Truthful Thursday - Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween and be safe trick or treating or if you will be attending a costume party, remember to have a DD.  This is really not my favorite holiday so that's all I can talk about.  My BFF aka Brother sent me a photo of our friends taken during their last Boys Weekend.  I wanted to feature them because they are truly an example of loyal friendship/family.  If I am not mistaken they have been doing this since I've known them.  Maybe 15 years at least.

A long weekend in September is their own time of camaraderie, of sharing their best stories, and maybe even emotions.  But one thing I know, they have great breakfast and dinners and lots of beverage.  They even meet a couple of weeks before their trip to plan their meals, the activities which will include rounds of golf, fishing and poker.  The location is still a secret for some.  It's a cottage in some island in Ontario only accessible by boat.  They started with maybe eight friends and now it has grown to 10 or 12.  I thought I'd share the photo taken during this year's get away.  There's a couple in the photo who I believe are the parents of Billy.  They are the proud owner of the cottage and it has been with their family for ages.  Let me introduce to you the BOYS of summer.  My BFF Percy and Billy are the only ones left without the grey.  

Glen, Mike, Mikey, Paddy, Gord, Percy,Billy's dad, Billy, Billy's mom, Steve, Russ and Brock.

I miss all of them as they are my golf buddies, squash and racquetball partners, co-workers, sports bar groupie, but most of all they are the best guys you can trust who is there to protect you or be there when you need them the most.  A shoulder to cry on or make you smile when you are down.  Thank you guys for letting me be part of this great friendship - A real TREAT without any TRICK.

Whet Wednesday - Restaurant with Brewery

Every now and then, we like checking out new restaurants with their own micro brewery.  It seems like it has been months since we have done this.  While searching for photos to share on my blog, I found this one that was taken by my friend Jean.  They took us to a place called Rock Bottom in the Campbell area.  Now I remember why we decided to go there.  We had tickets to see the Four Tops and I just found our ticket also. It was mid May of this year.  So that's been at least five months ago.  Having the micro brewery in the restaurant means they have several variety of beers plus all the other name brand beers.  Jean and I couldn't decide what to have so we ordered the sampler.  

It's very interesting that Jean liked the first three from the left and I loved the other three from the right.

Just in case you are in the area, here's a list of the places we have been and have tried their beers.  Not only that their beers are awesome, the variety in their menu are also wonderful.  This is almost the end of October and I'm happy that I was able to post something related to Octoberfest.

• Los Gatos Brewing Company
• Gordon Birsch Brewing Company
• Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
• BJ's Restaurant and Brewery

 

Trees Tuesday - That's right Christmas trees

Halloween is a few days away and the USA Thanksgiving is a month away but the stores already have all the Christmas display.  It's a little too early and overwhelming.  My friend Jean and I stop by at JC Penny last week and this is what I saw.  Jeff and I bought our candies for the children that would be stopping by this coming Thursday.  As for Thanksgiving, I'm really not getting in the mood and trying to convince Jeff if we can skip it this year.  Since he has been overly busy at work and during the weekend, he spends most of the daylight hours working on the yard. Hosting the dinner at home takes a lot of your time although he takes care of the Turkey prep and cooking, I do most of the sides and trimmings.  We don't even know how many will be able to make it so for me, it's too much work for just three or four or even five people.  Then there's all the left over that Jeff and I have to consume.  It's not really good to have so much food when we are trying to cut down.

Wait, I just wanted to share these photos for you to enjoy, that is if you are already in the Christmas spirit.  

Mystery Monday - What's the name of this plant.

There's nothing much happening lately that is exciting to report except this particular plant.

I received this plant as a Boxing Day Open House gift from Susan on December 26, 2011.  We decided while my sister was visiting here during the holidays that we would host an open house.  This was a great way to see your friends and family during the holidays.  Most of them liked the idea because after all the cooking and entertaining during the holidays, they get to relax and just enjoy friendship, visiting and sharing stories after Christmas.  What I was impressed the most is that this plant has survived and I'm sure I've posted other topics about this particular plant.  After the transplant week I did with all my indoor plant, I am very happy to report that all of them are growing and looking healthy.  But this one particular one is the one I am most proud of because it actually lasted this long.  What's funny is that I don't even know what is the name of this plant.  So if you have any idea what this one is, please send me a comment.   

More leaves have come up and another bloom. It's alive.

Fallback Friday - Time change

In ten days it will be time again to change our clocks.  It also means that fall is almost over and winter will be coming.  Although I don't dread it as much as when I use to live in Canada, it does get cold in our home as well as outside.  The thing that gets me is that I look outside and it's blue sky and sunny but in the morning it does get cold.  When the sun goes down, the temperature also gets cool.  Still, I cannot complain because we don't get snow, sleet or ice.

We don't keep the house heated the whole time.  Just when the temperature outside is truly cold, then we might turn the thermostat a notch.  When I'm at home and not doing a lot, I make sure I wear warmer clothes and that includes my fluffy slippers and a pair of socks.  As for my golf game, we start to change our tee time earlier in order to finish before sunset and the ladies league ends at the end of October.  The other benefit about living in California is that you could really golf the whole year round as long as it is not raining.  Playing mid morning to mid afternoon is the perfect time.  As long as I wear my golf long pants and a long sleeve shirt, it's really pretty comfy playing.  What I miss about this time of the year back in Canada is the changing of leaves.  I'm sure they are all perfect colors by now.  Halloween is only a few days away.  Are you ready for those little trick or treaters?  Last year we only had about 20 kids come by.  This year we decided to just get a couple of bags of candies.  I sorted them into three bowls/basket.  We will give away treats from #3, then #2, and if needed take it from #1 (my favorites).

#1 (favorite)

#3 (don't like)

#2 (maybe)

 

Tasty Thursday - Just winging it

Today I'm just sharing a photo of our dinner I made on Tuesday.  When Jeff got home he wanted to work on the yard while it was still light.  I did not mind since I have prepped the ingredients to make our dinner - Chicken with green beans.  Unless it is a new recipe, I usually just wing it as far as the amount of seasoning I use.  In other words, just eye balling it.  I've watch a lot of shows from the Food Network and most of them just seem to add the right amount of spices, etc.  But I did notice that they taste what they are making every now and again.  This is one process that I don't remember doing.  From the time I've moved here, which is about three years ago, I can only remember three incident when the meal I made was a little salty than the norm.  Jeff finished the yard work and he was very hungry.  I started cooking and placed the meal on the serving plate.  It looked so good that Jeff reminded me to take a photo for my blog. He added that it looks like something from the Chinese restaurant. Before cooking it, I did not have any appetite and was thinking of having Jello for dinner, but I ended up having some of this great looking meal.  Jeff gave me a three star on flavor and told me to remember what I've done as it was the best Chicken with green beans ever.  

 

World Wednesday - As the world series begin

Rewind to last Wednesday's post.  I picked the two red teams to be in the World Series.  So can you imagine Game 6 between Red Sox and Tigers.  It because really exciting because I had picked Red Sox to cheer.  During the game, I was so into it that I felt like I had been a Red Sox fan for a very long time.  That same day the San Jose Sharks was playing and I had checked the schedule online and I knew that it was game 6.  We checked our TV schedule and it was not showing as it being televised.  Again I checked on my phone and it said that it's being covered by FOX.  I was not familiar with the stations here, I just know them by their channel numbers.  Finally Jeff came in to the living room and I ask him to find where it was.  Sure enough it was on FOX but the guide did not reflect it.  By this time it was the 5th inning.

The difficult decision now exists, which of the two red teams will I be cheering for.  It was a lot easier when there's two different colors.  OK, I know you cannot pick the team by their colors.  But I just did and both of them won.  Maybe I can just cheer for both so that they end up playing the 7th game.  This way it stretches the series.  Will you be watching and which team will you be routing for?  Good luck to both and Congratulations to the winner.

Triple Tuesday - The Course

When I get an email from Chris (one of Jeff's co worker) asking if I want to golf with the guys, it is usually somewhere nice.  Last Saturday, I was part of the foursome at The Course at Wente Vineyards.  Our tee time was at 1030 am and I got a ride from Gil (also Jeff's coworker).  It took us around 50 minutes to get there and no traffic.  There were some rolling hills or are they valleys.  We were greeted by some young guy who had our cart ready, placed our clubs on the cart and told us to just check it.  After check in, we headed towards their driving range.  I got so excited when I got there because I did not have to get a token and a basket, check out the practice range.  We had to take a photo of me because I felt so special.

Look at the balls stacked like a pyramid.

Our friend Chris told us that our other player is unable to make it due to some emergency health issues.  After we hit a few balls, we heard our names from the speaker letting us know that it was time to return to the First Tee.  It was a beautiful day and there was nothing to do buy enjoy the round of golf.  The highlight of the day for me was Hole #7, it is a par 3 elevated tee.  It was an awesome shot and my ball landed about three feet from the hole.  Amazingly enough, I did a one putt.  First birdie for our group.  Unfortunately for the last two hole, I was playing without my shoes, just my socks due to some small blisters (damned new golf shows - not a great idea).  Maybe next year, I'll get a chance to play again with the guys at this course.  So challenging but so much fun and so forgiving specially for the ladies.

Maybe Monday - Is this a sign?

What is a sign that a blogger is getting tired of blogging?  Is it when you start missing a post for a day, two day maybe even three or even a week?  Is it when you start running out of topics or ideas to share?  Maybe it's because one is too busy with life and truly enjoying it.  I am hoping that I'm not any of the above.  The truth is that I have been not feeling 100% lately and today is probably the first day I can say that I'm at 85%.  Maybe it's the change of weather.  Although we are still having some beautiful sunny days but not too hot to be outdoors.  Just check out this photo of my golf buddy when he arrived last Thursday at the parking lot.  It's mid October and he can still drive this convertible.  

I think this might be a 65 Mustang. Check out the blue sky.

Truthful Thursday - New project

It has been a very long time since I did some crocheting.  When Jeff noticed that the leg of our dining room chairs are starting to leave a mark or sometimes a tiny scratch,  I told him about the chair sock.  A few year ago I did some for my BFF Lorna after they installed some awesome flooring in their home.  I crocheted for the legs of the dining room chairs as well as some of her living room chairs.  Maybe she does not have them anymore since it has been a long time since I've stayed with her.  Anyway, I bought some brown yarn so I can start with my new project.  There are eight chairs and for now I need to make the chair sock for the back legs.  I will need to make a total of 16 and then I will have to figure out if the front legs need them as well.  The front legs looks like a claw so the shape is a bit odd and bigger than the back.  After checking some of the DIY online, I have decided to just do it the way I know how. 

Win Win Wednesday - Picture on picture

Does anyone still have a TV with this feature on it? Picture on picture.  I seem to remember that last time I wanted this feature on TV, it was still available but in the end I didn't buy one with this feature.  When there's a conflicting games between any of the sports that I would love to watch, I usually just keep flipping channels.  Now a days you can record everything but unfortunately we only have two tuners so we can only record two shows at the same time.  Yesterday I was watching baseball and hockey and golf.  My fingers were getting very fast with all the flipping of channels.  It would be nice if we had some extra TV like in a sports bar where you can have each TV with your favorite sports.  This will eliminate the flipping.  The only down side to this idea is that nothing will get done in the house because of it.  Although I don't follow baseball during the regular season, I love watching the AL and NL championship. This season I would like to see the two red teams (Cardinals and Red Sox) at World Series. As for hockey, as long as they are showing any of the games, I would usually watch it even during the day when I'm home just doing chores or crafts. Our SJ Sharks are doing really well and hope too see one one of their home games at the HP Pavilion. I am proud to announce that I have a better understanding of football.  Thanks to my southern belle Sue.  While visiting Texas we were able to watch some great games both Sunday and Monday night football.  She explained the different calls, plays, and some of the rules. I'm still a Patriots fan.  Last weekend I even watched a bit of the college games as there was nothing interesting on TV.  I realize watching too much TV is not a good habit but I figured that if I am doing some of my house chores, then it's not so bad, right?

 

Tuning Tuesday - Slack key guitar

One of Jeff's co-worker asked me a few months ago if I play the guitar.  I have a 6 string and a 12 string guitar which I have not played for a while.  I mean a while because since I have been here which is about 3 years ago, I must have played it six times.  Although I can still remember a lot of the chords, my strumming and transposition is all off.  This past weekend, Jeff turned on the TV and found the internet site for guitar chords/tabs.  It was really neat to have the chords and words of a particular song shown in the big screen.  Anyway, going back to slack key style of playing.  There's a group of people that gets together once a month and Les (Jeff's co worker) teaches the group on slack key guitar and ukelele as well.  I had to check it on you tube to see what it was all about.  The style of playing is very Hawaiian but sounds so pleasant to the ear.  If you have not heard about it, you can just check it out on line.  I have been invited to join his group the next time they get together.  Maybe I need to try it at home and practice a little.  Some of the information I had received from Les are a bit complicated to just try it out.  Even with my knowledge on guitar playing, this one is much more difficult specially when my fingers are not use to pressing those strings. The more I watch all these lesson, it seems to get more confusing.  Maybe I'll just stick to what I know.

Many Monday - Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian family and friends.  The first year I moved to San Jose, we celebrated this day with my friends from Canada who were our first guests at our CPBB.  Angela and Addy were touring the area and we were happy to have them stay with us.  The second year we celebrated this day with my cousins (Jo and Becky) and Jeff's cousin (Gracie) and of course my MIL.  Last year we did not do anything because I decided that I will just celebrate this day with the USA thanksgiving which will be next month.  I think that today is not just about having a big feast but it's about celebrating with family and friends.  Thanksgiving day is a day to reflect and give thanks what life has been whether good or bad.

So here's my take on what I am thankful for my past and present.

• My health even with some issues, I am feeling pretty good at my age and being able to do a lot of fun things.
• My relationship with my daughter. I am very lucky to have a special bond not just with my daughter but my son in law as well.  He has been looking after my daughter since I am miles away.
• My husband - I am so thankful that I met him at the stage of my life and we are very happy with what we both have and look forward to many more years.
• My sister who lately told me that she's a little disappointed with me because I have not made a commitment to travel with her.  Maybe next year we will meet somewhere and spend a week - sister's bonding.
• All my friends both in Canada and the USA.  They have been all there for me through good times and bad.  I am one of the luckiest person to have such great friends.
• The life I am enjoying now.  Being able to retire early and living in this area where the weather seems to be perfect everyday. 
• Making some mistakes in the past which makes me a better person and learning from it and to remind me not to make the same mistakes.

 

Scenic Sunday - Just a little more of our Texas Trip

After we got back from our Texas trip, I realized that we did not really take a lot of photos.  Maybe it's because there was nothing spectacular to take or we just forgot about doing it.  I still want to share whatever we have taken and that will be the end of my Texas Topic.

Back yard of the property we checked out.

Still part of the backyard - notice the small pond.

The entrance to the main house.

This swimming pool is really nice.

A yellow rose from Texas - my friend Sue gave it to me after our massage.

A beautiful sunny day on our return to Houston.

It's really too bad that we did not remember to take more photos as we visited places like Corsicana, Round Rock, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi, Houston and its surrounding areas of

Kemah, Sugarland, Katy, Richmond, Conroe and Woodlands.  Maybe next year we can check out some other State.  Any suggestions?

 

Satisfied Saturday - More simple foods from Texas

Sometimes even simple food from some small town is just as tasty as the food from the bigger restaurants.  Here's some of the not so popular places we stopped by to get lunch along our tour of Texas.

LONGHORN CAFE - chicken strips, fries and white gravy from the children's menu.

You might want to read this just for fun.

BIG 6 BBQ - Pulled pork with deep fried okra and potato salad.

BIG 6 BBQ - Ribs, beans and potato salad.

This is the BIG 6 BBQ (family owned-located in Kerens, Texas)

Food Friday - Not everything is big in Texas

In order to show all the type of foods that we tried while in Texas, I will have to cut my intro short.  I have decided to just mention which restaurant the food was served.

BRIO - blackened tilapia

BRIO - Shrimp with risotto

TASTE of TEXAS - Beef medallions

BRIO - salmon insilata

TASTE OF TEXAS - prime rib

KONA GRILL - Sushi platter

KONA GRILL - chicken and shrimp tacos

KONA GRILL - yellow tail tuna with jalapeno

All of the above was cooked to perfection with lots of flavor and as you can see not everything was big.

Travel Thursday - Back from Texas

My apologies to my followers/readers of my blog.  I have been traveling around Texas with Jeff and did not get a chance to blog.  We left on October 1 and returned on October 7.  The purpose was to check out some areas in Texas that might be a retirement possibilities.  During our visit we stayed with my best friend Sue and we had so much fun hanging around and meeting some of her good buddies.  She took us to some great spots in Houston for dining, sports and some live bands.   Although we had a chance to see one of their great mall, we did not really shop.  The big item I bought was a really nice comfy cowboy boots.

That's my black comfy cowboy boots.

Sue and I in front of the bear at the Taste of Texas restaurant

I would like to tell you more about our trip but I will need to do it for my next couple of posts.  Being away from blogging takes a bit of adjustment like time difference and returning to normal day to day chores which I did yesterday.  No wonder I am so tired today.

Tasty Tuesday - Seafood Cioppino

Oh no! I did not realized that I had posted this photo on What's cooking and did not check it.

Today is just a quick review of a restaurant that we tried last Friday.  As we were invited by our cousin Cissy (4th cousin twice removed) - it's a long story.  Her cousin was playing at a place called Sixteen Mile House in Millbrae.  We decided to check it out.  The bar area was not big but very friendly patrons - kinda like cheers.  Since we were going there for dinner as well, we checked out the menu.  Their regular dinner entree was not cheap but it all sounded good and delicious.  There was an insert of their special for that night.  The first item was their Seafood Cioppino.  I knew right there and then that it would be my dinner.  The portion was plenty and there were a lot of different kind of seafood from Crabs, shrimp, fish, scallops, clams, muscles and squid.  The broth was awesome and the I dip the sourdough bread that was on our table.  The music was ok but if I was going back to that place, it would be because of their food and service.