All hallows eve

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

BOO! Did I scare you???

The set up

(notice the orange cream Oreos to provide me with some energy!!)

my pumpkin!

Its TIME...

Time for a...

NEW PROJECT!!!

So, I am going to start a new project. I need some insparation and I think that this well help! Here are some potential ideas/things I am going to do:

1. Start drawing more

2. 365 photo

3. A day in my life photo

4. Things/Places I like photos

5. Locational people watching

6. B&W life photos

7. HAND photos

8. Daily Anatomy Lesson

These are just some ideas and some are more professional. Others are just as something to do to build up my portfolio and keep me occupied...hahaha! Well, if any one wishes, you can comment on these ideas or suggest others! I am open to most things!

THANKS!!

HOMECOMING!!

Funny I say this, because right now at my Alma Mater it is really, Homecoming! But, I am celebrating my own "homecoming" and it is that of my Hubby's!!! He is finally coming home after about 7 months over seas in Iraq. I CAN NOT WAIT!!! Soon, the time will come! I just...need....to keep....myself....occupied for....a few....hours!! I can do it! I can do it!

So, In memorandum, I am going to post a few old pictures that I have of my Grandfather "Ace" who was also in the USMC and served time in the So. Pacific. I hope that you enjoy them! Soon I am going to make a scrapbook of all of his old photos...He was an arial photographer so that explains all the photos that were taken! hahaha!! Love it!

In his flyers uniform

In the stereotypical flyers jacket

With his group...he is standing on the far left

My Grandfather and my Grandmother

Hanging out with the guys! Standing far left

Handsome man...

I get statements that say that he looks like Clark Gable in this photo!

ENJOY!!

Drive Drive Drive

So....

I am broadcasting to you from a new location...Sneads Ferry North Carolina. I am going to be here for the next couple of months...my Hubby is coming home and will be stationed there. I finished the drive today. I left on Saturday at 8:00 am and stopped at about 10:30 in Shelbyville KY, just out side of Louisville. I started at 8:30 on Sunday and made it to Sneads Ferry at about 7:15 pm! I am drived-out for a while! haha!

For your viewing pleasure...

Total miles = 1,400

Restaurant Review!!

~Mac's Fish and Chips~

After a day at the Minnesota State Fair with a friend, I was riding back to my car on the bus and we drove by this little dinky fish and chips stand in Roseville, MN. I leaned over and said, "I wonder if that place is any good?" My friend and I agreed that it most likely was because it always seems to go that the little hole-in-the-wall places are the best. Well, some time passed and my friend and I were sitting in a Barnes & Noble store and I was looking at Mpls/St. Paul Magazine. It had this "Best Of" section...and lo and behold, what was voted "Best Cheap Eats" none other than Mac's Fish & Chips which was the place that we passed on that fateful day. So, right then and there we decided that sooner or later we would go and eat there one day after work. Well, we made it, and let me tell you this, it is really a dive, but it is good, at least in the fish department. They also serve shrimp, scallops and clams.

What I had: Fish sandwich with tarter sauce, ketchup, and fries. My friend had the basic fish and chips basket with two rather large pieces of fish, coleslaw, and fries.

What I thought: The fish was good. It was a little on the greasy side, but we all need a little vitamin G every now and then! The tartar sauce was WONDERFUL! The coleslaw was very good. A little on the thick side, the the overall flavor was good. The chips were classic fried potatoes. Not much flavor unless you add the malt vinegar, and or salt. Or you can dip them in extra tartar sauce! On the whole I would give this place 4 out of 5 Yums. The service was quick and nice, and the prices were not bad, about 6 or so bucks for my whole meal and I was more than I could finish! The one downside is that I didn't get an lemons with the meal.

I would reccomend it just for the fish and tartar sauce!

Restaurant Review!!

This time...the place is...

Psycho Suzie's Motor Lounge

Location: Minneapolis, MN

My mother and I saw this on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives one weekend...and we decided to go right then and there! So, we made our way down to Mpls...and once we got there it was PAKCED!! It is a "seat yourself" type of establishment and they have both indoor and outdoor seating...and on a nice Saturday night...it was crowded...but eventually we did find a spot and hunkered down. Soon enough a waiter came around and we got menus and ordered some drinks (which are served in really cool tiki mugs or coconuts) After perusing the menu...we decided to get some Tatter Tots as an appetizer...and a sandwich and a salad for dinner. The tatter tots were awesome, nice and crisp and fresh with a nice seasoning...the salad was awesome as well. The sandwich was okay...nothing crazy special. The chips that came with it, kettle style, these were awesome...they had this amazing seasoning on them that made them so much more! They were yummy and addicting!

Here are some pics:

My drink

Fresh, crispy Tatter Tots

Salad w/ cheeses

Beef, peppers, and cheese sandwich

Seasoned kettle chips

Overall Impression: Although the place was crowded, it was fun, and lets face it...those people were there for a reason...good drinks, good food, and a good atmosphere...which it had, I just prefer a little less people...

The service was good, considering how busy it was, the waiter did what she could. She even suggested some drinks and what not. We got our food in a timely manner and it was good! I strongly recommend this restaurant! Nothing fancy...just a good ol' time!

I would give this place 4.5 out of 5 Yums!

OH!! Some good news! I got JOB!!! Yesss!

OREO

Truffles...to be exact!

I made them this last weekend for two purposes...1) my mother wanted some for a dinner she was going to, and 2) I had a post-wedding brunch that I was going to bring some to. I have seen this recipe many many times and was very excited to have an occasion to make them for! They are very easy...except for the dipping part...but I enlisted the help of a grill fork (ya know...the one with the two long prongs...) It worked quite nicely!

~Oreo Truffles~

(From Mixing Bowl Magazine)

1 pkg. Oreo cookies, finely crushed

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1 lb. + 2 oz. white baking chocolate

Crush the Oreo's in a ziplock bag. Place them in a large mixing bowl along with the softened cream cheese. Mix with an electric mixer until well combined. Roll into 1 in. balls and place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Melt the white chocolate, in a deep container, according to the package directions. Dip the rolled balls into the chocolate by setting them in the chocolate and submerging them with the grill fork as an assister. Scoop out with the fork and set on the parchment paper. Repeat until all the balls are coated in the white chocolate. With remaining chocolate, drizzle over the truffles using a regular fork. Place in refrigerator for a couple of hours, until set. Enjoy!!

All rolled out and waiting to be dipped

Close up shot!

The finished product (from Mixingbowl.com)

Let me tell you, these are quite rich and yummy! I was struggling with the dipping part...but it is trial and error...and they taste good regardless of what they look like! I hope you like them as much as I did!