One Last Grasp At The Sky

We have another century plant on our property coming to the end of its life after being on our property for almost 40 years. 

Just like the last one a few years ago in our front yard, the center stalk sprouted up suddenly.  I know it's not possible for it to grow twenty feet overnight, but that's what it seemed like.  Magically, this big asparagus-like spear was just there.

Once the stalk flowers, the entire plant will die.  And this plant, which has been on our property for decades, will be gone.   

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2018: Diner For One
2017: An Actual Manic Monday
2016: Sunday Reading
2015: Do You Give Good Internet? I'll Be Right There.
2014: Where Are We?
2013: Where You'd Go For Camel Repair
2012: The Color Of Happy
2011: Taking Possession Of The Sound
2010: The Bridge People
2009: Knocking Us Off One Candy Bar At A Time
2008: How To Entertain Yourself When Hanging Out With Sight Impaired Adults
2007: Is It REALLY Such A Mystery??
2006: Heading South And Going Country
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Soup In A Golden Bowl

While going organizing some of our Europe photos, I came across these pictures reminding me of our first ever business class flight.  This was the "chef" on our flight - maybe he was also a flight attendant, maybe he was also a co-pilot, I don't know, I didn't look very close at everyone as I was too busy reading the menu and then enjoying the food - who came around and actually took our order for our meal.  

Once they got our orders, they brought out bread with accompaniments - a little bottle of olive oil, soft spreadable butter, salt & pepper (in the little onion-domed shakers - I love the one with the gold top!), and an herb mixture that I added my olive oil to.  The bread kept coming, too.  They'd make rounds with the bread basket, waving tongs in front of you pointing to delicious rolls - seeded, multi-grain, sourdough.  Clearly, they knew my weak spot. 

I'll tell you right now, you won't go hungry in business class.  Turkish Airlines did not stop feeding us.  From the minute we stepped foot in the Star Alliance Lounge at LAX airport, to the moment we got on the plane, there was food.  

When we were handed the menu for dinner, we groaned.  More food??  But we had to choose dinner, which would be served once we got in the air, and then breakfast for the next morning.

Here you can take a look at the dinner menu.  It was printed in Turkish and English, and you were allowed to have anything we wanted - four appetizers, two entrees, three desserts, whatever.   

Dinner choices here on the right side of the three-fold menu.

Breakfast choices here on the left.

In this photo taken by MacG, who was sitting behind us, I'm being served soup in a gold-rimmed bowl.  To the right of Ed is the trolley with the assorted canapés.  You just point at what you want, and they put it on a plate for you.  

Here are some of the appetizers - soup in that beautiful gold-rimmed bowl, cherry tomatoes with chunks of cheese, a coconut battered prawn, and a little bit of salad.

When we go to Europe again - and I hope it's 2020 - I honestly don't think I'll be able to fly any other class of service.  It's going to have to be a business class or first class flight.  I'll use every point, every perk, every trick I can pull to get that ticket.  Not only is the travel for the long distance more comfortable, but the food is fantastic.

They even have snacks for when you get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.  That's a pretty good perk. 

Of course, it's a little different than standing in front of an open refrigerator in your underwear, like you do at home, but I'll take a midnight Snickers bar any day of the week on an airplane.

Time to start making future travel plans!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
2018: Where The Elks Of Globe Went To Gather
2017: For All The Real Easter Lovers Out There
2016: Round Trip
2015: A Delicious Bridge And Tunnel
2014: More Important Than Taxes
2013: Stadium Seating
2012: Where Ed Was Found Roaming The Aisles
2011: If You Happen To Have A Few Hundred Million Lying Around, Have I Got A Deal For You
2010: Another Day At The Port
2009: Buggin’ Out
2008: Hangin’ Out With Ray Stoker Jr.
2007: Sunset On The Move
2006: Happy Easter
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Our Lady Of Paris

Today we learned there was a fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.  The structure, built in the 12th century, draws 13 million visitors each year.

When we were in Paris, we passed by the cathedral on our open bus tour but didn't go in since there were other things I wanted to see in our short time there.  Now I kinda regret missing it.

President Emmanuel Macron said they'll rebuild.  Paris will be watching the repair of their lady.



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2018: Hand In Hand
2017: Grain Grinder
2016: My Number One Man Next To Our Number One Tree
2015: The Eggplant Link Is The Tastiest
2014: Compliance By Guilt
2013: The Difference A Zero Makes
2012: Pre-Digital
2011: The Sun Sets On The Roughrider State
2010: Diamond Studded Proof
2009: How A Book Defies Its Cover
2008: How To Up Your Chances For A Sweet Monkey Lovin’ Romp
2007: Activities Director
2006: Ah, But It Is SO Worth It
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Art Of Clog Making

This is the craftsmen who gave the clog-making demonstration for us at the Kooijman Wooden Shoe Workshop at Zaanse Schans located about 12 miles (20 km) outside of Amsterdam, Netherlands. 

Although originally made by hand, the workshop uses antique machines to make wooden shoes the same way they were made a hundred years ago.

Each clog starts as a block of wood - like a chunk of a 4" x 4" - and finishes as a wearable shoe.  From log to clog.

The Kooijman workshop, located at Zaanse Schans, also houses a wooden clog museum.  They include everything from church clogs to rollerskate clogs to rhinestone-encrusted clogs.  They have one of the largest collections of clogs in the Netherlands.

The machines operate in a similar fashion to the way a key is made - they have one shoe in the machine already, to use as a template - and the machine follows the lines of that shoe to create another one. Then the shoe is hollowed out by another tool on the machine, which the craftsman manipulates to carve out the place for the foot.

The wood used for the shoe is wet - in order to work the wood, it has to be made up of approximately 60% water - and when the demonstration was over the shoemaker held the shoe to his lips and blew into it.  Water dripped from the pores of the wood, showing how much moisture the wood held.

The shoes are then set aside to thoroughly dry before they're hand-painted and sold to tourists looking to walk in the footsteps of the Dutch!

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2018: Beauty Prevails
2017: Approaching The Future Of Space Travel
2016: Hmeep Hmeep!
2015: Spring In The Sky
2014: Power To The Tree
2013: For Mommy
2012: There’s Always Room For La Dolce Vita
2011: Drop It Like It’s Hot
2010: The Art Of Being Tardy
2009: Vantage Point
2008: Cape Cahd Hahba
2007: Waxing Brilliant
2006: Seven! Seven! Seven! Seven! Seveeeeennnn!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Chill Out, They're Fine

The first time I saw unrefrigerated eggs in a grocery store was in a small village in Italy in 2010.  They were just on a shelf, next to the bread.  Kinda freaked me out.  

Dairy, not refrigerated?? What's wrong with these Italians??

Then, last year on our trip to France, I saw the same thing.  These eggs, in the photo above, just sitting in their cartons, on a shelf in the corner, no chill to be felt anywhere.

The first time in Italy, I had no idea why.  I couldn't even come up with a good guess.  Well, other than thinking, people collect eggs, warm, right from under the chicken's ass and then they use them, right? So how bad can it be? 

Still.  It was weird to me.  I was raised with refrigerated eggs, so I had to do a little research.  And once I did, I felt a teensy bit smarter and not as freaked out.  And frankly, a little stupid to not have known.  

So this time, armed with my knowledge, when I saw those eggs in France I just looked at them and shrugged.  Eh, eggs in a corner.  No biggie.

Read this piece to find out Why The U.S. Chills Its Eggs And Most Of The World Doesn't.


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2018: Right Of Way
2017: Not A Time For Restful Sleep
2016: Yellow Pop
2015: Union Wharf
2014: Mysterious Exercise
2013: Doris Day Spends The Weekend In Texas
2012: Evening Ball
2011: Taxes And Ta-Tas
2010: Ah, The Subtle Contrasts Of New Jersey
2009: A Fishy Pishy Is Never Dishy
2008: Before The Luck Ran Out
2006: Five Guys I’m In Love With This Week
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Jammin' With The Pamplemousse

Photo

Grapefruit Vermouth Marmalade.  I'm definitely making this. 

I'm not a drinker, but I love grapefruit and I love jam.

My at-home time is getting busier by the day.


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2018: Who Dat?
2017: Nest
2016: Working On The Railroad
2015: There's A Killer Whale On My Sightseeing List
2014: You Look Hungry, Take These For Later
2013: A Dumpster Diver's Dream
2012: Reigning Over Sitting 300 Days A Year
2011: Raining In Baltimore
2010: Back That Ass Up
2009: Shaved, Slivered, Sliced, Grated, Chunked, And Best Of All, In Meatballs
2008: Too Small For America?
2007: Waiting For A Beautiful Balsamic Splash
2006: Other Weird Things In Utah
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Top Of The Parmigiana List

Photo:  Alex Lau

It doesn't matter whether you call it - parmesan or parmigiana - they're the same thing and they're both delicious.  Here are four ways I like my parmigiana:

Bobby Flay's Chicken Parmigiana 

Rachael Ray's Veal Parmigiana - you must use the tenderest baby veal, pounded very thin.

Bon Appétit's Best Eggplant Parmigiana - this is what I'll be making for Easter!

And last, I love a Meatball Parmigiana Sub.  

If you're feeling more sandwich-y than entree-ish, you can make any one of these into a sandwich.  

Oooooh...I can't wait for the day after Easter when I'll have leftover eggplant for sandwiches!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Stay In Your Lane
2017: Don't Even Go There
2016: Pretty Purple Prickly Pears
2015: Visually Artistic Lighting
2014: I Lost Sleep Looking At All These Links
2013: Five Facets Of Comfort
2012: The Daily Rant Brings You The Daily Commute
2011: Not For The Shy
2010: A Barge And A Lady
2009: Easter Preparation Takes Its Toll
2008: Eddie In The Blue Friday
2007: The Man Filter
2006: There Is Still A Chance
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Grapes, Raisins, Or Wine...All Delicious

Muscat Grapes in Paris, France.


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2018: Dominion Over Copper Mining
2017: Getting Served
2016: Bringing 1946 Back To Life
2015: Vintage Heaven
2014: No Wonder China Is The Exporting Superpower
2013: 109 Miles Of White Knuckle Passengering 
2012: Strong
2011: The Man Unmasked
2010: Fingers Crossed For All Things Motorized!
2009: Eddie Forces A Smile Friday
2008: A, B, C, D, DD: No Matter What The Letter, The Trauma Is The Same
2007: How To Watch American Idol The Right Way
2006: Dings And Hos
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

How Sweet It Is

I had sweet potatoes that I needed to use.  I didn't want to bake or mash them, so I decided to use Mark Bittman's recipe and make fries.

It was a delicious decision.



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2018: Lit Since 1965
2017: Smoke Rings In The Light
2016: This is FONTastic!!
2015: Perky For Spring
2014: Spring In Wyoming
2013: Texas For Immigration
2012: Mys-Understanding
2011: Zumba In My Dreams
2010: Eddie Peep Show Friday
2009: Some Like It Hot
2008: The Desert Blooms With Irritants
2007: Squeeze Me?
2006: Relationship Deal Breakers
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Inches Of Luxury

That's our current truck in the photo above.  It has a 132" ARI Custom sleeper on a Freightliner Coronado chassis. 

We're in the market for a new truck now, which is one of the reasons we recently went to the truck show in Kentucky.  I want a bigger sleeper, Ed wants to be able to go to Canada.

Going to Canada means we'd have to stick with the 132" and put it on a Volvo chassis, which has a shorter wheelbase than our Freightliner.  That will allow us to go anywhere in Canada, something we haven't been able to do in 10 years.

Sure, I'd love to go to Canada.  I love it up there.  But I also love the idea of a bigger sleeper.  Take a look at photos from ARI showing the interior of their 190" sleeper.  It's got a back bed, a side door, and tons of room!

These trucks are great for what we do.  Even though we have our house in Arizona, we choose to stay out sometimes for weeks, and when we're on the road I really love the comforts of home.  Overdrive did a piece last year on big sleepers.

The decor in this one is right up my alley.  Light color, barn wood flooring, greyish-black cabinet color.  There are a few other cabinet colors I like and Ed keeps telling me I have to make a decision because there's at least a five month wait time to get it.

These truck interiors are truly custom.  They will make and decorate it any way you desire and wish to pay for.  I can't say I love all of these looks, but if you're interested in seeing what other people have done with their interiors, scroll through these photos to see what kinds of choices one has.

As much as I want the big sleeper, and have been building a case for it, I'd kinda like being able to go to Canada again.  It opens up more opportunities for adventure, pictures, and scenery!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: No Room At The Tonto
2017: Skies Are Always Sunnier From The Left
2016: Talking Back Isn't Such A Bad Thing After All
2015: Staying Entertained During The Load Hunt
2014: Olive You
2013: Digging Through The Memory Bank
2012: Hoochie Easter
2011: Make It Yourself Or Just Stay Home
2010: If It Walks Like A Duck…
2009: Pink In Tacoma
2008: Not The Kind Of Flower You Pick
2007: Exclusive Holiday Visitation
2006: Basket Of Knowledge
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

How About I Turn My Head A Little To The Right?

A portrait of my mother's cat, Daisy.  Yes, she always looks that serious.



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2018: Here, Hold This For A Minute
2017: Go For A Walk Or Take A Bath? That's A No-Brainer.
2016: An Area Illuminated By The Bright Light Of Trinity
2015: Tugging At Human Heartstrings
2014: Don't Be Crabby Because It's Monday
2013: If You See One Of These, Please Follow Instructions
2012: Not A Deterrent
2011: Wooden You Love Some New Toys?
2010: In Truck Portrait
2009: Unwatchable
2008: Nesting
2007: The Quickest Way To Get Ready For A Nap
2006: One Stop Shopping
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Mile High Walking

A corridor at the Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado.



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2018: So Succulent
2017: Dough Meets Grill
2016: As If Florida Isn't Crazy Enough
2015: Guac, Not Eggs
2014: Beyond Restoration?
2013: Don't Let The Pretty Label Fool You
2012: True Trucker Confession
2011: Spring Buds And An M3
2010: International Relations
2009: Waiting For The Storm IN Ohio
2008: Sprawl
2007: Moonlighting
2006: Spring Breath Escapes Through Two Lips
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

A Lonely Chile Relleno

One of Ed's favorite Mexican dishes is the Chile Relleno.  Where he grew up in Texas, they used to stuff the chiles with ground beef.  But in all of our travels, we never find anything but cheese-stuffed chiles.  So that's what he gets.

This one was made at one of our local Mexican restaurants, one we don't go to nearly enough.  It's called Mosaic Cafe Dos.

The place is small and the food is delicious.  They hand make flour tortillas on site, and if you get there at the right time you can get them fresh off the griddle.  They're amaaaaazing!

There's definitely no shortage of good Mexican food in Tucson!


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2018: Skeleton Crew
2017: Swiss Precision In The Kitchen
2016: Trucking Across The American West
2015: Happy Easter!
2014: At The Water's Edge
2013: The Best Money Ever Spent
2012: Hip In Texas
2011: My Beaver, My Rules
2010: Don’t Forget The Alamo!
2009: Straight Out Of The Box
2008: Unreal Ideal
2007: Stealing Isn’t Always A Bad Thing
2006: 04 05 06
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Southwest Sunrise

After the truck show last week, we left Louisville VERY early.  I was up at 3:00 AM local time.  It was dark when we left the airport, but I got to see the sunrise sometime after we left. 

We didn't have a luxurious breakfast like on our Turkish Airlines Business Class Flight to Europe, but I did get a nice cup of orange juice.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: Dream. Plan. Ride.
2017: Accidental Exercise
2016: Boys Versus Girls

2015: Changing A Brat Into A Real Girl
2014: Floating Across The Hood Canal
2013: My Small Recipe For Success
2012: This Song Would Get ME In For A Nap
2011: That Truck Driving Woman
2010: Spring Blooms
2009: Petal Tips Of Spring And A New Life
2008: Eddie In Hawaiian Garb Friday
2007: New Floridork?
2006: Boogie Down Bronx
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!