So, back to our Dallas vacation recaps! After our visit to the State Fair, we let our cameras cool off with a couple of lower-key photography days. We headed out to McKinney to do some hard-core quilt shopping one day (Patty is the world’s most patient hostess. We spent FOREVER in the AWESOME quilt shops there), then spent the next day sampling biscuits and gravy at Bubba’s, doing some furniture shopping, visiting the Mustang fountain in Irving, then partaking of the stunning cocktails and desserts at La Duni restaurant back in Dallas. Of course, “cooling off” doesn’t mean our cameras were getting the days off entirely…
If you are ever in McKinney, go to Spoons cafe and get the chocolate cake. Seriously. It looks like a regular old cake, sure, but seriously — this is the best. cake. ever.
Biscuits and gravy, by Pookie
Black-and-white lensbaby Mustangs, by Pookie
Curious Mustang, by Pookie
Galloping, by Schnookie
Schnookie, by Pookie
Hooves, by Schnookie
Iron hooves, by Pookie
This is your leader’s nose, by Schnookie
La Duni Chupito, by Schnookie
La Duni Shaken Mariana, by Pookie
La Duni Lemon 43, by Schnookie
You had me at best. cake. ever.
Weber (the cat) and I are watching Weber (the player) take on the Ducks. Again, I am amazed how Center Ice and Fantasy Hockey have made me look forward to a Ducks/Preds game. In the first four minutes, 2 DeadlEEs have scored. This could be fun.
(Webs the cat flicks his ears back when the announcer calls out for Weber the player. It’s actually kind of cute.)
OMG, the cake was out of this world. ::happy sigh::
I am amazed how Center Ice and Fantasy Hockey have made me look forward to a Ducks/Preds game
Isn’t like with Center Ice grand?! We just watched the Trannies lose to the Hated Caps, but does it matter? No! I’ve already forgotten because I, too, am enjoying this Ducks/Preds game!
Webs the cat flicks his ears back when the announcer calls out for Weber the player.
I’m sure one of us has told this story before, but Roy the Cat cannot stand goal horns. He can be sound asleep, but if he hears one go off, he’ll leap up and run out of the room.
Again, I am amazed how Center Ice and Fantasy Hockey have made me look forward to a Ducks/Preds game.
Isn’t it the STRANGEST? I mean, it’s Ducks/Preds! No one in their right mind should care! But here I am, too. Swooning over Getzi. :P (And the first four minutes of this game were bizonkers. Believe you me, the Cymballs players all need A LOT more than four minutes to figure out how to score. It generally takes them at least 60 minutes to remember how to skate forward, let alone put the puck in the net.)
That’s so cute that Webs responds to his name on TV! Roy the cat (named for Patrick) gets all squirrelly when goal horns go off, any goal horn, so I think there’s something to naming a cat after an athlete. They just become like each other. (Which explains why Rolston the cat is so stupid.)
Oops, sorry to be telling you about Roy the cat in surround sound with Pookie. I didn’t realize she was commenting, even though she’s sitting right next to me.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Are you sure you guys aren’t twins?
Roy’s dislike for goal horns is quite adorable! Weber is slightly less adorable because of the claws that are digging into my forearm.
Um, nice commercial transition… wait… you ladies are probably watching Ducks feed huh?
I was worried that’s what you were typing, Schnookie. :D
They just become like each other. (Which explains why Rolston the cat is so stupid.)
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::: And why Favre the cat loves kitty medications.
We are watching the Ducks feed, but I don’t really know why. The two broadcasts are pretty equal in quality, so I guess we’ll get more dreeeeeamy shots of Getzi and more commercials for RV dealers on the Ducks feeds.
The quilt store day was only day 3?!
And why Favre the cat loves kitty medications.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: And sexting? :P
(Part of that last comment should have been italicized. In case you were wondering.)
I guess we’ll get more dreeeeeamy shots of Getzi and more commercials for RV dealers on the Ducks feeds.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Also my reasoning for NOT watching the Ducks feed. The Preds feed cut off a car commercial and went straight to the Preds goalie getting scored on.
Just keep Favre the cat away from any cellphones with a camera.
And sexting? :P
I was wondering what Favre was doing with my phone…
Wooo HOOO!!! The DeadlEEs have 2 goals and 3 assists right now!! No idea what they’re +/- is because Yahoo isn’t bothering with that right now.
Is this what hockey is supposed to look like?? What the heck have I been watching this year?
Allllllright. The Preds are adorable. Why can’t the Sabres be adorable?
Also, there have been 154 Bridgestone commercials, but the one about bad weather, shows an inch of snow on the ground. That made me giggle. An inch of snow up here means you can only go 65mph on the 33.
An inch of snow up here means you can only go 65mph on the 33.
Show offs! :D
Is this what hockey is supposed to look like?? What the heck have I been watching this year?
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: That’s why I like watching the Blue Jackets. I’m like, “Ah, right, it’s not just the Devils that are boring.”
“Ah, right, it’s not just the Devils that are boring.”
I watched an Oilers/Flames game which was soul-crushing boredom filmed underwater with a Fisher Price kids’ camcorder.
I watched an Oilers/Flames game which was soul-crushing boredom filmed underwater with a Fisher Price kids’ camcorder.
Yeah, see this is why I don’t understand why everyone is all ga-ga over Canadian teams for the sake of being Canadian. They’re all boring! And their feeds are unwatchably bad! I mean, come ON! :P
Their feeds are horrible!! I’m going to assume that it’s because we’re in the US because I’m too lazy to drive over the bridge and find out if it gets better. The feeds from Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal don’t seem as bad but that’s like saying dizziness isn’t as bad as vertigo. (heh. From my doctor’s appointment. Trying to reuse the knowledge.) And I keep getting the French Canadian feed for the Habs. Je ne parle pas français bien.
but that’s like saying dizziness isn’t as bad as vertigo.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I remember way back when we first got Center Ice, the first time we got a game on the French feed was so exciting. Ever since then? I’ve been like, “Is there a game on somewhere else in English?”
The Ducks have a Farter?
I have been to the quilt shops in McKinney and they are wonderful. Haven’t had the chocolate cake though…. thanks for the tip. We’ll be down there next month.
I didn’t even know what McKinney was until I looked it up. That cake looks fantastic though.
That cake looks so good. As do the cocktails.
The feeds from Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal don’t seem as bad but that’s like saying dizziness isn’t as bad as vertigo.
The feed from yesterday’s Bills game in Toronto was horrible. Maybe I had my sights set too high, expecting a good feed from a building named for a telecom provider.
I have been to the quilt shops in McKinney and they are wonderful.
I was blown away by how amazing they were! I need warning before I’m going into the nexus of quilt-shop awesomeness! I’m very jealous you’re heading that way next month, Tram. Especially because it means you can also have the cake. :D
Maybe I had my sights set too high, expecting a good feed from a building named for a telecom provider.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It’s so hard to fathom! HD isn’t that hard, Canada!
Oooh, I’m jealous you’re going to the quilt shops, Tram! In addition to the cake place, we also went to a nice tapas place in a really cute old house. I think it was called Cafe Malagra, or something like that. It was deeeelicious.
Thanks for the tapas tip. We’ll check it out. It’s not a done deal yet, by any means, but Mr. and Mrs. Tram might relocate to McKinney in the next couple of years. Good quilt shops are a priority and good chocolate cake will help swing the vote.
Oooh, relocating to McKinney? It’s such a cute town, and so far it’s met all of my criteria for being a place I could imagine living. Although it might be rough as a Wings fan having to live in Stars country… but those quilt shops would make up for it, I suppose. :D
Moving to McKinney? Cool! There are so many cute little houses around there, and the town is adorable, and you could go to Quilt Asylum EVERY DAY! Dude, now I want to move to McKinney… :D
First, SQUEEEE over all the Mustang Square pics! So everyone can go, awwww, that is where David proposed to me.
Second, I love McKinney but never seem to get over there. Dave and I went there for our anniversary last year. Lovely restored hotel on the square. We completely missed the cake. Although I think we ate breakfast there?
Third, Mr & Mrs Tram, I will be so jealous if you move to McKinney! You will have no problem being a Wings fan at a Stars game, they usually outnumber the Stars fans. Finding other hockey fans in McKinney? That could be a challenge.
So everyone can go, awwww, that is where David proposed to me.
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! That’s so sweet! I have to admit, I was kind of scoffing at the plaza when we first showed up, because we’d driven in from what I guess is the back way — we just kind of pulled into a huge office park, and there was this fountain plaza. It seemed so random, but then we walked into the plaza, and it turned out to be such a delightfully designed spot. And then on the drive out we realized that there was quite a bit more going on in the surrounds than our approach had led us to believe. So that’s my story, if it makes any sense.
Oh, and the historic downtown in McKinney is dreamy.
Mr. Tram mentioned that there is a surplus of Wings fan in the Dallas area. That, and the interwebs and satellites, we should be good. Oh, and I have a weak spot for Mr. Brett Hull. Seriously. Hearing that smart ass gravelly voice turns me into a blushing teenager. I can’t believe I just typed that. I have no shame.
Wow, that is pretty pathetic, Tram! Well, we all have our shameful hockey weak spots, don’t we? Just… not normally as bad as Brett Hull. :P
Speaking of hockey weak spots, I just changed my fantasy team name in the SuperLeague to something more appropriate and descriptive.
Mike, I was going to change mine tonight! I can’t log in here at work (well, technically I can, but it’ll bog down my computer, since I’m sure you were all wondering…) — what’s your team’s name now?
New Jersey Devils. The performance of my team so far allowed no other option.
New Jersey Devils. The performance of my team so far allowed no other option.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Nice one, Mike!
New Jersey Devils. The performance of my team so far allowed no other option.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! And BURN! That’s brilliant.
I don’t understand why everyone is all ga-ga over Canadian teams for the sake of being Canadian. They’re all boring!
SNORT! That’s what they say about Canadian movies and TV shows, too! You only wish you could be as boring at The Beachcombers!
That’s what they say about Canadian movies and TV shows, too! You only wish you could be as boring at The Beachcombers!
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I used to love watching “North of 60″ on some weird channel I don’t think exists anymore, way back when we first got DirecTV. I know nothing about the cultural context of that show, and how embarrassed I should be that I loved it, but I couldn’t help myself. It was Canadian and I was a new hockey fan.
I don’t think I’ve ever watched that show. Sadly, it’s our schtick as Canadians to support anything made in Canada, even if it’s crap. Then bad mouth it as soon as it fails. That’s how we roll!
We even take credit for Porky’s being a Canadian movie – we’ll stretch the Canadian thing as far as we can. I have no idea how that works. The movie was made in Florida.
we’ll stretch the Canadian thing as far as we can. I have no idea how that works. The movie was made in Florida.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I’m the same way about New Jersey, our actual town/nearby towns/county/general vicinity, my alma mater, you name it. If I can claim even the SLIGHTEST tangential connection with something, I can claim ownership. I would make a great Canadian, I think! :P
You know what I just noticed? Browne has a silent e at the end. Even the GM of the Beards of Beeeeeeeeeeeees has succumbed to the power of the Silent but DeadlEEs!! Victory shall be mine!!! BwahahahahahahahahaE!
I should have said “Victoreeeee”. I need to work on my diabolical taunts.
Whoa! mcguggs, you just blew my mind!
Even the GM of the Beards of Beeeeeeeeeeeees has succumbed to the power of the Silent but DeadlEEs!!
I know. We’re DEAD MEaEEEET! Those dumb old Beards of Bees STEEEENK. How does this happen year after year like this? Dead last. Again.
On an unrelated note: I accidentally created a new nickname for Alain Vignealt – Filet Mignon – no idea why it took me this long to see the resemblance between names and it sorta rhymes. Mike liked it. He told me, “You’d better tell the Ookies”.
And that’s my story.
Those dumb old Beards of Bees STEEEENK.
Last I checked, they were the only thing keeping my team from the basement in the standings, so I’m very appreciative of the Bees. Heh.
And talk about blowing my mind! Alain Vignealt/Filet Mignon… You never seem them together!
My team’s like the Flyers. I can never get any goaltenders but my forwards are decent and every week someone goes batshit and gets 40 minutes in penalties. My team will just loiter on the cusp of a playoff spot all season.
I think I’m in love with mcguffers’s team.
I think I’m in love with mcguffers’s team.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: They’re slightly more charming this year without a certain player from my previous team… what is his name? Hmmm, maybe the Flames would know…
They’re slightly more charming this year without a certain player from my previous team… what is his name? Hmmm, maybe the Flames would know…
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Flames: “Nope, never heard of the guy.”
It’s not a done deal yet, by any means, but Mr. and Mrs. Tram might relocate to McKinney in the next couple of years.
McKinney is a great town! I lived there myself about 10 years ago. It was much sleepier back then. Now it’s hit the big time. Instead of antique malls in cool, rickety old downtown buildings, they have restaurants and nightclubs in cool, rickety old downtown buildings. It’s very hip. :D
Tram, be sure and look at some of the old houses, too, along with all the new construction on the west side.
If you do move here, we should all go to a game!
Um, does it say someting about me that last year (or was it two years ago) that I read something about an “african gay parot” and now I just read a caption for “black and white lesbian mustangs” ?
And wait a minute, do I see what I think I see at the top of the standings in the Amazing League? Hoorah!
On that note I’m going to bed. 6pm comes early dontcha know.
“black and white lesbian mustangs”
:^::::::::::::::::::::::: Your captions live such exciting lives!
I didn’t think this season could get worse, but apparently, I was wrong. Winky is going to return this week. If not Wednesday, then Friday. Great…winking ineptness on skates. Sigh.
I was just complaining to Schnookie at lunch that I am so pissed that every time I go to Fire & Ice the headline isn’t “MacLean And/Or Lou Fired”.
I was just complaining to Schnookie at lunch that I am so pissed that every time I go to Fire & Ice the headline isn’t “MacLean And/Or Lou Fired”.
I was talking to a friend yesterday and we were talking about the way rumors about coaching/gm firings in sports get started. She told me that people in Dallas were speculating that the Cowboys’ coach was getting fired because someone else’s car was in his parking space. We got a good laugh at that…and then I got off the phone w/her, switched on the TV and the headline was that the Cowboys had axed the coach.
Re: firing MacLean, I’m not sure there’s any point. I’d still rather fire Jaime. Personally, I wanted to gut the team after last year’s fiasco and start over. The way things are going, we may be able to get what I wanted – a lottery pick – without gutting the team. However, with NJ’s luck, they will do what the Rangers did all those years, suck, miss the playoffs but somehow manage to finish around 11th overall.
Re: firing MacLean, I’m not sure there’s any point.
It would be a start? Heh. But yeah, you’re right — firing Lou and trading/demoting/disappearing Jamie are the top priorities.
I don’t understand how the team hasn’t been gutted yet. It OBVIOUSLY needed a good gutting after last year, and it’s only gotten worse since then. Sigh. At least it’s something to look forward to every day. Heh.
And seriously, does tonight’s schedule totally suck or is it just me?
And seriously, does tonight’s schedule totally suck or is it just me?
The most that can be said for it is that it sucked much less than last night’s schedule.
It’s not all bad, though – I put on the radio stream of the Tampa-Toronto game on my dad’s computer so I could listen while I cooked & ate my dinner. Ever since he came back from his walk he’s been chortling over the insanity/inanity of the Tampa announcers.
And damn, I wish I was playing the DeadliEEs this week. Khabi’s ankle bracelet must be keeping him off balance.
And damn, I wish I was playing the DeadliEEs this week. Khabi’s ankle bracelet must be keeping him off balance.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The best that could be said by me about the schedule last night is that it meant I could be lazy about getting dinner started while watching Pookie play a rousing match of Super Mario Brothers, then I could spend my after-dinner hour feeling way more tired than my day really deserved, and then I could go to bed early. Man, I was SUCH an old lady last night.
And that’s my story. My other story is that I walked to work this morning and was expecting it to be cold out. I mean, because it’s been pretty cold the last week or so, and it’s November, and it doesn’t seem that unreasonable to have to wear a jacket. So I bundled all up, got outside, and discovered it was, in fact, quite warm. But at that point I was moving forward in the direction of my office, so I could hardly be expected to turn around, take off a few layers, and then get going again.
How’s everyone else doing today?
Are we all ready for ANOTHER epic Devils/Sabres match tonight?
How could we NOT be ready, Amy? This kind of battle of the bottom-feeders doesn’t happen every day. It’s EXCITING! (Or at least, the thought that after this, there’ll only be one more Devils/Sabres game this season is exciting… :P)
Yeah, why is the Devils-Sabres series so front-loaded? Weird.
Or at least, the thought that after this, there’ll only be one more Devils/Sabres game this season is exciting…
Heh. Watch both teams blow us all out of the water tonight with a high scoring 6-5 game. They’re contrary like that, aren’t they.
And then they can still go to the shootout! Their favorite!
Watch both teams blow us all out of the water tonight with a high scoring 6-5 game. They’re contrary like that, aren’t they.
And then they can still go to the shootout! Their favorite!
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The best part about a 6-5 shootout game is that we’d all be able to be like, “That game SUCKED. Gawd, can’t our teams play DEFENSE?”
Heh. Watch both teams blow us all out of the water tonight with a high scoring 6-5 game. They’re contrary like that, aren’t they.
Apparently it will be the battle of the backups – no Marty or Crunchy (they will both be backing up). That’s definitely a good way to get the score you described – except for the fact that NJ can’t put the fucking puck in the net.
My friends and I are trying to figure out trips to see each of our three teams play at home (Devils, Rangers, Bruins), against the same opponent. The organizer/Bruins fan settled on watching us all play the Pens in January. Ticket costs? At the Boston Garden, $89 up with almost all the tickets gone. MSG? $69 up with over half the tickets gone. Prudential Center? $13 up, everything’s open but the season tickets.
There’s something profound here, but I’m too blugh to find it.
Also, why are the dining tables $50-$64? Does that include food and drink?
except for the fact that NJ can’t put the fucking puck in the net.
Yeah, I’m not very worried about the possibility of a 6-5 outcome tonight. Maybe something more like 6-0 or 6-1, but definitely not 6-5. (Unless Winky’s back. The Devils will be a juggernaut with him back in the lineup! :P)
Prudential Center? $13 up, everything’s open but the season tickets.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I’m sure that’s exactly what ownership was hoping to hear about this season.
Apparently it will be the battle of the backups – no Marty or Crunchy (they will both be backing up)
It’s a 50/50 shot on whether Crunchy will be the backup tonight as well. Lalime’s hot appendix apparently might not be as hot as thought and he did make the trip to Jersey and was on the ice this morning. So he might be able to backup Enroth.
And no one please start drinking every time they mention tonight that this is Lindy’s 1,000th game as coach. Y’all will be under the sofa in no time.
And no one please start drinking every time they mention tonight that this is Lindy’s 1,000th game as coach. Y’all will be under the sofa in no time.
I’m hopeful Chico will spend so much time using complaining about officiating as a distraction from talking about how bad the Devils are that he’ll forget to mention Lindy. That’s how most games go with him these days…
And no one please start drinking every time they mention tonight that this is Lindy’s 1,000th game as coach. Y’all will be under the sofa in no time.
Earlier this season in the Premier League the stat was thrown up that 1,000 Premier League coaches had been fired since Sir Alex Ferguson took over behind the bench of Manchester United. That’s a stat to be proud of.
Is anyone else watching Days of Their Lives at work?
Is anyone else watching Days of Their Lives at work?
No I’m not, dammit! I’m compiling last quarter’s time allocation by project for my department. Why can’t I be watching Days instead???
No I’m not, dammit! I’m compiling last quarter’s time allocation by project for my department. Why can’t I be watching Days instead???
I don’t know who put it on, but it’s gone and you’re rather lucky. It was just a screaming pregnant woman who couldn’t nut up and call an ambulance to take her to hostipal for some reason.
It was just a screaming pregnant woman who couldn’t nut up and call an ambulance to take her to hostipal for some reason.
Heh. I love soaps. I used to get to watch them during my lunch break when I worked in a bank. I tried to time my lunch late enough that I could watch “Passions” instead of “Days”. Man, I LOVED that show.
Is anyone else watching Days of Their Lives at work?
Nope, but I do have General Hospital recording on my DVR at home.
And damn, I wish I was playing the DeadliEEs this week. Khabi’s ankle bracelet must be keeping him off balance.
Meh. I’m already resolved to the fact that I’m never going to win the Save Percentage or Goals Against catorgories, but as long as I have three goalies that are going to start most of their games, I can at least put in a fight for Games Started, Saves, and maybe Games Won (and that’s only because statistically speaking I have a better chance of getting 3 wins in 9 games vs my opponents 4-5 games.)
So as long as that alcoholic bastard has a crap back-up, I’m golden!
I’m watching Semi-Ho make food for a kid’s party. I’m pretty sure Aunt Sandy has never 1. been a child or 2. seen what items make up a typical cupboard. I know we’ve discussed that second item at length, but seriously.
I’m pretty sure Aunt Sandy has never 1. been a child or 2. seen what items make up a typical cupboard.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Aunt Sandy really topped her brilliant “one capful = 1 teaspoon” schtick this past weekend, when she declared that one orange = 1/3 cup of juice. I had no idea fruits came in such standard units of measure!
I had no idea fruits came in such standard units of measure!
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Who needs pesky measuring cups and spoons when nature is so precise?
she declared that one orange = 1/3 cup of juice
I missed that brilliant statement. I must’ve been too shocked at how much wine gave it’s life up for her “cuisine.”
I missed that brilliant statement. I must’ve been too shocked at how much wine gave it’s life up for her “cuisine.”
I find wine is necessary for preparing any quality dish. Heavy drinking is vital to the cooking process.
OMG, you guys!!!! I just found out I get an extra week of vacation next year! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ROADTRIP!
I KNOW, RIGHT? Dude, I am so excited. It used to be that we had to wait until we hit our 12th year here that we got bumped up to 4 weeks of vacation, and starting next year, it’s now at the 8th year of service. And next year is, conveniently, my 8th. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
I must’ve been too shocked at how much wine gave it’s life up for her “cuisine.”
Dude, wasn’t that bizonkers? And did you see the hilarious Halloween episode, where she was making those gallon-sized cocktails with feathers in them? Oh, Aunt Sandy. Don’t ever change.