Back in the Lower 48

We have returned to the lower 48....another day of waiting to get off the ship, waiting to get a shuttle, waiting to go across the border.

Lovely weather - great vacation, but looking forward to the motorcycle adventure!

End of Alaska Voyage

Our last stop before returning to Vancouver was Ketchikan. We opted for a float plane ride to the Fjord National Monument. A definite "E" ride. I'd to it again!

We will be in Vancouver tomorrow a.m. Looking forward to beginning our motorcycle tour.

Over all this has been a lovely experience. Yes the food was good. Yes the staff was excellent. Yes we were treated well. Most of all we will take away a warmth from the people who shared so much of themselves in such as short period of time. It has been a pleasure being with those people.

Alaska Cruise

We sailed to Whittier....and are now making the return trip. Today we are back in Glacier Bay. Lovely ship - Sapphire Princess.

Our cruise specialist, Zoe's Cruises, has done a marvelous job.

We have been humpback whales, minke whales, seals, otter and orcra....not to mention bald eagles.

We have lots of photos....not uploaded yet because the ship's connection is a tad bit slow and VERY expensive.

Vancouver, B.C.

We crossed the Canadian Border around 8 a.m. today. An easy process - no joking, no extra questions.

We checked out the motel where we had reservations and then headed for the Vancouver Aquarium. I had seen a program about the aquarium last month and it looked like a winner.

Unfortunately for us there were far too many school buses for such a small facility. Kids are okay, but it isn't okay to allow loads of kids to run wild anywhere.

We have been spoiled by our trips to the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

After the aquarium we checked out Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver. We finally headed for the motel around 2 p.m. - traffic was already more stop than go.

Opposite the motel is an enormous COSTCO - of course, I had to check that out. One always finds something different. This particular COSTCO has lots of Asian food items, some clothing manufactured in Canada, some seasonal stuff that I've never seen in our COSTCO.

We had something to eat in COSTCO and while we were sitting we visited with a couple from Vancouver - he is Hungarian and her family is from Holland. Nice people.

Looking forward to getting on the ship tomorrow.

Ride to Washington

We departed Roseburg, Oregon on wet roads but no rain.

The rain began just south of Olympia and continued until just north of Seattle.

Larry got pretty far ahead of me but had programmed the GPS for the Famous Dave's in South Everett so I wasn't too worried....except for the rain, wet roads and idiot drivers. Then again I figured if there was a problem I would see time before I got to him....of course that only works if you are both traveling on the same road. Not!

For ONCE I was on the correct road (I-5) and HE kept right and ended up on I-405. No wonder I could never raise him on the CB! As it happened we ended up at the same intersection at the same time. He didn't have stop and go traffic through Seattle - I did.

Lovely late lunch at Famous Dave's - it was as good as the one in Billings. From Everett north the skies cleared and the sun was shining.

We opted to check out Blaine, WA - northwestern corner of the USA. Tiny town - gorgeous view of the ocean. Motel is very, very OLD....reminds us of the cinder block apartment in Texas in 1970.

Tomorrow we will be in Vancouver...the Canadian border is only 5 miles away.

Ride to Oregon

We departed the house at 8:15 with probably more stuff than the average family will use in two months.

Temps. were mild, only annoying rain and the traffic wasn't awful....some people actually drive under the speed limit and they aren't driving hybrids!

We made it as far as Roseburg, Oregon today. Nice Super 8 Motel. The Shari's restaurant was decent too. We feel special!

Count Down!

We leave on Wednesday for Vancouver, B.C. and our cruise to Whittier, Alaska and return to Vancouver.

A few tiny blips on our planned adventure have been Larry's tests to determine why he has been having chest pain. The stress test showed SOMETHING. So today he had a procedure that showed his by-passes working great and his partially blocked artery is no more blocked than it was 5 years ago. That is a relief.

So the motorcycles are maintained, the packing is almost complete and the bikes will be loaded tomorrow.

The blog address for our post-cruise motorcycle tour is: http://schneiderusa4corners.blogspot.com

Preparing for vacation

We are readying the motorcycles for our upcoming ride to Vancouver British Columbia. Really looking forward to the cruise up to Whittier, Alaska and back.

Following the cruise we will begin the USA Four Corners ride.

Stay tuned for details!

May Flowers

The pot of succulents is my latest try at a house plant! The lilies and the Christmas cactus were birthday gifts....awesome.

So far this year....

So far this year has had many ups and a few downs.

Harvey Paris - who was married married to my Aunt Wyoma until her death in 1970 - died on March 31st. Last year we visited with Uncle Harvey and Aunt Judy at their home outside of San Antonio.

Ted Davenport - who's parents were my adopted grandparents - died in February.

I will miss them both - as will their families. I can imagine them (as well as so many others) having a great time together now....no pain, no worries, all memories intact.

We continue to prepare for our May/June adventures. More details later.

Poppies growing in a pot on our deck and little irises growing alongside the driveway.

A few bags

Love the "Little Boxy Pouch" from the Little Bears tutorial. I added a little piece of ribbon as a zipper pull.


The flower bag is the result of a screw up - I had intended to make a boxy bag, but the trapezoid works too!


This little bag was also the result of an oops. I intended to print a 5 x 7 photo on fabric and ended up with a little one....and the fabric "paper" is far to expensive to simply toss out.

More....

Don't know how long this type of project will keep my interest, but I'm having fun making them!

Fabric Projects

A fabric tote (foreground) and four kitchen towels with hot-pad "hangers".



Large fabric basket...it holds my Wii accessories!



Two fabric baskets and a handbag.



A pink rose doilie, a mint green doilie, two hot pads, two triangle bags and two tea wallets.



If you notice a recurring multi-flowered fabric that is because I followed a purchased pattern instructions and ended up with 3/4 yard left over. Good thing I really like the fabric.

Why did I crochet doilies when you can buy them at the dollar store? I just had the urge...hated the pattern for the green doilie. Actually enjoyed the pink rose doilie. Might even make another some time.

Triangle bags are lots of fun. The blue one was a request by my son.

Tea wallets are fun. Good way to use small bits of fabric.

The fabric tote bag is a no-brainer. I had intended to gusset the bottom and forgot!

The fabric handbag originated from a free tutorial. The tutorial was something of a mess, but the end result is nice and I'd make it again.

The hanging kitchen towels are easy and inexpensive. One kitchen towel, one hot pad holder with a center loop, some thread, some time and voila.

The fabric baskets are lots of fun....and use so little fabric it is a good way to use up small pieces of fabric. Only expense is the interfacing and ribbon "handles". I modified this pattern by adding insulated interfacing and making it large enough to fit over a dashboard GPS. When used as a cover for the GPS it protects it from the elements and sort of makes it blend in with the dashboard.

The hot pads...now there is a story. I really dislike applying binding on anything. Probably because I'm not good at it and just don't want to apply myself to improve! That being said on the little house hot pad I created my own binding and applied it. I'm not impressed with my results, but it looks good.

The motorcycle hot pad is another chapter. This one was my idea for a motorcycle parked on the street in front of a house....no binding involved. The edging is the back fabric folded over and neatly sewn in place. Total time for this hot pad was 1/3 that of the house hot pad.

March

March has brought us much needed rain and too much cold when it isn't raining.

We have had a sad month. The son of a friend passed away at age 34 and our friend Bob Sola passed away a week later. They had family and friends who will keep them alive in their memories.

Larry continues preparing income taxes at the senior center.

We made a quick trip to Sacramento to look at an enclosed trailer. It looked so good Larry purchased it...and it currently resides at Steve & Jo's place.

While we were in Sacramento we stopped for a short visit with Aunt Rosemary.

I have been doing lots of reading (the road to the library is well worn). I have also been sewing different things - fabric baskets, vests, cosmetic bags, three cornered zippered bags, insulated GPS covers, and a wallet with a clear plastic outer pocket.

My new mini computer now has Skype installed. I'm looking forward to using it!

Best of all is the Wii and Wii Fit....I LOVE IT. It's lots fun and I'm getting a good workout at the same time.

Noodles, Ground Beef and Cabbage

The following recipe was shared by a man who worked as a chemist at SMUDGEO twenty years ago. I believe his home country was in India or Pakistan.

Not sure why, but every time I make this dish guys love it....

Ground Beef, Cabbage and Noodles

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 head cabbage (shredded)
1 onion, chopped
3 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon crushed chili flakes
Salt & pepper to taste.
1 pound spaghetti (I use angel hair) cooked al dente

In a separate small bowl place vinegar and crushed chili flakes and set aside.

In a large pot of boiling water cook the spaghetti noodles. Drain and set aside.

In a large pot over medium heat add olive oil, chopped onions and chopped garlic. Cook until onions as soft. Add ground beef. Cook until ground beef is brown. Drain fat if you need to. Add soy sauce, chopped cabbage and cook until cabbage begins to soften.

Add 1/4 cup of vinegar/chili mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add cooked spaghetti noodles.

Simmer for 5 minutes or until everything is heated through.

Serve with the vinegar/chili mixture on the side for those who like it hot.

You can also prepare the meat, onions, garlic and set aside. Then add the cabbage to the pot and cook until softened.

In a serving dish layer noodles on the bottom, cabbage in the middle and the meat mixture on top.

Feel free to prepare more of the vinegar mixture because it goes fast!

February 2009

I survived 6 days on jury duty - and thankfully was tossed out by the defense! Unfortunately for me some dude behind me was coughing without making any attempt to keep his germs to himself and I've been sick for the last three weeks.

We have finally gotten some rain....wonderful news.

The only bright spot this month has been a sweetheart's dinner put on by the Knights of Columbus. Boy, can those guys cook!

Really looking forward to the crab feed in March!

After years of using an UGLY cork board near our telephone I got rid of it....and replaced it something pretty made out of cork squares, fabric, ribbon and cardboard. My hubby even commented on the improved look!

Ground Beef-Cabbage Buns

My family loves ground beef-cabbage buns. I believe these or something like them came to the USA with our German ancestors.

The following recipe is what my family likes. They prefer to have the condiments IN the cabbage bun rather than using condiments later.

Ingredients:
1 package frozen bread dough OR prepare bread dough through first rise
1 lb. LEAN ground beef
1 head cabbage, shredded (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 large onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1/4 cup spicy brown mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Thaw bread dough.

In a large pot over medium heat place olive oil, onion and garlic. Cook until onion is soft. Add in ground beef, worcestershire sauce, mustards, salt and pepper. Cook until ground beef is totally brown. Add cabbage, cook until tender. Continue cooking until all liquid is absorbed. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Cut loaf of thawed dough into eight (8) pieces. Roll out each piece of dough about 1/4 inch thick by 4 inch diameter (or so it is large enough to drape over your open hand. Place filling into dough (approximately 1/2 cup) being careful to leave an edge that has NOT been moistened by the filling (If the edges are moist they won't stick together). Fold over edges and pinch together. Place the filled dough (pinched side up or down, your choice) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until brown. Cool on wire rack.

No matter how hard I try I always end up with buns that leak or develop a hole. They eat the same, just not as pretty.

Any not eaten right away should be individually wrapped in foil and refrigerated. They also keep well if frozen.

January 2009

This photo is my annual "view of the lake" from our deck. As with many recent years it was a cool and sunny New Year's Day.


This photo is of a turkey buzzard in the yard across the street - not sure it had anything to eat - may have just been enjoying the sunny day.



We rode to Orland for the annual Golden Throne Awards put on by one of the GWTA chapters. Very chilly ride getting there - the low was 19 degrees. Coming home it was 65.

We have been having an unseasonably warm week - it was 78 degrees on Monday. Nice that we have it, but we need rain.

Once again the rodents have found the wires in my Mustang tasty - this time, without the capable people at Lakeport Muffler, it would have been necessary to remove the intake manifold to fix the problem. Hat off to Rich for an excellent job without having to dismantle the engine!

In response to the continued interest in my wiring I have prepared a solution of cayenne pepper to spray everywhere possible in the engine compartment.