Day 56 - Sis

Ten days after my birthday but finally was treated to my b/day dinner at Cafe Lily's.  Dinner was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, ie, Lisa's back muscle pull, Lisa's work hours, Olympics event watching, Lisa's back, neither of us wanting to get ready to go and Lisa's back.

I had the Pescado Relleno – fresh tilapia fillet stuffed with crabmeat, baked in a roasted red-pepper cream sauce with broccoli florets.

Day 56 - Lisa

Tonight we went to Cafe Lily for my mom's belated birthday dinner.  This is how they describe themselves "Cafe Lily is a neighborhood bistro offering an eclectic variety of Mediterranean cuisine. Whether you want a quiet, romantic dinner for two or just to enjoy a unique bottle of wine, we strive to accommodate our customers in every way possible."

They start you off with homemade Tuscan bread with olive oil.  Next we both had their Cesar Salad, so fresh.  I enjoyed the Bife Acebollado – hand-trimmed, high-choice, all-natural Black Angus ribeye steak, seasoned in a traditional Portuguese-paprika marinade, chargrilled and topped with a tangy tomato-onion sauce, with lemon-garlic mashed potatoes with a glass of Italian Chianti.  The ribeye is so tender you can slice it with just your fork.  Last was their delicious homemade Coconut pie and delicious coffee.  Heaven, just heaven!

Day 55- Sis

First thing I thought when I saw this plant was, " Hey Tina I found your old wig!"

Day 55 - Lisa

Atlanta Botanical Garden today.  Brisk day outside, we should have wore our jackets the sun fooled us.  The Garden is beautiful and its not even Spring yet.  Cannot wait to come back and see the place in full bloom.  The views are spectacular. It's a first class place.  Mom and I spent about 4 hours touring and took over 700 pictures combined.  Here is a few of my favorites.

If you'd like to see my 200+ click these links:

Outside: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=151439&id=756824667&l=b1a50c1d78

Inside: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=151446&id=756824667&l=f45284d90e

Day 54 - Lisa

No, it's not my fantasy to be Martha, Rachel or Giana so bear with me here.  It'll be worth it.  :>

I highly recommend the magazine "CUISINE at home", we have discovered some of the most delicious recipes through this subscription.  It's not an expensive magazine price wise.  Well worth the cost as it not only offers recipes but lots of cooking tips.  One tip that has become a staple in our house is how to preserve and use herbs.  You no longer waste money forgotting the herbs in the refrigerator that wilt, go brown or grow mold.  If you grow your own herbs this just extends their life for you.

Take your herbs and chop them up.  Buy some cheapy ice trays.  Fill the herbs up in the ice trays, add water and freeze them.  Once froze by herb type put the cubes in plastic containers or like us ziplock bags.  When you are ready to cook you just grab a cube(s) of whichever herb and add it to your recipe.  Picture below is of dill.  My mama is cooking fish tonight so instead of using dill weed from a container, she is using fresh, healthier dill.  We keep rosemary, dill, sage, oregano, thyme, marjoram, cilantro, bay leaf, yerba buena and basil most all the time now.  It's great for stews and soups.

Don't roll your eyes at me...

Day 54- Sis

Gift of music, music, music; love it, love it, love it!

Day 53 - Lisa

I was stumped on what to photograph today; tired and just not feeling it.  Then I focused on my mom's birthday bouquet.  Nothing like some pretty stargazers to brighten your day.

Day 53- Sis

Been spending a lot of time with these guys for almost two weeks, hope the paparazzi doesn't catch wind of this news!

Day 52 - Lisa

Poor Mama!  She so wants lock jaw on that little treat in the tree.  Oh well, she has to settle for the catnip stuffed fake mouse.

Day 52- Sis

Security gate:
Plan A--stick on ground not working so good.

Plan B-- good old pothole, hmmmm, might.

Day 51 - Lisa

Two surprise photos came in the mail this weekend.  On the right is my Dad, April '89.  Had to be an Easter gathering at my cousins Dan and Cathy's house.  Thanks Shena.  On the left is me, January '67 (I was 3.5, dang I was tall).  On the back my Grandma Emily wrote "My little girl, I love you.  Grandma"  Ahhhhhhh!  ;>

Ok, I'll say it...that robe, slipperss and hair makes me look like I belong to one of those cults from Waco.  See my hair has always been wild.

Day 51- Sis

Recently made but am out of abalone and shells. This is a Mutsun jewelry we make for gifts to our people to wear for dance ceremony or sell to provide funds for our tribe. Love abalone to eat and wear.

Day 50 - Lisa

Engines will always remind me of my Dad; him working in the garage building the midget.  I'd be his assistant, getting his out of reach tools, bringing him a rag or anything else he needed.  Our road trips together early on Saturday mornings to Norm Rapp's shop in San Francisco (see below, still on Cordova St) to get parts.  It feels like we would be there for hours.  Norm and my dad would talk, my dad would order parts or survey what Norm had.  Norm, I guess he was accustom to guys bringing their kids with them would always give me a job while I was there.  He'd hand me a pad and pencil and off I'd go to take "inventory" of the mountain of nuts and bolts he'd point me too. I was in heaven working at "Norm's" shop.  I cannot remember the dogs name but he was an old, huge, slow walking, tan, probably golden retriever, very friendly and patient.  Sometimes I'd spend the morning playing with him.  We'd go outside in the side alley.  Norm was a very nice man and after a couple trips I was in awe that he knew my name and would acknowledge me at the races.

LOL I was B I G  S T U F F !  That tradition continued when I lost interest and the next generation of kids in our family (my little cousins and then their kids) would make the trek to buy Sprint car parts with my dad down to San Jose to Kaeding's shop.  They'd come back with their own tales and sense of being big stuff.  ;>

Day 50 - Sis

Old school racer, good to see his face while visiting the Talladega Museum on Saturday. Hard driving Texan who holds so many records, wins, stories of him are legend. Thanks A.J. for the driver you were and the thrills you produced for many! Happy to say I saw a few in person.

Day 49 - Sis

Gift from my sister, Madeline.  California & house dreaming...

Day 49 - Lisa

Don't blow her cover, she's hiding from me!

Day 48 - Lisa

We went to 'Bama today to visit the Motor Sport Hall of Fame and Talladega Superspeedway.

Day 48 - Sis

My view of  'Dega!

Day 47 - Sis

While watching the Olympics sunii started to warm up for the floor exercises.  Had to remind her that's a Summer Olympics event.  She seemed relieved.

Day 47 - Lisa

Nagano, Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar! A surprise find for us.

Day 46 - Sis

When you roll double 6-6's for your birthday you get two bouquets.  Thank you to my sister, Chickie & daughter, Lisa.

Day 46 - Lisa

My mom discovered this hidden Mickey while cooking Pork Medallions with Fig Red Wine sauce.  ;>

Day 45 - Sis

If you didn't have the money to park; how you going to pay the ticket?  Must be for serial offenders.

Day 45 - Lisa

Tacos are such a pain in the hukkas to prepare; chopping, slicing, mixing, frying BUT so good.  Thanks mama!

Day 44 - Sis

Art Major @ UGA?

Day 44 - Lisa

Came home to surprise package from my godmother.  Does she know me or what?  Alice in Wonderland & a 'purr-fect' saying.  ;>

Day 43 - Lisa

One of my fav pictures.

Day 43 - Sis

Looks as if many people have this holiday off but no one is outside despite the bright, sunny day. Guess air is a little too nippy for some.

Day 42 - Sis

My view before the "Brilliant Idea Gone Bad."

Day 42 - Lisa

It's a long story that involves:
1.  A mother & daughter.
2.  The snow.
3.  Blocked sunshine & a sun roof.
4.  A brilliant idea gone bad.
5.  Laughter till crying.

Day 41 - Lisa

After yesterday's heavy snow the sun came out today and melted it all away.  Caught this picture in the park where we walk.