Random Ramblings: Updates (here) and Recipe (to follow!)

Oops. I've been kinda silent for awhile, haven't I?

Part of it is: I have a Medical Excuse (that I'd rather not get into - but let's just say it's tough to type when you've got to wear gloves!)

The better part is: Things HAVE been kinda hectic lately - including seeing two (Yes, TWO!!!) Jimmy Buffett Shows. He played San Jose week-before-last, but hubs couldn't go 'cuz he was stuck in So-Cal on a Business Trip. But then hubs decided to extend his business trip so he could drive down to San Diego. I then flew down on Saturday morning and we got to see Jimmy last Saturday night!

For the San Jose Show, I managed to make my SECOND appearance on "The Parking Lot Video" (my smiling mug blasted up on the big-screen). So that was SUPER cool! And I made a few new phriends from the Latitude 38 Parrothead Club.

My license plate on the Big Screen :-)

The Plate + Frame says "It's 5❤CLOCK Somewhere"

They then panned up to me, looking at my watch,

giving the Thumb's-Up and drinking my margarita.

Unfortunately, there was too much shutter-lag on my

camera to capture the pic of my face on the big-screen.

But I was up there! Really!!!

By the time I got to San Diego, my medical condition was *really* starting to flare up (Okay-okay, I've got psoriasis - if anyone cares!), so walking, dancing - even standing - was pretty painful. And by the time we got home, I was pretty-well whooped!

Still, it was loads of fun and I'm not gonna let ANYTHING stop me from having a good time at a Jimmy Buffett Show! (Even if it means suffering for over a week afterward, trying to recover!) (Gawd it SUCKS getting old!!!).

Since we've been back, I did go to see the dermatologist. She gave me a shot of prednisone so now I'm "Bloated, irritable and hungry all the time" (Great - JUST what I need!), the itching is *starting* to subside, but I still feel and look pretty reptilian. Niiiiiiiice! And much of the "pain" is still there, unfortunately.

...As is a bit of a "funky," bummer, depressed mood ("Sucks getting old" and "Sucks not being able to DO anything" "Waaahhh-Waaahhh-Waaahhh!")

In the meantime, I still have a boatload of yard chores to complete (Not hap'nin'!). We actually ARE getting *some* rain (which is actually a good partial excuse for not completing yard chores).

Friend-P has been cranking out tons of new Ceramic projects and posting pictures of them on Facebook, and texting and emailing me with pictures and excellent ideas of New Projects to start. And loaning me DVD's of different ceramic-techniques, yada-yada.

She's actually *trying* to cheer me up - which I greatly appreciate. But the fact is, it's having the exact OPPOSITE effect because - as long as my hands are all reptilian and painful - I *can't* go out and Play in the Clay :::sigh:::

Psoriasis is "triggered" by stress - but I can't partake in my "stress-reducing" hobbies because I've got friggin' psoriasis!!! (How's THAT for a f**king miserable Catch-22???)

Sooooo... I'm doing my best to take it easy. I spend much of my time with my feet propped-up (and slathered in Rx goop), and my hands equally slathered-and-gloved. I hope to regain *some* semblance of health by the end of next week. P and I are going to a "Make a Clay Birdhouse" class at a local (different) ceramic studio, next week. And next Saturday is the Annual Santa Clara Master Gardener's Spring Garden Market (how's THAT for a mouthful?!).

I definitely need to be in "fighting form" for that (Literally and figuratively!). I have started a few varieties of tomatoes (and other stuff) on my bathroom windowsill, and my germination rate looks pretty good, so far (Especially considering that the seeds are 3-4+ years old). But I've never had much success with starting things from seed and expect that most will perish upon transplant. I don't want to "hedge my bets" and I do plan to buy WAAAAY too many plants at the Spring Market!

Baby Sproutlings. I think I've had about a 70% germination rate, so far...

So yeah, I plan to kick back as much as possible for the next week (even though I am practically climbing the walls with Cabin Fever already!) so, hopefully, I'll recover enough to be able to get out there and accomplish something worthwhile next weekend!

And maybe, just maybe, I can get back to my Therapeutic, Stress-Releasing Clay-Play sometime SOON!!!

Kiln loaded with greenware, to be bisqued

Bisque-ware, unloaded from the kiln and ready for glaze.

Now, if I can just get to where I feel GOOD enough to get out there and slap some glaze on it!

Recipe: Leftover Apple-Spice Pork Stew

OMG - Two posts in one day???

Well, I wanted to "write this down" while it was still fresh in my head - so I'm not doing anybody any favors here!

So, a couple-three days ago, I made an Applesauce and Herb Crusted Pork Loin and it was good. It was a tad on the dry side (I'm still "getting to know" our new Kenmore Nuker/Convection oven), but it was still quite tasty.

The dryness did kinda deter any thoughts of sandwiches the next day, however. It was better on the first night, slathered in gravy!

Anyway, I still had appx half of the roast in the fridge and hated to see it go to waste (although I'm sure the dogs would have gladly helped!)

So I decided to Google "What to do with leftover pork tenderloin" (got a bunch of "Mexican Meal" ideas). Then I googled "Pork Stew" and stumbled onto a recipe for Harvest Pork Stew. That sounded intriguing because some of the "base" flavors were very similar to what I already had!

Okay then, I think we have a winner! Srsly - there is something about the flavor combination of pork + apple + rosemary (I *swear* it's the rosemary!), that is simply AMAZING!

I don't have exact measurements, this time around, and - as usual - I wandered way off-track when it came to the original recipe. It turned into another one of those "What do I have in the fridge?" frenzies. So, by all means, do the same thing! I think the main ingredients that I wouldn't swap out are the apples, applesauce and spices..

Here's what I ended up with:

QT's Leftover Apple-Spice Pork Stew

Ingredients:

• Leftover pork tenderloin (appx 1 lb, maybe?) cut into spoon-sized chunks
• 1 medium red onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 clove fresh garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped into small chunks
• 1 small turnip, chopped into smallish chunks (or use potatoes - whatever!)
• 6 stalks of fresh asparagus, snapped into 1" chunks
• 1 Granny Smith Apple, chopped into small chunks (I always screw up and chop my apples too coarsely - they take forEVER to cook down, so stick with small chunks!)
• 2 cups (appx) broth (I used beef - since I already had an open carton, But chicken or veggie broth would be fine)
• Leftover gravy (I had appx 1/2 cup left)
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 can of sliced mushrooms (or fresh, sauteed with the onions, would be even better)
• Leftover mashed potatoes (probably appx 1/2 cup)
• 1 tsp each of dried thyme, basil and rosemary
• Olive oil (enough for the initial saute)
• Splash of white cooking wine (to deglaze the pan)
• Salt/Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Start out by lightly sauteeing the onions and garlic in olive oil on medium to medium-low heat - til translucent (but not brown).
2. Toss in your "hard" veggies (carrots, turnips), and chopped apples. Continue to saute on medium heat to - hopefully - start the "softening" process.
3. Add your asparagus (and fresh mushrooms, if you have 'em). Keep cooking, stirring constantly, til the softer veggies start to soften.
4. Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine.
5. Add in the chopped leftover pork, broth, leftover gravy, applesauce and seasonings. Bring to a gentle boil, then turn heat down to "simmer."
6. Simmer for appx 1 hour, 'til the hard veggies are tender.
7. Stir in the leftover mashed potatoes (to help thicken the broth). You might also consider tossing in a couple Tbs of dried "Potato Buds" (Quick-cook mashed potatoes) to help thicken it, as well.
8. You might also decide to toss in some frozen veggies (peas, corn, whatevers) near the end of cooking, if you want more colors/flavors. Personally, I think it's fine "As-Is!"
9. Give it a taste, add salt/pepper if desired.

Serve and ENJOY!!!

All done!

Come to think of it, it is a little bland-looking, maybe some frozen peas would've kicked it up a notch!

It was still mighty tasty!

Recipe: Super-Easy Low-Sugar/No-Cook Strawberry Freezer Jam

So I still haven't gotten a new phone (:::sigh::: The Budget says "NO!"), and I'm still too lazy to drag out the "real" camera (and find the USB cable, and transfer the files, and yada-yada). So you'll just have to settle for Crappy Droid Pics!

And besides, I have a dilemma in that I really don't have a "pretty spot" to take good pictures anyway! Some of the bloggers I follow take simply *scrumptious* photos of their "Works-In-Progress" on their simply-gorgeous-shiny stainless steel gas ranges, and their "Finished Products" on their expansive granite countertops and/or clutter-free dining tables...

I have None-of-the-Above! I have a nice, new-ish white glass cooktop stove (and I can still hear my mom's voice, echoing in my head "DON'T GET WHITE! It'll be impossible to keep clean!"), consequently, WHILE I'm cooking, the cooktop is generally a glopped-up mess and ("Yes, Mom. You were right!") I have to scrub the hell out of it EVERY time I use it! I also have a gouged-up late-70's vintage off-white Formica countertop. And forget about the "clutter-free" dining table!

Now I *do* have an expansive and lovely quartz countertop in the bathroom. But it just seems kinda weird to take Food Pictures in the bathroom - dont'cha think?!

Oops. I'm rambling again, aren't I?!

Okay, okay: Well, here's my lousy/lame excuse for a photo:

I think the "artfully placed" placemat kinda helps!

Anywaaaaayyy, I promised a recipe, so here it is! It was so quick and so easy, I am tempted to call it "cheating!"

The grocery store had strawberries (YESSS! Local even!) on sale. "Buy One Get One Free" so I picked up a couple of 16 oz tubs. I looked for rhubarb but, alas, there was none. So this afternoon, I decided to make:

Super-Easy Low-Sugar/No-Cook Strawberry Freezer Jam

Yield: Appx 4 half-pints

Ingredients

• 2 (16 oz) baskets of fresh strawberries.
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup Splenda
  Note: This is waaaay less sweetener than the Ball recipe called for - but I think it's perfect!
• 4 Tbs "Instant" Pectin (mine was Ball brand and came in a little plastic jar)

Instructions

1. Rinse, core and slice the strawberries. Make sure it measures out to appx 4 cups
2. Start smashing some of the strawberries (a layer at a time) in a medium sized bowl. I used a potato masher.
   Note: You don't have to thoroughly mush them (in fact, it's better to leave at least 1/3 of the berries somewhat-recognizable - IMHO)
3. Sprinkle sugar on the smashed strawberries as you go.
4. Let 'em set 'n sweat for appx 5 minutes.
5. Mix the Splenda with the Pectin in a separate small bowl.
6. Dump the Splenda/Pectin mixture on your now-soupy strawberry mess and mix thoroughly.
7. The Ball Jar said let it set-up for 5 minutes. I didn't, I just started spooning it into the freezer jars - leaving 1/2" headspace, then tossed 'em in the freezer.

VOILA! Super-fresh tasting Low-Sugar Strawberry Jam - that took a whopping 15 minutes to throw together (Yayyy!)

Seeds are Started!

Seeds started in the bathroom window

Wellllll... It's been a Super-Dry Winter (can't wait to hear the "We're Having a Drought" rantings, later this year). Actually, it's kind of a bummer because we aren't even getting our annual "Two Weeks of Green" - which equates to "Springtime" in my neck o' the woods.

I did "do my part" to try to encourage rain. I uncovered the Tiki Bar (as well as removed the protective bed-sheet from my Plumerias). I figured that would virtually GUARANTEE a rainstorm - but that plan kinda backfired on me. Yes, we did get rain. But it was in the form of an Alaskan Storm-Front with FREEZING temperatures (necessitating a mad-dash, after dark, to re-cover my Plumies!). And the rain that we got was... Well... Paltry!

(I probably shoulda washed my car. *That* would have guaranteed a deluge!)

Of course, it's not too late. March and April can "go either way" - weather-wise. And there *have* been years when it rained clear into June.

I suspect that this is NOT gonna be one of those years, however...

Nevertheless, the weather *is* starting to warm-up a bit. Nighttime temps are still pretty chilly, but daytime temps have been hitting the low 70's (Yay!!!).

So my thoughts really are turning toward springtime and - w00t! - the Summer Garden.

There's a "new" tomato coming out this year: Indigo Rose which is a super-duper dark purple tomato. I've already ordered 3 plants, which should be arriving sometime in April.

I'm also looking forward to the annual Spring Garden Market (aka "Madhouse!") put-on by the Santa Clara Master Gardeners. I've already printed up the list of seedlings they'll have available...

And, undaunted by my past failures, I am - once again - trying to start seeds in the bathroom window!

Actually, I probably should have started the seeds back in late-January, but - "Oh well!" I ploppped the seeds into my Mini-Jiffy-Greenhouses on March 1.

This years' selection of seeds includes:

• San Marzano Paste Tomato (which was a Freebie from www.labelgmos.org - An organization that deserves support, IMHO)
• Amish Paste Tomato
• Coyote Cherry Tomato
• Cherokee Green Tomato
• Big White Pink Stripe Tomato
• Super Snow White Tomato
• Pruden's Purple Tomato
• Bidwell Casaba Melon
• Three different varieties of Honeydew Melon
• Birdhouse Gourd
• Long-handled Dipper Gourd
• Dill's Atlantic Pumpkin
• Hercules Pumpkin

I've also started separate planters with strawberry seeds, and sweet red bell peppers - all in the house. Yeah, I know, I have a greenhouse but I really like watching my "babies" grow *inside* the house! When they get bigger and need to start "hardening-off," I'll move 'em out to the GH!

And a friend of mine has started some zucchini seeds and has promised to give a plant to me, when they're ready!

Now I absolutely DO NOT HAVE adequate space for ALL of these plants. But, knowing my luck with starting veggies from seed, I really don't have anything to worry about! (And, most likely, I'll be giving my seedlings away to friends and neighbors anyway!).

As far as the "Cool Season" garden goes:

The Kohl Crops that Friend-P gave me are still "hangin' in there" in the Straw-Bale Bed. Haven't harvested a damn thing, but maybe I'll get lucky... The "cut and come-again" salad greens that I planted in the patio planters are doing "okay" (but I never did get any spinach).

The stuff in the raised bed? Well, I see a few onions and/or garlic shoots coming up; I've harvested a few radishes; and I do see some beets (for sure!) and possibly some turnips coming up. The peas didn't do squat (which is a bummer, since they are "nitrogen-fixing" and would have done the soil some good). And the couple-three seedlings of Kohl Crops that did survive the snails are "floundering."

I'm a little worried that the raised-bed veggies might not *do* anything significant. If they don't ripen soon, then I'll probably have to rip them out - in favor of Summer Crops. I think I'm gonna need every square inch of available growing-space. I've heard that you can "double-plant" tomatoes (2 plants, per cage). You still end up with the same quantity of tomatoes, overall (meaning each plant ends-up producing half of what it normally would), but you get a wider "variety" - so I think I'm gonna try that this year.

I do hope that the paste-tomatoes produce well because I'd *love* to do some serious sauce-canning this year.

And I really-really-really hope that at least ONE of the honeydews "makes it." I remember (with great fondness) the year we put the swimming pool in. We had built a make-shift lattice fence in front of the pool equipment and I had planted an "unidentified vine" from one of the local nurseries, right next to it. It turned out to be a honeydew melon and it went positively freaking NUTS on that lattice fence. We must've had 30+ melons that year (and GAWD were they delicious!). I have NEVER been able to duplicate that feat, unfortunately.

Oh, and don't even get me started on gourds and pumpkins. I plant them EVERY year and get NUTHIN'!

Anyway... This doesn't squelch my "optimism" - obviously - because every year, I keep on planting seeds and hoping for the best...

In the meantime, I have purchased two bags of compost, which I'll spread over the raised beds (not even gonna try to keep the Straw-Bale Bed going this summer). And soon it will be time to dust-off the old posts (linked from Finnyknits), and go through the annual Soil-Testing and Amending Ritual. I had phenomenal luck with the veggie beds, last year, and I'm chalking it up to Finny's most-excellent advice.

More to come...........................

Recipe: Applesauce and Herb-Crusted Pork Loin

Man, I have been totally remiss in posting lately!

And *much* has transpired! (including starting seeds for my Summer Garden!)

I'll try to catch-up later. But for now, I wanted to post a recipe (that I am trying-out for the very first time tonight - hopefully I can add pictures later).

QT's Applesauce-Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin Roast

(I smooshed two recipes together *and* modified it, so I think I can safely call it my own!)

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/applesauce-pork-loin/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/herb-crusted-pork-tenderloin-recipe/index.html

Ingredients:

• 1 3-1/2 lb Pork Tenderloin
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 Tbs Olive Oil
• 1 Tbs honey
• 1 Tbs yellow mustard (orig recipe called for 3 Tbs Dijon, but I didn't have any) (and I really, really HATE mustard!)
• 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• I also added 1/2 tsp fresh thyme, 1 tsp fresh basil, 2 tsp fresh rosemary (because I had it available)
• fresh-ground pepper and sea-salt, to taste

Instructions:

1. I started out by pre-heating my Nuker/Convection oven to 450*. Once it was heated-up, I put my (rinsed and patted dry) pork loin in the oven, fat-side DOWN, for 15 minutes (I know, from experience, that my oven has a hot spot in the middle/top - and I wanted the bottom to get a chance to get cooked).
2. While it was pre-cooking, I prepared the coating/sauce by combining all the remaining ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
3. After the roast was pre-cooked, I slathered the sauce over the entire roast.
4. Then, I flipped the roast over (fat-side up) and put it back in the Convection/Nuker on Auto-Roast. It set itself to cook @ 325* for appx 1 hour.
5. Maybe, appx 15 minutes before it's "done," I'll flip it over again - to make sure the bottom gets fully cooked. I had a little leftover applesauce/herb gloop that I'll probably add at that time.

I'll definitely check it with a meat thermometer and make sure it's done enough (internal temp 155-160*). Then I'll tent it with aluminum foil and let it rest for 15-20 mins...

I hope it's half as good as it smells! (It smells AMAZING!!!!)

I'll serve it with "Cheater's Mashed Potatoes" (nukable from the 'frigerator section of the grocery store) and "Cheater's Green Beans w/Slivered Almonds from the freezer section).

Oh, and canned Turkey Gravy with pan-drippings and a small can of mushrooms mixed in.

:::sigh::: I'm just too lazy to prepare EVERYTHING from scratch!

Afterword: I think the Convection/Nuker's Auto-setting might have been a little *too* long. The roast came out a little on the dry side (thank goodness for gravy!). I think 45 minutes would've been a little better. Nevertheless, it was delicious!

Pictures:

Fresh out of the oven!

All served up!

Recipe: Crustless Asparagus Quiche

Okay... I made this for myself a couple of years ago. Decided to re-make it with a few additions/modifications a couple of days ago.

I didn't like my additions, but I recall the ORIGINAL recipe was "To Die For" so I will re-post it here:

QT's Crust-less Asparagus Quiche

Ingredients:

• appx 1 to 1-1/2 cups of fresh asparagus, cut into 1" chunks
• 6 fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 5 eggs (if you choose to use a crust, cut it back to 4 eggs)
• 6 slices muenster cheese (chopped 'til it's like shredded)
• 1 cup cream
• 2 Tbs sour cream
• Lawry's Seasoning Salt
• Nutmeg
• French-fried crunchy onions

Instructions:

1. Nuke the asparagus 'til al dente
2. Beat the eggs, add the cream and a couple dashes of Lawry's
3. Add the sour cream
4. Fold in the "shredded" muenster cheese
5. Put the asparagus and mushrooms (I think I might saute the shrooms, lightly, in olive oil - next time!) in a greased pie pan (or pre-baked pie-crust)
6. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the top

Bake in a pre-heated 375* oven. About 10 minutes before it's done, add crunchy onions and nutmeg to the top and continue baking 'til the center is "set."

I cooked mine in the convection oven for appx 45 minutes.

Allow to cool before serving

Sorry - No pics this time around. But trust me when I say this recipe was delicious *and* beautiful!!!

(Belated) Road Triiiiiiip!!!!

Ya know, sometimes it kinda "loses something" if you're not timely about posting.

But - seein' as how I feel like I'm the ONLY reader (other than hubs), I s'pose it doesn't much matter, right?!!

(Actually, I do get about a hundred "hits" per week, so evidently somebody stumbles onto this blog - however inadvertently!!!)

Anyway... As promised, I will post the Big-Road-Trip-Recap and some Random Pics from said Road-Trip.

Warning: This is full-on "Rambling" so if that's not your thing, then just "Move along... Nothing to see here!"

Pre-Ramble-Ramblings: Many years ago, I purchased my Very First (and - come to think of it! - ONLY) Brand New Car. I think it was late-1990 and I had purchased a 1991 Geo Metro Convertible which looked like a Miata with a Thyroid Problem. BFF-S and I made a road-trip to So-Cal (to Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland) - without the benefit of a car stereo!!! - and we had "documented" our Adventure in a steno-pad notebook. Now, I'm pretty sure I still have that notebook buried someplace, but it was a hoot-and-a-half (in a "You had to be there" kinda way!!!). I definitely recall S's consternation when we started out our journey with a stop at 7-11 and my insistence on buying a Super-Big-Gulp Coke. And she was very diligent about logging ALL of our Rest-Stop Stops "Thanks to Nancy and her Super-Big-Gulp!"

It actually *was* a whole lot of fun and TONS of laughs.

Now add "Facebook" to the equation and our ability to update our friends' IN REAL TIME and, well, it's a guaranteed yuk-fest, right???

Welllllll... It would have been, had it not been for the fact that Facebook pushed-through some kind of upgrade and - FOR ONCE - it defaulted *everything* to totally private!!! Meaning: Every Gawddamned post and photo that I uploaded during that trip was visible to "ME ONLY." WTF???

BASTITCHES!!!

Anyhooooo... Here's the Random Ramblings I originally captured for Friend-P's and my Big Road Trip Adventure:

We survived our Road Trip to San Diego. Friend-P and I piled into the Sebring and headed out at - what turned out to be - 8:30am (rather than the 7:00am I had originally projected). Fortunately, southbound traffic out of San-Jo isn't too bad...

So we headed down 101 South to 152 East (we're in Northern California, we don't preface our highways with "THE"). We took a short side-trip to Santa Nella so we could stop for breakfast at Pea Soup Andersen's (ignore the Buellton address, it's the same website for Santa Nella, too).

*Love* that place - don't ask me why! And yes, we had Pea Soup for breakfast!!! (Yes, it's on the menu as the "Traveler's Breakfast" - Pea Soup + 2 eggs + bacon, ham, or sausage + pancakes).

Annnnnnd! I got two jars of their "Gourmet Seasoning" (which I actually LOVE - and had almost run-out-of!)

Then we hopped on I-5 South for the arduous and none-too-exciting journey through the Central Valley, down to El Lay and beyond...

Now, had the conference been a week or two later, the Valley would have been simply stunning with all of the fruit and nut tree blossoms. But alas, it wasn't. It was pretty barren and pretty dull. And pretty stinky around Coalinga and Kettleman City (Massive Dairy Farms and Feedlots) (Quick! Switch the A/C to "Recirculate!!!").

I'll skip the play-by-play but - suffice it to say - P and I managed to keep ourselves entertained. "Look! A Porta-Potty Ranch!!!" as we passed a large lot full of - you guessed it - Porta-Potties!

And we discussed such deep, philosophical issues as "Is that a Porta-Potty RANCH? Or is it a FARM?" Same with the Pallet-Farm, and the Farm-Implement Ranch (I think we finally agreed that Porta-Potties and Farm Implements were handled by RANCHERS, but we never did agree on Pallets.).

And P was updating Facebook the entire time... Checking us in at the various "Rest Areas" and uploading pictures of mileage signs and other inane sightings...

Unfortunately, she missed her Photo-Op for "Pleasant Valley State Prison" (Not to worry, I caught it on the return trip!)

Anyway... According to Google Maps, the drive from San Jose to San Diego was supposed to have taken appx 7-1/2 hours. But Google, apparently, knows nothing about Los Angeles Friday Afternoon RUSH-HOUR Traffic (which, apparently, starts around noon and, well, NEVER ENDS!!!).

Now I piss and moan, quite a bit, about Bay Area traffic.

Uhhhh... NO!

There are, quite frankly, too goddamn many people down there! To be fair, P and I did switch-off with the driving, and I did avail myself of Cruise-Control when we were on "The Five" (Okay, we're in So-Cal now... Gotta talk like a local!), but after sitting in ALL OF THAT TRAFFIC on "The Four-Oh-Five," (and Thank GAWD P came along - at least we got to use the HOV Lane!!!), well, my ankle was starting to ache and my Jovial Mood was starting to wane, rather quickly!

All I could think was "There are people who DO this Every. Friggin.' Day!!!"

And... "THANK GAWD I telecommute!!!"

And that's all I'm gonna say about that. (Jeezus!!!)

Anyway, I got us through the worst of it. Then P took over, because - seriously - my right ankle really was starting to cramp-up!

...And, ironically, it wasn't THAT long ago that I had done a San Jose to San Diego AND BACK (Like, yes, ROUND-TRIP) trek in ONE DAY! (I suspect some speed-laws may have been broken!)

But I digress.................

So then we're on a toll-road - "The 73" (if you care!) - trying to avoid the snarl on "The 405" - and ultimately getting dumped back onto "The 5."

As we're driving along, it's starting to get dark. Hell, it IS dark! And what do I spy, up ahead? Some GIANT BOOBIES (complete with flashing red-light nipples!) (a la Carol Doda and the Condor Club in SanFran!). I immediately perked up and shouted out "BOOBIES!!!!"

"What the hell is THAT?" We both wondered aloud.

"Hmmm... Where are we?"

"San Onofre"

"I think, but I'm not sure... They might be NUKES!"

So I power up my phone (neither of us had functional car-chargers, by the way - "D'oh!")

And I Google "San Onofre Nuclear" and, lo and behold, not ONLY are the Giant Boobies a Nuclear Power Plant, but HEY!!! They're LEAKING!!! Yippeeeee!!!!

Yes, the first "hit" on Google was a news article about how some maintenance worker FELL INTO one of the water/cooling tanks and now there was a "small, but not dangerous leak."

"Oh Goodie!"

We looked at each other and asked simultaneously "Am I glowing???"

Thankfully, we weren't.

And you thought this was gonna be an uneventful trip, right?!!

During the return trip, P and I were more diligent with our "Check-In's" on Facebook (at least P's posts were showing up!). We had breakfast at The Sugar Shack in San Onofre (home of the San Onofre - but *not* glowing - omelette). P "checked-us-in" there, but *I* checked us in at "San Onofre Nuclear Boobies!" (Sucked that the post wasn't visible to anyone but me - but STILL - I thought it was hysterical that that came-up as a "check-in spot" on FB)...

And further north, I *did* catch my Photo-Op for Pleasant Valley State Prison (and even managed another "invisible check-in" on Facebook)...

Anyhoooooooo... It was a Super-Fun Weekend. And I got TONS of inspiration for new Ceramics Projects - which I will be attempting very soon...

Here are some random pics "from the road:"

Split-Pea Andersen's Breakfast Menu

Proof that you CAN have pea-soup for breakfast!!!

General Goofiness. P is on the left, and I am on the right!

My Simply Priceless Souvenir from the Adventure

a Squished Andersen's Pea Soup Penny!

Avenal Rest Area

Oxymoron, encountered at Avenal Rest Area!

(Can't blame the Super Big Gulp this time!!!)

INSANELY expensive gas

I insisted we stop *before* we got to The Grapevine...

Dinner and cocktails at Miguel's in Old Town San Diego

I can honestly say that was *the* spiciest Chile Relleno I have *ever* eaten

(they didn't remove the chili pepper seeds - OUCH!!!)

General Goofiness in Old Town.

P-modeling a coonskin cap!

Sugar-Shack in San Onofre

SUPER cool restaurant - BTW. Very Old School.

I wish we still had "joints" like this around!!!

Breakfast Menu - Wonder if it makes you "glow???"

Can't argue with that!!!

Random shot taken on I-5.

Flowery-fields of some sort. I like the "impressionistic" quality of this pic, actually!

A "Full-Service" Gas Station (so to speak!)

Happy Cows from California

This was a dairy farm - where I think the cows actually ARE happy

(unlike the feedlots in Coalinga where they're all knee-deep in sh*t and preparing for death)

Shot of I-5.

I think this is when we were coming down The Grapevine...

"Pleasant Valley State Prison!"

(Yes, I "checked-us-in" there!)

San Onofre Nuclear Boobies!

(actually, this is just ONE of the boobies)

San Onofre Nuclear Boobies (better picture - stolen from the internet)

TELL me those don't look like boobies!

(especially considering the flashing red nipples after dark!!!)

While at the Potter's Conference, we did a Pottery Exchange.

This is what I won (and I felt like a TOTAL Winner! Me = Happy!)

This is where the Ceramic Flip-Flop ended up.

Abso-freaking-lutely perfect in our bathroom!!!

Okay... I think that's MORE than enough Rambling for one day - Don't you agree???

I'm gonna head out to my studio and start some NEW projects................................