Ruh Roh- Rick or Reat... Boo in Burien

Saturday marked the annual Boo In Burien, where little Goblins and Their dogs get dressed up in their finest Trick or treat fare and get treated to loads of fun and candy or dog treats by the local businesses in Burien.

Romeo all happy in his Cat get up.
Romeo's pals all spooked out for the day

"OMG... I can't believe I have to wear this stupid hat!"

Towns of kids trick or treating the businesses as an alternative to the houses

Complete the day with a hayride.

There where a lot of things to do including a haunted Chiropractors Office, Kid's Costume Parade, Dog costume Parade, Weiner Dog Races and Candy, Candy, Candy!

Romeo's Halloween Costume

" I will kill you in your sleep"

So I know everyone has been sitting on pins and needles to find out what Romeo will be this year for Halloween. And since his best friend Sammy Cat is no more, Romeo and I discussed it and decided he will be Sammy Cat in honor of his feline friend. Was simple to make, I made a custom dog T-shirt at Cafe Press, got together some cat ears that I had to customize by drilling a small hole in the bottom of the head band base, then installed a rubber band to tighten it when Romeo is in cat mode! The tail is from one of the hanging upside down planters I made last summer. Now he is ready for Halloween!

Cola Pot Roast in the Crock Pot

I love using the crock pot... Sometimes I make an entire meal out of it- other times I simply make an entree!
I made a pot roast the other night. With Coca cola! So easy to do, I imagine the sugars in the cola help break down the fat in the chuck roast. So set it and forget it!

Cola Pot Roast
2 Cans French onion soup
1 Bottle (20oz) of Cola (not diet)
1 4-7 lb Chuck Roast

Start by opening 1 can of French onion soup, pour it into the bottom of your crock pot. Place the chuck roast on top of the soup, Dump the second can of soup over the Chuck Roast, Pour the Cola over all. Set you crock pot to high, until it heats up, then set to low, let cook for 5-6 hours. The soup/ cola mix makes and excellent sauce/gravy. Seriously!

A new Chicken? An envelope making one!

There is another chicken out there in the blogosphere... and this one is an Angry Chicken (as opposed to the Crunchy one) and this one came up with a new way to make envelopes out of magazines and scrap paper with no cutting, no templates... and she has a tutorial video on it to boot. So welcome Angry Chicken, and thanks!

A take off on another take-off, does that make me a double copy cat?

I saw an Eames Inspired Shelving unit on Ikea Hackers some time ago, and was inspired myself to make something simular to put in my Studio closet to hold art supplies, gifts, etc. I didn't use the APA box in mine, nor put a piece of MDF Birch veneered plywood on the back, but i think I got the same effect. I used 2 craft crates, from Michael's (also available at JoAnn's) instead of the APA boxes. I simply figured where they should go, drilled whatever holes I need and screwed the Hyllis legs onto the boxes. I really like the unit. It makes my closet in the Studio look sharp and organized, until your eye veers over to the overstacked work table, which proves I am not neat and organized!

How Bob Saved His Family Farm...

Interesting sketch work in the Seattle Times...

Sketch by Gabriel Campanario, Seattle Times

Bob Ricci knew what to do with his family's farm after the purebred Holstein cows were sold and the dairy business shut down. He told his dad, a third-generation Snohomish farmer, that he would plant a corn maze and charge people to go through it.
Read about Bob and his innovative ways to make the Family Farm survive. And when reading look at the great Sketches by Gabriel Campanario.

DIY Cannisters

I was lamenting that my authentic 1950’s Canister set only had a single canister for Flour. I have three kinds of flour in my house… whole wheat, all purpose, and self rising. And if you count Biscuit mix, then four. And don’t forget corn meal! So when I ended up buying three small sacks of flour… I thought know how do I keep these stored. Then it dawned on me-Coffee cans. My mom still buys coffee in the can and is always giving me the empty cans. And the guys at work use Folgers in those hideous new plastic cans. Luckily I had enough to store my flours. Just a quick “re-label” with a Sharpie and I was set!

Halloween Ornaments

Been a while since I posted anything crafty! I made some Halloween Ornaments to hang on my Halloween Tree.
I got some Clear Glass Ornament balls frim Michaels, put a little orange paint in the ornament, swirl around a bit then lit drain out (I find tempera works better, a little cheaper than acrylic- But I tried both!) Then I took my trusty Sharpie and simply drew Jack O' Lantern faces on the ornaments!

So long Chile

My blogging friend, Chile Chews has decided to quit blogging. At least her Chile Chews blog. Her blog has always been a must read for me. Always informative, educational. I understand her reasons for quitting, bur it still sucks. Anyway Godspeed Chile, check in once in a while. You will be missed and are always welcome in my world.

You can call me Mr. Begley!

My new car? Hopefully!

Well it looks like I am a step closer to my dream of an Electric Vehicle. I put a reservation deposit on a Mistsubishi I EV (MiEV) ES in raspberry red, at the local Mitsubishi Dealer. If all goes well I should have my new car in December/January. First, I have to have the Geek Squad come out and do a site survey for the charging unit. And get rid of some cars I already own. It makes me sad that my faithful Suzuki Swift is one of them, though. Oh well. After that it is just wait for the car... then I can pretend my name is Ed Begley Jr!

Freeze Yer Buns 2011

Time to break out the blankets and the fur lined under wear... Ms. Chicken has Announced the Freeze yer Buns challenge 2011. Yes Folks, the annual challenge where The Crunchy Chicken encourages all to lower their thermostats (at least a few degrees), and reap the rewards... A frozen butt and blue balls? No, but save $$$. I figure I saved at least $300 last year doing this, and more this year (no Martin running his A/C all night long with the heater on) so I should be in for a whopping savings! Even if you can only drop one or two degrees it should still show up on on your electric and/or gas/oil bill. And save a few energy units at the same time! And you know that is a WIN WIN!

Win a Concrete Garden Kit!!!

Win a concrete garden kit form Timber Press...
Yes you have an opportunity to win this cool kit from Timber Press to create unusual and different things for your garden out of concrete! The kit includes a $25 Home Depot gift certificate, a set of foam number molds, and a copy of the book Concrete Garden Projects. Just go to this page and enter your email address for a chance to win! Hurry! The contest ends October 21st, 2011

Attack of the Killer Green Tomatoes

Green Tomato Bread- A delicious use for Green Tomatoes

OH MY GOD! WHAT AM I GONNA DO WITH THESE GREEN TOMATOES?
After pulling out my tomato plants, I had a glut of green tomatoes. And as much as I like fried green tomatoes, I can't eat that many. Well through the power of the inter webs, I found some new ideas


NO SUGAR GREEN TOMATO RELISH
Farmgirl fare blog had a recipe for No sugar Green Tomato relish, that is great. Very salsa like and easy to make and process, I found it easy to freeze as well
I followed this recipe on Farmgirl fare blog using only 1/2 cup of the vinegar, Then I froze some of the relish instead of processing it. Great on sausages and pork chops, or on a cracker, or some toast

GREEN TOMATOES AND BELL PEPPERS

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 green tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 celery, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in green tomatoes, bell pepper, celery, green onions and apple cider vinegar. Saute until tender crisp, about 5 to 10 minutes. Serve on baked potatoes or rice.

Bacon, Lettuce, Fried Green Tomato Sandwich (B,L,FGT Sandwich) And TOMATO TACOS
I make the standard fried green tomatoes and use the FGT in place of ripened tomatoes on a sandwich. And I do the same on a tortilla instead of fried fish or chicken

GREEN TOMATO BREAD
And here is a great idea that allows you to freeze the green tomatoes- Michelle at Cooking with Michelle makes GREEN TOMATO BREAD, making a puree out of the green tomatoes and thus being able to freeze it! Or make the bread and freeze!

I am a Adoptive Green Mutha!

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” - Mahatma Ghandi

This post is part of the Green Mom's Carnival hosted this month by Lisa at Condo Blues

Y'all know how much fun I have with my dog Romeo. And while technically he wasn't a shelter dog, he was abandoned by his former owner at a pet kennel. So I superseded the shelter and adopted him through the kennel. I found out that October is the Adopt a Shelter Dog month , celebrated via the American Humane Society, and there are important reasons to adopt dogs:

Do you want:

an exercise buddy?
- a best friend and confidant for your child?
- a dog you can train with to learn animal-assisted therapy?
- a partner in agility competitions?
- a constant companion for your favorite senior citizen?
- a fuzzy face to greet you after a hard day at work?
An adopted dog can be all these things -- and so much more!

My history with adopted dogs is somewhat Bittersweet- most of my dogs have been older fellows looking to live out there days with some consistency and security in a home where they are wanted and loved.
Binky and Spike

I got my last Yorkie, Binky through a Yorkie rescue. I had another Yorkie, Max, who was my best friend for up to 12 years. And he was the "I'm everyones friend" kind of dog that Romeo is. Well, Binky while he looked like Max in the face, didn't share the same attitude. In fact he was a one owner dog, Which I was okay with. He was my little killer, whose attitude was I want to be alone. Or maybe it was more "get the hell away from me!". But he loved a warm lap and his big brother Spike.

I got Spike through a co-worker whose sister in law wanted to get rid of him. Your usual fixed pug, with big eyes and smashed in face, he was about 15 pounds over weight. And gawd, could he snore. He was friendly, Liked everyone, didn't like sudden movements and showed signs of abuse. He was probably the dog most like me. He was able to do his own thing around here (mostly nap) and had a long quiet life at the end.

Topaz- Topaz was Martin's Mom's guide dog. A big stupiddumb Chocolate Lab that never should have graduated Guide School. But what she lacked in intelligence she made up for in loyalty, love and hair shedding. A good girl to the end.

So my point is this... I have had a lot of dogs (and cats and even a rabbit!) who were unwanted in their former homes. Some where victims of abusive homes, some where simply ignored and unwanted, and in the case of Topaz, couldn't do their job properly and had to be retired. But all have proven to be loving great pets and companions to me. Even the older ones, although they are not around as long as I would like.

Romeo, while somewhat younger, is so well liked and known throughout the community. He is a natural "ice breaker" when meeting people- you have to have conversations, even when they are about your dog!

Adopting a sheltered/rescued dog or cat is not so much green, as it is the right thing to do. You will find dogs of all sizes, and personalities. Many have special needs, just like children. But a little investigation will match you with the perfect pet/companion for a long time.

Adopting a dog/cat/pet... I highly recommend it!

Burien Brat Trot!

What so you think of a fat boy joining in a race? No I am not going to do the 5K, maybe I will do the 1.2 Short course walk. But in any case I went to the Brat Trot website and sponsored a child and put in $20 for a pair of running shoes.. So I am participating if all I do is sit in one of Burien's Fine eateries and fill up on brats. The sacrifices I make for a good cause!

Travelin' to the Beat of A Different Drum...

Well I owe this one to my dog, Romeo… I was walking him along the street and he discovered this kid’s drum set set out with the garbage. "Hmmmm…", wonders I… "what could I make with that?"
Immediatelely I thought about a table and a lamp. And maybe a planter. Any way I drug the drum kit home. No easy task when you are walking a dog who wants to go everywhere and see everything. So I gets home and start to proceed in making my drum table. I removed the drum skin and installed the legs- 3 24” pieces of ½ inch copper, with 6 split ring pipe holders. Then I added pipe caps on all the ends. Then the glass top- an old turntable glass from a microwave (my favorite glass Table tops).
Now for the lamp… I thought of a few ways to do it… 1 attached to one of the table legs, but worried it would be to top heavy. So I thought “how about a standard lamp?” and attached the two smaller drums together and put them on a lamp pedestal I had laying around. Then a lamp kit. Finally the lamp itself. I used the larger small drum as a lampshade and the smaller for a lamp body. Turned out pretty good if I say so myself!

Betty's Fried Green Bell Peppers

One of the things I love about gardening is fresh Bell Peppers. I owe a debt of thanks to my late friend, Betty, for introducing me to the wonders of fried green bell peppers for breakfast! Better for you than fried potatoes, part of a good breakfast

Betty's Fried Green Bell Peppers
Olive oil
Two green bell peppers, sliced, about 1/4 inch thick
Salt and pepper

Place about two tablespoons of olive oil in a fry pan, let it heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place green bell peppers in, stir frying until translucent. Serve with scrambled eggs and toast!

Thrift Store Bike Carrier

New Mount bike carrier

Old mount

I found this bike carrier in the local thrift store... It was mounted on a partial hitch. I went and bought a new Hitch Mount for it and re-mounted it. All in all the total cost was 35.98. I think that is as cheap as you can get on Bike carriers! And yes someone egged the tailgate of my truck.. because they are jealous of my Bike Carrier!