Vertigo and Views....

Mr. D & Ick went on a scout trip this weekend. Just looking at the pictures make me dizzy. But, what a gorgeous trip! You can click on the pics to make them larger.

California Food Porn....

One of the great things about California - We actually get fresh and sweet strawberries practically year round. What started off as a call from hubby, "What are we having for dinner tonight? Tri-tip sounds good." Became the kick off of the summer season. We left for our trip April 2nd, got home the 14th, to find everything in bloom. Skip spring, go straight to summer. Days like today would be perfect for me year round. Open all the doors, no a/c, slight breeze, with the whiff of everyone else's BBQ's in progress.

Trimmed all the fat off the tri-tip roasts and coated with a garlic rub a friend brought us back from their trip to Gilroy. Let the meat sit out for 1/2 hour at least at room temp and BBQ real slow.

Tri-tip with Garlic Rub:




I also decided to make some BAKED BEANS.

Slow-Cooker Baked Beans:


These rolls seem to be a No. California thing. Never heard of them before moving here, I have my sandwiches made with them even because they are my favorite(second to SLO Sourdough though). Crisp them up in the oven for 10 minutes.

Dutch Crunch Rolls:


Our Table(& key)


I piled my plate with Mixed Greens, topped with a sweet balsamic vinagrette, blue cheese, and the tri-tip. Dipped my roll in CHILI OIL washed down with a tall glass of Herbal Berry Lemonade.

We also decided we needed strawberry shortcake. Not as good as the Sea Shanty's, but still tasty.

Semi-Homemade Shortcakes:



My Semi-Homemade Ice Cream:





The only thing I think missing is a big bowl of BBQ'd veggies and of course, friends!

A Few More Pics....

New Orleans-
Water Lilies in the Bayous:


Moss:


Alligator:


Turtles:


Pretty:


Some of the Katrina Damage we saw:


Our little hitchhiker:


33 Turtles....1 Alligator....25 Snakes....103 Caterpillars.......(okay, you had to be there to hear this whiny little girl on our boat updating how many of everything she's seen):


The Bayous in Louisiana:


St. Louis Cathedral Windows:


The Carnival Valor(home for one week last June) next to the NCL Spirit(our home for the last week) in Costa Maya:


Beach in front of Luna de Plata in Costa Maya:




Shrimp Fajitas(well, were shrimp fajitas) on the beach in Costa Maya):

Some Pics from our trip....

More to come!

St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, New Orleans


I Spy My Luggage:


Water Lillies on New River(River of Strange Faces) in Belize:


One of the 200+ Orchid Species growing from the trees in Belize:


The Mask Temple:


The BIG temple that we could see from the river:


Jamie & Rod getting off the BIG temple:


Jaguar Temple


The Jaguar


Dad, S, J, R, Mr. D, K, & C on top of Jaguar Temple in Lamanai


My Favorite Garden District Home:


Beads DO grow on trees:


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