Making Memories for Children

At our monthly meeting of the American Wine society, John Marshall Chapter Sunday evening, I sat next to a Travel Agent.

The focus of the evening was Port Wines ~ As always, there was a fabulous selection presented.

We are experiencing how the pairing foods enhance the flavor of the different Ports.

The food was selected to perfectly compliment the seven Ports we had for the evening.

At our table, we fell into a conversation about taking children on trips and especially a trip of a lifetime. We pondered and talked about what age is best.

About when would an average child be old enough/mature enough to realize and appreciate the splendor of what we would like to be an unforgettable trip for them?

Of course, we realize the maturity of the child varies, but then, what if you have more than one child...

What do you think? Any experiences?

Surprise Pie

One of our dear friends invited us over for dinner tonight. I volunteered to bring dessert which are fun to make. My decision was to make and take the Cranberry Surprise Pie ~ the recipe is in in the Black Cookbook. That is always a hit. Easy to make and manage. Decision was made.

Tonight the pie will truly be a big surprise~ Why? There are no cranberries in this pie.
Wanting to make it to take warm and serve with ice cream...
I went for the cranberries. From store to store~ to my dismay, no cranberries are left. That seasonal item is long gone, I was told. Finally, the green grocer at Wegmens and I stood together trying to decide which berry I could substitute.

Tonight, the pie I am taking will be Raspberry Surprise Pie. Not sure of how the flavors will blend...but most wonderful recipes come from situations such as this.

Buffalo Roundup, Custer, North Dakota 08

Weather was perfect for this fantastic experience~
We met Allen C. there in Custer as he is a wood carver and nature photographer who loves the Wild West as much as we do.

South Dakota was an experience to be repeated.





All of you riders can apply to join in the annual roundup.









These days, when I get up in a saddle~ I feel I should have a seat belt ~ it is such a FREE FEELING~ Nothing to keep you there...that's the beauty of riding, I guess.


All of these riders were wonderful and the buffalo didn't challenge them many times.
Once in Texas, I volunteered to help with a cattle round up~
Seemed like fun,
and looking back, they were just being nice to allow me to go with them ~

I learned quickly how smart these cattle are~
they sensed a greenhorn in the saddle ~
I was scattering those cows all over the place~
That was HARD WORK.
I dismounted and turned my horse over to a real cowboy.