Frozen fountain

So it's been cold here lately. Apparently it got colder than the fountain-keeper thought it would as the water just stopped running and completely froze.

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For animal lovers everywhere!

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Thanks Amanda for the link!

Two things that I just don’t understand…

…green bars and orange markers. I’m talking about the percentage complete bars that accompany many software programs or computer downloads and the orange 10-yard markers used in the NFL. Neither one has any meaning whatsoever.

For example, as I wait for my pictures to download to a photosharing website, I see a green bar that shows that download progress is at 50%. I think to myself, I’ve waited one minute and based on the completion rate, I should only have to wait one more minute... so no, I won’t run to the bathroom just yet. I’ll wait and use the facilities in a minute, after I have kicked off the next set of downloading (which should, based on the fact that I have waited one minute for half as much as I have in my second download), take two minutes – a much better amount of time for using the WC. However, after the remaining one minute that I have left on my first download starts to stretch into minute four, I’m left wondering if I have made the right decision and I start to do the peepee dance around the computer chair. The green bar seems to have stuck with only one little pip to be filled in remaining… and I wonder why the last one takes five times as long as any of the previous ones. It just doesn’t seem to make any sense. Why use them if they really don’t reflect a measurement of, well, anything?

And then, there are the orange down markers... A football field is over 50 yards wide; there are 22 players on the field during every play and the ball moves like crazy – up and down and back and forth – during every second of the game. There is no way that the placement of the ball after any play can be completely accurate. But when there’s a question about whether or not the ball made it exactly 10 yards (which is completely impossible to know), the refs bring out the two orange markers connected by a 10 yard chain to measure. They put the second marker right next to the ball – and possession is decided by even just a hair. Adam tells me that this is really the only fair way to do it. And I suppose that you probably win as many as you lose in the grand scheme of things – so it probably all evens out… but in today’s world, it seems that there should be something that we can use that is even just a tad more accurate. Maybe something like a pedometer for the ball?

So, in case you can’t tell, this post is written tongue-in-cheek… I mean if these are my complaints, I haven’t got many. But these teeny-tiny pet peeves that do have answers – they have to. I know that I’m asking for the absurd… but for these two little things – isn’t there something that can be done?

Random reviews

I/we have watched quite a few movies since last time I posted. I guess that’s what happens when you stop posting… These will be kind of ‘drive-by’ reviews, but they’re for old movies (by now), so that’s probably appropriate. =)

I Am Legend – Wow. That’s all I can say. Not really because this was a wonderful and amazing movie, but because it really got to me. Plot synopsis in one sentence – Will Smith is the only human alive in NYC and is fighting against and trying to cure zombies that have taken over the world. What really got to me though was the hopelessness and desolate nature of the environment. I still think about that every once in a while. Can you imagine being the only person in NYC as it slowly crumbles? Anyway, I’d rate this movie *** (out of 5) – definitely worth watching, but not worth going out of your way.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets – I love the historical aspect of these (this one and the original National Treasure movie) movies. The first one was better but this one was worth seeing too. The only issue that I had was that it seemed to be tied together at the end rather quickly and sloppily (I have to say though, that I saw this with an excited and babbling Addy at the Mommy movies, so I may well have missed a couple lines of important dialogue that make the ending not all that sloppy). *** (out of 5) – fun, escapist flick – don’t think too hard or you’ll catch some plot holes though.

Juno – This film shows the teenage pregnancy in a different light than most movies do. It was a good movie overall, though I’m a little curious what I missed with it receiving all of the Oscar hype. The mother gets to know her baby’s prospective adoptive parents and learns a little about love and life along the way. The movie ends much in the same place that it started… I know that really doesn’t make sense, since a baby has been born, but if you see it, I think that you’ll know what I mean. ***1/2 (out of 5) – but not really Oscar worthy in my mind! =)

License to Wed – We rented this movie over the weekend. I had heard that it was pretty good if you don’t mind Robin Williams. That was wrong! It was really a bad movie. A good relationship is tested to the max when Robin Williams decides to do some creative religious pre-marital counseling. It involves a weird Choir Boy, a wire tap, a baseball to the nose and driving while blindfolded. I like Mandy Moore and John Krasinski a lot – but not because of movies like this one. * (out of 5) - don’t waste your time!!

Enchanted – Adam, Addy and I went to see this over Thanksgiving while we were in Long Beach. What fun! Addy chirped along with the chipmunks at the beginning (and a fellow movie goer told us at the end how much fun that was) and thoroughly enjoyed what she saw of this movie (and so did her parents!). It was definitely geared toward a young female audience, but there really was something for everyone. **** (out of 5) – I’m excited for this one on video!

Amazing Chicken

We tried the below recipe last week - it's super simple and yummy too!

Amazing Chicken
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ready In: 40 Minutes
Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a shallow baking dish.
2. Coat chicken breasts on all sides with mayonnaise, and roll in bread crumbs until coated. Place coated breasts into the prepared pan.
3. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle, and the juices run clear.

Ratings:
Adam - ****
Melanie - ****

Shameless self promotion (yes, again)...

...AND a discount!! Check out the new Family Night Movie Pack and new shirts too! Enter coupon code MUSINGS at checkout and receive 10% off your entire order! Click the picture to get started!

Full body play

I love this picture of Addy - she's playing with her toy, using her lips, her hands, her feet... she's fully and completely immersed!!

One of my favorites

Improve your vocabulary and help feed hungry people

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Great tips

So, I'm not really an 'email forwarder', but I saw these tips posted recently and thought that they were really useful. Plus, I thought that maybe if I posted something here, I would get back in the habit!

1. REHEATING REFRIGERATED BREAD
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster. (Note: I always put a paper towel around the bread that I put in the microwave and it seems to keep the bread moist too.)

2. NEWSPAPER WEEDS AWAY
Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get hrough some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

3. BROKEN GLASS
Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

4. NO MORE MOSQUITOES
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

5. SQUIRRELS AWAY
To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

6. REDUCING STATIC CLING
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty-hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and -- TA DA! -- static is gone. (Note: I'm so excited to try this one. I'm skeptical, but hopeful!)

7. MEASURING CUPS
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

8. REOPENING ENVELOPES
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily. (Note: I always forget to put something in the envelope. I'm so glad that I no longer have to rip and tape!!)

9. CLOTHES DRYER LINT SCREEN BUILD-UP
Check your lint filter every few months... not for lint, but for fabric softener buildup. Even if the filter looks clean, run water through it. If water doesn't run through freely, wash the filter with hot soapy water and a nylon brush (an old toothbrush works very well). This will increase the life of your dryer and can also lower electric bills. Plus, you're less likely to have a fire in your laundry room! (Note: I tried this - we've had our dryer for about three years and have never washed the filter (though I clean the lint out after every load). To my surprise there was very little water getting through. I washed it and we're back in business. And it may be wishful thinking, but it seems like the clothes are drying faster since I washed the screen!)

A Christmas Surprise!

Congratulations Jackie and Fred!

Christmas Dinner

My parents came to Seattle for Christmas this year! So, since it was just the five of us (and I could mess up a little in front of the 'rents, Adam and Addy), I decided to try a completely new menu for Christmas dinner. I've included some of the recipes below. We had prime rib (which was something that I was completely intimidated about), the sides below and rounded the whole thing out with a green salad. The meat took a little longer to cook than anticipated, but other than that, I think that it was an ok menu. =)


Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Yields: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:
4 large baking potatoes
8 slices bacon
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded Cheddar
cheese, divided
8 green onions, sliced, divided

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
4. When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; save skins. To the potato flesh add sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon.
5. Bake for another 15 minutes.

Ratings: Adam ****, Melanie ****1/2


Oriental Green Bean Salad
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Ready In: 20 Minutes
Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 slices fresh ginger root, minced
1 dried red chile pepper
3/4 pound chopped fresh green beans
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large pan or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat. Stir in the garlic, ginger, and chile pepper. As the garlic and ginger begin to sweat, add beans, toss to mix, cover and reduce heat. Steam for 5-8 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of water if necessary.
2. Remove cover, increase heat to high; add soy and oyster sauce and stir for two minutes more or until sauce thickens. Serve warm.

Ratings: Adam **1/2, Melanie ** (though the beans were a little over cooked because of the meat not being done on time. We may try this recipe later - without the overdone-ness and then re-rate.)


Skillet Rolls
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Ready In: 45 Minutes
Yields: 24 servings

INGREDIENTS:
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105 degrees to 115 degrees)
1 cup warm buttermilk* (110 to 115 degrees F)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted

DIRECTIONS:
In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the buttermilk, butter, sugar, salt, baking soda and egg. Beat until blended. Stir in enough flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead for 5 minutes. Divide into 24 pieces. Shape each into a ball. Grease a 12-in. ovenproof skillet and sprinkle with cornmeal. Place rolls in prepared pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes. Drizzle butter over rolls. Bake at 375 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from skillet to a wire rack to cool.

Ratings: Adam ****, Melanie *****