Better Late than Never

After Christmas I discovered a deal on the Chewy pet product website. It’s still hard to believe I paid twenty-five dollars for all of it. This super soft and cushioned blanket alone is worth that price.

Can you guess whose toes those are?
Hint: they include Pollywogs

And the squeezable treats have been a huge hit, a bit here and there ensuring clean plates. Food waste always frustrates me.

Sad to say, I couldn’t get any takers on the Feast of Fishies. They smell of molasses, weirdly, and ingredients include honey as well as cream cheese, which may nor may not be a plus.

Sorry about the focus;
we have more toys(!)

Have you ever tasted pet food? Or would you? (I have and do, here and there; it seems fair to our beloved critters – don’t judge – lol)

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Truth in Advertising?

I have been reading labels like never before, both for our cats’ health and us humans. Mind numbing as all the conflicting nutritional information is, one thing has begun standing out. Almost every package shows not only the product but also a serving suggestion. Most of the time those make sense. But not always…

If this dumpling could speak,
what would it say?

Even funnier is the fact the gnocchi are clearly visible through otherwise clear packaging.

Doesn’t this close-up look rather like an insect larva? Could they have made it look less appetizing?

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Blast from the Past - Our Silly Tilly Willy

Life was good...

...even after a summer shave;

& snuggles with Jezebel rocked.

She literally ran to jump on my husband’s lap the evening before she passed away in the night. I have so many photos of her general goofiness. I should organize them. We miss you, Tilly!

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Creativity in the Kitchen

I’ve been tired of printed paper (recipes and grocery lists) becoming stained and soggy. Misplaced pens annoy me, too, another first world problem. So I turned hefty packaging into what I call a kitty caddy. :D Hot glue dots holding it all together also makes for nice nonstick footing while protecting the base.

I sealed this note caddy much earlier...

My propensity for messy spills is legendary. ~rolls eyes~ Finally, though, I am taking these unfortunate opportunities to better clean.

My photography needs work.
That black cat at bottom
holds the paper clip

Have you ever used layered packing tape for waterproofing? Do you own a hot glue gun?

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Overdue...

I’ve been busy acting as what I like to call a ‘suburban homesteader’. On a fixed income, seeing prices skyrocket across the board, my husband and I are determined to thrive. Increasingly over the past two years I tried to learn something new such as a recipe or household technique. My latest, most stringent efforts have gone toward a cleaner and tidier home. ~rolls eyes~ He does the research, buys me cool and useful items, even lending a hand when needed. Yesterday he stirred a simmering South Korean style sauce while I cut and sautéed vegetables, fried eggs, and prepared noodles.

My New Favorite Cookbook

My rice paper skills are improving, as have my homemade bagels. Now I’m attempting to root a Thai basil stem. It elevates my spring rolls to a taste level beyond what mint leaves provide. The windowsill might be too cold but why not try?

Veggy, Rice Noodle, & Peanut Sauce
Spring Rolls - Yum

Last Night I Made Bagels...

... for Our Homemade Lox

Still Looking Good for Now, Perhaps
Using an Old Cat Treat Cannister
Added Some Protection (?)

We also have enjoyed outings here and there. Between Christmas and New Year’s we visited a local brewery based on 18th century technology. The food was not really worth the cost but our two different beers tasted amazing. I’m just a little disappointed their decorations weren’t better, even if understatement fit the period. I expected a big elaborate Christmas tree with all the available space. Oh, well.

A Banquet Room, I Think - Lots of
seating below my angle from
the 2nd floor mezzanine

Our Modern Day Brewers Use Gravity

I Liked this Old Timey Touch...

Before the big freeze hit I took a drive, then a walk. Some folks have the cutest inflatable decorations. I delighted one homeowner by asking to take a photo and discovered an old Boy Scout park called Camp Hook. A rare owl sighting delighted me no end.

Look at this Spaceship and Hot Cocoa
Complete with Marshmallows

‘Whooo Goes There?’
Sorry about the Contrast

Complete with Fishing Dock,
Lake George is tiny,
 more like a pond.

Have you ever seen an owl in its natural setting? Have you ever been member of a youth scout troop?

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An Honest Response & Humorous Retort

Regarding the recent weather, dearest Strayer asked how we keep our pipes from freezing and are able to start our car in extreme cold. As to the former, we replaced our vastly undersized heat pump after several miserable winter seasons; I don’t know how our pipes didn’t burst and recall that 1990’s era kerosene space heater let off an unforgettable stink. :P

Fast forward and we didn’t know for sure our diesel sedan would start for his 12/27 dental appointment despite us having an attached garage. However, we comfortably hunkered in ‘til then and our hybrid electric car started just fine last Tuesday morning.

On a foodie note, I lovingly blame Pam for making me crave party snacks. We already had tasty vegetables and dipping sauces. Then I found the following marked down item just this morning.

I do not want to admit how many nuts
& sweets comprised my so-called
dinner this evening...

Can you believe the store priced that party tray at $14.95 (US)? Did I not score big paying less than $5.00 for over a pound of treats?

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Dumb Ways to Die

Reading about railway lines on Andrew’s blog reminded me of a decade old video. I’ve since found a documentary which I want to watch with my husband later. Meanwhile, here is the amazing public service announcement from the Australian Metro agency.

Just for fun, here is a railroad map
for Southwest Ohio...

Isn’t humor a great way to spread a message? Can you believe the number of rail lines in my US Midwest region?

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Double Socks and My Improvised Door Cover

My husband and I both grew up in Northeast Ohio’s ‘snow belt’, where Great Lake Erie’s waters effect Cleveland/Akron area weather patterns. Having moved southwest toward Dayton, we experience temperatures a few degrees warmer and oftentimes more ice than snow. Yesterday and today, however, the winter cold was/is bone chilling. Three degrees Fahrenheit beats the below zero other Midwesterner’s are enduring.

At least we’ll have a white Christmas…

I’m now wearing looser socks overtop my everyday athletic variety for extra insulation. And I decided to cover our front door’s beautiful beveled glass.

I used hangers with clips...

Another blanket covered our bedroom window all night. Polly pulled it down wanting attention to look outside this morning. ~rolls eyes~ I replaced it and, if I’m not in there, she’ll leave it be.

We’re very thankful there have been no area power outages. My heart goes out to those less fortunate.

Can you believe a neighbor used his snow blower on surrounding sidewalks? Knowing nothing about his dietary preferences, should I offer a reciprocal chore?

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