Fun Friday

This is a photo of Jilaine and I getting ready at the Nordstroms bathroom at "The Grove" before dancing with the stars. (I still have my hair pined up and flip flops on)

First let me say that Gilles is the nicest man in person.  He came out to us in line and gave hugs then 20 mins before the show we got to dance on the dance floor and he came out and dance and gave hugs again to everyone.  (except me Cheryl Burkes trainer came and got him when it was mine turn but I was millimeters away from him)

As we were lining up on one side of the street, across the drive way the American Idol audience was getting ready for there show.  DWTS is on ABC and Idol is on Fox but we were at the CBS Studios for the Show.  How crazy is that.  

It was a fun night going to DWTS even though we were up in the balcony, but we were right across from the judges and could see everything. The only down side was not a lot of people were dressed up.  I believe Jilaine and I were the best dress besides some VIPs.   

The balcony by the way is suspended from the ceiling with 5 cable and moved around.  

Museum

Saturday during the Cowboy Festive we enjoyed (or I did) the Melody Ranch Motion Picturce Museum.  Just a few photos from the many I took on Saturday.

Welcome 

Me and "The Hulk" 

How cute is this old cop car

Tank from lots of movies Rambo was one of them. Can't remember the rest

Car from Mash 

Parts from one of the 2500 general lee's they had on the ranch

Misc. props from Deadwood

Bar from the movie Maverick

Dusty car from Valkyrie 

Ellen

Today my friend and I are going to the Ellen show (show 999) -can't wait to tell  you all about it.  They don't allow camera in the studio sorry there will be no photos. I believe it airs Thursday April 30th.

As happy as I am to go to Ellen - I just misssed her 1000 show I bet they are going to get lots of free stuff.  

Dancing

Don't forget to watch Dancing with the stars  tonight at 9/8c I will be in the audience.  

Cowboy Festival

Saturday we attended the Cowboy Festival. After you all stop laughing read the history of the ranch and movie studio below. 

Me and my cowboy stud

Checking out the stage coach

About the Festival:
In 1994, in the aftermath of the Northridge earthquake, the Santa Clarita Cowboy Poetry
and Music Festival began its quest for a suitable location. At the time the owners of Melody Ranch, Renaud and Andre Veluzet agreed to host our first event and the tradition began.
This year marks the 16th Anniversary of the Festival. Still carrying the new name from last year, we will be offering the same high quality music, poetry, food and cowboy gear that patrons have enjoyed in the past.

About the Ranch:
Since 1915, when the studio was first opened for business, an endless string of hard riding shoot-em-ups have been produced at this location. Monogram Studios made 750 "B" westerns before selling the ranch to singing cowboy Gene Autry in 1952. Legendary cowboy actors, including William S. Hart, Gary Cooper, Tom Mix, Roy Rogers, Bill Boyd, and John Wayne filmed their westerns here until 1962 when a fire swept through Placerita Canyon destroying the main western street during a photo shoot with Elvis. I learned saturday he helped put out the fire.

Gene Autry maintained the rest of the ranch for his horse Champion until the horses death in 1990. He then put the ranch up for sale and the Veluzat brothers purchased it. Melody Ranch has been brought back to life with the restoration of the famous western street. You can experience a page torn from history on the street where famous westerns were made such as, The Lone Ranger, Wyatt Earp, Gunsmoke, Hopalong Cassidy, Annie Oakly, Rin Tin Tin and the Cisco Kid. The recent western is the HBO series Deadwood. (another blog you will learn more movies that have filmed there)

Cowboy singers

I'm glad he didn't rope me

The set was huge like a real town.

Me behind bars

They actually need a sign that states no guns?

Foxy Friday

Foxy loves rolling in something in our back yard. I think it is bunny pee. 

Now I smell really good - don't you think mom? 

Tickets

Oh My I just got an email from Dancing with the stars and they had tickets for next Monday and Tuesday.  I emailed for Tuesdays show and got them!!!!  (Tuesday because Jilaine is coming in on Tuesday and I didn't want to go by myself on Monday for the dancing.)(I registered for the tickets months ago maybe I will get my Idols tickets soon too!)

Wednesday we are going to the Ellen show so watch for me on Thursday.  

The last crazy news is today they were filming a commercial the CHP officer that was guarding the street in my neighborhood.  (the street after mine) There was strict security to get through the street so I'm not sure what kind of commercial they were filming or who was in it.

 

Pool Party

Grandma look dad bought me a pool

Come on in the water is fine 

art walk part 2

Some photos from our day at the Brewery Artwalk

It gets it name "Brewery artwalk" because the buildings are from the old Past Blue Ribbon brewery. PBR me ASAP- the even were selling some on tap outside. 

View from an iron shaky bridge between buildings

My raccoon friend holding a bottle of squirrel repellent. 

A view of one of the hallways in the Moulton ave building 

An ash tray one artist had outside on her deck

The LA view from the roof of one of the buildings. 

I didn't know dogs were allowed-sorry Foxy

One of the many fun buildings on the property

The building below was an actual house that people lived in.  They have a toucan bird that likes blueberries, but he sprays the juice all over before he eats them. I'm standing on the deck of a loft that had fun jewelery and clothes. 

Brewery Artwalk

Saturday we walked around the Brewery Artwalk. Joe and I loved walking around the St. Paul artwalk and thought we would give the LA one a try. We were not disappointed. I love looking at the spaces the artist work and live in. I would really like to live in one of there lofts but not sure anyone would buy my art. Tomorrow more on the walk. 

Llyn Foulkes and his one man band  - I guess he is famous and won competitions in Paris

While Llyn was playing another artist was painting

This was my favorite painting but it was $8,000 and we don't have an extra 8,000 laying around at this time.  (artist Thinh Nguyen) 

This was Joe's favorite.  She was a children's artist (if we had kids their room would be filled with these prints) (artist Tao Nyeu)

Weekend

This last weekend was nice and hot. I really enjoyed it Joe on the other had was sweating thinking of  this summer when it will be in the 100's. I really think we need one of those plastic pools for Foxy and I.

We enjoyed the weather by visiting the LA art walk, had time in our back yard and friday night went to a british resturant for fish and chips.

Sunday morning breakfast outside

We tried to get a photo of our hummingbird, but all we got is the feeder. 

Foxy had her treats outside as she was doing a yoga pose (downward dog)

foxy friday

Foxy checking out a mountain lion paw print - we like hiking around here but I don't want to run into a mountain lion.

Movie

Saturday night Joe and I finally saw "I love you, man".  It is one of the funniest movies we have see in a long time. I might even say it is funnier than the movie "wedding crashers". You definitely will laugh. 

I think it worked because we didn't see many trailers that gave the plot away. I was going to add the Youtube trailer here but it gives alot of the movie away. It wasn't the same trailer that was TV.  

Green Goddess

I saw this recipe in my may issue of Bon Appetit magazine and thought I would try it for Easter. In the article is says "what a salad likes to wear when it goes to California" I thought it would be perfect for my salad on Sunday. It was very good and I would make it again - I didn't add the anchovy to the dressing though.


INGREDIENTS
1/2 ripe medium avocado (about 7 ounces)
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 oil-packed anchovy, very finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 small shallot, finely chopped (about 1 tablespoon)

PREPARATION
Blend first 7 ingredients in processor until coarse puree forms. With machine running, gradually add oil through feed tube; blend well. Transfer mixture to bowl; whisk in cream. Add parsley, tarragon, cilantro, basil, and shallot; whisk to combine. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and chill at least 3 hours (dressing will separate if not chilled). Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes and rewhisk before serving. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

Central station Antwerp

This is a video of 200 Belgians dancing in the Antwerp train station (Centraal Station Antwerpen if you speak flemish).  I have been in the train station a couple times and never saw anything like this.  In the beginning the announcer is speaking Flemish saying ladies and gentlemen the train number blah blah blah then I understood Brussels.  It made me smile (thanks Kate for sending it) and of course miss Belgium hope you all smile too and miss Belgium if you want. 

It is an ad for a new show on VTM (tv station in Belgium).   

Brunch

For Easter we had a couple over that I met at the health club that moved here from Minnesota. It really is a small world.

Inside table in case it wasn't nice enough to sit outside-I add flowers to the tea cups for a little flair. China that we bought in Brussels (made in germany) 

Buffet table before it was completely full of food

Outside table setting, it was so nice on Sunday we ate outside.  I think it was the first Easter that I wore a dress and didn't freeze. (china we got from our neighborhood brocate in Brussels)

My plate full of yummy food that I slaved all day to make. (I really did I'm not being funny)

Our guests Eric and Kim