Aji Tapa

While on Ambergris Caye we are determined to try as many different restaurants as we can.  We're good at eating so this should be a piece of cake.  Last night we ventured south down the beach where we had reservations at Aji Tapa Bar.  Tapa means appetizer in Spanish, I had to ask.  The place was romantically tucked in amongst mangrove and palm trees with faint lighting nestled along the branches.  

 

Puerca con Pina:  pork tenderloin stuffed with mango & pineapple with mashed potatoes and salad topped with a ginger vinaigrette.  It was delicious.

Christmas Dinner. That's A Wrap.

I've really been stressing pondering what to serve for Christmas dinner.  Something that doesn't require a big mess.  Perhaps even something I can prepare in advance, heat, and serve.  Ahh, now I'm getting somewhere.  I think I'll start with this:

A yummy chicken alfredo lasagna.  With a side of this:

Roasted garlic bread.  With a splash of this:

 

A sweet Reisling.  For dessert we must have cake.  This one looks delicious.

A great coconut cake.  Light and airy just like fresh fallen snow.  And to go along with that white coconut goodness:

A hot cup of Nutella hot cocoa with marshmallow.  And there it is.  A Christmas dinner all wrapped up.

Missing Craig

I'm in such a dilemma.  Craig, my one and only, newly adopted house plant, is dusty.   Not just lightly cute and fuzzy dander dusty, but, whoaaaa, I can't hold my branches up kinda dusty.  So...what's the dilemma???   As Craig sits in my kitchen sink I'm debating, with myself, scary, I know, on how Craig would like to be cleansed.  Is Craig the "just get r done, rough me up" kinda guy?  Or the gentle, one leaf at a time pat me dry sort?  I know right now as I type this and he stares at me from across the kitchen he's saying, "Just take the high road."  Okay, okay Craig.  Enough is enough.  I've shaved you once and I'm not afraid to do it again.  But today, sorry, all you get is a spritz. Soon, and I promise, soon, you'll get a full transplant.  One where you get to stretch out and fully spread your wings.  I promise.

In memory of a great friend.

Feeling Crafty

Spent another great afternoon with my granddaughter. We decided it was a good time to put together this fun foam North Pole kit I purchased a few weeks ago at a Michael's. A couple hours later (and as many snack breaks) the structure is finished.   Briley has a holiday home for her Littlest Pet Shop critters.

The Making Of A Wedding

Raycee Pasternak & Bobby Davidson were united in marriage on July 23, 2011.  A good time was had by all.

Congratulations to the beautiful couple and their beautiful daughter Briley.

Yummy Pizza

Just had us some yummy pizza from Bullman's Wood Fired Pizza in Billings, MT. Now heading East with very full tummys.

TV/Dining Room Remodel

John and I were so excited to start on this room.  Originally the garage, this area was one big open space.  We new right away dividing the room would be our best option.  Even though we wanted two designated areas, we didn't want to "wall" the rooms either.  Making a built-in area for John's he-man sized TV/stereo system was something we had to consider also.  What we came up with turned out to be a TV island of sorts which separates the two areas.  TV room on one side, dining area on the other.  As the island was being built I noticed it kept getting bigger and bigger.  We had designed it to have one pillar on each end, but the proportions were off so we trucked back to the lumber yard (120 miles one way) and picked up two more.  As the TV area grew I was finding that my dining area was shrinking.  Oh well, I pretty much have the rest of the house, I'll give him his space.

TV Side Before

Dining Side Before

Adding Archways

Divided After

Dining Side After

TV Side After - Vintage Cameras & Transom Windows Above TV  

Front Door Before - This closet was removed also.

Front Door After

Removing closet & framing hallway to back door.

Hall to back door w/built in benches.