That Time I Killed Something and Ate It

It’s been a crazy week so let’s end it on a crazy note, k?

So, have you ever killed something and ate it?

(Wow.  What a rhetorical question considering that here in Texas almost everybody has freezers stocked with animals they’ve killed and are planning to eat.)

Though I could never butcher a chicken or a cow, there was this one time…

Back in September, while visiting our lovely friends in Maine, we purchased some lobsters from one character of a man at a roadside stand. 

(I mean he was a CHARACTER!  Just like Popeye incarnate.)

However, the excitement of having only paid $20 for three lobsters melted away the minute I opened the bag and peeked in at the wriggling creatures.

“Uhh…I don’t think I can do this.”

“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!”

Not an attractive expression, but then again, not an attractive task.

(BTW, have I ever told you that my nose does weird things in certain lighting?  Well, it does.)

Anyway, I started the water, muttered a quick prayer over the crustaceans, and…well…carried on with dinner.

“OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD OH GAAAAAaawwwwwwD!!!!!”

“I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SOoooorrrrrRRY!!!!”

Once the last of the lobsters were in, I slammed the lid on the pot and shed a few tears.

However, just twenty minutes later…

…my tears dried and my smile returned.  After all, the little lobsters were now in lobster heaven and dinner was ready!

So with that, we ate them.

(Steaming lobster any time soon?  Cook them according to these instructions.)

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This post was brought to you by my favorite Far Side cartoon:

What the Cats Have Been Up To….

The cats have been asking why I haven’t posted about them in a while.

They’ve also been requesting a lunchtime meal and more tuna-flavored snacks.

I think I’ll just address the former for now.

Here’s what the critters have been up to these days….

An afternoon discussion about how much they like to bask in the sun.

Brody discovers that he might just prefer rolling in cat mint over basking in the sun.

A morning squirrel-watching underway.

Alas, there never seems to be enough room on a window sill.

And never too much sleep to catch up on.

And when Brody isn’t snoozing…

…he’s charming his parents.

Me, too?  Me, too?  I can charm, too!

Happy Tuesday!

Tackling the Small Stuff

I don’t know what’s more difficult:

a. Tackling the big, expensive projects like replacing flooring and windows, OR

b. Tackling the small, touch-up projects.

When it comes to screwing on switch plates or painting trim, I tend to think: “Oh, I can finish that anytime.”

Unfortunately, two years have come and gone, and “anytime” just hasn’t happened yet.

As Dave and I head into our third year of home-ownership (August 1st is our house-iversary!), I feel like all those little loose ends will never get tied up if I don’t act NOW.

Therefore, I’m instituting a master plan to tackle the small stuff which I’m calling:

THE MARCH TO AUGUST

Hopefully, with the help of my master plan, I will have completed all of this by August*:

That’s roughly twelve weeks and 30 projects.

Therefore, I need a very detailed master plan so that I don’t waste time wondering where to start.

Wish me luck!

HAVE A LONG TO-DO LIST…but don’t know where to start?

Developing a detailed plan is half the battle and will help keep you focused and on task.

A detailed plan should include:

1. A photo list of projects needing to be completed.
   (Ugly pictures are motivational!)

2. A specific list of materials needed to complete each project.
   (5 yards of fabric, 1-inch angled paintbrush, etc.)

3. A list of any preliminary steps.
   (Measure door frames, sand rough surfaces, etc.)

4. A time frame for each project including prep time.
   (We’re talking minutes and hours: 1 hour to paint trim, 10 hours to reupholster large chair, etc.)

5. A calendar on which to schedule each project.
   (Click here if you need a pretty calendar to help get you in the mood.)
   

Here’s to tackling to small stuff!

What’s on your list?

(For perspective on loving our homes despite all the small stuff, check out my friend Rita’s post!)

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*Photo Key

1. Replace doors and install knobs

2. Repair broken (or missing) electrical outlets

3. Caulk and seal around window A.C. units

4. Install A.C. vents

5. Hire electrician to repair staircase lighting

6. Install lighting unit in study

7. Install supplemental shelving in study bookcases

8. Hang curtains in the living room

9. Reupholster green chair #1

10. Reupholster green chair #2

11. Reupholster ottoman #1

12. Reupholster blue chair

13. Swap out dresser in den for a sideboard

14. Finish painting trim & install towel rack in downstairs bathroom

15. Touch up ceiling paint in bathroom and kitchen

16. Rehang doors that don’t shut properly

17. Repair & reupholster ottoman #2

18. Wash & paint and design on living room rug

19. Swap out red rug in den for painted rug

20. Put photos in frames

21. Touch up paint in window seals that were scuffed from window replacement

22. Install switch plates in kitchen and bedroom

23. Touch up around new kitchen lighting units

24. Sand & paint interior of kitchen cabinets

25. Paint & install heating grate in kitchen (it’s currently being held in place by weights)

26. Touch up exteriors of kitchen cabinets.

27. Install towel rack/cubby in master bathroom

28.  Install new lighting & vent in master bathroom

He Blesses Me So

My husband would like to buy me the occasional flowers, but I tell him not to because it’s a waste of money.

Who wants to spend good money on dead plants that whither a week later?

I prefer plants with roots, plants that make fruits!

Last week, I put my tomatoes and peppers in the ground and they were very happy in the sun.

Then last night, nature pulled a one-eighty.  The temperature dropped sixty degrees in a couple of hours, the winds gusted in and the hail beat down.

My poor tomatoes and peppers didn’t have a prayer…

…Until my knight in shining armor stepped in.

As the storm approached, my hub grabbed every bucket, box and brick he could find and covered up each plant.

So no, my husband doesn’t surprise me with murdered plants.

He surprises me by saving the ones that are alive and thriving.

The ones that mean so much to me.

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

When the weather starts to heat up, (it’s been 90 degrees this week!) I prefer something light and fresh for dinner.

Like Vietnamese spring rolls.

Unlike it’s fried relative, Vietnamese spring rolls are prepared with softened rice wrapper and filled with meat, vegetables and softened glass noodles.  (Though I prefer mine sans noodles.)

You can find rice wrappers in the international food section of larger supermarkets.

As far as what combination of meat and veggies to use, the sky is the limit.  My favorite is crab, avocado, carrot and cilantro but you could also use lettuce, mushrooms, bean sprouts, etc.

And if you don’t already own a bottle of chili-garlic sauce, it’s what you’ve been missing all your life.

This salty/spicy/tangy condiment really brightens up any Asian dish, especially dipping sauce!

So if the weather is creeping higher and higher where you live, grab some fresh ingredients and serve up some spring rolls tonight!

Ingredients

(Makes 12 rolls)

*12 rice paper rounds

*4 cups simmering water

*2 medium ripe avocados, sliced

*1/2 a bunch of cilantro, rinsed and coarsely chopped

*4-5 scallions, green and white parts thinly sliced

*4 large carrots, peeled and grated

*2 cups shrimp or crab (optional for vegetarians)

*3 cups softened glass noodles (traditional but optional–They make the rolls too dry and chewy for my taste)

*Soy Sauce

*Chili-garlic sauce

*Fish sauce

For starters, I like to add some flavor to my crab and shrimp by tossing them in a tablespoon of chili garlic sauce and a splash of fish sauce.

Next, set up all of your ingredients in an assembly line because once you soften a rice wrapper, it will get sticky very quickly.

Pour water into a skillet and bring to a simmer.  Remove skillet from heat.

Dip a wrapper into the water and allow it to soak for 10-15 seconds until it starts to soften a little.  Do not over-soak.

Sprinkle a clean work surface with a teaspoon or so of water.  This will prevent the rice paper from sticking while you work.

Place the wrapper on your work surface and add a few shrimp or a couple tablespoons of crab along the center.

Layer on a couple tablespoons of carrot, a couple slices of avocado and a sprinkling of scallions and cilantro.

To wrap, bring the bottom of the wrapper up and over the filling.

Fold in the sides of the wrapper…

…and roll the rest of the way up.

For a dipping sauce, mix a couple tablespoons of chili garlic sauce with a few tablespoons of soy sauce or fish sauce along with a sprinkling of chopped scallions.

Mmmm…don’t mind if I do.  Chomp!

Here’s to light, refreshing and hand-held dinners!

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For another tasty and light meal idea, check out Lori’s post today at A Bright and Beautiful Life!

Before You Plant….

Gardening can be an investment.

Especially if you want plump vegetables, laden fruit trees, vibrant flowers and lush grass!

Photo Source: Words and Herbs

In order to maintain and protect your investment, here’s a checklist of what you need to know before [or oops! even after] you start planting…

1. Know Your Zone

Not sure when to plant that plum tree or whether those hydrangeas will thrive in your area? 

Knowing what hardiness zone you live in will help save time and money when deciding when and what to plant.

Locate your zone on the 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to discover what zone you are in. 

2. Locate Your Lines

No point in planting a tree if you have to dig its roots out of your sewer system a couple years later!

Knowing where your electric, gas, water and sewer lines ensures your safety and will help you avoid major problems down the road.

Call 811 a few days before you dig.  A professional will be sent to your house to mark your utility lines.

RED=Electric  YELLOW=Gas  BLUE=Water  GREEN=Sewer

3. Have Your Soil Tested

You’ve watered, you’ve mulched, you’ve fertilized…but your grass is still yellow and your cucumbers are still bitter.  NOW WHAT?

Getting your soil professionally tested every 3 years in either late fall or early spring will provide you with the crucial information you need to have a successful lawn and garden.

The test will cost you anywhere from $10-$30 but without it, you might as well be gardening in the dark.  (BTW, don’t bother wasting money on a bag of fertilizer until you get your soil tested first!)

Pick up a soil envelope from your local county extension office, follow the instructions closely and mail it in. (NOTE: For an analysis on, say, your garden soil AND your lawn soil, you will need to pay for two separate soil samples since lawns and gardens have different needs.)

In a few weeks you should receive a detailed analysis of the pH and nutrient levels in your soil as well as recommendations for how to remedy any deficiencies.  

Here is a soil sample I sent in from my vegetable beds.

Here’s to smarter gardening! 

How do you like to prepare for the growing season?

Aiming a Gun at a Cat

Here is a picture of my great-grandmother, Loverta.

Even though she is aiming a gun at a cat, I really, really love this photo.

And that’s no joke.

(No, Loverta did NOT shoot the cat.  I just come from a family of jokesters.)