Fishing at Gazebo Lake, Green Mountain Falls, CO

Just west of Colorado Springs, tucked on the north side of Pike's Peak, there is this Gem of the Rockies. The small pond is stocked with trout. 

The gazebo is used for various events including weddings.  It sits on a little island connected to the land by a short bridge. 

 

HUH??!! I guess there are fish in there!

  
Too cute.  A military family spending some time together.  The other kids were playing on the playground.

 

Oops!  Time to go home, it was getting cloudy.  LOL.  Only 20 miles from our house so we will be back often.

CEMITAS PUEBLA Restaurant , 3619 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL

We were visiting Chicago and needed someplace to go for lunch on May 5, 2010.  I searched the Food Network's Diners, Drive In's and Dives site and found this tiny, little store front near to where we were staying. Since it was Cinco de Mayo, we thought it would be fun to have Mexican food for lunch. 

As we walked in we saw this poster in the window.

 

The father greeted us with a copy of the poster and a plate with a Cemita on it - asking us if we had ever been there before. He described the food and went on to say that a local TV station had just been there and would be broadcasting a spot about them on the 5:00 o'clock news to help celebrate Cinco de Mayo!!

 

Tony and his Dad.  On our way out Tony told us all about the visit from Guy Fieri and the Food Network. They were in the store for 2 days and after the show aired, Tony said he had to close at 2PM because they were totally sold out of food. And we can understand why - it was delicious.

A Cemita is a sandwich with a choice of different meats, avocado, Oaxcacan (Mexican) cheese, a sauce they make of adobo, chipotle peppers  and papalo  (in season) a spicy, Mexican herb. The Dad said they get most of the ingredients directly from Mexico and they have a local bakery bake the crispy, tasty rolls with sesame seeds on top, that the Cemita is made with.

Some of the old inhabitants in the Mexican state of Puebla were Lebanese and brought with them the spit roasted meat.  This is pork shoulder that has been dipped in their special sauce and layered with onions.

 

We really enjoyed our lunch there and visited them 2 more times before we left Chicago.  They are also on Facebook, so be sure to follow them there too. 

The website -   http://www.cemitaspuebla.com/

Facebook with link to Channel 9 broadcast on 5/510 -    http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Chicago-IL/Cemitas-Puebla/368116943941?ref=ts&ajaxpipe=1&__a=174

Some of my Collector Plates Collection

Many years ago my Dad and I started collecting these themed plates - they were the "beanie baby" craze f the day, only alot more costly.

FLOWER BOY Plate - one of the most popular images associated with DeGrazia.

After we moved to New Mexico Ted DeGrazia became my favorite artist.

FLOWER Girl Plate

On a visit to Tucson, AZ we visited his studio and chapel - Gallery in the Sun. It was so peaceful and spiritual.

This one is very interesting.  THE UNEXPECTED PROPOSAL Plate by Norman Rockwell, depicts George Washington as the man, not the public figure.  

Want to see many, many more with full descriptions?  Just copy and paste the link.  Enjoy!!

http://tinyurl.com/2arxa9a

Strawberries Plant City FL & Making Preserves

 

Strawberry Palace on US 60 Plant City, FL. Pick your Own!!  4/10/10

 

Gene picking them - it was easy the plants were loaded 

That is 1 flat = 12 baskets

.

 

This was an unusual growing season because it got to below freezing several times. In order to preserve the plants and fruit the growers watered 24 /7.  The result is huge, flavorful berries.  

Gotta wash them.

 

Cut 'em up

 

Mash 'em

 

Add the sugar and cook them

  

Ladle the preserves into the jars using the canning funnel.   

Finished product.  That full flat made over 12 pints of preserves / sauce. 

So many parties, so many Rubber Duck Gifts.

 

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Duck - May 5th

Super Woman for Mother's Day May 9, 2010

Memorial Day BBQ's and 4th of July

 Graduations from Kindergarten, Middle School, High School and College (all levels!)

 And for all the babies created in the fall after all those June weddings. (Both are actually the same size, the photos are different sizes only.

Check out our eBay store for these and many, many other rubber ducks (70+) that are great party favors, gift ties or hostess gifts.

http://stores.ebay.com/Herbs-Crafts-Gifts

Carvel Ice Cream - A blast from childhood in NY

 

When I grew up on Long Island, New York CARVEL was always the best treat. After we moved to New Mexico and went back to visit,  it was one of the things we had to have at least once, even if it was the middle of winter.  There are no Carvel stores in Colorado where we live now,  so when we visit Florida we have to get our ice cream fix

 

This is my favorite swirl of vanilla and chocolate on a cone covered with chocolate sprinkles.  

  

Gene likes his ice cream in a cup, also the soft serve swirl.  They do have regular hard ice cream in several flavors but we get this so rarely, we don't want to miss the chance to have the best and creamist of all soft serve ice creams.  

The flying saucers ice cream sandwiches are another treat that are available in the grocery stores now too, but alas not in Colorado.

Great Blue Heron & Egret, Saddle Creek Lake, FL

Great Blue Heron, Saddle Creek Lake, Florida  3/31/10

Egret, Saddle Creek Lake, Florida 3/31/10

Egret sees fish, Saddle Creek Lake, Florida 3/31/10

Egret with breeding plummage, Saddle Creek Lake, Florida 3/31/10

Egret closeup of green around eye, Saddle Creek Lake, Florida 3/31/10

Egret in hunting pose, Saddle Creek Lake, Florida 3/31/10

Some PEOPLE at the FLORIDA STATE FAIR 2010

Sometimes people watching at any fair or show is worth our fee to be there.  This fair was no exception.

 

Supposedly there were 4 STATE FAIR SUPER HEROES walking around the fair too.  This is COTTON CANDY.  Never found out who the guy is.  We regret we did not get a photo of LARK MAN, who was around alot and very committed to his duties!

  

We love coordinating outfits and this man had our admiration. Even orange shoes.  I suspect if there were orange jeans he would have them too. We have some shoelaces that would match perfectly. Herbscraftsgifts eBay Shoelaces

 

 

One of the street entertainers are WASHBOARD WILLIE AND WISHBOARD WANDA.  They are the cutest couple, he sings and pulls a little wagon while playing different instruments and a washboard.

 

And since we are in Florida, we think there are those that only own shorts, so when it gets cold they have to improvise with long johns!

Some ANIMALS at the FLORIDA STATE FAIR 2010

Besides all the animals the FFA and 4 H'ers were showing, there were several other animals, shows and displays featuring large and trained animals.

HOLLYWOOD RACING PIGS
They were across from our booth and had 3 different races several times each day.  It is a local company who have been in the circus and stunt business for many generations.

GIRAFFES
I took a stroll one night and came across a building with unusual animals in it, including this pair. 

SPLASH - performing SEA LIONS
They were near us too and I tried to go over to see most of the performances.  There were 3 sea lions.  Bruce is the big one in the middle and then 2 girls on either side.  They did the typical ball on nose tricks and catching rings, but the trainers added little twists to make it more involved.

One trick, done to the Olympic theme music, was Bruce doing a hand stand on one flipper and then he carried the girl across the stage, on his nose.

The end of the show was a conga line. Too, too cute.
Those 2 shows were free and always had a crowd.