Al's breakfast ain't got nothin on Delys' diner

Sure, they have a great location in dinkytown with an equally enticing menu, but look what we have at Delys' diner...

The breakfast menu is just as mouth watering:

poached eggs

Jimmy Deans sausage

hash browns

English muffin (with cherry or apricot jam)

Cappuccino made with freshly ground Columbia beans topped with whip cream

Then it's on to lunch:

Tabbouleh with green olives

Petra chips with roasted red pepper hummus.

Apples with sharp cheddar and walnuts

Fresh fruit compote

A Pellegrino to cleanse the palette, cin cin!

Dinner includes:

Tossed baby greens salad with a home made Dijon mustard vinaigrette, honey toasted sunflower seeds and crostini

Mesquite smoked pork tenderloin

Roasted carrots or russets or both

Fresh green beans with Parma and onion crisps

And a chocolate gelato cone for desert

Meals can be taken inside or alfresco, with or without entertainment (watching our cat sleep) and a coyote quartet accompaniment (maybe, if they are in the mood). Bon fire optional. Beautiful sunsets usually occur but locations may vary based on our travel plans.

No tipping and for that matter, no charge.

Tomorrow night, who knows, Alaskan cod tacos with mango salsa, sour cream, guacamole ...

We'll see, stay tuned.

So close, and yet so far

What is a cat to do? Those hummers are so close, Blue can almost taste them. Teeth chattering and little squeaks let you know, this just isn't fair! Look away little Blue, look away.

Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air...

Last night we had a nice steady light rain which by the way, has an amazing sound in the RV. This morning the desert has a smell like no other reminding me of that famous song, Hotel California, by the Eagles. Funny how memories always connect with music for me. Ok, this is not what Don Henely had in mind but it has an interesting meaning that can go different ways in translation. The word "colitas" means literally, "Little Tails", so the slang, "colitas", (referenced in the song) means the burning of little marijuana 'tails/buds'. No folks, we were not doing any of that this morning, it was just the rain on the parched desert and I taking liberties with my title.

Walking the rim of the wash I had the good fortune of watching a mother burrow feeding her foal as the herd nibbled near by. Little tail flipping with joy. I could hear the burrows talking last night as they walked the wash along with a few coyote calls for an a-cappella wilderness song. I'm sure they could smell the rain coming in, and today, those dried up plants have a special taste with the fresh coating of rain.

The air this morning is crisp and clear with visibility at its best. It layers the mountains stretching off into the distance like the torn paper sculptures I made as a young girl with my mother. To the south, we watched as fog on Mittry lake rolled off with the gentle breeze. Stunning morning.

Friends flying in from afar

As soon as I put up the hummingbird feeder, the guests arrived. The show is almost nonstop, all day with these delicate little hummers flying in then swooshing over the cliff edge like a wave and back down into the wash only to be replaced by another. Today while we were turning the rig they still kept coming, Gary couldn't believe it, he thought maybe the little birds were afraid we were leaving and trying to get that last drink before the well ran away.

These window feeders are the best. I originally got one for the rig thinking that Blue would get a kick out of it but he could give a care for the show that happens just inches from his face. Cats getting soft with his good life I tell you.

Dinner on Mesa 3 for 30

Christmas dinner on Mesa 3 (the furthest point out in the Northwest Territories) for around 25-30 people was a hit. It was a day filled with baking pies, just two from me, eating with our newly made friends, a sunset fire and a great view of the full moon. Excellent!