Friday, September 30, 2011

Have You Heard the Bzz About The SodaStream Fountain?

I'm so excited to try this product and hope I get in as part of the BzzCampaign through BzzAgent (http://www.bzzagent.com/)  !!

SodaStream allows you to prepare great-tasting, fresh, fizzy beverages precisely to your taste - with no bottles, cans, or electricity! With the SodaStream Jet Starter Kit, you've got everything you need to turn tap water into sparkling water in 30 seconds--saving you money while also helping you stay environmentally friendly. The starter kit includes SodaStream Jet soda maker in black/silver, one carbonator (good for making up to 60L of soda), and one BPA-free plastic bottle.

I'm all a-Bzz about Fekkai


I just joined the BzzAgent  (http://www.bzzagent.com/) Fekkai BzzCampaign!  I can't wait to get my BzzKit with free products to sample and review!  Stay tuned... I'll be sharing what I think of the products in a future blog!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Sweater Set with Puppy Buttons

Crocheted set #2 for the little tadpole!

And how cute are these puppy buttons?

Saturday Night Live Spoofs the end of All My Children

Many thanks to my friend Kathy at The Pine Valley Bulletin for sharing this little gem!!

Bzz-ing about Hill's(R) Science Diet(R) Senior 11+ Age Defying(TM) Cat Food

*Disclaimer: I am a BzzAgent (http://www.bzzagent.com/) and received a coupon for a free bag of Hill's(R) Science Diet(R) Senior 11+ Age Defying(TM) Cat Food as part of my participation in a BzzCampaign.  The opinions expressed are my own*


Our cat is an old man.  And he acts like it.  He's grumpy.  He wants to be left alone.  He finds a comfy spot and usually doesn't move for most of the day, unless he is looking for something to eat or making a trip to the litter box.  Or finding an even more comfy spot.  He is what I would call a "kitty couch potato".

So when I got the chance to join the BzzCampaign for Hill's(R) Science Diet(R) Senior 11+ Age Defying(TM) Cat Food, I jumped at the chance to sign up.  Despite the fact that I was skeptical about the claims made about the cat food.

I could buy into the health claims.  Small kibble which is easier for an older cat to chew and swallow - sure.  Amino Acids for healthy organs, fish oil for cognitive function, phosphorus for bladder health - OK.  But that it would help increase his interaction with his humans?  C'mon.  How is a food going to change that?

The first changes I saw in him was right at the food bowl.  This is a cat that used to, well.. trudge... to the food bowl.  And wait mostly patiently to be fed.  Suddenly he was (dare I say?) hurrying to his bowl.  And meowing at me to "hurry, hurry, hurry" to fill it!  He was just as eager to eat as our younger cats, who are usually climbing over each other to get to their bowls!

He also seems be slightly more active during the day.  Oh sure, he still sleeps for a big part of each day.  And he still has his favorite comfy spot.  But he is actually spotted walking around the house, and even sitting looking out the sliding door or in the middle of the living room now.  It's not a huge difference.  And he's not running around playing or anything.  But for him, it's an improvement!

Perhaps the most amazing change I am seeing is that he actually IS seeking out attention on occasion.  He has come up to one of his humans and cried to get our attention.  Or pounded his head against our ankle or shin until we petted him. 

I have to admit, so far I am impressed with this food and the affect it has had on our older cat!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

No One Can Resist My Schweddy Balls

The Princess came home the other night and proudly held up her newest find.  Which immediately caused me to squeal "NO way!" and start laughing.  What was it you ask?  The newest creation by those geniuses of the frozen treat - Ben & Jerry.

 

Yes!  Schweddy Balls ice cream!!  "Vanilla ice cream with a hint of rum and loaded with fudge covered rum and malt balls" 

Not sure exactly what a "Schweddy Ball" is, or why this is so, SO darn funny to me?  Be sure to check out my previous post - "Schweddy Balls"  This comes from what may be my very favorite Saturday Night Live skit Ever! 

One more reason to love Ben&Jerry.  As if Karamel Sutra and Everything but the Kitchen Sink weren't enough.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Falling for Autumn

Although my calendar says autumn doesn't officially start until the end of this week - Fall is most definitely in the air.  No tiptoeing in for this season.  Nope.  She seems to have slid in sideways, all "Risky Business" style.  And she was pulling all her accessories along with her.  No complaining from this corner.  I - for one- couldn't be happier! 

The air is cooler.  Those happy 60-something and 70-something degree days are back.  No air conditioners or heaters needed.  Just comfortable days with the windows thrown wide open to catch the breezes and fresh air. Oh sure, I know well enough that at some point summer is going to make one last stand and toss us a few more 80-ish degree days.  But those days are numbered and will soon be a thing of the past.   

The leaves are starting to change colors.  The yellows and reds are peeking out from between the green.  They are taking a foothold and getting prepared to go into full display in a few short weeks.  It won't be too much longer, and the mountains will be cloaked in a colorful blanket of gold, orange, and red.


That combination of beautiful scenery and cooler weather makes the perfect combination for hiking.  I love getting out and enjoying the beauty of my little corner of the world.

I've pulled out my mental recipe book chapter on soups, chili, and gumbo.  The crock pot is standing at the ready for the next yummy comfort food to be prepared.  Especially on chilly Sunday afternoons while we relax on the couch watching football games.  Nothing warms the belly like a bowl full of homemade chili.  Or a fresh veggie soup with a grilled cheese sandwich along side.

Ahh... football.  This is the time when I feel obligated to take an indulgent moment to brag that my fantasy team is doing better than my real life team, the Carolina Panthers.  The Panthers are off to a disappointing 0-2, despite the promising performances of their rookie QB.  Under my outstanding coaching skills - my fantasy team is 1-1. But I digress...

The autumn sky takes on that particular shade of Carolina blue.  You know that shade of blue?  The one that the sky only seems capable of showing during the fall season?  It's a little brighter, a little clearer, a little crisper than any other time of year.

The days are noticeably getting shorter.  A few weeks ago it was light until 9 or later.  Now, the sun has set by 8.  The girls have taken to going to bed earlier and earlier.  They somehow seemed to know the days were getting shorter even before we recognized it.

The Halloween decorations are out in full force at the stores, and will soon appear in front yards everywhere.  Ghosts, skeletons, and headstones mixed in amongst the pumpkins and cornstalks.  Oh.. and the Halloween candy!  Was there ever a more perfect confection created than that little miracle - the Reese's pumpkin?  Possibly, but doubtful.

We get to put away all those skin revealing clothes we tolerated for comforts sake during the sweltering days of summer.  In their place are the comfy sweats, our favorite jeans, and cozy sweaters.  At night, it's my favorite fluffy bathrobe.

So enjoy these days.  The coolness, the crisp air.  The comfort foods and the comfort clothes.  Cuddle up with someone and sip some fresh cider.  Or a beer while you watch a football game.  Go for a walk and crunch some leaves under your feet.  Savor every second.  Before you know it, we'll be in the grasp of Old Man Winter.  But that is a whole different tale, for another time. 

Friday, September 16, 2011

In A Blink

I must be feeling a little reflective today.  Heard this song on the way to work and haven't been about to get it out of my head all day.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

I'm Not Buying It...

Nice try, Hershey's.  Sneaky.  But I'm on to you. 

Have you seen what they're trying to pull?  This creation they call the Air Delight.  Available in bars and kisses. 

They say the idea is that the products are full of light airy "chocolate bubbles".  What it amounts to is that they have taken some of the chocolate out of my chocolate and replaced it with pockets of air!  AIR!
 
Oh no.. I am not falling for this one.  If I want air, I have that around me all day long.  For free.  It's not sweet.  Air is not creamy.  Air is not delicious.  Air never got me through a PMS craving.  What lame brain would rather have air than chocolate?  Of course I realize that air has it's place and purpose.  It's extremely important to life here on earth.  But not in my chocolate treats. 

Give me my chocolate bar and my chocolate kisses full of... Chocolate!!