Two cool new things from Method - the first is a special edition scent, Mandarin Mango. I love mango! I can't wait to try it. It's only for a limited time, so I want to be sure not to miss it.
Second - Method has a very cool deal at Target. When you buy the movie Sunshine Cleaning on DVD or Blue-ray you will get a coupon booklet worth $10 off Method products! I saw Sunshine Cleaning in the theatre and loved it so this is a win-win!
I don't know if you could find a tiara big enough to fit over Princess's ears, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't give her a home.
Princess is a very sweet 4-year-old female cat. She came in with six babies and went into foster care to raise them, and she was a very attentive mother -- playing with them, grooming them, and watching over them. She loves attention and loves to play -- particularly with a laser light. She is litter trained and will use a sisal or cardboard scratching post. She is a bit timid at first but once she gets to know you, she will curl up on your lap. Princess is good with other cats and dogs. Princess would make a wonderful companion, so please consider paying her a visit at our adoption center at the Mall at Greece Ridge! - Lollypop Farm
I've acquired some new Pyrex pieces the past few months that I've been too busy to post. I can't find the pattern name to this blue one and I'm not sure if it is supposed to come with the basket. I'm hoping folks on Flickr will know. This Tulip Casserole is from the mid 1930's. From what I've seen online they are worth a lot, but mine seems to be missing the lid.
Here are two pieces ready for a party. The one on the left was a Christmas promotion - called a Deluxe Buffet Server with Twin Candle Warmer. On the right is something I have really wanted - a chip and dip set! This pattern is called Golden Scroll.
I spotted this Pyrex carafe at the Goodwill store. I don't think it's ever been used. How cool is that giant round cork? One of my best thrift store finds!
This week is Aaron's birthday week. Birthday week doesn't have to mean a gift each day, it could be a movie night, foot massage or special breakfast.
I asked Aaron what he wanted for his special birthday week breakfast and he came up with baked eggs. I made a version with sliced tomatoes, bacon, swiss cheese and eggs. The recipe also called for something I didn't have... smoked paprika.
Things have a way of popping up for me multiple times until I pay attention. There was a chapter in Amanda Hesser's book "Cooking for Mr. Latte" where she sings the praises of smoked paprika. Then I was looking for a recipe for corn fritters like the ones I had at dinner in San Jose and what I found was this recipe for Double Corn Fritter Cakes with Smoked Paprika Glazed BACON!. Finally this morning was the last straw when I was looking at recipes for baked eggs and the one I found called for... you guessed it... smoked paprika.
A little research revealed that the paprika I am used to, the paprika that I sprinkle on deviled eggs comes from Hungary. Smoked paprika comes from Spain and is traditionally smoked over oak fires. Apparently it can go on practically anything and tastes amazing.
I need to get some now of course.
HoneyCrisp apples are finally ready for picking and Aaron's birthday is this week so I planned an Apple Picking/Aaron Bday party.
I even made buttons as party favors.
We are all big fans of HoneyCrsip apples.
Even the littlest one.
I think apple picking is one of the best fall activities.
Instead of a birthday cake I made Aaron a birthday apple crisp.
Long time readers may know that I am a big fan of the HoneyCrisp apple. It's amazing how much you can love an apple variety but there you have it. So I was pretty excited to hear about the new SweeTango apple. The SweeTango was developed at the University of Minnesota, the same as the HoneyCrisp. The SweeTango is in fact a cross betwen the HoneyCrisp and Zestar! I didn't add the ! to Zestar! on purpose. The ! is part of the Zestar! name.
Anyhoo, we are lucky enough to have a local orchard growing SweeTangos and we got a few of them. Oh yahh... they are tasty! My only complaint is the ones we got are so darn big! About half way through one of these bad boys I have to take a break. Not a bad problem to have really.
i am pretty sure that is a shadow behind Dart. Or he is sitting on top of another black cat. But I am fairly certin he doesn't have three ears.
Dart is an 8-year-old male cat who was adopted from Lollypop Farm several years ago and then returned when his family moved and did not take him with them. Dart is a great cat! He has lived with both cats and children and got along well with everyone. Dart is eligible for our Seniors-for-Seniors program, so adopters age 60 and older can take him home free of charge! Come out and meet Dart today!
Yup, so I'm in San Jose.
It's pretty cute here.
What? They don't grow like that?
I was pretty excited about coming here because I was meeting some nearby friends I met through blogging for dinner. Fourth Breakfast, Lady M, Karen (who we are trying to talk into starting a blog) and Auntie FaFa.
There are many reasons I love blogging but a big one is the friends I make. Some I have never met in person... HeyShanny and Sprittibee, and some I get to see occasionally like azure68. Either way blogging helps me stay in touch.
It's so cool to have people to meet up with when you are traveling solo.
Lady M gave me this little phone charm softie. He's a wasabi root. He is sharing my hotel room with me now. Heee.
I am on the road for work. I travel a lot for work these days. Not as much as George Clooney's character in the movie Up in the Air, but enough that I recognized some similarities. While sitting in the airport, I thought I would share some of my travel tips. I am all about comfort when I travel.
Gotta hydrate. As soon as I am through security I am looking for a store with Vitamin Water.
Snacks. Airplane food. Need I say more? If you don't bring food from home there are good airport alternatives. A packet of nuts or fruit. I even found this small package of edamame. And I like to have something sweet like these wafers. A nice bar of dark chocolate is also acceptable.
The old standby to make your ears pop is gum. But then I am stuck with a piece of gum. I just can't swallow gum. Instead I carry on these Halls lozenges - the plus is they have vitamin C to fight off airplane germs.
I like to carry a small perfume with me when I travel. Having something nice to smell just makes me feel better. I like to carry something like this solid Poule de Luxe perfume, that way I don't have to put it in a ziploc baggie for security.
Anti-bacterial wipes, spray or gel. Again, using wipes avoids packing them in the baggie.
I dry out like a leaf on airplanes, plus I wash my hands a lot so I have to have hand lotion. Even if I have to baggie it, I will bring it. The little sizes they give you at hotels is just the right size. Save them!
Lips dry out too, so have to have lip balm. I love this tea one. Smells like cinnamon.
If you get stressed when traveling, I just found these aromatherapy pouches. Throw one in your bag to help de-stress.
I have to have my music and movies on an iPod or iPhone.
Reading material - I prefer lighthearted stuff. I especially like cooking magazines. Thinking about food is comforting.
A wrap. It's a blanket if it's chilly and rolled up becomes a pillow.
This is my favorite travel bag. Fits my laptop, two changes of clothes and toiletries. And it fits under a standard airplane seat! Can't miss the bright pink color either.
I try to get to my gate asap so I can claim a spot next to a power outlet. That way I can use my laptop and iPhone worry free. Just in case I carry an extra battery unit for my iPhone. This Kensington one has saved my butt many a time.
I keep all of these things bagged together, just for when I travel so I don't have to run around collecting them each time I pack. I have a toothbrush, mini toothpaste, contact case, mini contact solution - all duplicates of things I need everyday packed and ready to go.
So there you have it. My little sanity saving tricks for traveling!
Today is Oscar's birthday. He turned seven. We made him a meat cake with dog bisquit crumbles. The letters are also dog bisquits.
Stewie demanded to know where his cake was.
We used the plate we made for him in 2004 at a paint your own pottery place.
Apple picking season is here.
"Hmmm but I haven't any teeth..."
Sometimes I like to pick these teeny ones for snacks.
We were hoping for Honeycrisp but they aren't picking them yet... what's going on here? Look the other way! Ha ha.
We had so much fun at The Roc City Roller Derby., it was everything I hoped for.
Sweet outfits, cool names...
and lots of action.
Gotta love the Roc City colors - bright green and black. Check out the green fishnets.
We were hoarse by the end of the night from cheering. We will definitely be back!
(Photo from Roc City Roller Derby web site)
Getting excited to go to the double header Rochester Roller Derby Saturday night. I just found out that not only does it benefit The Animal Services League and GRASP, Greece Residents Assisting Stray Pets but I found out that if you bring a can of pet food to donate at the door, you will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win cool prices at halftime.
I have been thinking a lot about what my name would be if I were in a roller derby. Jennocide? (no, bad connotations) Scarlett O'Terror? (drat, taken) Helen Killer? (band name), Betty Cracker?, Martha Stew Hurt? I dunno. Gotta keep thinking.