Sunday, October 11, 2009

The day the book tour came to the 7MSN and pie crust fell from the sky

Some days, all I can do is shake my head and wonder why I get to live such a charmed life. Come on... two of my favorite authors show up at my house to visit? And the moment they arrive, they start spoiling pampering my animals? How much better can it get?

The boys can spot an easy target from a mile away and took total advantage of Jo-Ann and Judy.

George and Alan stood for as many butt scratches as Jo-Ann was willing to give.



Lyle and Hank greedily accepted Judy's apples, then Hank hovered for as many belly scratches as he could collect.



And all the while I got to be around two fascinating people who share my love of animals and New Mexico. Jo-Ann told stories of her horse, whom she got when he was 19 and lived to be 34! Judy shared a story about a friend in Italy who threw sandwiches out of her hotel window to a colony of cats below and how the cats must have remembered the incident as the day the ham fell out of the sky. Ok, I guess you had to be here, but it was a great story, and the day was full of them.

Smooch couldn't believe her good fortune. These visitors welcomed and encouraged her smooches, and she could barely contain herself, hopping back and forth between Jo-Ann and Judy, mooching more love and attention than one dog deserves.





Then it was time for lunch. I had agonized a bit about what to serve. Should I go with something elegant and sophisticated befitting ladies who lunch? Or something down-home and hearty for cowgirls who eat? I chose the later and made Frito pie. And if I do say so myself, it was a hit.

We took a ride around the ranch on the Ranger after lunch, then came back to the house for dessert – more pie, this time of the Key Lime variety, with a graham cracker crust.

Now Jo-Ann could barely contain herself and was compelled to share her crust with Smooch.



So much for Smooch's table manners...



Who was I to come between an incorrigible dog-lover and the object of her affection?



Smooch may remember the experience as the day pie crust fell from the sky, but I shall remember it as a get-together of three kindred spirits whose paths will cross again.

And for those of you who may be wondering, here is how you make Frito pie:
1. Cook up a pot of your favorite chile.
2. Place a big handful of Fritos on a plate and cover it with chile.
3. On top of the chile, add any or all of the following:
– cheddar cheese
– tomato
– shredded lettuce
– onion
– jalapeño peppers
– avocado
– sour cream

The best thing about Frito pie is that you can serve it again the next day, when more guests arrive to pamper the animals. Hmm, I wonder who that might be?

16 comments:

  1. OH MY GOSH, what an absolutely wonderful day you all had together, and the boys getting so much love, but Smooch ... TOTALLY pampered! I love the pictures of her as you can tell she's in 7th heaven!

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  2. What fun! Gotta love guests who love your animals as much as you do... as for the others, well what's that saying about a door and an ass? Yeah.

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  3. Thank you for sharing your day with your readers. You know we were waiting for the experience!

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  4. What a great day you had...I am sure smooch was having a ball....love frito pie...great choice for lunch!

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  5. It sounds like a *perfect* day for everybody on the place.
    Smoochy Girl got her just desserts, didn't she? ;-) I can feel her pure joy from here!
    Love people who love my animals!

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  6. You certainly DO live a charmed life. I wanna be you when I grow up.

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  7. That was a perfect day! It's so great being around people who love animals as much as you do. Great for the animals getting all the attention too. I'm going to have to look up their books.

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  8. That is so cool!! I'm so envious!! lol, what a great day and what wonderful new friends to have. Wish I'd been a fly on the wall :)

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  9. Visiting with friends, authors no less cause I love books, critters AND frito pie?! Gosh, aren't you swank?!! Your life sounds like so much fun!

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  10. Very cool. It looks like they really enjoyed their visit. And all your critters have new fans I'm sure. I'll bet Smooch can't wait for her new friends to visit again...more Smooches and pie from the sky can only be something to look forward to.
    Glad you had such a good time.

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  11. Yep, charmed! Once again, I'm wishing I was you! Good choice on the key lime pie - always a winner. So, how ya gonna top this one?

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  12. Sounds like a lovely day! I love it when people come and spoil my animals. They love visitors!
    Your Frito pie sounds delish, we do something similar! Now I am really hungry!

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  13. Oh, Smooch will be looking MORE forward to a visit again soon from her new found friends. She knows a good thing when she sees, er, eats it!

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  14. What a fabulous day. Smooch totally looks like Santa, the Tooth Fairy, AND the Easter Bunny have just arrived.

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  15. What a great day! In the photos, it's hard to tell who's having more fun. Can't wait for a sequel! Thanks for everything, Linda...

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  16. Lol! You must be psychic - I was already planning on seeking out a recipe for that Frito pie. Sounds decadent!

    Sounds like such a fantastic day. And I have to say that it does seem like you lead a charmed life. I don't know how or why you ended up where you are, but I do know that where you are inspires me to chase my dreams and seize happiness. It is so clear from your posts that you are fulfilled and happy. Thanks for sharing and inspiring. =)

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