Sandra Lee's Phloral Kraft Video.

Ticky and I were very excited yesterday to sit down and watch Sandy's two videos.
The first one, Kurtain Kraft, unfortunately looked like this:

Maybe it will work on a different VCR. One can only hope. The second one, Floral Kraft, was quite enjoyable and entertaining. And thanks to Carol for generously sending me the videos.

Ticky and I were all atwitter with excitement.
And thank you Ticky for taking the pictures.

Check out the pre-tweeked, pre-botoxed, pre-new-and-"improved" Sandra.
Even the "girls" are at a respectable level.

Here's a rather coy Sandy explaining her floral system.
I know the Fandras have got to be scratching their heads on this one,
'cause Ticky and I sure were.

It was starting to sound like a Chinese menu:
Take one from Column A, then 1 from column B ...

It appears even Sandy is having a tough time reading her instructions, which were starting to sound a bit like Semi-Ho Rocket Science.



Here's Sandy's faux window.
Just what we all need.

And her faux window with a window box.
Isn't this absolutely darling?

Wouldn't you know Floral Kraft uses Krystals.


Ticky got several particularly flattering pictures of Sandra.

And my favorite- Sandra practicing her Diana pose.

Rosie's Roses

Just What I'd LOVE to See.

Carol Blymire and her French Laundry Blog. Carol, you know I love you. I just think this is awesome news. Congratulations! Also the fact that Ruhlman mentioned you. That's just lemon in my tea. Basil in my pesto. Buttah in my mashed potatoes. Eggs in my omelet. You freakin' ROCK! You are my hero. When you get to be a huge FN star, just remember, I knew you when.

Ticky Visits Rosie And Wacky HiJinx Ensue!

Oh, what fun the past 24 hours have been! Ticky came to see me last night and, as usual, we had a great time.

Upon arrival, Ticky was happy to see the bed strewn with Pixy Stix. Ah, good times. Pixy Stix. Yeah. Read it and weep.

I tried to anticipate Ticky's every need and provide all the creature comforts for her. Sweet dreams, Ticky!

We woke up, Saturday morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to greet the day. This week is BIKE WEEK on the Outer Banks and the biker dudes and dudettes are everywhere. And it is LOUD!

I decided to take Ticky for lunch to Lucky 12 Tavern, one of my favorite eateries on the Outer Banks.

Well, it certainly looks like we're at the right place.

I'm loving this.

Upon being seated, we were given a drinks menu. Although we didn't partake, I certainly noticed the Pixie Stick KoKtail. Sandra has infiltrated EVERYWHERE. Ticky had a Portabello Sandwich with white corn salsa. I had the grilled tuna and garden salad. Both were quite good. I requested the Remoulade Sauce for Ticky to try and she liked it very much. What's so nice about the Lucky 12 Tavern is the owner, Mark. He came over to our table, sat down with us, and chatted for a bit, even though he had a full house of bikers (most of whom were at the bar, which is kinda scary if you think about it - drinking and two wheels). I always appreciate it when the owner of an establishment (and a busy one at that) takes time out to actually COME TO MY TABLE, SIT DOWN, AND TALK WITH ME. Thanks, Mark. You made me feel SPECIAL. And I always like feeling special. The Lucky 12 Tavern is the one Mr. Hawthorne and I went to during Taste of the Beach week and had such a wonderful time. Mark had found my blog and, I think, appreciated my comments, and knew exactly who I was, blogger-wise. I am not anonymous Rosie there anymore. They know my face. I may have to kill them. But the service is always excellent, and the food consistently good so maybe I won't.

Back at home, here's a sailboat heading out to the sound. From any dock out here, you have access to the intra-coastal waterway and can sail to anywhere in the world.

Ticky and I drove down to the Causeway to Shipwreck, a little shell and knick-knack shop that's been there for 54 years, and Ticky has been visiting it for 30 years. She found this piece of driftwood, which we thought looked like a pterodactyl.

Rosie worked furiously to get dinner on the table. Here's the first course, a mussel chowder.

And the entree - a bottom layer of risotto (with onions, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan), then a parmesan crisp, then two sauteed scallops, fresh pesto, and caramelized onions.

Another view.

And yet another.

Ticky wanted to use my little micro-torch to flambe the creme brulees I made this morning.

Here's Ticky's amazingly delicious Baklava.

Here's dessert. Ticky's f'ntastik baklava and my creme brulee.

And, most importantly --- our tablescape. Ah, Ticky, you are a sly one, what with the one eye peaking through.

I bid you adieu, Ticky. My heart is heavy. I miss you already.

Rosie's Roses, Vegetables, And Nude Photo.

Let's take a stroll through Rosie's garden.

If anyone knows what this is (Orchidgirl?) please let me know.
I don't remember planting it, but it's from a bulb and is multiplying every year.

Still life of oranges and bananas.

Nude of Squash.