Pictures....

I often look at my Google Photos and wonder...

Why on EARTH did I take this picture??

I know at the time I took that picture of the drink cup and top of a sport-pepper I was trying to get people to guess "Where is Lisa?"

But out of context why on earth would I take a picture of a sign warning me to "...not feed the coyotes." when nothing would be further from my mind to do.

Isn't this a cute egg?

I wanted to remember the tequila and buy some for a party.

LAND HO!!! (Side of the highway in Sonoma County, CA)

Should I get boots for MY chicken?

Joy in a glass.

ROAR-ing good wine.

Does this need a caption? 

Sometimes I get a beautiful photo....

Other times I find I look odd...

Or something is funny...

Like REALLY funny.

Mama - we need this recipe in our life!!

Sometimes the heron is on this rock, other times it is a turtle or two in the pond next to the parking lot.

What a great State Fair!

  

Homemade Gummy Bugs!!! Yum. 

I do not think I need to say more....

I did not like the capture...it was more like torture.

I need a prompt today...

Oh yeah, it's THURSDAY!!! Welcome.

http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/

The Prompts for Thursday, July 13, 2017:

1. List 7 things you’d rather be doing this summer.
2. Describe a hobby you would pursue if you had an additional hour to spend each day.
3. Write a blog post inspired by the word: celebrate
4. Book review!
5. Your summer vs. Your kids summer

I was going to write about My Summer vs. My Kid's Summer, but both have been pretty great.  I turned 50 and went to wine country with my girlfriends and tasted delicious wine - ate delicious food and pretty much rocked that birthday.  And Boo Boo La La went to her first overnight camp, is learning ukulele and is participating in general merriment at her summer program.

I also got to go to Duluth with T-bone and Boo Boo which was way relaxing even if we were in a waterpark hotel.

And your summer is _______________?







So I decided to write a 4. Book Review! because I FINALLY FINISHED THIS DARN BOOK I HAVE BEEN READING FOR NEARLY A YEAR.  Ugh.

I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith

Last year I got a summer reading list and - uh, let's say I hope they fired the person who curated that list.

This book was a slug fest for me to complete. I found the characters irritating and their behavior kind of stupid. But perhaps that is because it is all written by Dodie Smith when she was in her early fifties, but the voice of the book, the main character Cassandra, is 17. I just feel it wasn't right. Somehow what Cassandra "captured" in her writing about what was going on just was silly and boring.

So yeah.

Do not read it.  Really, just walk away from the book.

Unless maybe you are 17 or a 50-year-old who thinks they are 17 again.

Give me Liberty....

I hope you all have plans for the long holiday.

I plan to spend time with my family today
My friends and family tomorrow as we host a big party - maybe drink too much wine...
Sunday relax and enjoy what comes, maybe garden a bit
Monday - be thankful I don't have work - go visit my MIL for a bit and walk over for the celebration at The Victory Memorial Flag Plaza and watch my daughter sing the National Anthem.

Enjoy Peeps.

Enjoy.

Thousands gathered today at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate to hear former Pres. Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel speak about democracy. pic.twitter.com/yDP8c41tru

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) May 25, 2017

Happy President's Day - not you 45

It's another holiday I get to be home because I work for an East-Coast based company.

Midwest companies do not really take this day off.

President's Day we take off, not that I am not getting some work done today, but I am home in my kitchen and am not really expected to work.

(pause to sip from my favorite mug some Starbucks Vanilla)

So, Happy President's Day to one and all.

Except you 45.

You who needs attention so badly you began your next campaign just shy of your first month in office. 

Really? 

Ugh.

Let's think of happier things people.

Here are some good stories from around the globe this Patriotic Holiday.

Zealandia: This is fun - we have identified a new continent - and the Kiwi's deserve it, I know some and they are a fun bunch.  I also find the name ZEALANDIA to be awesome.

Girl Scout Cookies: I agree with her on some reviews, but leave my Do Si Do's alone.  I love them.  I am curious though about her sales numbers.  She must live somewhere you can do online sales. p.s. if you need a box we have plenty!  :)

GAGA: Lady Gaga is going to do a remake of "A Star is Born" - this may get me back to the movie theatre for something other than a Pixar flick.

And finally this one - this is such an amazing story of kindness.  Enjoy.

Mommy's Nest 2017 Motto

Freezer Find - A recipe

Yesterday I was moving things around in the upstairs freezer and came across two packages of stew meat - ORGANIC stew meat I got for $5 off a package at Target sometime in the recent past.

They looked amazing and this morning I came up with a plan for one - if it is good I want it documented - so I am blogging my recipe as I go.

Over medium heat:

Chop 3 medium onions - caramelize in olive oil for 10 minutes.

Chop 5-6 medium carrots - add to onion mixture, cover, and cook until softened, 5 minutes.

Add two Teaspoons chopped garlic & 1 Tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon paprika, and heat until fragrant.  Add 1 tsp salt and 3/4 tsp pepper - fresh cracked if possible!

Add one 14 ounce can of Tomato Sauce and one 28 ounce can of petite diced tomatoes, reduce heat to low - let simmer for 30 minutes at least.

Brown 1 pound of stew meat in olive oil over medium high heat - do not cook through, just brown 5-6 minutes then add to sauce.



Meanwhile, cook your choice of rice or pasta to serve the sauce over.

This time we used spaghetti and zucchini noodles.

*After we had this meal - I think I may cook the beef in with the onions slower - then add the carrots, etc. so that it is more tender.  Like get some color on the onions for 10 minutes, add the beef and maybe a little red wine and lower the heat and cover for 15 minutes.

I do think the key for any kind of sauce cooked this way is that you use an enamel cast iron pan.

Bon Ape-tweet!

I thought better of the idea...

Sometimes I have to take Boo Boo La La to gymnastics because T-Bone has a meeting.

I always think in the morning - we'll be so RUSHED - I will barely have time to get her, get her changed and THEN, what will we do about dinner???

I imagine asking her when I pick her up if she wants Subway or McDonald's.

But then, as I drive toward school after work, I change my mind.

Suddenly I think to myself.

Wait a second - why would it be faster to go to Subway or McDonald's?  Boo Boo can't change into her leotard while we are choosing food or sitting in the drive-thru.

I have fruit and tortillas and peanut butter at home.

Hmmm, I will just get her and run home the eight blocks, she can change while I make a peanut butter roll-up and cut her an apple.

Duh.

My point is, I do have time.  I am not as rushed as I work myself up to be.  I just need to drive and breathe for a second.

Hey America - Use your freedom next time.

I have been meaning to tell you all for a long time.

If you didn't vote in the election - YOU SUCK.

For real.

The final results for the US Presidential Election are in and

Yes, calm down - Hillary Clinton "won" the popular vote and lost the Electoral Vote.

Everyone keeps pointing out that she "won" by over a million votes.

Whoopie.

What I notice is that the US population, according to census.gov, is 325,202,861 at the time I looked and typed that...6:31 am Central, December 27, 2016.

Even if you overestimated and said half the people were not eligible to vote due to age or other reason that means that 162, 601,430.5 people could have/should have voted and 38,884.433.5 people did not vote. And that is WAY low of an estimate considering that (according to census.gov) only 11.34% of the population is under 18.

The closer estimate is 164,607,860 - or MORE PEOPLE THAN ACTUALLY VOTED IN THE ELECTION.

OMG.

THAT should be the news headline.

What is WRONG with people that they do not vote?  Do you see what power you had in your hands that you simply ignored?

If you are reading this and you didn't vote, be ashamed, learn how to vote and do it next time.

Happy New Year.

That is all.

Pinterest Fantasy

Four years ago I pinned a shoe.

The Jeffrey Campbell Torch Wedge, in grey.

It was beautiful. 

It was versatile, for jeans or skirts.

It was...

EXPENSIVE!

It also has been repinned 79 times.

The only pin I created that has been pinned more times is a DIY adjustable bracelet. 

Every time someone repins the shoe, I search eBay for a pair. Since, of course, Nordstrom has long since divested themselves of this beautiful shoe.

A few weeks ago,  I got lucky.

There on eBay was a pair in my size that looked BRAND NEW!  They were green, but I love green. So I made an offer,  they countered,  and the deal was sealed. 

Aren't they awesome?

Tweet, Call, Post to Facebook: Let JP Morgan Chase know how you feel about it.

If you are from Minnesota you know the name of Jacob Wetterling.

You know how strong and amazing his parents are and that they, especially his mother Patty, continue to fight for children today.

You may know that the "person" who took Jacob finally admitted what he did.

He told the whole story in court and led the FBI to Jacob's dear remains.

Finally we know, "Where is Jacob?".

It doesn't mean people still are not sad and that we are not still in dis-belief.

It's a horrifying story.

And now, the people who live in the neighborhood in Annandale where that "person" lived, want something positive on the property.

The city has presented three offers to JP Morgan Chase, who owns the house.  And JP Morgan Chase has not accepted any of the offers.

The house is valued at $55,000.00.

Let's get JP Morgan Chase to give up this property.  Donate it to the city and let them tear it down, build a community garden (as suggested) or ANYTHING else positive.  Have them donate some of the money they saved to the Wetterling Foundation or something.

Find JP Morgan on Facebook, Twitter, or their website.

Tell them to write the property off or sell it to the city of Annandale - what a GREAT Christmas gift.


Thank you peeps.

Ignore the fact I need to wash my hair - Coconuts II

A couple of months ago I unpacked a box on YouTube - and I blogged about getting this box of amazing coconut oil products.

Skinny & Company is the brand and today I decided that my skin was looking pretty great - I love slathering the calming lavender & coconut facial oil on myself morning and night. I had done nothing but that for the past four days and....

This is 49.5

I have not put on any makeup since Thursday. I have been only putting on coconut oil and sitting in my hot tub.  Well, I did shower after those soaks.  :)

And while it is a little expensive for coconut oil and essential oils - it is not more expensive than any other face moisturizer I currently buy for myself.  And TODAY of all days I went to buy some and got BOGO.  They are having a "Black Friday Weekend" sale that seems to still be going strong. 

So enjoy a little slather for yourself....

Happy Cyber-Monday Peeps.