Peggy Sullivan's blog

Just testing the cross blogging

Back in November 2008, we went to the Trinity River Audubon Center in Dallas.  You think that I would have more photos of the nature part, but no....  I was obsessed with the building.

Just testing the cross blogging

Back in November 2008, we went to the Trinity River Audubon Center in Dallas.  You think that I would have more photos of the nature part, but no....  I was obsessed with the building.

I need some more money

After watching the movie Sweet Home Alabama, I searched on line for Simon Pearce's work.  Now I want the following lamps:

For the dining room:

hanoverpendantlamp.jpg

For the bedroom, I will need two of these lamps:

stockbridgelampkit.jpg

Since these lamps cost $300.00 a piece, I decided to look around on the website for another alternative, and I'd found this lamp:

tallhamilton.jpg

I'd decided to quit looking since this black lamp cost $550.00. I was going up in price not down.

Oh, for Sweet Home Alabama, it was cute movie, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.

I need some more money

After watching the movie Sweet Home Alabama, I searched on line for Simon Pearce's work.  Now I want the following lamps:

For the dining room:

hanoverpendantlamp.jpg

For the bedroom, I will need two of these lamps:

stockbridgelampkit.jpg

Since these lamps cost $300.00 a piece, I decided to look around on the website for another alternative, and I'd found this lamp:

tallhamilton.jpg

I'd decided to quit looking since this black lamp cost $550.00. I was going up in price not down.

Oh, for Sweet Home Alabama, it was cute movie, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.

Hey an actual update

I've put some photos up on my flickr account from our vacation on Lake Ouachita, Arkansas. We rented a houseboat for 5 days with another couple. Talk about relaxing. We swam, kayaked, hiked, fished, rested, read, and ate for 5 whole days! No cell phones = peace and quiet. At night, we played cards, dominoes, and watched DVDs. During the days, we played and/or read. The air temperature was wonderfully perfect and so was the water temperature. I never felt so rested after a vacation. We didn’t run around trying to see every single thing. There was any sights to see. We just did what we wanted to do.

Kayaking on Lake Ouachita, Arkansas

To view the rest of the set, click here

Last Sunday night, RW and I went to the Alice in Chains concert at Noika Theater. Yes,
I know that Layne Staley is dead. Yes, I know that most people don’t consider this group playing as Alice in Chains as the “real” Alice in Chains. But give me a break. Alice in Chains is my favorite band. Look at my username. I had to see this grouping. I have seen Jerry Cantrell as a solo act a couple of times, but I wanted to see Mike Inez and Sean Kinney with him. Yes, I did have a chance to see the “real” Alice in Chains in 1993, but they were playing at the Ennis Race Track. Acres of concrete and aluminum bench seating in the middle of the summer in Texas, I couldn’t do it. I thought that I would see them next time AIC came into town. They never returned.

First off, Jerry Cantrell looked great. The second to last time that I saw him was in October 2003. He was dope skinny. Jerry fell off the stage once during the concert because he was so out of it. He then proceeded to fell down on the stage a couple of times during the show. It was sad and frightening.

Another thing was that this concert was bittersweet for a couple of reasons. First of course, Layne was dead. Second, the last time that I saw Jerry was at Deep Ellum Live. I was walking through the crowd heading to the restroom. I bumped into this hairy dude. I looked up into a face that looked like “Dimebag” Darrell from Pantera. I almost said it out loud, but I thought why would someone famous like Dimebag would be in the crowd with regular people like me. The guy looked at me waiting for me to say something, but I decided not to say anything. During the encore, Dimebag came out on stage and played “Them Bones” with Jerry’s band. Yikes, that guy was Dimebag. I realized later that Dimebag was in the crowd because he was a fan like me.

After that concert, I moved to Arlington, TX. Dimebag lived an half of a mile from my house. I would run into Dimebag at different restaurants around town. In fact, when RW and I went to Dimebag’s memorial at Arlington Convention Center, I ran into a couple of my favorite waiters from these different restaurants.

Anyway, back to this concert. The opening band was Hurt. They were hurtful. I ‘m sorry, but I can’t stand emo bands. During the tear down of Hurt’s stage and putting up AIC’s stage, RW saw Vinnie Paul, Dime’s brother, also from Pantera come out on stage. Then Alice in Chains came onto stage. I am awful about remembering song lists. I do know that they played “Bleed The Freak,” which is my favorite. They didn’t play “Frogs,” which is RW’s favorite. Also they didn’t play “Queen of the Rodeo,” another favorite of mine. AIC played great. They played for about 30 minutes of electric. Then the roadies brought out a carpet, stools, and tall linen lights. While the roadies were setting up this acoustic stage, a video montage of Layne Staley played on screen. When AIC returned to the stage, Jerry Cantrell asked for a hand for the boy, meaning Layne, and then he asked for a hand for Dimebag. AIC then played about 30 minutes of acoustic set. Then AIC went back to electric. The first song of the encore was “Rooster”. The real Rooster waved from stage right. I recognized Rooster from Jerry’s solo tours, Jerry would bring his Dad, Rooster, out on the stage to introduce him. The second song of the encore was “Would?” Almost 2 full hours of music. It was unbelievable. I love every single minute of the show. By the end of the show, I had planned a trip down to San Antonio to see them again on this Saturday. Then I realized that I already had plans for this Saturday. I am still thinking of going up to Oklahoma City in middle of November.

Yes, Jerry Cantrell did acted up during the show, but the other members kept him in check. During the second song of the show, Jerry threw his guitar to the stage floor. Yes, the guitar was his burnt Gibson that went slamming down onto the stage. Jerry then walked off stage. Luckily the band kept playing. Then Jerry had returned with another guitar. Jerry bitched a few times during the show that his guitar tech wasn’t doing his job. Ok, the sound wasn’t perfect. But jeez, don’t ruin the show any more than that. During the acoustic set, Jerry almost walked off, but the new singer, William Duvall stopped him by saying that we all will help him through the set. During the last electric set, Jerry stopped playing to throw a shirt, which someone paid $40.00 – it was AIC shirt. which landed on the stage to the right side of the stage.

After writing all of this down, yes, Jerry was testy, but at least I didn’t leave the venue thinking that he would be dead by the end of the year. Jerry was just being Jerry. Overall, Jerry didn’t ruin the night for me. Mike Inez looked like he was having the time of his life. Mike Inez just oozed joy and happiness. Sean Kinney also looked like he was having fun and enjoyed his time on the stage. The singer, William Duvall, was good. I have already seen him the couple of times that I saw Jerry’s solo act. William Duvall sings with “Comes with the Fall.” They were Jerry’s opening act. William Duvall would sing Layne’s part for any AIC songs that Jerry would play in these concerts. I already knew that William Duvall would sing well.

Now, I have to go back to work.

Hey an actual update

I've put some photos up on my flickr account from our vacation on Lake Ouachita, Arkansas. We rented a houseboat for 5 days with another couple. Talk about relaxing. We swam, kayaked, hiked, fished, rested, read, and ate for 5 whole days! No cell phones = peace and quiet. At night, we played cards, dominoes, and watched DVDs. During the days, we played and/or read. The air temperature was wonderfully perfect and so was the water temperature. I never felt so rested after a vacation. We didn’t run around trying to see every single thing. There was any sights to see. We just did what we wanted to do.

Kayaking on Lake Ouachita, Arkansas

To view the rest of the set, click here

Last Sunday night, RW and I went to the Alice in Chains concert at Noika Theater. Yes,
I know that Layne Staley is dead. Yes, I know that most people don’t consider this group playing as Alice in Chains as the “real” Alice in Chains. But give me a break. Alice in Chains is my favorite band. Look at my username. I had to see this grouping. I have seen Jerry Cantrell as a solo act a couple of times, but I wanted to see Mike Inez and Sean Kinney with him. Yes, I did have a chance to see the “real” Alice in Chains in 1993, but they were playing at the Ennis Race Track. Acres of concrete and aluminum bench seating in the middle of the summer in Texas, I couldn’t do it. I thought that I would see them next time AIC came into town. They never returned.

First off, Jerry Cantrell looked great. The second to last time that I saw him was in October 2003. He was dope skinny. Jerry fell off the stage once during the concert because he was so out of it. He then proceeded to fell down on the stage a couple of times during the show. It was sad and frightening.

Another thing was that this concert was bittersweet for a couple of reasons. First of course, Layne was dead. Second, the last time that I saw Jerry was at Deep Ellum Live. I was walking through the crowd heading to the restroom. I bumped into this hairy dude. I looked up into a face that looked like “Dimebag” Darrell from Pantera. I almost said it out loud, but I thought why would someone famous like Dimebag would be in the crowd with regular people like me. The guy looked at me waiting for me to say something, but I decided not to say anything. During the encore, Dimebag came out on stage and played “Them Bones” with Jerry’s band. Yikes, that guy was Dimebag. I realized later that Dimebag was in the crowd because he was a fan like me.

After that concert, I moved to Arlington, TX. Dimebag lived an half of a mile from my house. I would run into Dimebag at different restaurants around town. In fact, when RW and I went to Dimebag’s memorial at Arlington Convention Center, I ran into a couple of my favorite waiters from these different restaurants.

Anyway, back to this concert. The opening band was Hurt. They were hurtful. I ‘m sorry, but I can’t stand emo bands. During the tear down of Hurt’s stage and putting up AIC’s stage, RW saw Vinnie Paul, Dime’s brother, also from Pantera come out on stage. Then Alice in Chains came onto stage. I am awful about remembering song lists. I do know that they played “Bleed The Freak,” which is my favorite. They didn’t play “Frogs,” which is RW’s favorite. Also they didn’t play “Queen of the Rodeo,” another favorite of mine. AIC played great. They played for about 30 minutes of electric. Then the roadies brought out a carpet, stools, and tall linen lights. While the roadies were setting up this acoustic stage, a video montage of Layne Staley played on screen. When AIC returned to the stage, Jerry Cantrell asked for a hand for the boy, meaning Layne, and then he asked for a hand for Dimebag. AIC then played about 30 minutes of acoustic set. Then AIC went back to electric. The first song of the encore was “Rooster”. The real Rooster waved from stage right. I recognized Rooster from Jerry’s solo tours, Jerry would bring his Dad, Rooster, out on the stage to introduce him. The second song of the encore was “Would?” Almost 2 full hours of music. It was unbelievable. I love every single minute of the show. By the end of the show, I had planned a trip down to San Antonio to see them again on this Saturday. Then I realized that I already had plans for this Saturday. I am still thinking of going up to Oklahoma City in middle of November.

Yes, Jerry Cantrell did acted up during the show, but the other members kept him in check. During the second song of the show, Jerry threw his guitar to the stage floor. Yes, the guitar was his burnt Gibson that went slamming down onto the stage. Jerry then walked off stage. Luckily the band kept playing. Then Jerry had returned with another guitar. Jerry bitched a few times during the show that his guitar tech wasn’t doing his job. Ok, the sound wasn’t perfect. But jeez, don’t ruin the show any more than that. During the acoustic set, Jerry almost walked off, but the new singer, William Duvall stopped him by saying that we all will help him through the set. During the last electric set, Jerry stopped playing to throw a shirt, which someone paid $40.00 – it was AIC shirt. which landed on the stage to the right side of the stage.

After writing all of this down, yes, Jerry was testy, but at least I didn’t leave the venue thinking that he would be dead by the end of the year. Jerry was just being Jerry. Overall, Jerry didn’t ruin the night for me. Mike Inez looked like he was having the time of his life. Mike Inez just oozed joy and happiness. Sean Kinney also looked like he was having fun and enjoyed his time on the stage. The singer, William Duvall, was good. I have already seen him the couple of times that I saw Jerry’s solo act. William Duvall sings with “Comes with the Fall.” They were Jerry’s opening act. William Duvall would sing Layne’s part for any AIC songs that Jerry would play in these concerts. I already knew that William Duvall would sing well.

Now, I have to go back to work.

Pine Shadows...

This has been a busy week. And it will be busy for the next week.  Then we will sit and relax on a houseboat for 5 glorious days.

Pine Shadows

Pine Shadows...

This has been a busy week. And it will be busy for the next week.  Then we will sit and relax on a houseboat for 5 glorious days.

Pine Shadows

The best dinner ever

I was too busy eating to take a photo of this meal.

Gambas Mojo de Ajo (Shrimp wet with garlic)

From Gwin Grogan Grime’s Gorgeous Garlic.

Serves 4

·    2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
·    1 pound of shrimp (21-25 per pound), rinsed, shelled and deveined
·    6 cloves garlic, minced
·    Juice of 1 lemon
·    ¼ teaspoon of oregano
·    ¼ teaspoon of Spanish paprika
·    ½ teaspoon of garlic-flavored Tabasco sauce
·    1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro leaves
·    pinch of salt
·    pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Pre heat the oven to 450 degrees.  Grease a shallow pan or ovenproof baking dish with some of the butter.  Lay shrimp in one layer in the dish.

In a small bowl, mix garlic, lemon juice, oregano, Tabasco, cilantro, paprika, salt and pepper.  Pour this mixture over the shrimp in the baking dish.  Dot with remaining butter.  Place the baking dish in the oven and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.

I'd added more garlic, more butter, and more lemon juice.  The actual recipe didn't call for paprika.  I just thought that the paprika would be great in this recipe.  Then after eating, I realize that I had forgotten the Tabasco. 

I served this shrimp on saffron rice. 

Saffron Rice Pilaf
1 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup minced onion
1/2 cup diced carrots
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups hot chicken stock
1 good pinch saffron threads
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup petite peas, thawed if frozen
Chopped parsley, for garnish, if desired

In a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the onion and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Stir in the rice; cook and stir for another five minutes. Now pour in the hot chicken stock and add the saffron. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat enough to maintain a bare simmer. Drop in the bay leaf and add the peas. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
After 20 minutes check to make sure all the liquid has been absorbed. If it has not, continue cooking for about 5 more minutes. When all the liquid is absorbed, remove from heat and allow to sit, with the lid still on, for another 5 minutes. Fluff rice pilaf with a fork and transfer to a warmed serving dish. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if using, and serve right away.
Yield: 6 servings

On this recipe, I didn't have peas and carrots. 

This Shrimp wet with garlic onto saffron rice was the best tasting meal that I have had in weeks.

Yum!

The best dinner ever

I was too busy eating to take a photo of this meal.

Gambas Mojo de Ajo (Shrimp wet with garlic)

From Gwin Grogan Grime’s Gorgeous Garlic.

Serves 4

·    2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
·    1 pound of shrimp (21-25 per pound), rinsed, shelled and deveined
·    6 cloves garlic, minced
·    Juice of 1 lemon
·    ¼ teaspoon of oregano
·    ¼ teaspoon of Spanish paprika
·    ½ teaspoon of garlic-flavored Tabasco sauce
·    1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro leaves
·    pinch of salt
·    pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Pre heat the oven to 450 degrees.  Grease a shallow pan or ovenproof baking dish with some of the butter.  Lay shrimp in one layer in the dish.

In a small bowl, mix garlic, lemon juice, oregano, Tabasco, cilantro, paprika, salt and pepper.  Pour this mixture over the shrimp in the baking dish.  Dot with remaining butter.  Place the baking dish in the oven and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.

I'd added more garlic, more butter, and more lemon juice.  The actual recipe didn't call for paprika.  I just thought that the paprika would be great in this recipe.  Then after eating, I realize that I had forgotten the Tabasco. 

I served this shrimp on saffron rice. 

Saffron Rice Pilaf
1 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup minced onion
1/2 cup diced carrots
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups hot chicken stock
1 good pinch saffron threads
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup petite peas, thawed if frozen
Chopped parsley, for garnish, if desired

In a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the onion and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Stir in the rice; cook and stir for another five minutes. Now pour in the hot chicken stock and add the saffron. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat enough to maintain a bare simmer. Drop in the bay leaf and add the peas. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
After 20 minutes check to make sure all the liquid has been absorbed. If it has not, continue cooking for about 5 more minutes. When all the liquid is absorbed, remove from heat and allow to sit, with the lid still on, for another 5 minutes. Fluff rice pilaf with a fork and transfer to a warmed serving dish. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if using, and serve right away.
Yield: 6 servings

On this recipe, I didn't have peas and carrots. 

This Shrimp wet with garlic onto saffron rice was the best tasting meal that I have had in weeks.

Yum!