Recently Happy Appy commented on this story, on this blog. And yes, it's probably doubtful that any young girl today has a role model outside Disney or American Idol (and that name itself...argh!). Most girls today can't even tell you the name of the President, much less recognize a female sports journalist.
Today, Happy Appy ran across this quote:
"To a great extent the level of any civilization is the level of its womanhood. When a man loves a woman, he has to become worthy of her. The higher her virtue, the more her character, the more devoted she is to truth, justice, goodness, the more a man has to aspire to be worthy of her. The history of civilization could actually be written in terms of the level of its women." ~Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
In our society, we have her, and her, and her, and her, and her. And let's not forget about her, so tragic in her pampered demise.
Happy Appy understands, those are difficult treasures to ignore.
Here's a thought: Neither Fame, nor Fortune, nor Power will get you to Heaven. Those things won't save our society either.
Happy Appy used to really like the name Hannah. God's Handmaiden. Not her. Did you know this show is based on this little girl leading a duplicitous life - lying about her two identities and being rewarded for doing so? What is this teaching our girls? To LIE!
And let's not forget about her. She reached the pinnacle of womanhood, having relations with a dog. A DOG. And it's - don't click here if you have sensitive eyes - documented. Nice. She tries to make us all forget with her children's books and newly adopted son and fake british accent and english fairytale home.
Happy Appy repeats: Madonna did a DOG.
Deep sigh. The end is near.
31 January 2008
30 January 2008
Skunked!
Why is it that our dogs chose the worst weather in which to escape?
Late last night, so late most folks would call it early morning, we discovered that the fierce winds ripping shingles off the neighbor's tool shed and tossing broken tree branches around hillbillburbia like spears, also blew open the back door to the sun porch - where the Stinky One and the One Who Shall Remain Nameless were housed for the evening respite - and whom promptly took off for adventures fueled by the howling winds and exotic smells ripping through the air.
Question: What's an adventurous doggie to do?
Answer: His ascot positioned cape-style, the Stinky One swings his head invitingly to his cohort-in-crime and dashes out the door. The One Who Shall Remain Nameless, never to be outdone, wiggles along after him, quite willingly.
At 3am, we discover the truant doggies missing, and thus commence a 5-hour long search of hillbillburbia, which included driving the subi around the dirt road hollars that streak the mountains behind us, and flashing our headlights into gosh-knows-how-many backwoods trailer windows and across sheep pastures and cow fields seemingly endless in the inky blackness.....Nothing.
At 8am, I hear a ruckus surely caused by our two truants - neighborhood dogs sounding off in a cacophony worthy of the best rooster awakening hillbillburbia has ever known. And in the fray - wait - is that the hound-dog howling of the Stinky One and the frantic, joyful yap yap yap of the One Who Shall Remain Nameless?
Why yes, it is! And here they trot across the neighbor's sheep pasture, happy as clams..and as STINKY AS SKUNKS!
Ah, just what I needed after a night of no sleep, frantically searching for missing pooches and worrying about them as if they were children, for gosh-sakes. deep sigh. well, they are home, safe and sound. for that happy appy smiles.
Talk about phew! driving through 'skunk smell' on the road does not prepare you for the horror to my nose and eyes that was dog fur 5 hours marinated in skunk oil...and now invades my home.
and...since happy appy was the one who found the duo and brought them home, and thus reeked of skunk herself...she is the one who gets 'skunk-dog walking and care duties' for the next week. or so.
and...since it is freezing temps outside (where the spicket and doggie tub are), and since happy appy is so very reluctant to bring the smelly creatures into the house proper...we are stuck with the homemade remedies of:
apple cidar vinegar rubdowns (daily, with towels doused in vinegar)
bowls of vinegar in the sun porch
frequent and heavy sprayings of frebreeze, frebreeze room effects
daily treatments to the bedding - arm and hammer pet fresh carpet powder
and...although happy appy is not advocating this step (please forgive me, St. Rock)...i do admit to misting the pooches (not their heads, just their backs where there's lots of fur) with frebreeze every now and then.
Lesson Learned (repeat after me): Make sure the door is locked. Make sure the door is locked. Make sure the door is LOCKED!
Late last night, so late most folks would call it early morning, we discovered that the fierce winds ripping shingles off the neighbor's tool shed and tossing broken tree branches around hillbillburbia like spears, also blew open the back door to the sun porch - where the Stinky One and the One Who Shall Remain Nameless were housed for the evening respite - and whom promptly took off for adventures fueled by the howling winds and exotic smells ripping through the air.
Question: What's an adventurous doggie to do?
Answer: His ascot positioned cape-style, the Stinky One swings his head invitingly to his cohort-in-crime and dashes out the door. The One Who Shall Remain Nameless, never to be outdone, wiggles along after him, quite willingly.
At 3am, we discover the truant doggies missing, and thus commence a 5-hour long search of hillbillburbia, which included driving the subi around the dirt road hollars that streak the mountains behind us, and flashing our headlights into gosh-knows-how-many backwoods trailer windows and across sheep pastures and cow fields seemingly endless in the inky blackness.....Nothing.
At 8am, I hear a ruckus surely caused by our two truants - neighborhood dogs sounding off in a cacophony worthy of the best rooster awakening hillbillburbia has ever known. And in the fray - wait - is that the hound-dog howling of the Stinky One and the frantic, joyful yap yap yap of the One Who Shall Remain Nameless?
Why yes, it is! And here they trot across the neighbor's sheep pasture, happy as clams..and as STINKY AS SKUNKS!
Ah, just what I needed after a night of no sleep, frantically searching for missing pooches and worrying about them as if they were children, for gosh-sakes. deep sigh. well, they are home, safe and sound. for that happy appy smiles.
Talk about phew! driving through 'skunk smell' on the road does not prepare you for the horror to my nose and eyes that was dog fur 5 hours marinated in skunk oil...and now invades my home.
and...since happy appy was the one who found the duo and brought them home, and thus reeked of skunk herself...she is the one who gets 'skunk-dog walking and care duties' for the next week. or so.
and...since it is freezing temps outside (where the spicket and doggie tub are), and since happy appy is so very reluctant to bring the smelly creatures into the house proper...we are stuck with the homemade remedies of:
apple cidar vinegar rubdowns (daily, with towels doused in vinegar)
bowls of vinegar in the sun porch
frequent and heavy sprayings of frebreeze, frebreeze room effects
daily treatments to the bedding - arm and hammer pet fresh carpet powder
and...although happy appy is not advocating this step (please forgive me, St. Rock)...i do admit to misting the pooches (not their heads, just their backs where there's lots of fur) with frebreeze every now and then.
Lesson Learned (repeat after me): Make sure the door is locked. Make sure the door is locked. Make sure the door is LOCKED!
29 January 2008
charlotte lately
This year resembled Ecclesiastes 3:3-6. It was tough. Here are a few blogs I stumbled across that gave me hope and inspiration for the future - which is today. I do not personally know most of these women, but thankfully there are still some women who use their words to 'point towards the Light'.
Rachel
I do not have children, but if I did, I would aspire to be a mother like her: Funny, Tender-hearted, and Righteous.
Et Tu?
Articulate, real, and logically expressed.
June Cleaver
Very real, very funny.
Danielle
Good conversations in comments. Large readership. Mostly about being a mom. Good household tips and recipes.
Sister MM
Not sure if this author is really a nun, but the questions and answers are humorously and pointedly delivered.
Rachel
I do not have children, but if I did, I would aspire to be a mother like her: Funny, Tender-hearted, and Righteous.
Et Tu?
Articulate, real, and logically expressed.
June Cleaver
Very real, very funny.
Danielle
Good conversations in comments. Large readership. Mostly about being a mom. Good household tips and recipes.
Sister MM
Not sure if this author is really a nun, but the questions and answers are humorously and pointedly delivered.
28 January 2008
not in my chicken stock!
Recently I was reading this blog, and the author commented that she was going to start using "the whole chicken" by making stock from the parts unused and usually thrown away. Making stock is so easy!
Hint: Save your unused chicken parts in a freezer bag marked "stock parts" in the freezer until you are ready to make stock. I usually wait until I have the equivalent of 2-3 chicken's-worth of bones and other parts, including legs, thighs, back, neck, and wings. You can throw the frozen parts straight into the stock pot from the freezer.
Hint: Start your stock after the dinner dishes are done. That way you can let it simmer on mid-low during your stove's "down-time" - overnight!
Supplies:
You will need a stock pot big enough to allow for the chicken to be covered with 1-2" of water.
I use a wooden spoon to stir.
Ingredients:
2 whole onions, coarsely chopped
olive oil
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
about 2 inches of ginger root, coarsely chopped
white wine
3-4 stalks of celery, coarsely chopped
3-4 large carrots, coarsely chopped
herbs to taste - i use basil and thyme, sometimes a bay leaf
kosher salt and pepper to taste
Chicken parts - about 2-3 chickens-worth
Process:
In the stock pot - Carmelize the onions and ginger root in olive oil. Add the garlic and the herbs (basil, thyme). Add pinch or two of kosher or sea salt. Brown garlic.
Deglaze with white wine. If you have any gizzards, livers, or hearts, now is the time to add them.
Throw in the carrots and celery.
Layer your chicken - I put small parts and bones in first, and then lay legs and thigh pieces on, skin side up.
When the pot starts to "sizzle" again, add COLD water - enough to cover the chicken by at least 2 inches (or more).
Bring to a rolling simmer (just before a boil)
Let rolling simmer for about 2 hours, then turn down to low simmer overnight.
Next steps (Options):
Option 1: After stock has simmered for at least 8 hours, turn off and let cool. Strain and store in jars. Cover jars and Refrigerate when jars are cool to the touch. You never want to cap hot stock; it could sour.
Option 2: Let stock simmer another 6 - 8 hours, then follow steps for option 1. Letting the stock simmer longer will pull more gelatin from the bones, which is the whole point of making stock in the first place. Your stock will be thicker and darker if you let it cook 12 - 16 hours total.
Enjoy! Making stock homemade is so much healthier than using canned chicken broth. Just check the sodium and MSG levels in canned broth! MSG? Not in my stock! High fructose corn syrup? Not in my stock! Soy Protein isolate? Not in my stock!
Hint: Save your unused chicken parts in a freezer bag marked "stock parts" in the freezer until you are ready to make stock. I usually wait until I have the equivalent of 2-3 chicken's-worth of bones and other parts, including legs, thighs, back, neck, and wings. You can throw the frozen parts straight into the stock pot from the freezer.
Hint: Start your stock after the dinner dishes are done. That way you can let it simmer on mid-low during your stove's "down-time" - overnight!
Supplies:
You will need a stock pot big enough to allow for the chicken to be covered with 1-2" of water.
I use a wooden spoon to stir.
Ingredients:
2 whole onions, coarsely chopped
olive oil
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
about 2 inches of ginger root, coarsely chopped
white wine
3-4 stalks of celery, coarsely chopped
3-4 large carrots, coarsely chopped
herbs to taste - i use basil and thyme, sometimes a bay leaf
kosher salt and pepper to taste
Chicken parts - about 2-3 chickens-worth
Process:
In the stock pot - Carmelize the onions and ginger root in olive oil. Add the garlic and the herbs (basil, thyme). Add pinch or two of kosher or sea salt. Brown garlic.
Deglaze with white wine. If you have any gizzards, livers, or hearts, now is the time to add them.
Throw in the carrots and celery.
Layer your chicken - I put small parts and bones in first, and then lay legs and thigh pieces on, skin side up.
When the pot starts to "sizzle" again, add COLD water - enough to cover the chicken by at least 2 inches (or more).
Bring to a rolling simmer (just before a boil)
Let rolling simmer for about 2 hours, then turn down to low simmer overnight.
Next steps (Options):
Option 1: After stock has simmered for at least 8 hours, turn off and let cool. Strain and store in jars. Cover jars and Refrigerate when jars are cool to the touch. You never want to cap hot stock; it could sour.
Option 2: Let stock simmer another 6 - 8 hours, then follow steps for option 1. Letting the stock simmer longer will pull more gelatin from the bones, which is the whole point of making stock in the first place. Your stock will be thicker and darker if you let it cook 12 - 16 hours total.
Enjoy! Making stock homemade is so much healthier than using canned chicken broth. Just check the sodium and MSG levels in canned broth! MSG? Not in my stock! High fructose corn syrup? Not in my stock! Soy Protein isolate? Not in my stock!
24 January 2008
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1870, our rose-colored lens
Grilled maple-mustard chicken sizzled on the campfire,
while from solo cups we toasted the Dog Star.
Later, You nestled my head in the crook of your shoulder,
and patted down the wild curly hair.
"Shhhh" You said, "be quiet now," and together
we listened to the voices of the Old Ones sing us to sleep.
while from solo cups we toasted the Dog Star.
Later, You nestled my head in the crook of your shoulder,
and patted down the wild curly hair.
"Shhhh" You said, "be quiet now," and together
we listened to the voices of the Old Ones sing us to sleep.
Happy Appy Household Tip #1
In light of this morning's event, which I discovered when I opened the office door to two squirming doggies who had spent the night in there instead of on the enclosed back porch where they usually sleep because last night it was *cold*...but apparently one of them who shall remain nameless was *highly distraught* at being roused from bed and then ushered unceremoniously into the dark office (it was 3am)...acted out on the rug.
Such are the joys of dog-love.
So, it's only fitting that happy appy's first household tip is:
How to Clean a Pet-Spot
Phase One: Picking It Up
Supplies: Plastic grocery bags, a roll of paper towels, disposable plastic gloves
How To: Put on the gloves, roll up your sleeves, and use the paper towels to pick It up. Dispose in plastic grocery bags.
Tip 1: DAB -- Do Not RUB -- the carpet with paper towels to pick up as much of It as you can without rubbing It into the carpet fibers.
Tip 2: If It is wet, after you get up as much of the bulk as you can, fold several layers of paper towels (approx 10 - 12) and apply pressure to the wet spots to soak up as much of It as you can.
Phase Two: Cleaning It
Supplies: Capture (this is an unpaid, unabashed endorsement for the stuff - it is truly amazing and works like nothing else I have ever tried in 12 years of dog ownership). I use the liquid, undiluted in a spray bottle. Scrub brush, paper towels. Arm and Hammer Pet Carpet Powder.
Steps: Spray the spots with Capture. Let sit for 15 min to really soak down to the fibers. Scrub vigorously with brush, or for finer carpets or 'lesser' incidents, use the paper towels to rub gently. To pick up the liquid, press with the paper towels. Dispose soiled supplies in grocery bags, tie and double-bag to prevent leakage. Finally, sprinkle the Arm&Hammer carpet powder lightly over the spots and let dry.
Phase Three: Finishing It Up
Supplies: Vacuum; Room Spray
Step: Let the carpet dry. Let the powder dry. Only use enough powder to lightly cover the spots. Don't dump the entire box onto the wet spots because then you will have a clumpy, cakey mess to clean up. Trust me - I know. Then vacuum. And spray the room as needed (Frebreeze Extra Strength or good ol'fashioned Lysol).
This is a system perfected over 12 years of dog ownership, from someone whose dogs are allowed in the house - live with us as members of our family.
And the two that usually sleep on the porch (which, btw, does have an electric heater that remains on during the day to heat the porch but we were concerned about the one who shall remain nameless chewing the cord) -- are back on the porch, cord and pooches safely tucked away.
Such are the joys of dog-love.
So, it's only fitting that happy appy's first household tip is:
How to Clean a Pet-Spot
Phase One: Picking It Up
Supplies: Plastic grocery bags, a roll of paper towels, disposable plastic gloves
How To: Put on the gloves, roll up your sleeves, and use the paper towels to pick It up. Dispose in plastic grocery bags.
Tip 1: DAB -- Do Not RUB -- the carpet with paper towels to pick up as much of It as you can without rubbing It into the carpet fibers.
Tip 2: If It is wet, after you get up as much of the bulk as you can, fold several layers of paper towels (approx 10 - 12) and apply pressure to the wet spots to soak up as much of It as you can.
Phase Two: Cleaning It
Supplies: Capture (this is an unpaid, unabashed endorsement for the stuff - it is truly amazing and works like nothing else I have ever tried in 12 years of dog ownership). I use the liquid, undiluted in a spray bottle. Scrub brush, paper towels. Arm and Hammer Pet Carpet Powder.
Steps: Spray the spots with Capture. Let sit for 15 min to really soak down to the fibers. Scrub vigorously with brush, or for finer carpets or 'lesser' incidents, use the paper towels to rub gently. To pick up the liquid, press with the paper towels. Dispose soiled supplies in grocery bags, tie and double-bag to prevent leakage. Finally, sprinkle the Arm&Hammer carpet powder lightly over the spots and let dry.
Phase Three: Finishing It Up
Supplies: Vacuum; Room Spray
Step: Let the carpet dry. Let the powder dry. Only use enough powder to lightly cover the spots. Don't dump the entire box onto the wet spots because then you will have a clumpy, cakey mess to clean up. Trust me - I know. Then vacuum. And spray the room as needed (Frebreeze Extra Strength or good ol'fashioned Lysol).
This is a system perfected over 12 years of dog ownership, from someone whose dogs are allowed in the house - live with us as members of our family.
And the two that usually sleep on the porch (which, btw, does have an electric heater that remains on during the day to heat the porch but we were concerned about the one who shall remain nameless chewing the cord) -- are back on the porch, cord and pooches safely tucked away.
09 January 2008
astute observation of the evening
Last night the big Kahuna and I went to visit some friends. This was the greeting I received from the dude: Hi [you]! Wow - you look out of sorts, like you're having a bad day!
Later, walking back to the car through the parking lot - I can't help but giggle and comment to the big Kahuna - Do you think it's because I'm missing 1/2 an EYEBROW???
On the drive home, we popped in some Dead. Much to my chagrin. Kahuna gleefully changed the words during 'Mexacali Blues' to..."one-browed girls who giggle when you smile..."
I briefly toyed with the idea of drawing in the missing chunk, but decided I looked more like Uncle Leo (Jerry Seinfeld) than one of those glamorous 50's pinup girls with their pencil-thin, arched and etched brows. Which was the original thought.
Later, walking back to the car through the parking lot - I can't help but giggle and comment to the big Kahuna - Do you think it's because I'm missing 1/2 an EYEBROW???
On the drive home, we popped in some Dead. Much to my chagrin. Kahuna gleefully changed the words during 'Mexacali Blues' to..."one-browed girls who giggle when you smile..."
I briefly toyed with the idea of drawing in the missing chunk, but decided I looked more like Uncle Leo (Jerry Seinfeld) than one of those glamorous 50's pinup girls with their pencil-thin, arched and etched brows. Which was the original thought.
08 January 2008
Wax On, Wax Off
Cost of hot wax at SprawlMart: $12.97
Savings on a professional 'facial waxing': $17.03
Having a husband who does not laugh or even comment when you sheepishly re-emerge from the bathroom 2 hrs later, missing 1/2 an eyebrow (a casualty of an errant clump of wax): PRICELESS
Lesson learned: Women who are *VERY* nearsighted should not attempt facial waxing without their contacts or glasses!
Savings on a professional 'facial waxing': $17.03
Having a husband who does not laugh or even comment when you sheepishly re-emerge from the bathroom 2 hrs later, missing 1/2 an eyebrow (a casualty of an errant clump of wax): PRICELESS
Lesson learned: Women who are *VERY* nearsighted should not attempt facial waxing without their contacts or glasses!
07 January 2008
martha or mary?
With the Epiphany comes the end of the Christmas season. I am always struck by how *busy* everyone is during the Christmas season - running here and there, cooking this and that, entertaining and visiting and then again and again - Oh My!
It reminds me of the story of Martha and Mary, and Jesus as the returning Master of the House. One sat and listened, one busied herself with cooking and cleaning. I think what Jesus was saying - when He chastised Martha - was that none of that is important when the Master is first home. The cooking, the cleaning, the chaos. What Martha was chastised for - I think - was her *Inattention*. The allowance of chores and other concerns to supercede her attention to the Master of the House - Jesus.
The rush and pull of the Holiday season was over yesterday. Today, as we get back to our normal lives of wife, homemaker, mom...consider the question:
Have I been Martha to my Man - the Master of my House - or have I been Mary?
Take some time tonight to love your Man and let him know how special he is.
It reminds me of the story of Martha and Mary, and Jesus as the returning Master of the House. One sat and listened, one busied herself with cooking and cleaning. I think what Jesus was saying - when He chastised Martha - was that none of that is important when the Master is first home. The cooking, the cleaning, the chaos. What Martha was chastised for - I think - was her *Inattention*. The allowance of chores and other concerns to supercede her attention to the Master of the House - Jesus.
The rush and pull of the Holiday season was over yesterday. Today, as we get back to our normal lives of wife, homemaker, mom...consider the question:
Have I been Martha to my Man - the Master of my House - or have I been Mary?
Take some time tonight to love your Man and let him know how special he is.
04 January 2008
This year....
This year I am working on my character. I will focus on:
T - Truth
L - Loyalty
C - Consistency
Every day I will strive to hold my thoughts, words, and actions under the microscope of truth, loyalty, and consistency.
This year I am working on keeping a cleaner house. Every day I will strive to do all the dishes before I go to bed, and tidy the kitchen, the sun room, and the bathroom daily.
This year I am working on making Hubby the center of my Universe.
This year I am working on praying daily, and renewing my Faith in God.
T - Truth
L - Loyalty
C - Consistency
Every day I will strive to hold my thoughts, words, and actions under the microscope of truth, loyalty, and consistency.
This year I am working on keeping a cleaner house. Every day I will strive to do all the dishes before I go to bed, and tidy the kitchen, the sun room, and the bathroom daily.
This year I am working on making Hubby the center of my Universe.
This year I am working on praying daily, and renewing my Faith in God.
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