My very first Tomato Pie

I have never really been a fan of tomatoes. I mean, I like ketchup and spaghetti and tomato basil soup. I do not like tomatoes on my sandwiches, however I love BLTs. As of lately, I have grown to like tomatoes. All kinds-- roma, vine, cherry, fried green and even pie.

Summer Totmato Pie

Pre made pie crust

9 inch pie tin

4 medium sized tomatoes (sliced thinly)

1/2 cup of minced fresh basil

1 Tablespoon of water

1 Tablespoon of sugar

1 Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice

1 reg size block of Havarti Cheese (cubed)

salt and pepper

diced ham (optional)

Place pie crust in pan

Heat water, sugar and lemon juice until sugar is disolved

Brush mixure evenly on the pie crust

Layer tomatoes in crust & Salt and Pepper

Add a layer of cheese and sprinkle some basil

(REPEAT tomatoes, cheese and basil layer 2 more times)

Bake for 45 mins or until golden brown

Let sit for 20 mins for pie to settle and cool

ENJOY!

The final picture doesn't look so good, but it was delicious!

FIRST TIMER!

Out West... Colorado and Wyoming

Travisimo and I took a vacation out west to my in laws ranch--- My in laws were there, but it was a good trip. Most of you know that I am NOT an outdoorsman, but I got out there and became ONE with nature.

Casa de Arnett

The view of their backyard

Our Breakfast spot

Diddo- a spotted saddle horse and Cody- a Tennessee Walker

Me & Travisimo at the top. I am smiling although I was completely out of breath.

The beautiful aspen trees

A little reading out in the open...

Travisimo caught me "ridin' dirty"

Hiking--- yup... hiking.

Travisimo repelling down the mountain side.

WYOMING

Snowy Range Pass

And it ends with a night out in Denver, CO

SHOUT OUT

Shout out to a special someone ... it is nothing personal- I promise.
My deepest apologies if I hurt your feelings.
Think of it this way... It was really fun to write and read about you.
Congrats on the World Cup Win!!!!
WAY TO GO SPAIN!

My Soundtrack of Life... College, Heartbreak & Mistake

Have you ever thought about what your life would be if you had a soundtrack? I would love it! At 30 years old, I would already have one hell of a playlist. We all have chapters of life. When you were younger... and I am talking middle school high school- that is what young is to me now... you just cared about talking to your friends on the phone and three-way calling and what was going to happen in the next episode 90210 - the "Brenda, Dylan, Kelly" love triangle.

When I talk about life soundtracks I am talking about heartache and mistakes. I like to call that the college years. We all have had our fair shares of those. In college, every booty shaking song and every song that made me feel better about some A-hole, M-F'er fuckin' me over, was a song for that chapter of my life.

Juvenille's Back dat ass up and Cisco's Thong song played as I danced my ass off at a bar called "Scandals." REASON it was called Scandals: when songs like this came on-- you could see everyone doing the "Rub my crotch on your butt" dance move. I should have known that would be a dangerous dance move because the next thing you know some guy is in my face singing Big Pun's "I don't want to be a playa no more." You could smell the sweat and see all the bad decisions happening right before your eyes.

As my under age drinking days came to an end and I could make it out to clubs in the Queen City legally... I made bad more bad decisions and relied on on songs that although were old made everything better. DJ Sammy's rendition of "Heaven" by Bryan Adams and Mr. Big's "Just to be with you" were two songs that will always remind me that the tears I cried for the Marine and the Charlotte "Jerry" were all for good reason.

There was the Dave Matthews part of my life that was mixed with a little Incubus--- those were "Sexy Time" nights... also known as mistakes. If a guy is playing either of these bands, your head gets foggy and you think you are making out with this...



But really you are making out with this....



Songs like "Lover Lay Down"+ Vodka + Beers = bad decision which led the other Dave Matthews song called "Say goodbye." I mean, I am not genius, but if you mix alcohol, a "sexy time" song and a hot guy---it's never never good at 19, 20 or 21.

College Heartache & Mistake
Soundtrack includes:

"Back dat ass up" - Juvenile

"Thong Song" - Cisco

"My Love don't cost a thing" - J.Lo

"I dont' want to be a playa no more" -Big Pun feat. Joe

"Just to be with you" - Mr. Big

"Walk away" - Ben Harper

"There you go" -P!nk

"Lover Lay Down" - Dave Matthews band

"Heaven" Bryan Adams/ DJ Sammy

"Wish you were here" -Incubus

"Say Goodbye" -Dave Matthews

I obviously was not "good" and only sometimes "good at it."

Celebrate good times... come on!

Perks and Me

Tis the season for weddings! Travisimo and I and the Perkinsons took a trip to Jacksonville, FL for EMac's wedding. We got a 'friends and family' discount at the Hyatt on the River- thanks to Yasmin- my favorite Indian (dot not feather).

We shared a room with the Perks and it was so fun! -- not in the "swingers" fun way.
We did have a fire alarm go off at 2:45am- which only Katie and I got up for. We left our husbands passed out. They would rather die in a fire then walk down 14 flights of stairs. Thankfully, there was no fire and we got $30 off our hotel bill for the inconvenience.

Sharing a room with another couple is like a slumber party for adults. A certain Spaniard who name rhymes with "bottom" thought it was odd that two married couples were sharing a room. IT'S CALLED CHEAP, bitch! The Spaniard "Bottom" was probably the #1 annoying thing all weekend. Can we say needy? I will usually give a person a chance when I first meet them, but this one was Needy McNeedy.

Example #1: Spaniard along with the rest of us were on our way to the Wedding luncheon (DAY OF WEDDING) and had to take a Water Taxi to the venue. We get to the dock and no boat.
SIGN SAYS: "Water taxis every 10-15 mins." McNeedy just doesn't understand-- Maybe if it was in Spanish she would. She proceeds to call the Bride to ask her about the Water Taxi situation. WHO DOES THAT?! The bride has other things to deal with McNeedy!

Example #2: Night of wedding on the way to the wedding in the bus... As we are walking off the

bus, the Spaniard asks me if she can put her sandals in my bag. I say "No. Why did you bring two pairs of shoes?"

She says "Everyone did!"

As I look around I say, "Ummm... NO EVERYONE DID NOT."

BEING GOOD: I let her put them in my bag.

BEING GOOD AT IT: However, I told her, "Do not be surprised if your shoes are left on a table at the end of the night!

WHO IS THIS GIRL? GO BACK TO SPAIN!

The weekend was great and so much fun! We danced and drank and celebrated two very amazing people! Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Mairs! Much love! XOXO