Happy New Year! Now let me go to bed.

Last year I was convinced I was allergic to cleaning. So this year I didn't even dare try cleaning up after our New Year's Eve festivities. Yet I still spent the entire first day of the new year in bed. Feeling lousy. After NOT drinking any alcohol on New Year's Eve. Maybe I'm just allergic to New Year's Day?

Or staying up past midnight?

Or hosting a party?

Still not quite sure which of these it is. So next year I think I'll change things up a bit.

And drink the night away like everyone else.

Because if I'm going to FEEL like I have a hangover the next day. I might as well live it up a little the night before. 

Coming Home...

Homecoming 2011 went off without a hitch. After traveling over 7,000 miles, BSD made it home as scheduled.

Or at least we hoped it was BSD. We weren't too sure who the crazy-hair, bearded man was who wanted to give us a hug.

He was definitely a sight for sore eyes.

Or rather. He made our eyes sore at the sight of him. So we drove him straight to the salon for a little a lot of grooming of his own.

And then on to a favorite Mexican restaurant for some margaritas.

And then right over to a holiday party for a little gabbing and gambling.

Before finally letting him actually COME HOME to rest. In his own bed.

I’m coming home
I’m coming home
Tell the World I’m coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday...

Welcome home, BSD.

Ten on Ten: November 2011

Happy Ten on Ten! Today started with the typical school routines. And ended with a little ladies night out. And in between we seem to have done nothing but eat. One of these months I'm going to have to try setting a timer to go off at the same time each hour to record more of the action.

Looking forward to peeking in on everyone else's days here. C'mon and join me.

The Friday Night Fish Taco Showdown

Fish tacos are a main staple at our house. BSD grew up in southern California eating them regularly at John's Fish Market in Dana Point. Or heading over the border into Mexico for some 'real deal' tacos de pescado straight from the street vendors.

When we lived in San Diego we made our share of border runs for some lobster tacos in Puerto Nuevo. Complete with handmade tortillas. And the best margaritas both south and north of the border. Margaritas that knocked you on your ass when you got up from the table. Maybe it has something to do with those worms in the tequila bottles.

Since moving east, we have spent the past 10 years tweaking our fish taco recipe. We've finally landed on one that is a bit of a departure from the authentic baja fish taco. But one we love nonetheless. So much so, that we often invite friends over for fish taco fests.

I'm sure I've mentioned that BSD is quite the talker. And self-promoter. He'll tell anyone who will listen about his 'famous fish tacos.' So, after years of shameless cheap talk, it finally came down to this.

Yes, indeed. There was a Friday Night Fish Taco Showdown in our cul-de-sac. All of the neighbors, even some who've never made a fish taco before, were going to throw down. Unfortunately, the temperature that night was well into the triple digits so there were a few less entries than promised. But the diehards, like BSD, showed up ready to rumble.

A broad range of fish "tacos" was represented. From BSD's more traditional Baja fried fish version. To Chef Jim's grilled rockfish tacos.

To Miss Jan's fajita style seafood tacos. To Miss Debbie's ceviche.

There was plenty of food to be sampled.

And plenty of judges to go around.

(no, that Smirnoff Ice does not belong to these minors. pinky promise.)

 Some working very hard.

And some who took their duties very seriously.

Spanish lessons were even included. No slacking off on the learning around here just because it's summertime.

And if you were annoying in any way...

After the very official votes (tally marks scratched on a paper plate passed around the table) were cast, Chef Jim was proclaimed the 2011 fish taco king. 

With all the bragging rights that go along with the title. For one year. Giving BSD 364 days to continue tweaking his famous fish taco recipe.  Juego de!

Curb Appeal...

Driving home from the gym this morning I spotted these bad boys near the curb.

Technically, they were still on this person's property. But they looked like they were meant for the dump. The family was moving out. There was very little left on the property except for a mop and some trash bags on the porch. I was perplexed.

I pulled into the driveway and knocked on the door. Nobody answered. I could see a vacuum through the window and a few random pictures on the wall. They were definitely coming back. I was torn.

If the set was meant for the trash it would only be minutes before someone else snatched it up. If our one neighbor, "S" drove by, he would have just taken it. I had to beat him to it. But how?!

I raced home and wrote a note telling the owners I took the set. And if it wasn't meant for the dump, I'd bring it right back. I was desperate.

But my conscience started to bother me. It felt like I was stealing it. But time was running out, and I knew that "S" would be driving by at any moment. And this gem would be his.

Instead I wrote a new note. This one gave the owners my phone number and asked them to please call me if they were getting rid of the set. I taped it to their front door. And then I taped another note to the set, "DO NOT REMOVE. NOT TRASH!" I was covered.

About two hours later, I hopped on my cruiser and found the neighbors in their front yard. On the phone. I introduced myself as the crazy sign maker. And the woman told me she just left me a message. The set was mine if I wanted it. *snoopy dance*

I raced home. Jumped in BSD's truck and hauled those puppies home as fast as I could. I had to leave it in the back of the truck as I went to run errands. And when I returned my other neighbors told me that "S" was hovering around the truck ready to pounce. I'm telling you it's dog-eat-dog when it comes to this guy and junking.

Now I just have to clean it up. Give it a fresh coat of paint. Maybe make some cushions for it. Before BSD gets home. Because I know he'll drag it right back to the curb in its current condition. And that would make it that much closer for "S" to drag it back to his garage. Over my dead body.

More than just a pretty picture...

Turned in my photo assignment. We were given two weeks take a portrait of someone. But it couldn't just be a pretty picture of someone. And it couldn't be a family member. The directions were...

"When you are taking your portraits I want you to think about the person that you are photographing. Ask them, as well as yourself, what defines them. Is it their job, where they live, their hobbies, etc."

"I’m not just looking for a pretty photograph of someone. Your portrait should have a strong message as to what defines your subject. You can put your subject in an environment that defines them, use props, etc."

So...of course I did what I always do. I thought about it. And thought about it. And thought about it. I came up with grand visions of who I was going to photograph. And then two days before the assignment was due I asked my neighbor if I could photograph her while she was working.

It was hot. It was muggy. Everything in the background was interfering with my vision. And after much fiddling and cropping I was stuck with these.

Now I know what she's doing. And I know what message I was trying to get across. But I'm pretty sure those of you who don't know her won't. But it's what I had. And class was two days away.

I had no one else in mind. I was going to suck it up and just use these. Until I got to the gym on Tuesday morning and it hit me. 

The gym is really just a warehouse. Totally devoid of frills. And windows. Or the glimmer of any decent light. But it has grit. And dirt. And "M." Perfect.

This is "M." 

She's our trainer. 

She is the nicest, most down-to-earth girl you've ever met. 

She was willing to do anything I asked her. Why wouldn't she looking like that?

There were so many good ones. I had a hard time choosing. But in the end, I had one clear favorite. And a close runner-up. What about you? Which one would you have chosen for the assignment?

Oh. And to set the record straight. When I sent BSD the last photo and asked him, "What message do you get about her when you see this photo." His response was really...

The only thing I can think of is I want a picture of you like that cause it's sexy. Sorry.
Not your usual gym.

Not quite what I was looking for. But OK. I'll take it.

Holy Smokes...

We had a bit of a scare on Saturday. The weather reports kept warning that the high winds combined with the dryness made for prime wildfire conditions. And sure enough. As we were hanging out in our front yard Saturday morning we saw the smoke. We thought nothing of it at first. But then it was getting thicker. And darker. And closer.

Everyone went to go check it out. The Big Ballerina came back in tears. Shaking from head to toe. The dunes were on fire. And spreading. Fast.

"Call 911, Mommy! PLEASE! Call 911!" she begged me.

You know you're in trouble when you call 911 and they put you on hold. But the dispatcher assured me the fire department was on its way.

We watched trees engulf in flames. And wondered if we should pack up what we could and leave. We gathered a few things. Threw them in the back of the car. And waited. And watched.

Luckily, there is water that separates us from the dunes. Water that stopped the fire from continuing into our backyards. Thank goodness the winds blew the flames parallel to the houses instead of up the street toward us. And thank goodness for the fire fighters who got it under control. 

(I am standing in our next door neighbor's back yard here. The zoom is only at 55mm. The fire fighters are close. Too close for comfort.)

The picture below is taken this morning in the same spot as the one of BB above. All of the vegetation is gone. This is one of my favorite places to take pictures. I was actually thinking of a photo I wanted to take in this spot that very morning on my walk.

All of this used to be covered in those pretty reeds. The fire started from the far end. About three streets away.

But, we're all ok. Nobody was hurt. Everyone's house was spared. I just need to find a new favorite location to take photos. And gather all of the important papers together in one place so we're prepared for something like this in the future.

Slide Show Sunday: Halloween

Yes, I know it's Monday. Sunday was just too busy to get some blog lovin' from me. Halloween is a big day around these parts. Not only is it one of our favoritest holidays, it also happens to be my birthday.

And, since I am so loved, our whole neighborhood throws me a giant party. Complete with a Tiki Bar, dogs and burgers on the grill, and all night merry-making. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of the special bar they built in my honor. Or the giant crowd in attendance. Or the jello shooters.

But I have an excuse. You see, my costume had a very key accessory. A heavy accessory that had to be worn around my neck. The same neck that would have had a heavy camera around it. And since I don't have two necks. And I didn't want people to think I was just some skanky mom in a rubber jumpsuit. I had to forgo the camera in place of the binoculars.

Next year I will be a little more careful to choose a costume that does not require binoculars. Or any other heavy object to be worn around my neck. That may interfere with the documentation of my huge birthday bash.