tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75659666450341540672024-03-13T23:38:03.240-05:00.Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-91041094294239081022015-05-17T15:42:00.000-05:002015-05-17T15:42:14.465-05:00Ixchel's Kitchen IBook <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUB3qW3x9hQ/UowgcumMwCI/AAAAAAAAD3I/SiG3E2GFPwQ/s1600/cookbook%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUB3qW3x9hQ/UowgcumMwCI/AAAAAAAAD3I/SiG3E2GFPwQ/s320/cookbook%2Bcover.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ixchel's Kitchen cookbook is now available as an Ibook!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This cookbook was created in 2010 as a fundraiser project for La Gloria English School. 200 copies were printed and sold out in a month. It took me 6 months to compile, test recipes, edit and promote and we raised over $4000. Now it is available in a new form, which is really convenient if you like to use your iPad in the kitchen like I do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over a hundred recipes from Isla Mujeres establishments (Casa Sirena, La Bruja, Barlito, Villa la Bella, Qubano, Olivia), residents of the island and longtime Isla visitors. Recreate mouthwatering memories of your travels to Isla Mujeres such as Cochinita Pibil, Ceviche, Chiles Rellenos, Tequila Shrimp and Pepitos. Explore some new recipes, as well, like Margarita Ice Cream, Mojito Body Scrub and Cuban Picadillo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A variety of delicious drink recipes are included plus suggestions on how to throw a fabulous Isla themed Fiesta (Hey, you've got to do what you can when you can't get to the island, right?). Learn the difference between tequila and mezcal, perfect the art of creating beautiful Mexican paper flowers, become a gourmet salsa chef. With all of this newfound knowledge, you may well become the most interesting man (or woman) in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful color photos and easy to follow recipes. Please contact me with any questions at </span><a href="mailto:Moongrl722@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: large;">Moongrl722@gmail.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Ordering info:</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1) You send me $10 via Paypal to </span><a href="mailto:Moongrl722@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: large;">Moongrl722@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> (there is no I in Moongrl) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2) I will email the pdf file to you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3) You can then open in Ibooks and/or as a pdf file and start cooking! It's that simple</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>Please be respectful and do not share the copy that I sent to you with others. It took me 6 months to create this and I now have three college kids (two biological and my 'Isla Daughter). Thank you.</em></span></div>
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<br />Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-53564730140512608152014-03-19T13:06:00.001-05:002014-03-19T13:06:26.228-05:00Coconut Oil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not going to tell you that coconut oil is going to cure everything that's wrong with you, but there are a few great uses for coconut oil that I have found to be easy and beneficial and thought that I would share. <br />
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1) Deep conditioner for your hair -- melt a few tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave and comb it through dry hair. Pull your hair up in a clip and let it sit for an hour. Go ahead and slather a thin layer of oil on your face, too. Take a shower, and shampoo (twice, for good measure) and condition as normal. Much less expensive than commercial conditioner, too. Saturday morning at the coconut spa. <br />
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2) Make up remover. It's natural and very moisturizing.<br />
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3) In place of oil for making popcorn. That's right...I know this is going to totally blow your mind, but I make popcorn on the stove. The old fashioned way. Microwave popcorn tastes horrible and chemical to me. Try it. You'll never go back.<br />
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4) In place of oils when baking. It's supposed to be healthier. Can't hurt. <br />
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Please share any uses of coconut oil that you have found! <br />
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<br />Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-71123883113321157312014-01-25T09:49:00.000-06:002014-01-25T09:49:41.737-06:00Isla Mujeres Feb 2013 Part 3<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hair of the Dog Poker Run</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Benefitting Isla Animals <a href="http://www.islaanimals.com/">www.islaanimals.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This was a blast! We had to 'run' to different bars and at each one we received a cocktail and a card. Bloody Mary at Jax, Margarita at Sunset Grill, Grapfruit Mojito at Ixchel, Coronita at Avalon and Sangria at Fenix. Yes. We completed the run. Our cards sucked but it was so much fun and we got to hang out with some really fun people. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ-GpcMO0zo/Ut9Arsz73QI/AAAAAAAAD-8/FJ_an61vobE/s1600/Inge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_594445="null" cua="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ-GpcMO0zo/Ut9Arsz73QI/AAAAAAAAD-8/FJ_an61vobE/s1600/Inge.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me and Inge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UB8op9ijnHQ/Ut9A6-ppKFI/AAAAAAAAD_E/CFfrFETrAs0/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_594445="null" cua="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UB8op9ijnHQ/Ut9A6-ppKFI/AAAAAAAAD_E/CFfrFETrAs0/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+100.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bar at Ixchel - you can see all of the Poker run participants in green shirts. Since we were staying there that night (yes, I get around), we went upstairs for a bathroom/photo op.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dyEebUC2sCQ/Ut9A_vH0sjI/AAAAAAAAD_M/8UmAD7dyTP0/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_594445="null" cua="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dyEebUC2sCQ/Ut9A_vH0sjI/AAAAAAAAD_M/8UmAD7dyTP0/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+101.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were all too tired (sloshed) to walk all the way down the beach to the bridge to Avalon, so we cut through the ocean!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IgftCrXON5w/Ut9BHKsJmVI/AAAAAAAAD_U/xZPjAnL8d6g/s1600/classic+corona+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_594445="null" cua="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IgftCrXON5w/Ut9BHKsJmVI/AAAAAAAAD_U/xZPjAnL8d6g/s1600/classic+corona+pic.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hadn't been out to Avalon since about 2006(?) when some friends were staying there and invited me to hang out for the afternoon. The bar was a really nice place to have a drink. Nice view of the beach. It made me think of that long ago afternoon and my friend Al, so I raised my beer and sent him a 'cheers' in heaven. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me and Jeff -- he's a blast!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rrDwqn9aSt0/Ut9B9CK6hHI/AAAAAAAAD_w/KVlhljfG4Og/s1600/photo+16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_594445="null" cua="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rrDwqn9aSt0/Ut9B9CK6hHI/AAAAAAAAD_w/KVlhljfG4Og/s1600/photo+16.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The official poker run tshirt. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nB_Dgph4SwE/Ut86QWp9rnI/AAAAAAAAD9E/Zc6G1urLv-Q/s1600/chilequilas+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_185167="null" cua="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nB_Dgph4SwE/Ut86QWp9rnI/AAAAAAAAD9E/Zc6G1urLv-Q/s1600/chilequilas+2.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chilequilas from Tacos Tumbras. Second only to Alexia y Giovanni, but they were closed. No worries. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vp3skbZN0Cs/Ut86t1__fCI/AAAAAAAAD9c/Rg2DNgvqc-c/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_185167="null" cua="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vp3skbZN0Cs/Ut86t1__fCI/AAAAAAAAD9c/Rg2DNgvqc-c/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+056.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the view from Ixchel Penthouse 709 (partly). There was a wedding at Sunset Grill and we had massages on the balcony as the music and festivities drifted upward.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mxKAN0q5MMQ/Ut86iJytkiI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/Almx9rRMQm4/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_185167="null" cua="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mxKAN0q5MMQ/Ut86iJytkiI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/Almx9rRMQm4/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I seriously just sat up from where I was lounging on the beach and snapped this. Viola. Perfection.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fantastic costumes at Carnivale Celebration on the Square</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tarzan and Me. Yep, we're a 'thing' LOL</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Coronation of the Carnival King and Queen (Tarzan and me...again) ;)</span></td></tr>
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Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-48693583903344760322014-01-21T20:52:00.001-06:002014-01-21T20:52:29.906-06:00Isla Mujeres - February 2013 - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em><span style="font-size: x-large;">Day Two/Three-ish. Staying at Casa Sirena, meeting up with friends, going to the beach, just having fun and doing whatever we want to do! </span></em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Crepes with yogurt, granola and fruit for breakfast. Casa Sirena has the BEST breakfasts!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good Morning, Isla! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is Lia, my friend Nelsy's baby. We met up for lunch with Nelsy, her mother Gloria, sister Conchi, also friends Maggie, Ann, Gail and Jackie. We feasted at Qubano. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k__on0KrG6o/UdgnWLmjBEI/AAAAAAAAD0g/GZNzVKVE7jQ/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k__on0KrG6o/UdgnWLmjBEI/AAAAAAAAD0g/GZNzVKVE7jQ/s400/Isla+Feb+2013+039.JPG" height="400" oya="true" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nelsy is a proud Momma. Little Lia is so cute!!</span></td></tr>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">After our Ladie's Lunch we went shopping with Gail and I bought a really cool bag from her friend's shop on Hidalgo. It's turquoise (my color!) and made from agave fiber. It's about the size of one of those large paper bags that you get from the store (remember..before plastic?) with handles and it's the perfect tote bag. I use it almost every day to take food/ etc to work. Then we went back to Gail's house and checked it out. Very nice! Great location. Jealous. :) </span></em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Towel Lizard!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Coco Poo Poos. Yes, I know they look vile, but they are delicious! Coconut rum, ice cold from a martini shaker, topped with chocolate whipahol. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had a late dinner at Bally Hoo. Oh, how I love their shrimp tacos. And for the record, I like 'em with a little tamarindo sauce and a touch of habenero. Sweet and spicy. Mmmm....We ended up going out to dinner with a girl that we met who was mad at her husband, so she ditched him and went out with us.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KnS5FPr1HNM/Udgnwj0j4yI/AAAAAAAAD1A/HOLJ2GO_LMU/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KnS5FPr1HNM/Udgnwj0j4yI/AAAAAAAAD1A/HOLJ2GO_LMU/s640/Isla+Feb+2013+0031.jpg" height="480" oya="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"We're taking your wife out to dinner. You got a problem with that?" Said the Viking Princess.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chicken Enchiladas for breakfast at Casa Sirena. Fresh fruit served as first course. Hot coffee and fresh OJ. A wonderful way to start the day!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Festive Carnivale decor at Casa Sirena</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Josefina's cats at Casa Luz Spa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute decor at Casa Luz</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam and Kitty (Artsy shot!!!!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just ADORE a penthouse view!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hello, Gorgeous</span></td></tr>
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Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-72843037010063741202013-11-30T08:33:00.002-06:002013-11-30T08:33:57.652-06:00Ixchel's Kitchen ~ Isla Mujeres Cookbook on CD<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over a hundred recipes from favorite Isla Mujeres establishments (Casa Sirena, La Bruja, Comono, Villa la Bella, Qubano, Olivia), residents of the island and fellow Islaholics. Recreate mouthwatering memories of your travels to Isla Mujeres, such as Cochinita Pibil, Ceviche, Chiles Rellenos, Tequila Shrimp, and Pepitos. Explore some new recipes, as well, such as Margarita Ice Cream, Mojito Body Scrub, and Cuban Picadillo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The CD is available for $15, which includes shipping and handling (if you need to be handled) to US or Canada. Additional CDs (Christmas gifts!!) are an additional $10 when ordered at the same time. Delivery to Mexico can probably be arranged. Email me. Paypal is my favorite, and you can pay with Mastercard or Visa through paypal. If you would like to make arrangements to mail me a check, please email me at <a href="mailto:moongrl722@gmail.com">moongrl722@gmail.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please remember, I'm a one woman show with a huge circus to run, so I will get these mailed out to you as quickly as is humanly possible. Thank you! </span></div>
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<tr><td><select name="os0"> <option selected="" value="1 CD">1 CD $15.00 USD</option> <option value="2 CDs">2 CDs $25.00 USD</option> <option value="3 CDs">3 CDs $35.00 USD</option> <option value="4 CDs">4 CDs $45.00 USD</option></select> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Plenty of delicious drink recipes are included and suggestions on how to throw a fabulous Isla Party (hey, you've got to do what you can when you can't get to the island, right?). Learn the difference between Tequila and Mezcal, perfect the art of creating beautiful Mexican paper flowers, become a salsa gourmet chef. With all of this newfound knowledge, you may well become the most interesting man (or woman) in the world</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fish Filet Veracruz, Yucatan Shrimp. Tortilla Soup, Swiss Enchiladas, Chilequiles, Tic n Xic</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Drunken Beans, Divorced Eggs, Elote, Ceviche, Bimbo Dogs, Pepitas, Pickled Purple Onions, Chorizo Chipotle Dip</span></td></tr>
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Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-87174634852651729792013-07-10T12:53:00.001-05:002013-07-10T12:53:38.781-05:00Summer Strawberry Pie<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Summer Strawberry Pie</strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZGJNvcEy4g/Ud2eONxXToI/AAAAAAAAD2o/odTrvt2dCjY/s1600/pieimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZGJNvcEy4g/Ud2eONxXToI/AAAAAAAAD2o/odTrvt2dCjY/s640/pieimage.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a wonderfully fresh pie and the crust is rich and crumbly. Don't fear the crust. It's super easy to make and you don't even have to roll it out. It's like playing with Play Doh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The crust recipe is from an ancient Church lady cookbook from Oklahoma so you know it's good. Some of the recipes are credited to women who go by 'Mrs.' and then their husband's name (like Mrs. Joe Smith) and some of the recipes call for 'oleo'. There are lots of jello salad recipes. Yuck.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pie Crust:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 1/2 c flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 1/2 tsp sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 Tbsp milk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3/4 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/2 c oil</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Combine flour, sugar and salt and mix with a fork. In a separate small bowl combine oil and milk and then add the liquid to the flour mixture and mix with a fork. Press into pie pan with your fingers as evenly as possible. This is kinda fun. Flute the edges and bake at 450 for 10 minutes. Take it out and cover the edges with foil and put back in oven for 5 more minutes. Let cool.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pie Filling:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Qt strawberries, washed, hulled and cut in half if they are large (save one for garnish)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 1/3 c water</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 c sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3 Tbsp cornstarch</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Combine 1 cup of the berries with the sugar and 1 cup of the water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for about 15 minutes. Squish them a little while they're cooking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Combine the other 1/3 cup of water with the cornstarch in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Add to berry mixture in saucepan and cook over low heat until it thickens and clears (about 5 minutes). If it doesn't get really clear, it will still be good, so get over it and move on with your life. Remove from heat and stir occasionally and let it cool for a few minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Arrange fresh berries in pie shell so they are all standing up and pretty. Like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pour berry mixture over the pretty berries and refrigerate until chilled. Add strawberry garnish and serve with fresh whipped cream. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Submitted by Mrs. Johnny Depp</span><br />
<br />Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-1393997844634929942013-07-04T12:59:00.000-05:002013-07-04T12:59:35.340-05:00Isla Mujeres - February 2013 - Part One<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>This trip was all about celebrating my best friend's birthday and cramming as much fun as one possibly can into 6 days. I was up to the challenge.</em></span></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Leaving me in charge of Happy Hour at the Sky Bar at Casa Sirena? Stellar idea!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>Isla is fantastic in February. Don't get me wrong, I love it year round - even in the dead of summer when it's so hot you have to stay in or near the water, I don't care. February brings cooler temps, Carnivale, and Pam's birthday. </strong></em></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Izj7JM7kAA4/UdWV5dHqUOI/AAAAAAAADvs/01MuDKrMc8Q/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" oya="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Izj7JM7kAA4/UdWV5dHqUOI/AAAAAAAADvs/01MuDKrMc8Q/s640/Isla+Feb+2013+105.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Miss Pamela -Photobombing the ocean</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qypk_ucAsNU/UdWWH9lfzlI/AAAAAAAADv0/up2EeBpB2TI/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oya="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qypk_ucAsNU/UdWWH9lfzlI/AAAAAAAADv0/up2EeBpB2TI/s320/Isla+Feb+2013+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sliders at Qubano....Oh, Baby. It's hard to decide what to eat here because all of the food is amazing and so is Vivian.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LSh6QP0Ycco/UdWWK8rQxdI/AAAAAAAADv8/aSKVE0EoiTs/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" oya="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LSh6QP0Ycco/UdWWK8rQxdI/AAAAAAAADv8/aSKVE0EoiTs/s640/Isla+Feb+2013+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Vivian Salad at Qubano. One of my favorites.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLMcqcqzBVk/UdWZrLqYYSI/AAAAAAAADw0/5j4RKalxM70/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oya="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLMcqcqzBVk/UdWZrLqYYSI/AAAAAAAADw0/5j4RKalxM70/s400/Isla+Feb+2013+010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I could hang out here all day...read...nap...ahhh</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXAitkU2HCs/UdWaFEZ94RI/AAAAAAAADw8/DCx0cDphK40/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oya="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXAitkU2HCs/UdWaFEZ94RI/AAAAAAAADw8/DCx0cDphK40/s400/Isla+Feb+2013+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This guy had an interesting tat. Good people watching on the beach</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZ38PLlyTck/UdWaflS7XNI/AAAAAAAADxE/k1aTH5_-qcM/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" oya="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZ38PLlyTck/UdWaflS7XNI/AAAAAAAADxE/k1aTH5_-qcM/s640/Isla+Feb+2013+013.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Late lunch at Barlito...The 'One Eyed Cajun' panini in the foreground. WOW! Pulled pork, three kinds of cheese...and yes, I had beets because Tiffany said if I eat them all, my pee would be pink and that's called Princess Pee. Like I wouldn't go for that.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-YxMUkwcRc/UdWajqRGkkI/AAAAAAAADxM/kHfFPtCzMxU/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" oya="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-YxMUkwcRc/UdWajqRGkkI/AAAAAAAADxM/kHfFPtCzMxU/s640/Isla+Feb+2013+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoying lunch at Barlito. Love the food...love sitting outside...love Brad and Tiffany. Total Love/Food Fest</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PlAyzYUsFE8/UdWbvIn-ifI/AAAAAAAADxc/VUJA8WwXR-w/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" oya="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PlAyzYUsFE8/UdWbvIn-ifI/AAAAAAAADxc/VUJA8WwXR-w/s640/Isla+Feb+2013+015.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We stayed at Casa Sirena the first few nights and room hopped between room 1 (my fave!) and room 5. Casa Sirena is so comfortable and makes me incredibly happy. Everything from the delicious breakfasts to the evening happy hours are the best. I always meet fun people while staying there. And of course...there's Steve. Steve is the magic behind the perfection.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcrX2JJChOk/UdWbvaxpIXI/AAAAAAAADxg/duDs3j-d0rQ/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" oya="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcrX2JJChOk/UdWbvaxpIXI/AAAAAAAADxg/duDs3j-d0rQ/s320/Isla+Feb+2013+016.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Towel puppy at Casa Sirena</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2a2rePjb0oI/UdWcB2kuTgI/AAAAAAAADxs/iDTHtYvqTQk/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oya="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2a2rePjb0oI/UdWcB2kuTgI/AAAAAAAADxs/iDTHtYvqTQk/s320/Isla+Feb+2013+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were lucky enough to score an invite to Bruce and Kathryn's Anniversary party. It was so nice to see them and everyone else. Kathryn looked amazing, don't you think?</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_i3vfQs_3nU/UdWcDuB-RlI/AAAAAAAADx0/mj0ouabnO3U/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oya="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_i3vfQs_3nU/UdWcDuB-RlI/AAAAAAAADx0/mj0ouabnO3U/s400/Isla+Feb+2013+022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brian and Brenda - gorgeous as always</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lovely Ladies -Jackie, Ann and Maggie</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMrlUW2qsSw/UdWcQ0XooGI/AAAAAAAADx8/ykOmjAzk8Jc/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" oya="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMrlUW2qsSw/UdWcQ0XooGI/AAAAAAAADx8/ykOmjAzk8Jc/s400/Isla+Feb+2013+025.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The always handsome and charming Daniel and Manuel. The lady in the background was obviously swooning from being in the close proximity of these two. Who can blame her?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qexbHBEFC6w/UdWcS-MCFAI/AAAAAAAADyM/MHgJcu5AU20/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oya="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qexbHBEFC6w/UdWcS-MCFAI/AAAAAAAADyM/MHgJcu5AU20/s400/Isla+Feb+2013+026.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here comes trouble...Carmita and Inge. Queens of Isla</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K741tuHFcO4/UdWcYfD7d9I/AAAAAAAADyU/pPDS6GZE568/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" oya="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K741tuHFcO4/UdWcYfD7d9I/AAAAAAAADyU/pPDS6GZE568/s640/Isla+Feb+2013+023.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Couple of Honor, Kathryn and Bruce with the Carnival dancers.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fantastic dinner at Olivia with Pam, Lolo, Steve, Dennis and the "Terrible Ten" from Florida. That's shy Chef Chris in the foreground. That's right....we had dinner with twelve men and Lolo. And one of the guys is a Food Network Chef. Yeah...I know.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwTW719jJ_0/UdWqEBWQDJI/AAAAAAAADys/XZsoTdg9Azg/s1600/Isla+Feb+2013+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" oya="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwTW719jJ_0/UdWqEBWQDJI/AAAAAAAADys/XZsoTdg9Azg/s400/Isla+Feb+2013+030.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We ditched the guys after dinner and went to La Terazzo with Lolo, where we met THE creepiest guy on earth, Chet. After we recovered from the skeeziness, we continued to laugh about him for the rest of the trip and now use the term 'Chetty' to describe something totally heinous and repulsive. Sample of conversations - he just walked up to the bar and started talking to us like this - this was not after an evening of hanging out. This was opening line (and it got worse) Chet: So, you having fun? Pam: Yep. Chet: You wanna make out? Pam: Uh...NO!. We also ran into the lovely and extremely unChetty Nicole, who was there classing up the place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>That was pretty much the first day or so...stay tuned for more adventures and the food...oh, we're going to get a little crazy with the food.</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-71237185288819252842013-06-24T13:10:00.002-05:002013-06-24T13:10:17.894-05:00My Top 5 Parenting TipsI thought parenting would be pretty easy. I'd seen it done on tv plenty of times. Oh, I had grandiose ideas of what I <em>wouldn't</em> do, but when it came right down to it, I had no idea the amount of energy and trickery this gig would take. I'm feeling generous today, so I thought I'd share with you my top five parenting tips. <br />
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1) This is the most important one. It is <strong>never</strong> referred to as 'The Ice Cream Truck', it is 'The Music Truck'. Yes, that's right...a truck that drives randomly around the neighborhood and plays music? Why, how lovely! This will work for approximately 4 - 5 years.<br />
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2) From a very young age, you must make your children believe that you have mystical powers. 'Hey, watch me blow on the red light and turn it green', 'Look at me - I can juggle <em>two</em> oranges!' The point here is to ingrain them with this, so later when they try to trick you, you just give them a look and say 'I know what you're up to'. Life is better when exhusbands and your children are just a tiny bit fearful of you, trust me on this one.<br />
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3) Put the kibash on teenage sex by showing them 80s horror movies and telling them that if they do have sex...they will obviously be the first one that Jason/Michael Myers/etc kills. It's a proven fact. Just watch the movies.<br />
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4) When they want you to take them somewhere...to a friend's house...to the mall...just tell them you can't drive because you're a little tipsy. This gets you out of chauffering them around plus it models excellent 'do not drink and drive' behavior. And then you can have a little glass of wine and you won't really be stretching the truth.<br />
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5) And last, but not least, make up stories about their Grandparents. 'Well, you know that Grandma and Grandpa were circus performers and we traveled a lot when I was young.' 'Your father's father was in prison. In fact, I think he was cellmates with Johnny Cash'. Stuff like that. Always add 'They don't like to talk about it'. This serves twofold to a) Make them a little bit in awe of the Grandparental Units and b) leave you plenty of room to use your circus upbringing/dad in prison as a reason for your bad behavior. Unlike <em>them,</em> with their picture perfect childhood and Mom that can juggle and a music truck and all.<br />
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;)Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-31684557540807307282013-04-28T21:38:00.000-05:002013-06-25T16:12:50.620-05:00Chocolate Strawberry Oasis Pie<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nGORaQE6CQ/UX3b_E2WZLI/AAAAAAAADus/KQUmAH0j3Vk/s1600/Pie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" lwa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nGORaQE6CQ/UX3b_E2WZLI/AAAAAAAADus/KQUmAH0j3Vk/s320/Pie.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Chocolate Strawberry Oasis Pie</h2>
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From the movie 'Waitress'</h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Just a pie?! It’s downright expert. A thing of beauty...how each flavor opens itself, one by one, like a chapter in a book. First, the flavor of an exotic spice hits you...just a hint of it...and then you get flooded with chocolate, dark and bittersweet like an old love affair. And finally strawberry. The way strawberry was always supposed to taste, but never knew how.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This isn't a difficult pie to create, but it's not quick, either. Prepare to make a mess, but oh....it's heavenly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Ingredients</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>For Chocolate Silk Filling</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">¼ cup unsalted butter</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5 ounces bittersweet chocolate</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">16 ounce package mini marshmallows</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/3 cup whipping cream</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 teaspoons Chai Spice</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To make Chai spice combine 2 tablespoons each of ginger, cloves, cinnamon and fennel and 1 tablespoon of cardamom in a small food processor or clean coffee grinder and grind smooth. Store in your spice pantry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Strawberry Filling</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 cups strawberries, slightly crushed</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/3 cup sugar</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1/3 cup water</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4 tablespoons cornstarch</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 ½ cups strawberries halved if small or diced if large</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Crust</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 cups crushed chocolate graham crackers</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">¼ cup brown sugar</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6 tablespoons butter</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Whipped Cream for garnish</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Preheat oven to 350. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sugar together. Slowly add graham cracker crumbs until combined and press into a pie plate. Use a spatula at first, but then you are going to need to get your hands down in there and get it packed in well. Bake for 10 minutes and then set aside to cool.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Chocolate filling:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In a saucepan over low heat, slowly melt the chocolate, chai spice and butter until smooth. Add vanilla and marshmallows a little at a time until they are all melted and the mixture is smooth. Add whipping cream. Refrigerate while making strawberry filling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Strawberry filling:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Combine the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. In a medium saucepan, combine the crushed strawberries with the sugar until they start to get a little warm and juicy. Add cornstarch mixture and continue to cook over medium heat until it starts to thicken and bubble. Remove from heat and add vinegar. Cool for 15 minutes, then add the diced/halved strawberries. Cool to room temp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Assembly:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pour the chocolate filling into the crust and top with the strawberry filling. Refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. Serve with fresh whipped cream. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XGOagn1tUyU/UX3ce5M2EXI/AAAAAAAADu8/HsgpAhZ68Ic/s1600/Pie2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lwa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XGOagn1tUyU/UX3ce5M2EXI/AAAAAAAADu8/HsgpAhZ68Ic/s320/Pie2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-11434320221245449332013-04-08T12:58:00.001-05:002013-07-03T15:57:13.218-05:00Bad Baby Pie<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6BcHEdzZA4/UWMD9mYelkI/AAAAAAAADuc/7kdX5pHjIt0/s1600/bad+baby+pie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6BcHEdzZA4/UWMD9mYelkI/AAAAAAAADuc/7kdX5pHjIt0/s320/bad+baby+pie+2.jpg" /></a><br />
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<strong>'Bad Baby Pie'</strong>...also known as 'I Don't Want Earl's Baby Pie'. If you've never seen the movie Waitress, you should watch it. This recipe comes from the movie and it's one of my favorite films. Quirky and funny. And pie! In fact, go get the movie and make the pie for a lovely evening. I love dinner/movie combinations. Here are some ideas. Please feel free to add some.
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<b>Les Miserables</b>- goes nicely with Coq au Vin and wine (everything goes nicely with wine!)
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<b>Mystic Pizza</b>- Pizza. duh
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<b>Eat, Pray, Love</b> - Spagetti, cannoli and some Indian take out. Go nuts. YOLO
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<b>Chocolat</b>- Again, a no brainer. Lots of it. Chocolate cake, hot chocolate, fondue, etc
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<b>The Breakfast Club</b>- bacon and eggs or waffles. Coffee with Bailey's
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<b>Steel Magnolias</b> - Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes and Red Velvet Cake
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<b>Pretty In Pink</b> - Go with an all pink buffet. Shrimp cocktail, pink cupcakes, watermelon, strawberries, pink lemonade, pink champagne. You can use food coloring to make pink hummus or mashed potatoes.
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<b>The Bucket List</b> - French Fries topped with cheese, jalapenos, and gravy
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<b>Frida</b>- Your favorite Mexican dish or 'make your own nachos bar'
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<b>Memoirs of a Geisha</b> - Sushi
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<b>Unforgiven</b> - Steak and potatoes
You get the idea. And, although I stole this line from someone else's blog, it made me laugh, so I thought I'd share: “You know what they call The Hunger Games in France?” “BattleRoyale with cheese.”
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<strong>Bad Baby Pie
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Pie Crust (I use store bought...so sue me)
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1 1/2 cups Smoked Virginia Ham (I bought 1/2 lb in the deli and had them cut it thick)-chopped
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8 - 10 green onions- chopped
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1 cup of brie cheese - cubed (I cut off the rind)
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1 cup of Parmesan - shredded (real cheese, people. Buy a wedge and shred it yourself, I'm not playing around here)
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2 Tbsp real butter
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1 cup heavy cream
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6 large eggs
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1/4 tsp nutmeg
fresh cracked black pepper<br />
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Bring refrigerated pie crust to room temperature (or make one from scratch. Showoff) and preheat oven to 400. Place crust in a pie plate and prick all over with a fork. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce oven to 350.<br />
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Melt butter in a skillet and sauté the green onions until they are soft. Add chopped ham until it's slightly browned.
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Whisk together eggs, cream and nutmeg.
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Place onions and ham into crust. Follow with cubed brie cheese, then add the grated parmesan cheese. Pour the egg/cream mixture over evenly and finish with some fresh black pepper. I don't add salt to this and it didn't need any in my opinion. The ham adds plenty of salt.
Place pie dish on a baking sheet and bake for 35 - 40 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean and it's not wobbly in the middle.
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I served this with a salad and I have to say, I think this is the best quiche I've ever had. It's so gooey and cheesy.
More 'Waitress' pies to come!Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-2459404389809021522012-08-12T17:25:00.001-05:002012-08-12T17:25:41.457-05:00Make Your Own Chipotle Ketchup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why on earth would I make my own ketchup, you ask. I know you're asking that because I would ask the same thing. But trust me.....(my eyes swirl and hypnotize you) Trussst me...There are things I would never try to cook. Lasagne - I've tried. It's hard and it falls apart and Stouffer's is good. Canned ANYTHING. Did you know that if you don't do it right, you can kill people with your canned food? Kill them!?! This is pressure I do not need. Frying things- too messy. If I want catfish, I'll go somewhere to get it. I don't often eat fried food anyway. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, I'll give you three reasons to make you're own ketchup:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1) It just tastes so much better than store bought</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2) You can make it with Splenda, thus eliminating some sugar (Don't get me wrong, I love sugar, but I prefer my sugar in delicious cake or cookie form, rather than drinking it or in things that can be sugar free and just as good)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3) You can add chipotle to it and God(dess) knows, if I could add chipotle to everything, I would.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And as an added bonus, it's super easy and you can impress your friends and family. Gnawing at the bit, now, aren't you??</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grab your whisk and away we go...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Chipotle Ketchup</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">6 ounce can of tomato paste</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Apple Cider Vinegar</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Splenda </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Garlic Powder</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Onion Powder</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Sea Salt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Cloves </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Pepper</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Whisk the tomato paste with enough apple cider vinegar to get it to a ketchupy consistency (technical words...I know, don't let that scare you) Add two heaping tablespoons (approx) of Splenda and a pinch of cloves. Add garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt and pepper to taste. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Place the entire contents of a jar of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in a food processer and whir until smooth. Keep this in your frig to add to everything. Cole Slaw dressing, eggs, bbq sauce, cream cheese, mayo, meatloaf, chili...seriously -- everything! Add a heaping tablespoon to the ketchup mixture and whisk. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Chipotle Ketchup is fantastic with steak fries or on a burger or hot dog. Enjoy!</span></div>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-21420688633362451702012-07-07T10:40:00.001-05:002012-08-12T17:06:19.080-05:00Is Surreality a Word? A Week of Vegas and High School Reunion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I recently took a week off work and, well...you know me. Never one to sit at home and waste a day off with cleaning or actually doing something productive, I headed out on an adventure. The first part of the adventure was spent in fabulous Las Vegas with a couple of fabulous girlfriends (Catz and Pam) and then I flew straight from Vegas to my 30 year high school reunion in Tulsa. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Plus, my friend, Jimmie lives in Vegas half the year (working for the World Series of Poker) AND we went to high school together, so it was like doubling down. Or something like that.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catz, Pam, and Me</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When people find out you're going to Vegas, the first thing out of their mouths is 'Where are you staying?'. I am <em>so over</em> the Strip. I've stayed at Paris, MGM Grand, Mirage, Treasure Island (many times as I had comped room there for about a year and a half for some unknown reason), Ceasar's, Bally's and I don't even remember where else. The sheer size of these places annoys me. I still like to visit them, but I hate coming 'home' to them at night (okay, early in the morning) and having to walk five miles to get to my room. Or having to pack a snack and a bottled water just to make the trek to the pool. I once walked from one resort to the one next door and it took 45 minutes. I feel the same way about large resorts anywhere. Too big, too impersonal. Give me a small boutique hotel or a b and b anytime. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbWoFHu3As8/T_SKHoeufjI/AAAAAAAADrY/tPFbSq1QKOI/s1600/Vegas+shrine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbWoFHu3As8/T_SKHoeufjI/AAAAAAAADrY/tPFbSq1QKOI/s640/Vegas+shrine.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrine in our room to Zula, my Voodoo Gambling Goddess (that's her with the pretty feather headdress in the middle) Offerings include stripper heel, WSOP laniard, chocolate Whipahol, beads, a cigarette, candles, tokens, an Altoid and ticket stubs.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love downtown. I know it's not for everyone. It's kinda seedy and little weird, but then again isn't that what Vegas is all about?? Everyone on the Strip looks the same. Middle aged women in khaki or jean shorts, a tshirt, athletic shoes and a baseball cap. And just so you know, I call that the 'I've completely given up-middle aged woman uniform'. Yuck, yuck, yuck. It's like being at the mall at home, but with slot machines and packs of Asians. And, yes, the Bellagio is really pretty, but nobody freakin' smiles there. No one is having fun!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But downtown? You can see people half dressed, people in fun costumes (and not just the ones that want you to tip them for a picture!) scary people, people who probably just escaped from prison and the hookers are much easier to spot. There are also some great restaurants and bars downtown. So, yes, I stay at a little tiny hotel/casino a block off Fremont Street called the Gold Spike (we lovingly call it the Crackwhore Casino of the Damned). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The staff at the Spike (who we know by name) is so helpful and nice and actually seem happy to have you there. As my friend, Catz says 'They look you in the eye and smile'. A man named Reverend (is that his real name?) makes some delicious food at the little diner (clean and great prices) and Joe is our bartender. LisaMarie is rockin' the front desk. We arrived super early in the day this time and were sitting in the bar having bloody breakfast and waiting to check in when Marchelina, one of the housekeepers, came by vaccuuming. We automatically lifted our feet for her to vacuum under and laughed about how we used to do that for our Moms. From then on, she was our best friend and had beach towels delivered to our room and anything else we needed. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms Catz chillin' in the pool</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, so the neighborhood isn't fancy, the elevators are slow and the hallway of the 6th floor reeked like potato chips and smoke, but the rooms are clean, the pool is nice and uncrowded and the price is so right, it's almost free. Seriously...$30 a night. No frig (buy a cooler down the block at Walgreens, Joe will fill it up each morning with ice), and no safes (don't bring any jewelry you aren't going to wear every day). Plan accordingly. I like the Spike. No judging. It's my blog, anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I deffered to my professional photographer friend, Catz, to take pics this trip. I've been slacking lately on the pics, but I did get some fun ones of the Neon Boneyard. It's an outdoor museum of all of the old signs in Vegas. The tour takes about an hour and even at 10 am it's hotter than hell. You have to wear closed toed shoes due to gravel and possible broken glass and I suggest minimal clothing, an umbrella and a bottle of water. If you've won big the night before, possibly a pool boy to spritz you with Evian and fan you. It was definitely worth it -- very, very interesting and great photo ops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's their link. You should go there next time you're in Vegas for something different </span><br />
<a href="http://www.neonmuseum.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.neonmuseum.org/</span></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Gold Nugget sign. That is the nugget!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Treasure Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMFUWwVo24k/T_R9tIQmfiI/AAAAAAAADpE/IyTB81HdNH0/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMFUWwVo24k/T_R9tIQmfiI/AAAAAAAADpE/IyTB81HdNH0/s640/034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of those Stardust stars would be fab in my living room!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attack of the giant ducks!!!! Ugly Duckling Used Cars</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why, yes I am. Thanks for noticing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Stardust sign</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aladdin's Lamp</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avwgfCdo2Rc/T_R8-KsZ5ZI/AAAAAAAADog/yV3ZqH89iMo/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avwgfCdo2Rc/T_R8-KsZ5ZI/AAAAAAAADog/yV3ZqH89iMo/s640/004.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silver Slipper. Rotated on a big pole like this one next door to the Desert Inn, where Howard Hughes was a recluse. He thought there was a camera in the shoe watching him. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AI2PoHkceRQ/T_R9FKJF-eI/AAAAAAAADoo/RIHZsIs5Me4/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AI2PoHkceRQ/T_R9FKJF-eI/AAAAAAAADoo/RIHZsIs5Me4/s320/006.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a pool hall. Mullett Man</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another highlight of the Vegas trip was seeing Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns at the Palms. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.santafeandthefatcityhorns.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.santafeandthefatcityhorns.com/</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The best of the best Vegas musicians get together one night a week when they're off from their regular gigs with the big musical productions such as Jersey Boys and Phantom. They are incredible. Jaw dropping. As an added bonus, we got to sit in one of those lovely half circle banquette booths and sip cocktails. I could've listened to them for another two hours. Swankalicious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And that's about all that I'm going to report on Vegas, because you know what they say. I did get to throw the dice in craps for the first time (and threw one clear off the f'ing table, much to the amusement of my friend, Jimmie), earned a nickname at Mermaid's casino - 'Berrynice'. See last year's Vegas blog for reference, partied and ziplined with Elvis down Fremont Street. And I have to say, if you don't have a friend who owns an Elvis suit and brings it to Vegas with her...well...you ain't livin'. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zB3TfwOzbNk/T_SPe6n6qmI/AAAAAAAADrk/AEwX35ZycS4/s1600/Vegas+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" sca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zB3TfwOzbNk/T_SPe6n6qmI/AAAAAAAADrk/AEwX35ZycS4/s640/Vegas+sign.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unapologetic Vegas Randomness: Glow in the dark KISS themed mini golf, party room, gift shop and 'Hotter than Hell' Wedding Chapel. Wow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me behind Catz (Elviz?) Pam in on the bottom left in the crowd taking pics<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You've been a very naughty girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karma: Walking into a casino with your friend dressed as Elvis and two other friends and finding four open Elvis slot machines in a row.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From Vegas, I flew into Tulsa for my 30 year high school reunion. Let the surreality continue. I stayed with my parents and we feasted at some of my favorite places in town - Old School Bagels, Hideaway Pizza and The Wild Fork. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, food is a <em>very</em> important part of vacation. If you don't agree, I just don't understand you.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Fork Omelette with cheese grits and fruit. My Mom and I split this and couldn't even finish it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7u5E5XLLZk/T_SPlB5N5II/AAAAAAAADr0/LwWlISc35yw/s1600/Tulsa+food+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7u5E5XLLZk/T_SPlB5N5II/AAAAAAAADr0/LwWlISc35yw/s320/Tulsa+food+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hideaway Pizza. Oh, Baby.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The reunion was lots of fun. Getting together with people I grew up with is both cool and surreal. It's a little like going back in time, especially since I don't live in Tulsa anymore and don't just randomly run into these people all the time. Everyone looked great and we had a blast. As far as I know, nobody got scandalously drunk or anything fun like that.( I would've totally videoed that for my blog, are you kidding? Wondering now why I didn't buy rounds of shots. Maybe I was just expecting a cocktail waitress to bring some by) I drove by the house I grew up in and had a Koolie from Quik Trip and my time travel trip was complete.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_oB4EjoDdk/T_SPvTdcKXI/AAAAAAAADsU/ZL9kxIDNwoE/s1600/Tulsa+reunion+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_oB4EjoDdk/T_SPvTdcKXI/AAAAAAAADsU/ZL9kxIDNwoE/s320/Tulsa+reunion+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour of the school!!! This was pretty fun. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mV2CroGufZE/T_SPsT9kuiI/AAAAAAAADsM/HXlfUv-gX7E/s1600/Tulsa+Reunion+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mV2CroGufZE/T_SPsT9kuiI/AAAAAAAADsM/HXlfUv-gX7E/s320/Tulsa+Reunion+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where we used to park in our high school lot, known as Bong Row, because the stoners parked there, too. <strong>Too...I said too</strong>. That's my Dad's car and he lets me drive it when I'm in town because he's nice like that.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVuU26aenjY/T_SPo9lG-PI/AAAAAAAADsE/CnP1-SaO7Qo/s1600/Tulsa+Reunion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVuU26aenjY/T_SPo9lG-PI/AAAAAAAADsE/CnP1-SaO7Qo/s320/Tulsa+Reunion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Laurie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-erA92_bxiU8/T_SPy73ylkI/AAAAAAAADsk/0-apzpE7VY0/s1600/Tulsa+reunion+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-erA92_bxiU8/T_SPy73ylkI/AAAAAAAADsk/0-apzpE7VY0/s640/Tulsa+reunion+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laurie, Me and Toni</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gkwG9Tu-TA/T_SPxPAZhcI/AAAAAAAADsc/s6iOCj1d0XI/s1600/tulsa+reunion+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" sca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--gkwG9Tu-TA/T_SPxPAZhcI/AAAAAAAADsc/s6iOCj1d0XI/s640/tulsa+reunion+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott, Toni and Lolly</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KAQfUMPx4uU/T_SPnJ_xzyI/AAAAAAAADr8/wkhG2ZZBhfA/s1600/Tulsa+High+School+Reunion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KAQfUMPx4uU/T_SPnJ_xzyI/AAAAAAAADr8/wkhG2ZZBhfA/s640/Tulsa+High+School+Reunion.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toni, Laurie and Me. Laurie didn't even go to high school with us, but she is our perpetual party bud, so she joined in the fun, good sport that she is<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One more random thing about Vegas -- we got a little lost due to navigational error one day and ran upon this building. It's the Center for Brain Health designed by Frank Gehry. Pretty fantastic, even in the land of strange buildings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another fun adventure. Sometimes it's really great being me. </span></div>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-72677396910856941622012-07-01T13:15:00.002-05:002012-07-01T14:47:36.768-05:00Limoncello - the Perfect Summer Cocktail<br />
Limoncello is an Italian Lemon liqueur, mainly produced in Southern Italy (or in my kitchen). It tastes like sunshine. Limoncello is a perfect after dinner drink, served very chilled or over ice and it makes a bad ass addition to a lemon daquiri. I would also add a splash to a dirty martini, because I'm just fabulous like that.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HrO23J--ZYI/T_CK9fd_p9I/AAAAAAAADnk/zYrWylg3nMc/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HrO23J--ZYI/T_CK9fd_p9I/AAAAAAAADnk/zYrWylg3nMc/s320/045.JPG" vca="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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10 Lemons</div>
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1 750 ml bottle of good quality Vodka</div>
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3 1/2 cups of water</div>
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2 cups of sugar</div>
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Seriously, just double the above, because you're going to want more than one batch.</div>
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Peel the lemons with a vegetable peeler (this is by far the most difficult part of the recipe and it will be worth it, I promise!) Peel ONLY the yellow part and try to get none of the white pith because that will make your Limoncello bitter like a bad teenage breakup. If you end up with some white on your peels, simply scrape it off with a small, sharp knife. Place the peels and the vodka in a large container (I used a suntea jar) and let it sit at room temperature for two weeks. I picked it up and swirled it around every couple of days, just because it was fun.</div>
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**NOTE: Don't waste those little nekkid peeled lemons! Juice them and add water and Splenda to taste and you will have some AWESOME lemonade. Vodka optional in this one.</div>
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After the two weeks, combine the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves - about 5 minutes. Cool completely and add to the vodka mixture, stir and refrigerate overnight. Strain the peels out of the mixture and transfer to bottles that you can cork or seal. </div>
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Old wine bottles with the labels removed work well, as do Lorena French Lemonada bottles or you can buy fancy ones at Pier 1, The Container Store or Hobby Lobby (makin' likka is MY hobby!) Pier 1 has really pretty bottles like the one on the right in the pic and they're not too pricey.</div>
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Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use. Limoncello makes a great gift. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMRDGEtnOw0/T_CMtuIxT_I/AAAAAAAADn4/ghzoSZKMbU0/s1600/Limoncello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMRDGEtnOw0/T_CMtuIxT_I/AAAAAAAADn4/ghzoSZKMbU0/s320/Limoncello.jpg" vca="true" width="240" /></a></div>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-16544627623607782042012-03-11T21:14:00.000-05:002012-03-11T21:14:30.122-05:00Chipotle Honey Lime Roasted Chicken and Greek Roasted Chicken<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cBqHphpc1I/T11ITL2NxcI/AAAAAAAADmk/HEtH3ZobhF8/s1600/140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cBqHphpc1I/T11ITL2NxcI/AAAAAAAADmk/HEtH3ZobhF8/s320/140.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek Roasted Chicken</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Okay, I'll admit it....until recently I had never roasted a chicken. I know, I know, my Grandmother would roll over in her grave, but it just seemed pointless since buying a raw chicken and going to all that trouble costs only about a dollar less than an already cooked rotisserie chicken. Until I roasted my first one. OMG....moist...flavorful...delicious! Now I'm hooked. Here are two recipes that are wonderful (As if you had any doubts) You can easily roast two chickens on Sunday and have plenty of leftovers for the busy week. The Honey Lime Chipotle one is really good served in tortillas, also. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bD0nARB-eus/T11IayUWGiI/AAAAAAAADm0/duXUtXiMdPA/s1600/137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bD0nARB-eus/T11IayUWGiI/AAAAAAAADm0/duXUtXiMdPA/s320/137.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the gross part...you have to release the icky raw chicken from it's package (some people say wash it, some say don't bother, so I didn't bother) and then (hang on tight!) you have to stick your hand up inside the cavity (EEEWW!!!!) and take out the scary and strange assortment of things that someone has stuffed up in there like some sort of crazy freakin' meat by product pinata. Seriously...this is disgusting. There is liver, a neck and God only knows what else in there. It really made me seriously reconsider my eschewing of med school because after that, I think I could totally rock being an Obstetrician. Cut off any extra skin that is around the cavity (Plastic surgery, oh yeah...now I'm kinda getting into it) </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8ybNqTRs70/T11IX9YTgqI/AAAAAAAADms/U8Q4-e70MHE/s1600/138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8ybNqTRs70/T11IX9YTgqI/AAAAAAAADms/U8Q4-e70MHE/s320/138.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Place the bird on a broiler pan with foil around the bottom and the top sprayed with Pam for easier clean up. Then season as directed in the recipes below. Baste? Ummm...I can't because all of the drippings are in the bottom of the broiler pan. So, save some of the marinade out in a seperate bowl and dilute with some wine/olive oil/broth for your basting needs. More on that later.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yA0Jhh_hECA/T11IejKka9I/AAAAAAAADm8/W3BQCzqy2_Q/s1600/139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yA0Jhh_hECA/T11IejKka9I/AAAAAAAADm8/W3BQCzqy2_Q/s320/139.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the finished Greek Chicken. Opa!!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chipotle Honey Lime Roasted Chicken Ingredients</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MX8-Gh7bOqo/T11K-W3wg2I/AAAAAAAADnU/nB8r3N_23sA/s1600/152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MX8-Gh7bOqo/T11K-W3wg2I/AAAAAAAADnU/nB8r3N_23sA/s320/152.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ready to go in the oven</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7SFNBZDjKw/T11LBOaENaI/AAAAAAAADnc/485ybsa3LMw/s1600/153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7SFNBZDjKw/T11LBOaENaI/AAAAAAAADnc/485ybsa3LMw/s320/153.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ready to eat.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Greek Roasted Chicken</span></em><br />
<div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">One Chicken (about 4 lbs)</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Salt</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Lemon Pepper</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Thyme</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Oregano</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">1 lemon</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">1/2 a yellow onion (cut in 4 pieces)</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Olive Oil</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">8 cloves of garlic</span></em></div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Garlic Powder</span></em></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>After following the prep instructions above, you have your chicken on the broiler pan. Preheat your oven to 375. Pour a little Olive Oil in your hand and give the bird a little rub down. Then squeeze the lemon over and inside the bird. Stuff the used lemon halves, garlic cloves and the pieces of onion up into the cavity. That's right, I know..eww. Just do it. <br />
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Sprinkle the chicken generously with Oregano, Thyme, Garlic Powder, Lemon Pepper and a little Salt. <br />
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Place it in the oven - you will probably have to lower a rack. <br />
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Make a simple basting sauce of olive oil, wine, spices, and a little chicken broth or bouillon. Baste every 15 minutes until the last 45 minutes, then stop basting so the skin can get all nice and crispy. After cooking, let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before carving. This is really good with rice and veggies and/or Caesar Salad.<br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Chipotle Honey Lime Roasted Chicken</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div align="left">One Chicken ( about 4 lbs)</div><div align="left">1/2 cup Mayonaise</div><div align="left">Splash of Olive Oil</div><div align="left">Zest and Juice of 1 Lime (keep used lime halves)</div><div align="left">4 Tbsp pureed Chipotles in Adobo sauce (puree the entire contents of the can)</div><div align="left">Salt</div><div align="left">Pepper</div><div align="left">Honey (to taste - about 4 Tbsp)</div><div align="left">Fresh Cilantro - some chopped some left on stems</div><div align="left">Half a Yellow Onion - cut into four pieces</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Prep chicken as directed above. In a large bowl whisk together the Mayo, Chipotle, Olive Oil, Lime Zest, Lime Juice, Honey and Salt and Pepper to taste. Reserve 1/4 cup of Mayo/Chipotle mixture in a seperate bowl. Brush non reserved Mayo/Chipotle mixture generously over and inside chicken. Sprinkle generously with chopped Cilantro. Stuff bird with used lime halves, Onion pieces and Cilantro on the stem. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">To the reserved mixture, add a splash of white wine, some more olive oil and or some chicken broth. This will be used for basting. You remember basting? It's what we used to do with baby oil to our bodies when we laid out by the pool back in the 70s to get that 'savage' tan. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Bake at 375 for about 2 hours, basting every 15 minutes (careful not to wash off the cilantro) at first, but then don't baste the last 45 minutes. </div><div align="left"><br />
My Grandmother would be proud!</div>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-828885836662026792012-02-18T15:18:00.000-06:002012-02-18T15:18:11.760-06:00New Orleans ~~ Girl Trip 2012<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4Y5b2dmCf0/Tz_s98SsGDI/AAAAAAAADmU/IXVPPJ8M9QM/s1600/photo+nola4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4Y5b2dmCf0/Tz_s98SsGDI/AAAAAAAADmU/IXVPPJ8M9QM/s320/photo+nola4.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I earn my beads the old fashioned way. At parades!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oh, yes...I know what it means to miss New Orleans. I hadn't been there in years. So you can imagine how excited I was to get back there for Girl Trip 2102 -- which, incidentally, is the 15th year that Pam and I have been Girl Trippin' for her birthday. Okay...there have been several that were not her birthday, but it's a milestone to celebrate. Any reason to celebrate, after all...</div>Oh, yes, I know that New Orleans can be considered sleazy. And parts of it may be, but I love the diversity, the architecture, the history, the characters, the show. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">First...the apartment. Oh my freakin' Goddess. This apartment was fantastic. Two bedrooms, exquisitely decorated with antiques and art, the home of a local art dealer. It even featured a large and gorgeous balcony that was just feet from the corner or Bourbon Street and St. Ann. It slept 6 comfortably and was drop dead gorgeous. Yes, I outdid myself this time. Thanks for noticing. :)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWSeN31uLUI/Tz758HEabGI/AAAAAAAADZs/SuYAg_XSZMs/s1600/NOLA+2012+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWSeN31uLUI/Tz758HEabGI/AAAAAAAADZs/SuYAg_XSZMs/s320/NOLA+2012+102.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The living room, complete with Baby Grand piano. The window to the left of the piano served as the door to the gorgeous balcony.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2AsBFvp7UqQ/Tz76FPgdyKI/AAAAAAAADZ0/Pu2VdE1IHQI/s1600/NOLA+2012+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2AsBFvp7UqQ/Tz76FPgdyKI/AAAAAAAADZ0/Pu2VdE1IHQI/s320/NOLA+2012+129.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOTQnB5wA64/Tz76IcfgnrI/AAAAAAAADZ8/ZFJW0fH9Suc/s1600/NOLA+2012+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOTQnB5wA64/Tz76IcfgnrI/AAAAAAAADZ8/ZFJW0fH9Suc/s320/NOLA+2012+096.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent lots of time on our balcony, which was just steps from Bourbon Street. Many of the horse and carriage tours stopped to look at our balcony and take pictures. People would yell to us 'Your balcony is beautiful. You're so lucky!'. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms_NS8_fNZs/Tz76M_DOlvI/AAAAAAAADaE/iQ7X48KbcbY/s1600/NOLA+2012+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms_NS8_fNZs/Tz76M_DOlvI/AAAAAAAADaE/iQ7X48KbcbY/s320/NOLA+2012+099.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Courtyard</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W9eNVZsom1w/Tz76Ss8rcaI/AAAAAAAADaM/rhRaaBXpPgo/s1600/NOLA+2012+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W9eNVZsom1w/Tz76Ss8rcaI/AAAAAAAADaM/rhRaaBXpPgo/s320/NOLA+2012+131.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S3Ia2JVkuRI/Tz76fqXI04I/AAAAAAAADac/vS6V-sVeDYw/s1600/NOLA+2012+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S3Ia2JVkuRI/Tz76fqXI04I/AAAAAAAADac/vS6V-sVeDYw/s320/NOLA+2012+118.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bedroom -- it was huge! There was also a second bedroom with two queen beds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c08S1xNBzbE/Tz76jSvplHI/AAAAAAAADak/1INhtyd_20c/s1600/NOLA+2012+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c08S1xNBzbE/Tz76jSvplHI/AAAAAAAADak/1INhtyd_20c/s320/NOLA+2012+124.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that chandelier!!!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfSXVaDictY/Tz76rMwXi2I/AAAAAAAADas/FQgk6uMOodU/s1600/NOLA+2012+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfSXVaDictY/Tz76rMwXi2I/AAAAAAAADas/FQgk6uMOodU/s320/NOLA+2012+126.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nw2MFE0qmg/Tz760XDk37I/AAAAAAAADa0/5UW8COXXNvA/s1600/NOLA+2012+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nw2MFE0qmg/Tz760XDk37I/AAAAAAAADa0/5UW8COXXNvA/s320/NOLA+2012+123.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The china cabinet kept opening by itself. A little spooky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_PHQBB2MCQ/Tz766qAn-VI/AAAAAAAADa8/qZFzYBeCPF4/s1600/NOLA+2012+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_PHQBB2MCQ/Tz766qAn-VI/AAAAAAAADa8/qZFzYBeCPF4/s320/NOLA+2012+119.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireplaces in the bedrooms. Love it.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CykQM-0SuzE/Tz77BLojoUI/AAAAAAAADbE/dU9FXDQcki0/s1600/NOLA+2012+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CykQM-0SuzE/Tz77BLojoUI/AAAAAAAADbE/dU9FXDQcki0/s320/NOLA+2012+128.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We hung out in the French Quarter, napped one afternoon when it rained, lounged on our balcony, walked around. One afternoon there was a parade that we could see from our balcony and when people walked by afterward, we threw them beads. That was fun! Pam, Laura and I went to the Krewe of Pontchartrain parade, which was a BLAST! Who knew that standing out on the street yelling for beads and catching them from the floats was so much fun?! The crowd was amazingly well behaved and everyone was polite and shared beads and gave the stuffed animal throws to children. That made me extra happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took a tour of the Garden District and Cemetary one morning. The Garden District is a neighborhood of about 1000 mansions and gingerbread houses that originally began in the mid 1800s for the newly wealthy 'genteel' population of New Orleans who didn't want to live in the French Quarter with the working class. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This place is swankalicious...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWvdQvjdMuk/Tz_Rqe33aMI/AAAAAAAADbM/Fi3uUilOmW8/s1600/NOLA+2012+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWvdQvjdMuk/Tz_Rqe33aMI/AAAAAAAADbM/Fi3uUilOmW8/s320/NOLA+2012+059.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xQu7VDDJKVw/Tz_Ry9lI7iI/AAAAAAAADbU/Rx2vXTYVFL8/s1600/NOLA+2012+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xQu7VDDJKVw/Tz_Ry9lI7iI/AAAAAAAADbU/Rx2vXTYVFL8/s320/NOLA+2012+065.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atRAj7k7hY8/Tz_R2oY6DlI/AAAAAAAADbc/KfdTSB3SR4I/s1600/NOLA+2012+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atRAj7k7hY8/Tz_R2oY6DlI/AAAAAAAADbc/KfdTSB3SR4I/s320/NOLA+2012+066.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Manning Home. Yep, I mean Eli and Peyton. <br />
Surprised that I know who they are, aren't you?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLAyZ3Cpka4/Tz_R8hiSEYI/AAAAAAAADbk/DlFYbFQ-83I/s1600/NOLA+2012+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLAyZ3Cpka4/Tz_R8hiSEYI/AAAAAAAADbk/DlFYbFQ-83I/s320/NOLA+2012+068.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne Rice's former house. The home of 'The Mayfair Witches', one of my favorite books.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_Fell-FLHc/Tz_SUbkCyJI/AAAAAAAADbs/iWkwc3IWLKE/s1600/NOLA+2012+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_Fell-FLHc/Tz_SUbkCyJI/AAAAAAAADbs/iWkwc3IWLKE/s320/NOLA+2012+071.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTuB_iDwlcY/Tz_SvfaLejI/AAAAAAAADb0/WIjSOMe_rG0/s1600/NOLA+2012+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTuB_iDwlcY/Tz_SvfaLejI/AAAAAAAADb0/WIjSOMe_rG0/s320/NOLA+2012+075.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12,000 square feet for sale at $12 million. A steal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EpauZVDtDuA/Tz_Sz0e4cBI/AAAAAAAADb8/7i4jtiqyTAU/s1600/NOLA+2012+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EpauZVDtDuA/Tz_Sz0e4cBI/AAAAAAAADb8/7i4jtiqyTAU/s320/NOLA+2012+076.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festive door wreaths everywhere for Carnival</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1RLTlatZ8s/Tz_S8M-JRRI/AAAAAAAADcE/y2uMYRvXKjY/s1600/NOLA+2012+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1RLTlatZ8s/Tz_S8M-JRRI/AAAAAAAADcE/y2uMYRvXKjY/s320/NOLA+2012+083.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandra Bullock's house. Gorgeous!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLwJjzWbQjE/Tz_TCXanQuI/AAAAAAAADcM/SWU46Hb-xuo/s1600/NOLA+2012+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLwJjzWbQjE/Tz_TCXanQuI/AAAAAAAADcM/SWU46Hb-xuo/s320/NOLA+2012+086.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House where Benjamin Button was filmed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The tour we took was with "Free Tours by Foot", which -- yes -- is free. Actually it's for tips only, which is great and our tour guide, Sarah was extremely knowledgable. <br />
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The cemeteries in New Orleans are interesting and known as Cities of the Dead. The above ground tombs act as ovens and they say it takes 'a year and a day' for a body to completely decompose and turn back to dust. Many people are buried in these family vaults. When they open it up to add a newly deceased family member, they place what's left of the most recent burial in a special burial bag and move it into the 'basement' of the tomb. The remains of the coffin are then burned in ovens located within the cemetery. There are many notes of people in this cemetery that died during a Yellow Fever plague and one tomb that contained about 10 children of one couple who died in infancy or childhood. Heartbreaking.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nR1vWlAAodg/Tz_Y8Ab_4kI/AAAAAAAADcc/3z5W2sQ2Ayw/s1600/NOLA+2012+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nR1vWlAAodg/Tz_Y8Ab_4kI/AAAAAAAADcc/3z5W2sQ2Ayw/s320/NOLA+2012+031.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cemetery is the fictional home of the Mayfair Witches tomb and the vampire Lestat's tomb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v--rjsyvVhA/Tz_ZAOwK3XI/AAAAAAAADck/Xh8EWq8rmW8/s1600/NOLA+2012+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v--rjsyvVhA/Tz_ZAOwK3XI/AAAAAAAADck/Xh8EWq8rmW8/s320/NOLA+2012+034.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah, our tour guide</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_b3892voHe0/Tz_ZEaJ-8jI/AAAAAAAADcs/Qi0RBBpVMuY/s1600/NOLA+2012+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_b3892voHe0/Tz_ZEaJ-8jI/AAAAAAAADcs/Qi0RBBpVMuY/s320/NOLA+2012+035.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireman's Tomb</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ie2tvMq12es/Tz_ZHY6HYjI/AAAAAAAADc0/3vQ6jgwvf_w/s1600/NOLA+2012+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ie2tvMq12es/Tz_ZHY6HYjI/AAAAAAAADc0/3vQ6jgwvf_w/s320/NOLA+2012+037.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E3N7GKiYj9A/Tz_ZNttTtWI/AAAAAAAADc8/DdXL3lOAaAs/s1600/NOLA+2012+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E3N7GKiYj9A/Tz_ZNttTtWI/AAAAAAAADc8/DdXL3lOAaAs/s320/NOLA+2012+039.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlSP6HSMFIc/Tz_ZSNs0eLI/AAAAAAAADdE/r3MkBdLPMDM/s1600/NOLA+2012+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlSP6HSMFIc/Tz_ZSNs0eLI/AAAAAAAADdE/r3MkBdLPMDM/s320/NOLA+2012+038.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a>People leave tokens and toys at the tomb of the orphan boys to ward off a little boy demon and keep him happy.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXcVJZtnbHA/Tz_ZeTCOspI/AAAAAAAADdU/6TYq3EO2vvE/s1600/NOLA+2012+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXcVJZtnbHA/Tz_ZeTCOspI/AAAAAAAADdU/6TYq3EO2vvE/s320/NOLA+2012+044.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open tomb</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38MqFI5uI7I/Tz_ZowWhdgI/AAAAAAAADdc/IMcVG-IMTMs/s1600/NOLA+2012+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38MqFI5uI7I/Tz_ZowWhdgI/AAAAAAAADdc/IMcVG-IMTMs/s320/NOLA+2012+045.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see how this would work as an 'oven'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvXu1djPbhM/Tz_ZtlTJ_cI/AAAAAAAADdk/yQMEH0664zc/s1600/NOLA+2012+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvXu1djPbhM/Tz_ZtlTJ_cI/AAAAAAAADdk/yQMEH0664zc/s320/NOLA+2012+046.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ferns are called 'Resurrection Ferns' and feed off decomposing bodies</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-bI0PsTfIQ/Tz_TIwn-G3I/AAAAAAAADcU/aJYUcP443JA/s1600/NOLA+2012+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-bI0PsTfIQ/Tz_TIwn-G3I/AAAAAAAADcU/aJYUcP443JA/s320/NOLA+2012+029.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Food....Well, you know me and you know that eating is a big part of traveling for me. The food in New Orleans is delicious. It's hard to find a bad meal. Hope you're hungry...</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aKQiqZXgeG0/Tz_dcTcS2KI/AAAAAAAADd0/QpUMgYihugo/s1600/photo+nola17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aKQiqZXgeG0/Tz_dcTcS2KI/AAAAAAAADd0/QpUMgYihugo/s320/photo+nola17.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was one of the best things I've ever eaten. At Camellia Grill in Carrollton (we rode the streetcar up there, it was fun!) Pecan Pie....warmed up on the grill while being slathered with liquid butter. (no...really) Then served with ice cream AND whipped cream. Oh, Baby...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoaX6ZZyACs/Tz_df6YbZII/AAAAAAAADd8/EBsiVKga0sU/s1600/photo+nola18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoaX6ZZyACs/Tz_df6YbZII/AAAAAAAADd8/EBsiVKga0sU/s320/photo+nola18.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheeseburger at Camellia Grill with grilled onions. Fantastic and such a fun place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUd32GPm_SM/Tz_diAzueWI/AAAAAAAADeE/0DxPvQTtZfA/s1600/photo+nola19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUd32GPm_SM/Tz_diAzueWI/AAAAAAAADeE/0DxPvQTtZfA/s320/photo+nola19.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Workin' hard at the Camellia Grill. The waiters are also cooks, singers, comedians. And extremely flirtatious. So much fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxOxbE6YeAQ/Tz_doAHYSuI/AAAAAAAADeM/-khmGGf08rM/s1600/photo+nola6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qxOxbE6YeAQ/Tz_doAHYSuI/AAAAAAAADeM/-khmGGf08rM/s320/photo+nola6.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat O'Brien's - we went on a rainy day and huddled under an awning. The food was hit or miss. My muffaletta was 'eh', but Laura's shrimp and cheese grits were awesome. Fried Gator was surprisingly good. (Yep, tastes like chicken) The Bloody Mary was good, spicy and garnished with spicy pickled green beans.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOlIb0eV16Q/Tz_dtIP1zNI/AAAAAAAADeU/i0h5xY88jzE/s1600/NOLA+2012+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOlIb0eV16Q/Tz_dtIP1zNI/AAAAAAAADeU/i0h5xY88jzE/s320/NOLA+2012+136.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burger at Yo Momma's Bar and Grill with mushrooms and blue cheese. Fab!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2b6azluEZ0/Tz_d2J9IETI/AAAAAAAADec/f3ALnP4c8Jc/s1600/NOLA+2012+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2b6azluEZ0/Tz_d2J9IETI/AAAAAAAADec/f3ALnP4c8Jc/s320/NOLA+2012+135.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belle, Tara and Laura at Yo Momma's (Or is that the ghost of Belle??)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWTea8KQpkE/Tz_d9f3sxNI/AAAAAAAADek/XYOkg2CV6Ok/s1600/NOLA+2012+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWTea8KQpkE/Tz_d9f3sxNI/AAAAAAAADek/XYOkg2CV6Ok/s320/NOLA+2012+089.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak and Lobster for Pam and Belle at Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro. Delicious food, great wine selection. Located at 720 Orleans Avenue in the Quarter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeOF_dzHq1Y/Tz_eAbOmZuI/AAAAAAAADes/lcII8_tXucc/s1600/NOLA+2012+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeOF_dzHq1Y/Tz_eAbOmZuI/AAAAAAAADes/lcII8_tXucc/s320/NOLA+2012+088.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Barbeque Shrimp at Orleans Grapevine. (red eye reduction - on) It was fabulous. I also had a cup of wonderful gumbo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O62hHzQqFxE/Tz_eGsnwpDI/AAAAAAAADe0/4yzWupVnGCw/s1600/NOLA+2012+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O62hHzQqFxE/Tz_eGsnwpDI/AAAAAAAADe0/4yzWupVnGCw/s320/NOLA+2012+087.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura had scallops wrapped with bacon and served over a mushroomy sauce. Delish.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOfC8z7M4ms/Tz_e2eY9yfI/AAAAAAAADe8/hkyIO5JIGSc/s1600/NOLA+2012+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOfC8z7M4ms/Tz_e2eY9yfI/AAAAAAAADe8/hkyIO5JIGSc/s320/NOLA+2012+003.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrimp Po boy at ?? I don't remember but it was good. We had just gotten to town and were hungry. I also ate fried oysters for a couple of meals, but obviously they were so good that I forgot to take a pic. </td></tr>
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Random Fun, N'awlins Style<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlKEfqtQUf8/Tz_ltvsPnnI/AAAAAAAADhc/tfGb5xmApVo/s1600/photo+nola23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlKEfqtQUf8/Tz_ltvsPnnI/AAAAAAAADhc/tfGb5xmApVo/s320/photo+nola23.JPG" width="238" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He had the biggest balls on Bourbon Street and that's saying a lot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0LiAEe6_S8/Tz_lwQEESZI/AAAAAAAADhk/D3y_6Dn8kmo/s1600/photo+nola22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0LiAEe6_S8/Tz_lwQEESZI/AAAAAAAADhk/D3y_6Dn8kmo/s320/photo+nola22.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Show you my tits? For plastic jewelry? Oh, Honey, you've got to be kidding. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-El7YxZ7dOMY/Tz_lzwW9AZI/AAAAAAAADhs/ZLi0tZ5PnhQ/s1600/photo+nola21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-El7YxZ7dOMY/Tz_lzwW9AZI/AAAAAAAADhs/ZLi0tZ5PnhQ/s320/photo+nola21.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday Night on Bourbon Street</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MKJ7SQn-bsA/Tz_l3fDxcEI/AAAAAAAADh0/pPM9CfHstoo/s1600/photo+nola20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MKJ7SQn-bsA/Tz_l3fDxcEI/AAAAAAAADh0/pPM9CfHstoo/s320/photo+nola20.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52DYFK_TZ-U/Tz_mAFh4aCI/AAAAAAAADh8/XGc2bnCKKv0/s1600/photo+nola16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52DYFK_TZ-U/Tz_mAFh4aCI/AAAAAAAADh8/XGc2bnCKKv0/s320/photo+nola16.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSvnEU0b5nk/Tz_mEH0P11I/AAAAAAAADiE/sis57R1_6Qs/s1600/photo+nola11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSvnEU0b5nk/Tz_mEH0P11I/AAAAAAAADiE/sis57R1_6Qs/s320/photo+nola11.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Prima Donna's Closet - a designer consignment store owned by my cool friend, Stephanie, whom I met years ago while vacationing on Isla Mujeres.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9uoqY_ACbIE/Tz_mMTr6XaI/AAAAAAAADiM/88ezQSVatlM/s1600/photo+nola12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9uoqY_ACbIE/Tz_mMTr6XaI/AAAAAAAADiM/88ezQSVatlM/s320/photo+nola12.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie and Me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9od8bUpv0sc/Tz_5khfXw9I/AAAAAAAADmc/15y02KARBaU/s1600/photo+nola13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9od8bUpv0sc/Tz_5khfXw9I/AAAAAAAADmc/15y02KARBaU/s320/photo+nola13.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were calling my name...in a sexy Southern accent. I surprisingly succumbed. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLv3rB0ZFPc/Tz_mYzuLnFI/AAAAAAAADiU/ZBvdEoknDw4/s1600/photo+nola15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLv3rB0ZFPc/Tz_mYzuLnFI/AAAAAAAADiU/ZBvdEoknDw4/s320/photo+nola15.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splendid gowns. I could so rock that one on the right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjA7t98dv24/Tz_m5lJPDII/AAAAAAAADic/rCszWSUbHvQ/s1600/photo+nola14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjA7t98dv24/Tz_m5lJPDII/AAAAAAAADic/rCszWSUbHvQ/s320/photo+nola14.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All dressed up for Mardi Gras at Prima Donna's Closet on Royal Street in the Quarter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OaFMNdYL87k/Tz_m9ORasLI/AAAAAAAADik/3JeLaxrDhw0/s1600/photo+nola9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OaFMNdYL87k/Tz_m9ORasLI/AAAAAAAADik/3JeLaxrDhw0/s320/photo+nola9.JPG" width="238" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the most fun night out, as we ended up at Parade, a fabulous gay bar, which was right next door to our apartment. It was sing along night and we lost our little minds!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TSnU4UmIDAs/Tz_nA99vFCI/AAAAAAAADis/dTuqkgKAw1Q/s1600/photo+nola10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TSnU4UmIDAs/Tz_nA99vFCI/AAAAAAAADis/dTuqkgKAw1Q/s320/photo+nola10.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The video screen shows a tribute to Whitney Houston and the back of a dancer who was on the bar at Parade can be seen . LOL</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h89EYYCTX0Q/Tz_nKBIdSYI/AAAAAAAADi0/gAVUfFtRdtg/s1600/NOLA+2012+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h89EYYCTX0Q/Tz_nKBIdSYI/AAAAAAAADi0/gAVUfFtRdtg/s320/NOLA+2012+116.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Carter. He was adorable and smelled really good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tERVeADMXGo/Tz_nPCuq21I/AAAAAAAADi8/3TSVz_hOON4/s1600/NOLA+2012+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tERVeADMXGo/Tz_nPCuq21I/AAAAAAAADi8/3TSVz_hOON4/s320/NOLA+2012+115.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Tara and Pam</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzqtvJN7z4M/Tz_nTOzd_tI/AAAAAAAADjE/KQ6wlKlq2jA/s1600/NOLA+2012+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzqtvJN7z4M/Tz_nTOzd_tI/AAAAAAAADjE/KQ6wlKlq2jA/s320/NOLA+2012+114.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sammy ~~ my favorite bartender (except for Steve at Casa Sirena) EVER!!!!!!!! He would come over to our corner of the bar and at the crescendo of a song, he'd throw about 20 cocktail napkins in the air like confetti. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBmIbuQmnMk/Tz_nVmzFsOI/AAAAAAAADjM/N7ntNlXh5mU/s1600/NOLA+2012+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBmIbuQmnMk/Tz_nVmzFsOI/AAAAAAAADjM/N7ntNlXh5mU/s320/NOLA+2012+109.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancer on the bar</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgWB7NGkyHw/Tz_nYpf0ODI/AAAAAAAADjU/LH5rWNXSdHo/s1600/NOLA+2012+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wgWB7NGkyHw/Tz_nYpf0ODI/AAAAAAAADjU/LH5rWNXSdHo/s320/NOLA+2012+111.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belle and Pam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EOFY5uiNcHo/Tz_nbC0640I/AAAAAAAADjc/IHOf9IM9TsA/s1600/NOLA+2012+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EOFY5uiNcHo/Tz_nbC0640I/AAAAAAAADjc/IHOf9IM9TsA/s320/NOLA+2012+113.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What happens in NOLA stays in NOLA. Except for what goes on my blog</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I48s-zNS9dU/Tz_nff14SkI/AAAAAAAADjk/YRrnxzVxVT4/s1600/NOLA+2012+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I48s-zNS9dU/Tz_nff14SkI/AAAAAAAADjk/YRrnxzVxVT4/s320/NOLA+2012+112.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random guy, Pam, Tara and Sammy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eW0xLepYlfU/Tz_nk3f6M0I/AAAAAAAADjs/nU7g15gfyXQ/s1600/NOLA+2012+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eW0xLepYlfU/Tz_nk3f6M0I/AAAAAAAADjs/nU7g15gfyXQ/s320/NOLA+2012+117.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dancer looks like Chris Kattan from SNL</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipoy4CEY3aY/Tz_oIaX15BI/AAAAAAAADj0/C0J423FaI9A/s1600/photo+nola8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipoy4CEY3aY/Tz_oIaX15BI/AAAAAAAADj0/C0J423FaI9A/s320/photo+nola8.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At LaFitte's Blacksmith Shop. Great piano player/singer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yG_YqURL3-U/Tz_oMcPSgcI/AAAAAAAADj8/wPNiVdjzVlM/s1600/photo+nola7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yG_YqURL3-U/Tz_oMcPSgcI/AAAAAAAADj8/wPNiVdjzVlM/s320/photo+nola7.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Laura, Pam and Tara</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q05jHFMZRVE/Tz_oTaEdy5I/AAAAAAAADkE/09ixTfUjKsQ/s1600/photo+nola3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q05jHFMZRVE/Tz_oTaEdy5I/AAAAAAAADkE/09ixTfUjKsQ/s320/photo+nola3.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random Bourbon Street dude who had boobs drawn on him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WevT-vhdEjw/Tz_oabdBjzI/AAAAAAAADkM/vZvvLV2et3M/s1600/photo+nola1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WevT-vhdEjw/Tz_oabdBjzI/AAAAAAAADkM/vZvvLV2et3M/s320/photo+nola1.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duh...<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h6Yk-uPaWSc/Tz_ogVQbvTI/AAAAAAAADkU/kzgbZwbzxmE/s1600/NOLA+2012+134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h6Yk-uPaWSc/Tz_ogVQbvTI/AAAAAAAADkU/kzgbZwbzxmE/s320/NOLA+2012+134.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEUk3A-F9VU/Tz_ooByqB3I/AAAAAAAADkc/iZIh96kYAlg/s1600/NOLA+2012+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEUk3A-F9VU/Tz_ooByqB3I/AAAAAAAADkc/iZIh96kYAlg/s320/NOLA+2012+108.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0YFserpxUqY/Tz_otDYUCII/AAAAAAAADkk/pdxyRPd1Fmg/s1600/NOLA+2012+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0YFserpxUqY/Tz_otDYUCII/AAAAAAAADkk/pdxyRPd1Fmg/s320/NOLA+2012+107.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Laura at the Oyster Bar</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8D0tt72dB60/Tz_oxM5O5uI/AAAAAAAADks/cxyXOowjQb0/s1600/NOLA+2012+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8D0tt72dB60/Tz_oxM5O5uI/AAAAAAAADks/cxyXOowjQb0/s320/NOLA+2012+106.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty Girls - Tara and Pam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7FzY_Hxd2uE/Tz_o2z-y8LI/AAAAAAAADk0/f-ZLTwjvlTc/s1600/NOLA+2012+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7FzY_Hxd2uE/Tz_o2z-y8LI/AAAAAAAADk0/f-ZLTwjvlTc/s320/NOLA+2012+103.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade of the Krewe of Barkus ~~ Dog parade! So incredibly cute. Dogs of all kinds and sizes dressed up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12yjhm3W83o/Tz_o-8FA2vI/AAAAAAAADk8/0Hz0jq-RjOs/s1600/NOLA+2012+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-12yjhm3W83o/Tz_o-8FA2vI/AAAAAAAADk8/0Hz0jq-RjOs/s320/NOLA+2012+100.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By our front door</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HGb43WORYw/Tz_pENMvahI/AAAAAAAADlE/h0gIs5z-l8A/s1600/NOLA+2012+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HGb43WORYw/Tz_pENMvahI/AAAAAAAADlE/h0gIs5z-l8A/s320/NOLA+2012+095.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bite it like a Pirate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uei5ciqcqkM/Tz_pJRp-opI/AAAAAAAADlM/Sj-Mp5gAcQc/s1600/NOLA+2012+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uei5ciqcqkM/Tz_pJRp-opI/AAAAAAAADlM/Sj-Mp5gAcQc/s320/NOLA+2012+094.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Louis Cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nufB3TTuiho/Tz_pMRQv4sI/AAAAAAAADlU/JXU8e_Z2yDo/s1600/NOLA+2012+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nufB3TTuiho/Tz_pMRQv4sI/AAAAAAAADlU/JXU8e_Z2yDo/s320/NOLA+2012+093.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam had a Tarot reading at Jackson Square</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ASrUGa0rX0/Tz_pRS2C_TI/AAAAAAAADlc/ud5tbd05XaU/s1600/NOLA+2012+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ASrUGa0rX0/Tz_pRS2C_TI/AAAAAAAADlc/ud5tbd05XaU/s320/NOLA+2012+090.JPG" width="240" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty balconies </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uo0He8PI4w/Tz_pezKbqPI/AAAAAAAADlk/E9SU5BbSKW0/s1600/NOLA+2012+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uo0He8PI4w/Tz_pezKbqPI/AAAAAAAADlk/E9SU5BbSKW0/s320/NOLA+2012+027.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXXoc7Epcno/Tz_poi2m5tI/AAAAAAAADls/HFuLjCbbOmU/s1600/NOLA+2012+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXXoc7Epcno/Tz_poi2m5tI/AAAAAAAADls/HFuLjCbbOmU/s320/NOLA+2012+014.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No one rocks the Hokey Pokey like Belle!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AJDa9VFtXS8/Tz_pv8LKjvI/AAAAAAAADl0/rfK7z8H8Las/s1600/NOLA+2012+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AJDa9VFtXS8/Tz_pv8LKjvI/AAAAAAAADl0/rfK7z8H8Las/s320/NOLA+2012+012.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tara very cutely vamps it up</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKWnsEYj5b8/Tz_pz6QJ1hI/AAAAAAAADl8/iOvd2GdsOuI/s1600/NOLA+2012+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FKWnsEYj5b8/Tz_pz6QJ1hI/AAAAAAAADl8/iOvd2GdsOuI/s320/NOLA+2012+011.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The piano player likes Melissa</td></tr>
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</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnYRBYAFiWM/Tz_p3bEHW6I/AAAAAAAADmE/wBhlaxx598g/s1600/NOLA+2012+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fnYRBYAFiWM/Tz_p3bEHW6I/AAAAAAAADmE/wBhlaxx598g/s320/NOLA+2012+006.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday Girl!!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4ld2Q9qPPc/Tz_p5iwz0MI/AAAAAAAADmM/UqU9KKDyykU/s1600/NOLA+2012+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4ld2Q9qPPc/Tz_p5iwz0MI/AAAAAAAADmM/UqU9KKDyykU/s320/NOLA+2012+002.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a>In addition to all that fun, some of us had readings at Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo with Phillip Humphries, who (altho I didn't know it at the time) is THE psychic of NOLA. His readings were very specific and all four of us were impressed. I have to be honest...he scared me a little. There is no way on earth that he could know such personal and specific things about me that he knew. If you are into that type of stuff (and I really only do this in NOLA) I highly suggest a reading with him. I'm still pretty freaked out by it.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Another fun, spooky story from our trip - Belle awoke Saturday night in the middle of the night and saw the ghost of a woman standing in the corner of her bedroom. She blinked hard, and looked again and sure enough, she was still there. The pretty lady had long salt and pepper hair and looked to be in her mid thirties. She was wearing a purple blouse and was holding a large feather. Belle decided that the spirit was not going to hurt her and tried to go back to sleep, but she kept feeling the feather tickling her nose. Finally, Belle gave up and got up to go out on the balcony to have a cigarette. At that time Melissa came home with her cousin and her cousin's husband, so Belle felt a little better. The next day, when Melissa was home alone, she said she felt a presence in the kitchen with her, like she wasn't alone. It scared her a little, so she went into the living room and turned on the tv. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So, there you have it ~~ fun, food, drinks, ghosts, pecan pie, mansions, cemeteries, drunks, balconies and beads. Mardi Gras is coming soon, so here are a few inspired recipes. Happy Mardi Gras!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">Jambalaya</span><br />
<br />
Olive Oil ( about 3 Tablespoons)<br />
White Onion - chopped<br />
Celery (about 5 ribs) - chopped<br />
Bell Pepper - chopped<br />
Minced Garlic - 2 heaping tablespoons<br />
3 cans of petite diced tomatoes<br />
Emeril's Bayou Blast seasoning<br />
32 oz carton of chicken broth<br />
Smoked sausage - sliced<br />
about 2 chicken breasts- torn into bites<br />
1/2 - 1 pound of shrimp - cut off tails<br />
Louisiana hot sauce<br />
salt/pepper<br />
bay leaf - 2<br />
About 2 cups of minute rice<br />
<br />
Cheats: I buy a whole rotiserrie chicken and tear off what I want to use in the jambalaya and use the extra with the extra celery to make chicken salad. Shortcut - buy the shrimp already cooked at the seafood counter.<br />
<br />
This makes a big pot!<br />
In a large pot, saute the Bell Pepper, Onion, Garlic and Celery in the Olive Oil until softened and onion is translucent.<br />
<br />
Add Tomatoes (juice and all), Chicken Broth, Chicken and Sausage. Add two or three Bay Leaves and then add Bayou Blast, Hot Sauce, Salt and Pepper to taste. You can always add more later. <br />
<br />
Simmer for about 30 minutes. Taste and add more seasoning if needed. <br />
<br />
Add minute rice and cook until the rice is done. <br />
Add shrimp until warm (if precooked) or done. <br />
Serve with hot French Bread and buttah!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: large;">Big Easy Key Lime Pie</span> (not technically NOLA food, but served at many places there and not technically that big, but definitely easy)<br />
<br />
Graham Cracker crust (make it or buy it, whatever finds your Nemo)<br />
2 (14 oz) cans of Sweetened Condensed Milk (fat free works, too)<br />
1 c Key Lime Juice<br />
Whipping cream<br />
1/4 c powdered sugar<br />
1/2 t vanilla<br />
2 key limes (or small limes) for zest and garnish<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 325. Whisk together the condensed milk, lime juice and 1 tsp of grated lime zest. Pour into prepared crust. Bake for 25-28 minutes until center is set. Cool.<br />
<br />
Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla. Don't you dare use Cool Whip on this. It's nasty and made of chemicals. Slice limes into thin slices for pretty garnish. Chill until ready to serve.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;"><em>Southern Black Eyed Pea Salad</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">2 cans of Black Eyed Peas (15 1/2 oz each) drained and rinsed</span><br />
3 ripe Tomatoes, cut into chunks<br />
1/2 cup thinly sliced Red Onion<br />
1 bag (10 oz) washed Spinach leaves, tough stems discarded<br />
4 strips of Bacon (yeah...'healthy' this salad up a bit, Sugah!) cooked crisp and crumbled<br />
1/2 cup toasted Pecans (coarsely chopped)<br />
Dressing:<br />
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil<br />
2 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar<br />
2 tsp Dijon Mustard<br />
1 tsp each Salt and Pepper<br />
<br />
Whisk dressing ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in black eyed peas, tomatoes and onion. Cover and chill. Just before serving add Spinach leaves and toss. Garnish with bacon and pecans. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">Mr B's Barbeque Shrimp New Orleans Style</span><br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">(copied from their website)</span><br />
<br />
Don’t break out your grill for this dish. Here in New Orleans, barbecued shrimp means sautéed shrimp in Worcestershire-spiked butter sauce. We serve these shrimp with heads and tails on, so you need to dig in to enjoy. I highly recommend a bib. <br />
We are famous for our barbecued shrimp, and with reason. The biggest trick to making this taste like ours is to not hold back on the butter. The three sticks called for are enough to scare you into cholesterol shock, but are key to the flavor and consistency of the sauce. Another tip to keep in mind: to emulsify the sauce, be sure to add a little butter at a time while stirring rapidly. And don’t overcook the shrimp or they’ll become tough and hard to peel.<br />
16 jumbo shrimp (12 per pound, about 1 1/2 pounds), with heads and unpeeled <br />
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce <br />
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons) <br />
2 teaspoons ground black pepper <br />
2 teaspoons cracked black pepper <br />
2 teaspoons Creole seasoning <br />
1 teaspoon minced garlic <br />
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cubed <br />
<br />
French bread as accompaniment <br />
<br />
In a large skillet combine shrimp, Worcestershire, lemon juice, black peppers, Creole seasoning, and garlic and cook over moderately high heat until shrimp turn pink, about 1 minute on each side. Reduce heat to moderate and stir in butter, a few cubes at a time, stirring constantly and adding more only when butter is melted. Remove skillet from heat. Place shrimp in a bowl and pour sauce over top. Serve with French bread for dipping. <br />
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Yield: 4 appetizers or 2 entrees<br />
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</div>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-90604670883429242942012-01-02T14:57:00.000-06:002012-01-02T14:57:46.053-06:00Candy Bacon!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozWq8wE3zqs/TwISp1NQG7I/AAAAAAAADZk/3AY74YIYHWs/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozWq8wE3zqs/TwISp1NQG7I/AAAAAAAADZk/3AY74YIYHWs/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
That's right, I said 'Candy Bacon'. And no, it's not my new stripper name. It's an amazing extreme food that Jack and I cooked up today.<br />
<br />
Oh..you want it now, don't you? You know you do. Well....I'll share the recipe since I'm so nice. Just slip me a folded dollar bill...<br />
<br />
<i><strong>CANDY BACON!!<br />
Bacon<br />
Brown Sugar<br />
That's it<br />
<br />
Line the bottom of a broiler pan (see pic below) with foil and preheat oven to 350 degrees. <br />
<br />
Spray top of broiler pan with Pam or rub with butter or a pig or whatever. <br />
<br />
Coat bacon evenly on both sides with brown sugar. Place on pan in pretty wavy patterns. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes until crisp. <br />
<br />
Remove onto paper towels. Remove pretty quickly from paper towels so it won't stick to the paper and onto a plate. Hold your breath and take a big bite. Listen for sounds of angels singing. Contemplate if they are singing because of the deliciousness or because you are actually eating candy bacon and therefore that much closer to being with them. Promise yourself to eat a salad tomorrow</strong>.</i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrz3f9IR-pU/TwIRD02xPkI/AAAAAAAADYQ/Mmf3fyEQ8_k/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrz3f9IR-pU/TwIRD02xPkI/AAAAAAAADYQ/Mmf3fyEQ8_k/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Line the bottom of the pan with foil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_LcYX3CJ_2g/TwIRMl6dHdI/AAAAAAAADYc/gGdm5bxSgpk/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_LcYX3CJ_2g/TwIRMl6dHdI/AAAAAAAADYc/gGdm5bxSgpk/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacon + Brown Sugar = Unadulterated Goodness</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kvECFaUR9ww/TwIRc30wzzI/AAAAAAAADYo/Zg9qYlpNqHQ/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kvECFaUR9ww/TwIRc30wzzI/AAAAAAAADYo/Zg9qYlpNqHQ/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coat the bacon evenly on both sides with brown sugar. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kVEIRqzMiI/TwIRtoyewYI/AAAAAAAADY0/S78VfCsax3M/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kVEIRqzMiI/TwIRtoyewYI/AAAAAAAADY0/S78VfCsax3M/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let the heavy breathing commence</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lL9ePSLhn2k/TwIR4DkejQI/AAAAAAAADZA/R_sFUC_wb7o/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lL9ePSLhn2k/TwIR4DkejQI/AAAAAAAADZA/R_sFUC_wb7o/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummmmmmmm<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqZkAZw5dM8/TwISJ_PxgKI/AAAAAAAADZM/lcsqvw42ZSQ/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqZkAZw5dM8/TwISJ_PxgKI/AAAAAAAADZM/lcsqvw42ZSQ/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack deems the Candy Bacon a huge success</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhzU_bhMydE/TwISWnC-4bI/AAAAAAAADZY/RrsKFPDVhzQ/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhzU_bhMydE/TwISWnC-4bI/AAAAAAAADZY/RrsKFPDVhzQ/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess Aliyah liked it, too and even gave Ozzy a bite because she is a kind and beautful Princess like that</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-18110701510602070202012-01-01T11:00:00.001-06:002012-01-01T11:02:32.254-06:00French Onion Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBG-iZiH3X4/TwCOWM8xdvI/AAAAAAAADX4/vRfpnc7e-fc/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBG-iZiH3X4/TwCOWM8xdvI/AAAAAAAADX4/vRfpnc7e-fc/s320/020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Prime Rib is my entree of choice to prepare for Christmas dinner. It's delicious, easy and the side dishes are easy to prepare, too. (Shhh...don't tell anyone)<br />
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So, this is Christmas dinner -- Herb crusted <br />
Prime Rib with horseradish sauce, twice baked potatoes, Caesar salad, steamed green beans sprinkled with Marc de Champagne vinegar, ginger carrots, rolls.<br />
<br />
The Prime rib was a monstrous 8 pound piece of meat, so after enjoying leftovers, sandwiches, etc...you are left with the rib piece.<br />
<br />
What to do, what to do? <br />
<br />
<i>Put it in the slow cooker, and add<br />
Three large yellow onions, sliced<br />
heaping tbsp of minced garlic<br />
1/2 cup wine (red or white...they both work)<br />
Two cartons of beef broth<br />
Splash of Worchester Sauce<br />
Let it cook for a while and then start your seasoning-<br />
Add (to taste) Salt, pepper and rosemary. I like to add gradually as I cook and that way it turns out perfectly seasoned.<br />
Cook for about 6 hours<br />
<br />
Serve with a toasted piece of French bread sunk down in it, top with slices of Swiss Cheese and pop in oven set on broil for a couple of minutes until cheese is all melty and bubbly. </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MDHt7haCI_g/TwCC8xEuxgI/AAAAAAAADWk/dg3YlNfQkKU/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MDHt7haCI_g/TwCC8xEuxgI/AAAAAAAADWk/dg3YlNfQkKU/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the rib piece that is tied to the bottom of the Prime Rib aka Standing Rib Roast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s8VAKM0iEjY/TwCNmnPcR7I/AAAAAAAADXg/SFuUUhP3VwA/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s8VAKM0iEjY/TwCNmnPcR7I/AAAAAAAADXg/SFuUUhP3VwA/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the slow cooker, ready to go </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qRgu-f22sNA/TwCQLQ9kdsI/AAAAAAAADYE/Q3_HaNWXltE/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qRgu-f22sNA/TwCQLQ9kdsI/AAAAAAAADYE/Q3_HaNWXltE/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like this when it's done<br />
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</tbody></table><br />
This is the ulitmate Winter comfort food...<br />
Happy New Year!!!Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-78479817305699920812011-12-19T21:13:00.008-06:002011-12-19T21:25:40.185-06:00Isla Mujeres - September 2011 - PeopleOne of the things I love most about Isla is my friends there...so here are a few of the people we hung out with. Friends both old and new. (I don't like 'old friend'....how about 'enduring'?) I missed getting pics of some people because believe it or not, I am kinda shy about shoving a camera in people's faces all the time. So if I missed you, I apologize. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa7XHcpO-iU/Tu_1-LYEhQI/AAAAAAAADTY/H6AqICT9dp0/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa7XHcpO-iU/Tu_1-LYEhQI/AAAAAAAADTY/H6AqICT9dp0/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acting goofy...one of the things I do best</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZEMiPIwREo/Tu_1R6IYOsI/AAAAAAAADTA/Yzw2o5oaSus/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZEMiPIwREo/Tu_1R6IYOsI/AAAAAAAADTA/Yzw2o5oaSus/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geraldo, my cabana boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8ssM213k6w/Tu_1YUNYSVI/AAAAAAAADTI/XctVyFDvjKM/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8ssM213k6w/Tu_1YUNYSVI/AAAAAAAADTI/XctVyFDvjKM/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was working on the roof at Las Palmas. He had the coolest Elvis hair and he was working barefoot walking on beams over an open roof. It was like a show while we had breakfast at A & G.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNlbxpUUosw/Tu_2CQiwzII/AAAAAAAADTg/tKhrxQmPVVE/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNlbxpUUosw/Tu_2CQiwzII/AAAAAAAADTg/tKhrxQmPVVE/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+095.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Searching for sea glass on a beautiful day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C4AeJu78IiQ/Tu_2EnqK9HI/AAAAAAAADTo/sSF4kO3qLeA/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C4AeJu78IiQ/Tu_2EnqK9HI/AAAAAAAADTo/sSF4kO3qLeA/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+112.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve prepares the Coco Poo Poos - official shot of Casa Sirena!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Du_dD-3evk/Tu_2Ms2T6sI/AAAAAAAADTw/DQ-dnMzdaU8/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Du_dD-3evk/Tu_2Ms2T6sI/AAAAAAAADTw/DQ-dnMzdaU8/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muy Guapo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbqh57QvTjE/Tu_2PwKSZhI/AAAAAAAADT4/P5HgkLxrZ-s/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbqh57QvTjE/Tu_2PwKSZhI/AAAAAAAADT4/P5HgkLxrZ-s/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and Bruce -- hanging out</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_vLsY8kqi8/Tu_2XclS_SI/AAAAAAAADUA/C2pphaiPpbk/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7_vLsY8kqi8/Tu_2XclS_SI/AAAAAAAADUA/C2pphaiPpbk/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+166.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micky was drawing something (always something cool) and Gerald was checking it out. This was at Punta Sur</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oSWrH1fQG8/Tu_2bgxGFFI/AAAAAAAADUI/nvgQ1ljOa24/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oSWrH1fQG8/Tu_2bgxGFFI/AAAAAAAADUI/nvgQ1ljOa24/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+172.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bev's golf cart doesn't do 'reverse'!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-flaQ_6lDsZI/Tu_2hKiOhsI/AAAAAAAADUQ/XfaGn-3VPwg/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-flaQ_6lDsZI/Tu_2hKiOhsI/AAAAAAAADUQ/XfaGn-3VPwg/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+200.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, Bruce starts to relax. On a hammock at Bev's house</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JpiU9Ab1GYA/Tu_2kOmWY5I/AAAAAAAADUY/wOxFoqduCv8/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JpiU9Ab1GYA/Tu_2kOmWY5I/AAAAAAAADUY/wOxFoqduCv8/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3ftY9bjGMU/Tu_2xf4tSSI/AAAAAAAADUg/GCZOUR-91ho/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3ftY9bjGMU/Tu_2xf4tSSI/AAAAAAAADUg/GCZOUR-91ho/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+205.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany and Brad. Love these guys!!!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SwIjJTe_Ubg/Tu_23q0ULnI/AAAAAAAADUo/8-pMVqItyOQ/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SwIjJTe_Ubg/Tu_23q0ULnI/AAAAAAAADUo/8-pMVqItyOQ/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+206.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natalya and Mark (from Ireland -- so fun!!!!) and Bruce. Bruce cracked me up with all of his little cute sayings and his talent of having a song to sing for every occasion</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pFAPqRIs6mQ/Tu_27ZBBssI/AAAAAAAADUw/tGQJGrW4kkQ/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pFAPqRIs6mQ/Tu_27ZBBssI/AAAAAAAADUw/tGQJGrW4kkQ/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and Micky </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pTwpMoBkGDw/Tu_3EtFqR7I/AAAAAAAADU4/lvEqxk4WWxQ/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pTwpMoBkGDw/Tu_3EtFqR7I/AAAAAAAADU4/lvEqxk4WWxQ/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+217.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josefina of Casa Luz Spa. Such a sweetheart. She rescues cats on the island and gives an awesome facial! (not to the cats. Well...not that I know of)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7pB396T4zc/Tu_3IHomdVI/AAAAAAAADVA/0CkQpCBhehU/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7pB396T4zc/Tu_3IHomdVI/AAAAAAAADVA/0CkQpCBhehU/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me again -- look my hair stayed straight for about five minutes in the Sept humidity!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tiRWayGWz_s/Tu_3Pa3QlZI/AAAAAAAADVI/JZWbSHtozZ0/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tiRWayGWz_s/Tu_3Pa3QlZI/AAAAAAAADVI/JZWbSHtozZ0/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+227.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerald rises from the sea</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jVk6mrwGqB0/Tu_3XKczJbI/AAAAAAAADVQ/23VCcuxjRS8/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jVk6mrwGqB0/Tu_3XKczJbI/AAAAAAAADVQ/23VCcuxjRS8/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gerald contemplates never going home from the rooftop of Casa Sirena</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kv9pnr0LJVk/Tu_3c21sEQI/AAAAAAAADVY/9rtSDWDDGN8/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kv9pnr0LJVk/Tu_3c21sEQI/AAAAAAAADVY/9rtSDWDDGN8/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+269.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany at Barlito with Micky</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gL4B2U9xzs8/Tu_3gyjeGhI/AAAAAAAADVg/FxMbcrEoDSs/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gL4B2U9xzs8/Tu_3gyjeGhI/AAAAAAAADVg/FxMbcrEoDSs/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+271.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany with Chen and Lee's baby -- so gorgeous!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXvJaTG71IU/Tu_3lOtQHTI/AAAAAAAADVo/LdxO8YTl_kE/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXvJaTG71IU/Tu_3lOtQHTI/AAAAAAAADVo/LdxO8YTl_kE/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+275.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome drawing by Micky of Steve's courtyard. It was presented to Steve at happy hour on our last night and we were all asked to sign the back of it. I was honored!!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-edylXxKU1fg/Tu_3pUkNg1I/AAAAAAAADVw/EJdI0a2Ne60/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-edylXxKU1fg/Tu_3pUkNg1I/AAAAAAAADVw/EJdI0a2Ne60/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+278.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruce is camera shy. Mmmhmmm</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GRQsUtKUtko/Tu_3viA9pDI/AAAAAAAADV4/gmg6DGpwObc/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GRQsUtKUtko/Tu_3viA9pDI/AAAAAAAADV4/gmg6DGpwObc/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+281.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark, Bruce and Steve at one of our dazzling Lolo dinners. Ahhhh...</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w8zNKTE8mNY/Tu_327h8J0I/AAAAAAAADWA/a6JHe1w9teM/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w8zNKTE8mNY/Tu_327h8J0I/AAAAAAAADWA/a6JHe1w9teM/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+289.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jill, Lolo and me</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VL7pdKk2o8w/Tu_37Gw1_dI/AAAAAAAADWI/rBPLeBerhjQ/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VL7pdKk2o8w/Tu_37Gw1_dI/AAAAAAAADWI/rBPLeBerhjQ/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Chien....yep, you're a person</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaOCJhn1RFA/Tu_3_N4FSHI/AAAAAAAADWQ/kemHyyZTx00/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaOCJhn1RFA/Tu_3_N4FSHI/AAAAAAAADWQ/kemHyyZTx00/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+291.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going away party for Chen and Lee - formerly of Comono</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4iNbsnPgjO8/Tu_4C0plIeI/AAAAAAAADWY/4ZScBJFHDOc/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4iNbsnPgjO8/Tu_4C0plIeI/AAAAAAAADWY/4ZScBJFHDOc/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+302.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micky rode to the airport with us and bought us our final drink. Sigh....another great visit. I miss my Isla.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-61124793171877550502011-11-23T19:29:00.000-06:002011-11-23T19:29:58.258-06:00Chocolate Coconut Pecan Pie<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iDjov5kK3EQ/Ts2a4q3KdQI/AAAAAAAADSg/lyWiBW89RC8/s1600/413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iDjov5kK3EQ/Ts2a4q3KdQI/AAAAAAAADSg/lyWiBW89RC8/s320/413.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished product </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCEQpLVY-SI/Ts2bDUv3LgI/AAAAAAAADSo/xKR91mh21gU/s1600/412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCEQpLVY-SI/Ts2bDUv3LgI/AAAAAAAADSo/xKR91mh21gU/s320/412.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go in the oven</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePzQOPzz6eo/Ts2bUpnRevI/AAAAAAAADS4/P53ikfEG1VQ/s1600/410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePzQOPzz6eo/Ts2bUpnRevI/AAAAAAAADS4/P53ikfEG1VQ/s320/410.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, I don't make my own pie crust. Who cares?<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Three words: Best. Pie. Ever. I always make this pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas.<br />
<br />
1/2 cup butter (real butter, again..no fake crap in my house except blonde highlights in my hair)<br />
1/2 cup chocolate chips<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
2 eggs beaten <br />
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans<br />
1/2 cup shredded coconut<br />
pinch of salt<br />
1 unbaked pie shell (not deep dish, just regular)<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350<br />
<br />
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt chocolate chips and butter, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs, pecans, coconut and salt. Stir 'em up good and pour into prepared pie shell.<br />
<br />
Bake for 35 minutes. Pie will be soft in the center. It's a gooey brownie kinda pie. Serve slightly warmed in the microwave with a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream. Again..real whipped cream. Enjoy...this is what heaven is like.Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-74996985445424257842011-10-31T12:37:00.000-05:002011-10-31T12:37:49.032-05:00Isla Mujeres - September 2011 - Delicioso!!<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, it's true, I honestly believe that good food is an integral part of vacation. No calorie counting! Isla Mujeres has some of my favorite restaurants and chefs. I love to cook and love to eat and try new things. I don't really like to deny myself pleasure -- especially on vacations. This blog post is all about the food porn, Baby. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU ARE HUNGRY!!!!! Really, I'm not kidding, don't.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXsSgiRIGGM/TqwEuUtRWNI/AAAAAAAADLo/dZ-NvYCELwk/s1600/Isla%2BSept%2B2010%2B200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXsSgiRIGGM/TqwEuUtRWNI/AAAAAAAADLo/dZ-NvYCELwk/s320/Isla%2BSept%2B2010%2B200.JPG" width="320" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A 'Vivian Salad' from Qubano. The salad and the it's namesake are two of my favorite things on the island. A light and flavorful dressing enrobes romaine lettuce, avocado, chick peas, carrot ribbons, jicima, topped with toasted goat cheese medallions. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I should've taken more pics of Qubano food - I think we had lunch there three times this trip - but obviously I was too excited about eating the food to photograph it. Vivian is a wonderful hostess, as well as an incredible chef and dear friend. I like to share books and recipes with her, too. (okay..mostly she just gives me recipes so it's kind of a one way share, but I just love her) Everything at Qubano is delicious and I think I've tried it all. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8h61coqJ_k/TqnhyUHl_SI/AAAAAAAADGQ/l_Ef2qZS5EM/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8h61coqJ_k/TqnhyUHl_SI/AAAAAAAADGQ/l_Ef2qZS5EM/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+012.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pizza in Mexico? Yes, please! A 'Marinara' pizza from Rolandi's downtown and a couple of glasses of wine make the perfect lunch. Shrimp, herbs, and mozzerella cheese all melty on a thin crust from a wood fired oven. </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRChlxlkqfQ/Tqnh4PGwwlI/AAAAAAAADGY/ht9VpNGUQo4/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRChlxlkqfQ/Tqnh4PGwwlI/AAAAAAAADGY/ht9VpNGUQo4/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5En27f2Zl14/Tqnh_4DQK4I/AAAAAAAADGg/NEH-Iu7ENhU/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5En27f2Zl14/Tqnh_4DQK4I/AAAAAAAADGg/NEH-Iu7ENhU/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+014.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I can eat a lot of ice cream at one setting" (extremely obscure Monty Python reference)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_AIwmE2c4IQ/TqniF_6YNKI/AAAAAAAADGo/fR-KfUGbtI4/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_AIwmE2c4IQ/TqniF_6YNKI/AAAAAAAADGo/fR-KfUGbtI4/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+028.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lovely, quiet and relaxing dinner at Velasquez with Mr. Wonderful. Tables in the sand with the boats pulled up on the beach that probably brought our dinner. Complimentary guacamole topped with pico that was fantastic.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Velasquez is family owned and a very old Isla establishment. The family was all sitting around watching tv when we came in and Grandma was napping with her head up against a wall. Well...it was pretty late. We eat dinner very late on the island. Partly because we have to fit in happy hour, partly because we are living at such a slow and relaxed pace and partly because if I stretch out the day, I can eat more. :) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the location (I'm told) where Jeff Bridges and Rachel Ward danced and fell into the water in 'Against All Odds'. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVuEQiev3xQ/TqniREi28XI/AAAAAAAADGw/NL_gwLgXrwY/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVuEQiev3xQ/TqniREi28XI/AAAAAAAADGw/NL_gwLgXrwY/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+029.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Garlic Shrimp at Velasquez. With salad, fries, beans ( there might have been some rice under there, too) Huge portion, cooked to perfection for about $11 US. The margaritas were really good, too, and you know I'm picky about my margs. Oh, yeah....I'll still drink em if you are buying, but I definitely have my favorites. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0269owDjME/TqniVa8i6tI/AAAAAAAADG4/xZibuYEy2fY/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0269owDjME/TqniVa8i6tI/AAAAAAAADG4/xZibuYEy2fY/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+049.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Papaya Agua Fresca at Alexia y Giovanni- Good Morning, Sunshine!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7UxsWlbaOw/TqniadM5csI/AAAAAAAADHA/3IMi1wTtHIY/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7UxsWlbaOw/TqniadM5csI/AAAAAAAADHA/3IMi1wTtHIY/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+052.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Food Porn at it's finest -- Chilequiles at A & G. With chicken and green salsa. It's like breakfast nachos.</span> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNjcXu9ppWI/Tqnihk4r3xI/AAAAAAAADHI/vFsZAkTUAk4/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNjcXu9ppWI/Tqnihk4r3xI/AAAAAAAADHI/vFsZAkTUAk4/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A pineapple pastry and an afternoon read. I like to hit the Supermercado and pick up a few pastries. This one was good, but the palmiers are my favorite. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSYPGyUkFwc/Tqniv2ps2UI/AAAAAAAADHY/ZOOghzdgWoA/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSYPGyUkFwc/Tqniv2ps2UI/AAAAAAAADHY/ZOOghzdgWoA/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+073.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amuse Bouche - Eating at Lolo's is so much fun and there are always new tastes to try and new people to meet. Lolo is the rock star chef of the island and a good friend. I've never met anyone quite like Lolo. I stayed with her during a trip in February and had a blast. Her restaurant is unlike any other. A beautiful feast for all of the senses in an enchanted, bohemian setting. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lRqihSBrKTw/Tqni3iMKM6I/AAAAAAAADHg/n8vLaMrWtJY/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lRqihSBrKTw/Tqni3iMKM6I/AAAAAAAADHg/n8vLaMrWtJY/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lolo's Asparagus with Hollandaise. Perfection!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-isGcAzIfL70/Tqni7ABQqzI/AAAAAAAADHo/zAwDWhnkfvs/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-isGcAzIfL70/Tqni7ABQqzI/AAAAAAAADHo/zAwDWhnkfvs/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+075.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite Lolo entrees - Seafood Cassoulet.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-at_X7qU2TaI/Tqni_mIypHI/AAAAAAAADHw/CeONstqjmiE/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-at_X7qU2TaI/Tqni_mIypHI/AAAAAAAADHw/CeONstqjmiE/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+076.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lolo dessert assortment is always the piece de resistance of the meal for me. Chocolate mousse, assorted pastries, a candied grape, Oh, Baby...take me now!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiZh2wM--sE/TqnjGIyCVAI/AAAAAAAADH4/5vIrEVyimEQ/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yiZh2wM--sE/TqnjGIyCVAI/AAAAAAAADH4/5vIrEVyimEQ/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Greek Salad with Sweet Spicy Shrimp at Comono. Fabulous! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVWk3qoEhIo/TqnjJ_OW-_I/AAAAAAAADIA/jAZujK1Giko/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVWk3qoEhIo/TqnjJ_OW-_I/AAAAAAAADIA/jAZujK1Giko/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kbobs and hummus at Comono. Delicious!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQa72F8bHx8/TqnjRByCHWI/AAAAAAAADII/0RkK1f7jW3E/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQa72F8bHx8/TqnjRByCHWI/AAAAAAAADII/0RkK1f7jW3E/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+148.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think these are called Enfrijoladas. You can just call them 'breakfast' at Casa Sirena. Scrambled eggs in tortillas smothered in a black bean sauce and topped with chorizo and avocado. They are wonderful!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qHME_p76Yco/TqnjWpMG17I/AAAAAAAADIQ/BycX13LhI2Q/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qHME_p76Yco/TqnjWpMG17I/AAAAAAAADIQ/BycX13LhI2Q/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+193.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Guacamole at Capitan Dulche Museum. Not so great. Didn't taste fresh. Steve said 'Costco'.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hMV1IWYHO6o/Tqnjr4j32DI/AAAAAAAADIY/cZBVRvyoPmk/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hMV1IWYHO6o/Tqnjr4j32DI/AAAAAAAADIY/cZBVRvyoPmk/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+194.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Quesadillas at Capitan Dulche. They were good, but nothing great. Someone in our party (Bev, I think) had soup which looked delicious and she said it was wonderful.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-la7Zgf86wXo/TqnkOcR3mdI/AAAAAAAADIg/zeZbPl4vvRg/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-la7Zgf86wXo/TqnkOcR3mdI/AAAAAAAADIg/zeZbPl4vvRg/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+213.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fruit and yogurt crepes with granola at Casa Sirena. Yummy, creamy and cinnamonny. Is that a word?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOYrLfy0THY/TqnlmzJSAII/AAAAAAAADIo/kTdRuUep8vo/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOYrLfy0THY/TqnlmzJSAII/AAAAAAAADIo/kTdRuUep8vo/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+231.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pineapple juice with chaya on the beach. Ahhhh....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKecFQ-GUJo/Tqnlqq4A0-I/AAAAAAAADIw/_Pm-ub4xLW0/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKecFQ-GUJo/Tqnlqq4A0-I/AAAAAAAADIw/_Pm-ub4xLW0/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+232.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A good book, guacamole (really good and fresh from Na Balam/Zacil Ha), pineapple juice with chaya and the beach. Another day in paradise? You bet!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGQmDpwS24I/Tqnlt5bcGnI/AAAAAAAADI4/emiEnpkUfhY/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGQmDpwS24I/Tqnlt5bcGnI/AAAAAAAADI4/emiEnpkUfhY/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+264.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mixture of peanuts and pepitos from beach vendor. Yes, I do -- I eat all day long in Isla. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sod3juBdw58/TqnlxmSaMEI/AAAAAAAADJA/xCd1luXM7C4/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sod3juBdw58/TqnlxmSaMEI/AAAAAAAADJA/xCd1luXM7C4/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+270.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Barlito panini with meatballs that are made from homemade sausage. This was cheesy good deliciousness. I love everything I've had at Barlito. Their food is incredible and Brad and Tiffany are some of my favorite people on the island. I don't know how they have the energy to do all that they do.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWyWtNk29tI/Tqnl5d_b4wI/AAAAAAAADJI/N3tbagxFcbo/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWyWtNk29tI/Tqnl5d_b4wI/AAAAAAAADJI/N3tbagxFcbo/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+272.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Barlito Chocolate cupcake, filled with ganache and topped with meringue frosting. Tiffany's cupcakes are as fabulous as she is and that is saying a lot.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWj8pBwLr70/Tqnl9gD1sQI/AAAAAAAADJQ/XprAv9BnsI0/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWj8pBwLr70/Tqnl9gD1sQI/AAAAAAAADJQ/XprAv9BnsI0/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+279.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mojito station at Lolo's. Yes, be jealous because we ate there two times during this week. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j6_fMXFkpg4/TqnmBbRCvII/AAAAAAAADJY/Gmo0_7jkCEY/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j6_fMXFkpg4/TqnmBbRCvII/AAAAAAAADJY/Gmo0_7jkCEY/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+280.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Porcini Mushroom Soup with black truffle oil</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w7hQeSEYN7w/TqnmEhQkctI/AAAAAAAADJg/Jljz7QUVCQ4/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w7hQeSEYN7w/TqnmEhQkctI/AAAAAAAADJg/Jljz7QUVCQ4/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+282.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite - Lover's Salad. Shaved carrots and conch in a garlic ginger dressing. So different and delicious...so Lolo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh9PLxa6udw/TqnmHct_1lI/AAAAAAAADJo/nJJq90--QXs/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh9PLxa6udw/TqnmHct_1lI/AAAAAAAADJo/nJJq90--QXs/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+283.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Zucchini Souffle with Tzatziki Shot</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EEUtMlItJkQ/TqnmKrfynPI/AAAAAAAADJw/1neHQ4ZhrT4/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EEUtMlItJkQ/TqnmKrfynPI/AAAAAAAADJw/1neHQ4ZhrT4/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+284.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Steamed Shrimp with Hollandaise Sauce and mashed potatoes. The shrimp were huge and absolutely divine.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ML-EjsV4YXw/TqnmNUA6SDI/AAAAAAAADJ4/U1NVofbTAv0/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ML-EjsV4YXw/TqnmNUA6SDI/AAAAAAAADJ4/U1NVofbTAv0/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+285.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dessert! Creme Brulee, Chocolate Mousse, Strawberries, a yummy peach dessert. Oh, it's all too divine</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu_kteRPido/TqnmQ6XQy0I/AAAAAAAADKA/tYerIZTYf5k/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu_kteRPido/TqnmQ6XQy0I/AAAAAAAADKA/tYerIZTYf5k/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+292.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fresh Fruit at Casa Sirena. Swoon-worthy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9Yx7rCzBxo/TqnmUbl0aVI/AAAAAAAADKI/XaHyQ7bzZj0/s1600/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9Yx7rCzBxo/TqnmUbl0aVI/AAAAAAAADKI/XaHyQ7bzZj0/s320/Isla+Mujeres+Sept+2011+294.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Huevos Divorciados (divorced eggs) at Casa Sirena. My favorite breakfast on the island. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-30907523947071221002011-10-27T20:09:00.001-05:002011-10-31T15:12:11.939-05:00Chocolate Pumpkin CupcakesOne more blog about cupcakes and I promise I'll get back to the last Isla trip. <br />
<br />
These spicy little cupcakes are delicious and perfect for the holidays. In a rush? Cheat by using store bought whipped chocolate frosting. I won't tell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mjwq-mPkwCw/Tqn6ZXVOpYI/AAAAAAAADKU/aaVRHZNX0hA/s1600/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mjwq-mPkwCw/Tqn6ZXVOpYI/AAAAAAAADKU/aaVRHZNX0hA/s320/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B014.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Pumpkin Cupcakes<br />
2 cups canned 100% pure pumpkin<br />
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed<br />
1 1/2 cups white sugar<br />
6 eggs<br />
1 cup of oil<br />
4 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
1 1/4 tsp nutmeg<br />
1 1/4 tsp salt<br />
1 tsp ground cloves<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
3 1/2 cups flour<br />
<br />
In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin and sugars until sugar is dissolved. Add all other ingredients except for flour and whisk until mixed. Stir in flour, just until mixed. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. This also makes a good layer cake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DuhsekXz6mU/Tqn8UEgupBI/AAAAAAAADLU/FESRQnS6pUQ/s1600/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DuhsekXz6mU/Tqn8UEgupBI/AAAAAAAADLU/FESRQnS6pUQ/s320/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B013.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fluffly chocolate frosting compliments the pumpkin cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFcNMm0ARN0/Tqn8U1SNKJI/AAAAAAAADLc/Jg4LJJYSjFo/s1600/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFcNMm0ARN0/Tqn8U1SNKJI/AAAAAAAADLc/Jg4LJJYSjFo/s320/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Semi Sweet Ganache Frosting<br />
<br />
12 oz Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips<br />
1 cup heavy cream<br />
<br />
Melt chocolate in a saucepan over med/low heat, stirring almost continually. Remove from heat and add cream, stirring until it's glossy and smooth. Allow to cool completely, as it will thicken up. To get a whipped texture, use your mixer after it's cooled. You can even get fancy and pipe the ganache onto the cupcakes.<br />
Decorate with Milano cookies (cut off the ends for small tombstones, write on them with edible pen), pumpkins and candy corn. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4CKhFBYr_w/Tqn7k5knCDI/AAAAAAAADKg/YiRRuF3j5AY/s1600/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4CKhFBYr_w/Tqn7k5knCDI/AAAAAAAADKg/YiRRuF3j5AY/s320/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cake batter is fragrant with spices</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLwGkNvnMdE/Tqn7lPhu2KI/AAAAAAAADKs/uikN2DKitfI/s1600/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLwGkNvnMdE/Tqn7lPhu2KI/AAAAAAAADKs/uikN2DKitfI/s320/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mLGBn9UXvtc/Tqn7lcXJ6oI/AAAAAAAADK8/_SBnSfNU0mc/s1600/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mLGBn9UXvtc/Tqn7lcXJ6oI/AAAAAAAADK8/_SBnSfNU0mc/s320/Halloween%2Bcupcakes%2B011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like some help from Ozzy to add to the Halloween spirit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-44752345171193365802011-10-19T22:44:00.000-05:002011-10-19T22:44:23.216-05:00Caramel Apple Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GCianNR8pJM/Tp-PZkEaVZI/AAAAAAAADFo/0Fzs__KMc6I/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GCianNR8pJM/Tp-PZkEaVZI/AAAAAAAADFo/0Fzs__KMc6I/s320/048.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Caramel Apple Cupcakes<br />
<br />
Apple Cake<br />
<br />
1 box yellow cake mix<br />
1 pkg (4 serving size) Jello French Vanilla Instant Pudding<br />
1 cup water<br />
4 eggs<br />
1/3 cup vegetable oil<br />
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, coarsly chopped<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, water, eggs and oil in large bowl with electric mixer on low until blended. Gently stir in apples. <br />
<br />
Pour into lined muffin/cupcake pans. (This also makes a fantastic Bundt cake, served with a drizzle of caramel topping and fresh whipped cream)<br />
Bake for about 20 minutes or until done. Cool cupcakes completely before frosting.<br />
<br />
Caramel Frosting<br />
3 Tbsp Butter (real!)<br />
1 cup packed brown sugar<br />
1/2 cup evaporated milk<br />
1/8 tsp salt<br />
3 3/4 cup powdered sugar<br />
3/4 tsp vanilla<br />
<br />
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add milk, brown sugar and salt and stir until smooth. Bring to a boil for about a minute, stirring constantly, then remove from heat to cool (keep stirring a little while cooling)<br />
When cooled, transfer to a large bowl and add powdered sugar and vanilla and mix with electric mixer until it's a good consistancy. If it gets too thick, add a tiny amount of milk and blend. Too thin? Add a little more powdered sugar. <br />
<br />
Garnish with sticks (I used plastic coffee stirrers - the wooden ones would've been cuter, but they didn't have any at the grocery store and I was in a hurry) and a candy corn if ya want to. Happy Halloween.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ibCiUwbIgs4/Tp-Pl1rjDcI/AAAAAAAADF4/lxIurddA_VQ/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ibCiUwbIgs4/Tp-Pl1rjDcI/AAAAAAAADF4/lxIurddA_VQ/s320/046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished frosting</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jy8lW0fFdM/Tp-PsPj0wBI/AAAAAAAADGA/jZRzoFMIC9o/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jy8lW0fFdM/Tp-PsPj0wBI/AAAAAAAADGA/jZRzoFMIC9o/s320/044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cake batter will look lumpy due to the apples</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XV4HsQJ57b8/Tp-PyrtVMUI/AAAAAAAADGI/qIo-K6Mgb3I/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" rda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XV4HsQJ57b8/Tp-PyrtVMUI/AAAAAAAADGI/qIo-K6Mgb3I/s400/047.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caramel Apple Cupcakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-56123360641005476552011-10-17T12:32:00.000-05:002011-10-17T12:32:12.601-05:00Isla Mujeres - September 2011 - Random Pics Part 2<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeAlzyyZbDY/TprtBEfkBMI/AAAAAAAAC-w/IiKmwVEnMPY/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeAlzyyZbDY/TprtBEfkBMI/AAAAAAAAC-w/IiKmwVEnMPY/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B168.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A breathtaking view at Punta Sur with the ruins of the Goddess Ixchel's temple in the distance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pep6LKoD0_Q/Tps-d-GPXtI/AAAAAAAADFU/kQ5qlHrWbu4/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pep6LKoD0_Q/Tps-d-GPXtI/AAAAAAAADFU/kQ5qlHrWbu4/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buckets of flowers at Playa Media Luna for a wedding at Maria del Mar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2c8vB0wESMg/Tps-eGuUHkI/AAAAAAAADFg/nxJvMgdttg8/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2c8vB0wESMg/Tps-eGuUHkI/AAAAAAAADFg/nxJvMgdttg8/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, the water really is this blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka64z4xY2gI/Tps91F-rjNI/AAAAAAAADEk/BSFkrDqzp1U/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ka64z4xY2gI/Tps91F-rjNI/AAAAAAAADEk/BSFkrDqzp1U/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhh....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PCfhWOM2IM/Tps91WsfH4I/AAAAAAAADE0/DcLDbUB7uHU/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PCfhWOM2IM/Tps91WsfH4I/AAAAAAAADE0/DcLDbUB7uHU/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunset from the East side of the island is pretty, too. The sky turns pink and vivid blue</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ixgJmZ8W7ek/Tps92EHpqAI/AAAAAAAADE8/tE4ujWGR6lQ/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ixgJmZ8W7ek/Tps92EHpqAI/AAAAAAAADE8/tE4ujWGR6lQ/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon fishermen</td></tr>
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TcRq7hFxFKo/TpryC3MIdsI/AAAAAAAADDs/X9JehCve-gE/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TcRq7hFxFKo/TpryC3MIdsI/AAAAAAAADDs/X9JehCve-gE/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Catz loves this blue wall. This old hotel was supposed to be torn down, but sometimes things in Mexico move slowly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvAW_dQxjIY/TprxsxVBToI/AAAAAAAADC8/KO3D6RQhzok/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvAW_dQxjIY/TprxsxVBToI/AAAAAAAADC8/KO3D6RQhzok/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This orange and white kitty is so sweet and personable. She lives on the road by the cemetery on the way to Ixchel. My friend Christine loves her, so we refer to her as 'Christine's cat' and go by and feed her whenever we are on the island. Unlike some of the other stray cats, she isn't scared of people.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0qlKLukJVY/TprxtrAVcBI/AAAAAAAADDE/cv4JUhaWnsI/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J0qlKLukJVY/TprxtrAVcBI/AAAAAAAADDE/cv4JUhaWnsI/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Crab had apparently lost his way while running errands downtown, so we gave him a lift back to the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVn6g_9s6eU/Tprxt78SsCI/AAAAAAAADDQ/MT6PJnFiYMk/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVn6g_9s6eU/Tprxt78SsCI/AAAAAAAADDQ/MT6PJnFiYMk/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view while dining at Velasquez. Gerald wouldn't get up and dance with me and fall into the water like Jeff Bridges and Rachel Ward in 'Against All Odds' (that part was filmed here)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQTYWk4b5To/TprwyG-UDpI/AAAAAAAADB8/lzLCfKbJADE/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQTYWk4b5To/TprwyG-UDpI/AAAAAAAADB8/lzLCfKbJADE/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B043.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful bouginvilla on the walk to Playa Norte<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zjlG3DB559s/TprwySxOp8I/AAAAAAAADCE/a3OK6VFMKbk/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zjlG3DB559s/TprwySxOp8I/AAAAAAAADCE/a3OK6VFMKbk/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playa Norte morning. It looked like rain, but never really did</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTtIpZR-VSs/TprwynRACGI/AAAAAAAADCY/gZKhUEcTHMo/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTtIpZR-VSs/TprwynRACGI/AAAAAAAADCY/gZKhUEcTHMo/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B037.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach rakers ready to go to work in the morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LhqeoqXsA_g/Tprv4ooOjbI/AAAAAAAADBE/BnCZGB9rARw/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LhqeoqXsA_g/Tprv4ooOjbI/AAAAAAAADBE/BnCZGB9rARw/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful view across Playa Media Luna</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7AexnX0dmE/Tprv56fN92I/AAAAAAAADBM/P28KNiZUwU0/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7AexnX0dmE/Tprv56fN92I/AAAAAAAADBM/P28KNiZUwU0/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B078.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waves crash on Playa Media Luna</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YO-u5XfGEt4/Tprv6JX91qI/AAAAAAAADBY/9GQykZmjGfM/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YO-u5XfGEt4/Tprv6JX91qI/AAAAAAAADBY/9GQykZmjGfM/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well...hello there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7QQa6ZvR8k/Tprv6TGOJLI/AAAAAAAADBk/1ZticMINorQ/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7QQa6ZvR8k/Tprv6TGOJLI/AAAAAAAADBk/1ZticMINorQ/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B045.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moto Carpool at the elementary school</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2g5m7I-0XM/Tpruq3pEBzI/AAAAAAAADAU/trAcB8SiRTU/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2g5m7I-0XM/Tpruq3pEBzI/AAAAAAAADAU/trAcB8SiRTU/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B105.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaglass Sirena</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjD9LVoqY6M/Tprus5CnKsI/AAAAAAAADAc/aS-x37aVnHw/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjD9LVoqY6M/Tprus5CnKsI/AAAAAAAADAc/aS-x37aVnHw/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All dressed up for the upcoming holiday</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9VKz5jBJ_k/TprutCsQ9yI/AAAAAAAADAk/a0oTZuS13wg/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9VKz5jBJ_k/TprutCsQ9yI/AAAAAAAADAk/a0oTZuS13wg/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B102.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaglass!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTCz3-EG9Nc/Tprt1K5anXI/AAAAAAAAC_g/JHExsiSMauI/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTCz3-EG9Nc/Tprt1K5anXI/AAAAAAAAC_g/JHExsiSMauI/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful sunrise and the promise of another day in paradise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lIiZEGt3Q2Y/Tprt1p1hOGI/AAAAAAAAC_w/ggUFXihy_Fk/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lIiZEGt3Q2Y/Tprt1p1hOGI/AAAAAAAAC_w/ggUFXihy_Fk/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise at Playa Media Luna</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sLOAzNAJOV8/Tprt2bB0MSI/AAAAAAAAC_4/LkX0iFNCsDI/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sLOAzNAJOV8/Tprt2bB0MSI/AAAAAAAAC_4/LkX0iFNCsDI/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pick your poison. Good times at Casa Sirena experimenting with different drink tastes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vTziVxBcZ6w/TprtB48u2yI/AAAAAAAAC-8/Sy9Eczr0oqY/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vTziVxBcZ6w/TprtB48u2yI/AAAAAAAAC-8/Sy9Eczr0oqY/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B153.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room #3 (half of it) at Casa Sirena. Gorgeous!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VxQ6f1y2Gts/TprtCVKhCMI/AAAAAAAAC_I/gtyZMKknc9I/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VxQ6f1y2Gts/TprtCVKhCMI/AAAAAAAAC_I/gtyZMKknc9I/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B151.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses and a Mermaid Barbie!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966645034154067.post-35662900520109559712011-10-14T13:00:00.000-05:002011-10-14T13:00:49.892-05:00Isla Mujeres - September 2011- Random Part 1Some of these pics are from Capitan Dulche, the new Pirate Museum/event venue on Isla Mujeres. It is located on the West side of the island. It's a very cool place with a lot of old sea artifacts, a giant pirate ship/bar and a private beach. We had a tasty lunch there with friends. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_bI4kVulqPY/TpG-NVu08AI/AAAAAAAAC5U/K9t2BVAT7Nc/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B185.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661515342962552834" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_bI4kVulqPY/TpG-NVu08AI/AAAAAAAAC5U/K9t2BVAT7Nc/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B185.JPG" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pirate Ship is surrounded by a bar and the entire platform will (supposedly) turn slowly. We could see the mechanism in the decking and it looked pretty impressive. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9A0dWBcBdE/TpG_A1B24pI/AAAAAAAAC5k/jTzMf-xknTU/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B180.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661516227537199762" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9A0dWBcBdE/TpG_A1B24pI/AAAAAAAAC5k/jTzMf-xknTU/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B180.JPG" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UE-0C9wOhFU/TpG-M9sVksI/AAAAAAAAC5M/U6fwN0-mcu4/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B189.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661515336509657794" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UE-0C9wOhFU/TpG-M9sVksI/AAAAAAAAC5M/U6fwN0-mcu4/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B189.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hill of corn grinding stones. There were lots of 'Children of the Corn' jokes because it looks a little creepy, like a graveyard. Cool, tho!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2XrqWaSDcuY/TpG-MVWSJCI/AAAAAAAAC48/SDR1Zwn6KdE/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B195.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661515325679739938" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2XrqWaSDcuY/TpG-MVWSJCI/AAAAAAAAC48/SDR1Zwn6KdE/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B195.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next door the Shell house, I noticed this ancient bus or rv? It looks like something from Planet of the Apes or some sci fi movie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGJkV36bOSA/TpG-Mr6qY5I/AAAAAAAAC5E/ExUT6yLohKQ/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B191.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661515331737904018" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGJkV36bOSA/TpG-Mr6qY5I/AAAAAAAAC5E/ExUT6yLohKQ/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B191.JPG" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very large dining area at Capitan Dulche Museum </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw9ECQyORws/TpG9fAYzDDI/AAAAAAAAC4c/qds81TYdKYg/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B212.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661514546959027250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw9ECQyORws/TpG9fAYzDDI/AAAAAAAAC4c/qds81TYdKYg/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B212.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtyard of Casa Sirena</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGoa3BSE-0Y/TpG6kJW3u-I/AAAAAAAAC28/fMNzPvmyodU/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B262.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661511336731327458" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGoa3BSE-0Y/TpG6kJW3u-I/AAAAAAAAC28/fMNzPvmyodU/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B262.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was rockin a Mohawk and a do it yourself Speedo effect swimsuit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ck_cVfCu90/TpG4Haj54yI/AAAAAAAAC2k/L3aaQIoKtRs/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B267.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661508644109935394" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ck_cVfCu90/TpG4Haj54yI/AAAAAAAAC2k/L3aaQIoKtRs/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B267.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Beach Day!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvymY7LWdPY/TpG4HtQ3_nI/AAAAAAAAC2s/u39vUWWGDcI/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B266.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661508649130393202" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvymY7LWdPY/TpG4HtQ3_nI/AAAAAAAAC2s/u39vUWWGDcI/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B266.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were about six or seven college age girls sitting to our left on the beach that day. They were having a good time and they really, really liked taking pics. :) After a while, a group of three or four college age boys sat down on our right, so we were the barrier between the raging hormones.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xw3mKo0YduY/TpG6j0KP-hI/AAAAAAAAC20/9zuuzgZBeS0/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B265.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661511331041245714" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xw3mKo0YduY/TpG6j0KP-hI/AAAAAAAAC20/9zuuzgZBeS0/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B265.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys went out about 15 feet into the ocean and sat down, positioning themselves like an audience for the girls. One of the girls (the brazen one with long curly hair) strutted her stuff out into the ocean and put on a fantastic show for the boys, inspecting her bikini, tan lines, or whatever. She was joined by one of the other girls. Then, POOF, the girls left! Nicely played, Girls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjbuBKqIoeA/TpG_3N7HCBI/AAAAAAAAC58/R0KX3C22IRY/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B176.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661517161932720146" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjbuBKqIoeA/TpG_3N7HCBI/AAAAAAAAC58/R0KX3C22IRY/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B176.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grounds at Capitan Dulce Museum. Look at that green grass!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FzjLYVrkuaw/TpG_BC1GZ4I/AAAAAAAAC50/vMY64YQ3OEU/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B178.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img a="" alt="" and="" area="" around="" bar.="" bar="" border="0" complete,="" cool!="" could="" decking="" entire="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661516231241787266" in="" is="" it="" looks="" mechanism="" pirate="" pretty="" see="" ship="" slowly="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FzjLYVrkuaw/TpG_BC1GZ4I/AAAAAAAAC50/vMY64YQ3OEU/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B178.JPG" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" supposedly,="" the="" turn.="" we="" when="" will="" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yo ho, Yo ho, a pirate's life for me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jSeu_jIESs/TpG8gczF-7I/AAAAAAAAC4E/rudP42xQLK8/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B233.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661513472253754290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jSeu_jIESs/TpG8gczF-7I/AAAAAAAAC4E/rudP42xQLK8/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B233.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, cooling off in the sea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cPHmhftZah8/TpG9foO64bI/AAAAAAAAC4s/iSKUWMrZP5s/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B196.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661514557655015858" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cPHmhftZah8/TpG9foO64bI/AAAAAAAAC4s/iSKUWMrZP5s/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B196.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shell House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KVF-Z_X7ts/TpG6k5_yOSI/AAAAAAAAC3M/wylfThM0Yz4/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B255.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661511349787834658" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KVF-Z_X7ts/TpG6k5_yOSI/AAAAAAAAC3M/wylfThM0Yz4/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B255.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our favorite beach area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NVGIf0FjqtU/TpG4GxVDiWI/AAAAAAAAC2U/tLssgDd7nZY/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B295.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661508633041799522" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NVGIf0FjqtU/TpG4GxVDiWI/AAAAAAAAC2U/tLssgDd7nZY/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B295.JPG" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our return ferry (The evil one, as opposed to the good one that brings us to the island) they unloaded a man from an ambulance and wheeled him onto the ferry. The gurney stayed parked in the aisle between the rows of seats down inside the ferry. The guy didn't look good at all. :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3YUwr1q2Ivc/TpG6kRGqJiI/AAAAAAAAC3E/kyB3LykuXvo/s1600/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B260.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661511338810811938" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3YUwr1q2Ivc/TpG6kRGqJiI/AAAAAAAAC3E/kyB3LykuXvo/s320/Isla%2BMujeres%2BSept%2B2011%2B260.JPG" style="float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There has never been a more beautiful and perfect day on the island</td></tr>
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Why? I needed a quick and cheap getaway with Pam. We decided to do Vegas because it's a cheap and silly place for a girl trip, and as an added bonus, our friend Jimmie was working out there this summer and we could hang out with him. Done. I'm so over the Strip and the large resorts that require a map to find your room. Miss Pamela and I took a gamble as would only be appropriate...on The Gold Spike. The Spike is a block off Fremont Street, newly renovated and very small. THE GOOD: $25 a night (that includes $7 mandatory 'resort fee') That's right, I said $25 a night. Not per person...per room! Hotels.com. The rooms were newly renovated and very clean. Comfy beds, plasma tv. No frills - no frig, no safe, no hair dryer, no iron etc, but if you know that and pack accordingly, it's no problem. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4vMJQmt5Jo/Tgd_XMYFvcI/AAAAAAAAC1E/hyIiMPV53N0/s1600/Vegas%2B2011%2B032.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4vMJQmt5Jo/Tgd_XMYFvcI/AAAAAAAAC1E/hyIiMPV53N0/s320/Vegas%2B2011%2B032.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMQk5yDvuIQ/Tgd_Wy8oBBI/AAAAAAAAC08/jX0-HU6eT3M/s1600/Vegas%2B2011%2B031.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMQk5yDvuIQ/Tgd_Wy8oBBI/AAAAAAAAC08/jX0-HU6eT3M/s320/Vegas%2B2011%2B031.JPG" /></a> The staff was super friendly and helpful. A/C went out in the middle of the night and after waking up long enough to put a piece of ice in my mouth from a cup on my nightstand and falling back asleep over and over again, we finally called maintenence. Up in a flash and fixed. It went out again later that afternoon, and we were given a new room within five minutes. Bartenders, Joe and Chris were great, Security guards watched over us when the bar got scary. Big security guard, Tyrone even let me feel of his bicep. THAT'S service. Security Guard: <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XDlGxfIMoWs/TgeBHReB6-I/AAAAAAAAC1M/HEQCZvVQOKo/s1600/photo.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XDlGxfIMoWs/TgeBHReB6-I/AAAAAAAAC1M/HEQCZvVQOKo/s320/photo.JPG" /></a> <br />
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The cocktail waitresses/dealers in casinos on the Strip dress in keeping with the casino theme, like the ones at Caesar's wear short sexy little togas. At the Spike, I think the dress code is 'the tiniest pieces of Spandex clothing you own and the highest heels'. All of the girls were meth addict skinny, but they were very nice. Downtown casinos have better odds (as usual this is based on my experience and I have no scientific evidence, but it's my blog so what the hell) and the food is cheap. Downtown is where you can still get a Vegas legendary $5.99 Prime Rib dinner and a 99 cent Shrimp Cocktail. The Gold Spike pool was nice. Not too big, but it wasn't crowded at all. Lounge chairs, towels provided and thankfully no loud booming music. I need a break from the 'gambient' noise now and again. The diner at The Spike was good. Incredible 4 cheese grilled cheese sandwich and fries. $3.50. Less walking. Okay, sure, we had our own personal driver and laughed at the hoards of people walking up and down the Strip as we zoomed past in air conditioned comfort, but when you are staying downtown, it doesn't take an hour to walk next door like on the Strip. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wTeClznAh4/TgdyTZHK8FI/AAAAAAAAC0U/17KTBEAUTL8/s1600/263926_1766737768598_1243773906_31567271_6257389_n.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wTeClznAh4/TgdyTZHK8FI/AAAAAAAAC0U/17KTBEAUTL8/s320/263926_1766737768598_1243773906_31567271_6257389_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQ3ErvallJg/TgdyTs4M5tI/AAAAAAAAC0c/ARmTDK8OkjE/s1600/268085_1766709007879_1243773906_31567206_1341639_n.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQ3ErvallJg/TgdyTs4M5tI/AAAAAAAAC0c/ARmTDK8OkjE/s320/268085_1766709007879_1243773906_31567206_1341639_n.jpg" /></a>"Hurry, squirt the hand santizer around us in a circle. It's like holy water to the crack whore zombies!"- Jimmie, when we noticed that the bar was full of crack whore zombies and our pregnant waitress just sat down for her smoke break. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8PKiWpDskXE/TgdyT-5EQcI/AAAAAAAAC0k/bORRWdIertE/s1600/269633_1766707407839_1243773906_31567203_1628507_n.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8PKiWpDskXE/TgdyT-5EQcI/AAAAAAAAC0k/bORRWdIertE/s320/269633_1766707407839_1243773906_31567203_1628507_n.jpg" /></a> <br />
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You won 200 nickels! That's like....ten thousand dollars. And fifty cents."- Pam<br />
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"You like theeees drink. Is berrynice!" - Cute little Polish cocktail waitress at Mermaid casino describing the shots she just brought us. I think they were vodka and Benedryl. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFtcpKxoz8Q/TgeBjTV-iII/AAAAAAAAC10/AGOdChtbSEA/s1600/Vegas%2Bfood%2B2.JPG" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFtcpKxoz8Q/TgeBjTV-iII/AAAAAAAAC10/AGOdChtbSEA/s320/Vegas%2Bfood%2B2.JPG" /></a>THE BAD AND THE UGLY: Honestly, the bar got a little scary at night if you looked around. One night at about 1:00 am, we noticed the bar was full of working girls and zombie like people singing bad, really really bad karaoke. We also noticed that the security guards were either sitting with us or right beside us whenever we were at the bar, so it was fine. No one bothered us, no one acted badly. It was a pretty good freak show, which is part of downtown's charm. And staying at The Spike made me feel a little bit like a bad ass. Wait..now, we're back to 'good'. The elevator smelled like a meth addict. And it was slow. Not a good combination.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U1pWH2uF0Gw/TgdyUO5VlrI/AAAAAAAAC0s/2yux8rEwtXU/s1600/6775515.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U1pWH2uF0Gw/TgdyUO5VlrI/AAAAAAAAC0s/2yux8rEwtXU/s320/6775515.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1_fPtju6lVM/TgeBHo0GifI/AAAAAAAAC1U/cKFx7T0gNSo/s1600/Vegas%2Bfood.JPG" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1_fPtju6lVM/TgeBHo0GifI/AAAAAAAAC1U/cKFx7T0gNSo/s320/Vegas%2Bfood.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F-dOjHVOp9s/TgeBHyNNY9I/AAAAAAAAC1c/TQPl4dI7BMY/s1600/Vegas%2Bfood%2B3.JPG" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F-dOjHVOp9s/TgeBHyNNY9I/AAAAAAAAC1c/TQPl4dI7BMY/s320/Vegas%2Bfood%2B3.JPG" /></a> "I could see myself spending a fortune just to amuse you"- Jimmie <br />
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Pam: "Call Room Service for coffee" Me: "There's no Room Service at the Spike. We don't even have a refrigerator" "Always wash your hands after you go to the bathroom and you HAVE to eat at Ellis Island! They have the best Prime Rib and mozzerella sticks THIS BIG!!!" - overenthused drunk man who talked with us for several minutes about these two things. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yF5QeZpZQjA/Tg9prsj1ZgI/AAAAAAAAC2E/fffs-2RjGxs/s1600/Vegas%2Bgirls.JPG" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yF5QeZpZQjA/Tg9prsj1ZgI/AAAAAAAAC2E/fffs-2RjGxs/s320/Vegas%2Bgirls.JPG" /></a>Jimmie acted as our driver, bodyguard and 'Julie, your ship's cruise director'. We got to use his employee discount to see a show - Absinthe at Caesar's, which was fabulous fun! He took us to a crazy good restaurant called 'Sammy's LA Pastrami and Burgers' http://www.sammysdoghouse.moonfruit.com/ The entire place was about the size of my kitchen. Their menu includes "The Big Ass Bacon Cheeseburger" - 1/2 pound of meat, 12 pieces of bacon and 1/4 pound of cheddar cheese. Also on the menu is the mind blowing "The Three Squares Fry" - 1 pound of french fries with a 1/2 pound each of pastrami, rib eye steak, chili, and topped with cheddar cheese, grilled onions, jalapenos, 1/3 pound of bacon and three fried eggs. Seriously! "You've won a new carrrr!" - Pam, upon discovering that she has a game show host voice talent We went to the coolest bar (way off the Strip) but I was told not to disclose the location. ;) Jimmie introduced us at one point to a lady as 'his goddesses' and I'm fairly sure she believed him. It is Vegas, after all. <br />
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Zip Line Worker about to push me off a five story platform: "Are you ready?!" Me: "I think so." Zip Line Worker: "When someone asks if you're ready you answer - I was born ready! Now...are you ready?!" Me: "I think so." On our last night we rode a zip line down Fremont Street. The video below isn't mine, but it is the same experience that we had. Sailing through the air beneath the Fremont canopy and over the crowds was fantastic!! I was a little nervous at first, but knew that like many things in life, it would be fun once I made the jump. It was! <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSGanjjUYqM/Tgd_Vtm5jLI/AAAAAAAAC00/ce4cqJ1WpuI/s1600/Vegas%2B2011%2B030.JPG" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSGanjjUYqM/Tgd_Vtm5jLI/AAAAAAAAC00/ce4cqJ1WpuI/s320/Vegas%2B2011%2B030.JPG" /></a></div>Moongrl722http://www.blogger.com/profile/15174558668858652135noreply@blogger.com3