Bountiful

Julie and I hit the Farmer's Market in Fort Worth this morning!

back: orange honeydew melon

middle: peaches, fairy tale eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes

front: okra

I think dinner tonight will be a fruit and vegetable plate!

Overload!

Question: What happens when you start with chocolate chip cookie dough --

-- layer on Double Stuff Oreo cookies --

-- and top with Fudge Brownie mix?

THIS:

Answer: The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie n' Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar!

Of course.

Friday's Lofty Dream

Well, I wasn't sad to see Billy and Modena's tail lights as they drove away. I didn't see them at all. I was asleep -- like any normal person should be at 4:30 in the morning!!

When it was really time to get up, we decided it was a good day to paint the loft. Out comes the caulk gun, the painting materials and our designated painting attire. Away we went. And the results? Less than stellar.

:(

My guess is that the paint we were painting over had something to do with it. So Saturday will see the same routine: get out the paint and put on the painting costumes.

The exhaustion and disappointment did lead to one thing -- dinner out! We went on up to The Lodge - still in full centennial celebration mode - and had ourselves a delicious dinner. Mitch chose rack of lamb, his usual, and I chose lobster. YUM!

Tired bodies + full bellies = good night of sleep.

Exploration Thursday

Today found us at the White Sands National Monument outside of Alamogordo, NM. The sand dunes are beautiful. It looked like we were driving on ice and looking at snow. Except it was hot. The weather, not the sand.

We had a fun time climbing up the dunes and even more fun coming down!

Our next stop was Inn of the Mountain Gods in Ruidoso. We had a lovely lunch and then sight-seeing around the resort. We even saw an elk on the grounds!

We'll be sad to see Billy and Modena's tail lights tomorrow.

Celebrations Wednesday

First Celebration: Mom and Dad are celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary today. Woo-hoo! Love them lots.

Second Celebration: John and Teresa are celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary today. Woo-hoo! Love them, too.

Now some history: The Lodge Resort and Spa in Cloudcroft, New Mexico was originally constructed in 1899 by the Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railway as they searched the area for timber. The log-constructed lodge was completed in 1899.

In 1908, the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad System became the new owner and advertised that the hotel, restaurant, dancing pavilion, tennis court, golf links, bowling alley, billiard parlor, burro trips and children's playground were available for weekend rates of $3.00 round trip. Room rates started at $12.50 per week.

On June 13, 1909, a terrible fire destroyed The Lodge but by 1911, it had been rebuilt. This photo was taken today. And by the way, today's room rates start at $89.00 per night -- and the bowling alley and burro trips are a thing of the past.

So, here is celebration #3 (and the previously hinted at birthday party): Today marks 100 years since the current Lodge opened it's doors! Woo-hoo! Birthday cake for everyone!

There have been some pretty interesting people come through the doors besides just us. Most notably Clark Gable and Judy Garland.

Additionally the Southwest Ghost Hunters Paranormal Research Organization has been here. Why? Because of Rebecca!

Legend says that Rebecca was a beautiful young chambermaid with striking blue eyes and shocking red hair, who disappeared from her quarters after her lover found her in the arms of another. She remains at The Lodge -- mischievously flickering lights, opening and closing doors, and moving furniture. No worries though; she's a friendly ghost.

I think she came to visit Noah and I last year. We were in the tower and were witness to her trademark flickering lights. Didn't bother us any.

We ain't afraid of no ghost.

Tiring Tuesday

Well, it's not me that's tired. Or Mitch. It's those roofers that are removing the old metal roof so that they can install our new metal roof.

We were surprised when they knocked at the front door this morning - bright and early I might add. We thought it would be a couple more weeks until they got to our job. But no. Let the hammering begin!

We also have a couple of guys working on our security system this morning. Gotta keep the bears out, you know. I think these guys are tired of our stairs. It doesn't take long before going up and down two flights a couple of times wears you out. It does me, anyway!

And another thing that is not tiring us: company is coming! Billy and Modena should be arriving this afternoon. Billy and Mitch are going to do some carpentry work in the loft tomorrow. Baseboards. Next will be painting and carpet, but not this trip.

Up tomorrow: a special birthday party!

Memorial Day Monday

Today's Memorial Day celebration is pretty quiet. Fly the flag and fire up the grill. Later we will enjoy a bowl of homemade ice cream. Bailey's Irish Cream Ice Cream. It will be de.lish.us!

I was remembering the Memorial Day celebration the year we were married. We had just returned from our honeymoon (in NM!) and moved into our new apartment in Lubbock. We dined on hot dogs and watermelon with our new neighbors.

It's now thirty two years later, and I can say that those were the best neighbors we've ever had. And we'd love to have them as neighbors again. And I mean close neighbors. Neighboring states just doesn't cut it!

Today I honor the great warriors who risked their lives to protect us and our country. In my family, this includes:

• my dad, Charlie Low
• my uncle, Everett Low
• my uncle, James Jacoby
• my uncle, Reginald Jacoby (dec'd)
• my uncle, Jackie Jacoby (dec'd)
• my uncle, Chuck Bledsoe
• my cousin, Steven Jacoby
• my cousin, Gary Booth
• my cousin, Joseph Miller (dec'd)
• my cousin, Brannon Jacoby
• my cousin, Pat Cunningham
• Mitch's grandad, Reese Davis (dec'd)
• Mitch's grandmother, Pearl Davis (dec'd)

Thank you.