Linda with a Smile

May you wake up
with a smile
and fall asleep
content!

(click to enlarge)

Remember
life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely
in a beautiful
well-preserved body but rather an adventure in which you skid in broadside,
totally exhausted and thoroughly used up, loudly proclaiming,
"Wow!
What a ride!"

"What the hell.
You die.
Everybody dies.
So you die healthy.
So what?"
— Kay Scarpetta —
who loves life
and food and wine
and lives as if
there's no tomorrow
(from one of Patricia Cornwell's fabulous novels)

"Nothing tastes
as good
as skinny feels."
— Kate Moss —
(I keep hoping someday I'm going to believe this!)

Don't hesitate to treat yourself because Cinderella is proof that one pair of shoes can change your life!

My Favorite Videos
• Doggy Summer
• Carolyn Scott and Rookie
• Emperor Penguins
• Breakfast at Ginger's
• Einstein the Parrot
• Faith the Dog
• Simon's Cat Man Do
• Twin Baby Moose in Sprinkler

www.fantastikfakes.com

Fabulous jewelry
incredible prices shop at the store
in Tarzana, CA
(click here
to check website
for location and directions)

Les and Adele
owners of
Fantastik Fakes

January 23rd — I finally finished adding my Christmas and New Years photos so if you'd like to see them,

and then scroll down the page!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15TH, 2012

Bill took me to dinner for my birthday at Mastro's, an incredible restaurant in Thousand Oaks known for it's incredible steaks. It's pricey but it was a special occasion so it was worth every penny!

My birthday photo

We started the evening with a fabulous bottle of California's Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon. It was exceptional and now we're on the hunt for it!

This was a really happy day! We had lots to celebrate — so many things in 2011 to look back on and so much to look forward to in 2012!

We had one super delicious dinner... chopped salads with 4 different kinds of homemade bread right hot out of the oven, then bone-in filet mignon, lobster tails, baked potatoes with all the fixin's, sauteed mushrooms and grilled aspargus. The first bite was the best, the second bite was even better, and that's how it went thru the whole dinner until at the end, all we could say was, "Oh my God! That was incredible!"

Mastro's Restaurant
2087 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Thousand Oaks CA 91362
Phone (805) 418-1811
www.mastrosrestaurants.com

p.s. Our server was Erin and she was delightful. She has an extra fun and friendly personality and she made my birthday dinner extra special even though I didn't tell her it was my birthday 'til we were ready to leave. (No singing!) If you're ever at Mastro's in Thousand Oaks, ask for Erin. You'll really enjoy her, plus she's a certified sommelier so if you're interested in wine, she'll make that part of your dining experience special too.

p.p.s. Mastro's has other locations so check out their website if you're interested.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11TH, 2012

CHILI CHILI CHILI

Everyone I know loves chili and my sister-in-law Julia's chili is what I call lickin' the bottom of the bowl great!

She won a first prize trophy for her chili when she lived in Pennsylvania and I'd put it up against any first prize Texas chili I've ever tasted and you know Texas is legendary for their chili cookoffs.

I asked Julia if I could put her recipe on my website because so many people have asked me for it and she said sure so here you go.

You can either or find it in the Recipes section of my website.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8TH, 2012

THE BIG DECISION

Now that Bill's almost retired, our world is opening up faster and faster everyday.

We've always loved to be on the road and we've rented motorhomes several times and loved every minute of it. Now we've got the motorhome itch big time and I really think we're going to buy one. We'll be able to take Andi Pandi with us when we go trekking (she's too big to take on a plane like we did with Bailey), and we'll also be able to take our Augie kitty instead of leaving her home locked up in the house which she hates.

We've just started looking and the styles and sizes and configurations seem endless. But like buying antiques or cars or just about anything, the more you look, the more you whittle down all the options until you finally decide on your have-to-haves and eliminate the absolutely-don't-wants.

So, to my friends and family, don't be surprised when I call to let you know we're going to be in your neck of the woods. I'm starting to get excited because oh my gosh I think it's going to be soon!

MONDAY, JANUARY 2ND, 2012

HAPPY
NEW
YEAR

Did you watch the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl?

Then you know it was a spectacular sunny southern California day in Pasadena and it was just as spectacular here in Thousand Oaks.

Bill took this photo of our digital thermometer at 1:30 in the afternoon on our back patio. If there really is a heaven, this is what it feels like!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1ST, 2012

Back to the Top

2011 Archive
December
October November
August September
May June July
April
March
February
January

Please keep
our soldiers
in your hearts
and stay healthy
and safe
and as always
I hope you find
something here
that makes you
smile!

(click to enlarge)

"Handsome"
My special guy who makes me laugh and then pull my hair and then laugh some more and who completes me like this in so many ways every single day

(click to enlarge)

My Andi Pandi
my shadow
my treasure
the center of
my world
she owns my heart

(click to enlarge)

My Augie Augie
who starts every morning and ends every evening in my lap in bed
I can't imagine beginning or ending a day without her

Get Augie's
favorite kitty
treats from
Joanne Eichler
Hugs N Purrs
760-580-6663
www.hugsnpurrs.com
hugsnpurrs@cox.net

Artwork by
my favorite artist
Maggie Wright

You can find
Maggie's artwork
on her
tangerinestudio
website
and on her
beecharmer
blog