Donna and I have had a taste for nachos lately so instead of our usual Friday night out, which usually results in take-out due to the crowded restaurants, we decided to make 'em at home and trim quite a few calories in the process. Low-fat beans, lean ground beef, fat-free sour cream, baked chips, reduced-fat cheese & salsa, onions, black olives and diced tomatoes - yummm!
Believe me, it tasted a lot better than it sounds. The fun part was just making it together, at home.
By the way, what do you call cheese that's not yours?
Nacho cheese!
Friday, April 29, 2011
NACHO NIGHT
ONE THING, EVERY DAY
After our return from Monterey we decided that due to the stresses of work, we need to make sure that we do one fun thing, every day, be it a work day or a weekend day. I think we both just need something to look forward to after a day of work.
Of course what this means is that I SHOULD be able to post one thing to our blog, every day. Thursday night our fun activity was a hike to the top of the ridge line by our house. Normally it's a trail that we bike, but we wanted to do something different.
Tonight, we're making nachos at home - something we haven't done in years and is a great way to enjoy one of our favorite 'foods' without blowing it - lean ground beef, baked tortilla chips, etc.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
IT WAS A NICE IDEA
Pedaling home through strawberry fields, coastal roads and somewhat isolated valleys sounds like a great idea, but I had to face the reality during the ride home from work that a 2+ hour ride after a day of work is simply too much for me. Plus, the creek crossings (all six of them) are still too deep to clear without soaking Donna's feet.
IT WAS A NICE IDEA
Pedaling home through strawberry fields, coastal roads and somewhat isolated valleys sounds like a great idea, but I had to face the reality during the ride home from work that a 2+ hour ride after a day of work is simply too much for me. Plus, the creek crossings (all six of them) are still too deep to clear without soaking Donna's feet.
IT WAS A NICE IDEA
Pedaling home through strawberry fields, coastal roads and somewhat isolated valleys sounds like a great idea, but I had to face the reality during the ride home from work that a 2+ hour ride after a day of work is simply too much for me. Plus, the creek crossings (all six of them) are still too deep to clear without soaking Donna's feet.
Monday, April 25, 2011
AN AFTERNOON OUT
We had planned to go see a movie this afternoon but the weather was so perfect we couldn't stand the idea of sitting in a dark theater when it was so beautiful and sunny outdoors. Instead we went to the Thousand Oaks botanical garden, which wasn't bad but not as 'in bloom' as we expected. Still, it was a great afternoon for a walk through the park... well, garden.
FRICK AND FRACK
We ran into two 'lost' dogs not far into today's ride. Of all the days, neither Donna or I had our phones with us and we didn't have anything to use as a leash, so we pretty much had to leave them be and hope for the best. Donna was reluctant to do so but she did at least make sure they were hydrated. These two guys weren't the sharpest tools in the shed but one of them did at least catch on to the idea of drinking from Donna's Camelback. Both seemed in good health and it didn't appear that they had been roaming the hillsides for days or anything - plus, they were only a few minutes from a nearby subdivision, which is where they probably live.
FRICK AND FRACK
We ran into two 'lost' dogs not far into today's ride. Of all the days, neither Donna or I had our phones with us and we didn't have anything to use as a leash, so we pretty much had to leave them be and hope for the best. Donna was reluctant to do so but she did at least make sure they were hydrated. These two guys weren't the sharpest tools in the shed but one of them did at least catch on to the idea of drinking from Donna's Camelback. Both seemed in good health and it didn't appear that they had been roaming the hillsides for days or anything - plus, they were only a few minutes from a nearby subdivision, which is where they probably live.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
NOT A BAD COMMUTE
Wednesday we decided to ride our bikes home from work. It's only a 15-minute drive but it's highway the whole way. Our bike route was a little less direct, turning a 9-mile drive into a 26-mile bike ride. Our thought was that we would start doing it twice a week.
NOT A BAD COMMUTE
Wednesday we decided to ride our bikes home from work. It's only a 15-minute drive but it's highway the whole way. Our bike route was a little less direct, turning a 9-mile drive into a 26-mile bike ride. Our thought was that we would start doing it twice a week.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
DAY THREE IN MONTEREY
We had another great day today. We slept in, got a slow start to the day, then took a drive along the coast, including 17-mile drive. As green and groomed as the golf courses in the area are, I spent less than a second envying the guys chasing a little white ball all over creation.
DAY THREE IN MONTEREY
We had another great day today. We slept in, got a slow start to the day, then took a drive along the coast, including 17-mile drive. As green and groomed as the golf courses in the area are, I spent less than a second envying the guys chasing a little white ball all over creation.
DAY THREE IN MONTEREY
We had another great day today. We slept in, got a slow start to the day, then took a drive along the coast, including 17-mile drive. As green and groomed as the golf courses in the area are, I spent less than a second envying the guys chasing a little white ball all over creation.
DAY THREE IN MONTEREY
We had another great day today. We slept in, got a slow start to the day, then took a drive along the coast, including 17-mile drive. As green and groomed as the golf courses in the area are, I spent less than a second envying the guys chasing a little white ball all over creation.
DAY THREE IN MONTEREY
We had another great day today. We slept in, got a slow start to the day, then took a drive along the coast, including 17-mile drive. As green and groomed as the golf courses in the area are, I spent less than a second envying the guys chasing a little white ball all over creation.
DAY THREE IN MONTEREY
We had another great day today. We slept in, got a slow start to the day, then took a drive along the coast, including 17-mile drive. As green and groomed as the golf courses in the area are, I spent less than a second envying the guys chasing a little white ball all over creation.
DAY THREE IN MONTEREY
We had another great day today. We slept in, got a slow start to the day, then took a drive along the coast, including 17-mile drive. As green and groomed as the golf courses in the area are, I spent less than a second envying the guys chasing a little white ball all over creation.
DAY THREE IN MONTEREY
We had another great day today. We slept in, got a slow start to the day, then took a drive along the coast, including 17-mile drive. As green and groomed as the golf courses in the area are, I spent less than a second envying the guys chasing a little white ball all over creation.
Friday, April 15, 2011
DAY 2 IN MONTEREY
We spent the bulk of today at the Sea Otter Classic but I shot tons of video while we were there and I don't plan on doing any video editing tonight, so for now, just photos from today.
DAY 2 IN MONTEREY
We spent the bulk of today at the Sea Otter Classic but I shot tons of video while we were there and I don't plan on doing any video editing tonight, so for now, just photos from today.
DAY 2 IN MONTEREY
We spent the bulk of today at the Sea Otter Classic but I shot tons of video while we were there and I don't plan on doing any video editing tonight, so for now, just photos from today.
DAY 2 IN MONTEREY
We spent the bulk of today at the Sea Otter Classic but I shot tons of video while we were there and I don't plan on doing any video editing tonight, so for now, just photos from today.
DAY 2 IN MONTEREY
We spent the bulk of today at the Sea Otter Classic but I shot tons of video while we were there and I don't plan on doing any video editing tonight, so for now, just photos from today.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A LITTLE FINE DINING IN MONTEREY
I know it sounds weird, but I absolutely love the fish & chicken meal at Long John Silver's and since we don't live anywhere near one, I always look forward to stopping for dinner while we're here in Monterey. It was more fried food than I've eaten over the past 364 days combined, but I'm a sucker for their deep-fried goodness, smothered in a little malt vinegar.
A LITTLE FINE DINING IN MONTEREY
I know it sounds weird, but I absolutely love the fish & chicken meal at Long John Silver's and since we don't live anywhere near one, I always look forward to stopping for dinner while we're here in Monterey. It was more fried food than I've eaten over the past 364 days combined, but I'm a sucker for their deep-fried goodness, smothered in a little malt vinegar.
DAY 1 AT THE SEA OTTER CLASSIC
We made it to Monterey early this afternoon and after a quick lunch hopped on the trails. I think it's pretty much official that Donna will not be racing - not because of the course but simply because we're realizing how much Donna needs to just chill out and enjoy a few days of relaxation.
DAY 1 AT THE SEA OTTER CLASSIC
We made it to Monterey early this afternoon and after a quick lunch hopped on the trails. I think it's pretty much official that Donna will not be racing - not because of the course but simply because we're realizing how much Donna needs to just chill out and enjoy a few days of relaxation.
DAY 1 AT THE SEA OTTER CLASSIC
We made it to Monterey early this afternoon and after a quick lunch hopped on the trails. I think it's pretty much official that Donna will not be racing - not because of the course but simply because we're realizing how much Donna needs to just chill out and enjoy a few days of relaxation.
DAY 1 AT THE SEA OTTER CLASSIC
We made it to Monterey early this afternoon and after a quick lunch hopped on the trails. I think it's pretty much official that Donna will not be racing - not because of the course but simply because we're realizing how much Donna needs to just chill out and enjoy a few days of relaxation.
DAY 1 AT THE SEA OTTER CLASSIC
We made it to Monterey early this afternoon and after a quick lunch hopped on the trails. I think it's pretty much official that Donna will not be racing - not because of the course but simply because we're realizing how much Donna needs to just chill out and enjoy a few days of relaxation.
DAY 1 AT THE SEA OTTER CLASSIC
We made it to Monterey early this afternoon and after a quick lunch hopped on the trails. I think it's pretty much official that Donna will not be racing - not because of the course but simply because we're realizing how much Donna needs to just chill out and enjoy a few days of relaxation.
DAY 1 AT THE SEA OTTER CLASSIC
We made it to Monterey early this afternoon and after a quick lunch hopped on the trails. I think it's pretty much official that Donna will not be racing - not because of the course but simply because we're realizing how much Donna needs to just chill out and enjoy a few days of relaxation.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
LEAVE IT TO A BLONDE
Not many women would schedule a hair appointment for the night before a trip to a mountain bike race, but Donna wants to look good when she's standing on the podium.
BIGGER PHOTOS & VIDEOS = BETTER PHOTOS & VIDEOS
Let's face it, this is primarily a photo blog. Keeping that in mind I kept looking at the blog on my iPad and realizing the photos themselves consumed a relatively small space on the iPad screen and to see them very well, you had to tap a photo to enlarge it, in order to really see it very well.
As a result, I've changed the template to get rid of the widget bar to the right, so that the photos can be larger. Nice, eh?
BIGGER PHOTOS & VIDEOS = BETTER PHOTOS & VIDEOS
Let's face it, this is primarily a photo blog. Keeping that in mind I kept looking at the blog on my iPad and realizing the photos themselves consumed a relatively small space on the iPad screen and to see them very well, you had to tap a photo to enlarge it, in order to really see it very well.
As a result, I've changed the template to get rid of the widget bar to the right, so that the photos can be larger. Nice, eh?
BIGGER PHOTOS & VIDEOS = BETTER PHOTOS & VIDEOS
Let's face it, this is primarily a photo blog. Keeping that in mind I kept looking at the blog on my iPad and realizing the photos themselves consumed a relatively small space on the iPad screen and to see them very well, you had to tap a photo to enlarge it, in order to really see it very well.
As a result, I've changed the template to get rid of the widget bar to the right, so that the photos can be larger. Nice, eh?
Monday, April 11, 2011
A BUSY MONDAY
Given how much we wanted to get done today and what a late start we got to the day (sleeping in felt soooo good) we opted for our short, 1:15 loop near home so we'd still have time to go shopping, pick up our 2010 tax return papers and catch a matinee of "Hanna".
A BUSY MONDAY
Given how much we wanted to get done today and what a late start we got to the day (sleeping in felt soooo good) we opted for our short, 1:15 loop near home so we'd still have time to go shopping, pick up our 2010 tax return papers and catch a matinee of "Hanna".
Friday, April 8, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
RIDING INTO THE SUNSET
We're usually flirting with darkness before we get out the door for our evening rides,cso we usually don't bring our sunglasses. Thursday, fortunately, we did. Riding toward the sunset, near the top of a mountain, is a great sensation.
TRYING TO DECIDE WHICH IS BETTER
I can't decide what I like more about mountain tops - the view, or the fact that being at the top means the next part of the ride is sure to be downhill.
ALL SMILES (FOR A CHANGE)
I think I spent a lot more time smiling during Thursday's ride than I did on our previous rides this week. Donna was riding like a rock star, clearing switchbacks and all sort of technical sections, which was fun to watch - no photos unfortunately because I usually just barely had time to stop and turn around and she was right on my tail. Don't worry though - I took a mental 'picture.' Click.
AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE
Needless to say, that as-far-as-the-eye-can-see distance is considerably further for Donna than it is for me, thanks to my wonderful eyesight. Regardless, a quiet evening on a mountain top together was wonderful. The ride was really just more of a fun ride than a training ride, which helped me mentally after a few recent discouraging rides. Taking the time to snap a few photos or shoot a little video also makes it more enjoyable for me, and less about the fitness.
SWEET SUNSHINE
It's staying light out even later which has been great for our riding. On more than just a few occasions we wrapped around a hillside to feel that sun on our skin. Ahhhhh, vitamin D(?). I don't know... what is that vitamin you get from sunshine? Whatever it is, it's good for you.
HOME SWEET HOME
I really do enjoy Southern California, where the conveniences of civilization are butted right up against the mountains. You can ride off-road for hours and hours, hit the trailhead to conclude the ride, and be at a great restaurant in less than five minutes. The valleys of course would be much more scenic without all the roadways and development, but you can't have your cake and eat it too.
A NICE, CLEAR VIEW OF THE ISLAND(S)
There’s just something about the mountains that really makes me realize how small I am and how vast, the land. The scenery Thursday night was amazing. We had incredible views of the mountains to one side and the islands on the other. It’s rare that it’s clear enough to see the islands this well and we certainly didn’t take it for granted. It was actually the first night (this season) that we made it to the top before the sun actually set. Sitting on a bench with Donna on the summit of a small mountain, watching the sun set, really made my night.
OH, THE MOUNTAIN SCENERY
There's just something about the mountains that really makes me realize how small I am and how vast, the land. The scenery Thursday night was amazing. We had incredible views of the mountains to one side and the islands on the other. It's rare that it's clear enough to see the islands this well and we certainly didn't take it for granted. It was actually the first night (this season) that we made it to the top before the sun actually set. Sitting on a bench with Donna on the summit of a small mountain, watching the sun set, really made my night.
OH, THE MOUNTAIN SCENERY
There's just something about the mountains that really makes me realize how small I am and how vast, the land. The scenery Thursday night was amazing. We had incredible views of the mountains to one side and the islands on the other. It's rare that it's clear enough to see the islands this well and we certainly didn't take it for granted. It was actually the first night (this season) that we made it to the top before the sun actually set. Sitting on a bench with Donna on the summit of a small mountain, watching the sun set, really made my night.
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