Zoo Lights!
Zoo Lights is an event that the Phoenix Zoo has every year for the holidays. Jan. 18 was the last night for this event (until December) and it was free if you donated food for the food bank. It has been a few years since we last went so we were really blown away about how much more they have added. They had animated light displays (most animal themed of course), Butterflys, other bugs, and lots and lots of decorated trees. Even some very simple nice neon sculptures. The music synced light show was incredible as usual. Some of the animals were out, we saw one of the elephants, and a zebra graphically demonstrated exactly what he/she thought about the after hours traffic. As the admission was free you would expect a huge crowd. No disappointment there, we had to wait in a long line to get on the shuttle buses to and from the Zoo. But it was well worth it.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sue's Cooking
Well Sue's back in the kitchen she made Banana Bread , Oatmeal Cookies and MORE !!!!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Oh, Yeah, Go Cards
I'm not a sports fan, but in the interest of community pride.Go Cards.
To help Sierra show community pride at school, Sue freehand painted the Cards logo on Sierras Face.
She loved it and impressed her schoolmates.
It was gone before the NFL logo police came to visit.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Our Peeps
After talking about it for 14 years, we finally picked up some chicks. About six months out from getting eggs. They are cute.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Full of Crepes
We have a special Sunday Family Breakfast
tradition. Every now and then we go out, but usually it is Sue fixing
anything from scrambled eggs to waffles and pancakes to Eggs Benedict.
Sierra wanted to do something special for Mom, so she found a recipe of Ice Cream and Berries Crepes in her Kid Cooks cookbook. It has to be a few decades since I last made crepes but I did pretty good. The Ice Cream Crepes were fun and good. I also made Ham, Egg and Cheese Crepes. Sue enjoyed the Crepes and the Breakfast.
Sierra wanted to do something special for Mom, so she found a recipe of Ice Cream and Berries Crepes in her Kid Cooks cookbook. It has to be a few decades since I last made crepes but I did pretty good. The Ice Cream Crepes were fun and good. I also made Ham, Egg and Cheese Crepes. Sue enjoyed the Crepes and the Breakfast.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Chicken Pen up and running, just in time.
We bought a dog run on Craigslist for $15.00 with tremendous help from Rob and Theresa we got it home and set up. Yesterday we finished it and let the little peeps in. Just in time as they had already outgrown the cage we had them in. No problems regarding space in this roomy 7 x 7 pen. We even fenced in the top to keep out owls, hawks and cats.
Today we picked up two older chickens to start getting eggs in April.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Fulkersons
This is what happens when you confuse "Simonize" with "Simpsonize".
You know, after 20 years Isn't it about time for Homer to retire?
This was the big hit of the weekend, Simpsonizing family members and sending them the results.
Well, that and starting a Facebook account.
Go Simpsoniize yourself . . .
http://simpsonizeme.com/
It was fun, Sierra got a lot of nice recycled giveaways, some real nice shopping totes, and lots of candy.
I got to ride a Sedgeway, courtesy of Scottsdale Sedgeway Tours.
You know, after 20 years Isn't it about time for Homer to retire?
This was the big hit of the weekend, Simpsonizing family members and sending them the results.
Well, that and starting a Facebook account.
Go Simpsoniize yourself . . .
http://simpsonizeme.com/
Monday, March 9, 2009
Build it Green 2009
Sierra and I rode the light rail into downtown to see the "Build It Green Expo" at the Convention Center.It was fun, Sierra got a lot of nice recycled giveaways, some real nice shopping totes, and lots of candy.
I got to ride a Sedgeway, courtesy of Scottsdale Sedgeway Tours.
Happy Birthday Sierra!
Yesterday was April Fools Day, which is also
Sierras Birthday. She took cupcakes to school as a treat and chose
Cracker Barrel for dinner. Her party will be Saturday, photos to be
posted.
She was very pleased to get a telephone call from Theresa, and Mike,
with text messages from Becky. She also got a very nice bouquet from
Gloria, John & Aimee with a cute Tinkerbell figure on it.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Birthday Party for Sierra
We had Sierra's "Mad Scientist" birthday party
April 4. There were 11 guests and everyone seemed to have a good time.
We made slime, we make putty. A egg being sucked into a bottle was a
hit. So was the Petrified Dinosaur poop. (yes, it's real, remember I was
once going to be a geologist) Sue created a volcano cake but was
disappointed when the dry ice for the smoke evaporated before we could
use it. The grand finale was a Mentos in Diet Coke fountain that shot up
around 20 feet. Rob took the photos, thanks Rob. More photos in the
album section.
It was a Fantastic Fourth of July.
We took the Light Rail downtown to go to the Phoenix Downtown Farmers Market. Picked up some good veggies, and did market research on Eggs and Farmers Markets.
We took to the rails to the Old Spaghetti Factory for an incredible lunch. It's been a long time since we ate there last and forgot how good (and affordable) it was.
As Sue had never taken the Light Rail, we went to the end of the line in Mesa and back again.
We picked up a dinner meal at Shanes Rib Shack and headed down to Arrowhead Mall. Walked around Smart & Final and J.C. Pennys until the sun went down, cooling the air from 106 to maybe 104 - 102. Then set up our tailgate picnic in the parking lot as throngs of people arrived.
The Peoria fireworks show was great as always, and we will remember where we parked, we could even see some of the low fireworks meant for the paying guests! Traffic was crazy getting out, but nothing we didn't expect and have experienced before. All in all a Fantastic Fourth.
Monday, April 6, 2009
It was a quiet Easter. Sierra was recovering from
a bug and Sue was starting to feel sick. But we had a fun time coloring
eggs, Sierra and her friend from next door had their Easter Egg Hunt.
Sue outdid herself with a wonderful ham, Asperagus and Mashed Potatos
with Carrots.
The Chickens finally lay their first egg! A little smallish as to be expected, but perfect.
My Birthday was also Memorial day this year. I did some yardwork in the morning, Sierra helped me mow the back yard.
We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory in Phoenix. Sierra loves it because they have a revolving door. it was a good lunch and we had enough left over for another lunch.
Later we went over to Pete and Donna's pool party. It was a nice day.
The back bedroom now has a laminate floor and Sierra is moved into it so we can work on her old room. We will be putting stuff on Craigslist and probably be having some yard sales soon.
Yes this is a photo of chickens on the porch. We are getting two eggs a day currently, with a couple of hens due to start laying within a month.
The garden is doing very well, we have plenty of Tomatoes and mint. We have Zuchs and Yellow Squash as well. Birds got the strawberries and blackberries.
Before school let out I put on a science show for two of the fifth grade classes at Esperanza. The kids had a great time. I finished it off with a Mentos and Diet Coke fountain. A real crowd pleaser.
It's April 10! Happy 15th. Year Anniversary
Sue and I have been married for 15 years. It's been a wonderfull wild ride, and I'm back in line for more.Happy Easter
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Huevos
The Chickens finally lay their first egg! A little smallish as to be expected, but perfect.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Sierra is holding flowers sent by Becky.
Happy Mothers Day
My Birthday and stuff
My Birthday was also Memorial day this year. I did some yardwork in the morning, Sierra helped me mow the back yard.
We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory in Phoenix. Sierra loves it because they have a revolving door. it was a good lunch and we had enough left over for another lunch.
Later we went over to Pete and Donna's pool party. It was a nice day.
The back bedroom now has a laminate floor and Sierra is moved into it so we can work on her old room. We will be putting stuff on Craigslist and probably be having some yard sales soon.
Yes this is a photo of chickens on the porch. We are getting two eggs a day currently, with a couple of hens due to start laying within a month.
The garden is doing very well, we have plenty of Tomatoes and mint. We have Zuchs and Yellow Squash as well. Birds got the strawberries and blackberries.
Before school let out I put on a science show for two of the fifth grade classes at Esperanza. The kids had a great time. I finished it off with a Mentos and Diet Coke fountain. A real crowd pleaser.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The garden is IN BUSINESS!
We are getting a lot of very good tomatoes as well as zucks and squash! Yum!
Green Eggs, Ham, and Toast
Today we let the chickens out and we found a
green egg which is our first green egg, it looks like grassy green or
some sort of alien green. Anyway in Jananury 2009 the guy at the feed
lot said that we have 2 chickens that lay green eggs and I said so
their from a chicken planet or are they mutants. Of course everyone
laughed and said I was silly. Hey you know what have been funny if she
layed on St. Patick's Day. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. So tomorrow my
dad and I are going to have green eggs and ham oh and green toast.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Fathers Day 2009
It was a nice fathers day. Started out with a wonderful Eggs Benedict and fried potatoes breakfast.
Got some cool geeky gifts, a USB minifridge for keeping a can of pop cool and a recharge caddy so all the cords to recharge the phones can be tamed.
Did some power tool work while putting in the laminate floor in the middle bedroom.
Then a wonderful dinner with Shrimp and Mussells scampi over rice, a great Ceasar Salad, and my favorites, Snow Crab Legs.
Got some cool geeky gifts, a USB minifridge for keeping a can of pop cool and a recharge caddy so all the cords to recharge the phones can be tamed.
Did some power tool work while putting in the laminate floor in the middle bedroom.
Then a wonderful dinner with Shrimp and Mussells scampi over rice, a great Ceasar Salad, and my favorites, Snow Crab Legs.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Fantastic Fourth of July
It was a Fantastic Fourth of July.
We took the Light Rail downtown to go to the Phoenix Downtown Farmers Market. Picked up some good veggies, and did market research on Eggs and Farmers Markets.
We took to the rails to the Old Spaghetti Factory for an incredible lunch. It's been a long time since we ate there last and forgot how good (and affordable) it was.
As Sue had never taken the Light Rail, we went to the end of the line in Mesa and back again.
We picked up a dinner meal at Shanes Rib Shack and headed down to Arrowhead Mall. Walked around Smart & Final and J.C. Pennys until the sun went down, cooling the air from 106 to maybe 104 - 102. Then set up our tailgate picnic in the parking lot as throngs of people arrived.
The Peoria fireworks show was great as always, and we will remember where we parked, we could even see some of the low fireworks meant for the paying guests! Traffic was crazy getting out, but nothing we didn't expect and have experienced before. All in all a Fantastic Fourth.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Stanley NailOPedic Bed
Yes, that's Sierra on a bed of Nails. We went to
the Science Center and had a fun time. Afterwards it was Clam Chowder
and Sourdough bread at the Fish Market.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
We had blue tickets . . .
We got tickets to go to the Phoenix taping of
PBS's Antiques Roadshow program. We have watched it for years and when
the opportunity came up, we took the chance. We brought in a number of
items (allowed 2 per ticket holder). It took quite a while and lots of
Googling to narrow down what to bring. Even with our prepping it turned
out that what we brought were no big deals. $150 for a turn of the
century salt & pepper set, $60.00 for my die cast metal rocket bank
(with the original rubber nosecone). Still, it was fun, although the
lines definately caused a long and winding roadshow. They were taping
for 12 hours so we don't know if we will be making background
appearances or not. Will have to wait for the airing to see.
This is absolutely my favorite time of the year in Phoenix, weather-wise that is. Not too hot, not too cold. Sunny, with a light breeze.
I've almost completed the first week of my new job. I think I'm really going to enjoy it. My cubicle has one computer with dual monitors and another computer with one monitor for test purposes. My boss said it looked like mission control. I like it.
Sierra had fun at Junior Achievement BizTown. She was a Customer Service Representative at the Grocery Store. She keeps saying now she has experience for a real job. Sue and Sierra are playing Farmville on FaceBook, they have quite a little operation going on.
The Chickens were laying 6 eggs a day, only 4 today. Maybe I should play old Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby songs for them. Worked for Porky Pig in an old Warner Bros. cartoon.
The rain we had yesterday morning was great, I didn't have to worry about watering the garden.
Ginger loves this weather. She almost wants to run around the yard. She can't of course, but she acts a lot like a playful puppy. A geriatric playful puppy, but a puppy none the less.
Today is a good friends birthday, she and her husband moved to Maine and just closed on a house.
Sue had an order for a Pumpkin Cheesecake for Halloween. It turned out quite nice.
Just a week or so ago we had a rare 102 degree day, this morning the weather station showed 36 degrees. So the heat lamp was dug out and put in the chicken coop to keep the hens warm.
Sierra asked for her own blog page, and she now has one. Check the "Family and Friends" block in the left column to go visit.
Sue took Sierra to the State Fair on half price day. $1 rides! Sierra
had a great time. I met up with them after work. It was a good time.
Halloween 2009 had Sierra as the "Goth Mummy".
With an almost full moon as a background Sierra and her neighbor friend
Angela scoured the neighborhood looking for those few houses that still
offered candy to the wandering herds of ghouls. Check the video page for
how we decorated the house this year.
Friday morning we did the early morning shopping bit, then hooked up the camper and headed down to Tucson. We set up at Gilbert Ray Campgrounds near the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Sue cooked a turkey in the dutch oven, baked bread and generally prepared for our friends from Flagstaff to join us for dinner. It was a great meal.
The next day we all went to the Desert Museum and had a cold, windy, but fun time.
We had a nice Christmas this year, Rob and Theresa came over for Christmas dinner. Sue fixed Prime Rib, and it was so good.
Sierra finally got her DS game. So basically the day after Christmas was her playing her DS, eating, shopping with us but thinking of playing her DS. Playing her DS. Dreaming about playing her DS.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
So Long Palo Verde
My contract ended with APS and Palo Verde. It was
a good run, from a projected 6 month contract to 2 1/2 years. It was an
emotional parting, no one wanted to see me go. Although I would have to
say not as much as I would have not liked to go. I learned a lot. That
67 mile drive each way is something I won't miss. So It's back to the
job search and looking for my next job. Check out my new portfolio web
site.
Friday, August 14, 2009
First Day of Sixth Grade
First day of school for Sierra in the Sixth Grade. Aug. 17, 2009.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Labor Day Campout
We didn't go anywhere this summer due to the job
situation, so we decided to take a quick mini-vacation. We went to the
KOA Circle Pines near Williams. There we enjoyed a heated pool,
hayrides, spa pools, mini-golf. It rained and we welcomed the 59 degree
temperatures. I gave blood at the blood drive, scoring free mini-golf.
We also had a fun time just doing family stuff, playing games, watching
movies and baking. Good friends from Flagstaff came up Saturday
afternoon and we had a very good dinner and visit. Ginger, being a 14
year old dog, didn't enjoy the cold damp weather as much, her poor old
joints were stiff most of the time. She became the most animated when
she spotted a Squirrel. Chickens, no problem, Squirrels, she went nuts.
All good things must come to an end and we had to get back to the valley with the triple digit heat and the job search.
All good things must come to an end and we had to get back to the valley with the triple digit heat and the job search.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Yea Fall!
Officially, by the calendar, it's Fall. We still have some triple digit
temperatures in the forecast, but it is really cooling off. Finally.
Sierra is back in Soccer, I start a new job Oct. 5. Ginger and the chickens love the cool mornings.
We have a lot of hummingbirds in our yard. I caught a photo while grilling dinner one night . .
Sierra is back in Soccer, I start a new job Oct. 5. Ginger and the chickens love the cool mornings.
We have a lot of hummingbirds in our yard. I caught a photo while grilling dinner one night . .
Even the pond is enjoying the cooler weather, Sierra took this photo of a pond lilly.
My Favorite Weather Of The Year
This is absolutely my favorite time of the year in Phoenix, weather-wise that is. Not too hot, not too cold. Sunny, with a light breeze.
I've almost completed the first week of my new job. I think I'm really going to enjoy it. My cubicle has one computer with dual monitors and another computer with one monitor for test purposes. My boss said it looked like mission control. I like it.
Sierra had fun at Junior Achievement BizTown. She was a Customer Service Representative at the Grocery Store. She keeps saying now she has experience for a real job. Sue and Sierra are playing Farmville on FaceBook, they have quite a little operation going on.
The Chickens were laying 6 eggs a day, only 4 today. Maybe I should play old Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby songs for them. Worked for Porky Pig in an old Warner Bros. cartoon.
The rain we had yesterday morning was great, I didn't have to worry about watering the garden.
Ginger loves this weather. She almost wants to run around the yard. She can't of course, but she acts a lot like a playful puppy. A geriatric playful puppy, but a puppy none the less.
Today is a good friends birthday, she and her husband moved to Maine and just closed on a house.
Getting Ready for Halloween
Just a week or so ago we had a rare 102 degree day, this morning the weather station showed 36 degrees. So the heat lamp was dug out and put in the chicken coop to keep the hens warm.
Sierra asked for her own blog page, and she now has one. Check the "Family and Friends" block in the left column to go visit.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
State Fair 2009
Halloween 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Local First Festival
We
went to the Certified Local festival put on by the Local First
organization. It was easily one of the best events we have gone to in
awhile. Tons of great give-a-ways. I think we got over seven canvas
shopping bags. A full loaf of Potato Garlic Bread, various promotional
stuff like clips, pens, air gauge, wooden fork. We were at an auto
repair booth spinning the prize wheel, both Sue and I were hoping for a
free oil change for the Jeep. Didn't get it, but did win one in the
organization raffle! So that alone made the trip; worthwhile.
Then we went over to the food sample area. Oh, My! It was like a moving Tapas Bar. Everyone giving out good size samples of their wares. Very good food, some of it by gourmet catering companies. Sierra and I grazed happily until we were full.
One of the things we wanted to check on was if some local meat markets would be considering processing chickens. We found one actually starting to put that together. When we are ready to need the service, the service should be there!
It was a beautiful morning and we had a fun (and profitable) day.
Then we went over to the food sample area. Oh, My! It was like a moving Tapas Bar. Everyone giving out good size samples of their wares. Very good food, some of it by gourmet catering companies. Sierra and I grazed happily until we were full.
One of the things we wanted to check on was if some local meat markets would be considering processing chickens. We found one actually starting to put that together. When we are ready to need the service, the service should be there!
It was a beautiful morning and we had a fun (and profitable) day.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Veterans Day
It's Veterans Day, Thanks to all of you who help or have helped to keep us safe and secure.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Award Winning Cheesecake
Sue's Pumpkin Cheesecake has won another award!
She made a Pumpkin Cheesecake with sour cream glaze that took first
place at the Cheesecake Contest at J.D.'s place of work.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Soccer Tournament 2009
It was a cloudy, cool windy day but the 2009
Young Champions Soccer Tournament (Fall) went on. Sierra played defense
as usual. There were not enough of her team who registered so they
combined teams to get the necessary number of players. They played three
games, and got quite a few goals, but not enough to move on to the
Sunday finals.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thanksgiving 2009
We had a very nice Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving dinner itself was at Bob and Judy Iliff's new house. Judy was assisted by Theresa in fixing the dinner, and it was very good.Friday morning we did the early morning shopping bit, then hooked up the camper and headed down to Tucson. We set up at Gilbert Ray Campgrounds near the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Sue cooked a turkey in the dutch oven, baked bread and generally prepared for our friends from Flagstaff to join us for dinner. It was a great meal.
The next day we all went to the Desert Museum and had a cold, windy, but fun time.
Merry Christmas 2009
We had a nice Christmas this year, Rob and Theresa came over for Christmas dinner. Sue fixed Prime Rib, and it was so good.
Sierra finally got her DS game. So basically the day after Christmas was her playing her DS, eating, shopping with us but thinking of playing her DS. Playing her DS. Dreaming about playing her DS.
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