Cheetah Velour

tomaters

The gardening is winding down for the summer, but the tomatoes just keep coming.

 

The foxes, racoons, deer and other critters had no interest in the tomatoes (unlike like the cherry tree disaster which typically occurred in the wee hours on WORK NIGHTS, why no I'm not bitter) so there are plenty. One thing you can always do is make tomato sauce and freeze it. I like this recipe here.

 

I know, I know, I'm no food photographer and it probably doesn't look very appetizing. Trust me, it's chock full o' pureed onions, green pepper and garlic and it's mmm-mmm-good. That's about a pint right there.

Best part about freezing tomatoes this way is that you can freeze the sauce flat in a ziploc bag and break off frozen pieces as you need them.

dear tomato,

Please hurry up so I can eat you.

 

Green beans, you were good. I'm coming for your friends! 

the milk jug garden

This milk jug irrigation thing is really working out! Thank you, Freecycle.

 

The tomatoes are coming right along.

 

Then there are the green beans!!! I know it's just a little garden but I am pretty happy about growing my own green beans.

 

I'm hopeful that there will be plenty to go around. So far the foxes, deer, birds and squirrels haven't caught on like they did with the cherry tree and the roses. Our local nursery is accepting produce donations (even small ones) to bring to the local crisis center. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

happy valentine's day

 

I love you, royal icing .

chicken pot chicken pot chicken pot piiiiiiieeeeee

Do any of you remember Cousin Donnie from Just Shoot Me? Now whenever I refer to chicken pot pie, I have to sing that little song.

Last night I made my favorite chicken pot pie. It's really easy! It's almost 'from scratch', but not really. You can find the recipe here-

Etsy shop update

Holy cow, I love this book.

 

 

 

 

I'd keep it for myself, but honestly, I'd burn ice cubes if given half the chance. If you're up to the task of planning a slumber party or a Holiday in Mexico Prom or a  Sukiyaki Party for the gang, then you're a better woman (or man) than I.

If cooking isn't your thing, then there's this, which is actually quite practical!

 

 

And this - 

 

CRAFT AHOY!

Mr. Grant!

This one is especially for eniksleestack over at Thrift Store Adventures. This blog after my own heart recently featured some cringe-worthy (and by cringe-worthy I mean totally covetable) thrift store kitchenware.

I always make sure to hit the kitchenware section at a thrift store. Sure, there are always way too many single wine glasses from some art 'n' wine festival you didn't actually attend & way too many oversized plastic soda cups from mini-marts. You have to look closer to find the really good stuff.

I can't recall where or when I acquired him (yes, it's a him) but I've had this little ceramic garlic container for years. He has such a sourpuss face that I immediately dubbed him ED ASNER and refuse to call him anything else.

I dunno, what do you think?

you might be a ...oh, never mind.

I admit it, I love celebrity-endorsed products. I'm not talking about the good kind, like A-lister Nicole Kidman for Chanel. I'm talking about the other kind. The kind that makes you say, "What the heck were they thinking?" or "They must really need the money".

I spotted this in the local Safeway, right above the cheap beer. When you think of Jeff Foxworthy, do you think of teriyaki jerky? I know I will from now on!

Who can forget my other favorites- Tommy Lasorda's "It's not sorta good, it's Lasorda good!" Popcorn or George Jones Dog Food? Have you seen Dwight Yoakam's line of frozen food?

I know someone who actually met Smokey "The soul is in the bowl" Robinson when he was at a local Pak 'n' Save promoting his frozen gumbo.

Those are the kind of celebrity-endorsed products I really love. I'm not saying I would actually eat any of that stuff. How about you? Do you have a favorite?

ps- I also adore bad celebrities on informercials. Do not get me started.

my confession

I must confess that I am a sucker for packaging. If something is packaged in a modern, eye catching, clever way, well that's one thing. But what about packaging that is just plain old-fangled and uninviting? Packaging so bad it's good? Who loves that? I know I do!

I found this in a Rite-Aid in Reno. I wonder why nobody was buying it?

I mean, who can resist this trustworthy (and not at all evil) face? Li'l Jenny would never do anything to hurt you, right?

In case you're wondering, no I didn't buy it or eat any. I wasn't feeling particularly brave that day. It sure didn't stop me from taking a picture, though.