Refrigerator Magnets

Following this super simple DIY, I was able to make these cute little terrarium magnets. I used spice jars available at World Market for $1.99. I liked them because I could push out the clear lid. Then I simply cut one in half and popped a half into each lid. No glue necessary. Each tin is stuffed with moss and three air ferns are gently inserted thru the front lid.

Air Plants

Peace came upon me, and it leaves me weak.
So sleep, silent angel, go to sleep.

Sometimes all I need is the air that I breathe and to love you.

Constant air circulation -- as the name indicates -- is paramount to keeping your plant happy.
Air plants need some moisture; from late spring to mid-autumn, mist daily. In winter, mist only once or twice a week.
Fertilize monthly in spring and summer using a low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer mixed at only one-quarter strength. In general, fertilize weakly.
Although they love warm weather, most air plants need protection from full sun. If it's a type that grows naturally wild on trees, keep it in moist, partial shade. If it is a ground type, such as T. cyanea or T. lindenii, grow it indoors in bright, filtered light and outdoors in partial or dappled shade.
Don't let an air plant sit somewhere that's colder than 45 degrees; it will die at those temperatures. If you live in Zone 9 or warmer, you can grow an air plant outdoors all year if you keep it dry during the winter.

Pork Marsala

Pork tenderloin
flour
salt and pepper
mushrooms
Marsala wine
butter
chicken broth

Cut tenderloin into chops, cover in Saran and pound until flat. Dredge cutlets in flour and season with salt and pepper. Gently fry the cutlets in oil two minutes each side. Remove from oil and let dry on a paper towel. Clean frying pan. Cook mushrooms in butter. Add 1/2 C. wine and boil until no longer smells like alcohol. Add 1/2 C. chicken broth and gently simmer until semi thickened. Spoon sauce over cutlets served on spaghetti.

Truffles

Basic truffle recipe, rolled in freeze dried strawberries pulverized with mortar and pestle.

DIY Deodorant

1 fluid ounce witch hazel
1/2 fluid ounce flower water
1/2 fluid ounce colloidal silver
20 drops essential oils, your choice
10 drops grapefruit seed extract

Add all ingredients to a 2 ounce mister bottle. Shake well. Apply to underarms as often as needed.
how to make flower water

Fruit Plate

I did the fruit plate at work today with pineapple, papaya, cantaloupe, musk melon, grapefruit, starfruit, strawberries, and orchid blossoms.

Trout

1 Tb chopped cilantro
1 Tb chopped green onion
1 Tb grated ginger
1 Tb sliced shallot (I omitted)
1 1/2 tsp. chopped garlic
1/2 tsp. black sesame seed
1 Tb. red chili paste (sambal oelek)
2 Tb. honey
1/4 C. sushi rice vinegar
1/4 C. soy sauce (I omitted)
1/2 C. canola oil
recipe

Cara Cara Oranges

Cara Cara oranges, a type of navel orange grown in California's San Joaquin Valley, are available December through April. The bright orange exterior of Cara Cara oranges is similar to other navels, but their interior is a distinctive pinkish red, has an exceptionally sweet flavor with a tangy cranberry-like zing, and they’re seedless. Cara Caras, a cross between the Washington navel and the Brazilian Bahia navel, were first discovered in 1976 at Hacienda Cara Cara in Venezuela.

Songs With Similarities

Dido's song Thank You seems to be creeping up in other popular songs as well. I know I've talked about Eminem's Stan before, but Fall Out Boy Centuries is a new one.

Waffles

Delicious homemade waffles are only 10 minutes away.  I had a jar of apple sauce made this fall that I ran thru the blender to be ultra smooth.  Caitlyn seemed to enjoy it, but I prefer mine more chunky.  These waffles are a great way to use up the extras.

2 eggs (beaten until fluffy)
2 C. all purpose flour (but I suppose you could use something else)
1 3/4 C. milk
1/2 C. apple sauce
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
a dash of cinnamon for extra flavor
pinch of salt

Mix ingredients in large mixing bowl.  Batter should be smooth and runny like cake mix.  Spoon batter on top hot waffle iron.  Cook waffles until they stop releasing steam around edges and no longer stick to waffle iron.

Song Mash-Ups

Taylor Swift
"Got a long list of ex-lovers, They'll tell you I'm insane. But I got a blank space baby, And I'll write your name."

Bruno Mars and Miley Cyrus. Not as good, but still interesting.

Wave hat

This is Dave's new hat. I just finished it. I like how soft this hat is, but I can't help but see tiny seals instead of waves on the boarder.

Fried Rice

One thing I like about January is the abundance of sea food sales.  I made hibachi style shrimp fried rice.  It was delicious.

4 C. chilled cooked rice	3 eggs	1 C. peas
2 Tbs. carrots, finely chopped	1/2 cup onions, diced	1 1/2 tbs. butter
2 tbs. soy sauce	Salt and pepper, to taste	shrimp

Peel and devein shrimp, steam with butter and soy sauce. YUM~

Comics

Garfield Minus Garfield makes Jim seem a very sad man.
Peanuts cartoons with The Smiths lyrics in the frames.

Lonely Christmas

In cause you though you were the only one suffering thru the holidays, here are some light hearted Christmas cards from those less fortunate than you.