Leaving Palm Springs

The hotel I stayed at in Palm Springs seemed to be a golfer's paradise. Outside my window there were rolling green hills beyond pools and fountains.

The hotel lobby had the coolest feature. The waterway right outside the hotel flowed into the lobby and the doors can be opened so boats can dock right inside the hotel lobby! It made a nice spot to stay away from home.

Before I headed back home I had to stop at In-n-Out Burger! Of course.

A trip to the West Coast wouldn't be complete without In-n-Out Burger!

View

Here are a few more shots I got when I rode the tram. I was kicking myself that I didn't bring my big camera with me on the trip. I also wish there were always a gentleman in a hat standing by to be in my photos.

What a view!

Palm Springs Tram

I was determined to see something of Palm Springs during my short stay. Before I even checked into my hotel I went to the Palm Springs Tram.

It takes the tram 10 minutes to travel from Valley Station – elevation 2,643 ft. to the Mountain Station – elevation 8,516 ft. Plus the tram rotates while it travels! Fantastic view even it can make you woozy.

The tram takes you from warm high seventies weather to a cool forty degrees and snow at the top. As if I were missing the snow back home.

Palm Springs

I'm in Palm Springs for a few days to speak at a conference. It's so warm and sunny here it came as a shock. I took this photo right at the airport!

I could just sit outside and soak it up. The locals say it's chilly but I certainly don't think so!

London Fog

I spotted this trench coat on the clearance rack. What a score! It's a classic.

Exploring Rochester Subway

Did you know Rochester used to have a subway? Sadly it was closed down in 1956. The tunnels are still there and I have always heard of people going there to explore. As long as I've been in Rochester, I myself, have not ventured down.

Luckily, some local fellow photography fans just invited Aaron and I to check it out. I didn't realize this but the wall are completely covered with vibrant graffiti art. Apparently it is high on the destination list for well known graffiti artists.

The art is quite amazing and makes the subway a hidden Rochester treasure. So many photo ops! Plus it was good to meet some online friends in real life too!

More crock pot oatmeal

I made another batch of crock pot oatmeal. This time I used steel cut oats and Alton Brown's recipe.

I didn't see a huge difference from the regular oat crock pot oatmeal recipe I made before. This one had craisins and figs in it so it was hard to compare, I think.

The Crock Pot experimentation will continue. I picked up this cookbook from America's Test Kitchen and I can't wait to try some of the recipes.

Oscar's doppelganger

Carson on Downton Abbey reminded us of someone. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Then it hit us. Carson is Oscar's doppelganger. Disapproving!!!

Kitty TV

Aaron got Bonnie and Clyde a nice larger cage. They like the extra space. Stewie likes the view too.

My friend Maria on Facebook calls it "Kitty TV". So true.

French Onion Soup

I love French Onion Soup. I haven't tried making it at home yet. I used Alton Brown's French Onion Soup recipe which is pretty easy. It just takes time. His recipe uses an electric skillet.

Of course the best part is the melted cheese on top.

Cross Country Skiing

Aaron and I still had our Christmas money from my grandma. This weekend we decided to use it to get cross country skis.

We enjoy snowshoeing, snowboarding, ice skating, sledding, so we thought we might as well try cross country skis.

It took a little getting used to, but fun! There are lots of places to go cross country skiing around Rochester for us to check out.

Sriracha Wings

Still in a spicy mood I guess. Tonight I made a batch of Sriracha Chicken Wings.

It was almost a Pinterest Fail. I saw the recipe on Martha Stewart's Facebook page and pinned it to my "Nom Nom" board. When I made them however, at the end of the suggested cooking time instead of luscious carmelized wings... mine were still pasty and watery.

Thankfully another 20 minutes of baking thickened the sauce and they looked much better.

Red Hot Jello

I have been meaning to make this Red Hot Jello recipe for some time now. It reminded me of a dish we had with Aaron's family once. It seems like a fun dessert to make around Valentine's Day.

The ingredients, red hot candies, strawberry jello and apple sauce sound strange... but really it's more like cinnammon jello with texure. Tasty!

Puppy Sitting

We are pet sitting Ziva this week. I even snuck her to work today. She is so little she fits on my desk like a laptop.

She likes snoozling with the pugs.

Even Stewie likes hanging out with her!

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day. I enjoyed flowers and chocolates from my Valentine.

I also thought I got a box of Jell-o but it turned out to be a wee Interstellarlovecraft necklace! I love it!

Kissing Booth

Pucker up! Tomorrow is Valentine's Day!!!

The boys thought they would get in the Valentine's spirit and offer their services in a kissing booth.

Who wouldn't want a smooch from these guys?

Twenty five cents is a steal!!!

$14 Pet Adoptions for Valentine's Day!

Both Rochester Animal Services and Lollypop Farm are offering $14 adoptions on all cats and select dogs for Valentine's Day!

Meet Dede, 1 year old Female Terrier Pit Bull/Mix. Dede is a really smart gentle girl who would love to find a forever family of her own. She knows sit and appears house-trained. Come into meet this quiet and sweet girl, you are sure to fall in love. Come in and meet her at the Rochester Animal Services Center at 184 Verona Street on Valentine's Day!

Molly here wants to remind you we’re going crazy all day on Valentine's Day! During the "Adopt Me Maybe?" adoption event on Thursday, February 14, all cats and select dogs at all five of our locations may be adopted for just $14!

Airplants & Terrariums

I came to a halt at Pittsford Wegmans when I spotted this display of airplants and terrariums.

The airplants were such good price. The small ones were $1.99. I got a few more for my terrarium.

I got this glass bubble ages ago at Crate and Barrel... probably when I was traveling and should not have been buying fragile glass to carry home on the plane.

I just dug out this one that I also got and plant in it... I pinched it off a spider plant that was sitting in the hallway at work!

I ablout fell over when I got this catalogue from West Elm.

They had all sorts of hanging plant bubbles. *drool*

They also had these amazing glass and wire terrariums.

And these terrariums with wood bases.

The West Elm site had tips for terrariums too... very useful.

Night snow

Friday night I noticed that during the snowstorm, it was unusually bright.

It was around midnight but I grabbed my camera and went out for a few pictures.

The sky was almost glowing.

Transformed.

Totally worth going out!