Environmental Watchdog

Yesterday I was walking on my way to the train, and I passed a squirrel who was tripping over itself trying to run with a plastic bag between its teeth. Instantly visions of birds choked by 6-pack holders and sea turtles strangled by plastic bags flashed to my mind. I chased the squirrel away, which meant that in order to move, he had to drop the bag. I picked up the bag and shimmied the half-eaten long john out onto the ground, all while the squirrel clung to the tree at eye-level and watched me work. I left the long john on the ground for the squirrel (which might end up being more detrimental for the squirrel than the plastic, but whatever) and went on my way to find a dumpster to throw the bag into. But I swear, the expression on the little squirrel’s face said, “*$#&%!”

I’m really glad it wasn’t an attack squirrel.

(Especially since some of his brothers already ravaged my pumpkin.)

Who has seen the wind?

 

 

Yesterday the storm knocked down the tree in front of our house. It has been very windy, but I haven’t thought that it is worse than other storms. Poor tree. Elinore and I were reading in the front room, so we jumped up and saw it on the ground. The tree crew just happened to drive by about 2 minutes later and went to work. Within 20-30 min it was all cleaned up and chopped up. Promptly at 8am this morning another crew came and hauled away the trunk and large pieces. Only thing left is for the stump grinder people to come. I hope they plant a new tree!

When we were up in our bedroom last night we realized how much privacy that tree had given us. Now it is a plain view into the house across the street. We’ll really miss that tree! Thank goodness for curtains!

Another Case of Spontaneous Combustion

Who would have thought that making macaroni and cheese could be dangerous? Before today I would have said it most definitely isn't. But that was before I heard the explosive gunshot of glass shattering. The dish was an Anchor Hocking product and had only been in the oven 2 mins, when I heard a bang and opened the door to find my mac and cheese falling onto the (thank goodness) cookie sheet I had put under it in case it bubbled over and chunks of glass all over the bottom of the oven.













I have since read dozens of accounts of this spontaneous explosion of bakeware by Anchor Hocking as well as Pyrex. I'm thankful the dish was behind a closed door when it combusted and that I wasn't hurt. This dish was one of a set of 3 that I had to return 3 times to bed bath and beyond after finding chips and one completely broken. If you have glass bakeware by these 2 companies I would use with caution of find something else. Mine are in the recycling and I'm getting Le Creuset, I'd rather pay more for better quality and something that will not explode on me.

Boeuf Bourguignon

I felt inspired on Saturday and decided to make boeuf bourguignon. We had some friends over for dinner so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to give this recipe a try. Knowing this recipe takes a while because it has so many steps, we started at noon. The beef gets browned in hot oil and fat, but my lack of splatter screen was problematic, as the popping of hot oil causes injury. So Mike and I were forced to take the necessary precautions and look a little silly. We donned some goggles, elbow length cleaning gloves, towels for neck protection and long tongs and proceeded to brown the meat. Unfortunately, I did not escape unscathed. I have a small burn on my neck and several on my hand and arm.
When we took the stew out of the oven however, it was all worth it. It smelled divine and tasted phenomenal! Almost enough for us to burst into song. Mike made his favorite rosemary and parmesan crusted potatoes to go along with it. Our friends seemed to enjoy it so we're 2 for 2 on dinner parties.

Yesterday, after Mike's flag football game, we decided to find a state park to go for a hike in. Turns out there's a state forest reserve about 15 mins away from us so we headed out and set off on our hike. What was supposed to be a pleasant hike turned into a rigorous climb up loose rock. We did not make it to the top, but rested in the shade of the trees and listened to the wind rustling the trees. There were some decent views of the valley, unfortunately they didn't seem to come out on camera. Today, we're back to grayness and a 6% chance of snow. Fingers crossed fall sticks around a little bit longer. I don't think we are ready for winter yet!

Fall in State College

Mike and I have been enduring endless weeks of rain, thanks to the tropical storm that hit the Caribbean. But over the weekend we had some beautiful, sunny weather, so we bought ourselves a couple pumpkins, some doughnuts and cider. I had today off of work so we got our carving knives and got crafty with our pumpkins.






It started raining again today, so we had to carve them inside. Here's the final result:







Mike did the skeleton with the cat and I did the bat. Pretty neato huh? The fall colors are in full swing and it's absolutely beautiful. Work is going well, I've been getting really good feedback from my preceptor and she's bumped me up to 3 patients, time management is key. Mike and I are still getting used to our schedules and being in the same place. But things are going well!

Toby's in Chicago!

Halloween Costumes

Dialogue with a 10-yr old student.

Sarah: What are you going to be for Halloween, Miss C?
Caitlyn: Actually, that is a good question! I'm trying to figure something out. Any ideas?
Sarah: Yes. You should be...........................Mozart!
Caitlyn: (laughing) Well, that's certainly creative! I was thinking of being a black cat.
Sarah: (rolling her eyes) Oh, that's original.

I am putting together a recital for my kid students on Halloween week at a community retirement center. All performers are wearing their Halloween costumes to add to the fun. Which means.. that I also have to come up with a Halloween costume. This is not my forte. If anyone has suggestions of an easy, cheap, and not-in-my-way costume for the recital I would be very appreciative. Clearly, my cat idea is not very cool. But it is still on standby.

Camping 101

1. It is a bad idea to stop for groceries at the Dominicks that is celebrating it's grand re-opening after a total demolish/rebuild process.

2. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is a VERY charming town, but if you are there to camp and don't arrive until 2:30 pm, it's best not to get lured into the boutiques because...

3. Cooking in the dark is very difficult.

4. Bring an ax to chop firewood to desired size.

5. Locate kindling BEFORE it gets dark.

6. Foil dinners should be at the bottom of the fire, not the top.

7. Crunchy foil dinners don't taste very good.

8. Giant roaster marshmallows are too big for normal people

9. 35 degrees F is VERY COLD. VERY VERY COLD. Bring winter garb, not fall. And wear at least 3 layers of it on every part of your body.

10. If you are an urban dweller in a relatively secluded site and a car pulls into the campsite next to yours around 10:30 pm, and then doesn't really do much in the way of setting up a tent or scuttling around the site, and especially if you are three women, it's wise to sleep with a baseball bat in the tent with you.

11. Pee immediately before entering the tent. Especially if it is 35 degrees F.

12. Cooking Pilsbury buiscuits in a cast iron skillet over an open fire is completely doable and quite delicious. So is scrambling eggs over an open fire with a fork.

13. Farkle is a really fun game, even if you teach your friends how to play and then they smoke you. (repeatedly) Have dice at all times. Remove gloves for best rolling technique.

14. Smoke stings your eyes. Bring protective eyeware, like goggles.

15. It is ok to eat s'mores following any meal. Including breakfast. (A s'more with 1/2 a giant roaster marshmallow is pictured.)