You know you want a Crooked Acres holiday postcard. YOU KNOW YOU DO. You better hurry up! (And yes, of course I’m happy to send cards to other countries!) Send your name and mailing address to hollydays@gmail.com .
I’ll take names and addresses until December 20th.
If you’d like to send me a card as well (never ever required, but always appreciated – I don’t keep track of who does and doesn’t send a card, I promise!), send it to: Robyn Anderson, PO Box 461, Athens, AL 35612 USA.
In case you missed it over the weekend, on Saturday I introduced the Sons and then Fred and I got profane in the back forty. On Sunday, Gracie showed what an awesome watchpuppy she is, and I shared more pics of the new guys.
I did some Christmas decorating over the weekend – I’ll take pictures for Thursday’s entry – and I’m caught up on addressing and signing holiday postcards, and now that we’re less than two weeks from Christmas, I have to say that I am definitely in the holiday spirit!
I left the house to do my regular Sunday morning errands – dropping stuff off at the recycling center, checking the PO Box, returning the movie we rented Friday night – and since I was out and it was fairly early on a Sunday morning, I stopped by Walmart. I had a short list of arts ‘n crafts-type supplies that I needed to pick up, and I wanted to look at a few things in the electronics section and so on. There weren’t many people there when I arrived at 7:30, but by the time I left an hour later, it was pretty busy.
I ended up getting a $29 color printer/ scanner. I know I’m likely to kick myself in the ass for buying a cheap piece o’ crap, but every now and then I really wish I had a color printer for one reason or another – such as to print out a picture – so hopefully this printer will work out well for that. I’d like to tell you that I’ve tried it and it works well. HOWEVER, the fucking thing didn’t come with a USB cable (I guess I know why it was only $29), so I don’t know yet how well it works. We’ll see, I guess.
Fred colored my hair for me – I really am just not capable of doing it myself, I always miss great huge chunks of the back of my hair – and it looks pretty good. A little redder than I’d like, but I can live with it.
It was a nice weekend, but DAYUM it’s turned cold lately. Thank god I have a small heater in the foster room or the poor kittens would freeze to death.
You know, I’ve read all over the place how fantastically wonderful Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon rolls are, so finally I made them myself. It was a fucking PRODUCTION, between needing to buy whole milk and then having to scald it, and needing to have maple flavoring. Publix doesn’t carry maple flavoring, so Fred had to venture into the grocery section of Walmart to find some, which is always a joy.
So I made the damn things, and we were both distinctly underwhelmed. I mean, I’ve made cinnamon rolls before, some really damn good ones if you ask me, and these things were just… meh. And as much as I like sweet stuff, the fact that I only ate half of one (and Fred ate less than that) before we fed them to the chickens has to tell you something.
(The chickens liked them just fine, though, so take that for what it’s worth!)
Charlie loves his sister.
She’s so warm.
He likes to hug her like a big ol’ body pillow.
And she seems to be okay with that.
Clay is a tiny bit of a hellion.
He likes to show that scratcher just who the boss is ’round here. (Hint: it’s not the scratcher.)
“Who, meeeee?”
Tig, keeping watch from the top of the little cat tree.
Jax cannot stand how beautiful he is.
Jax keeps an eye on Clay. JUST LIKE IN THE SERIES. This cannot end well for Clay.
Opie on the big cat tree. “You go ‘way, lady.”
Just a little bit gorgeous, that Jax.
Alice, comfy in her favorite bed.
Did I mention that Alice has her own theme song?
Did you notice that I’m a great big dork?
HERE YOU GO:
Previously
2010: No entry.
2009: It is truly amazing that I ever manage to get anything done around here.
2008: I was under the impression that chickens don’t like to be wet at all, but they seemed to be handling it pretty well.
2007: I’m telling you, the book-buying thing. It’s an illness!
2006: I did a lot of nothing yesterday
2005: (If you must know, it’s the “Tinferl” that really hit my funny bone. I don’t know. Don’t look at me like that. Shaddup.)
2004: Those two just make me shudder. And not in a good way.
2003: “Hey!” he thought to himself. “I think that might be the same bird and the same feeder!”
2002: “That’s okay, Bessie. I hate you sometimes, too,” he said.
2001: No entry.
2000: A blue spark leapt from my tender, sensitive pinky finger to the door of the Jeep in the Wal-Mart parking lot, and I all but screamed.
1999: But if I end up MIA, y’all know where to tell the cops to look…
I wish I could get my husband to color my hair for me. I HATE the job and I, too, miss some of the parts underneath. I’m okay until the wind blows.
Let’s see the red hair, Robyn.
I’ve been cutting and coloring my own hair for over a year because my stylist retired and I don’t want to have to get used to a new one yet. All that damned small talk. A competent, non-annoying hair stylist is GOLD.
You know, I always figured that Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon roll recipe would be WAY too much trouble for the results. Thanks for confirming that (others have said the same). I gave up on PW’s recipes after trying her lasagna recipe, which tasted like feet (seriously, it was SO GROSS). Really, I should have known better after reading the ingredients but there were so many (fake, perhaps?) rave reviews in the comments it made me question my instincts.
Oh, dear. Jax is so achingly cute. You just know he’s gonna be evil, at least sometimes.
Oh Lordy, Jax is beautiful!!!!
No printers these days come with the cords, you must have a half billion extra usb cords laying around though.
Not the right kind, we found out after looking through the huge box of cords! Thank god for Amazon and Prime shipping; I won’t have to venture into Staples less than two weeks before Christmas.
Thanks for going to the trouble of PW’s cinnamon rolls so I don’t have to. Much as I like her, I have never had good luck with her recipes (though I am definitely culinary challenged) and though I hear everyone rave about these damn rolls, they are way too much work for me.
You know, the only recipe of hers that I tried and that worked out well for me – and that I make over and over again – is the Fresh Green Beans, One Way (I think that’s what it’s called.) And I’ve made so many changes to it (using less oil and butter, not using any bell pepper) that it’s probably not even recognizable as her recipe any more. We did make – and enjoy – Marlboro Man’s Favorite Sandwich (or some similar title), but we only made it the once, so apparently we weren’t THAT into it.
Does Corbie know how gorgeous Jax is?
What are the requirements for adopting from Challenger’s House/your fosters?
Suzy, anyone wanting to adopt a Challenger’s House kitten has to fill out an application. I’m not sure, but I believe that the shelter manager checks to be sure the adopter has a regular vet (and checks with the vet as well) and makes sure that if the adopter is in an apartment or rental house, that the lease allows for a cat or cats. I’m sure there are other things under consideration, but those are definitely things she checks on.
Oh, Robin, your fosters have been gorgeous! I love Patty’s green eyes!
We recently (two weeks ago), brought a puppy home. I really would have rather had a kitty but my son and husband won, so we have a 3-month old Siberian husky. With your two big, lovely, and hairy dogs, I thought I’d ask you for advice. What do you use for flea control? And where do you buy it? And also, any recommendations for a fun but durable toy/chew? Thank you!
Hope you and Fred and Spud have a Merry Christmas!
Count me in on the “PW recipes – meh” club. I find the ones I’ve tried to just be – ordinary, or less. The only one I fell in love with is not hers, and that was the apples made with crescent rolls thingie. Not much of those recipes are original. I think its the excessive gushing and over-photo’d posts that drives her popularity. Just glad I’m not the only one.
I was a disaster at dying my own hair too. My husband would never so I go to a sylist. I have found one I LOVE to death thank God. Her shop is so professional and well run. She has asthma like me so looks for healthier products. She IS on the expensive side but my husband has a barter account for a side thing he does so I only have to tip. I really look forward to going. I changed from red to warm golden brown a few months ago. Roots don’t show as much but I’m bored and my husband misses the red so I think I’ll be going back to it. I think you get what you pay for in salons and they keep up on training and that’s why it is a bit more expensive. I’m so happy she is on our barter!
I want Opie-I love his name and the black on his nose etc. couldn’t be more adorable!
I am going to jump in here and give my input to Josie – since I have 3 golden retrievers (as well as cats), I think I can help. I use 1800petmeds for my heartworm and flea and tick control. I use Frontline Plus for the fleas/ticks. If you have cats, do not use K9Advantix – it is very harmful to cats (even if you only put it on your dog. I give it every month, but if you don’t ever have a flea/tick problem my vet has said that we could go every other month. But unfortunately, one of my dogs always finds the one tick in the whole neighborhood- so monthly it is. And HW I use Heartgard or Iverheart – both are equally effective. You may check with your vet- sometimes they will match the online prices and you can support local business as well as no shipping costs or waits. For toys – Kongs are great toys. They keep my dogs occupied (you hide treats or peanut butter inside) and even their jaws of steel find them fairly durable. Another great for the dogs toy is simply empty plastic bottles. Mine love them. They will chew them to bits, but I figure it is recycling. Just take the plastic lid off first. Okay, maybe I should get my own blog and not hijack Robin’s.
Thank you, Suzy! The vet gave us some pamphlets on Advantage but I wanted to try to see what other pet owners use that they like.
Oh, I saw a Kong toy on amazon.com. I’ll bet it’ll make the perfect Christmas present for Dimitri! Thank you!
Thanks, Suzy! We use Frontline Plus, too, and I have never seen a flea or tick on George and Gracie, even though they’re outside-only pups. G&G love their Kongs, too! (That is, when I remember to bring them inside and fill them. One Kong has gone missing, I need to look under the coop for it!)
I have had good luck with her “Restaurant Style Salsa” – it is excellent. The only problem is that after I make it, I am compelled to eat it. Within just a few days. Because it is so good, you know, and it is better fresh. If I could just find something to eat it on (that tasted as good) other than tortilla chips…..
I gave up on dying my own hair, the longer it got, the more brown speckles the bathroom walls were acquiring. Not good. And the husband refuses to become a stylist.
PS I finally gave in a made a blog. If you are interested in cooking, general confusion about life (see today’s entry), various handicrafts, and two disobedient cats (one of them who likes to destroy yarn) visit me at http://www.glenderella.com. Robyn, you are my role model in blogging.
I have to admit, that recipe does look good! I made and canned salsa in the early Fall using a recipe from Suzanne McMinn’s recipe site, and Fred told me that it was the best salsa I’ve ever made. I’ve got to remember to link to the recipe.
And welcome to the world o’ blogging, Glenda!!!
Oh, yes, Chickens in the Road is an excellent recipe source, I will take a look at that one!
Thanks for the review on the salsa. I was going to try it this summer, but opted for a different one–that tasted like Pace according to my daughter. So disappointing!
I haven’t been to PW’s website for a couple of years, but I do sorta understand her popularity.
I agree that her recipes just don’t do it for me. The first time I realized those weren’t “her” recipes was a cookie recipe she posted as her own. It sounded really familiar and, yep, it’s one my mom made us often from her plaid BH&G book. Word for word, the same recipe.
But, without a zillion photos to show you how to sprinkle salt in a bowl.
LOL! But…. how do you know how to sprinkle the salt in the bowl?!?!
Sad to say I have known people who’d probably get it wrong. I used to bake birthday cakes (from a box) for my coworkers, and at least once a month someone would RAVE over it like I had created a new Food Of The Gods, and beg me for the recipe. And I’d say, “It’s just a box mix, [whatever brand].” A few days later they’d be at my desk saying something like, “So I bought a box of that cake mix, and it says to add two eggs – do you cook the eggs first?”
“… No, it’s just the raw egg.”
“Oh, okay! Do I crunch up the shell by hand or does the mixer do that?”
(I have stuck two incidents together, but they’re both true. The second lady wanted tips on how I got the eggshells so “un-crunchy” because even when she used her neighbor’s mixer to mix it up, her cake still had crunchy pieces in it and mine didn’t have any so she figured I must have a special method of crushing the eggshells.)
On the positive side, I love dealing with people like that because you can cook them anything and it’ll be the best (whatever) they’ve ever had. You feel like a goddess. And when they ask for your “secret” you can tell them, “It’s the special way I sprinkle salt in the bowl” and they’ll be none the wiser.
OK, Elayne, you win! I’ve heard some really bizarre how-to-cook questions, but this one really takes the cake. (takes the cake, get it? hee)
Thank you so much for posting on the weekends this month!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, the lack of a USB cord is a hassle with that printer/scanner, but I’ve been very impressed with mine. Not only does it work like it’s supposed to, it’s survived 2 falls (thanks, cats getting tangled in the cords!) off the table — so far!
Just realized that today is my six-year anniversary. Hee. *still unreasonably tickled*
This is wierd but the only Pioneer Woman recipe I have used more than once is the one for onion straws. I don’t do them often (the grease factor) but when I do people can’t seem to get enough of them. Why I didn’t know how to do them without a recipe I have no idea cause it is so simple. Putting them in the fridge after preparing them is the key, that helps to keep a nice even coating on them when you fry them.
I’ve only tried a couple of PW’s recipes–mac & cheese and cheese puffs (apparently I like cheese…) and both were pretty gross. I prefer Sunny Anderson’s spicy mac & cheese recipe (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/spicy-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html) and cheese puffs? Blech. I prefer to just not have them around *laugh*.
My mom makes KILLER cinnamon rolls, but she just makes the dough in the bread maker and I honestly think the special-ness of them is because she puts in a ton of butter in her filling, then slathers the filling *really* thick, then puts about an inch of cream cheese frosting on top… I wish she’d figure out how to make just one of those rolls because I’d love one for a special treat…but we never make them because then we might eat the entire pan. Yikes!
Oh, but Ina Garten has a *sticky bun* recipe that’s to die for, and super easy: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/easy-sticky-buns-recipe/index.html
Lawdy, but Jax is a handsome boy, isn’t he? But then, his television persona isn’t too hard to look at, too. I don’t know if it’s because of the names (because I’m so wickedly obsessed with Sons of Anarchy!) or what, but these MIGHT be my favorite fosters ever. Even more than (gasp) the Bookworms! They are all beautiful! And I get the giggles when I think of the Sons of Anarchy characters as kittens. Hehehehe…. Here’s hoping kitty-Clay is smarter than human-Clay or this may end in tears.
Love the new kitten names!
I see you share my loathing of the Walmart grocery section. I HATE going over there. I ALWAYS get pissed for some reason or another. Either they don’t have or are out of something, or the other customers…ahem…yeah.