A little snack for Max

Venkat and I could not be classified as "pet people". We have no objections to pets and pet lovers, we just don't happen to be so inclined. You might even say, we're both a little afraid of dogs. The first time a neighbor dog leaped for Venkat, he jumped behind me! I'm big but I provide no protection from lunging canines.

Venkat says that Indians, typically can barely feed themselves, let alone animals so most are strays. I grew up with dogs as pets but I still feel a little unease that even the nicest dog has a dark side that craves my blood.

My nephew Nate has a new dog - Max. Max is really wiggly, STRONG and unpredictable. Saturday at our flea market at abode, Max decided to take a bite out of crime (so to speak). He made a strategic lunge for Venkat attempting to make a meatball sandwich of strategic anatomy. Luckily my beloved is a quick mover and was unwilling to become a doggie snack!

Grillin can be thrillin!

Brace yourselves, our yard looks like the Beverly Hillbillies but I couldn't resist commemorating Venkat's first grilling experience - with charcoal no less! He did all the work while I larded in the house (this heat kills me). The steaks were fabu and the cook looks pretty fine as well, doncha think?

Murdercycle

Grab your babies, protect the kittens . . . Venkat wants a motorcycle! Yes, your eyes did not deceive, my South Indian Prince is hankerin' to hit the road, OK poor choice of words.

OK, so this is a scooter but you gotta start somewhere . . . he's leaning toward the Honda Rebel but there is a sweet low mileage BMW out there with his name on it . . . stay tuned and stay off the roads!

Templified!!

My beloved suggested we take a tour of the new Oquirrh Mountains Temple (in South Jordan, UT). We snapped up some tickets online and on Monday 7/6 we headed for the hills (Oquirrh mountains, that is).

The temple was stunning and hushed and there were a ton of "tourists" just like us, of course, Venkat was the best dressed! I was surprised at the number of people there on a Monday morning. And there were smiling volunteers to show us the way and keep Venkat from opening every door in the place.

Independance Week

LOOKS LIKE WE MADE IT!

Venkat and I celebrated our first anniversary!!! He declared the day we married, our independance day! We have certainly enjoyed life's fullest challenges and blessings and we are certain that the best is yet to come!

We went to Tandoor for our anniversary dinner (OK, ya gotta try it). It seems we have made our most serious decisions there and it was fitting that we celebrate our first year of life there. Jyothi, (the owner) gave us a gift! That was totally unexpected.

We spent the 4th with my family - attending the 10th ward breakfast with my mom, Shawn, Wendy and the kids and a host of other people most of whom we didn't know. The breakfast has been going on for 30+ years.

In the evening we went for a barbeque with mom and the others. I thawed a HUGE steak and Venkat suggested it would cook better if we cut it, but noooo, I think I always know better and after flopping it on and off the grill a hundred times - we cut it and imagine that - it worked. (sorry honey, you do know best!).

abode was closed on Saturday. Cathie and I debated what the traffic would be like and decided that we would close . . . guess we'll never know.

Hope you had a great one, I know I did!

My nephew Spencer's new haircut . . . . wait for it