SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER

oh joy...

Sorry, I'm Closed

There's nothing to see here today...

Seriously, look away...

Fine, if you insist on looking... there is an overwhelming feeling of "not being ready".

The Season of Reason of a Lifetime...

I woke up this morning... thinking.
Thinking about life, the people in it, the people who are long gone, and those I need to reconnect with. I don't have many people I call friends, but the ones I have are true to the core.

Over coffee, I was talking to my friend who is going through a transformation. No, there is no surgery involved, not that kind of transformation. *giggle*

Ahem... back to the serious sounding thinking voice...

For a while I have watched her get treated like a doormat by people who call themselves her friend. Friends don't set out to make you feel like something you step in just to make themselves feel better about their failing life. Friends don't try to belittle your achievements. Friends will not only stand beside you while you are reaching for the stars, they will toss you on their shoulders so you can be that much closer.

There comes a time to break free from the "ticks" in your life, those who do nothing but slowly and steadily suck away at your life, energy, sanity.

Sometimes the reason is to make you stronger.

Artfully Odd

I was logging in this morning and noticed that yesterday (my birthday) was a "milestone" post... on a few levels. I like 101, it's more than 100... and it's odd. Life is odd. It's perfect for today.

The morning started out routine -

1. Elvis off to work - check
2. coffee perking - check
3. Diva laying in bed sick *WHAT?* I'm starting to think she's allergic to Shrugs house or something, she came home sick yesterday.

At least it's sunny out!

OR NOT!

(forgive the horrid voice, I'm still not feeling 100%)

Happy Birthday to ME!

Amazing ~ I've made it another full rotation of the sun! My friend owns an online radio network and this was waiting for me when I logged on to listen this morning. Thank you Mary!!! ~( UBER RADIO )~

I got to sleep in a bit (which was easy since there was nobody home but the cat) and made myself a pot of coffee and headed out to the store to rent a movie.

Barely home an hour and dishes started when Diva came home from the weekend at Shrugs. Sick. Figures! She needed some "Momma Love" and lunch, then off to sleep she went.

My "Don't Ask Me How Old" Birthday Celebration

Dinner - a bucket of chicken, hm shell & cheese, veggies
Dessert - ICE CREAM CAKE!!!!! (it is MY birthday after all)
Movie - THE HELP

(read the book, it's even better!)

Sitting-On-My-Butt Sunny Saturday

Tomorrow is my birthday but Elvis has to work. Today has been dedicated to me. Thing is... I'm not feeling well. Without fail, every January 29th I am sick. Never anything life threatening, but enough to make a person prefer a pillow over a party. He's in the kitchen making me breakfast and then we will watch movies. (That's the end of the catering for me though, I have to make lunch and cook dinner)

People have asked us why we don't have cable. It's a combination of reasons actually. We did have cable about 8 years ago. We must have asked 4 times if it included Nickelodeon and the Disney channels. Of course, they said yes. Guess what? It didn't. For an additional $xx we could upgrade to a package that had those channels and about 100 more that we would never watch. We kept it for a while, but in the end, we saw no point paying all that so we cut back to the local only package. If there is anything we want to watch on a cable station, there is plenty of ways to see them on the computer, for free. Some channels allow you to view them on their websites, and Hulu is pretty good with what they still have for free, you have to wait a week in some cases, but, it's not like the story will change.

The local library rents out dvd's for free. Granted, most of the choices are old, but that works out when we want to share a movie from our past with Diva. Redbox is also pretty good. For $1, you can rent whatever they have available in the boxes. You can rent in one box and return in the other. They have a selection of recent movies with a sprinkling of older ones.

Today we'll watch 3 of the Redbox movies while I knit more dishcloths.

It's Friday. It's raining. It's payday. It smells amazing out there... which is a good thing since I can't see a damn thing through the fog!

Grocery shopping is on the to-do list and I will get it done fairly early because this is definately a "stay warm and knit" sort of day.

I'm currently knitting a dishcloth - it's simple yet pretty.

CO 31 (or any odd number around there)

10 rows of Knit
9 rows of k1 *p1, k1*
15 rows of Knit
9 rows of k1 *p1, k1)
10 rows of Knit
bind off

Finding Strength DEEP Down

Early Morning

Pass the coffee... no... not that little cup, I'm thinking something closer to an oil tanker!

Diva has a doctor's appointment at 8am, oh joy! I've planned it early so maybe, just maybe, she can go to school after. There is about 15 miles between the two, and the majority of that is on the busy side of the highway. -lovely- Of course, she is hoping to be there all day, or at least long enough to stay home.

Diva tells me over and over how she can't wait to start "Momma Academy" (home-school). Things are falling together on that front - note to self, fill out the paperwork!

It's a warm 35f right now (yes, that's warm compared to what it HAS been). Snow coming Thursday, Friday and Sunday... NOOOooo!!!

It's a good thing I have Phoebe to keep me thinking of warmer things. Who's she you ask? Have you never heard of the "Phamous Phoebe"??? There is a 24/7 live feed to a hummingbirds nest. Yesterday she laid the first egg, talk is that she will have the second one on Thursday. This is the second clutch. I missed the first one a few weeks ago.



Live Video app for Facebook by Ustream

*** Note - the stream is in California, if you don't see anything, it's probably too early, lol

Energize!

I am not usually one to read horoscopes, but a friend of mine reads hers daily and on occasion I will go peek at mine. --

You could power cities with your mental energy today! On the off chance that you're not hooked into the power grid, try instead to do some good for the world at large. You've got all night!

Hmmm... Mental energy seems to be the only sort of energy I am running as of late. I've been trying to harness is for the power of good, what a struggle THAT has been! *giggle*

I have been thinking about everything I need to do this year, and the deadlines some of them have. The majority of things I do ARE for other people. But... is it enough? Is there something more I could be doing? Maybe... most likely... probably... yes.

I'm going to use the day to figure out what else I can be doing. I have to hand it to the person who wrote the horoscopes today... I -do- have a lot of mental energy today.

Nurse Furball Says...

Domestic Goddess and Diva are too sick to blog today.

Introducing... Our Newest Addition

About a month ago I had placed an online order of a major store chain. Apparently someone in the programming department is in trouble because the $90 item selling online for $12.50 was a mistake. I knew that it was too good to be true... but sometimes you just have to try!

Imagine my surprise when I got an apologetic email from the store, offering me a $50 online shopping credit! It only took me a minute to figure out what I would apply it towards.

I am sure I will be posting some pics of culinary creations created in this SOON! Right now, I am GIDDY about getting a $99.99 slow-cooker for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE -- I think it may actually make the food taste better...

On a Stick...

Today I ventured out in to the snow to return the video rentals and on the way home I stopped at the drug store for a few "snowsentials". Snowsentials, you know, the things you like to have when curled up under a blanket on a cold day. While walking through the aisles I saw it... the pan that makes cake -- on a stick!

It is a well known fact that food on a stick is just BETTER. Maybe it doesn't taste any different than it's plated cousins, but, come on... it's food... on a stick!

I don't know if I will actually get around to making them tonight, I was thinking about surprising Diva with one in her lunchbox Monday and I know that "Elvis + snow + snacks = 0" especially if said snack is of the small and sweet variety.

That being said, for your viewing pleasure (a video I did not create, upload, or lay claim to) the ULTIMATE food.... on a stick -- JOSE!

Another Great Voice, Forever Silenced

It is common knowledge that I worship the original Diva's... Eartha, Billie, Etta, Aretha. There is something honest, a DEEP DOWN TO THE BONE sort of connection when I hear them sing.

Etta James sang one of my favorite songs, and one that I sing to Elvis often. In honor of Ms. James, I present for your listening pleasures "At Last".

** note, I did not make this video

It's Freaking Cold IN Here...

So put on all your clothes
With a little bit of brr brr
a little bit of brr brr

I can't begin to tell you how cold it is in the house right now, and the sad part is, we HAVE heat and it IS on! I've never had to turn the heat on ever... until recently. Last year our condo was a constant 80 degrees, not so great for the summer but it was more than welcome come late fall, winter and early spring. The condo association replaced the water heater a few months ago and nothings been the same since. A little birdie in a high tree told me that it wouldn't matter what people turned their dials to, the highest that will come out is 70. Great, wonderful, I would LOVE for it to be 70 in here. Why the heck is it only 64 in here????

It's hot chocolate time. The BIG mugs too, none of that itty bitty teacup stuff today. Elvis and Diva are on their way back from school, stopping at Redbox for some movies. The kettle is already pre-boiling so I can just give it a warm-up when they arrive.

Did I mention... it's snowing?

They said it was suppose to start around midnight, according to my watch, they are 10 hours off. They also said it will be 3" - I hope they are better with accumulations than arrivals! Diva was already wondering if there will be school tomorrow. Everyone is hoping for a snow day Friday. There's something exciting and wonderful about watching the two of them enjoy a snowy day.

I guess having them have fun together in the winter wonderland outside is worth the near frostbite I am dealing with inside.

Say NO to SOPA!

Cluck-off!

With a cluck-cluck here, and a cluck cluck there, here a cluck, there a cluck, in my oven goes the cluck cluck...
Can you guess what dinner will be tonight? If you guessed pork chops, sit down before you hurt yourself...

There is something exciting about cooking chicken. Seriously, I'm not making this up. Chicken is exciting! There are so many ways to prepare it that you could do an entire year of chicken dinners and have no repeats. Hmm... a year of chicken. I could do it, not so sure Elvis could.

Originally I was going to cook dinner in the slow cooker, but, the morning got away from me. Just as well, it's a bit chilly in the condo today and the oven heat will help with that. Now, what shall I do with 3 split chicken breasts? Shhhhh... I'm communicating with the chicken... Quit looking at me like that... I'm a Chicken Whisperer!

Pineapple... bbq sauce... pineapple AND bbq sauce? Are you sure? Oh... onion and garlic powder too? If you insist... in the pretty pan? Absolutely!

TADAH - through the magic of the internet, I am back. I bet you didn't even realize I was gone. Dinner is in the oven and now I can focus on other things... like my third cup of coffee!

Chilly, Chilly, Chili!

No school today! Sometimes I wonder who is more excited about days off, me or Diva. It's cold - beyond cold actually. It's a "wrap yourself in a bunch of blankets and take a nap" 18f. Diva curled up on the sofa next to me with a book. I suspected there wasn't much reading going on when I started hearing snoring...

I was talking to a friend of mine this morning and she gave me a recipe. Perfect for the cold, chilly weather. I won't make it until the weekend (mostly because I don't have a car or canned tomatoes right now) but it sounded like the perfect thing to pass on. I don't know where it came from originally, she got it from a friend, who most likely got it from a friend...

Chunky Veggie Chili

3/4lbs browned ground beef or cooked cubed chicken (I'm going with the chicken)
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced bell pepper
3 cloves of crushed garlic
2 1/2 cups diced zucchini
1 cup diced carrot
2 1/2 tbs chili powder
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp hot sauce
32 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
28 oz whole tomatoes, chopped
16oz tomato sauce
~ Combine in slow-cooker, cook high for 1 hour and then low for remainder of cooking time

There's Something in My Oven... and it Smells GOOD!

Today I decided to get a bit creative in the kitchen. On the menu was suppose to be mac & cheese with ground meat. *yawn* I knew I had to use the ground meat because I had taken it out the the freezer Saturday morning and it was already thawed.

How to get creative with about 1 cup of "meat mix"...  Meat mix is what I call my OAMC mix. It's not always beef, actually, it's usually never beef - I start out with about 10 pounds of whatever ground meat is $1.99/lb or less. After I have taken the plain meat I need for burgers or specialty dinners, I use the remaining 5 pounds or so and add a bag of diced onions, green peppers, a large can of tomatoes, garlic, whatever spices catch my eye and whatever filler I am using (breadcrumbs, crushed corn flakes, oatmeal, etc). I bag the meat in 1 and 2 cup batches and toss it in the freezer. This batch came from some I made in the early fall. I use it to "beef up" whatever I am making.

Tonight's invention had to use what I had on hand since I don't have a car right now (well, I do have a car, but Elvis has it until his is back from the shop). I also had to make sure that whatever it was, it could be heated in the microwave since Elvis doesn't have a set workday and in really hectic days, dinner is long overdue because he doesn't even stop for lunch. Kissing him hello and telling him dinner will take "about an hour" is not the words he wants to hear. I also wanted to use the dutch oven. I love my dutch oven.

"Tonights Stuff"
1 cup of meat mix (whatever meat you choose, I think mine is turkey)
1 container of cottage cheese
1 cup of rice - uncooked
breadcrumbs
usual suspects of spices (I used salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and parsley)

~ Don't use the rice uncooked, so, if you haven't already boiled or steamed it, make sure you do that first.
~ Brown the ground meat, drain. Add cottage cheese to pan and stir it around a few times to get it mixed around and it will be somewhat "melted". Toss in the cooked rice. (This is where using a dutch oven comes in handy, only 1 pan needed). Cover with breadcrumbs.

Bake at 350 for 30 mins

Unbox Boredom!

I wish I had something exciting to post about today.  The sewing machine is still jammed with what was to be a napkin, the checkerboard scarf is still being worked on, I am almost finished watching all the Keeping up Appearances videos. I already went to the bank, the grocery store and the gas station. The food is put away. Brunch is being eatten as I type this.

See?

I'M BORED!

I don't even have making dinner to look forward to tonight. Elvis is once again taking over the kitchen to make some chicken dish a co-worker was talking about. It must be a "guy thing" secret recipe because he won't tell me what's in it.

Oh, I know! I'll make some Cake Box Cookies!!!

1 (8-ounce) brick cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (18-ounce) box cake mix
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Preheat oven to 350
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix.
Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls.
Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar.
Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.
Bake 12 minutes.