Food Lesson Learn't on Christmas Night

I learnt that if you go to Boan's house on Christmas night and consume:
2 glasses of wine
2 glasses of home made sangria
2 pieces of cheddar cheese
5 olives
5 spinach balls
2 deviled eggs
2 bruschetta dips with crackers
4 tostados with cheese dip
2 helping of delicious vegetarian lasagna
2 helpings of delicious regular lasagna
2 pieces of home made bread dipped in oil and spices
3 helpings of tossed salads with scallions
2 chocolate brownies
2 sugar cookies
1 helping of ice cream with cooked apples on the top


you will be extremely full and not want to eat for several hours!!!

I see you...............

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Top of the World

A Quick Learnt'er

So I drafted up these chores checklists for my kids. There are about 10 things that they need to do on a daily basis - and the end of the week they earn a reasonable allowance. So, as a preface to the "Family meeting" I called, I went over the basic concept, i.e. they're getting older, they need to start helping out more, etc., but the second I mentioned that they would receive money at the end of the week - my son was JUMPING to sign it - even before reading what the chores were.

Sensing a "teachable moment" I took it upon myself to go over the basic concept of not signing anything you don't understand, or haven't read yet, and that by signing their names they are agreeing to what is required of them the list, just like when buying a car, a house, it is a commitment, a contact, and you need to make sure that you read and understand what you're signing before you sign.

I then proceeded to review with them what was on the list, and had them sign it. My son quickly signed it and bounced off into the other room. My daughter, on the other hand sheepishly hesitated. Sensing maybe she didn't know where to sign - I pointed it out to her on the sheet.

"But dad..." she said "I can't read, and you said don't sign anything you haven't read yet"

Cool Idea ...

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Just say no!

Passing the Bar

Earlier this month* I learned... (*ok, I'm a little slow on the blog postings lately) that Oliver PASSED THE BAR!!!!! Yay! I told Aug who asked me to convey "congratulations from his uncle" and pointed out that, in January, it will be 25 years that he has been able to "pass a bar"! Congratulations to both of them!!

Lets ride Bamboo Bikes.......!!!!

The Bamboo Bike Project is a project by Scientists and Engineers at The Earth Institute, Columbia University, and aims to examine the feasibility of implementing cargo bikes made of bamboo as a sustainable form of transportation in Africa.

http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=10-P13-00033&segmentID=6

Candid Camera Circa 2010

Huh?

I heard a guy on NPR (Terry Gross Fresh Air I think) say he was a stutterer. He said people that stutter do not stutter when they talk to animals. I would like someone to research this and find out if that is true. I would like to add this to things I learnt, but would like to make sure it is true first.

Jo mama, but no gay stuff ...

http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/the-8-greatest-craigslist-jo-sessions

five toe shoe

so boan told me that polvo was yappin about these new shoes. ( I think this video is actually polvo tryin to fake a foreign accent) ...anyway, I guess he is thinking about running in them. I think they would be fun to try out..but not at $85 a crack. How about somebody buying some and tell me what they think? or better yet send me $85 and I will try them out and tell you about them. (or send $84..I still have my $1 science award check somewhere)

Mission Impossible?

Today I learned that there is no limit to the effort of young elders on their mission to spread the Book of Mormon. Imagine my surprise to open our front door this morning to find the smiling, albeit sweaty faces of Elder Reed and Elder Call. I asked them how they drew the short straw to do their mission work in the record-breaking heat and humidity of central FL. I warned them that another gang, the Scientologists, had already staked out the greater St.Petersburg area. I told them I had already heard the Book of Mormon shpeal as there was no shortage of their kind in Colorado Springs. We chatted for a few minutes about their dreams and ambitions. I asked if they were "allowed" to have their pictures taken (What? - like they're vampires?!). They readily obliged when I explained I wanted a picture because it was rare for me to see anyone in Floriduh without tattoos - let alone crisp white shirts on such a humid day. They left me a literature card on which they wrote their phone numbers and that of their leader, one Elder Simms. I, in turn, shared with them the maxim of the Sweet Potato Queens: "Be particular." I like to think we ALL learned something.

Learnt how to grill some ribs using a rib rack

I saw this bbq pork rib recipe in a home and garden june magazine. Looked interesting, so I made it. Included a dry rub and a glaze. Bought a rib rack and hickory chips to make it right. Turned out half way decent. I was surprised!

And the winner is....

Andrea! Annie was the first Allen-side (like the hyphen?) family member to sneak a peak at Grayson Wolfe Allen-Sibold! She and Rob dressed up all pretty and faked a wedding in the greater-Loveland-metro area to grab the winning title! How you like them hyphens? I vaguely recall Vic promising a hundred big ones (big ones = larger than a quarter, according to the glossy poop-chart the hospital sent us home with) to the first Allen-sider to do so?

It was a PLEASURE to see them both, and although we offered to send them home with Grayson for the night, they politely declined, snapped a couple photos, and sped off into the night.

I learned they can sell anything on TV

http://www.bodyblade.com/videos/bodyblade-main.html

I swear I thought this was a SNL skit when I saw it.

Contest

Here is a picture of Ribhard's new toy. Can you guess the function of this handsome piece of equipment?

First Day of Summer Vay-Cay!

Lounging in the backyard, listening to the soundtrack of Ferris Bueller's Day Off (the ultimate skipping school music), I learned I don't have to be on a cruise - like 4 people I know right now - to have a good time!

the times they are a changin'

For decades, illegal marijuana cultivation has been an economic lifeblood for three counties in northern California known as the Emerald Triangle.

The war on drugs and frequent raids by federal drug agents have helped support the local economy — keeping prices for street sales of pot high and keeping profits rich.

But high times are changing. Legal pot, under the guise of the California's medical marijuana laws, has spurred a rush of new competition. As a result, the wholesale price of pot grown in these areas is plunging.

TWO graduates: "J.D." and Valencia

Last weekend, I learned that one who earns his law degree is a J.D.,Juris Doctor, and gets to wear the doctoral robe with the black velvet stripes - and the pie hat! This weekend will be Valencia's graduation (English/concentration:Literature). And next weekend will be Ethan's (Business/Finance). "Wicked smart" is in the air! Congratulations to all!

On Saturday I learnt that sometimes there is no limit to the pride we feel for our siblings.

"Now are the foxes!" Steve Martin, SNL

This week I learned that wildlife can be found right in one's own back yard!

Swiffer Sweeper

I learnt that these very expensive dust catchers are reusable.
Hand wash in soapy water, rinse, hang dry or fluff them in the dryer.
You can get at least 5 re-uses out of them.

I learnt there are different ideas about a nice rack.......

I Learnt the answer to valencia's question...........

On March 21, 2010 at 10:37 PM MST...........valencia posed the question: "what the #@&*! is a fish burger?!"

Well one of the answers to this question became clear today. Plou and I cruised into the local Red Robin restaurant near the Chapel Hills Mall you know the one located at 1410 Jamboree Dr. in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado. We felt the need to visit this establishment because Plou was packing a birthday "free burger" Internet coupon that was burning a whole in her pocket.

I plopped my fat ass down in a booth.....opened the menu and much to my delight saw this tasty treat:

CRISPY FISH BURGER
The reel thing! Premium, icy cold water
Cod filets, hand-battered in a light tempura
batter and crisply-fried. Topped with cabbagecoleslaw
mix, tomatoes, pickles and dill’d &
pickle’d tartar sauce to lure you in. $9.79

I feasted on this item along with real classic coca cola. Delicious meal!!!!

If you can't make it to MacDonald's.......Red Robin would be a great second choice for Fishburgers.

I learnt that this picture is really neat

we are at the ARC a week or so back....find a funky looking unframed picture of some clowns for $7.50...a little rich for me...wanted to buy it but couldn't justify that kind of money for the picture...walked out of the store with no picture...strolling down the sidewalk.......plou finds a 50% off coupon in her pocket book....I grab it and run back to the store...buy the art work for $4.25 (and snag a set of green handled steak knives just for fun). We check out the picture...name on the back says something like from the photo studio of Seymour Mednick...a few days later we get the picture framed and I take it to work and hang it on my wall there.....still thinking it is a great funky black and white picture...wish I knew more about it.......more googling today...find a CD cover with thatPICTURE on it:





still wish I knew more about it...but it is a great black and white 12" x 18" picture....may have to buy the cd: Tiny Voices - Joe Henry.

What to do?

Heard through the grapevine that a certain someone who checks this website from time to time may know a "little" bit about Durango CO. My husband's family is gathering there Aug 5-10 and I am searching for fun things to do. Drop me a line if anyone in here has some suggestions....

I learnt that someone left this at our house.........

wondering where this came from..and who it belongs to........found on the kitchen counter in florida..any takers?

I learnt to read the fine print

so we are checking our favorite coffee....eight oclock....and it looks like the 100% columbian and the regular is the same price...$4.38 what a deal...then you look closer and the columbian is 11 oz. the regular is 12 oz......tricky huh?

eeeeeexxxxxxxcccccccuuuuuuuuuuuse me!

If you pull up to the drive thru window at MacDonald's in Wildwood, Florida and order a fish burger..they are a little confused as to what you want...and question you in a condescending voice : do you mean the "fillet OH! fish"? Seldom have I detected such a superior attitude from a do-you-want-fries-with-that worker bee.

Bill Maher Article....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/new-rule-stop-saying-sex_b_478545.html

"Not" found on itunes

I find myself.........

I learnt no mo "Hey Song" at NFL evetns..........

I learnt the NFL banned this song.......for those not up on their '70s glam rockers:

Gary Glitter's instrumental portion (Part 2) attracted most of the attention; it hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 1972.........in the years since, Part 2 of the song has often been played at various sporting events particularly when the home teams scores (or wins).

The nickname "The Hey Song" refers to fact that the only intelligible word in Part 2 is the exclamation of "hey," punctuating the end of several instrumental phrases and repeated three times at the song's chorus. At sporting events, fans often insert their own "hey," or sometimes other chanted syllables

Gary Glitter's life took a turn for the worse since he gave us "Rock and Roll, Part II," He's served three years in prison in Vietnam after being convicted in March of 2006 of child molestation. A 1999 conviction on possession of child pornography in Britain got him two months in jail there....so you probably don't see much of him on the oldy goldy concert circuits any more.

I learnt that if you have $16.95.........

you can buy a vegetable cutter at Ace Hardware that will enable you to slice a potato ......producing "french fries" that are the exact same size...which will enable you to bake them in the over...and they all will get done at the same time because they are the same size...and you can eat a garden veggie burger on wheat bread with mustard, onion, and relish.... and it tastes just like a regualr burger with oil fried french fries..almost

I learnt how much hair weighs.............

Baybo and I have a bet as to who can lose the most weight by spring break...I have tried every way in the world to lose pounds......can't seem to lose any more..........so I figured...what the hell..this will help. Turns out it is less than a pound. I guess it wasn't much weight, because my hair is such a beautifully fine texture?

Targus Laptop Case

I learnt that any Targus Laptop case is warrantied for life. We bought one when we first moved out here about 3 years ago. We have used it to drag our laptop around everywhere. One day I noticed the strap appeared frayed and slightly torn. I emailed Targus and they said 100% warranty forever. I shipped the old case back to Targu. It cost me $10.50 UPS to pay the freight out..they pay the freight back. About a week or ten days later I have my brand spankin new Targus Case. Is America great or what?

best merlot I ever had - 14 Hands 2007

I had this wine last night: 14 Hands 2007 Merlot. We bought a case and split it with some people at work. It isn't available in retail stores, but you can order it out of Washington State. It is the best Merlot I have ever had...in a bottle.

ash me what I know....

I actually learned last year that people mark their forehead on ash wednesday. I swear to god, I have neveer seen or heard of that practice....I was at work and I told a cowoker she had some black stuff on her forehead. she told me it was an ash wednesday mark. How could I have live almost 60 years and never heard of that?

The height of olive oil

I learned that if you buy a certain size bottle of olive oil...and don't screw the cap down completely..it will not fit in the cabinet. you must twist the cap till it will twist no mo.

fried corn on the cob

Last night Plou and I both went to a Black Eyed Pea restaurant for the first time...and I had fried corn on the cob for the first time. I ordered a vegetable plate and one of the items was fried corn..which I thought would be corn cut off the cob and fried....but noooooooooooooo...it was deep fried corn on the cob with a batter. pretty interesting....the place kinda reminded me of the cracker barrel.

I learnt about oven cooked bacon

I have been wrestling with bacon for years....always cooking in a cast iron skillet...splattering grease everywhere as I turned it..having to cook in two batches because it would not all lay out flat.......Sunday I thought about putting it in the oven on a cookie sheet to cook......i thought it might splatter or make a mess in the oven...called baybo and boan..got their expert advice...and popped it in at 375 degrees for about 8 - 10 mins...I think things cook faster out here at high altitude..but I could be wrong.........anyway it turned out very nice and easy...I am switching over to oven cooked bacon now!

Man has BIG Lead in Little Women

I learned today that a MAN can be in the top (3) billing of the musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women". I've heard the reviews are very favorable.
Rock on, Professor Bhaer!

Zinc

Learned today that Zinc makes everything taste icky!

Actually learnt from Vic...thanks Dad!

The Bra to Rule them All!

This goes out to all of the ladies viewing the Stuff We Learnt Today blog. And perhaps to those men who are hiding something from us, and secretly enjoy the security of a perfectly fitting bra.

It is, from what I can tell, a pretty common headache for women to shop for bras. The number one annoyance being the price! Even on clearance at a department store you're going to pay $25 for a decent clearance bra. But they're usually out of your size on the clearance rack! But...there is hope...and it awaits at Target!

I have recently had somewhat of a Target addiction. I find myself there unannounced to my family and friends, wandering the various aisles for things I surely do not need. But anyway, about a month ago I realized that if there was anything I needed it was bras, so I thought, what the hell, I'll give it a shot. To my great surprise, I discovered that the bras at Target are incredibly cute, comfortable, only $12.99 and they always have the right size! I bought 4 on the spot and can see another bra-spree in my near future.

I just wanted to share because bra shopping has long been a source of aggravation for me that has now been remedied =) I think I had a bra from 8th grade lurking in my drawer that I just threw out!

Why Can't a Fox Eat a Happy Meal?

On two early mornings this week, I have looked out the window and seen a red fox in our backyard - a wild animal, not the late comic (though that would be even more impressive!). Anyway, this morning the fox was running with some prey in its mouth. I hope it was not one of our 2 wild bunnies, Harold and Maude. Ribhard points out that a fox has to eat, but I'm wondering why he can't just get a happy meal....

http://www.urbandictionary.com/

I might be a tad behind, but I don't recall seeing this...may be old age or we didn't "do" a certain name. Check out the link, put in your name and lol!

Victor:A highly intelligent, smooth talking, mysterious, player, who appears rough on the exterior, but has a heart, you just won't know it....Use CAUTION when in the vicinity of said male species; as they can suck you in and bend you to their will; stripping you of all your values and moral beliefs. Also highly contagious...most men wanna be him and all females wanna have him. Has the ability to turn you into a wimpering ball of flesh with one comment, leaving victim to question their validity for life.....

and a great example that needs to be used each and every day, at least once:

"I have be victorized!"

so you need a grapefruit spoon..............

if you don't have a grapefruit spoon....you know the ones with serated edges ..you can make your own...drop any spoon down in the disposal and pulse it once or twice...it will work! Trust me.

Gulfport's most wanted....

Things I wish I knew

Why does just a six volt flashlight battery cost more than a flashlight with a six volt battery at Home Depot?

so I am strolling around the mart of K-ness yesterday....

I turn the aisle near the pots and pans....and much to my delight I see an endcap display with the exquisite GT101 Xpress Redi-Set-Go "as seen on TV"....a product I have coveted for some time...(it acutally was up there with my desire for the "Magic Bullet" also as seen on TV.) The GT101 is marked down to $26.49 and sitting there big as life...no ordering..no shipping...no handling..no waiting. I run and get plou out of the return line and make her come back and see it. She is kinda luke warm and not as excited as I am about the prospect of owning the Xpress unit. Just about that time, Plou hears the announcement "for the next 20 mins.........40% off on all cookwear". She is sold at this point........We grab the GT101 and dash to the check out counter. The woman is kinda on the fence about the GT101 qualifying for the discount. Plou had asked a worker bee and the bee had said "Yes it qualifies". She mentions this to the cashier..... The check out lady, still hesitant, got another associate to come and ring it up.....40% OFF!!!!!! We pay and sprint to the car before they can change their mind.

I could hardly sleep last night anticipating making some of the "101 GT101 Recipes" that came with the unit. I bounced up, and made an egg omlette with cheese, turkey bacon, onions, bell pepper, and spices...added that to my grits and toast and had a very satisfying breakfast!!

As a celebrity, I don't usually endorse products

and as a well known celebrity, I make it a practice to never endorse anything I don't believe in..regardless of the money...........But these two things are really exceptional :

The Tillamook cheese is like the best cheese ever. Valencia and Stephany told me about it a while back...they both enjoy it and have visited the mother ship factory somewhere up in Oregon I think.......I tried it......and now I am hooked on their extra sharp cheddar cheese. ($8 for 2 lbs ) It is great on saltine crackers, thrown in the micorwave and melted for about 12 seconds. Also tastes fine when melted in your grits for breakfast. Can be eaten and enjoyed with a glass ( or two ) of merlot in the evenings, afternoon, or late morning. Check it out at King Soopers, Walmart, and other fine food establishments.

The bar keeper's friend is the best stuff in the world for cleaning stainless steel cook wear. I have used it on anything that you would normally use BAB-O on:f cookwear, showers, sinks, counter tops, etc. Check it out. You will not be disappointed.