I'm a Closet Composter

Hi, I'm Danae. And I like to make compost. That means I keep food scraps in my kitchen. Sometimes that stinks when I'm accumulating enough to merit a trip to the bin. That's not OK with the DH, so I hide it. Lately its under the kitchen sink in a plastic tub. SHHHH! Please don't tell! If he knew, it would be banned (again).
This time of year my compost bin is brimming with leaves raked from the yard. I can just imagine the luscious compost that will be mine next year, blanketing my hopeful garden in my hopeful yard.  This is my first batch of compost, really, so its hopeful too. The more food scraps the better the compost, so next time you're in my kitchen, be careful opening the cupboards.

Mess is Less is More

It feels good to get something new. And...

I love the feeling of getting something new-to-me. But I often forget...

It feels wonderful to get rid of things!

I went through my closet today and cleared out a bunch of clothes. What a relief! It sounds funny but I can't wait to have a yard sale.

Another reason we use cloth

I've seen my share of diaper rashes, but this is not acceptable. Pamper's newest, thinnest, driest diaper is causing troubles... as many chemically laden items do for babies. Please be careful if do try the new Pampers!

http://www.kens5.com/home/Mothers-claiming-Pampers-Dry-Max-technology-diapers-causing-chemical-burns-92472284.html

Long Live Catalina

What have I been up to lately besides keeping shopping the four catalina deals at Acme the past couple of weeks? Oh, just keeping the kids alive - running out the front door in just a trenchcoat to catch Calista before she headed to who knows where early in the morning (since the GSP is our nearest neighbor), hiding the toy parachute (aka plastic bag) Calista handed to her baby sister to play with while I took a shower, and other run of the mill activities. At least we have plenty of granola bars and cereal to keep us alive if nothing else claims us first. Long live Catalinas!

I'm just browsing...

The psychology behind the place is all too devious. Imagine a candy counter where everything is free. Plus, warm baked cookies on the counter. And if you're not a cookie person (and your obviously not related to me) there are 4 choices of Haggen Daaz hand-dipped ice cream cones to choose from. And its all faaareeee. And you don't have to die to go there.

All you have to do is walk through the front doors and be accosted greeted by several salespeople. Tell them you're just browsing for a sectional sofa, and head to the right. Maybe sit down on one or two of the sofas. But don't get too comfy... the treats are calling....and there, back in the far right corner, is the heavenly candy/cookie/ice cream store where money is no object. In Bob's Furniture store.

It doesn't seem right, but I love it. I do hate that Bob wants me to come eat treats and sit on my behind in a cooshie couch- and BUY that couch. Or go home and think about going back to Bob's Furniture just to eat more free goodies, so that I will be one step closer to buying his furniture. But I think Free (or Freeda?) was supposed to be my middle name, so Bob's keeps calling me.

I succumb to a transparent marketing ploy.

So what do you think of this couch?

Really Truly Awesome Chicken

Photo by Taste of Home

This is the recipe you've waited all your life for, if you like chicken. And bacon. And cheese. Jerry's comment after I made this was "maybe we should open a restaurant". Its that kind of good, yet its not hard to make or too eccentric.

Really Truly Awesome Chicken

adapted from Taste of Home

• 4 bacon strips, halved
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/2 cup honey
• 4 tablespoons spicy brown mustard (or Dijon)
• 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

• Cook bacon in oven @ 375° for 10 min or so. Meanwhile, flatten chicken to 1/2-in. thickness or cut in half if you have really thick breasts. Sprinkle chicken with seasoned salt and brown in a frying pan. Transfer to a 9x9 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
• In a small bowl, combine the honey, mustard, mayonnaise, corn syrup and onion; spread 1/2 cup over chicken. Top with bacon and mushrooms. Sprinkle with cheese.
• Cover and bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Serve with remaining honey sauce. Yield: 4 servings.

Another freebie: Country Bob's sauce

Hey, at least this sample is a full bottle. And its free. And the name makes me laugh. I don't know why. Here's to Country Bob!

Kashi Free Samples

Go here to pick out a sample of Kashi's latest offerings. Hello- the Dark Chocolate Coconut bars are calling!!

I used to think it was silly to bother filling out forms for samples of one dinky little snack or 1/2 oz of lotion, but I guess my exciting life has come down to getting these things in the mail. :)

I sign up for one a week probably, and that keeps the mail box a fun place.