Fire on the Mountain

Last year I did a blog post on Utah's BLM and Forestry.  They were here cutting down trees making a fire block since our home was in harms way "if" there was a fire (they like to say "When" there is a fire).  There are hundreds of piles around us that need to be burned.  The conditions have to be right for the Forestry to give the okay to burn the piles.  BLM was here one day last week a burned some piles and they were here yesterday afternoon burning.  Since the days are getting warmer they figure this will be the last time this season they will be able to burn the piles so they are hitting it very aggressive.

We were going to go into town and pick up our mail and go to the market however, the burning is getting very close to the house so we figured it would be better to stay home.

Here is how the burning is progressing

I wonder how many people in town have seen the smoke and called the fire department. 

We love our Utah BLM and Forestry Departments.  They are the best bunch of guys and gals.  We thank them so much for helping to keep our home and property safe.

***

Reminder of a couple of giveaways ending soon:

Sarabeth's Bakery: From My Hands to Yours by Sarabeth Levine ending March 10th, 2012

https://www.facebook.com/groups/220973497999519/

$50.00 Gift Certificate to Classic Hardware Jewelry and Accessories Giveaway ending March 12th, 2012

http://livinranchodelux.blogspot.com/2012/03/one-year-blogiversary-and-giveaway.html

Until Next Time,

Pam

I'm Laying It Out There....Yikes!

About six weeks ago I had a hard time sleeping and just was not feeling good.  I have been totally out of shape for 23 years.  I have also been sitting on my butt more than usual.  I knew it was time to get my butt off my chair and start exercising.  

My daughter's boyfriend came for a visit and brought his BeachBody DVD P90X and I watched Josh and Anna workout.  What an insane workout!  Anna suggested that I buy the TurboFire it is for losing weight and toning your body instead of building up muscle like a bodybuilder.  Sounds good to me so I ordered the DVD set. 

Faithfully at 10am every morning I do my workout. I am currently on week 4 of the 20 week workout.  This workout is not a walk in the park.  In fact, there are times when I don't know how I'm going to even lift my leg up for the next set. But the best part I am seeing results.  I don't care about how many pounds I lose because if I'm going down in dress sizes I'm loosing weight and building muscle.  This Sunday I get to remeasure myself and see the results of my first 4 weeks. I already know it's working my brand new Not Your Daughters Jeans are loose.  Whoo Hoo!

My daughter is my workout buddy and is now a Coach for BeachBody. I am so proud of her.  I have not seen her this happy since she was on Cheer in high school. (she was working out and doing gymnastics 6 days a week)  Anna is so dedicated and loves working out so this is the perfect venue for her.  

If you would like to check out Anna's BeachBody website you can click HERE

There is no excuse I have put this out for the world to see so I must stick with it.  I will be posting about my journey to get fit along with photos.  I hope you join me on my adventure into fitness as I find old Pam,  I miss that Pam and I know Bill does too.

Until Next Time,

Pam

One-Year Blogiversary and a Giveaway

I started my Blog one year ago today.  I decided to start my blog after we moved to Utah to keep in contact with family and friends and let them know what we were up to.  We have no neighbors were we are at so the only contact I have with the outside world is online or when I drive to town to pick up the mail or to do my shopping.  

It's all worth it with beautiful views like this and the wonderful friends I have made out in the cyber world.

What's an Anniversary without a Gift, right!  There was the cutest boutique in California that my daughter and I would shop at called Sky Blue Pink in Burbank.  We discovered a fun jewelry line call Classic Hardware and purchased many pieces. 

Here are just a few items that they carry

I am giving away a $50.00 Gift Certificate to Classic Hardware.

How to Win:

Visit Classic Hardware and let me know what is your favorite. 

One entry per person

You have until March 12, 2012 to enter.

Until Next Time,

Pam

Walking Around Rancho Delux

I decided to grab my camera and go for a walk around our property it is such a beautiful day not a cloud in the sky.  Since the Forestry advised us that a mountain lion has been spotted close to our house I don't go too far away without taking my gun.  Part of the fun living out in the boonies.  This little .38 isn't going to do much damage against a mountain lion but it does make a lot of noise.

This is my gun, there are many like it but this one is mine.  You know how I know this is my gun my initials are engraved on it. (loosely taken from Full Metal Jacket)

The snow was a lot deeper than I thought.  After walking about 30 feet from the house I took a step and sunk down to my knees.  Boy, talk about a workout walking in that deep snow.

Here are some photos I took walking around our property

This fenced area will one day hold my garden and it's deer proof

It just a couple months the cactus will be in bloom

I love taking taking photos of old pieces of trees and stumps

Here are the piles that the Forestry needs to burn.  They have not been back so I guess the conditions are not right for burning

Here are some more piles and our house in the background

This is the front of our house and then it goes straight up

A little love from Living Rancho Delux

Until Next Time,

Pam

It's Still Winter in Utah

We had a little snow a couple of days ago our property seems to be the line on where the snow starts on the mountain.  The wind was blowing so our decks were covered with snow.  

This photo was taken on Anna's deck right outside her bedroom

Thursday the Forestry Department was burning the piles of wood that they had cut this past summer.

I should get some really good photos when they start burning the piles closer to the house.  There are hundreds of piles and they are hoping to get them all burned in a couple days. Otherwise they will have to wait until next summer to finish.

We started putting a harness on Olive when she goes not her walks.  She does not like the harness one bit and runs out to the garage or down to the basement to avoid being saddled up. We are trying to get her use to the harness so we are leaving it on her for at least half the day.  It is so funny to watch her walk around the house dragging her body against the leather chair, the yoga mats hanging on the railing. She is also dropping down rubbing her back on the wood floors.  She is a hoot to watch.

I must say I am looking forward to Spring and having everything dried out.  The mud we have this summer makes it hard to even leave the house.  I would much rather have the ground frozen so we could drive up to the house.  It is really getting to be a pain to walk the groceries up to the house. I hope that groundhog is wrong and Spring is just around the corner.

Until Next Time,

Pam

Cookbook Giveaway

The Cookbook Junkies are giving away a fantastic cookbook

Sarabeth's Bakery: From My Hands to Yours by Sarabeth Levine

Amazon Book Description:

Customers have given this book 4.5 Stars out of 5

Mastering the art of baking, presented step-by-step through recipes from the legendary New York City baker. In the heart of Manhattan’s vibrant Highline District is a destination that is beloved by discriminating dessert lovers—Sarabeth’s Bakery. Sarabeth Levine offers an irresistible array of scones, muffins, croissants, cookies, and other classic desserts. This important addition to the baking book canon has been anxiously awaited by the extraordinary baker’s countless fans. It features more than one hundred inspiring recipes for her signature baked goods, ranging from unique English muffins and luscious banana cream pie with vanilla bean pastry to creamy chocolate pudding. Recipes for the perfect accompaniment to her buttery pastries—her legendary spreadable fruits—are also included. Step-by-step instructional photographs teach the baking techniques that make Sarabeth stand apart. Tips on such topics as making a decorative piecrust edge are also discussed in this user-friendly primer. The exquisite photography shows the home baker creative ways for sharing these wonders with friends and family.

Become a Facebook Member of The Cookbook Junkies and leave a comment.

Until Next Time,

Pam

Kicked Up Cornbread

This morning after doing TurboFire 55 minute workout all I keep thinking about was cornbread.  But not any old cornbread but a kicked up version of cornbread.  I scoured the pantry to see what I could put together.  I think I found the perfect ingredients to kick up my cornbread.  This cornbread would taste so good with chili or a hearty stew.

Kicked Up Cornbread

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup Albers Yellow Corn Meal

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 package Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup & Dip Mix

Pinch of freshly ground pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

4 shakes Tabasco sauce

1 1/4 cups milk

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 Tbsp butter, melted

15 1/4 oz can of corn, drained

Preheat over to 350 degrees, grease a 8 inch square baking pan.

Combine flour, sugar, corn meal, baking powder, onion soup mix, cayenne pepper, black pepper in medium bowl. Combine Tabasco, milk, cheddar cheese,  eggs, vegetable oil and butter in small bowl; mix well. Add to flour mixture, stir just until blended, add can corn and mix together. Bake 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Can also be made into muffins, fill 2/3 full and bake 18 to 20 minutes. or until wooden toothpick comes out clean.  Cool 5 minutes, serve warm.

Until Next Time,

Pam

Best Garlic Bread Ever

Since leaving California there are places that I miss and one place is the Smoke House in Burbank right across from the Warner Brothers Studios.  The Smoke House had the best garlic bread I have ever had.  When we would have special occasions I would call up and order 2 or 3 loaves.  I have been thinking about their garlic bread and I think I finally have the recipe down.

Smoke House Garlic Bread

1 loaf sourdough bread, halved (I used ciabatta bread)

1/2 cup butter

3 large garlic cloves, finally chopped

1 packet of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese cheese sauce mix

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Saute garlic in butter let set at room temperature for at least 8 hours or overnight. Melt butter and brush on loaves. Mix cheese packet and parmesan cheese together, sprinkle on bread and lightly rub in.  Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes, place under broiler until starting to brown.

I have not had this much praise from my husband and my daughter in a long time.  It's a winner.

Until Next Time,

Pam

Love Cookbooks?

Do you LOVE Cookbooks as much as I do?  Well there is a new place for us on Facebook.

Join me at The Cookbook Junkies to share your love of Cookbooks.  My dear friend Jenny has started this wonderful group just for us "Cookbook Junkies"

Until Next Time,

Pam

Las Vegas - Part Two

Day two of Vegas started with hitting Starbucks and heading back to the room to get ready.  Las Vegas has a monorail system that nobody seemed to be using or maybe it was because it was weekday.  For only $12.00 per person you can get a all day pass on the monorail. Each stop would cover 4 or 5 hotels on the strip.  At 10am we were off first stop Fashion Show (mall/shopping center) It was so nice to go into a real shopping center since we really don't have anything like that in Southern Utah.  Mostly we window shopped.  We stopped in at Neiman Marcus and had a bite to eat in their cafe.  They have the best popovers with strawberry butter.

The last time I really spent any time in Las Vegas was before New York, New York had even opened and Anna was around 7 years old.  

Anna has been to Las Vegas more than me so she wanted me to see some of the hotels.  Wow things have really changed.

The two pictures above are in the Wynn.  What a beautiful resort I would like to stay here one time

This is the ceiling in the Venetian Resort

One thing on Anna's list was to go to Planet Hollywood she wanted to go to the Bettie Page Clothing store.  What darling clothing and Anna came home with a jumper, blouse, sweater, t-shirt and dress. I tried to pull some photos of the clothing off the Bettie Page website however it wouldn't let me.  I will have to wait until Anna gets all dolled up and take photos to share.

It was starting to get dark so it was time for dinner and there was one place I really wanted to go.  We headed over to Caesar's Palace to eat at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill.  I knew the food was going to be wonderful but let me tell you I was so impressed with the staff.  They knew that menu backwards and forwards, answered all your questions, checked on you often and my ice tea never was past half full.

We started our meal with a Queso Dip

Anna had Sophie's Chopped Salad which she tweaked it a bit having them leave off the chickpeas and white beans.  She requested avocado on the side instead.  She was in salad heaven.

I had the Coffee Rubbed Filet Mignon with Mashed Potatoes with Green Chili Queso Sauce we did not have a dessert we were too full from this incredible meal

Outside of Cesar's was this beautiful Buddhist Prayer Shrine

Las Vegas Strip

After walking around seeing the sights and shopping for over 10 hours we headed by to MGM for a good nights sleep.  Oh you ask did we do any gambling?  We each put $20.00 in the slot machines and lost it quite fast.  For me Las Vegas just isn't the same when it comes to the machines.  Maybe I'm getting old but I like the dials that spin and hearing the coins clinking not the digital machines that you get a cash out slip.  Next trip I would like to try Morimoto's restaurant and go to at least one show and of course some more shopping.

The third day we skipped Vegas and went to Henderson, NV we went to Dick's Sporting Goods to pick up training shoes. Anna and I are starting TurboFire but that will have to wait for another post.

Until Next Time,

Pam

Viva Las Vegas - Part 1

Last week Anna and I went to Las Vegas for 3 days.  We needed a girls trip of food and shopping.  We stayed at the MGM Grand.

 This was our suite

Beautiful and very comfortable

Here is Anna in the bathroom - we made jokes about the tiny stripper pole

Our first day there we walked around which was pretty scary in the afternoon to evening.  Watched kids doing drugs right out on the strip.  People handing you cards with half naked women on them finally started to tell them I have a pair of those and can look at them anytime I wanted to.

For dinner the that night we stayed at the MGM and went to Wolfgang Pucks.  So glad we did it was amazing.

We started our meal with Truffled Potato Chips with a Maytag Blue Cheese Sauce. Anna doesn't like any of those things and she said that the one of the best things she has eaten.

 Anna got the Spaghettini and a side of Yukon Gold Potato Purée (which I didn't post a photo of the potaotes) 

I got the Pancetta wrapped meatloaf with Yukon gold potato purée with mushroom gravy.  Both of us only ate half of our dinner to save room for dessert.  

Our waiter Robert suggested this dessert and I'm happy he did. Chocolate Beignets, cream brulee, mango and strawberry sorbets, vanilla ice cream and fresh berries.  All I can say it was to die for.

Part two tomorrow

Until Next Time,

Pam

Time Mangement Needed and a Day Trip

I am not going to lie I need to learn to manage my time better.  It's been almost a month since I last blogged. I need to start dividing up my time so I can blog, Pinterest, talk with friends online, cook, craft, oh and clean. There does not seem like there are enough hours in the day for everything I want to do.

With winter not too much going on here.  We have not received the snow levels we did last year and it has been a whole lot warmer in the 40's to 50's.  Instead of keeping the snow on the ground we have a muddy mess.  We can not even get our truck up to the house.  We walk the 1/4 mile driveway to get to the house after we have gone downtown and I don't see things changing until everything drys out.

A few weeks ago we headed to Zion for lunch in Springdale, UT.  What a ghost town it is during winter and there wasn't even any snow on the ground.  Here are some photos I snapped along the way.

Zion with a little snow

Apple Orchard and Zion in the background

I love old buildings

Shoe Tree

Anna and Olive (Olive looks big in this photo she is only 27 lbs)

Olive is pooped out from our little trip

Tomorrow I will share photos on Anna and my trip to Las Vegas.

Until Next Time,

Pam