Sometimes things work out just as planned, sometimes not.
It was my turn to make the Easter meal, provide the entertainment.
Michelle had organized the Easter egg hunt, laying in the supplies, keeping the dogs away. She and I had shopped for items and put them aside. One night last week we stuffed the plastic eggs and pinata and shoved then into the freezer.
The daughter of our neighbors was invited to join us for breakfast and the hunt, also the pinata smashing.
I planned the menu, cooking and baking most of Saturday. Among many other things I made an almond paste filled Brioche, as did the girl from next door for her family. We colored many chicken eggs and today loads of them got cracked though are still usable.
Saturday morning it was slow to warm up and we had so hoped that we could eat outside, I feared it would be just as cool on Sunday. Well, after the egg hunt, the smashing of the pinata, the chasing down of a lost bracelet in the tall grass, the divvying up of the treasure it was late enough and warm enough to sit outside and really enjoy the morning.
Except for the over-baked, ruined cinnamon rolls, all the food was yummy and filling. The only meal we needed today.
(The girls drew pictures over my front patio with the new chalk and after about four hours together they actually began to bicker.)
It really had been a lovely day.
Happy Easter!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Ah, Grocery Stores
I love statistics! One can be so creative with them.
I heard that two local grocery stores are rated among the top ten. Two others are rated among the lowest.
Bel Air and Raley's are considered among the best. Here's why, in my opinion. They both have wonderful products some of which are hard to find. They are also expensive and people that shop there clearly are willing to pay the higher costs. The service is excellent as is the ambiance, what with the cozy lighting in the deli and bakery area. They know my name (if I pay with a check or card) haul my purchases out and stow them in the car.
In addition I suspect that the clientele is mostly literate, willing and able to answer a questionnaire about about their store.
These two stores are a bit far for impulse shopping, so I don't get there very often.
On the other spectrum is Food Maxx and Wal-Mart both of which I patronize . Food Maxx has a great indoor fruit and vegetable market cheap prices, good quality. There is new management and when I can find a worker they seem eager enough to help.
And then there is Wal-Mart. OMG the service at the deli is so slow. So very slow! No,
no one there seems to know that 8 ounces is the same as .5 pounds. It's pretty much a self-serve store after all. I generally use the self check-out, but when I pay to a cashier, no, they don't know my name, nor will anyone load my car for me.
I suspect that a good many of the patrons don't speak English and many of those that do are probably unwilling to bother with a customer satisfaction survey. (Those are, perhaps, the same people that shop wearing their pajamas) Another reason Wal-Mart's rating is low is because, well, service there really sucks!
Today at Food Maxx I selected a shell of raspberries listed at $2.99. At the check-out the price had become $4.99. After a discussion with several employees, some insisting that that was indeed the price, people backed up behind me glaring, the vegetable clerk came up with the sign that agreed with me, $2.99. That means that I got the berries for free, as per store policy. The day has not yet come where I will pay $5 for such a small amount of berries.
I heard that two local grocery stores are rated among the top ten. Two others are rated among the lowest.
Bel Air and Raley's are considered among the best. Here's why, in my opinion. They both have wonderful products some of which are hard to find. They are also expensive and people that shop there clearly are willing to pay the higher costs. The service is excellent as is the ambiance, what with the cozy lighting in the deli and bakery area. They know my name (if I pay with a check or card) haul my purchases out and stow them in the car.
In addition I suspect that the clientele is mostly literate, willing and able to answer a questionnaire about about their store.
These two stores are a bit far for impulse shopping, so I don't get there very often.
On the other spectrum is Food Maxx and Wal-Mart both of which I patronize . Food Maxx has a great indoor fruit and vegetable market cheap prices, good quality. There is new management and when I can find a worker they seem eager enough to help.
And then there is Wal-Mart. OMG the service at the deli is so slow. So very slow! No,
no one there seems to know that 8 ounces is the same as .5 pounds. It's pretty much a self-serve store after all. I generally use the self check-out, but when I pay to a cashier, no, they don't know my name, nor will anyone load my car for me.
I suspect that a good many of the patrons don't speak English and many of those that do are probably unwilling to bother with a customer satisfaction survey. (Those are, perhaps, the same people that shop wearing their pajamas) Another reason Wal-Mart's rating is low is because, well, service there really sucks!
Today at Food Maxx I selected a shell of raspberries listed at $2.99. At the check-out the price had become $4.99. After a discussion with several employees, some insisting that that was indeed the price, people backed up behind me glaring, the vegetable clerk came up with the sign that agreed with me, $2.99. That means that I got the berries for free, as per store policy. The day has not yet come where I will pay $5 for such a small amount of berries.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Splurge
I rarely spend money extravagently.
(Perhaps when I travel, though I did pass up an opportunity to sky dive.... but that's another entry.)
Last week I went with Michelle into a store that she wanted to check out and as I meandered I checked out shoes. I saw stylish athletic shoes (how's that for an oxymoron?) and with my recent foot problems I thought it wise to give them a second look. Michelle did not help when she stated the obvious, "try them on". So I did!
Yes, I did spend the rest of my clothing allowance (plus $6 borrowed from the food budget), and have been wearing these shoes ever since. Well, no, not to bed.
Wow, am I glad I bought these. I have been walking in comfort ever since.
(Perhaps when I travel, though I did pass up an opportunity to sky dive.... but that's another entry.)
Last week I went with Michelle into a store that she wanted to check out and as I meandered I checked out shoes. I saw stylish athletic shoes (how's that for an oxymoron?) and with my recent foot problems I thought it wise to give them a second look. Michelle did not help when she stated the obvious, "try them on". So I did!
Yes, I did spend the rest of my clothing allowance (plus $6 borrowed from the food budget), and have been wearing these shoes ever since. Well, no, not to bed.
Wow, am I glad I bought these. I have been walking in comfort ever since.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Doggie School
This spring I'm continually delayed in achieving the little milestones I laid out for myself. I've been wanting to take regular walks with Brighton. Walking with her now is like following a dog that's chasing rabbits.
The community college catalog came about a month ago and I finally opened it up yesterday. The one course of interest beginning yesterday evening was the dog training course. Ten sessions for $75, plus $10 for parking. So I went.
The instructor came in, a very formidable woman, laid a bunch of scary looking metal implements on the table. About that time I questioned my philosophical compatibility. Turns out that the scary dog restraints she'd brought are examples of things we do not need. We had not brought our dogs, introduced ourselves and explained our issues. Of the forty people there there are seven dogs that are small like Brighton, or smaller, the rest are big. Shepherds, dobies, labs, even a mastiff.
I went to the pet store with Brighton this morning and bought her the required choke collar and a leather leash, sewn, not riveted.
I've been walking her in front of the house in the Cesar Milan way with fair success.
Maybe when I get back to the class next week all my Brighton problems will have been solved.
Not likely!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Insensitive ? - Perhaps
Breakfast deal at local diner:
Octo-Special
14 eggs
no sausage
and....
The people in the other booth have to pay for it!
Octo-Special
14 eggs
no sausage
and....
The people in the other booth have to pay for it!
Friday, March 6, 2009
2009 Gardening
Suzanne started some tomato plants a few weeks ago. I am now eager to get my hands on a couple of those and put them into the ground. My planters are in a sheltered spot that gets full sun. I want this to be the year when I have fresh tomatoes in May.
I need to get the mower out and do a first cut of the lawn.
My fruit trees are blooming and sprouting leaves.
I have a flower bed which I plan to plant with red, yellow and green peppers this year.
I am so ready to get out as I spent a fair amount of time waiting for my foot to heal since last fall.
Maybe this weekend I'll pop in the the Home Depot or the Walmart garden shop to check out their offerings.
I need to get the mower out and do a first cut of the lawn.
My fruit trees are blooming and sprouting leaves.
I have a flower bed which I plan to plant with red, yellow and green peppers this year.
I am so ready to get out as I spent a fair amount of time waiting for my foot to heal since last fall.
Maybe this weekend I'll pop in the the Home Depot or the Walmart garden shop to check out their offerings.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Bok Kai, the Water God
No wonder that I've been silent this month. My calendar is filled with February appointments.
I went to the Bok Kai parade this morning. Two hours of observing the participants: Smelly old cars, undiciplined school bands, loads of Ben Ali go-carts. Also wonderful lion dancers and for the first time ever, two dragons. One appeared for the final time and the second had his premiere. It was the 129th year for the parade.
We had intended to go to the renovated Bok Kai temple but were too achy after standing for that length of time. The temperature was in the sixties and sunny, quite nice.
Many people had brought their dogs. However, of all the parades to which to take a dog this is not the one. It is loud, drums and clashing cymbals are many. Firecrackers are lighted by the hundreds, so best plug your ears and give the doggies a break and leave them at home.
I went to the Bok Kai parade this morning. Two hours of observing the participants: Smelly old cars, undiciplined school bands, loads of Ben Ali go-carts. Also wonderful lion dancers and for the first time ever, two dragons. One appeared for the final time and the second had his premiere. It was the 129th year for the parade.
We had intended to go to the renovated Bok Kai temple but were too achy after standing for that length of time. The temperature was in the sixties and sunny, quite nice.
Many people had brought their dogs. However, of all the parades to which to take a dog this is not the one. It is loud, drums and clashing cymbals are many. Firecrackers are lighted by the hundreds, so best plug your ears and give the doggies a break and leave them at home.
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