Some things just catch your eye . . .

Stolling the streets in Old Town Mazatlan this old door struck me as beautiful . .

Let's have ribs . . .

I love BBQ'd meat, any kind actually, but ribs is one of my favorites. This is a recipe I like to use that without fail always makes tasty, moist, yummy ribs. I got the recipe some time ago from a friend who worked at a Tony Roma's restaurant. You may want to try it out at one of your BBQ's this summer . . . Enjoy!

Shhhhh Tony Roma's Baby Back Ribs

Combine:

1 c. ketchup

1 c. vinegar

1/2 c. dark corn syrup

2 t. sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. onion powder

1/4 t. tabasco pepper sauce

Heat over high heat until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 30-40 minutes until thick.

Coat 4 lbs. of baby back pork ribs, front and back, with BBQ sauce.

Wrap ribs in aluminum foil. Bake at 300 degrees for 2 - 2 1/2 hrs.

Remove ribs from foil and smother with more sauce. Grill on hot barbecue for 2-4 minutes per side.

Great served with a pile of coleslaw, hot buttered corn on the cob and a slice of watermelon.

Sunset over Deer Island . . .

I'm not into Zen much . . but if I was this would be it . .

Timeshare extravaganza . . .

We love Mexico . . . we hate timeshare salespeople. I know a few people who own timeshares and that's all fine. From what we have heard when you own a timeshare you typically have to always book your vacations a year in advance (we don't plan that far ahead), and the only real way to obtain a timeshare at a reasonable price is to buy it from a private party who is trying to sell theirs and to NEVER buy directly from the timeshare organization or you pay way too much. This trip we intentionally chose to travel to Mazatlan instead of Puerto Villarta (a favorite place of ours) because our last trip there we were practically mauled by sales people jumping out at you everywhere!, "Ola my friends, let me give you a free trip to fish, snorkel, tour and 150.00 US dollars in free dinner and drinks while you are staying in Puerto Villarta". It was constant and it was annoying. They don't take "No Gracias" for an answer, they follow you, they shove brochures into your face and your husband (mine) gets into shouting matches with them when they don't backoff . yikes . in a foreign country...nice!! We decided to stay in Mazatlan because when we were there 22 years ago that didn't happen to us. So of course it shouldn't happen now . . right? WRONG!! They have now invaded the beautiful beaches of Mazatlan with their sales pitches. They really snuck up on us one night about the 4th night into our trip we ate dinner at a recommended spot called Gus Gus, famous for their happy hour which includes a delicious seafood buffet. We were seated, listening to oldies (weird, you go to Mexico and hear US oldies songs everywhere), when the manager of the restaurant comes to our table to thank us for coming to Gus Gus for dinner, he is very friendly asks where we are from, gives us suggested places to see while we are in Mazatlan, also recommends other restaurants in town to try, talks to us about Oregon and how he would love to visit there, when all of a sudden he then whips out a brochure about the NEW, the FABULOUS new Pueblo Bonita Emerald Bay resort on the North end of town and how he can get us (for just watching a short 90 minute presentation) many free vouchers and trips while we are visiting .. . . . . aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!! I thought hubby was going to jump across the table and strangle the guy, it was all such a con. They pretend like they are interested in your conversation when it's all just the hook . .line . . but in our case NO SINKERS!! It's sad to say but at the end of our seven day trip, we were glad to get out of town. They were like vultures. I do have to completely and totally compliment our hotel the Playa Mazatlan . . family owned and NOT a timeshare. Our service was fabulous and the staff was extremely professional and the restaurant was fantastic. It's just if you leave the grounds, you are on the open market for timeshare harassment. One night our cab driver tried to explain to us why they are that way, "Yes, they can be aggressive, but if they don't make the sale or get you to a presentation, they don't make money for themselves or their family". Sorry, but they should find other work, what an awful job, do people actually aspire to be timeshare sales persons? Lord, what has this world come to?

Back to the real world . . .

You know the one of work, paying bills, cleaning house, responsibilities that one! Well just unpacking, sorting laundry, tired but rested, made it home fine. Sure gonna miss looking at this again tonight, but all good things must end, until next time!

Ola' from Mazatlan! . . .

Just a quick note that we are having a GREAT time here in Mazatlan, Mexico! Hubby is poolside so I popped into the lobby to check emails. Lot's of beach & pool time, even road on a banana boat a couple times yesterday, of course Dale tried to tip us over! YIKES! Today we took the Old town Mazatlan walking tour, tomorrow is the Tequila distillery tour (with samples,yum) and a Mexican fiesta in the evening, maybe we will even Macarena...whoohooo!! Everyone is very friendly and helpful that we have met so far. There will be some funny "timeshare" people stories to tell when we return . . .oh my gawd! those people never give up! Really humid here but that's ok, hopefully we are sweating off all of these Cervesas, Margaritas and wonderful Mexican food we are eating...mmmmmm good! Pictures when we return, off to the beach!

Catch up with you later . . .