Niagra

Went out for a drive and ended up at Niagra Falls on the Maid of the Mist. $13 per adult. Boats carry about 300 people each. The boats look over-crowded from shore - makes you feel like you might be on the 6:00 news (due to boat capsizing), but once onboard does not really feel that crowded.

Best location for a good view - the bow of the boat. There are several areas to view the falls without actually going on the boat... but yes... go on the boat anyway!

Long drive... about 8 or 9 hours with a couple of very brief stops. But a good overnight outing.

DeBrand

Visited DeBrand Chocolates - great way to start July 2010.

The factory is located off Exit 116 in Fort Wayne, IN. The tour is $5 per person, and you get a $5 off coupon for each $10 in merchandise purchased, so it's not terribly pricey. Good thing, as the tour itself is somewhat underwhelming. Basically it is a walk down a hallway with a look into each of three kitchens.

The upside is that there are samples at each of the three kitchen stops. Sample type is dependent upon the products they are making that day.

Even if you don't do the tour, it is worth a stop off the highway for a quick chocolate and a coffee or one of the amazing looking desserts in their french-style cafe. Yum !

For more info.: http://www.debrand.com

With Peter Sagel - Chicago - June 2010

Went to see the recording of the NPR show Wait Wait Don't Tell Me on June 10. What a great time! Of course, I elbowed my way to the front of every line. Hey, it's general admission seating... gotta do what ya gotta do to get the best seat in the house. No really, we were LITERALLY the first people in line and going through the door.

The panel included Charlie Price (not so funny) and Paula Poundstone (still dressing like she's in 1980 - big hair and big shoulder pads - but very funny). Don't recall who the third panelist was. The entire show was such fun. Carl Kassle is just as I pictured - an older gentleman who keeps things on track, basically. Peter Sagal is AWESOME ! He's a super quick wit.... funny, funny, funny - an intelligent funny. Excellent evening. I rate this 2 thumbs up - especially if you are already going to be in Chicago (downtown) on a Thursday evening. Just buy tickets well in advance - these shows sell out the day tickets go on sale.

Snow Peas in June

Hurray for Snow Peas - these are Snow Wind peas - and my first attempt at growing peas. Though we put stakes and ran line for the peas to climb, apparently they grow significantly taller than we anticipated. The good news is - they will just turn south, creep down the lines and then grow north again. They have blossoms, and then out of nowhere (it seems) the pods are there. Beautiful peas. It amazes me that a $1.69 pack of seeds that had been sitting in the drawer in the kitchen for "many moons" could produce this row of goodness.

Gosh, I sure love working in the garden - seeing this food grow up from a small seed or plant. All it needs is a bit of water, a little sun, and some TLC (that means weed pulling!). Lovely.

May 2010 Indy 500

Met Tom Carnegie - the voice of the Indianapolis 500 - on Community Day at the Indianapolis 500 track. What a sweet guy !

This photo is me (looking particularly hefty...), Tom Carnegie, and good friend / travel buddy Peggy (PJ) Rose.

April 30, 2010

Graceland -must have been a mansion in it's day... but compared to the McMansions of today, it isn't so huge.

Jungle room - wow, the green shag carpet! Say no more.

Elvis loved the bling. I believe the order of the day was tacky. BUT - he sold a ton of records, has legions of fans, gave money money money to charity.

The tour was worth the $35'ish to get in - also to view the cars, airplanes, etc.

Bonus - here's the Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich recipe no one should be without:

2 large bananas

6 slices of white bread

1 stick (yep - a STICK) of butter

1 cup of peanut butter

Peel & mash bananas. Mix peanut butter with bananas thoroughly. Toast bread lightly and spread mix on bread. Melt butter in skillet and brown sandwiches on each side slowly until golden brown.

I might add - then call a good cardiologist, cause your arteries are gonna be cloggin' !!!

Memphis in May

Beale Streeet Music Festival - wash out.... can you say Tornado Sirens and Mud Boots? No matter... Memphis is a cool city. Picture on the bottom was taken at Sun Studio... the "Birthplace of Rock N' Roll"

Sun is where Elvis first recorded, as well as Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins (who recorded and made a hit out of Blue Suede Shoes before Elvis recorded it). Lots of musical legends recorded there in the past. More recently - U2, Paul Simon, Matchbox 20 & Maroon 5 (among others) have recorded there. Cool, tiny little place. The microphone in the picture on the left has been there since the studio opened.... hmm.... did Elvis sing into this mic???

Picture at the top is just a little guy I saw playing the trumpet on a street by a BBQ joint. The guy was great. Maybe a studio musician at some point? In a band? Don't know but he was sooo good.