Musings from Me

Today is 'Thirsty Thursday'

2012-02-23T11:22:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the month again!! SIP is having their 'Thursday Thursdays' tonight!! Hmmmm, Hmmmm good!

Thirsty Thursday February 23rd- Red Rhones

SIP! Mendocino’s ongoing event series continues February 23rd with an exploration of red Rhone varietals such as Carignane, Syrah, Grenache and Petite Sirah. Perfect wines to soothe the winter blues. Sastisfying appetizers will warm your tummy. Cover charge is $20 for non-wine club members and no cover charge for one person per each SIP! Mendocino wine club membership.

See ya there!!

Had a blast in Reno last week!!

2012-02-23T11:04:00.002-08:00

Me with Arthur Hayden

The girls and I headed to Reno for a couple of days of fun. Stayed at the 'Atlantis' and totally loved the band that was playing (they played there the last time we were there too) Got to converse and meet the Lead singer, Arthur Hayden, of the 'Steppen Stonz'

Had so much fun we stayed an extra night -- ready to head back again real soon!!

Potluck Saturday Nights!!

2012-01-28T17:01:00.000-08:00

Here it is again - working on a Saturday nights so it must be Potluck Saturday Night!!

Brenda said she was bringing 'Chicken Almondine' Hmmm, Hmmm good!

I decided yesterday while I was pre-testing a few recipes for next weekends Super Bowl party that I would go ahead and make a few cupcakes for the potluck tonight -- that way I didn't have to get up early and make anything or make a run into the store for something!! Just had to frost them and take them.

Couldn't find my regular cupcake pan (duh!! I had left it at work in my locker the last time I made cupcakes for work - not heading into town 30 minutes away for a cupcake pan) so I used the mini cupcake pan that I had!! thank goodness I still had enough liners for that pan, only a few short and boy were those good cakes!! : ) Better remember to buy some more though!

So here are some of the mini spice cupcakes I'm taking into work tonight!!

A Cute Crochet Story

2012-01-27T12:18:00.000-08:00

A Cute Crochet Story

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about. For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents. "When we were to be married," she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll." The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness. "Honey," he said, "that explains the dolls, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?" "Oh," she said, "That's the money I made from selling the dolls."

Dehydrator!!

2012-01-26T09:49:00.000-08:00

Last year my friend found my old dehydrator that I hadn' tused in years, in fact, it still had sunflower seeds from who knows when on the racks!! LOL!!

He got all excited about it and wanted to try to make jerky. so we cleaned it up and got to town. The jerky came out pretty good. When he headed back home I let him take the dehydrator with him. In my move to the new place, guess what I found in an unopened box under the sink? Another dehydrator. LOL!!

It got me to thinking that I wouldn't mind making some more jerky. So I found me some lean cuts of beef and marinated it in a spicy teriyaki sauce and popped it in the dehydrator!! The last few hours of the the drying I brushed the straight teriyaki sauce onto the tops of the jerky!! Wow!! The best batch yet!!! Even the girls at work were impressed.

Although I was kinda hoping for a little more kick than it had!! Next time I think I'll sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top for that added kick!!

As I was finishing up the jerky I was going through the refrigerator and found some cherry tomatoes and fresh basil that were heading towards there last legs, so I cleaned them up and threw them on the dehydrator next!!!

Oh my goodness!! They are great!!

Wasn't as impressed with the fruit. Although the Strawberries, apples, pears and pineapple weren't too bad.

Need to work on the bananas though!!

I think I'm gonna like this dehydrator!!!

Our 2012 Theme Tree!!!

2012-01-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

When getting ready to take down my Christmas tree that I had put up on my front porch this year, my landlord who lives upstairs said she thought it would be kinda cool to keep the tree up (it is a fake one) all year long and change the decorations to fit the upcoming holidays!!

We were all in agreement on that on, esp. me as it saved me from having to take it down and find a place to store the tree!

We decided that for January our tree theme would be a combination of New Years!! and celebrating Carrie's 21st birthday. Carrie is my best friends daughter.

Here is what we came up with:

First addition to the tree was on Jan 7. White lights, multi-colored mardi gras beads, party blowers and Malibu Rum shot glasses.

The second addition to the tree was added Jan 8 by Carrie and her mother!! Birthday party hats, birthday garlands and more party blowers!!!

On Jan 24th Alycia, Carrie's mother, added small bottles of margarita mixers!!!

I still want to get or make a garland sign that says 'Happy 21st Birthday Carrie in 2012' -- This week???!!!! Then we will need to get a picture of her next to the tree!!!

Next months theme is: Valentine's Day!! We encourage all friends who want to come and visit to feel free to bring and add appropriate themed and weather items to the tree!! The more the merrier!!

2011-12-04T20:27:00.001-08:00

Kresley Cole eReader Giveaway

Win an eReader in time for the Holidays!

One lucky entrant will win an eReader of their choice: either the Amazon Kindle Fire (Color 7" Multi-touch Display) or the Barnes & Noble NOOK Color (7" touchscreen). Contest ends 12.10.11. Enter today and good luck!

Contest for free eReader!!

Fabshophop!!!

2011-11-15T23:51:00.001-08:00

Come join the fun and a chance to wins prizes!!

For you little sister!! Love You!!

2011-11-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

2011-10-22T13:07:00.001-07:00

Enjoying the wine tasting at Hopland Passport!

In Memory of Spencer Trenton Bennett March 4, 1987 - July 28, 2011

2011-10-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

This past summer was an emotional time. Looks like I kinda stopped blogging about the time that my nephew, Spencer, died. Guess I'll try to make a quick catch-up from there!!

On July 28, 2011 my nephew, Spencer, died in a motorcycle accident on I-25 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was only 24. He was laid to rest Thursday August 4th, 2011 at the Lakeview cemetery in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Just about sums it up 'Beloved son, brother, nephew'

Mark, Spencer's father and my brother -------------------------- June, Spencer's Mother

Really like the added details!

If you have a Kindle and like free or bargain books!!

2011-07-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

If you have a Kindle and like free or bargain books you need to subsribe to this site!! They do the work of hunting down those free and bargain books for your kindle!! I love it!!

Toe Time!!

2011-07-15T03:09:00.000-07:00

Got together with some of the girls and we had our toes done!!! Oh what fun!!

4th International Letterboxing Week!!

2011-07-07T22:20:00.000-07:00

From July 10-16, you find as many Traditional letterboxes as you can. Then from July 17-24, you email energystar with the amount of letterboxes you found. You do not have to tell me the name of every box you found. But, make sure you record your finds because I will be counting the number of boxes you found between July 10-16 in your logbook. Your email must be in by July 25 at the latest and results will arrive on Thursday. The winner receives a special prize! Last year's winner was veganf and the dolphins. Good luck to all this year. And remember, HAVE FUN!!

http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gEventId=1808 You probably need to be a member of AtlasQuest.com to access this link!!

Second Saturdays in Hopland

2011-07-07T22:08:00.000-07:00

We are coming up on the the second saturday of the month --- again!!

Second Saturdays in Hopland

Jul 9, 2011

The Second Saturday program has been a huge success. Six Hopland wineries (Cesar Toxqui Cellars, Graziano, Jaxon Keys, McNab Ridge, McFadden and Weibel) become open houses for the second saturday of each month! Rain or shine, all wineries offer complementary seasonal culinary delights, paired with your favorite varietals. All of these wineries run second saturday wine specials, discounts and deals! There's always a few with barrels out, for tasting the wine of the future. These wineries spare no expense and feature vertical tastings of their best wines! Other Hopland wineries participate on and off, so if one of your favorites is not on this list, feel free to contact them to see if they will be involved!

There is no entrance fee or tickets, just show up to any participating winery to start the fun!
Jaxon Keys winery typically hosts music and food from 3-7 pm. Come on by after the rest close up!

July 9 ~ Second Saturday ~ Open Late

Enjoy live music by guitarist Nate Lopez while lounging on the veranda in the shade. Complimentary appetizers and wine by the glass available. Special sale! 40% off all cases. Tasting Room opens at 10am and the music plays from 3-7pm.

McNab Ridge's tasting room has been pouring 2003-2007 CORO verticals!

It's almost time for "Second Saturday" at our Hopland tasting room. We'll be serving garlic & shrimp caesar salads topped with a zesty lemon splash, savor our new gourmet dips & spreads and Decadence will be here serving their fine handmade truffles. Try our new releases and don't forget we'll be barrel tasting and selling futures of our 2009 Cononiah Zinfandel.

Graziano has been bringing out the large format bottles (magnums and up) for tasting!

McFadden

This Saturday, we will be pouring all our wines at the McFadden Vineyard Tasting Room in Hopland and, for Second Saturday, will pair our Pinot Gris with a Wild Rice, Dill Orange Pesto, and Veggie Salad prepared by professional chef Anne Fontaine McFadden. We're closing early, around 3:30, to run up to McFadden Farm in Potter Valley for our Annual Wine Club Appreciation BBQ Dinner

THIS WEEKEND...

On the Second Saturday of each month Milano Winery, along with several other tasting rooms here in Hopland, offer delicious appetizers, some music & wine specials on these fun-filled weekends!

So come join us and don't miss out on these great values while you taste, socialize, nibble & shop.

SPECIALS... SPECIALS... SPECIALS...

40% OFF Selected Merchandise

RED HOT REDS

Discounts on some of our Award Winning Wines are...30% OFF 2004 Carignane, 2004 Merlot & 2004 Petit Verdot

&

CLOSEOUT...35% OFF Ken Schilling Wines...While supplies last...Quantities limited!

It's going to be a beautiful weekend in the Wine Country so come wine tasting @ MILANO!

Don't miss out! Can't wait to see you!

Everyone Welcome!!!

Milano Family Winery

Moonlight Movie Madness!!

2011-07-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

Date Movie Rating Length Sunset

June 24        MegaMind                                   PG               96 min      8:43pm

July 8           Despicable Me                             PG               95 min      8:42pm

July 22         Diary of a Wimpy Kid II               PG               99 min      8:35pm

Aug. 5         Alice in Wonderland                      PG               108 min    8:22pm

Aug. 19       Sorcerer's Apprentice                    PG               109 min   8:04pm

Sept. 2        Tangled                                          PG               100 min    7:44pm

Sounds like fun!!!!

Books I am reading or have recently read update!

2011-07-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness! I just noticed that I haven't updated the books that I am \have read since the end of May!!

I have reread 'Through the Looking Glass' Still can't believe how much I forgot and how the cinema has combined these two books as one instead of giving them each their own credit!!

Even Disney combined the two and mixed things all up!!

I then reread 'Around the World in 80 Days'.

I really liked the Jackie Chan version, but not at all the same as the book. Gonna watch afew of the older movies and see how well they stick to the written word!!

Then I reread Jack London's 'Call of the Wild'. I know I had to read this in high school, but don't remember a bit of it!! It really is a good book!! LOL!! But you couldn't tell me that as a teenager!!

Another one I would like to watch a few of the movies out there to see how well they know how to stick to the writer's words!!

I am currently reading in actual book form, as I was not able to get it 'free' on the kindle and was able to get it through PaperBackSwap.com for one of my credits -- 'Tyrant Lo Blanc' its an interesting book with a lot of history and long!!! Tend to read this while at home lounging!!

I even found a movie on netflix.com by the same name that I am planning on atching when I finish the book. almost halfway through it!!

On my 'Kindle' which I tend to take with me to read at work and on the run!! I am rereading 'The Count of Monte Cristo' I had started rereading this awhile back, but counldn't remember where I had left off, so just started from the beginning again.

And another book that has a movie out that I would like to watch after reading the book.

I think that just about wraps it up!! Have so many books I want to read, but never enough time to read them all!! So I just keep pliucking away at the list!!

It's summer!! - Time for Camping!!

2011-07-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

Hoping to get a camping trip or two in this summer while the grand daughter is out visiting. Looking at next weekend as being the first camping trip for the summer!!

We are checking out Blue Lakes, it is close, nice and a pretty place to hang out!!

True Blood this week!!

2011-07-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

OMG!! Can you believe how far off they are taking this series from the books. Not sure I like that - yes the characters are based on the books, but the story is sooooooo different. I think I like how Charlaine Harris did the story instead!!

Oh Well!! But can hardly wait till next week still!! LOL!!

Letterboxing Week - World Wide event!!

2011-07-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

The week of July 10, 2011 is known as Letterboxing Week. It runs through July 16, 2011.

If you want to participate in this event try to find as many letterboxes as you can during the week of July 10, 2011!

Then, between July 17 & 24, you send an email to EnergyStar with the number of letterboxes you found during the week and the names of the boxes you found. (Must be a member of atlasquest.com to send this email - info at the website linked through Letterboxing Week)

Your email must be in by July 25 and the results will be ready the following Thursday. If you win, your name will be announced on Atlas Quest. Also, the winner receives a prize.

Please contact all your friends on Atlas Quest and tell them about this exciting week!

Send questions to EnergyStar with the subject "Letterboxing Week Questions".

Also, please sign up by Saturday, July 9.

I so gotta try this!!! May not win, but will have a blast finding letterboxes!!!

Combining three loves of my life into one adventure!!

2011-07-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

First a newest love:

I headed into Hopland early in the afternoon to catch the four 'Letterboxes' that I found listed at atlasquest.com, A letterboxing community which is associated with letterboxing.org. I found that you can search for letterboxes at both sites, but that atlasquest.com which connects to letterboxing.org has more results!!

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#3: Old River Osprey

Old River Osprey Stamp!

When I read the instructions on how to get to this 'Letterbox' I was pretty sure I knew just where it was. Upon arriving at the destination I was right!!! I had been out here twice before!! Last year I was led to this exact same outcropping of rocks to find a geocache!! Then a few months ago as I was out geocaching again along this road to find the missed caches and get the new ones my GPS again brought me to this same outcropping of rocks. I looked where I had found the previous cache -nada!! Then read the logs and saw that it had gone MIA and that a brand new one had been placed here in a different spot!! So I had to make the find for the second one too!

Now here I am yet again here for a "letterbox' Hmmm. I followed the directions which led me directly to the hidden 'Letterbox'! Can you believe it!! There is, also, a geocache curently hidden in this outcropping of rocks too! I wonder if the geocachers know about the 'Letterbox' and if the 'Letterboxers' know about the geocache!! LOL

My siggy stamped in the 'Letterbox' logbook and the 'Letterbox' stamped in my logbook

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#4: Al's Box

Al's Box stamp

Next I headed out to the 'Hopland Cemetery' where the next 'Letterbox' directions led me!! And guess what? Yes, there is a geocache here too - found it last year!!

Followed the directions which, again, led me right to the 'Letterbox'!! Am doing much better today at actually reading and following the directions!! Even on using the compass!! LOL

Al's unique headstone and the 'Letterbox' atop it

After finding the 'Letterbox'which was completely saturated inside -- I laid the contents out in the sun to dry a bit and noticed a little observer nearby!! He was pretty persistent wanting to check out what was in the 'Letterbox' too!! Guess he wanted to see what had been living nearby his little haunt!

I dried out the box and its contents as best as I could, the logbook was pretty damp on the outside, but inside OK!! Put all backin the dried box and plan to send an email off to the owner about the situation!!

Two for two -- I am so on a roll!!!

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#5: Alien Avoidance

Alien Avoidance Stamp

letterbox in hiding - the can with it in it was up in the tube

Next I headed out to the next listed 'Letterbox' out a ways on Highway 175 a few miles outside of Hopland. Again!! Another spot where there used to be a geocache, now deactivated!!!

The personwho created all of the 'Letterboxes' that I have found so far is very creative in his stories/decriptions/instructions!!! This one is all about alien encounters!!! Thus the boxname 'Alien Avoidance'. Found quickly by following the instructions closely!! Everything was nice and dry in this one!!

I am so stoked and on a roll!! Three for three!!

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Geocache # 390, #391, #392 & #394

Second love - geocaching!!!

Took a break as the last 'Letterbox' was in town very close to where I was headed for the evening -- or so the instructions stated!!

I still had some time to kill so I headed out Mountain House Rd to catch the 4 fairly new geocaches not far out that way!!

All very easy caches either hanging in trees or near posts/trees hidden on the ground and not far from the road near turnouts!! Found all 4 within an hour.

BTW when I was at the Dam yesterday I looked for a geocache that was very near where I found the 'Manzanita Blossum Letterbox' but it looked like it was MIA as all I foud was a mutilated logbook near Ground Zero!!

Broke my stride with 'Letterbox' 4 for the day!! I parked at SIP and grabbed my bag and walked the block to where the directions told me to go!! I did get a little confused as to exactly where the planter was directing you to go at the end. I looked around for a while, got a few questionable looks and decided to head on over to my 3rd love!!

Yep!!! It was 'Thirsty Thursday' and tonight they were tasting different Sauvignon Blancs!! Had a blast!! Too bad I had to go alone tonight!! But everyone else had other plans!! Maybe next month for the Red, White and BBQ wines!!!

I emailed the owner of the 'Letterbox'that I was unableto find, he gave me a few hints, but coudn't be sure that the 'Letterbox'was still there and would check on it within the next few days!!

All in all a nice day!!! At least, my legs didn't ache after this bout of 'Letterboxing' Guess for the first day I picked a couple of far off the beaten path 'Letterboxes'!!!

Happy Geocaching and Letterboxing!!

Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it.

Letterboxing!! My newest addiction!! (I can do it along with geocaching)

2011-07-01T03:17:00.000-07:00

For what ever reason I was unable to post these on the day that I found them due to what I think was site maintenance!! Although this site was unavailable for almost 2 days ---- hmmmm. . . . . .

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OK, so your trying to figure out what Letterboxing is?!!

Well, it's a lot like geocaching, but no GPS and no tradables. As in geocaching you find a hidden 'box' in this case they call them 'letterboxes'. Instead of using hints and GPS co-ords. You go directly from the planters directions, which I have found to be very informative. But still had to do some looking -- so it can be a bit of a challenge too!!

Letterbox items

My Angel Siggy Stamp!

Now when you find a geocache you sign the log and if its big enough you trade some tradable items. In 'Letterboxing' you pick out a signature stamp ie as in a rubber stamp, (looks like a lot of the people make their own) I used an angel stamp that I have used in the past as a siggy stamp,---> and then you stamp the log book in the 'Letterbox' with your signature stamp and date it!!

<-----The 'Letterbox' will contain a logbook for the 'box' and a custom made stamp representing that 'Letterbox' for you to stamp into your own logbook - See the coyote for the 'Coyote Overlook Letterbox' decribed below!! How cool is that?!

So Wednesday I went out looking for 3 local 'Letterboxes' at Lake Mendocino Dam. Found 2 of them, I think I needed to go a little further down the trail for the last one -- I guess that will be a trek for another day!!

So. . . what did I find? The 'Letterboxes' actually looked a lot like geocaches . . . . LOL

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#1: Coyote Overlook - found at Lake Mendocino Dam

a view of the Lake from atop the dam

I must say I looked and looked for this one, guess if I had better knowledge, or at least used the knowledge I do have of how to use a compass, I would have found it sooner. But I did finally make the find!! So here's what I found:

The picture above is this actual 'Letterbox' and it's contents.

Logbook with my siggy stamp!

'Letterbox' in hiding!!

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#2: Manzanita Blossum

Manzanita Blossum stamp!!

So I finished crossing the dam and followed the directions to the second 'Letterbox' which I did not find :( -- but did notice that I might have tried to look for it a little too soon, so will have to go back another day and try to find it as this was quite a trek for me and I am sooooo out of shape, my legs were a-hurting when I got home!!! Had me a nice long soak in the bathtub with the jets running on the aching muscles!!

The correct Manzanita Blossum

So for the next 'Letterbox' that I did find - I continued to follow the trail and instructions -- here's where it's important to follow the instructions!! I took a quick look at them and pocketed them, then headed up the hill and towards what I thought the instructions had said. Wondered around for quite awhile in the manzanita brus, going from one large manzanita tree to the next. Finally decided to headback to the top of the trail and pull out the instructions again. Low and behold when I followed the directions I was led directly to the correct spot and found the 'Letterbox' right away!!!

Letterbox in hiding!

Signed logbook!

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Heading to Hopland tomorrow evening for 'Thirsty Thursday' I think I need to head over early and catch the four 'Letterboxes' that I found listed there!!

Happy 'Letterboxing' and 'Geocaching'!!!!!

Letterboxing -- Just learned about them and gonna try as soon as the rain stops!!

2011-06-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

Letterboxing is an intriguing “treasure hunt” style outdoor activity. Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes in publicly-accessible places (like parks) and post clues to finding the box online on one of several Web sites. However, clues to finding some of the most highly-sought boxes are passed around by word of mouth. There are about 20,000 letterboxes hidden in North America alone. Individual letterboxes usually contain a log book, an often hand-carved rubber stamp and may contain an ink pad. Finders make an imprint of the letterbox's stamp on their personal log book, and leave an imprint of their personal stamp on the letterbox's logbook .

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Sounds interesting, kinda like geocaching, but no GPS is needed!!!!! As soon as the rain stops I think I'm gonna go check it out.

When I did a search at the letterboxers.com website the closest letterboxes listed were in Lake County almost an hour away.

Then I looked up Letterboxers on my iPhone and found an app called 'BoxFinder' that connects to AtlasQuest.com another letterboxers site. It showed a number of local letterboxes!! By Golly I downloaded that app rite away -- it was only $1.99 (Guess I could have found the info if I had looked up atlasquest.com, but having it on the iPhone makes it really handy out in the field)

Now to get to work on a stamp repesenting me!!!!

Thirsty Thursday at SIP Mendocino!!

2011-06-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

Thirsty Thursday June 30 - Savvy Sauvignon Blanc

June 30th

Thirsty Thursday features Sauvignon Blanc.

Thirsty THURSDAYS is an evening at SIP! Mendocino dedicated to a single varietal, such as Sauvignon Blanc, and the wines made from that grape in Mendocino County.

Thursday June 30th from 5pm to 8pm a selection of sensational Sauvignon Blanc such as Bink, Paul Dolan, Jaxon Keys, Bonterra, Patianna, Foursight and many more will be poured for tasting and comparison, along with a savory spread of food to enhance the experience.

Cover charge is $20 for non-wine club members and no cover charge for one person per each SIP! Mendocino wine club membership.

Hope to see you There!!

Premiere of 'True Blood' Tonight!!

2011-06-26T03:35:00.000-07:00

Yahoo!! True Blood is finally starting back up for the next season. Seems like we have been waiting forever for it to start!!

Having a 'True Blood' Season Premiere party tonight at Trish's!!!!

Theme: Red and Vampires!!

Making Lasagne and red Jello with Strawberries and Red marshmallows and whipped cream!!

I think Danielle is bringing the Strawberry Daquarita's!! (I think we made that one up -- but we liked it!!

Not sure what Trish decided on --- desert I think!! But I am sure it will be red!!

Looking forward to a fun evening!!