth it.   I'm thinking they're on to something with the bacon-infused alcohol.  No?

We finished the day by watching Silver Linings Playbook.  [my review:  huh?  how did this thing win so many awards?  I wouldn't recommend it.]  Here's Teddy watching with us.  He was pretty into it.

Well, stay tuned, loyal reader.  Staycation Day #2 to follow!

Staycation

For the first time in my life I'm taking a staycation.  Yep, that's right.  The first time I've ever taken a day off for absolutely no reason other than to have a day off.

Sweet Sarah and I decided we should give it a whirl.  Now to be totally honest, I'm a little worried....I mean, what do people do when they take days off for no reason?  Oh, don't get me wrong....I have a thousand things I want to do.....but.  BUT.  BUT!!!  Sweet Sarah has insisted that we not get in to any projects or something major that would take up the entire four days we are off.  [shoot.  insert me tapping my foot and using selective hearing.]

Sooooooooo.....I'm going to do my best to chill, restrain and not try and use a power tool, paint brush or  move major furniture.  We'll see how it goes.

But of course....don't be totally fooled.  I have a list.  [of course I do!]

Thus far....here's what I've done!  Homemade Kolaches West, Texas style.  I should be arrested for these!!!!  Cherry Cream Cheese Homemade Kolaches.  Yep, so good they'll make you slap your mama.    Pretty sure they're illegal in three states and two US Territories.  Breakfast yumminess.  Heck, any time of the day yumminess.

So....stay tuned.  [and pray for Sweet Sarah that I don't make her crazy!]  I'm thinking of doing a photo blogging journal of the Staycation.  It might be pretty entertaining!

Baby Update

Look at the little guys!!!
Four in total. The oldest is four days old. The baby was born today.

We have babies!!!'

Yep! Check it out. Yesterday after work I came home to discover mama bird preening this little dude.

Wow. Wow. WOW!!! Isn't it amazing?