Father's Day Boat Trip

Captain Rocki :)

Thought I would share just a few pictures of our fun Father's Day boat trip to Lake Pleasant.  Yep that's me playing First Mate to Captain Chris, my brother.

Beautiful day at Lake Pleasant

We live about 20 minutes away from the lake but since we have a pool we rarely go, unless it is with Chris and his family on the boat.  When they lived in Florida we used to visit them - going on boat trips there was a whole other experience.  I just loved the open water, watching the dolphins and breathing the ocean air. 

Peace dude!

Captain Chris is grilling up some grub for his crew (We brought our huge bag of salad greens and other raw goodies to share).  My dad and his gal Yolanda enjoyed the relaxing trip. 

Mark chillaxin'

Mark jumped ship for a bit and hit the water.  It was only in the low 100's that day, so wasn't too hot.

Chris and Ian

 It was time for the Captain to enjoy the water along with Ian, my awesome nephew. 

Soulmates * Best Friends * Love of my Life

That hat cracks me up!  I only wear it for sun protection, I just don't look good in hats or particularly like wearing them.  Anyway, this is a simple little picture of us but I just love it! 

Cool Sailboat

Came across this beautiful sailboat and had to take a picture of it.

Captain Chris and First Mate Rocki

A lot of hard work goes into maintaining a boat, getting it ready for a trip and then when it's over as well.  So we always thank my brother and sister-in-law for all they do to make it happen.  We so appreciate and love them to pieces!

Well, that's all folks.  Just a quickie blog sharing our fun boating day at the lake with all the dad's on board.  Hope everyone enjoyed their Father's Day as well.

Peace,
Rocki

Long time no blog

Short and sweet...

I've been enjoying my summer, how about you? In between working and such I've been swimming laps just about daily, bicycling (stopped last month though - too hot!), enjoying time with my honey and now on my biggie vacation in Florida - with my dad who'll be celebrating his 69th birthday! Go dad!

Okay, I said short and sweet. Hope to blog more when I return.

Oh - so you're probably wondering what the heck does the photo have to do with this post. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I just think that little guy is so cute! That is Mark's finger pointing at the little critter when we went to the Wildlife Zoo a few months ago. Okay, so they are both cute :)

Chow for now.
Rocki

Summer, gotta' love it!

I love the sun and REALLY love summer time! My body does not like cold weather at all. I love every aspect of the sun, in fact I do believe I have sunshine pouring through my veins.

Although originally from California (until the big Sylmar quake of 71 that took our 2 story house down to a 1 story - I may blog about that sometime), Arizona is and always will be my home. Yes, it's hotter than H.E.L.L. during the summer time... okay, more than just the summer time, but hey... "it's a dry heat."

So what are your plans for the summer? Mine? Well, we were originally going to go to Cali/Knotts Berry Farm in June, but had to change plans due to my wrists and all. So, we are going there for 1 week in August. I am VERY much looking forward to it!

Barbeque's are always fun. See the big burger above? That looks just about like one of my dad's famous burgers, but smaller. Dad makes the BEST burgers ever! Including his own BBQ sauce ranging from root beer, jalapeno, apricot, etc. The man loves his BBQ!

For me, summer time brings out the best in people, just like during the winter holidays. Well, except if you're in Arizona getting into your extremely hot car that has been sitting in the parking lot while shopping, burning your bum on the leather seat, grabbing hold of the steering wheel which has turned into hot magma and then scream in pain.

Camping! LOVE camping! Haven't been in a few years and we really miss going, but that is a fun summer/anytime event. Now I must admit that our tent setup looks NOTHING like the one above. Ours is blue. Naw, really, we camp like real campers... sleeping bags, tents, campfire, make shift kitchen, roast marshmallows, make coffee on the rocks by the campfire, etc. Fun times!

There are many things to do during the summer and no matter if it is simply hanging around the house, going to movies, relaxing at the beach, lake or back yard pool, visiting friends, having BBQ parties, creating for the upcoming holidays, cleaning out the closets (okay, maybe not that one) or simply doing nothing - enjoy it and don't waste it - life is precious so enjoy every moment!

Happy summer!

Rocki

Yummy Organic No-Cook Summer Recipes

Living in the southwest, we pretty much thrive on Mexican food. Okay, maybe it's just me and several other thousand Mexican food lovers. In any case, I came across these recipes by chance at OrganicToBe.org. This site has some fabulous info, blogs, recipes and more. Below are some yummy no-cook summer or anytime recipes from Farmgirl Fare on the same site that I thought you may enjoy!

Mexican Jumping Bean Slaw Tacos (above)
Few Tablespoons olive or canola oil
Corn tortillas

Optional toppings:
Chopped vine-ripened tomatoes
Chopped fresh cilantro
More High Kickin' Creamy Tomato Dressing
Sour cream
Guacamole or diced avocado
Shredded cheese

Heat 2 Tablespoons oil in a large skillet. Add two or three tortillas. Using tongs, turn tortillas over so that both sides are covered with oil. Let cook, turning once or twice more, until just starting to crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Set on a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle lightly with salt. Cook the remaining tortillas, adding more oil to the skillet as needed.

To serve, fold warm tortillas in half and stuff with Mexican Jumping Bean Slaw and optional toppings, drizzling with more High Kickin’ Creamy Tomato Dressing if desired. Mexican Jumping Bean Slaw
Serves 4 to 6 -- Recipe may be doubled

This delicious and healthful coleslaw-type salad doesn’t actually contain any jumping beans and is more Tex-Mex than Mexican, but when it comes to dubbing new dishes I’ll admit that sometimes catchy wins out over reality. Besides, with a name like Mexican Jumping Bean Slaw, you might even be able to talk any picky little eaters at your table into seeing if they’re able to pop a bite in their mouth before it jumps right off their fork.

The snappy tomato dressing, which was inspired by last summer's Seven Second Tomato Glut Solution (oh how I wish I had that glut this year), whizzes together in seconds in the blender and can be used on all sorts of other things besides this slaw (see my suggestions at the end of the recipe), but you can always use a bottled dressing instead. Trader Joe’s sells a lowfat creamy cilantro dressing in their refrigerated section that’s full of flavor but not calories.

The optional cooked chicken turns this into a heartier dish that’s perfect for a summer supper with friends, or for feeding people who simply can’t fathom the idea of eating a vegetarian taco.

As always, I urge you to seek out local and organic ingredients whenever possible. They really do make a difference in so many ways. Cans of organic black beans and organic corn are versatile pantry staples, and both can often be found for about a dollar.

3 cups (about 9 ounces) shredded green cabbage
1 cup (about 3 ounces) shredded purple cabbage
2 large sweet red peppers, diced
2 medium carrots, grated
4 large scallions, chopped
1 15-ounce can organic black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-ounce can organic whole sweet corn, drained or 1-1/2 cups cooked fresh corn
2 cups shredded or diced cooked chicken (optional)
Salt to taste

2-1/2 cups High Kickin’ Creamy Tomato Dressing (see recipe below)

In a large bowl, combine green cabbage, purple cabbage, red peppers, carrots, black beans, and corn. Stir in chicken if desired. Add 2 cups dressing and mix well, adding another 1/2 cup dressing if desired. Salt to taste. Serve immediately, or for best flavor, chill for several hours or overnight. Slaw will keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.

High Kickin' Creamy Tomato Dressing
Makes about 3-1/2 cups

1 pound juicy, vine-ripened tomatoes (about 3 medium), coarsely chopped
1 cup yogurt (I use lowfat or nonfat)
1 cup sour cream (I use lowfat)
3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 cloves garlic, peeled & chopped
1 Tablespoon ground cumin, preferably freshly ground*
1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds, preferably freshly ground*
1 teaspoon Chile powder* (or more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, adding a little more tomato if it’s too thick. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Warning note: The heat from the Chile powder in the dressing becomes more pronounced the next day.

Other ways to enjoy this dressing:
--Mixed into a Tex-Mex potato salad
--Drizzled over a platter of sliced garden tomatoes
--Tossed with a green salad
--With a plate of grilled summer squash
--In your favorite chicken salad
--As a quick way to give rice salad a kick

I don't know about you, but I know what I'm making for dinner tonight!

Rocki

Taking the day off!

There are perks to owning and running your own business:

- don't have to wear nylons (yuck!)
- can work in my pj's, house robe, shorts & tank or sun dress - even in the nude (if I wanted to)
- don't have to clock in and out
- can eat & drink at my work station
- don't have to worry if I'm running late
- can take breaks whenever and as often as I like
- lunch can last for hours
- can play any type of music I want without hearing complaints
- can take the day off whenever I want - like TODAY!

Yep. I'm taking the day off!! I worked extra hard this week in order to make this happen. I guess that's one of the downfalls of owning & running your own business - if you're not there, nothing gets done. As long as you plan it right, it will work out.

My brother Chris is taking us & Jeremy to Lake Pleasant today on his boat. I'm looking forward to soaking up the sun, feeling the water spraying on my face and watching Jeremy zipping along the lake in the big water tube!

I'll be back Monday with a very cool spotlight on a fellow blogger buddy & Etsian :)

Enjoy your weekend and remember to smile!

Rocki

Color My World - Inspire My Life

So I was playing around the other day with my colorful little glass beads and thought of an idea. I know I know - I'm sure others have thought about it as well AND have done it without us even knowing it. But it came to my mind all the same so I ran with it.

Speaking of that, what hasn't been done a million times over in the art world? We are all inspired by life, nature, our surroundings, events, each other, magazines... actually everything is inspiration to us. Many, ideas in the art world have been repeated over and over again without us even realizing it. We come up with an idea, put our own spin on it, and make it truly our own.

Wow... sorry. I was just thinking about another thread I came across where people were bickering about who made what first, so and so was copying, was it the chicken or the egg, yada yada yada. I don't read those threads - just breeze over them. Please don't get me wrong, I know that there are some people that actually copy and cheat and that is terribly sad (karma), but some are truly mere coencidence. One day I was getting ready to post one of my new crystal anklets until I came across one EXACTLY like mine that had just posted!! I mean, almost to the T - colors and all! I sort of freaked and thought, wow - that's weird! I may or may not post it.

Back to topic... so when I was playing with my idea, I thought how fun it would be to make a pair of earwires that could be changed out with lots of little glass beads. Nothing too fancy or difficult mind you, just something fun and colorful. So I came up with my Color My World earring kit. Oh, and I'm getting ready to make another earwire for this little kit - something with a little more flavor I think.

Inspiration: arousal of the mind from sources of life, art, ideas and so forth; a product of your creative thinking at work.

Happy day and peace to all,

☼ Rocki