Jeni and Robbie

The 4th of July . . . A Great Weekend!

2014-07-06T21:11:00.001-07:00

We have had a WONDERFUL 4th of July weekend! Let's start at the very beginning . . .

Thursday, July 3

We started our weekend on Thursday evening at the county fair.

It was great to be at the fair when it was a little cooler, and a little less crowded, but still a whole lot of fun. We ate deep fried cheese, a foot-long sausage, giant onion rings, and chocolate dipped ice cream cones . . . all hallmarks of a healthy diet! We saw a machine from 1898 that can peel and core 380 apples per hour, the quilts, photography, a parade of interesting people, had a conversation with a woman who imports shortening with trans fats from Texas to make frosting for her cakes, and caught part of a concert by America. The night was capped off by a video tribute to our great nation with a little fireworks show.

Friday, July 4

Happy Independence Day! Jeni spent the early morning hours serving at the annual stake 4th of July breakfast. The morning was complete with a flag raising ceremony by the Boy Scouts.

We then walked down to the Central Park for a hometown parade.

Here is one of our favorite floats . . .

There was a sweet patriotic program at Central Park. The most touching part was the handing out of quilts to veterans through the Quilts of Valor program.

We were inspired by watching Joey Chestnut win the hot dog eating contest on Coney Island and decided that hot dogs needed to be on the menu for the day.

The menu also included grilled chicken, caprese salad, and watermelon.

With a patriotic dessert . . . Angel food cake, strawberries, and blueberries.

Salmon, Red Potatoes, and Sautéed Corn

2014-06-21T23:35:00.001-07:00

Our menu tonight:

Copper River Salmon {seasoned with seasoning salt and pepper}

Crispy Salmon Skin

Oven Roasted Red Potatoes with Romesco Sauce

Roasted Fresh Corn

Summer Solstice, the Start of Summer 2014

2014-06-21T23:31:00.001-07:00

Today, the longest day of the year, was a great day to reflect on summer and the potential that it holds for us. We made a Summer 2014 list - things we'd like to do this summer.

Robbie said that one of the things that makes him think of summer is corn.

So sautéed corn made it to our dinner menu - picked fresh this morning!

We accomplished Summer 2024 #49 tonight: "Enjoy root beer floats."

SFO and Seniorita Rolls

2014-06-21T00:41:00.001-07:00

This day started and ended with a trip to the San Francisco Airport - leaving for the outbound flight at 4:00 am and returning home from the inbound flight at midnight. In between the two flights, Robbie spent the day with a client in Washington and Jeni started her friendship quilt. The evening was capped off with a run to get seniorita rolls. Delicious!

New Phone!

2014-06-16T23:21:00.001-07:00

Robbie got a new cell phone today! And it was a long time coming!! Subsequently, the evening was spent exploring the camera settings.

Father's Day, a Drive, a Tour, and a Chinese Dinner

2014-06-15T23:33:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's Day! Today we honor our fathers, our grandfathers, and all our predecessors. We honor all of the great men in our lives who play a caregiving role for us and for those we love.

We started the day at church - first the Livermore 1st Ward (where Robbie graciously accepted a gift of kettle corn disguised as a shirt and tie - see below) and then St. Charles (where Robbie was blessed as a godfather).

Since Robbie was told he could do anything he wanted, we then went boot shopping at Braughman's. Our boot purchase made his Rodeo Robbie look complete.

After a less-than-satisfying lunch, we made the trek to Los Gatos to meet at Paul's house for a tour of the compound. We finished the day with a generous dinner with friends. But we really LOVED Robbie's fortune!

The Rodeo and a New Name

2014-06-14T23:26:00.001-07:00

Jessica and Dallen have been in town this week looking for housing in preparation for their move to California. Jeni had breakfast with them before they left to return to Wyoming.

We attended the Livermore Rodeo this afternoon with Bill, Jen, and Kate. We teared up at the national anthem and cheered for the bull riders. We love going to the rodeo - a salute to the great American West!

The only fitting dinner following a rodeo is a steak from a great steakhouse. So our adventure lead us to Pleasanton to Hap's. We had carpaccio, a Caesar salad, GREAT steaks, and a fabulous chocolate cake. While paying for the meal, Robbie decided that he needs a new credit card to use when he wears his cowboy hat with a more cowboy name. So, soon he will learn to sign his name as Bobby Michaels.

The best part of the day was Robbie's discomfort driving and being seen in the Prius he is very temporarily driving (with a heart full of gratitude and sure knowledge that it will be returned on Monday). We are clear that no self-respecting cowboy would have one!

A Red and Redneck Sunday

2014-06-08T23:33:00.001-07:00

Today was the 50th anniversary of St. Charles and Pentacost Sunday - so we wore red to church. After taking a run to the airport to drop off a car for Jeni's parents, we had a nice, quiet, restful, napping afternoon. A dinner of fresh pineapple and garlic cheese bread was followed of an evening showing of Duck Dynasty. A great Sunday! And now we understand Welcome to Pleasant Valley!

Barstools and Otterpops

2014-06-08T01:16:00.002-07:00

As we were cruising through Bed, Bath and Beyond, we spotted an amazing find . . . a barstool for $25 (Robbie's edit: "You have to say that it was savings of $80. That's an important point. We aren't that redneck.") With a discount on a matching barstool, we bought two. Tonight, as we put them together, one of the parts seemed WAY too small. After taking a break over two Otter Pops, Robbie was refreshed and ready to tackle the problem. Now we have barstools!