Holiday project #1

Make your own cards

Even better if you have a bored 4yo - ask her to draw something [tree, snowman, happy face], then either color it or glue small pieces of paper or foam on the lines. Sign. Send. Enjoy.

small things that make a big difference

There are things you postpone doing because it take more time to gather all the tools, and get to the job than the job itself. But if you make yourself DO it, you WILL feel better! Guaranteed! I've tacked some of them this weekend, and does it look great!

-touch-up paint

-affix back the peeling melamine strips

-make hooks for brooms, mops; bags; etc.

-sort out the papers on your desk

On Gifts and trying new things

I like giving gifts, I don't like getting gifts as much, because I don't like surprises, or getting things I don't need or want. What I do like - is trying new things. Movie or show tickets or workshops are the best gifts one can give me.

Some of the best classes we've tried are:

--trial pilot lesson. Many people don't realize that you can do that! And that it costs about $50! For more information go to Cessna's web-site

--cheese making at the sheep farm in NJ: spend a day at the farm, learning about the cheese making, sheep, and make your own wheel of Gouda. For more information contact Valley Shepherd creamery.

--glassblowing: one-two day hands-on workshops on glassblowing or flameworks, mosaics. Whatever you make - you take home! For more info visit the studio's site Glassroots in Newark, NJ

The classes I want to take:

--stunt driving

--snorkeling

--yarn spinning

Did you ever try a fun class? Share in the comments.

Here is lots of new blue goo now.

New goo. Blue goo. Gooey. Gooey. Blue goo. New goo. Gluey. Gluey.
[from "Fox in Socks" by Dr. Seuss]

We made a goo. Blue, because it's kiddo's favorite color. And spent the whole afternoon playing with it. It's rather simple.

Ingredients:

1 tsp of Borax

4oz of Elmers glue (PVA glue)

water

food coloring -optional

In the mixing bowl, mix glue and water 1:1. Stir well.

You can add a food coloring if you'd like. Keep in mind that it will stain your hands.

In the small cup mix borax and 1 cup of water. Mix until dissolved.

The following is better done with two people. Keep stirring glue, add borax solution, few drops at the time. You'll see how the glue is polymerizing. It will be harder and harder to stir the slime, keep mixing for as long as you can. [you will have some left over borax, never mind it] Let the mixture sit for a couple of minutes. Finish mixing by hand.

Have fun! Make balls, and feel the bounce; stretch it; make a snowman and see it "melt"...

NB: Store the slime in the ziplock bag in the cool place. It's not toxic, but it's not edible.

Storing ACs

I probably should have posted that earlier, ahem... like 2 months ago.

Here's our witty idea for storing ACs over the winter. It works fine! It helps to minimize the mess and accidents (like being cut by the blades on the back of the AC while carrying it to the winter storage), and it also helps to speed up the installation of ACs next spring.

All you need is a men's t-shirt and a ziplock bag.

1) take out AC.
2) wipe it off.
3) wrap the cable around AC.
4) slip on a Large men's t-shirt.
5) collect all the small extra parts e.g. screws and brackets and put them in the ziplock bag.
6) tape the bag to the side of the AC.
7) stow away until spring.

Hope somebody else can find it useful.

winter is coming...

... our Caesar salad has more and more "works" in it. It feels like it's morphing into an Salade Olivier.

I'm a winter cook. I like cooked salads, soups, stews and whatever can be cooked in the terra cotta pot in the oven. And I start craving home baked cookies. Does your menu change with seasons? Is there a name for this phenomena?

When we make soups, we use croutons as a garnish. So, we decided to make our own. Now, every time we plan on using the oven - we make a batch of croutons.

How to make croutons:
go to the food store that has a fresh bakery. Find "Yesterday's bread" sale shelf. Look for baguette or sliced bruschetta bread or actually any bread that you like (garlic bread should be nice). Usually, it's about .50-1.50$/bag, which is much cheaper than buying readymade croutons! Slice the bread into cubes (it's also is much easier to cut not-so-fresh bread), put on the baking sheet, [season to taste -optional], bake for 10-15 min at 300-350F, turning once.

The other recipe from the childhood is - Cheesy toast. Crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle. Oh so great with a cup of soup! Slice the bread, spread some butter on one side, put hard cheese on top, arrange on the baking sheet, bake until the cheese is melted - about 5-10 min. You probably can make it in the toaster oven too.

Stay warm.

you went to bed too late last night if...

the next day's Garfield comics has been already posted online. At least, that's how I know.