Pet of the Week

It cracks me up when dogs have names like Bob or Gary or... Randy. Hah!

Randy - #9323356

Just look at that smile! Randy is a 9-year-old male beagle/retriever mix who was returned to Lollypop Farm because his owner could no longer afford to keep a dog. He weighs about 75 pounds. If you see Randy in his kennel, you'll probably hear a lot of barking, but he quiets down when he's out and about. Randy loves to go for walks and does well on the leash. He is eligible for our Seniors-for-Seniors program, so adopters age 60 and older can take him home free of charge! Randy needs to go to a home without children under 12, and he also needs to be the only dog in the home. - Lollypop Farm

foursquare

When I was in Vegas I tried out foursquare and I haven't stopped using it since. I like how it adds another aspect to Twitter and Facebook posts. I also like adding locations and tips. And I really like getting badges and becoming mayor of locations.

Now when Aaron and I are going to Wegmans we are jostling each other to check in on our iPhones before the other. It kind of peeves me that he is the mayor of our house. Hmmphhh.

Lauren is four

Look at this kid! Is there anything better than a birthday sundae? Apprently not.

I don't enjoy remembering her entry into this world and the scare with her and her mom, but I like to think about the day she went home looking like an alien in a car seat.

Happy Birthday Lauren, you four year old you.

New Method Laundry Detergent

Method now has a new laundry detergent. One small bottle will do 50 loads of laundry! The bottle is cool too because it's a pump that won't let detergent drip everywhere. And of course the detergent is made of 95% natural and renewable ingredients so it's biodegradable and non-toxic!

I am pretty excited because we got a new washer and dryer last year that only takes HE detergent but we didn't have a lot to choose from. Method Laundry Detergent can be used in HE and regular machines. It comes in fresh air scent, peony blossom scent and free + clear. Mmmm I like my socks to smell like fresh air.

Pet of the Week

I can attest that a cat that loves feather toys is a guaranteed good time. Act now and Midnight is only $25!

Midnight - #1927129

Midnight is a 7-year-old female cat who was returned to Lollypop Farm because her owner was allergic to cats. She is friendly and good with children and other cats. However, Midnight isn't a fan of dogs. She loves feather toys and uses a scratching post. Midnight is one of our Featured Felines this week, so through Saturday, January 30, she is available for just $25! Midnight is also eligible for our Seniors-for-Seniors program, so adopters 60 and older can bring her home free of charge. - Lollypop Farm

Also - Scratch is still available. Tina pointed out that his furry ears make him look like a lion cub. If you have always wanted a lion in your house - Scratch is as close are you are gonna get.

Jamba Juice Smoothie Maker

I was on the Jamba Juice website when I spotted this Jamba Smoothie Maker. Turns out it is more of toy (you can buy them at Toys R Us) but for a split second I had visions of creating exact Jamba smoothie replicas in my kitchen with a handy dandy jamba maker.

English muffins

Detox is over but we are on week two of eating healthier. This week we are focusing on eating a "rainbow" of veggies and more whole grains. In regards to the whole grains I found a recipe for homemade multigrain English muffins. I never thought you could make your own English muffins but it wasn't too hard.

They are not baked! You cook them on a griddle, 7 minutes on each side. That's how they get that toasted mark on each side. I was so surprised I could make muffins with "nooks and crannies"!

New in Rochester

I love discovering new businesses in Rochester. On the corner of Main and Winton is luvaboos. It's a natural parenting store.

They have some really cute toys and baby supplies... I was happy to find them when I needed a gift for Anaya's first birthday.

On University there is a unique cafe called Chocolate & Vines. It's a great place to meet friends for a snack.

There are so many different flavors of chocolate - so much fun!

Anaya's First Birthday

We are all happy to have Shruti back from India and also excited to celebrate Anaya's first birthday.

She did a pretty good job at being a birthday girl with jet lag.

I was also excited to use my new kitty apron my mom got me for Christmas. I made hot pepper jam and brie panini for lunch.

Wii Fit Plus with Oscar and Stewii

Aaron and I got Wii Fit Plus to help get in shape for the new year. Forget the exercies, we are over the moon about the fact that you can now enter your pets into the Wii! Of course we immediately created a Mii for Oscar.

You can enter the date of your pets birth and it even weighs them. Wii weighs you and then you holding your pet. Here I am right after weighing Stewii.

Seriously though, Wii Fit Plus has a lot of improvements and we are loving it! Here is our little Wii Familii - ready to get fit in 2010!

Pet of the Week

Every once in awhile when Lollypop Farm sends me the Pet of the Week to blog about, by the time I get to it, the pet is adopted. That is a wonderful thing. This week's dog, Coco, has already gone home with someone.

There are lots of other dogs available though. For instance there is Scratch. He looks like he needs a scratch behind the ears doesn't he?

Target Vday Tees

Target has it's $6 Valentines Day shirts out! I loved this squirrel one.

This one cracked me up. If you are looking for them at Target - you will find them in the PJ section.

Zapi toothbrush sanitizer

We use electric toothbrushes at our house, but I like to use a regular toothbrush in the morning. I have had my eye on one of these Zapi toothbrush sanitizers. The Zapi has an ultraviolet light to kill 99.9% of germs on your toothbrush. Stuff growing on my toothbrush is on of those things I don't like to think about.

You can even get them with smiley faces.

Or for kids... Hiyah Zapi or one you can put stickers on.

Detox 2010

After indulging over the holidays and in Las Vegas it was time for Aaron and I to detox. I decided we would start the Martha Steward body + soul magazine Whole Body Action Plan. We bought a juicer and Wii Fit Plus and we are on our way.

The plan starts with a four day detox diet of soup, juice and smoothies. The smoothie at the top is a mango smoothie... or so they claim.

The liquid on the right is how the mango smoothie we made turned out. Seeing as how it also has avocado and swiss chard in it, that shade of green is not surprising. I don't know how they got theirs to be such an appealing color. On the left is the cold cucumber and mint soup we had for lunch on day two of detox. It wasn't horrible - but I won't be craving it anytime soon. We are sticking with the plan - it is only four days. Four days of things like carrot/beet/cabbage/watercress juice.

UPDATE: Here is the juicer we bought - a Waring Pro. It is affordable, works great, and is easy to clean. We have now been using it for two years and it's still going!

Donuts Delite back in business

Opened in 1958, Donuts Delite was a Rochester landmark. The donuts were pretty darn tasty too and Aaron I were frequent customers.

In 2005 - around the time of the Atkins Diet craze - Donuts Delite closed it's doors. This week, thanks to Salvatore's and the man whose grandfather started it all, Donuts Delite is back in business.

We went this morning to check it out. Sure enough they still had their classic banana creme filled and Flying Saucers!

Donuts Delite everybody!

Yum!

Morning Pug

It's our first free day after two holidays, two trips and a big move. A good morning to sleep in and Oscar agrees.

Head over heels for tights

I found these tights on sale at Anthropologie and just like that I am on a tights kick.

I have been looking for more funky patterns and colors. BTW it is hard to take pictures of your own legs.

Martha Cleaner

Martha Stewart now has a green line of cleaning products. Everything from toilet bowl cleaner to glass cleaner. You can only order it online though so I doubt if I will be trying it soon.

Pet of the Week

It's getting really cold in Rochester and maybe instead of a snuggie you could get a lap warmer - aka cat.

Zoe - #9313220

Zoe is an 8-year-old male who is very affectionate and definitely a lap cat! He is a staff favorite! Zoe has lived with cats and dogs before, but he might prefer to be the only pet in the house – because he loves to be the center of attention. He is eligible for our Seniors-for-Seniors program, so adopters age 60 and older can take him home free of charge! Zoe would love to have a new home for the new year. - Lollypop Farm

Stars in Vegas

There were a lot of celebrities at CES - like Soleil Moon Frye. I know she is best known for playing Punky Brewster, but I am also really excited for her new movie "For Better or Worse" with Janeane Garofalo! She is super sweet also.

As you can see... all of us... big Heroes fans... were excited to meet James Kyson Lee... Ando from Heroes. What a really nice guy. He wasn't in a hurry and truly glad we watched his show.

Everyone was impressed that I met Penn Jillette - Aaron was impressed I met someone taller than he is.

Cupcakes in Vegas

CES is over and I'm back from Vegas. I had a great time doing social media during the show.

I was especially excited to do a cupcake tweetup right in the Kodak booth. I have been dreaming of the day I could integrate cupcakes into my career and BINGO! Social media runs on sugar.

Year of the TIger

Every year I go to the Bellagio to see the gardens and they are in the middle of tearing down the holiday displays. This year it was ready and we were able to see the Chinese New Year displays. It reminded me that this is the year of the Tiger!

Hash with friends

One of the things I was looking forward to doing in Vegas was seeing my friend Peggy and her husband Walt. They took Aaron, Aprille and I to a restaurant called Hash House A Go Go. It is described as "Farm food with a twist". It was crazy. We couldn't believe the amazing combinations, huge portions and elaborate presentation. I had the best time!

CES 2010 in Las Vegas

While I'm at CES I am doing social media coverage. I am also sitting on some panels in the Kodak booth called K-Zone.

I love any chance to talk about photos, sharing and social media. You can watch the videos here.