Pictures of Woody and us at Forest Falls, March 29, 2009

All right Lesa!

From my friend asking me to post more pictures of Woody on my blog, you are right, I should have done this yesterday, however, we are doing MAJOR projects in our yard and as I promised, I should put pictures on our construction, but a HUGE backhoe is not that attractive.

I am in the process of looking for plans for our garden, now don't get me wrong, I know how to garden, as I said before, I had an incredible garden in Las Vegas and had submitted pictures to be in Sunset magazine, but moved before anything could come of it. So now here we go again, all I have to make sure of is the critters. That is why all the research, but I think we have a plan.

Also, a chicken coop, we love our chickens, doing research on a house, (we tore our other one down, I didn't like it anyway). I found plans this morning. They look great and I think we may start tackling the mesh and fence for the garden this weekend.

How's Woody? He is a PUPPY!!! Wow, almost PERFECT if he just didn't pee and poop in the house!!! I hate this stage! Last night, I was so done with him, thank God I have wood floors and rugs I can throw into my washing machine. I just hate the surprises! When I go to scold him, he just stops and looks at me with those beautiful eyes, well last night that didn't work, Oh I was so aggravated with him, Andy just laughed, I was aggravated with him, Ha ha, 5AM came really early this morning for HIM to get up with the puppy. Today, so far so good, I love the fact that you can go outside with Woody for a good 30 minutes and he walks right into the house and squats right in front of you and poop! WHAT!!! A bleach spray has become my best friend.

On to a better story.....we took Woody to Forest Falls. It is 45 minutes down the mountain in a small (I mean small) mountain community. They have the most georgous water falls there. He discovered water in a new way! Scared at first, but REALLY got into it, literally, pulling me into it as well. My tennis shoes were SOAKED! We had a blast, and who doesn't love a puppy. Kids were calling out, "Woody I love you" "See you soon Woody"! How sweet is that?

He did really well in the back seat of the car, if he is going to be a "go" dog, I have to train him to get ready for a lot of driving.

Well I hope you like them, I have way too many pictures to post all of them, I am going to try to make a movie out of them, I have an idea, for Andy's birthday I am going to make him a photo book about Woody, sounds good in theory, hope to get it finished soon, I am still working ont he photo book from Europe that we took 2 years ago! Too many projects you think?

Have a great day, let's hope OZ girl is OK, it is just toooo cold there! Let summer come on!!!!

Here are the pictures of Woody's first days home!

I decided to put it into a collage, I am going to have hundreds of pictures of this special baby, this is definitely the way to go! Click on it to see the pictures of this larger!

Finally the baby is asleep!

I promised this past week to post pictures of Woody, I have to tell you, I forgot how special a dog can be. He is such a great dog! I am just not saying this because I am a new parent, I used to think that Nestle was one of a kind until I got Woody. Now in talking with Andy I believe it is Jillian's dogs. At four months old, he gets it when I am in the kitchen, he sits on the mat by the door and when we are eating dinner he sits in the kitchen on the same mat by the door. You can't teach that to a 4 month old! He knows his name, and what sit, lay, NO, come, and go!

Wow, am I truly impressed! He is soooo lovable. If he was black, I would have named him Shadow. But you will notice in these pics, he has earned his name! He goes into our livingroom and eats the pieces of wood we have for the fire. He goes outside and tries to eat the tree! We took him to the park after the snow storm on Sunday, this is his first time in the snow, how cute!!!

Enjoy these pics, I am actually able to finally play with my camera since I had my lesson last Thursday, I am just now remembering the aperture, too much fun!!!

I forgot how EXTREMELY tired you get with a puppy!!

Hey everyone, WOW, I forgot what it was like to have a baby in the house!!!! I am exhausted! By 9PM I can't even keep my eyes open!!!!

I have taken (as you can guess) a WHOLE bunch of pictures and when I get a moment, I am going to post, just wanted to write to tell everyone, he is so darn CUTE!!!!! That is why God made them so adorable, you just forget about the chewing, chewing chewing and poopies, poopies, poopies, peeing peeing peeing accidents in the house! Thank God for wood floors and rugs I can throw in the washing machine!

But it will be worth it! I know he is from a great line of dogs, again that is where Nestle comes from. He sits like her, he grunts like her, same disposition and temperament, and boy is he smart, just like Nestle! I had a breakdown yesterday, I think it was postpartum...Yea, that was it was, I just broke down and cried for her holding Woodie, too many good memories. That was definitely something I guess I needed, to hold him and know she is by me. I am blessed!

Well off to put in into his crate for a while. That way maybe tonight I can get some sleep, awe sleepless nights, how I love them!

I'll write later!

The Puppy Journey begins!

Here they are singing for their food, well at least Beau is, it looks as though Woody is SMILIN! I love this picture!

Well I know she is coming, I heard the bowls rattle, do you see her Beau?
Here she comes with our FOOD!!!!! Yeah the world is perfect!

I am sooo excited!!!! We are leaving on our Journey to pick up Woody!!! I have posted pictures of our cute adorable puppy, Jillian sent these over, obviously to wet our appetite in getting this dog. We are leaving to do family gathering in Las Vegas then Sunday we head over to Pahrump Nevada to get WOODY! I promise I will log the whole adventure on my camera, just hope I get the pics on the blog!

Wow, toys, dog bowls, bed, crate, cookies, leashes, collars, OH MY!!!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I will be writing on Monday!

We're goin to San Diego! Yacht living that is.....swimming pools and lovin' life!

We are going to San Diego!!! Wheww Hewww! We decided to go ahead and book the yacht for our little getaway!!!! Wow! I am soooooo excited!!!! I went ahead and made reservations and now just have to wait! My sister is having her friend Jo visit from Minnesota and that will be the finale of her trip!! How exciting is this!!!

Can't wait to go play!

OK only in Southern California!

Well, I decided last night to start looking at some rentals for one evening in San Diego. We wanted to drive down there (aprox. 3 hours) and play for the weekend, in fact, wanted to go there to visit our other sister, Stephanie (our meaning Bobbie and mine).

I am definitely a house rental person. Andy is a hotel person. We have had this discussion (I think it is an argument) for MANY years. I don't like the people at the pool, crowds at dinner and so on. Don't get me wrong I love people and I am the first one to get the party going. But I like the lay back life in a house. Andy likes it for room service (though he never uses it) I like to make my own meals (or for the most part, Andy does that, especially breakfast)

Now don't get me wrong, there are time I love staying in a hotel a.k.a Mission Inn. Enough said on this part.

So I go on house rentals in San Diego and they have some really nice houses, on the beach and the prices are actually really good for what you are getting. When you break it down with another couple, it actually makes it really easy. Then I see this!!!! An actual yacht that you can rent 2 day minimum for $269 a day!!! WOW!!!!! Take a look at it's web site! http://www.greatrentals.com/rental-property/p160719

How much fun would this be to get six girls for the weekend and play! I love girls weekend.

THE REALITY....Well after going to bed with yachts floating over my head, I woke up to Andy telling me that we would not be able to go to San Diego this weekend due to his work schedule. AWWWWWW!! We will just have to save it for another time. But next weekend we are getting our puppy, I don't want to leave him home without us or even put him in a kennel. But wait, I did see a beach house that did allow dogs........

Update on the Weekend!

Well, Bobbie and I had the best day! She and Gordon got here...early....well my early, the boys took off FAST!!! Good thing, good riddance! We sat down and laughed to see little Bobbie shutter and shiver because it was really cold, and she only weighs 35 pounds!!! We took off for a great lunch at my favorite restaurant then did a little shopping, the usual girl thing.

Decided to have salmon (Andy makes the best salmon) and I am really surprised to find out how inexpensive salmon really is, and how easy it is to cook. Makes us look really good!

So we took our cameras out, played with the settings and click click click! Played on the computer, talked about our favorite blogs and the new friends we made. Enjoyed sharing special moments with her.

The boys came home ate and ate. I pulled out the Wii. Showed Gordon how to use it, played a couple of games then I decided to box. I hurt myself! However, I kicked the He** out of Victor! I won, Bobbie yelled really loud, before I even realized I had won! Boy was that a hoot! I beat a guy!!!!!!

Really enjoyed having them up. next it is my turn to head on down!!!!

Great picture of this flower, how did I do that?

flower picture
Originally uploaded by jeaninesturgeon

I really like how I got the clear photo with Bobbie blurred in the background. Also you can see my laptop at my kitchen table, now you know where I usually have my coffee in the morning!

close up of flower

close up of flower
Originally uploaded by jeaninesturgeon

Wow there is not too many times that the picture is actually prettier than the real flower

Details, love the details!

Close up of flower
Originally uploaded by jeaninesturgeon

I love the detail that my camera picked up, this was lot of fun with my sister Bobbie.

Guess who's comin up!

My sister Bobbie! You know, from Bobbie's house in the Ranch blog. I am so excited! My B-I-L and Andy are golfing, I am thinking he is getting serious about this sport, well it has to be better than riding motorcycles.

Anyway, we are going to have a girls day which hasn't happened since my birthday in September. I told her to bring her camera so we can play.

I'll post pictures, YEA!!!!

Deep Fried Jalapenos! Second Recipe

My husband and I were at Hooters, and yes I do go there for their chicken wings! We were with my sister and B-I-L and we ordered these little golden goodies.

To start, I love hot food, but not hot food to burn me, I like the taste not the burn! So, I loved these so much I came home and tried these the next week. I am (very lazily) making a spicy cookbook and it will be done hopefully not in long in the future, I said that last year, but getting it done is a lot harder than saying it.

Let me know what you think, remember to wash your hands after handling the peppers, there was a time that I cut jalapenos then wiped my eye......

INGREDIENTS
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 eggs
1 cup beer
1/2 quart vegetable oil
2 cups sliced jalapeno peppers


DIRECTIONS
Mix flour, salt, pepper, red chili powder, garlic powder, eggs, and beer together in a bowl.
In a deep fryer, or large pot heat oil to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). (Or until it bubbles when you add the first jalapeno)
Dip the sliced jalapenos in the batter. Place battered jalapenos in deep fryer. The jalapenos are fully cooked when they float to the surface of the oil. They should be golden brown and crispy.

P.S. they are REALLY good served with Melted Nacho cheese!

I am all over the place on this blog...... Cabbage and Leeks in Cream

Remember a couple of posts ago, I wrote that I wanted to start putting on recipes? Well I decided what a better time than right now! I looked at my calender and saw that St. Patricks Day was on the 17th, which is only 12 days from now! You ask, do I celebrate St. Patty's Day, only when it comes to food. Give me any holiday and I will think of a meal to go with it, Halloween ='s chili, Easter ='s Ham, Cinco de Mayo='s Tacos, My Birthday ='s crab, 4th of July ='s ribs, see it's that easy!

So, on the 17th when everyone is eating Corned Beef, I do as well, (my findings will be on another post) what do you serve with it? Cabbage of course, but how blah!!!!!! I found the most incredible recipe from a cookbook my sister sent to me years ago. Actually, of all the hundred's of cookbooks I own, this is one of my favorite's. It is called the Greenbrier Cookbook from the Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia. I love cookbooks that have history, stories, pictures and of course, great recipes! I made this not knowing the incredible flavor it would have and the requests I have for the recipes is so much I have them on note cards to give to my guests when they ask (which is every time).

Simple but elegant: Here is my gift to you for St. Patrick's Day:

Savoy Cabbage and Leeks in Cream
(Don't worry I don't know what Savoy cabbage is either, I just used regular cabbage, just as good)

1 medium head Savoy Cabbage (1 1/2 pounds), cored, and tough outer leaves discarded
1 1/2 Ounces Bacon (about 3 strips) cut into 1/2" strips
5 Medium Leeks (2pounds) whit part only, split and cut into 1/2" slices
3/4 cup Chicken Broth, preferably homemade
3/4 cup of heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Few drops of lemon juice

Separate the cabbage leaves. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the leaves by boiling them for about 2 minutes. Drain, then refresh under cold running water and pat dry with paper towel. Stack several leaves together and roll them up like a cigar and slice crosswise into 1/4" strips.

In a large saucepan, cook the bacon strips over medium heat until the fat is rendered and the bacon is almost crispy, 3-4 minutes. Drain off most of the fat leaving 2 tablespoons. Add the sliced leeks to the bacon and saute over medium high heat, stirring until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.

Add the cabbage and saute for another minute, stirring to combine the ingredients. Add the stock, season with salt and pepper, cover and simmer, stirring frequently, until the leeks and cabbage are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the lid, add the cream and simmer uncovered another 10-15 minutes to reduce the cream until slightly thickened. (The mixture should be very creamy, but not runny). Add a few drops of lemon juice, taste, and correct seasoning.

Serve hot.

Now, in regards to the leeks, it took me until this recipe before I tackled these unknown things. What are they? Huge onions, well in a form, yes. So, I took these aliens home, cut them like they said and thought, "wait a minute, I remember something about sand and dirt being in them from the Food Channel". Good thing I remembered that, so I soaked them and boy the dirt and sand that came off of them!!! Please do this because your side dish is not to have crunchies in them! Make sure you swish them when they are soaking and rinse thoroughly!

Let me know your thoughts on the recipe once you make it, I promise this will be a favorite of yours and it makes you look really good!

Well I did it, I posted my first recipe, yea for me!

Look at all the yellows!











Daddy with his boys!


The male is going up for show pretty soon! The little yellow is ours!













Another picture of him, can you see where it is blurry, it is from dog nose! Too Cute!

Look who's joining our family!

But to make the Vegas trip that much better....We are getting a dog! He is an incredible animal. We are getting him from Springwood Labradors in Pahrump Nevada.

The breeder is the same one where we got Nestle from. I waited and waited, not really wanting another dog, see, once you have had the BEST dog in the world, there is no getting any better than that.

I lost Nestle on December 10th, 2007. The picture I have of her on the bottom of my blog was the day we went to the vet for the last time.

I had the hardest time with her passing, she truly was my best friend and she was my first dog.

I have myself a long time to mourn for her and lately we have been talking about getting another dog. Our lifestyle works great for a dog. The mountains, the lake, and we are truly dog people. Andy is REALLY EXCITED!!!!

So when we were done with Red Rock Canyon, Andy drove me over to Pahrump (a surprise). I thought he was taking me to Mountain Springs Bar for a drink, for old time's sake. Well, we did go there and then kept on going. Absolutely clueless about where we were going to until I said to him, you really do need a dog, s-l-o-w-l-l-y I turned toward him and he started laughing and said "I wondered how long it was going to take you to figure it out"!

Jillian was as sweet as ever, It was soooo hard to pick out one we wanted. I picked out 7, but Andy said we better just start with one. I tried to compromise with three, a chocolate, yellow and black. Again, he said let's start with one. Joy Killer!

Ok, I really worked on narrowing it down, I decided against the chocolate, because it reminded me too much of Nestle, and if I was crying at the breeder's with her, what would happen when I got her home, plus she was only 5 1/2 weeks old. TOO young!

I like black, but Andy said he has had many black dogs before, so we got to the yellows. Male or Female? I fell in love with this little guy and when Jillian let him out to play with the other dogs, he was extremely focused on a piece of wood, worked the other dogs like crazy to get and hold on to that piece of wood. So, we picked him, he is now three months and we will pick him up at the end of the month. Four months works for me, they have a better settlement when they stay with their brothers and sisters for that time. That is how old Nestle was when we got her. I really don't want the little puppy stage.

We are thinking of naming him "Woody" because of the piece of wood he had. Cute, huh, we will figure out his name for good when we get him home. How exciting...I will keep you up to date with my progress of this little guy!

Last Week was WONDERFUL!

Well, we decided to go to Vegas for a fun couple of days to celebrate our anniversary. You know, do the tourist thing, with Kim and Daryl they were going to celebrate Kim' s birthday.

Sunday morning we took off-Andy and Daryl heading for the golf course and Kim and I heading for SHOPPING! Wonderful afternoon, ended with a wonderful dinner at the Rio.

Monday Andy and I went to Red Rock Canyon, one of my favorite places in the WORLD. It was cloudy, cold rainy and what a gorgeous place to take pictures.

I have a Nikon D40 camera and really wanted to open this baby up, considering all the pics I have been taking have been of the snow. Well, I did what I wanted to do. This camera is incredible! What an WOW day! They have a 13 mile loop one way, with the clouds, mist, rain, some parts sunshine was a picture wanting to be took!

I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I did, I am going to have some of these made up to frame they came out that good!

What a beautiful world we live in!

Wow what a wonderful picture right out of the truck window!

This is the highest point of Red Rock, what a great picture of this tree!

Wow what a wonderful picture right out of the truck window!
Originally uploaded by jeaninesturgeon

This was taken in one of my favorite places in the world. Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas. Enjoy!