Las Vegas

Back from Vegas and the National Finals Rodeo!!! Hope everyone has followed our trip at rodeorowdies.blogspot.com

Black Friday Shopping Tips

1. Dress appropriately.
Sure, you want to show off your new 3-inch heels, but unless you're going clubbing on Black Friday, leave the stilettos at home. Instead, opt for comfortable flats that will bring you through the long haul -- after all, this day is not for the faint at heel!

2. Preparation is key!
Your boy scout son is nodding his head right about now. Stash a few granola bars, antibacterial soap, baby wipes, Band Aids, and whatever else you might need for any miscellaneous mishaps that may occur along the way (Diet Coke? Flask? Taser?). The last thing you want to do on your way to scoring a $5 microwave is stop for a snack break.

3. Scout the scene.
Check out any unfamiliar stores a few days before Thanksgiving so you can make a beeline to the items you're coveting. Talk to sales associates to find out where special door busters will be placed. Strategy is everything.

4. Know your sales.
Bring sale ads with you for clarification and extra in-store coupons, or in case you hit an extra grouchy associate that you'll need to defend yourself against. Many stores will price-match, but you can't get the deal without the coupon!

5. Be fierce.
Black Friday is the Olympics of shopping. Leave uninterested spouses or slowpoke children at home and bring teenagers who can run fast and aren't afraid of a good bribe.

6. Park it.
Never waste time circling a parking lot four times to get a spot by the door; it only wastes time. Instead, park in the first spot you see and walk off all that turkey you ate the day before!

7. Calm down.
The term "door busters" isn't meant to be literal, so let's all ban together to experience a stampede-free Black Friday. After all, a $10 DVD player isn't worth a $900 dollar ER visit.

8. Divide and Conquer.
Bring a few (fast!) friends and find out what their needs are. By shopping together, you can hit different areas of the store and meet back at the checkout faster than you can say "Black Friday."

9. Focus.
Shop only your advertised necessities that you've prepared for. Each moment you spend picking out regular-priced underwear will lessen your chance of scoring that $50 computer.

Follow our handy Black Friday guide and breeze through this year's holiday shopping. And remember -- it's OK to pick out a gift for yourself. 'Tis the season!

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New Moon

Team Jacob

Twilight

Getting ready for New Moon. Watched Twilight, read New Moon again. The Min Pins were trying to help. The Flea kept pulling book down. Isabella, had to be on lap all afternoon.
Can't wait, New Moon on Saturday. All the trailers and re-reading book have really got me excited. I hope it is as good as I hope.
Are they going to ruin it with new director and big budget. Are they going to follow the story. I thought they did a "good" job in Twilight. You can't have every moment from a book in a film.

Bath Day

Three Setters... No room for Connie on bed. He would not quit trying to squeeze in.

Twlight Fever

NEW MOON COUNTDOWN!!!!
10 Days...... Planning on 10:10 am show on Saturday morning. Yeah. Its opening Thursday Midnight shows in 7!!! theatres.
Rachel Ray show tomorrow all about Twilight. Cast on Regis and Kelly next week. Vamp alert on Ellen on the 20th.

I've been trying to perfect a logo for min pin club, fighting a deadline. Hard to make everyone happy. Here is what I think could be finale try.
Wanted to make T shirts and mugs for Vegas trip. But have put off till after club deadline. But this came to me last night. Why I was dreaming about a B&D song, I don't know:)
Computer added horizontal lines.

Titanic

Connie doing his "King of the World" impression from the tub.
They are threatening SNOW after some beautiful days here.
Afternoons are so sunny, everyone is smiling.

Halloween Trick or Treating

Our Little Trick or Treater

Andy and Taylor at Door

What a fun night. Taylors first time out as a Trick or Treater. So cute in her costume. She was knocking on doors, often jumping the gun and saying "trick or treat" even before the door opened. Hard decisions had to be made when the bowl was offered and she had to make the pick of which candy she would pick.

She was a so friendly and a little snoop. Peering in the house's past the owner who opened the door. Greeting the many dogs who were helping their owners.

(I wish many dog owners would have been more careful about their dogs rushing the door. Most were over joyed to see us, some were very pushy pulling past owners to get out to us and one growled at my witch's hat. And I couldn't believe how many had carelessly left their cats outside. Unfortunately Halloween Night is a dangerous time for pets).

OKAY OFF MY SOAPBOX!

We were out from Dusk to Dark, a unbelievable 2 hours on the streets of Redmond. And Taylor walked the whole way and wanted to "Get more candy", even as we were heading home.

Jodie carried darling Paige Olivia in a "Snuggle Bag" on her chest. She fussed a bit, then fell asleep through the rest of the trip. Andy took alot of pictures of the trip, can't wait to see them. His pockets were full as he emptied Taylor's little jack o lantern pail. It was filled to overflowing many times.

Annette had really done a great job on her make up as a witch. Taylor wasn't to sure about Annette's, warty, big witch's nose. Even at the house she greeted her Grandma, but gave a hint she was wondering if that really was her beloved Grandma. But there was no worry about holding Annette's hand to go to the lighted doors.

What a great time. Thank you for inviting me:)

One funny note, I had been in WAL MART 2 months ago when they first had displayed the costumes. I immediately fell in love with a gorgeous witch's hat, with a feathered sparkly brim. I would wear it everyday its so pretty. And a cool cape.

Guess what Annette had bought the exact same hat. Too funny.

Daylight Savings

Halloween Night

Annette and Paige Olivia

Taylor getting ready

Woke up a little confused. With so many clocks that automatically update, I always wonder did the clock set its self??? What time is it really??

But when I saw a little light peeking in past my dark curtains, I thought oh good. At least it will be light before I leave for work this week. Its been hard getting the minnis to stay outside in the dark and cold before work, and finish their business.

Checked my smoke alarm this morning. All good there. Hope everyone does the same.

Leaf Raking

A beautiful Halloween in Central Oregon. Going to Redmond to go Trick or Treating with Taylor. Can't wait. And Annette is making Sloppy Joes. Oh joy, oh Bliss:)

Spent a couple of hours out raking leaves. The min pins helped........ and Conway and some of the girls supervised. Thank goodness my roll cart filled up fast.

Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween.

Indoor Cooking

Bummed out last night I had to use Forman Grill for the first time after a great summer season BBQ'n. How did summer go by so fast. Just didn't want to deal with the cold and dark last night.

Yumm, I had forgotten how great steak comes out using Forman. So juicy and tender.

I got a tri tip for this weekend. Looking for a great recipe. Might try braising it and slow cooking in oven. My guacamole and cheese are at the ready for some great meals.

Bzzzzzzzzzz

Happy Halloween Everyone!

From All the Bees and Flowers at

Bella Moon

The Bee and Her Flower

St Patty's Day??

Uh oh.... Connie has his holidays mixed up:) Looks like he needs a green beer.

R & R

A little down time at motel. We don't show until 2:30pm. I wonder who designed those awful bedspreads. The Flea stole Conway's big chew and he is finishing her little "special" chew.

Vancouver

Arrived safe and sound in Vancouver. Staying at a friendly Motel 6. It the first time I haven't gotten a ground floor. Boy the stairs are a pain. They don't have the nice grounds like many do. The people that live here in motel don't pick up their dogs poop. I don't want to take Connie and The Flea out there. YUCK!!!

I thought I had a package of wee wee pads in van. The Flea uses them great. There is major shopping all around us, so will head out to get supplies and dinner.

We don't show until the afternoon so we don't have to rush out of here in am.

This is a picture of Conway posing as Cheryl's Facebook profile. She just hasn't picked out a picture yet. I think she should use Connie's.

Lobster attack

Sneak peek of girls Lobster costume. Its very cute. But the min pin's are on the attack. They are Lobster Wrestler's.

Snow on the Cascades

Sunday Dpg Park

Indian Summer?

Saturday was a 70 plus degree day. Minni's and I loved it. Sat out on patio and read a really good book about baseball....

If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving a infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base. Dave Barry.

It was chilly Saturday morning and I put a little bed by heater for the Min Pins, but like usual they had to share with a Setter.

Sent this picture to Annette on Facebook, wishing her a Happy Birthday. She loves "Ferdinand".

Connie is working on his Halloween costume to be The Bee's Flower. He needs a green sweater for the stem. Iam hoping that I don't have to get out my sewing machine.

The Not so Wicked Witch

Got costume out to put on little dog statue on table, but Connie had to model first.

He looks good, but we are still working on his flower costume to go with the Flea Bee.

Emmy got a lobster costume, but don't have any pics yet. Its akinda a stuffie and the min pins pull at it. Going to have to take to work to get a picture.

Freezing Rain

Brrr freezing rain storm yesterday. I can't wait to get my studded tires on. Big warm up this week. Promised 72 degrees this weekend.

I hope weather stays mild. Trying to go to last show of The Flea's winter show season. Its in Vancouver next weekend. Studded tires not allowed until Nov 1. But I will put on early.

Isabella's Dad

CH Chateau Acres Stetson

I wish I was on my PC, I don't have Tahoe picture available. But his grandson does Stetson proud. They look so much alike.

It seems like yesterday, but it was 10 years ago, I decided to get a show dog. It was the early days of the Internet and I happened upon a woman in Idaho who didn't have any puppies, just a few pointed girls. At that time I only wanted a 8 week old puppy(NEWBIE).
But she told me about the PNWMPC Speciality in Canby. She told me to call the girls bitches or no one would take me seriously and to wait at ringside until show was over, before approaching anyone One was true:)
So I did.
I got to see a few puppies. Judy and Janis were just back from Florida. They had puppies, Twana was one, she was so nice, but not available.
Sharon and Ann had puppies. So I went to Ann's set up first. She really didn't have a show prospect right then, told me I should look at Sharon's.
I went to look at Sharon's. She was parked out on the grass, by the fence.
Never knowing show dogs, just around the top hunting setters and Nationally know Arabians I had no clue about show dogs, but knew beauty and movement.
Sharon had 6 or 8 puppies in pen. "Oh I want that one". She was so striking. Sorry just sold her last night to family parked next to me. That was Skip and Nancy. The beginning of our friendship.Okay, The dark red one looks special. "No keeping her for my breeding program". I couldn't decide what to do. Followed the shows around the NW that summer, learning and listening. Finally at Brush Prairie Gloria told Sharon to take a chance on me. Sharon let me have Isabella.
All 3 of those girls were Stetson puppies. All became Champions. He had many others.
Thank you CH Chateau Acres Stetson.

Rhonda and CH Chateau Acres Isabella Bean

YUMMMM

Great new recipe. Very easy and good.

Penne with Braised Short RibsRecipe courtesy Giada de Laurentiis
Ingredients
4 pounds beef short ribsKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper1/4 cup olive oil1 large onion, diced3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped5 Roma tomatoes, cut into eighths1 cup red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon3 tablespoons Dijon mustard2 cups low-sodium beef broth1 pound penne pasta1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Directions
Place an oven rack in the lower 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Season the ribs with salt and pepper. In a large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or ovenproof stock pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. In batches, add the ribs and brown on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the ribs and set aside. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, wine and mustard. Bring the mixture to a boil and scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Return the ribs to the pan. Add the beef broth, cover the pan and place in the oven for 2 1/2 hours until the meat is fork-tender and falls easily from the bone.
Remove the ribs from the cooking liquid. Using a large spoon, remove any excess fat from the surface of the cooking liquid. Using a ladle, transfer the cooking liquid in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the mixture is smooth. Pour the sauce into a saucepan and keep warm over low heat. Remove the meat from the bones. Discard the bones. Using 2 forks, shred the meat into small pieces. Stir the shredded meat into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and place in a large serving bowl. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat from the sauce and add to the pasta. Pour 1 cup of the sauce over the pasta. Toss well and thin out the pasta with more sauce, if needed. Sprinkle the pasta with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley before serving.

Halloweeen is Coming

The Flea is a bee!!!

Up next....

Connie is her flower:)

Love

Taylor 3 years and Paige 1 week

Snow Storm aftermath

Ahhh took most of day to get phone at shop connected. Phone company forwarded calls to my cell so that worked out great.

They are here now cutting down the big limbs from Cherry tree in backyard. Not going to be much tree left. Hope it survives. Its a very pretty tree and gives dogs lots of shade.

The snow was so dirty when it fell. Really looked yucky. Turns out the HUGE dust storms up in WA around Moses Lake was mixed in snow. They closed the highways for a time up there. Five feet visibility.

So picture shows what our cars and everything else is covered with.

Tired of winter:)

Hard to get good pictures of min pins in snow. The Flea doesn't mind it, but she runs so fast I can't get picture. Other ladies, stay under trees where snow not so deep. I washed 8 throw rugs yesterday at Laundromat. Wonder if they will dry by spring.

Snow Day