Our potatoes are so far looking healthy. You can see two varieties in the foreground in the big Rubbermaid can and the small metal can. We also have two other varieties in two separate Rubbermaid storage bings. Keeping fingers crossed. Last year we had a bit o'the blight. 

Lettuce pause...

I'm not sure what kind of lettuce is in the foreground. The leaves are large and the taste is quite good. In the background is young arugula. Both were added to some store-bought, organic greens for a really good salad. I clipped all the onion scapes and those will be added to a stiry fry tomorrow. They were a little too strong to use raw in the salad.

Today I saw...

...these great lavendar blooms in my yard. They smell wonderful and I'm looking for some recipes in which to use lavendar. 

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS...

...gets published on bodanzarama so it pays to keep your nose clean. Julie and I spent almost three days in Las Vegas this month, hanging out with my mom, Steph, Dave and the dogs. It was lots of fun and very hot!

With temps in the high 90’s, we spent the days in shorts and t-shirts, under several layers of sun screen. We cooled off in the pool as much as we could. We have the sunburn to prove it. I think the sun in Las Vegas scoffs at SPF 30.

We belatedly celebrated Stephanie’s birthday and celebrated Mother’s Day early by stuffing and grilling Portobello mushroom caps (BO-BUTT Sept. ‘05) and grilling some Italian sausage with peppers and onions. On the side was roasted sweet potatoes and a big salad. Julie’s college friend, Annette, joined us for this feast. She even came back the next day to drive us around sight-seeing.

We were treated to a Heart concert at the Lake Las Vegas Resort where we had front row seats in front of a stage that floats on water. We were also treated to a bright full moon in the desert sky. Oh, and there was a limo. Not a bad way to travel, I must say. It was a great show but I think my ears are still ringing. Front row translates into “in front of the speakers.”

Thanks to Dave, Steph, mom, and Annette for showing us a very fun time.

The glamorous Vegas lifestyle isn't limited to gambling and seeing fancy shows.

 

Dave and J-Lo's mom.

 

The CEE-ment pond.

 

Dave and J-Lo. How appropriate.

 

J prepares the portobello mushrooms.

 

Dinner hits the grill.

 

Gimpy and Macy play catch.

 

Unfortunately, this shot of Cassie is blurry. But she's still cute.

 

Macy takes the lounge chair for herself.

 

A view of the Vegas Strip in the distance. Closer is the Red Rock Casino, bathed in blue light.

 

After dinner chit chat. The dogs are still waiting for food to fall.

 

A somewhat crooked shot of the pool at night.

 

Lexi does her pot-bellied pig impression.

 

Some pretty cacti flowers.

 

Concetta, Steph and Julie before the big synchronized swimming event at Bellagio. Practice makes perfect.

 

Cassie talks a walk in the wading pool.

 

Concetta dons her Sicilian widow outfit to swim. Matches the dog.

 

WEATHER THE STORM

Last night I went to my first Seattle Storm game. In fact, it was my first professional basketball game of any kind. I'm not a sports fan or a fan of sports crowds. But J is a season ticket holder and D (co-season ticket holder) couldn't make it. And if a non-sports fan has to go to a sports event this is the team to watch.

I was surprised at how small a basketball court is. The movies and TV make the floor look as if it goes on forever. I was releived to discover that Storm games aren't full of rowdy, drunk guys yelling. And no T&A because the "cheerleaders" are kids ranging in age from what appeared to be 4 to about 17. It's a family event (and a family event!).

I twas easy and affordable to park. It wasn't too crowded. We don't buy concessions so there was no standing in lines. J's tickets are pretty good.

Granted it was a pre-season game but still. I think it's not unlikely that I will be willing to attend another game when a ticket needs to be used. Here are a whole bunch of photos.