Hello Mashed Potatoes!

The old Nelson's sign downtown Tulsa

Had a wonderful lunch at Nelson's Buffeteria while shopping in Tulsa Saturday.  I just stumbled upon it....never realized that they had such a history downtown (75 years in some shape or form) and were just newly reopened near 44th and Memorial (map)-The photo above is from the past...the downtown location-The food is wonderful...and from the reviews I read, close to the original menu.  What a find!  I ate the chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes (Hello!), gravy and green beans.  So heavenly!  Got there near closing time (2pm on Saturday) and the potatoes were running low.  "HELLO MASHED POTATOES" the server yelled out to the kitchen.  I only jumped half way out of my skin....he really startled me!  But yes...I agreed, Hello Mashed Potatoes!  I didn't want to miss out on these! They were delicious!  I do have to return soon. Reason: They were out of the homemade pies. And you know I can't not have the pie!  Guess I have more Tulsa shopping to come!

He Still Would Have Loved Tent City....Part 2.

It's that time of year again....2nd week in June.  Oklahoma Freewheel  Cross State Bicycle Tour is well underway without me.  I've never had a year like this...when I really wanted to go...but just couldn't.  Maybe next year.   I miss my Dad in June...and not just because of Father's Day this coming Sunday......Freewheel week is always bittersweet with memories of him..how he got us started...how much he loved camp and how he inspired my sister and I to believe we could do anything-whether it was on a bike or regarding life in general.   Love You Dad!    Photo: Gary Dean Peters (middle) and the Preacher's Boys. (Looks like a late season training ride, huh?)

Another Round of Limoncello di Avila?

My second batch of Limoncello is ready to go....I spent time Sunday getting the labels printed and assembled and also double filtering the liqueur.  Tonight was spent sterilizing bottles, filling, capping, and decorating with the usual ribbons and beaded caps.  I love the sound the caps make on the glass bottle.  It's like having a cocktail without even opening the bottle.  I have a few special folks on the list to recieve this batch...  Hope they enjoy!

Hermosa Chicks

Well we made it safely to and from Hermosa Beach, CA and the Peters household.  Grandpa and Grandma were well. Met some real nice folks, too! 

Cold and occasional rain....yes..we were in Southern California...checking the long range forecast next time I get a bug to book a trip!

We of course were able to find the absurd along our journey as documented photographically here. 

Hitchhiker

My sister is on her way to my house...we are taking a spring break trip to California to visit Grandfather.  I'm supposed to be cleaning my house and packing my bag..  But instead I have made a hell of a mess putting together this gift for her birthday...yeah...it was 2 weeks ago (that's right...same day as mine...four years apart)....but hey...things like this take time!  I don't even care if she sees this mess of a house....I think she is gonna love it!  I have it sitting on the deck waiting for her to arrive....with it's "Mt. Ida" hitchhiker sign clearly indicating he is needing a ride back to her house later this week when we return!    

Ready......

Set.....Tomorrow I add the simple syrup to the Limoncello (45 days infused so far-another 45 to go)......Distilled water and Sugar!......   I have at least one friend anticipating the decanting in December....I think I need to start another batch......   Stay tuned.  P.S.  Check out my Flickr photo site under Galleries....I planted 100 daffodil bulbs Sunday, October 24th, 2010.  I have another 100 to plant in memory of my Maggie Mae!

The Non-Flip-Flop Sister

I am not a good shoe shopper.  I love shoes. I used to say Nine West was my favorite store.  But then shoes went funky on me and I got left behind.  I didn't buy shoes for a while.  But shoes wear out and faced with the need to purchase new shoes, I ventured out looking.  Not buying.  But at least looking.  Practicing, I call it.  But all I see now are tons of shoes with a bit between the toes (like a horse bit)...commonly known as flip-flops.  (Formerly known as thongs but nobody wants to go there anymore)

I used to wear flip-flops.  But then I stopped.  I recently asked my sister, "When was the last time you saw me wearing flip flops?"  Oh she couldn't remember.  Grade school?  Maybe junior high?  "Somehow you have become the non-flip-flop sister," she announced.  Labels be damned, I say!  I will not be the non-flip-flop sister anymore. Not that I think that is such a bad thing.  I mean "Non-smoker" is a good thing, right? But what about "Non-flip-flop"?  How could something as innocent as a toe bit have precluded me from the world of fun summer shoes?  I vowed to re-enter the shoe world by conditioning my feet to the point that I could wear flip-flops again.  I dream of a whole world of shoes opening up to me once the feet are capable.  I calculated that a late summer purchase would give me time to ease into the wearing of the shoe and that by Spring 2011 I would be ready...or at least the feet would be.  I visited Nordstorms shoe site on line to browse.  I asked friends for recommendations....I thought it over.  I announced my intentions...I even shopped once or twice...but never bought any.   

But then my Mom was visiting Labor Day weekend.  I told her of my plan.  I think she likes a challange and so it was on....We found these lovely Teva Mandalyn Wedge flip flops.  Oh...the pattern/color?  Andante Kimono.  Very likely my first pair in 25 years! To think...flip-flops were always flat in the old days...now you can get a good heel on these things.  I love them and really think this is going to work out perfectly.  A few observations however: 

1. My feet are cramping more these past two weeks.  I suspect the shoes.  But I won't give in.  It will pass.
2. I'm a fast walker....but you just can't go fast in these things...they are definitely a strolling shoe, hence "andante", a moderately slow pace.  Even the name of the shoe is whispering to me, "Slow down." And so I am slowing down, enjoying the relaxed pace-hoping I can adopt a similar state of mind as well.
3. You shouldn't try to change directions too fast...of course this goes hand in hand with strolling (or would that be foot in foot? part and partial?....
4. Maintaining presentable, well groomed, exfoliated and moisturized feet is a must when wearing these shoes.  Your foot is just about naked!  Nobody wants to see a dirty rough naked foot.  These shoes will require additional pedicures for the feet, whether professionally or personally performed. Oh well.  I think I can handle that.    

All in all I am pleased.  I'm adjusting well and should be a shoe buying machine (in training) come spring! Or at least that's my theory.  Either way, I got a nice pair of new shoes.  Thanks Mom!

Homemade Limoncello-The Wait Begins.

Finally got around to trying my hand at making homemade limoncello, that sweet lemon liqueur of Italy. I found some organic lemons (without wax or pesticides). They were just Eureka Lemons, not the Meyer that are so highly recommended.  They seemed a bit small so I zested all 26 of them even though my recipe only called for 18-20. It took me about an hour to zest all the lemons, add 1.5 liters of 100 proof vodka and stow away in a nice cool dark cabinet.  I had a huge gallon jar...I washed it out put in in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes to sterilize it.  My batch is only 1/2 gallon though. Guess I will try to make a double batch next time if I can find enough lemons. After 45 days I will add a simple syrup and put back in the cool dark for 45 days.  Then, filter out the zest and put straight into the freezer.  Serve ice cold straight or use to mix cocktails.  Or how about splashed over pound cake?  I like the sound of that! 

Spatchcocked-The Pastured Chicken gets Grilled!

Getting ready to grill a pasture raised chicken that I bought from a nephew of a friend....check out this blog page for more info on the chick!

www.amagifarm.blogspot.com

I made a herb paste with 10 cloves garlic, rosemary, thyme in 1/4 cup olive oil. Strained it, reserving the oil, and put the herbs/garlic with salt under the skin. I'll use the flavored oil over the top after the chick gets grilled! Should be delicious! Thanks to the farmer!

Watching the Tour....After the Tour

So I almost finished the Tour of Payne on the 5th...My riding partner's bike went down...without him on it luckily!  We were 24 miles into a leisurely 36 mile route. But I waited out the SAG vehicle with him since he was having such a bad day. (The bike wasn't the only thing that broke down....the whole day was just a big mess...and quite laughable in retrospect but I won't be sharing that part of the story.)The remainder of our group had ridden on together and we saw they were still sticking together as we finished the route in a red Chevy. I was glad.

I got the Versus channel ordered up for the month of July especially for watching the Tour de France. I set the DVR to record today's stage (Stage 3)..the cobblestone stretch they call "the Hell in North" during the Paris Roubaix....not a normal route for the Tour. So it should be interesting. I love the history behind the roads...but I feel for the guys having to go over those stones.

I have lots of favorite riders...but Fabian Cancellara was my man last year and I'm sticking with him again this year.........Go Fabulous!

Photos of FreeWheel 2010