Container Park

My sister had read about a park made out of old containers in downtown Las Vegas. We decided to check it out.

Entrance to the park.

Locks on the heart. Not sure if people left locks or it was all part of the sculpture.

Scrap metal Praying Mantis sculpture.

Kid's playground made out of containers.

I must say it was disappointing. On a Saturday afternoon, there were just a handful of people there. There weren't any interesting shops and the food available was disappointing.



2015 10 17

Palazzo

We stayed at the Palazzo, an all-suite hotel on the Strip. Our room overlooked the Wynn Hotel and the golf course.

There was a large living area.

2 queen beds

and a humongous bathroom.

Since I was just there for 2 nights, I packed in a messenger bag. That's a pair of heels in the side pocket and my computer tucked into the back pocket.

2015 10 17

Las Vegas

I went to Las Vegas with my sisters to celebrate one of their birthdays.

M&M shop on the strip.

There was every imaginable color of M&Ms.

Paris Hotel

2015 10 17

Texas Sheet Cake

I love this cake. The cake is moist and the frosting is delicious.

Texas Sheet Cake

2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
½ cup shortening
1 stick butter
1 cup water
4 Tbs cocoa
½ cup buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Sift together sugar and flour in large bowl.  In a saucepan, bring to boil the shortening, butter, water and cocoa.  Pour over the flour mixture while still hot.  Add the buttermilk, beaten eggs, baking soda and vanilla.  Pour into a large cookie sheet with sides.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Icing
1 stick butter
4 Tbs cocoa
6 Tbs milk
1 Box powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup walnuts

Bring to a boil the butter, cocoa and milk.  Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and nuts.  Cook until syrupy.  Spread over the cake while both are still hot.



2015 12 27

Thursday Night Dinner

Here's this week's Thursday Night  Dinner at Flavor Bistro in downtown Santa Rosa. All this for $24.95 and that includes the wine pairing.

Bruschetta Con Gamberoni--Topped with Grilled Marinated Jumbo Prawns, Wild Arugula, Tomato-Basil Salsa & Spicy Saffron Aioli, paired with 2013 Séka Hills Viognier, Capay Valley

Risotto Di Ruspante--Arborio Rice Cooked with Homemade Country Style Chicken Sausage, Sweet Leeks, Organic Treviso & Parmigiano-Reggiano, paired with 2013 Vietti Winery Barbera d'Asti, Tre Vigne D.O.C., Italy

Anatra Al Forno--Stone Oven Roasted Duck Breast, Cannellini Bean Ragù Flavored with Escarole, Cipolle Brasate & Garlic Candy Topped with Citrus-Sage Gremolata, paired with 2012 La Posta Angel Paulucci Malbec, Ugarteche Vineyards, Mendoza, Argentina

Crostata Di Mele--Organic Apple Tart Served with Mascarpone Vanilla Custard, paired with 2014 Vietti Winery Moscato d'Asti, Cascinetta D.O.C.G., Italy

2016 01 21

Kettles Vietnamese Bistro

Kettles Vietnamese Bistro has a very flavorful Shaken Beef dish. It's what I usually get when I go there. They're located at 1202 W. Steele Lane in Santa Rosa.

Shaken Beef--$16.50. Tender filet mignon cubes wok-tossed with red & green onion, in Asian spices served with mixed greens & Jasmine rice. This is delicious. My only complaint is that it's a tad on the salty side. 

2015 12 10

Lee's Noodle

We went to our usual standby for dinner on the way home from Albion--Lee's Noodle House, located at 1010 Hopper. Their usual chef must have been out because the dishes didn't taste the same.

Deep Fried Egg Roll-$4.95. These were greasy and didn't have much flavor.

Small Pho--$6.50. I like mine with eye round steak, soft tendon and bible tripe. They don't have just these as an option, so I got well done flank and brisket in addition. The broth was not very robust and didn't have depth of flavor. That's why I think the usual chef wasn't in that night.

2015 11 01