Musicality Monday - Idol vs Voice

American Idol versus The Voice.  For this season, I am more interested in American Idol because of the interesting mixture of the contestants.  As for the Voice, it seems like they are country or some other.  I am glad that Blake's team has a lot of the singers still going forward.  Back to American Idol, my only disappointment is that the female singer who is similar to Diana Krall who plays the piano and really very talented that when you watch her, it is like she is at her own, piano bar and entertaining the crowd.  Right from the beginning I picked 5 of my favorite that I thought would make it to the top ten. 

1. Alejandro
2. Jeremiah
3. Walker
4. Laine
5. Ashley

So now only two is left and I am really hopeful that Alejandro wins because he is the most talented of all.  Playing a couple of instruments, writing his own songs and just a very humble but an excellent singer song writer.  He deserves to win.  Although I don't really do any of the voting, I just hope that those who votes, pick him to win.  Good luck, Alejandro.

This is my favorite performance of Alejandro.

Scenic Saturday - Some amazing views

When you are the passenger riding in front of our RV, the windshield is so wide that you have such a beautiful view of whatever scenery is upcoming.  Although I find it hard to take photos while the RV is moving, it is still amazing the variety of scenery that we have seen during our trip home.  We left San Jose, California and we traveled through northern CA, then through Oregon and Washington before crossing the Canadian Border of Osoyoos, BC.

I hope that you enjoyed these scenic and picturesque images that I have taken using my phone camera.  Sometimes, the lens is a bit dirty but I thought it was still pretty clear. LOL.

Tricky Tuesday - All about the Sharks

It is the second round of the NHL Playoffs 2019.  Our team is still the San Jose Sharks as we have not picked a Canadian team in our area.  We have a choice between Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames or Edmonton Oilers.  Two winters already in our belt and our neighbors were wondering if we were going to switch teams.  Unfortunately, we still love the Sharks, so we will cheer for this until we get tired off them losing in the first round of playoffs. Luckily, they are in the second round and so far the series is 3-2 against the Colorado Avalanche.  It is a bit interesting because when I use to live in Mississauga, Ontario my favorite team was the Avalanche because their coach was Mark Crawford.  Does anyone even remember him.  Where is he now?  Anyway, I thought I would share some of Sharks items that I have sewn for my friends in Royal Oaks, California.  They are true hockey fans and a very loyal San Jose Sharks fan.  So check out the things I made for their family.

A pouch for my friend Debbie

A set of kitchen towels for Ed

A bandana for their dog Chili.

Here's Chili wearing the new scarf.

Ed's Sharks apron - a very manly apron for an amazing cook.

Savory Sunday - Glamping Meals

We finally got a chance to do the RV Camping with my childhood friend from kindergarten. The meeting place was halfway between LA and SJC.  The spot was Pismo Beach.  We luck out on our RV spot and the owners were so nice to accommodate our request to have our RV side by side.  It made it easier to get together for meals and for any other activities we wanted to do.  Unfortunately, the weather was only nice when we arrive and when we left.  During our stay, the weather was cold, damp and windy.  We weren't able to eat our meals outdoors as it was either wet or cold.  Our RV had more room for dining specially when the slide out give us plenty of room to set out our extra table for three.  We ate most of our meals during our stay except for one day when we ventured out the downtown Pismo Beach and had a seafood lunch at the awesome restaurant.  We got along so well that we want to plan another meet up somewhere halfway maybe Summer 2019, possible Yellowstone National park in Montana.

I made this artisan bread for my friends to try.

Seafood Friday, garlic prawns and grilled stuffed fish.

Sunday breakfast, bitter melon and Tapa (marinated beef)

All you can eat pasta buffet

This was my meal, the one above was Jeff

This was our second day at the RV park, it was wet and cold

The day we arrived at Pismo Beach, a beautiful sunny day.

Flowery Friday - California Wilds

Spring shower brings May flowers.  This actually works.  As were in California during Spring and Easter, there were definitely beautiful blooms.  Most of the photos are from my friends

yard or the golf course.  Since I have a lot of photos to share, I will stop writing and just show you some of the beautiful blooms during the month of April in California and our local Vernon.

Welcome back Wednesday - It's good to be home

Two months for my hubby and one month for me, that's how long we have been away.  It was so great that we have some awesome neighbors who took care of our home and plants while we were away.  There are so many stories to share and so many photos to show you but for now just sharing the highlights of our trip back to our previous city of San Jose.   

1. Congratulations to the Sharks for making it to the second round of the NHL Playoffs.  
2. Thank you to all our friends in the Bay area who made our visit another amazing experience. I was very pleased that I have shared my knowledge of bread making and marmalade while Jeff gave some RV 101 to the hubby of my childhood friend.  
3. A special thanks to my golf buddies to make it possible to play as many rounds of golf as I can fit in our schedule.  Also to CW for the lending me the golf clubs and including me and my buddy to your company tournament.  Plus getting me a deal at Sur La Table. 
4. To the guys that help Jeff complete the task of selling his mother's home in a short period of time.  
5. To our cousin who shared their car with us so we did not have to use the RV doing our errands and appointments during our visit.  
6. To my childhood friends, thank you for taking the time to organize our dinner get together.  I can't believe that after 60 years we are still reconnecting and having so much fun like old times.  
7. To Ed and Debbie for sharing their home in the country for almost a week. It was such a great time watching the Sharks win and lose.  
8. To the Tran couple, we are so lucky to have great friends.  I am so glad that I was able to share my experience of baking bread.  We hope you enjoy your new Dutch Oven.  Almost forgot, thanks for the use of your golf cart.
9. To our friends out in Discovery Bay and Brentwood.  We had to much fun watching Jax's first year with tee ball.  
10. To our next door neighbor Pam and Chris, thank you for taking us to dinner at Aqui's,

Thriving Tuesday - My plants are still alive

Spring has arrived and there are some flowers in our front yard that are starting to come up.

I believe they are called crocus. There are some purple ones and white ones.  In addition, I noticed some tulip leaves but no blooms yet.  Hopefully this month they will be all coming up.  For today, I just wanted to show you the indoor plants that has survived a couple of winters already.  Although I have to give my hubby the credit for remembering to water the plants, I am doing all the talking and providing positive support as well as snipping of dead leaves.  The only thing about having indoor plants is that you have to ask someone to look after them when you go on away even if it is for a few days.  So far I only have six left and will most likely not add anymore.  I would like to add some more flowering plants for the front yard when the weather gets a bit warmer.