Too Good to be True!

Today for lunch, John and I tried a new sandwich place in SLO…The Giant Grinder. As some of you know I am quite the sandwich coinsure…ok I’m super picky…BUT sandwiches are one of my favorite foods. I don’t just settle for crap sandos either... like Subway, (although when I’m trying to eat healthy and save money I do go there. I mean Jared is such a charmer, how can I avoid that place?).

I read about the grinder in the paper. (Here is a better article than the one I read). It said it was family run business that was trying to bring the East Coast style sandwiches to the West Coast. It sounded pretty interesting and definitely something I'd like to try.

So John and head to the tiny shop and it’s totally packed! We actually had to wait about a half an hour for our sandos, but one good thing was that a small table did clear up so we were able to eat there. (I think there are 6 seats total in the place). Let me just say that the sandwiches were TOTALLY worth the wait!! They were SO good. I decided to order their turkey sandwich to see how it compares to the other turkeys that I get. I did alter the order slightly by getting it without peppers, but this sandwich also came with oil, salt, and pepper. The sour dough roll was super fresh and tasty, and the meat was sliced nice and thin. Just my style. Even John liked it with the veggies on it!!!! Granted it was only lettuce and tomatoes, but that says more than you can imagine! He got the meatball sandwich and it was just as good. The tomato sauce was really flavorful and the bread was toasted perfectly…hard on the outside, and nice and soft on the inside.

My sandwich reminded me of a deli that used to be in Fortuna a LONG time ago. Now I need help from you Fortuna readers to verify that there was an actual deli where I remember. It was kind of sketchy inside and had a ton of dark wood, and had booths inside. I remember going there multiple times with my mom having great sandwiches with the really skinny shredded lettuce. It was located on main street on a corner...the corner across from Green’s Pharmacy, and I think Redwood Bootery. I can’t remember what was on the other corner, but I think the other corner was the same block as John's Club. However now on that corner it’s a newer building (20 years old) and I think Allen Baird had an office in there? I think it was on the same street as Diana’s was on too. Is this ringing any bells??? For you youngsters, can you ask your parents?

I feel so lucky to have yet ANOTHER great restaurant in SLO. It's just hard to imagine that there are that many good places to eat around here in such a small radius. I never dreamed of living in a place that would have 3 good delis. Are you kidding me? I must have already died and gone to heaven!

So now to all you local San Luis County peeps…go get yourself a grinder! You will not be disappointed. I would advise calling in your order if you go during lunchtime. That seems to be the smartest move. I would link to their website, but it’s not up and running. They have the address just no site…maybe they need a designer…who will work in trade…free sandos for life? I’ll take it!

Somthing Smells Good!

Here is the apron I made for my mom for Christmas. I know I said I was going to post these AGES ago, but I haven't had much time due to Guitar Hero. (I swear that thing is like the black hole). I think she was pretty excited about it, even if it was a pretty easy project.

Here are the aprons I made for Rebekkah and her daughter Sydney. These were a lot of fun, because I thought fabric was so cute. I was really wingin' it with Syd's apron since I didn't have a patter, but luckily it looked good on her. (I know...I know...I should have posted the photos of her in the apron, but it's almost my bed time, so you peeps need to take what I'm dishin' out!).

(I did not make the chef hat, but I did add her name to it.)

Hodgepodge

This is what my weekend consisted of...
homemade breakfast burritos. Can you tell which one is mine and which one is John's?

I also had my sewing day with Jen and Sam. Here are the fabrics I used:
We actually got a lot done today. Even Sam got to work on her own project (instead of teaching us the whole time). Jen even finished a cute child's apron and two book totes. As I was telling my mom about them she brought it to my attention that I did not get a photo of any of her finished products! They were really cute too. Jen and Sam are both great house guests. Every time they leave there is never even a trace that people were over! Let me tell you that we make quite a mess with all of the eating and sewing we do. I definitely don't think I am as good of a house guest as they are, so I guess it's a pretty good thing that I'm the host!

You will still have to wait until I unveil my project...even though the person I am making them for has been having some serious computer issues. It might take me a bit more time to finish my project though because I'm waiting on getting another material for it. A computer printing material...so exciting!

During the afternoon, John got the following photo from his brother-in-law:
That is right! It was snowing up in Humboldt today! I couldn't believe it! I was so jealous I wasn't there. (Yes...I think Maddy is holding a bowl of snow).

After we were done sewing I got online to harass my mom about not sending any snow photos, but she already had! Here is one photo of their back deck.
Isn't it beautiful? I told her she should take some more photos and use one for her Christmas cards next year. Then she sent me a cute video of their doggies in their first snow ever!

My mom was very excited about the snow, and even made sure I could hear the snow crunch when she went outside to measure how many inches they had gotten. (1.25 inches). However about 2 hours later I got a call from her and she was NOT that excited since they were currently without power. Who knows when their power will get turned back on...hopefully by tomorrow!

This past week on one of the really stormy days, John and I headed downtown to check out the creek. (We often do that when it rains alot, since we are very sheltered and get really excited when the weather is not 75 degrees). Once again the creek did not fail us and was really full. More like a mini river if you ask me. I took the following video as proof. I know this may not be that impressive if you don't know what the creek is normally like...but normally there is barely enough water to call it a creek.



Three years ago on New Year's Day it was another really rainy day so we headed down to the creek, along with Molly A., to check the scene. Let me tell you that we were not disappointed! I think just minutes before we got there a huge tree had fallen:
Thank goodness Molly had her cell phone which allowed us to capture this historic moment. Just as we were about to leave a cop/park ranger showed up with some yellow caution tape. I totally thought of calling the Tribune to break the story, but decided against it.

Since this is quite the hodgepodge of photos, I also thought I would include this one:
John's bro-in-law sent this to John a few weeks ago while they were out at their cabin. I guess it had been raining there and he was able to sneak up upon this baby deer and capture it. Here is his apprentice posing for the shot. I thought it was pretty cute as you can tell his dad told him exactly how to hold the deer down.

And lastly...my sister sent this gem of a photo from her wedding:

I think the dude's expressions in he background say it all.

Mini Horse Security

One of my favorite shows that is actually airing NEW episodes right now is Rob and Big (on MTV). Now if you have not had a chance to get to know Rob, Big Black, Meaty, and Mini Horse, I HIGHLY suggest you tune in. New episodes are on Tuesday nights at 10 or 10:30pm...I'm not sure. I'm sleeping at that time! Cut me some slack…you know all of my TV watching is done via my DVR (greatest invention EVER). You know they should really rename it…ATRE…Awesomeist Technology Device Ever. Then they can rename the ipod too to iSATDE…Second Awesomeist Technology Device Ever.

Anyway the last Rob and Big episode hit a little too close to home when all four of them, (animals included), took a road trip to Santa Rosa…and of course passing through SLO County!! Their quest was to enter Mini Horse in a Mini Horse Competition. You heard me right. There is actually a large mini horse community that holds showing competitions! What is WORSE is that was held in Santa Rosa! I was so embarrassed. Granted that isn't Humboldt County...but pretty darn close…especially when growing up, SR was the 'big city' we'd get to visit to shop at Macy's and eat at Chick-Fil-A and Tony Roma's.

On their way up north they stopped in Pismo for the night and also went dune bugying. Right when they started brodying out on the dunes John and I looked at each other at the same time and said 'Why haven't we done that?' It looked like SO much fun.

I am pretty bummed that our paths didn't cross when they were in town. Could you imagine? I could have asked them if they needed a tour guide for the trip since they were headed up to my old stompin' grounds. I mean I could have at least shown them where the mall is!

The show proceeded to get funnier and funnier, with them stopping at a Spa in Napa and taking a mud bath. Now we knew there was no way BB would be able to fit into that small tub, and the poor dude totally didn't! He kept trying to squish his way in there, but all he was doing was pushing the mud out of the tub. Let me tell you that I felt sorry for the clean up crew for that room.

They finally made it to SR with all the serious mini horse competitors. It was really interesting to see their costumes along with one hard core lady who was even wearing a vest made out of a horse material.

At one point they were told by one lady on the DL that Mini Horse needed a haircut because he was lookin' pretty ghetto. Once Mini Horse got a makeover, and the two dudes put on their bling cowboy outfits they were ready! I won't tell you how it ends, because you really have to watch it for yourself if you get the chance. You know MTV will rerun it about 500 more times before next Tuesday.

It is truly amazing how each season of the show has gotten better and better. I am afraid that this could be the last, because in the clip below Rob says how Big Black recently got married.

Check out this clip if you have a chance. It's about 9 minutes but pretty funny, and will also give you a good idea if you would enjoy the show...which I know you would!

2 Legit 2 Quit

I have a legit excuse for this week entry. I spent 1.5 hours in the fabric store tonight...hence taking my blog time.

Jen, Sam and I are having another sewing get together this weekend and I'm actually making something that requires more than one kind of fabric! I am very excited, however I had no idea how overwhelming it would be to pick out 9 different fabrics and have them all go together. I seriously almost walked out of the store twice because I was so frustrated, and after all that I don't even like the fabrics I got. But I knew that if I walked out of there after THAT long without any fabric that would be pretty sad, and pretty nuts-o. I would tell you what I'm going to make, but I can't as the person I'm making it for may be reading this, and I do want to keep it a surprise. So you'll have to suffer...sorry suckers!

2 Vids

I found another preview to the premiere of LOST next week! For those of you who have not seen this show, I highly suggest you view the recap in my previous post...because it will definitely get you up to speed so you can watch it next week!


I also found a small interview/preview on my sister-in-law's latest movie 21. It's based on the true story of a group of MIT students who learned to count cards (thanks to their teacher). John read the book, and really liked it. Check it out and see what you think!

College is Awesome

This weekend Jen, her hubby Joel, Sam and John and I went out to Vallartas to have a late celebration for Jen's b-day and an early one for mine. I was really surprised at how crowded it was since I thought most of the college kids would have gone to the snow for the three day weekend. Unfortunately I was wrong.

In a booth next to us was a group of girls who were all getting pretty loud since they had a few 60 oz. margaritas at their table. We were thankful when they left, but when they did a group of guys filled their seats. They came over from the bar and one guy had his very own 60 oz. drink.

All of the sudden I see this guy out of the corner of my eye trip over a chair...stumble..and then face plant right on the ground...barely missing another chair with his head! It happened in such slow mo that I totally thought the guy was kidding, but he wasn't! Everyone just kind of looked around and started laughing. I mean have you ever seen someone trip and fall down in a restaurant before?

Jen and Joel had the view of the bar and they both said they saw him downing his own 60 ouncer pretty quickly. I guess he didn't realize there was alcohol in it until he stood up! What a rookie.

A little while later after we got our food we noticed some more commotion coming over from the college dudes booth. We look over and Mr. Good Balance is totally passed out!!! So of course his buddies proceed to take inappropriate photos of him the dude. At least we didn't see any nudity.

Then all of the sudden I find Jen and myself posing with Mr. Party Animal!! How the heck did that happen?
I think I mentioned how I wanted to try to get a video of the dude, because it was too funny to pass up, when someone suggested that we should get a photo with him! As you can see his buddy was totally embarrassed to pose with us.

Ahhhhh to be in college again.