Backyard update...
Although I am not yet sitting pond-side sipping margarittas, despite the rain we were able to make considerable headway this weekend. The hardest, and most time consuming part is preparing the yard for the things that are to come. For example, before the patio can be installed, the ground beneath it needs to be prepped. This is a multi-stage process that is back-breaking and time consuming. Once that's done, you get to lay the brick for the patio. We were able to install the pipes for the sprinkler system and now minor work needs to be done on that to make it functional. Although we've accomplished a lot, it may not look like it to the outsider. This prepping dirt for more dirt thing is crazy.
It probably won't be until Wednesday that the patio starts to take shape, but once it does, it'll look darn pretty. I keep thinking about the end result and that's what's getting me through the grueling, hard labor I told myself I'd never do. And then I became a homeowner. Sheesh!
I had a wonderful time with my parents, although most of it was spent slaving in the backyard. I cooked what seemed like a massive dinner for 8 (I was planning on 10) Saturday night. The menu included butternut squash and goat cheese spread and artichoke dip for appetizers. That was followed with a salad made of baby greens mixed with gorgonzola, walnuts and croutons topped with raspberry vinaigrette. The main course was as American as it gets: prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes and corn. Dessert was planned to be strawberry shortcake, but Amber showed up with ice cream and the fixin's for her Grandma's infamous home-made chocolate sauce. The sauce was made and many opted for ice cream with the sauce AND strawberries. You couldn't go wrong. Some opted for the strawberry shortcake. In all it was a nice time, but it wore me out. I love cooking but man, can it make you tired!
I spent five hours or so with my dad and Beth at the Summit.com NHRA Dragster races being held at "The Strip" at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday. I've never been to a drag race before, and the experience was well worth sitting in the heat. Here are some statistics that blew me away, literally: the Top Fuel dragsters have nearly seven-thousand horsepower yet their engine can be carried by two adults. Those engines propel the cars from zero to 330 MPH in under five seconds. When the dragster races by you, it would measure 5.6 on the Richter Scale. The feeling and sensation is simply indescribable. We spent some time down in the pits watching as each crew literally tears down and rebuilds their car's engine after each run, and they're given 90-minutes to complete the re-build.
Dragster junkies like to hang out near the cars for when the crews fire them up after rebuilding the engine. The nitrogen used to power the cars is very strong and can burn your eyes, nose and throat. These junkies thrive on that blast of nitro when the car is started, Beth and I nearly died. Dad said we had to experience it, and we did. Once was definitely enough. We finally hooked up with mom again, who stayed home to rest while still recovering from walking pneumonia, and went to Taqueria Canonita inside the Venetian for dinner. The food is great and the sangria margarittas are to die for. From there we walked to Treasure Island to watch the new pirate show. We were all disappointed. I have heard that is the general reaction from those who've seen it. It makes me wonder if they'll change it again soon to counter that negative press. I liked the old one much better.
Although I am not yet sitting pond-side sipping margarittas, despite the rain we were able to make considerable headway this weekend. The hardest, and most time consuming part is preparing the yard for the things that are to come. For example, before the patio can be installed, the ground beneath it needs to be prepped. This is a multi-stage process that is back-breaking and time consuming. Once that's done, you get to lay the brick for the patio. We were able to install the pipes for the sprinkler system and now minor work needs to be done on that to make it functional. Although we've accomplished a lot, it may not look like it to the outsider. This prepping dirt for more dirt thing is crazy.
It probably won't be until Wednesday that the patio starts to take shape, but once it does, it'll look darn pretty. I keep thinking about the end result and that's what's getting me through the grueling, hard labor I told myself I'd never do. And then I became a homeowner. Sheesh!
I had a wonderful time with my parents, although most of it was spent slaving in the backyard. I cooked what seemed like a massive dinner for 8 (I was planning on 10) Saturday night. The menu included butternut squash and goat cheese spread and artichoke dip for appetizers. That was followed with a salad made of baby greens mixed with gorgonzola, walnuts and croutons topped with raspberry vinaigrette. The main course was as American as it gets: prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes and corn. Dessert was planned to be strawberry shortcake, but Amber showed up with ice cream and the fixin's for her Grandma's infamous home-made chocolate sauce. The sauce was made and many opted for ice cream with the sauce AND strawberries. You couldn't go wrong. Some opted for the strawberry shortcake. In all it was a nice time, but it wore me out. I love cooking but man, can it make you tired!
I spent five hours or so with my dad and Beth at the Summit.com NHRA Dragster races being held at "The Strip" at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday. I've never been to a drag race before, and the experience was well worth sitting in the heat. Here are some statistics that blew me away, literally: the Top Fuel dragsters have nearly seven-thousand horsepower yet their engine can be carried by two adults. Those engines propel the cars from zero to 330 MPH in under five seconds. When the dragster races by you, it would measure 5.6 on the Richter Scale. The feeling and sensation is simply indescribable. We spent some time down in the pits watching as each crew literally tears down and rebuilds their car's engine after each run, and they're given 90-minutes to complete the re-build.
Dragster junkies like to hang out near the cars for when the crews fire them up after rebuilding the engine. The nitrogen used to power the cars is very strong and can burn your eyes, nose and throat. These junkies thrive on that blast of nitro when the car is started, Beth and I nearly died. Dad said we had to experience it, and we did. Once was definitely enough. We finally hooked up with mom again, who stayed home to rest while still recovering from walking pneumonia, and went to Taqueria Canonita inside the Venetian for dinner. The food is great and the sangria margarittas are to die for. From there we walked to Treasure Island to watch the new pirate show. We were all disappointed. I have heard that is the general reaction from those who've seen it. It makes me wonder if they'll change it again soon to counter that negative press. I liked the old one much better.
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