#105 - The Dog Days of Summer

Couldn't help taking a picture of Tobey & Lola passed out on the couch after a long day of laying out in the hot sun (3 digit temps), then (unwillingly) taking a dip in the pool to cool off followed by chasing birds and bugs all over the back yard - quite the day that I'm sure they would blog about if they could!

#104 - Welcome to Lui's House!

Here's the front of the house - single story, Spanish style w/ split 3 car garage:
Right when you open the gate, to the left (through french doors) is the casita. Troy was our first out-of-state guest (Tony & Marissa were our first out-of-town guests) and our next guests out-of-state guests will be Heather & Brock in October - can't wait!!

This is the bathroom in the casita:

Here is the courtyard view from foyer towards the casita (on the left) and spare bedroom (not photographed because it's getting flooring worked on):

Here is the foyer ("hi" Tobey!):

And the kitchen:

Family room (I recently dropped some wallpaper into these frames - they previously had seashells but I've had those on my walls forever so it was time for a change!):

Living room w/ double sided fireplace that goes to family room:

Family room (can you see two little doggie's on Lui's chair?):

Dining room (we love the slate floors - being stored in this room is more laminate flooring that will go in the spare bedroom and office which is not photographed either, looks pretty good in the family room, huh?):

Master bedroom (the previous owner was an interior designer - pieces of the brick wall have fallen down but securing them back onto the wall is on the fovever long "to do" list):

Here is the backyard with newly acquired badminton net and freshly sanded/stained table & chairs (nice work, Lui!):

The rest of the BIG backyard (the lot is .34 acres with a slope that backs up to a street so it's nice and private), there are 2 peach trees (yellow & white) and a plum tree at the back of the property which have the most delish fruit:

Please visit us soon!

#103 - Jim & April's - Pool Day!

Most people don't even dream this big (I don't think anyway...I sure don't!) but Jim & April created this incredible pool! They live at the end of a cul-de-sac so this is really their side yard (they have a full back yard w/ grass, too). The pool is shallow and very gradually gets deeper just like you're at the beach. There is a grotto w/ hot tub, slide, swim up bar (which you can walk down to from the outside if you don't want to get wet). Also, the center island has a waterfall. They thought of everything!
There were 3 Jims & 3 Saras at the pool party - the Jim's decided to do a "Jim Train" down the slide. :)

Casey, Sara & Richard under the palapa off to the side - nice sun cover!

Sara is an AMAZING photographer! Here's a couple shots she snapped of me that day -

Feels like I was on a photo shoot!

#102 - Weekend Visitors

This weekend my very first next door neighbor at my very first apartment, Heather, came over with her son. We met back in the fall of 2000 and have kept in touch ever since. We took a break from the pool so Lui could demonstrate his climbing gear on a palm in the courtyard.
K wanted to try on Lui's work gear, he gives it two thumbs up!

K really wanted to see Lui's bucket truck aka "cherry picker" (which he doesn't have any more with his new position, supervisor!). So Lui tried to get one of his co-workers to stop by but they were all busy working on the power lines this weekend. K was a good sport and the gear was enough for him, although he did get into the cab of Lui's work truck (F-150) and say, "I could take this for a spin!"

#101 - Surprise visit!

Mid-week last week I got an email from my high school pal, Troy! He originally had training scheduled in Chicago but got bumped to LA and adjusted his flight so he could spend the weekend with us. Saturday morning I picked him up and brought him to Corona - we relaxed outside then went to dinner at Taps (photo below from dinner, Lui was SO tired...barely got this pic out of him). :) Sunday was more R&R and catching up before I had to take him to Ontario airport. Thankful we got this chance visit but next time we're hoping for a planned visit so we can whoop it up! Vegas in September??

#100 - Lui's Pool, refreshing!

Here's a wide shot of the pool on July 4th. The high was 96 - it was a hot day, good day to be in the pool!
Here's Andrea and baby Vinny, his first time in the pool!

Here's two of Lui's nieces - SO cute with their missing teeth! :P

#99 - Cat Poop Cookies (not for the faint of heart)

Know a cat person and not sure what to get her/him for their birthday? Try homemade cat poop cookies. Found this recipe on the internet. Brought it in to work today. HUGE hit.
Here's the close up. Yuk!· ¼ cup honey
· ¼ cup molasses
· 2/3 cup butter
· 1 egg
· 2 1/3 cups whole wheat flour
· ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
· ½ teaspoon ground ginger
· ½ teaspoon ground cloves
· 1 (32 ounce) package wheat and barley nugget cereal (e.g. Grape-Nuts™)
· ½ cup crushed ramen noodles
1. In a medium bowl, Microwave the honey until it bubbles. This may take up to 1 minute. Stir in the molasses, butter and egg. Beat until smooth. Stir in the flour, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves until combined. Then add the dramatic additions of your choice such as coconut, ramen, chocolate chips, or peanuts. Chill dough until firm.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Roll dough into logs about ¾ inch in diameter. Cut into pieces the approximate length of cat poop. Roll pieces in the cereal, place on an unprepared cookie sheet, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven.
3. Serve the cookies in a disposable cat litter box, on a bed of cereal, with a brand new litter box scoop. Add plastic flies, and dip the litter scoop in chocolate for added fun.