Answering A Call

If you've ever wondered what you can do to "give back", take a look-see at Craft Hope. The work they do is really amazing. And inspiring.


In light of the recent devastation in Haiti, the Craft Hope Etsy shop will be donating 100% of its profits to the relief effort.

There are some very cool items being sold. You can feel good knowing that the proceeds from your purchase are going to help others and have a new little somethin'-somethin' for yourself.

Can't beat that.

You might also choose to use your talents for good works by donating something to the shop. Details are on the Craft Hope site.

I kicked around a few ideas and decided that I will donate a few sets of my coasters. I have the materials on-hand and I can finish them quickly. I hope to have them completed and ready to post by the end of this long weekend.

Along with helping the earthquake victims in Haiti, Craft Hope has announced Project #6.

I'm embarrassed to say that I have never participated in a Craft Hope project. I have had good intentions...but flaked out. Boo me.

But this project is very doable: a simple crochet or knit scarf. The color scheme is mostly red, but you have the freedom to jazz it up with some additional hues.

I can do that. In fact, I'm hoping to have two finished by the deadline.

I leave you this evening with these words...

"I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home..."

Inspired By The Classic "Mix Tape"

Besides being a total time-suck and a stalking tool, Facebook does have its merits.

Through the magic of accepting one's friendship, I have been able to reconnect with many blasts from the past. Friends that faded from the everyday scene have suddenly reemerged and made me wonder, "Why did we lose touch, exactly?"

One such friend from college now lives in Oregon with his brood. We hung out with the same crew, listened to the same tunes...and now, over ten years later, it's a similar deal. We still have a comparable list of friends, trade movie suggestions, and recommend music to download.

Only now we have kids screaming in the background.

He mentioned that while cleaning out his garage he found a mix tape that I'd made him way back when. Ahh yes, the classic mix tape. A mid-90's cassette time capsule filled with the likes of Daniel Johnston, Replacements, Afghan Whigs, and Cowboy Junkies.

A few days before Christmas he returned the favor. Except this is the 21st century...

It's now a mix CD.

Can you see the title? Take a closer look.

Yes. "Crochet Rock".

That's so hot.

And that is a crocheted ripple afghan pictured on the front.

That's super hot.

This brings me to the next part of my story...

At the time I received Crochet Rock, I had yet to think of something to put under the tree for The Mr. I have mentioned that he is impossible to buy for...or make for. Time was ticking and I was in a pinch. What to do? What to get? What to make?

I wanted to give him something from my heart, something I created, and something that made him think of me. He requested that it not cost money.

I made him a card. I always do. This time I crocheted a snowflake from thread and mounted it on tag board with a sappy message.

And then I perused my iTunes library and pulled some favorites:

Kick Drum Heart...The Avett Brothers
New Slang...The Shins
All Your Secrets...Yo La Tengo
I Was Made For You...She & Him
The Underdog...Spoon
Back Into Your World...Son Volt
Ballad of Big Nothing...Elliott Smith
Your Excuse...Slobberbone
Star Witness...Neko Case
La La Love You...Pixies
The Way I Am...Ingrid Michaelson
Middle Cyclone...Neko Case
Jesus, Etc....Wilco
Sundress...Ben Kweller
I Would Be Sad...The Avett Brothers
The Best of Jill Hives...Guided By Voices
Ragged Wood...Fleet Foxes
I Was Once A Loyal Lover...Death Cab For Cutie
Summer Teeth...Wilco
The Weakest Part...Yo La Tengo
Should've Been In Love...Wilco
Just Breathe...Pearl Jam

A list of songs that should make him think of me as he drives about town. Bands we have seen together, songs from movies we have enjoyed, some songs that are just dang good, and of course, those songs with lyrical meaning.

It isn't overt mushiness. But it's "us".

Now, why am I sharing this?

Valentine's Day is just around the corner...and this is easy. Really easy. It's quick. It's cheap. It's meaningful.

And it doesn't involve lingerie.

Hasta La Vista, Motts

I had intended to make an apple crisp.

Nope. Never happened.

Visions of apple crisp then turned to visions of applesauce. Especially when I stumbled upon this recipe over at Bread & Honey.

I got out the apples.

Washed and peeled them.

Cored and sliced.

Threw the apples in a crockpot with some sugar, a little cinnamon, and a splash of water.

Turned it on low, sat back and savored the aroma that was soon wafting through my casa.

About six hours later I had homemade applesauce.

But really people, referring to this as simply "applesauce" is a bit insulting. It's more like apple pie in a jar.

I imagine it spooned over ice cream with a drizzle of caramel sauce. Or served warm with some crushed gingersnaps sprinkled on top. Or maybe even along side some whole wheat oat muffins.

But hey. A plain bowlful isn't bad either.

Hasta la vista, Motts. You are no longer needed here.

I Never Thought I'd Write a Post About Wrinkle Cream

But yet...here I am, doing just that.

There are cracks in the surface folks.

And I have declared war!

These marketeers are smart. You will not find "wrinkle cream" on the shelves. Oh no. Now it's called a "skin renewal agent".

Whatever. It's wrinkle cream.

There are hundreds of skin care products on the market. They all promise the same thing: younger looking skin. And from what I've been told on the morning talk shows, the cheaper brands are as good as the expensive ones.

Supposedly Sarah Jessica Parker uses this skin cream. She's in her 40's and appears to be holding up pretty well.

Advertising score.

While I was at it, I picked up some eye cream and deep wrinkle treatment.

I figured I would try to get a jump on the crow's feet. This particular cream says it battles under-eye fatigue.

I'm fatigued all over. It stands to reason that my under-eye area would be fatigued as well.

I got the deep wrinkle treatment for my forehead. It must be good. The label actually has the word "wrinkle" on it.

All the years of giving my students the "evil eye" and furrowing my brow have caught up with me. Darn kids.

I have only been "renewing my skin" for a couple of weeks. It's smoother to the touch. But I still have some furrows.

I'm being patient. I won't write a letter to SJP quite yet for false advertising.

Another sign I'm getting older? Foundation make-up. I remember my mom telling me that I didn't need to worry about wearing it until I became an old lady like her.

I guess I'm an old lady.

I like the fact that this does not feel heavy, greasy, or cakey. It does what it says: goes on smooth and blends perfectly. I'm much happier with my whole "made-up look" since adding this to the mix.

One last beauty note:

I am so down with my goth toes. I needed a fashion forward color to balance the whole wrinkle cream thing.

The Mr. isn't too sure about them. But I love it. I feel youthfully hardcore.

Now...lest you think I'm all girly-girl or something...

This is what a girly-girl looks like. In all her pink glory. Head to freakin' toe.

I never walk around looking like cotton candy.

I leave that to those not in need of wrinkle cream.

What's For Dinner?

A new week is upon us.

Last week's soup brigade was generous. So generous, that we were able to (happily) enjoy leftovers for more than one night. I'll be carrying over a couple of things to the first part of this week.

Sunday: fish tacos, black beans, guacamole, fresh tomatoes

Monday: quesadilla pie, black beans, guacamole, fresh tomatoes

Tuesday: crockpot roast, roasted potatoes and carrots, green beans

Wednesday: New Year's Soup, beer bread

Thursday: wild rice, asparagus, & goat cheese frittata, ham steak, tomatoes

Friday: hamburgers, oven fries

Saturday: homemade pizza

I know a few of you have made the New Year's Soup. It is posted on Sasa's (from Bluebirdbaby) new blog. I already have him bookmarked.

I have pizza planned for Saturday. Not sure what kind yet. I want to change it up a bit, so I'll be looking at different pizza concoctions throughout the week. Anything you recommend?

And finally, the chocolate brownie cupcake muffins that I posted about are all gone. That's less than 24 hours folks. I live with vultures and they have eaten every bit. But no worries. Those things are so insanely simple I will be making another batch. It was a unanimous request from all.

As always, have a great week. Eat happy.

So Easy My Blind, Obese, Senile Dog Could Make Them

What I'm about to share has got to be the easiest baked treat ever.

A friend sent it to me. And I was quite skeptical.

It was unnamed, so I have taken the liberty of giving it a moniker.

Chocolate Brownie Cupcake Muffins

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 can pumpkin

Mix the cake mix and pumpkin. Spoon into muffin tins. Bake in a preheated 400* oven for 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Really. That's all there is to it.

The original recipe calls for a Devil's food cake mix. I try to stay away from regular store-brand cake mixes and Whole Foods did not have a Devil's food mix. I substituted chocolate.

When you mix the pumpkin with the mix it will be thick. Your arm muscles will get a work out. It will also look very unappetizing. Just a heads-up.

If you are worried about tasting the pumpkin, don't. It's undetectable in the finished product.

There is no oil. No egg. Would that make them low-cal as well?

Let's just say yes and enjoy.

They are dense like a brownie, with a bit of that cake-like texture of a cupcake, but look like a muffin. Hence the name.

I can't believe how good these are. Or how easy.

With the things my dog gets blamed for, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if she went into the kitchen and whipped up a batch.

Lessons Learned

Lessons learned from last night's game:

the unexpected happens

life isn't fair

sometimes there is no answer to "why?"

a quality team has a leader

you have to stick together despite circumstances

be prepared

learn Eye of the Tiger, you might need inspiration

there are times when you have to dig deep

trust

have faith

believe

work hard

keep scrappin'

there are still class acts

bad things happen to really good people

dreams don't always come true

real men are humble

win or lose, respect your opponent

never give up

next season is only eight months away

the future looks bright


Most of you know that I bleed burnt orange. If you aren't familiar with my Longhorn love I direct you here. It explains everything.

The past 24 hours have been rough. Real rough.

It's not the loss that continues to pull at my heart. Don't get me wrong...it burns. A third degree kind of burn.


Today, I hurt for my boys.

Hook 'em.