Simon's Cat 'Cat Man Do'

Some of you may have seen this already, but I just discovered it. As someone who has several cats of my own, I found this cartoon video to be both accurate and hilarious.  En-joie.

Growing Daw-bah-leez (Strawberries)

"More daw-bah-leeze, more daw-bah-leeze" my then barely-able-to-speak daughter used to plead. That pint-sized little creature could easily down a quart of strawberries in one sitting. Now, as a healthy, growing, 9-year old, she still wants her daw-bah-leeze.

Since our gal can out do a linebacker in any berry-eating contest, we decided to grow our own strawberries last spring. Sadly for us, though, those particular berries did not survive our visiting bunnies. This year, however, we set our cats on patrol, and so far we are seeing actual strawberries instead of only their tattered remains: baby green ones, white ones, and smallish ripe red ones, ready for smoothie-making.

(Never mind the bunnies, I've actually plucked the small green ones and used them in tiny flower arrangements. With their long, graceful stems, they look quite beautiful in a mix of greenery.)

I love the way the berries turn white before blushing to pink and then to red.

Okay, I cheated here -- these are actually store-bought strawberries -- what I hope mine will turn out to look like, eventually. (Mine seem to need a little Miracle Gro.)

But, I did actually make smoothies with the ripe berries we have gathered thus far, combining them with two ripe bananas, about 3/4 cup milk, and 6 ice cubes (3 per nana).  Made 3 large size servings. De-lish and healthy to boot!

Eggs Sunny Side Up?

Chicken Parmigiano My Way

"What's for dinner?" That question is one that always rankles me a bit, since it reminds me what a tired and boring cook I usually am. I seem to have such a hard time coming up with something new that everyone in the family will eat, while still keeping things quick and simple.

Today, however, I was so proud of myself when I remembered a simple dish I used to make a lot several years ago - chicken parmigiano, without the parmesan!  Here is my version of the dish (semi-homemade) which turned out pretty darn good tonight, I must say.

Chicken Parmigiano JoJo -- with Rice

2 large deboned breasts

1 TBS olive oil

1 large jar seasoned sauce

1 TBS oregano

1 cubed small onion

1 glove garlic, sliced 

1 tsp chopped fresh basil (my plants are just babies!)

Mozzerella cheese (preferably shredded) and/or Italian cheese mix 

Sliced fresh tomato

Pound the breasts between saran wrap to make them tender. Place breasts in large pan, coat both sides with olive oil and cook meat just until it is opaque. Pour sauce on breasts, coating thoroughly, and heat sauce until just bubbly. Next, turn down heat to just simmering. Mix in oregano, onion, garlic. Cover and continue simmering about 20 minutes while making the rice (I used Uncle Ben's converted). While rice is resting, add fresh basil to sauce, top breasts with sliced tomato, and top the tomato with the cheese.  Cover again, just long enough to melt the cheese.  Serve with rice -- but watch that mozzerella - it tends to go everywhere your fork goes!

Hope you en-joie!

Sorry to Awaken You (Again)

Tip Junkie

Clutter Busting, Part II: Tackling the Medicine Cabinet

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The Tylenol Recall and Disposing of Old Meds

If you read my April 19, 2010 post, you may recall that I am working on clearing out all the clutter in my home. 

Since all Tylenol infant's and children's medications are being recalled, I decided that today I would weed through all of my over-the-counter meds to dispose of any that were either recalled or expired. I did have quite a few Tylenol products, so I went to the company website to see what to do about the recall.  

What I found out is that the company name is McNeil, and that the products involved also included Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl (all for children/infants). I also found out that I can get a product coupon or full refund, and that I don't have to send the products in or bring them anywhere -- just contact the company.  

I like the sound of cha-ching, so I went with the money.  (Always go with the money, folks.) Now I'll just buy the more-cost-effective-anyway generics, which as of yet, have thankfully not been recalled!

Getting Your Cha-Ching. If you have any of these products, don't throw them out just yet. You will need to gather them, line them up in front of your computer, and click this direct link to start your refund process:  McNeil Product Recall (Tylenol/Motrin/Zyrtec/Benadryl).

In the FAQs section of McNeil's website, they also advise that we need to take precautions about how we dispose of their products, linking us to a site called Smart Disposal. Here is a quick rundown, taken directly from their website, of what you need to do:

Disposing of Your Meds: 

DO NOT FLUSH unused medications and DO NOT POUR them down a sink or drain. *

Be Proactive and DISPOSE OF UNUSED MEDICATION IN Household TRASH. When discarding unused medications, ensure you protect children and pets from potentially negative effects:

1. Pour medication into a sealable plastic bag. If medication is a solid (pill, liquid capsule, etc.), add water to dissolve it.
2. Add kitty litter, sawdust, coffee grounds (or any material that mixes with the medication and makes it less appealing for pets and children to eat) to the plastic bag.
3. Seal the plastic bag and put it in the trash. 
4. Remove and destroy ALL identifying personal information (prescription label) from all medication containers before recycling them or throwing them away.

I like the idea of  a and b, but I'm thinking I'll just throw away the bottle in the plastic bag and mark it "Do Not Use" with a sharpie, then seal it. I recommend that you don't ignore step d. above, in any case, to avoid even the remotest chance that someone could use the info to steal your identity. Besides, do you really want all those criminals and other trash pickers to know all your medical secrets?? ("Heck, Why not? "you say, "After all, our medical files are already being placed online for computer hackers and unethical medical staff to visit."  But hey, I say, let's just not make things easier for all these folks than it already is.) 


For more information on Smart Disposal, visit: www.smarxtdisposal.net. 


The image in this posting is borrowed from: De-Clutter Mind Map by Paul Foreman from The Mind Map Inspiration Blog.


Update May 19, 2010 -- WOW -- just checked my mail and found two refund checks! I can't believe how fast they responded.  I received $44 for about 6 items.  Not bad, I think.

Colley Cantina's Hot Poppers and Dark Brews

Been so busy lately, one appointment after another -- 21 in 27 days. Whew! And more to come.

After one doc appointment recently, I found myself with an irate, empty tummy. I'd been up since about 6 am (yes, really), without a thing to eat or drink but about half a cup of joe. Now, I know this is probably not the first thing to come to your mind when you are hungry, but as I was rumbling down Colley Avenue in Ghent just before the lunch rush, I thought about the jalapeno poppers at the Colley Cantina. I hadn't been to Colley Cantina in quite a long time, but I still remembered those poppers.

If you've never had them before, go and try them, and see why my car turned in Colley Cantina's direction. These are the most beautiful, fresh, succulent (!) stuffed jalapeno peppers you will likely ever encounter on this earth. Handmade, batter-crusted and oozing with cheese, dipped in a bit of cool ranch sauce, you will enter a new orbit when you pop one of these babies in your mouth.

So, okay, I got there and ordered me up a batch (a little bad grammar never hurt no one). While waiting, I did what I always do, read everything on it that has writing. Since there were no cereal boxes around, of course, I had to read about their brew offerings, which were plentiful, not to mention outstandingly interesting.

And here is where I really got interested. The Colley Cantina apparently excels at delivering a variety of exotic and micro-brews, of both the light and dark variety. Now, truly, I am not a big drinker, but I do like to quaff a nice, foamy, rich, dark brew every once in a while. However, it is not at all unusual for me to try to order one in a restaurant and then have them tell me that they can serve me a light brew and turn the lights out, if I insist.

Imagine my delight when I saw their dark beer menu, which I have kindly photographed for your reading pleasure (and to save a few keystrokes for my carpal-tunnel wracked wrists):

Pictured above: Stone 09/09/09 Vertical Epic (left) and the Stone Imperial Russian Stout (right)

Now,  I know that it was daytime, and I NEVER (hardly ever) drink in the daytime, but I did notice that they offered tasters for only 25 cents each, which seemed like such a very good idea.  Since this marketing ploy nabbed me on two counts -- dark beer, a penny-pincher's dream bargain -- I really had no choice but to try a couple.  Those would be the two shown above.

I do have to disclose that the 25 cent sizes are really no more than a sip or two, and that I did ask for a larger portion of both, for which I was charged the half-pint price.  However,  since I said that I do not drink during the day, I am only owning up to drinking the two sippy size portions. Based on this sampling, however, I can tell you that these two brews were DELICIOUS, particularly the Vertical Epic. Do try to squint and read what you can of the pictured descriptions as they really do describe the flavors quite accurately (chocolately, creamy, etc.).  I am still thinking about them and am contemplating a return trip very soon. (Curiously, I did happen to leave my credit card there by mistake).

Anyway, between the brews and the poppers, I was quite happy, and my tummy was as well. (I highly recommend dark brews to settle the stomach and they go quite nicely with the jalapenos.  My high school German teacher did advise that German women were known to drink dark beer when pregnant, so there may very well be something to this).

Colley Cantina is located in Norfolk's Ghent area at 1316 Colley Avenue. Phone number is (757) 622-0033.

Update on My Cousin, Tani

If you read my very first blog post, you may remember that I wrote about my cousin who just found out she has breast cancer. She is scheduled for surgery tomorrow, so please remember her in your prayers.

My cousin, Tani, continues to amaze me with her grace, true courage, and positivism that goes beyond what could ever be expected. She says her goal is to be loving, regardless of the circumstances, even when talking to insurance adjustors who are planning to cancel her health insurance ASAP! Please check out her blog to see what I mean: http://tanikhabbaz.blogspot.com/.

(And Thank God for health reform once it won't allow insurance to cancel you...)

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A Cactus in the Dark

In case you didn't already guess, I love cacti and succulents --not only photographing them, but growing them as well. We have quite a few of them scattered around between the potted plants on our backyard deck, and occasionally we like to move them around. . .

So, it was a lovely night, and my hubby called out to me to join him on the back deck where he was relaxing and enjoying a drink in the dark. With no lights on, we sat in the coolness of the day's end and chatted about upcoming events. As we chatted, we rocked, enjoying the stars that were now so visible in the sky.  

After a few minutes, I decided it was time to get up and get the kids to bed. What I didn't know though, was that a small but overly self-protective cactus was right below my bare left foot. Knowledge is everything, I think, and without it, I stepped right on that bad boy, only to spend the next half hour hobbling, wincing and trying to pull its spiky thorns out of my foot. 

Three days later, my foot was still sore.  Five days later, now, and the pain is almost gone.  

A Few Cool Crafters

Well, I promised I would feature some of the artists and crafters I met at the recent Craft Show at the Fred Huette Center in Ghent, and here they are!

Susan Ziegler is a glass artist specializing in serveware. Originally from Palm Coast, Florida, she only recently moved to Hampton Roads, and we are glad she did!  Her lampwork serveware is simple, elegant and striking, as you can see from the pictures.

If you are not familiar with lampwork, it is, as Susan describes, "a traditional process in which designs are formed by heating pieces of glass under a torch to form and create various shapes.  Each design starts out as a clear glass rod, but the hand of the skilled lampworker transforms this material into a work of art."

Susan has a website where you can see more of her designs at www.susanzieglerdesigns.com.

Taff Taliaferro, the self-described, "Turning Man" does some mean turning -- woodturning  that is.  He makes those beautiful wood pen and pencil sets you see around, as well as other goodies.

I only spoke with him briefly, but he was kind enough to model one of his special pens for me -- it is actually a pen that he created using real coffee beans embedded in resin. He said that the pen smelled just like a freshly made pot of coffee when he was making it. (I wonder if those beans were decaf?)

Taff also makes keychains with hidden compartments for spysters, as well as other goods made from turned wood, resins, and plastics. If you want to reach him, let me know and I can get you in touch.

Also in the wooden vein, John Skoczynski had some nicely priced turned wooden bird houses (about $40 each) and creative, challenging puzzles that kept my daughter entertained for quite a while. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the birdhouses or puzzles, but do have his email address if you are interesed.

Another fun crafter I met was JoAnn Holley from Quiltnista in Herndon Virginia.  I was struck by JoAnn (who BTW is also nicknamed "JoJo") who was as warm and inviting as her colorful quilted artifacts. She had some adorable potholders in the shape of flip flops, which not only were comment-worthy, but looked very functional as well. Another find was the color-coordinated pencil roll, shown here.

What I really loved though, were the "Find It" Bags she had. Inside these birdseed-filled pillows, which felt like bean bags, were hidden little trinkets and baubles. These bags would be ideal for young children in pre-school or kindergarten, or could even keep a bigger child entertained on a long trip.  What I really appreciated about these bags though, is that the pillows are also often used to entertain Alzheimer's patients. What a great and useful gift these little stuffed bags make.

JoAnn also does custom baby and child size quilts, t-shirt quilts, home decor and other items.  Her website is www.quiltnista.com, but it wasn't working yet when I checked.

There were so many great artisans at this craft fair, I still have a few (several actually) to tell you about.  Keep checking back as I feature them through out the coming days.

Trying to Write, But the Cats are Not Helping

Move out of my way, you naughty cats.  I'm trying to write.  Oh, so now your yawning at me, how rude.



Okay, so I see you have no intention of getting up.



Soooo sorry to have disturbed you.  Go right back to sleep -- I know how sleep deprived you are.
(oh wait, no that's me) Scoot over please.

Clearing Out the Clutter

I bought several new items at the Herb and Craft Sale I wrote about yesterday -- just need to find some good places to display them.  I've been an avid antiquer, vintage-hunter, art and craft buyer for so many years now that I've amassed quite a stash. It also seems that one can have too many pretty things, and too little space to proudly display them!

Frankly, I've been overwhelmed with clutter for too long, and for my own sanity, have started to really  do something about it.  Although I have actually been battling the clutter monster for years, my pace has been far too slow to get ahead of it. As a result, not only is my house cluttered, but now my mind as well. The clutter is particularly affecting how efficient I can be. My hubby is also running out of patience. So, I've resolved to go on the warpath and do a full-scale clean out.

As I assess the sources of the clutter, I find that one area that is particularly overwhelming is paper -- bills, junk mail,  catalogues, etc. -- you know what it's like, I'm sure.

Sometimes the sheer number of items sent by my daughters' school alone boggles my mind -- since both of them are at the same school right now, I usually get two of everything, plus some. I have been known to put many of these papers to the side to read later, and then miss something important. So, along with the cluttered house, cluttered mind, and long-suffering husband and children comes the guilt. Not a good mix.

In any case, clearing out the clutter in my home will be a long process, will take a lot of dedicated effort, and a stalwart heart for me, no doubt.  I do have comfort in knowing that I have at least begun the process.

STEP 1: GETTING RID of the JUNK MAIL

Since paper is one of my biggest challenges, one of the first things I've done is to try to eliminate excess junk mail.  Naturally, I turned to some of my best non-human friends, the Internet and Google, to help find out how to go about this excercise.  One great discovery: Ecocycle.org.  At this site I was able to tackle several mail issues at once. I opted to use the link to the Direct Marketers Association to cancel credit card offers, catalogues and other unwanted offers.

In addition to saving lots of trees, I was able to save even more space at home and in the landfills by cancelling the Verizon Yellow Pages.  No more multiple yellow and white pages landing on my doorstep and filling up my trashcans!  To cancel your Verizon Yellow Pages here is the number to call: 1-888-266-5765.

If you are tackling your own clutter problem, feel free to write back! Either way, I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing with it, step by step.

Images in this posting are from: De-Clutter Mind Map by mindmapinspiration on Flickr

Herb Sale and Art/Craft Festival at the Fred Huette Center

While out yesterday, with all good intentions of running some errands with my daughter, I spied a sign along the road that made my heart patter.  Some of my favorite words were on that sign ... Herbs ... Festival ... Art ... Crafts.  Say no more.  My daughter and I made a quick U (really, an L) and headed for the Fred Huette Center in Ghent.

Darned if we weren't getting there just as people were tearing down.
Lucky for us, this is a two-day event, and we were able to return the next day to enjoy the crafters, artists, lovely landscaping, and a messy gyro (Anna had a nicely charred hot dog).  While the cooking herbs were apparently in absentia (were they really all sold before we got there??), there were some healthy hosta plants I picked up for a pittance and some fragrant scented geraniums, which I resisted.

Of course, the best part of any event like this is meeting the artists and crafters.

I was impressed with so many stories of the artists and their work, how creatively some of their wares were used,  and how, in some cases, recycled artifacts were used to create new interesting and often useful goods.

A New Series Begins... 

There were so many gracious and talented individuals, that I decided to write about them over the next few days/weeks and introduce you to some people that you just might want to connect with (not to mention their awfully cute doggies!).  

I hope you'll keep checking in to see who you might meet on these pages  -- and who knows, you might even see yourself!

Pictured above are necklace charms made by Elizabeth Hutley at www.effervescentdesign.com.

A Father Daughter Dance ... In Sneakers, What Else?

Tonight I am left alone while my daughters, age 9 (in two weeks!) and 11 are at a Father/Daughter dance sponsored by the Girl Scouts.

When I was young, I remember that girls and fathers would dress up for these events, but this does not seem to be the case for this shindig.  Hubby went off in a taupey sort-of-Hawaiiany shirt with chino shorts. Younger daughter, the girlier-girl in a hip-hop black and hot pink ensemble, and my oldest, in a Tee and a pair of shorts, with sneakers, natch. (Dress code for the night was apparently shorts).

Of course I wanted to dress them up like pretty dolls, but even getting their hair brushed appropriately is a challenge.  Oh well, just glad that the girls and their Dad can create this special memory together!