LAUNCH PARTY

 Yes, I said "launch" party, not "lunch" party.

This time it's not about food.

It's about a hot air balloon launch right in our back yard.

In the distance.

On the fence mural.

Oh, okay, just take a look, willya?

Here's a slightly zoomed view.

If you tap on the pictures, they'll get somewhat larger.

The balloons were cut out of balsa wood, painted by SWMBO and the BAD some time ago.

The other day, once the weather had finally cooled down a bit, Judy glued them to the fence.

Hence, the launch party.

But what I want to know is, "Where is that darned champagne?"

Ooo! Ooo! Ooo!

Yesterday morning I tried a new recipe I found on the allrecipies website for Gooey Butter Cookies.

Very simple: one bowl using a hand mixer, five ingredients, one shallow dish to roll them in confectioner's sugar (we always called it powdered sugar), baked for less than 15 minutes per pan and it made about 40 cookies.

Judging from the reaction by SWMBO and myself, I'm renaming them Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies.

I may try them with a lemon flavored cake mix next time but these are fantastic.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

So another week has nearly staggered to a close.

Close enough to hear those muted shouts of "TGIF" echoing through the hallways.

Here in the Central Highlands of Arizona, we're cheering the cooler weather.

Only in the low 80's.

So, speaking of cheer, let's see if we can put some in your smiling faces.

How about that?

Star Wars and Star Trek fighting it out to the finish!

Well, Gentle Readers, I hope you won't do any fighting this weekend and by the time it's gliding into Monday you'll be able to say it was fabulous!

And remember: always keep laughing

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

( . . . arrggghhh, oh yes . . . )

SURVIVAL

I tried a recipe for Easy Dinner Rolls today and made every mistake in the book.

I won't bore you with the details.

But, amazingly, they turned out okay anyway.

Who watches over rookie bakers?

CAT-A-LOGUING

On my daily calendar page today, a wonderful quote from a famous writer.

A great way to start my day.

GARDENING

Some photos today from Judy's patio pot garden.

Calibrachoa (Million Bells)

Sweet Alyssum

Petunia

Wonderful fragrant Mint

After previewing this, Judy said "There are Chives, you know."

I said, "Yes, but they're not as pretty as these."

So you'll only get what I say you'll get!

WEEKEND AT THE BAKERY

 If Friday evenings are for pizza, then Saturday is for brownies.

(just in case you thought I had given up baking)