Lake Casitas

Lake Casitas
Ah the good life

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Valentines Stoneware 2011

Unfortunately this Valentines Day I was very under the weather.
So we decided to celebrate well after the holiday when we were
both feeling up to it. We chose an untraditional gift for each other
this year... via The Food Network store and courtesy of Rachael Ray.
Some lovely stoneware for baking our favorite casseroles and lasagnas.
Yummmm. These beautiful dishes are a perfect addition to our rainbow
themed kitchen and we are having a blast cooking with them already.
WoooooooooooooHoooooooooooooooo

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Knights Of The South Bronx movie review

This was such a feel good movie from start to finish. Ted Danson is a standout as Richard Mason an elementary school teacher who returns to teaching after being fired from his corporate job when they discover he's a whistle blower. As he begins to connect with these inter city students by teaching them the game of Chess as well as mathematics he rediscovers his passion. Strong suppporting performances include Malcolm David Kelley who plays Jimmy a young boy struggling to avoid being forced into the local gang while his father is away in prison. Clifton Powell doesn't get much screen time but he makes the most of it as Jimmy's father Cokey, a hard knocks type offering his son some much needed advice and direction as well as love during a prison visit. The exchange was riveting. Keke Palmer delivers a believable rendition as Kenya a young girl trying to make it despite her mothers drug addiction and shattered home life. A delightful cherry on top is Antonio Ortiz who plays Dawson a kindergartner who follows his big sister to Mr. Mason's class and also learns to play chess and enters the competition, and wins. The best part comes at the end when you learn that this is based on a true story and most of the real kids earned scholarships from their winnings and got to go to college, and the program still exists today. Awesome! So on the Heart Chart... Knights Of The South Bronx gets five out of five hearts. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Best & Worst

Best: Finally got some long over due blood work out of the way this morning. 4 years over due in fact. Whew! I have the best wife in the world. Worst: Unfortunately said blood work put us out to the tune of $360.00. OMG!!! It's a problem when a cash patient can't get a discount. Maybe if all citizens could get the negotiated rates that the insurance companies do we wouldn't have a healthcare crisis or the need for insurance. We might just be able to afford to go to the doctor? The lady at Quest Diagnostics wasn't very nice to me. She had my arm in an uncomfortable position and she didn't explain clearly about all the documents she was asking me to sign. Entering day 6 of head and throat infection and though the light is now peeking through the clouds I am exhausted from the lack of sleep this last week. sighs.. beautiful wife is exhausted too... from listening to me hack all night long (see best wife in the world above). All of our L girls have gotten this except my sweet Cheri...keeping fingers crossed beautiful wife doesn't get it too. :( Funniest: Mine and Noelle's head butting (three stooges) moment whan she was trying to comfort me. pretty funny. What I learned: That when chicken soup goes in...phlem comes right out. Voila!! Like magic...better than medicine. LOL That I really like the pink grapefruit flavor of Airborne. Yumm.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Wedge Salad & Cindy Sighting

This is a rare occurance here at the L House...
A Cindy sighting...and she's cooking which is
an even rarer occurance...and she's dressed up
while cooking... well you get the picture. We were
all so excited. Miss Cindy can cook by the way...she
just doesn't do it that often. WooooHoooooo
Our fantastic wedge salads made the day. Some cucumber
salad accompanies here, just couldn't get enough salad. lol
Yummmmm

Monday, February 7, 2011

Best & Worst

Best: Cooked up a storm yesterday. Made so many yummy things and my orange cupcakes debuted to rave reviews. Just need to find a better frosting I think. Something more complimentary. My Sweet Cheri started building me a gardening bench. I don't really garden, lol, but she does and it will look exceedingly charming in the back yard when she gets it finished and painted. Got some Angus top sirloin steaks yesterday at Albertsons for 50% off. WooooHooo! I just finished Melissa Gilberts book Prairie Tale: A memoir, and I have to say I wasn't disappointed at all. Very interesting and candid. It was humorous, entertaining, and informative. Loved it. I have started a series of poems based on a childhood friend and our adventures together and they are being well received. Yay Worst: STOP the presses!!!! There is no worst this week. smiles. Funniest: My mistaking the garbage can for the hamper and almost throwing out a perfectly good pair of underwear. LOL What I learned: That Facebook is a great way to catch up with old friends. That you can alter cupcake recipes without ruining them. That my best friend in the whole world has always got my back.