Mexican Train Tournament

On the very first glorious day of the summer, we hosted a Mexican Train dominoes tournament for eight friends, Rod's mom & dad and the two of us.

For the past three weeks I have been watching the weekend skies all grey and cold and rainy, and fretting that summer would never come.  And worrying that the party would have to come indoors.  But after a frantic Friday of cleaning and cooking, Saturday dawned beautifully.  We went all out with decorations , including flags and pennants, serapes for table covers,  and Rod's sombrero that he got on his birthday at Chevy's many years ago!

Name tags were essential, since no everyone knew everyone, but we sure didn't need them for long.  We invited Paul and Cheri (from whom we learned how to play the game!), Rod's mom and dad (who love to play dominoes with us and by having the dominoes, I knew Ann would come to the party! ), Linda and Virgil (with who we played Mexican Train every night in Puerto Vallerta when we vacationed together 4 years ago) and Mary and Peter (who know that game and are good friends from Sacramento).   Then to make up even tables (three tables for four each), old friend and co workers Judy and Paula rounded out the guest list.

                                                   Paul and Cheri relax on the patio

Along with decorations, we made sure there was plenty to eat and drink, with a beverage station set up on the kitchen patio -- margaritas, sangria, corona, water, and iced tea.   Turned out the sangria was a definite hit with everyone!  The margaritas -- not so much!

                                                The outdoor kitchen set up as a drink station

For the chips, we had three kinds of dip -- pico de gallo, guacamole, and seven layer bean dip.  There were also fruit kabobs for early morning and steak and chicken fajitas for lunch, along with two salads -- a green salad with avocados, and a southwest corn and bean salad.

                                 The table set up with menu, chips, dips, and fruit kabobs ready to go

Just to be sure that everyone was on the same page,  the "Coombsville Road Rules" were posted on each table, and we drew numbers from a hat to set up the first round.

                                     
                                        The Coombsville Road Rules at each table with the chips and salsa

Explaining the rules, with Virgil on the left, Cindy, Linda, Cheri (blue shirt) Peter (car shirt)  Mary (seated) and Judy (seated) looking on.

   Everyone drew a number for table assignments -- 1, 2, or 3 -- with four players each per table.  Then the
                                                tournament began in earnest .

Plans to enter all of the scores on a whiteboard were quickly abandoned in favor of a spreadsheet - easier!

                                     Left to right : Ann (in purple), ray, Mary and Paula start the game!

By a strange coincidence, Rod, Peter and Virgil were the first players eliminated, so they were able to wander  around in the old cars, talking about cars.......... until they were called upon to take over barbecue duties and make the fajitas.

In the final round, Cheri, Ray and Linda played a fierce game for the gold ..........

Cindy, Ann. Ray (finalist) Judy, Paul, Cheri (finalist) and Linda (finalist) hunker down for the playoffs. Lots of comments and kibbitzing from the crowd ensued during this tense standoff!!!!!!!!!  meanwhile, the tres leches cake (in spite of falling when pulled from the oven) was devoured by all.

And at the end, Cheri pulled in the victory, with Ray in second place, and Linda taking the bronze.

                                                                  Cheri with her trophy

                                          First, Third Second -- the second and third place winners got medals

                                              And a good time was had by all.

Sangria for A Crowd      24 Servings
2 cups brandy                                                         1 1/3 cups orange juice
1 cup lemon juice                                                    2 bottles (750 milliliter) cheap red wine
1 1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate                    2 cups triple sec
3 lemons, sliced into rounds                                     2 liter bottle club soda
3 oranges sliced into rounds                                     1 small bottle maraschino cherries, drained    
3 limes, sliced into rounds

Combine everything except club soda in a large punch bowl or serving urn.  Macerate over night for best flavor. Add club soda just before serving, and serve over ice.

Tres Leches Cake               350 degree oven    9" springform pan

1 1/4 cup sugar                                                  1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
5 egg yolks                                                   1 (14 oz) can condensed milk
5 egg whites                                                  1 (12 fl oz) can evaporated milk
1/3 cup milk                                                  1 pint heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoon vanilla, divided                                          1 cup flour

Butter and flour pan, set aside.  Preheat oven

Beat egg yolks with 3/4 cu sugar until light colored and doubled in volume.  Stir in milk,  1 teaspoon vanilla, flour, and baking powder.

In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form, add  1/4 cu. of remaining sugar and continue to beat until firm but not dry.  Fold into yolk mixture and pour into prepared pan.

Bake 45-50 minutes until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pan at least 10 minutes.

Loosen edges of cake with knife before removing sides of pan.  Cool completely on serving plate.  Using a skewer, pierce top of cooled cake all over.

Mix together condensed milk, evaporated milk, and 1/4 cup of the whipping cream.  Combine well and remove 1 cup mixture.  Pour remaining mixture slowly over over cake until absorbed.   Whip remaining cream with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla, and frost cake just before serving.  garnish with strawberries or maraschino cherries

Serves 12

Southwest salad     Serves 12

2 small boxes frozen corn
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup lime juice
2 tablespoons corn oil

Combine all ingredients, mix well,  and let marinate overnight.  Garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs.

Reminders of my Age.

Most of the time, I forget how old I am -- then something happens and I am reminded.   Like when I looked at the new yoga DVD I bought, and said, well, this looks pretty easy.  Then I tried it and found out I have to do the "modified" version of some of the poses  (NO WAY can I balance on one leg with one foot peacefully on my calf) and some of the poses I cannot seem to do at all.  At zumba, the half hour workout has me sweating buckets.

And then I also remember that, for the first time in my life, the President of the United States is younger than me!!!

Plus it always weirds me out when the stuff in the antique stores is not just stuff I had as a kid, but stuff I got for wedding presents the first time I got married!  It's now "vintage" and "retro". (Like me, I guess).

And I spend WAY longer fooling around with my makeup and my hair, and still don't ever get it quite right.  Plus I have a little thinning spot on top  -- YIKE!!!!!  And I have already commented on the appearance and disappearance of hair from where it is supposed to be (!!)

And keeping up with the lightening-swift blaze of technology is pretty close to impossible for me.  I have had my phone for a year now and I still don't know how to get a picture from the phone to the computer. I struggled for hours when I got my ipod to finally get the CDs loaded.

And speaking of CDs -- I have no idea who most of these music groups are anymore, nor most of the film stars.  They all look impossibly young to me.   Sometimes when I am driving down the street, I look over and I cannot believe that the person behind the wheel of the vehicle next to me is old enough to be driving.

Then there is the energy factor.  Yesterday we had a party -- a Mexican Train Dominoes Tournament and fiesta for which I have been preparing for over a week.  It was really, really fun -- more on the party itself later, -- but today I am totally wiped out.  Even have a sore throat, stuffy nose  and achy muscles.  Just wanted to nap today, but had all this clean up to do.

In other words, I can do the things I used to do, mostly, but it just takes me longer to recover now, and some of the things are just not quite as effective as they used to be (make up, working out).  And some things, I just have to admit I will never figure out (technology, most video games, the music these days).

                                                    Vintage Cindy in Vintage Corvette

Still Spring

After a couple of weeks of really great weather, today is a little chilly and overcast -- but that's OK because it's easier to walk when it is not HOT.  The photo attached is of the nest over th light fixture on the shop porch.  Safe away from cats, this little nest of babies is thriving!   Love it!!!!

And the roses are blooming -- cutting some of the house, including one yellow rose for the hall bathroom and pink ones for the bedroom upstairs.  I planted herbs on the porch -- mint, dill, chives, basil, cilantro, and thyme, and two tomatoes in the "topsy turvey" hanging planter.  It is doing really well.

On my birthday, I did my most arduous and longest walk yet -- Judy and I started at the Napa River boat launch and hiked up the ridge trail to Skyline Park, then from there walked up Fourth Avenue to Coombsville Road to the house !   Seven miles up and down hills, over rocks and boulders!  I am so proud of myself!!!  Have been trying to get in at least three days a week of at least three miles each time, and four days when I can.

But three miles takes an hour, and then there is Zumba and Curves workouts on M-W-F. I have not done my yoga for a while.  And believe it or not, I still have to buy groceries, do laundry, scoop out cat boxes, water plants, clean the house every other week, and cook meals once in a while,  Sheesh.   Right now I have a pot of tamales on the stove and I have been trying to get these thing made since las week!!!!  Judy is due over at 2:30 and I wonder where we will walk today?  yesterday with Carol we walked from the house down to the Farmer's Market at the Oxbow.  Believe it or not, I had never been in the Public Market there.  We had coffee (iced latte for me) but didn't buy anything -- pricey, pricey, pricey!!!   I am a cheapskate.

Planning a Mexican Train dominoes tournament in June and sent out the invitations yesterday.  Found some great decorations at the Dollar Tree and ordered trophies and medals today!!!  It will be really fun if everyone we have invited can come.

Spring at Last!!!

It's been a long dreary winter but it's spring at last!!!   My lilacs bloomed three weeks earlier this year than they have any year before. The daffodils have already come and gone, and today I picked a bouquet or Japanese iris, calla lilies, bearded iris, and the last of the lilacs.  Also have planted my summer basil and two tomatoes in the topsy turvy tomato thingie (we'll see how THAT turns out!!).

I have been trying to walk at least twice a week but it's been hard getting Carol or Judy to commit.  Last week when Carol came to walk with me,  she got all tweaked about the narrow gravel path behind the State Hospital grounds,  obsessing about snakes and "look -- isn't that poison oak?"    No, carol,  that's  a blackberry vine (sheesh).  We had to turn around and head back to the river trail where it is wide open and paved.  We'll see how she does at Alston Park tomorrow.  Today we did five miles on the back roads in St. Helena, ending up at the Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company.  Nice!    But I also now have an ipod, so I can walk by myself  -- as long as I walk in open areas  (no hiking trails allowed).  I actually did that a couple Sundays ago -- 3 miles only, though.  Because I m such a technophobe, I couldn't figure out how to download songs from my cds to the damned ipod, but I did manage to find a good radio station to walk with.  I have since downloaded three albums (after sitting on hold to the geek squad for at least a half hour, then doing EXACTLY the same thing I did BEFORE I had a techie on the phone, but this time it worked).  I swear that gadgets have it in for me.  Honest to God.

Curves now has Zumba on Fridays, so I will be doing Zumba on Monday and Friday.  And ballroom dancing on Thursday night.  I think tomorrow might be the last class.  It is a REAL workout -- One and a half hours non stop.   I sweat like crazy.  The class is filled with old people who are as cool as cucumbers!!!  But not me.

Had a recent scare with a breast lump that had to be biopsied.  Lucky for me that it turned out to be only a cyst, but very close to the chest wall, so they couldn't get a good reading on the ultrasound.  I went through all kinds of head trips between the time the biopsy was scheduled and until I got the results.  I kept thinking of the complete irony of being in probably the best shape I've been in for fifteen years -- and then this!  But now the bruises are almost gone and I started walking again on the following day.

Tomorrow I turn 64.  How the hell did I get so old?  I think about my grandmother who, even when I was a little kid, wore orthopedic shoes, a hairnet, and an apron all the time over her flowered cotton housedress.  Our generation is so different at being old!   I still feel sexy and I still feel young.  I can do yoga (OK, not the standing on your head kind of yoga, but the stretches and the warrior poses) and I still like to drive fast.  I still want to get my nails done and experiment with makeup.  I color my hair (don't want to think about what color it would be if I didn't).   But oh, god, my FEET are old!!!!   Bunions and a hammer toe, and absolutely cannot wear high heels.   AND  -- the most supreme irony of all -- I didn't have cleavage until I was over 50!!!!  So unfair!!!!!!

But I'm thinkin' I still have a few good years left in me, and I'm thinkin' they're gonna be fun!

In just a year

It was just about one year ago that I was so sick, I thought I was going to die.  I could not breathe and had zero energy.  The day I made a doctor's appointment with a new doctor because I had only been going to Kaiser in Martinez and now I was going to go to the Napa clinic, the mere act of taking a shower to go to the appointment exhausted me to the point that I was light headed.  In sweats with a hat to cover the hair I was too exhausted to dry and style, with no makeup, I had Rod drive me to Kaiser, then go get a wheelchair because I didn't think I could make it from the parking lot to the office.

At the doctor, I found out I had pneumonia and met the doctor who was about to change my life -- Dr. Ines George, a tiny little thing in a white coat.  After 3 days of medication, I felt so good that I cleaned out the refrigerator.  But. Dr. George was not done with me yet.  She set me up for all kinds of tests inluding a chest xray, heart sonogram, blood and urine tests galore.  I found out that my blood pressure was slightly high, I was vitamin D deficient, and then there were the lung function tests.  Dr. George never shook her finger in my face and said "if you don't quit smoking, you will die".  Instead, she said, "When you are ready to quit, I have tools that will help you. "    The lung function tests showed asthma and early emphysema, so a hefty case of COPD and inhalers I will have to use for the rest of my life.  The test technician said that my lung function could be slightly improved by the inhalers, but would never be fully restored.  If I continue to smoke, she said, my lungs would continue to deteriorate.  At that poiont, I was so grateful that my chest xrays looked ok and my hear seemed sound, that I knew I still had a chance.

The day I retired was the last day I smoked.  Since then, I have lost 25 pounds (oh, why won't that other 25 come off?), work out (Curves or Yoga/Pilates) five days a week, and just three days ago started my walking training for the Susan G Komen 60 mile 3 Day walk.  I have not felt healthier in such a long time, and I am so grateful that I found Dr. George.

In just one year, I have turned my life around, I think!

This weather is getting old

Chessie looking out the window on  a rainy day 

This terrible weather is getting old.  Windy, rainy, grey, depressing.  Just when you think the sun will come out, it is gone again and more rain, wind, cold.  I am starting to get a little depressed about winter hanging on and on.   All I want to do is eat and play Bubble Town on the computer.  Not good.  At least I have begun my workouts again (after Windy and Steffi's visit -- about which I will write later).  But I have not been changing out of my workout clothes and droop around the house all day looking out the window and petting Chessie.   No makeup, no hair arrangement.  In spite of the exercise, feeling stiff and sore and cranky as hell.

I have made it through February and into March on just my retirement checks, but this month I am running short and think I will need to tap my deferred comp soon.  I sent for the paperwork and it arrived, but somewhere during the chaos of the last couple of weeks with Germans here, it has gotten lost.  I'll have to ask for it to be sent again.   I did spend the first few months of retirement buying clothes(workout clothes, skinny jeans, outfits for the wedding) gadgets (my little portable CD player, and DVD player for my yoga and pilates DVDs), and silly stuff like new art supplies and stuff to make kitty toys to sell at the Christmas crafts fair.  I have actually completed a krunchie tin from the popcorn factory tin I got Rod for Valentine's day.  I just need to spray the lacquer finish on it .  I hope I can get up the gumption to start on the kitty beds, gloves, tiger tails, collars, catnip toys, and rolling toys from spools soon.   Almost every day I made a trip to WalMart, 99 Cent only, Michael's, Ross, or DD Discount for some new thing.  But now I am getting down to $300 and the end of the month is still a week away!!!   Can't even shop for food -- luckily have a well stocked freezer and pantry and I can get creative.  But one still needs milk, eggs, and fresh veggies.  Today bought $5 worth of lottery tickets for the megamillions -- hahaha -- as if!!!

Here's what I would do if I won all that money:   pay off our mortgage, redo the back yard and put up a big fence so I could have a deer-proof vegetable garden and a chicken house with chickens.  Recarpet the bedroom and buy new bedroom furniture.  Buy a house for Aaron and Marta, and a condo for Amy. Go to the Greek Islands for a month.  Send money to Best Friends, NEWS, Planned Parenthood. and Habitat for Humanity.  Hire a personal trainer. Pay off Ann and Ray's mortgage.  Set up college funds for all of the grandkids.  Buy  a new jacuzzi. Fund a cat sanctuary no kill wing at Napa Humane.   And I still would have plenty left over so Rod could have some fun, too.

I called Judy and Christina today and had to leave messages -- I wonder if they are still going to walk with me in September on the 3 Day?   Mary Burdick and Amy Van Doren have both backed out, and Carol might have to have surgery on her foot.  Only Mary Steinert is left.   I really want to do this,and I hope I won't have to do it alone.  I am only $455 from my fund raising goal!!!

Have discovered that if I drink a glass of tonic water before I go to bed, I get NO LEG AND FOOT CRAMPS at night!!!    You would think this means I am sleeping better, but no -- still wake at least two and sometimes up to four times a night to pee or just because I have to carefully turn over so as not to crush Bailey.  I would love a good night's sleep!!!!

Maybe tonight ...........

Too Busy to Blog - February Car Show, valentine's day, and Goddesses

I can't believe how long it has been since I visited my own blog to add something.  On February 11 we departed for Palm Springs towing a car trailer and the '58 Impala. We spent the weekend at the Dr. George car show and I cannot believe I don't have one photo!!   It was hot and I got a sunburn on my forehead and neck/chest.  A very long drive, but we had plenty of cds so that helped a lot.  I was great to see Dennis and Carol and all of the cool cars at the show.

When we got back to Napa, it was Valentine's day the very next day, and we went to Domain Chandon for a (very pricey) dinner at L'Etoile.   It was drizzly and rainy and it is  long walk from the car to the restaurant doorway, across a little bridge.  I wore my fox jacket and it was wet when we got to the door.  the dinner wasn't that great, and we remarked again how our tried and true favorites never disappoint yet when we try something new it is rarely as good.

In all the commotion, I forgot about my mammogram appointment the very next day.  The rest of the week was spent getting ready for the gathering of the goddesses on the 19th.  I cleaned things that have not been cleaned in a year (patio furniture for example) and then I cooked -- green peppercorn pate, shrimp spread, crab spread, goddess parfaits (fresh fruit, vanilla yogurt, topped with granola and garnished with a pirouette cookie), fresh squeezed orange juice for mimosas, and coffee.

 http://www.wix.com/warmquilts/goddesses2011

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!    Thanks to Esther, we have a great album of pictures to browse (see above).  Although it started out a wet and cold drizzly day, with brunch on the patio being kept warm in the BBQ, and
Mary Burdick in the garage because of cat allergies.   Thanks to our consorts -- Rod (my consort), Scott (Esther's consort), Peter (Mary Steinert's consort) and Virgil (Linda Patterson's consort), we had chauffeurs for the whole trip in the '54 Cadillac, Willys, T-Bird and '63 Cadillac.

                                                Brunch with Goddess Parfaits

                                                      Cadillac arriving at Villa Spankadellik

Villa Spankadellik was so great.  Kristi and Ed were such gracious hosts and had such wonderful art to share with us.  We even had wine and tea if we desired.   How terrific to live in your studio and be surrounded by your own and other people's inspiring art every day.

                                                     Wine cellar gallery at Villa Spankadellik

After this venue, it was off to Hendry Winery for an afternoon of wine tasting and wine education.  Our tables were set with place mats of the vineyards and the different varietals grown in each region, wine glasses, napkins, and "spit cups" (which NOBODY used!!!).  I brought out the veggie and ranch dip trays, crab and shrimp spread, green peppercorn pate,  baguettes, cheeses, and crackers I had brought up  the day before.

 
                                                       Wine Tasting at Hendry Ranch

We tasted every wine they made, beginning with the whites, then on to a really good rose, then the reds. Almost everyone then bought some wine!!!

Many of the goddesses left after the wine tasting,  but Judy, Dee, Ann, Mary Steinart, Linda and I headed for the Calistoga Spa and hot mineral pools for a relaxing soak in the giant jacuzzi.  Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
And lastly, we all (including the three consorts who stayed)  had dinner and Brannan's .  Linda and Virgil, and Mary and Peter stayed the night too.  It was a wonderful day