Buster Gets a Trim

Last week I looked at Buster and quickly came to the conclusion that Homeboy needed a haircut.    I mean look at him he looks like a Muppet.  There are two things that Buster absolutely hates and that is baths and haircuts.   But I will admit that I love giving them to him, because he is such a butthead it’s like my own little twisted revenge.

At first he thought I was sitting on the floor to play with him and got all excited…..until I pulled the clippers out.

Then suddenly his whole demeanor changed.  He was pouting and sulking like that was suppose to make me feel sorry for him and make me change my mind.   Like I am suppose to be sympathetic to the same dog that whines and barks in my ear at 5:30 am.

Halfway through the cut we took a little break.  He went and hid in Jake’s kennel.  Don’t feel sorry for him…he is a punk and he is just trying to manipulate you…trust me.

After he pulled himself together and realized that resistance was futile we finished up his haircut.  Doesn’t he look handsome?  Yes he is a butthead but he is so cute!

However he did inform me that he was never speaking to me again and as soon as he went out into the yard he was going to dig in the wet mud.

But let’s enjoy it while it last.  Here is a before and after.

Dink’s Pit Bar-B-Que

Cue old Western music…..

Saturday Obed and I saddled the horses and decided to head north for some pit bar-b-que.  We traveled down a long and winding road to reach our final destination.  It was a two day trip where we battled bandits and outlaws, but we finally reached our destination safe and sound.  It was a long and treacherous trip, but it was all in the name of bar-b-que and I believe that is reason enough to risk your life.  Is it not?

Ok so we didn’t saddle horses…..heck I wouldn’t have the first clue to how to saddle a horse.  If I saddled a horse I can guarantee you I would end up upside down, with my feet in the air hanging from the belly of the horse.  Which could be a precarious situation to be in for a multitude of reasons, which I will not go into right now.  The truth is the horse was more in the shape of an car, the long and winding road….well was a highway, and it took us just under an hour to get there.

Obed and I have been looking for some decent bar-b-que since we left Florida and are surprised how hard it has been for us to find it here in Tulsa.  There is a place on S. Harvard but I isn’t really cutting it for us. Last week I was doing some stumbling on Stumbleupon.com and I stumbled across this article on BudgetTravel.com, “The Best Barbeque Joint’s in America”.  On the article’s list was Dink’s Pit Bar-B-Que in Bartelsville, OK, just one hour north of Tulsa.    Obed and I were all over it and decided that it would make the perfect Saturday afternoon road trip.

We got there for lunch and the place was packed.  When you walk into the location it has all the character that you would expect from a Mom & Pop BBQ joint.  The one thing that I did find interesting is that their mascot is a moose.  In fact when you walk in there is a huge moose head hanging on the wall and all of the employees shirts have an embroidered moose.  Usually you would think a pig or a cow as a mascot for a bbq joint but Dink’s is a moose, and no they do not offer bbq moose on the menu.

First we ordered our drinks, two glasses of sweet tea and I cannot express how happy I was to find out that they actually had real sweet tea and no just “unsweet you add the sugar to it” sweet tea.  I was even more ecstatic when I drank it, it was perfect.  The best glass of sweet tea since I left the Southeast.   The appetizer we ordered was a half order of onion straws which was HUGE and more then enough or Obed and I.

On the table is a bottle of their house bbq sauce which was awesomeness in a bottle.  It is a sweet and tangy, brown-red sauce that is tomato and vinegar based.  It was perfect and I had to put it all over my onions straws. That I was gobbling down like a horse mind you.  The truth is the straws didn’t even need the sauce because they are perfectly seasoned but I had to try the sauce.

They have this “Hot Pig Special” of pork tenderloin sandwich topped with cold slaw and jalapenos, which looked interesting but I went with the “Special Plate “with Southern style shredded pork on a bun, cole slaw and curly fries.  I kind of chicken out because of the jalapenos but when we go again I will muster up some courage and give it a try.

The meat in my sandwich defiantly had that great hickory smoked flavor and I got some of those tasty seasoned bits and pieces of the charred portion of the pig.  Although It was a bit on the chewy side and could have been a little more tender.   The fries were a throw-away, they were soggy and bland.  I finished up the onion straws instead.

The cole slaw on the other hand was muy interesante.  Instead of the traditional mayonnaise drenched cole slaw this one was a refreshing sort of sweet-vinegary cole slaw.  It also had some diced up red and green peppers in it which added to it’s refreshing quality.  It’s a great alternative to your traditional cole slaw.

Obed got the “Special Plate” with smoked sausage, baked beans and curly fries.  He concurred with my opinion about the fries but his smoked sausage and beans were fabulous.  You can tell that the beans are also smoked along with all their meat.  The sausage also had a great hickory smoked flavor and were super juicy and flavorful.  I stole a few nibbles of his sandwich so I am speaking from my own experience.

After stuffing ourselves like hogs we had to pass on any dessert option they had but I was sure to ask for a cup of sweet tea to go.  We will defiantly be visiting Dink’s Pit Bar-B-Que again and next time I am going to hunker down and try that “Hot Pig Plate” even if I do end up snotty, sweaty and on fire.  I can take it and I will just be sure to request a pitcher of sweet tea with my meal.

Dink’s Pit Bar-B-Que is in Bartelsville, OK  at 2929 E. Frank Phillips Blvd., 918/335-0606.

Now if you excuse me I feel compelled to work out, I think just looking at these pics I gained a whole hog on my hips.

Everyone Needs Their Beauty Sleep

Buster and I were discussing the other day how hard we both work and if you don’t take care of yourself it can take a toll on you.  He was telling me how tired he gets chasing after squirrels, barking at the kids skateboarding in front of our house and nosing through the trash in the bathroom.

He agreed that it is very important to get plenty of rest, to keep yourself young and youthful.  It  also helps to ward off tired eyes, dark circles under the eyes and it is good for your over all health.

From the looks of him I would say that the sleep is doing it’s job.  Isn’t he the cutest?

How to Fold a Fitted Sheet

The other day I declared my excitement about being able to fold a fitted sheet properly.  After several request to share this knowledge with all of you I decided to make a some what embarrassing instructional video. I usually don’t do this kind of thing but I am all about sharing, so I am going to share with you.

First let me apologize for my fidgeting, my rambling, my whining dog and my very wrinkled comforter.  I just didn’t feel like ironing a comforter.  Now grab a fitted sheet from your linen closet and follow along.

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A Fella of Opportunity

Last night I had to fold some clothes fresh out of the dryer.  I dumped them on the bed and walked away to get some hangers.

When I came back this is what I found. Do you see this?  Can’t see?  Let’s take a closer look.

Buster takes advantage of opportunity and I can’t blame him.  It was a cold day and he made himself a bed in some warm clothes.

This is probably just one of the reasons I have to walk around with a lint roller in my purse.

Really? Seriously?

 

You have have one of those days?  A day that if something went right it would not fall into the status quo of your day.

Several years back when I was still a singleton living by myself in a small studio apartment with a puppy that chewed on my shoes and carpet, chaos, disorganization and general madness was the status quo in my life.   It usually had to do with over extending myself, not managing my time properly and the fact that my new puppy had chewed the crotch….yes I said crotch out of my pants….and I now had to find something else to wear.   

Now-a-days things aren’t as chaotic as they use to be, the madness in my life is on a much smaller scale now, it usually involves a lost phone, lost keys, waking up late or putting my boots on the wrong feet……don’t judge me.

But yesterday….yesterday was a doozy.  It was a day of about nine unfortunate events.

The day started like any other normal day with a small difference.  We had gone to the Saturday night service at church for the first time, allowing us to sleep in on Sunday morning.  I though was a great start to the day.    It didn’t last long.

I got up to make Obed and I a breakfast smoothie and to my dismay the blender had died, so I just made some toast.  Grrr!(#1)

Then I thought I should go take a shower since I was planning on venturing out in public to hunt down a new blender.  When I walk into the bathroom there was water all over the floor and some nasty stuff had backed up into the tub.  Really!  Seriously!  (#2 & 3)  I laid towels on the floor to dry it and the water kept coming, that is when I realized it was coming from the base of the toilet.  So I close the valve, emptied the tank and it still leaked until the toilet was half empty.  Then Obed Draino’ed and plunged the tub and I made a note on my To-Do list to call the landlord.

After the Draino and plunge the tub seemed to be ok so I continued with my shower.  We headed out to hunt for a new blender, first stop Bed, Bath & Beyond, nothing we liked, second stop Williams & Sonoma, nothing we could afford (we should have known) final stop Target….found a blender we like and it was out of stock.  Really!?  Seriously!?  (#4) It was getting late in the day and we had some friends coming over for dinner.  I wanted to attempt to recreate a ravioli dish that I had while I was in Virginia Beach, VA for Rebecca’s bridal shower. I had a full day of cooking ahead of me and I needed to get cracking.

When we got home Obed left to try and fly his plane that I gave him for Christmas.    I was all set up to start cooking and I decided to toss a pistachio cake into the mix.   I grabbed my camera to shoot….because as a food blogger that is what I do.  After about 5 frames the screen on my camera says ERROR 99, Turn camera on and off or re-install battery.  I did this 3 times and it still gives me the error.  I change lenses and I still get an error, change CF card and still get error.  I beginning to freak out….panic….loose my mind and think the worst.   (#5)

I tell myself, “Meseidy keep it together, don’t loose it.”  At that moment I hear the garage door, Obed is home.  I walk out to the garage, see Obed and the first thing out of my mouth is “Obed, my camera….it’s not working!”  and then I cry, burst into tears and 5….4….3….2…1…..commence a total meltdown.  Could I be more dramatic? 

Obed starts to troubleshoot the camera while I continue cooking in the kitchen.  He grabs my laptop and plugs it in to search “Error 99″ online  and that is when we discover that one of our 3 outlets in the living room is dead.  REALLY!?  SERIOUSLY!?  (#6)  Alas the camera still isn’t working but, I have hope.  Going to call the camera doctor.

I charge on in the kitchen determined to accomplish my goal.  Even if I can’t photograph my food I knew this day was going to make for an interesting post.  I have a small ray of sunshine and make a beautiful, yummy pistachio cake with caramond.  Just as I begin to think that things are starting to look up, the light on the ceiling fan in the kitchen flickers, goes out and a very small puff of smoke come out of the center.  At this point I can only laugh….with a mixture of tears. (#7)  I put on my To-Do list….REALLY NEED TO CALL LANDLORD!

The pasta dish that I was trying to make was a red wine braised beef ravioli, with roasted sweet potato in a brown butter sage sauce.   My beef braised beautifully, my pasta rolled out splendidly, my potatoes burned once and my sauce burned twice and turned out to be an oily mess.  I tried to save the sauce by whisking in some half & half but when I re-heated the sauce the milk and butter separated and it just looked yucky.  (#8 & 9)   Although I was not happy with the end product my husband and guests ate it happily and thought it was delicious.  I did not agree with their sentiments.

With all the madness and chaos I did not manage to keep up with my kitchen.  By the end of the night it looked like an atomic bomb of dirty dishes and burnt pans had dropped in my kitchen.   After everything was done and over with and my guest had left I got in my car drove to another Target and found my new blender.

Today I plan to stay very quiet and very still and hopefully it will be uneventful.

THE END

Practice Makes Perfect

Did you know that the best way to start a wedding rehearsal is to rehearse it backward.  Not walk backwards…silly!  Start with everyone lined up at the front, practice walking out and then practice coming back in and lining up again.  Follow? 

Do you know what the bride can expect of her bridesmaids during a wedding rehearsal? 

A sudden onset of ADHD.

Messing and teasing each other while standing up front.

Bursting out into “God Bless America” when the bride practices her entrance.

Being scolded by the bride’s mother for not paying attention….and then making her laugh along with them because they are such dorks.

Not that any of these things happened during said wedding rehearsal…..ok they did but it was best we got it out of our system when we did.

But really we were all very composed and well behaved.  Exhibit 1, look at the style, elegance and grace of  that the matron of honor (Becca’s little sister) projected.  She was the pillar of class and dignity.

Maybe…..

And Hannah always smiling was this a my toes are frozen and most likely frostbitten but I am going to smile, because I am a bridesmaid and that is my job, smile?

Of course I could not resisted the “Hey take a picture of me taking a picture of you” picture.  We may have excelled to a new level of dorkdom.

Ok Meseidy get the ADHD under control and pay attention.  Back to the rehearsal.   Here Jon the pastor blocks “the kiss”.

This I believe qualifies as looks of disappointment.  Chill out folks you will get your kiss and whatever else you want…starting tomorrow.

Now we practice our exit.  My fellow bridesmaids and I though of singing “God Bless America” backwards but it was just too difficult and we were cold.

Obed, the Best Man, practices his exit with Ellen, the Matron of Honor.   I don’t know what is with the face….I don’t think Ellen smelled or anything, maybe they were having a deep theological discussion.

Check out the cute little paper bouquets that Becca’s sisters made for us.   Beth and Hannah were smart because they had gloves on.  I had to hold mine with my teeth sometimes so I could put my hands in my pockets.  If that isn’t the definition of class, I don’t know what is.

I am missing a picture of one more bridesmaid, no clue how it happened.  Shout out to Stephanie!

Aaaaaad scene! 

We are rehearsed.  We know everything that we have to do and what not to do…like sing “God Bless America”…. during the brides processional….that maybe frowned upon….aaaaand Becca’s mom may throw a shoe at us.

Minty Fresh Bride

Hopefully from here on, my life will resume some normalcy and I will be back in the kitchen this weekend.   The holidays were busy, then we had a Susan come to visit and a few short days after she left Obed and I had to head out for Rebecca and Jerry’s wedding.  Almost as soon as we arrived in Florida I was on the run, but Obed and I couldn’t be happier to enjoy such a beautiful and blessed day with our friends Jerry and Rebecca.  Regardless of the Arctic chill that managed to make it’s way down to Florida everyone was excited and in high spirits.

I thought you may enjoy some “behind the scene” shots.

Here the bride nervously applies lip gloss.

Just a little more….make sure it is between the “lines”.   Lip gloss application always calms the nerves…..right?

Let’s get a closer shot of the dress detail….shall we.  Puuurrty!

 Hannah feels like someone is watching her.  Do you ever feel like that?  I am not sure what is happening with Rebecca.

Are you excited?  Getting nervous yet?  Anxious maybe?  Your not getting sick are you?  Did you brush your teeth?  Need a mint?

Yes please! 

Open wide, don’t want to mess up the lip gloss.

Ahhhh minty fresh.  FABULOUS!

Ready for the big kiss. 

By then who cares about the lip gloss.

Stay tuned for some more wedding weekend fun!

Me & Susan

Yes I am still alive….no I am not lying in a ditch somewhere…..yes, I know you feel neglected….yes, I confess I am a bad blogger.  Will you ever forgive me?

I haven’t started the New Year off real great when it comes to blogging.  Here it is January 6th and this is the first post of the year.  You have to forgive me it has been a wee bit crazy. 

One of my best-estfriends ever came to visit during the New Year and I was hanging withher most of this time.  I am also in the process of getting ready for a wedding this weekend.  My friend Rebecca’s wedding is this Sunday and I have to pack, clean, get the dogs ready, finish getting my dress fitted, deal with a shoe dilemma and I just realized I need to get a pedicure.   Madness!

Well enough of my rambling and attempts to muster some pity from you, let me introduce you to Susan. 

Susan and I have been friends for about 7 years and we were roommates for one fo those years, that was an interesting year.   Unfortunately we were missing our 3rd Musketeer Shelley who couldn’t join us, but we are hoping that this year the three of us can go on a trip together.   Susan and I are the clowns and Shelley is the anchor that keeps us on planet earth, although she has her moments as well.

While Susan was here she insisted that we get a picture taken together.  If you didn’t know I HATE….repeat HATE having my picture taken.  I prefer to pluck my nose hair with tweezers then get my picture taken, but I obliged my dear friend and allowed for my photo to be taken.  However a photo shootwith me can be a special experience.

In this photo I decided to strike a pose.  Susan ponders about what am I doing.

Here I decide to blow her a kiss.  She…my…friend.

Then I suggest we take one that makes us look intellectual.  This was easy for Susan because she is in fact a professor, I just look like I am gnawing on my glasses.

Let’s give this a thumbs up shall we?

After much protest I finally gave in and decided to act like I was somewhat of a normal human being, Susan decided to join me.

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning at about 8:00 am Obed whispers in my ear, “Let’s get up and open presents and then we can play outside in the snow with the dogs.”    He is a big kid at heart what can I say.  I am A-OKAY with it.  It makes things around here fun.

So that is exactly what we did.  We jumped out of bed like two dorks and ran to the tree.  Under the tree I had two heavy small boxes and Obed and one big light box.   Santa a.k.a. Obed got me a sweet stainless steel frying pan and pasta maker attachments for my Kitchen Aid.  Obviously my husband knows me very well.  I was very excited about both, thinking what can I sear in the frying pan and what pasta was I going to make first.  The possibilities were endless.

He had been besides himself wondering what was in the huge box under the tree what weight virtually nothing.  The spousal figure was like a kid in a candy store when he unwrapped his present.  He got a beginners RC airplane, with anti-crash technology.  That last part is very important.  

My brother-in-law told me he wanted one since he was a kid.   Unfortunately it has yet to take flight because of the weather conditions outside. 

Obed was immediatly sitting on the sofa putting his new toy together while I sat there reading the instructions for my new pasta maker. Ahhhh, Christmas morning.

Then we suited up and headed out to the backyard to play with the doggies in the snow.  I got these nifty new, stylish boots at Target just before the storm hit, notice the snow comes up over my ankles. 

Obed cleared off the deck to give the dogs a place to hang out, out of the snow when they needed a break.   

Buster was a brave little soldier and ventured out into the snow.

But then he decided it was better to hold post on the deck and keep guard of the winter wonderland from above.

Honey was not a fan, she walked in the snow like she was walking on some alien frontier.  She was back inside after a short time, where it was warm .

Jake was keeping an eye out for flying snowballs.  He tried to catch a few but his attempts were futile.   He was also keeping an eye out for the nut case below.

This is Girly a crazy, sweet and rambunctious chocolate lab that we took in a few weeks ago.  The plan is to find her a home…..we will see how that goes.

This nut job was flying, paunching and rolling in the snow.  If you weren’t careful she would take you out at the knees. 

She tried to take Jake down a few time but her attempts failed miserably. 

Christmas morning, presents, snows and doggies.  It was a good day.   Now off to start Christmas dinner.

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