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?