Merry Time!

Merry Christmas, Y'all!

I would like to say that this a picture of our tree, but...no.

This is our tree.

(no room for anything larger)

Regardless, the "spirit" of the season is present in our little home.

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday and a prosperous New Year!

xo

Kat

Happy Halloween!

Pic of me "enhanced" by Pic Monkey.  Too Fun!
More to come!
kat

Gopher, Gopher... Who's got the Gopher?

NOT ME, NOT ME!!!

I had a gopher, maybe more.  It destroyed my front yard and drove the dogs crazy in the backyard.  Seriously, my backyard looks like a war zone with all the tunnels/fox holes they have dug chasing after the critter.  In the front yard I tried traps (only attracted a million ants, ew).   I tried flooding the holes with water.  I tried those stakes that vibrate and make buzzing noises.  It dug right up to the stake and covered it with dirt!  Luckily, I got my money back on those things (guaranteed).
Then one night we had a visit from a skunk in the backyard.  Allie (aka Puppers) didn't get sprayed but she walked into a cloud of spray.  And, of course came back inside immediately.  Goodie.
That got me to thinking about the time back in the 80's that I lived in the middle of a ranch, in an old house that had been vacant for many years.  That winter we were "visited" by 37 skunks!!!!!!!  Yes, 37!  Then we figured out a way to get rid of the critters.
Good part, listen up!
MOTH BALLS.  They can't stand the smell.  Sprinkled them all around the house and never saw another skunk.  IMPORTANT INFORMATION:  moth balls are poisonous.  So here's what you do.  1. NEVER put them where pets can dig them up and eat them!  2. "Plant" them in the ground where the gopher holes/tunnels are.  It's a good idea to wear gloves also.  3. Do not leave them on top of the ground for birds or other animals to get to.  PLANT them.  Around your flower beds, in your potted plants (gets rid of munching bugs) along your fence line, around your rose bushes... anywhere gophers, skunks and bugs get.  GOOD NEWS:  it doesn't harm plants or grass!!!
The only thing to remember is to bury them in the ground.
Mothballs are not available in the really smelly version anymore but the ones you can get still do the job.  $3.99 to $4.99 a box.  Not bad.

Hope this helps!
xo
kat

Blackberries

In an area of our neighborhood where I walk the dogs, there are blackberry vines poking through a fence.
I usually pick off one and eat it as we pass by.  Yesterday I got smart and brought a little bag with me.

But, there are a lot more berries on the other side of the fence... out of reach.
So I went to the house where the berries were growing to ask the owners if they were going to pick them.  A young boy (13-14 y/o) came out.  He was babysitting his siblings.  He said "Who are you?!"  I explained that I lived up the street and asked if they were going to pick the blackberries.  "Oh, yeah.  We pick them" he said.  Sure they do.  As I left I heard him knocking on his door.  His siblings locked him out of the house.
I had a good chuckle over that.

SOP progress update

In the last couple of weeks I have managed to accomplish a few more tasks from my SOP list.
SOP stands for Summer Of Projects started by the Sweet Sherri over at Foziewisp

Paint the front door (it was white and chipped), scrub the floor mat that goes in the kitchen and unpack two boxes (that have been sitting in the living room for 3 months!)

Door black, check.  Floor mat cleaned and drying, check.  Two boxes emptied and ready to be recycled, check.

I also hung up a bunch of my framed artsy-fartsy photos that I have taken over the years.

I have more to frame and add to this wall.  I also hung up a lot of other art and bulletin boards and such.  Part of cleaning out one of the boxes.

So onward, back to my list.  My sister and brother-in-law are coming to visit for two weeks in August!

I'll leave you with this happy picture

Got this idea from a pic I saw over at Oddman a fun and quirky site (that we're addicted to)

So, have a great day, y'all, really!!
xo
kat

SOP (summer of projects)

I'm joining/supporting Sherri over at  Foziewisp http://foziewisp.blogspot.com/
with her Summer of Projects challenge.  I have my list (oh gawd) and this was the first to be accomplished.
The back door.  In all fairness, the door was already messed up by the previous tenets.  Our dogs didn't help.
So, I figured the best way to make it look better was to paint it with black enamel paint.  Covers a multitude of sins, right?
Before

Seems Callie likes to be in the (all) pictures

After

MUCH better (if I say so myself)
BUT...  When I went inside to put the paint brush in a plastic bag (1.5 minutes tops) Boo "seized" the paint stir stick out of the can and drug it off into the yard.  Thus leaving paint on the deck and his paws.  Yeah.

I had not spilled one drop on the deck but now it seems I will have to paint that too.
BTW (really good info!) Instant antibacterial hand sanitizer gel works GREAT to remove enamel paint from skin and PAWS!
Next project is painting the front door (while keeping the cats from escaping).
Hugs!
kat

It was a lovely day

Wow!  Can't believe it's been over three weeks since my last post.  (Sounds like something heard at confession)
Anywho...

An Update:
I did see Dark Shadows, the movie, and I thought it was cute and fun.  Little predictable because most of us know the story.  And, my testing point: 'will I buy it when it comes out on DVD?', Yes!

A Correction:
A few months ago I posted about a poppy growing out of a tall hedge.
  a)  not a poppy
  b)  not a flower growing out of a hedge
It is the hedge.  Rock Rose  or Cistaceae, to be exact.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cistaceae

And, as for the heading of this post, here is a pic of just one portion of it.

Top to bottom: Hubby, Boo and Henry resting by the Pacific during our walk.  Love Boo's huge grin!
The rest of the day was spent doing yard work (which we like to do).  The weather was perfect!  Because this is the view from the house the day before:

Yes, yes!  I know!  This is northern California.  They don't talk about SF being foggy for nothing!  There are even bumper stickers "Where in the fog is Pacifica?"  There's a wine bar here called "A Grape in the Fog"
Yep, just rub it in.  I can take it.
I live for the sunny days.  I'm "solar powered".
Thanks for stopping by!
HUGS!
kat

Dark Shadows

Oh My.  Well, I am about to date myself on this one.
1968.  A suburb outside of Tacoma, Washington.  I'm an 8th Grader at Lochburn Junior High School.  Each morning I take a shortcut and walk to school through an abandoned graveyard across the street from our house.  Many times it is foggy (it's Washington)  Each afternoon, I run home (through the same graveyard) to watch Dark Shadows.  OOOOHHHH!  Yes!!  I think this is the time that I get my pyschic... well, let's just say I "tune into" my Other Side.
I was sooo thrilled to see all the ads about the new movie starring Johnny Depp.  A) I love him as an actor B) it's Dark Shadows and C) it's funny!!!!
Sadly, Jonathan Frid (the original Barnabas)  passed away last month. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Frid  But, luckily he made a cameo appearance in the new movie!
I've watched the trailer to the new movie many times and I can't wait to go see it in the theater for myself!

Did I mention how excited I am?!?  Well, I can't apologize... IT"S JOHNNY DEPP!!!!!!!!!
Okay.  Depp  Deep breath.
xo
kat

Happy Cinco de Mayo and a yummy recipe

So the "skinny" on Cinco de Mayo is here http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/thehistoryofmexico/p/10cincodemayobasics.htm

Yeah.  Another reason to party, drink tequila, eat Mexican food... like we need a reason?  Oh, but wait...YES!  I need an excuse to cook/eat copious amounts of Mexican food!  As I have said, I could eat Mexican food everyday.  On the days I don't eat Italian food that is.  HA!!!

Here is a recipe that I came up with for great enchiladas, in honor, of course!
Enjoy!!!!
kat

 

Cinco de Mayo Chicken Enchiladas

13” x 9” baking dish, greased

350 degree preheated oven

Ingredients:

4   boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1  tsp. each  salt and pepper

2  tsp. cumin powder

2  tsp. garlic powder

1  tsp. taco seasoning

vegetable oil (enough to coat skillet)

½  yellow onion, chopped

2  cloves garlic, minced (I use prepared minced garlic in a jar)

1  small can chopped green chilies

2  Tbsp. minced chipotle chilies (use the jarred ones that are seeded)

1 cup  frozen corn, thawed

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can  red enchilada sauce

10 flour tortillas

2 cups shredded cheddar/Mexican cheese

Garnish:  sour cream, chopped tomatoes, salsa etc...

Directions:

Mix seasonings in a bowl.

In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and cook chicken breasts with the seasonings sprinkled on both sides, until juices run clear.  Remove to a plate and set aside.

Sauté onion and garlic in chicken drippings until tender.  Stir in corn and chilies.  Stir in canned tomatoes and cook on low heat.

In meantime, shred chicken and then add to vegetable mixture in pan and heat through.

In the greased baking dish, spoon the chicken/vegetable mixture into the flour tortillas and roll with the seam side under.  Pour the enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Bake, covered in foil for 20-30 minutes.

Serve with garnishes, rice and beans.

Kathryn Nowosielski

Southern Culture on the Skids

Formed in 1983, North Carolina.  Rockabilly/Surf/Amazing!!!  I saw them in Austin, Cleveland (twice), Buffalo and Indianapolis.  No, I'm not a stalker I just happened to be living in all these places when they toured.  Can't wait until they come through the San Fran area!  Go see them, don't miss them, you'll always be thankful you caught them live!  They are the best show out there!  And... they are the nicest, down-to-earth folks you'll ever meet!
This video is of one of my favorite songs (and the one that turned me on to them... "Little Debbie, Little Debbie")  It's pretty early but trust me they have aged very well!  You'll also like "Banana Pudding", "Liquored Up and Lacquered Down", "Eight Piece Box" and well...all of their songs.  If you see them live you'll get a real treat to Rick's guitar talent especially his long surf solo's!!
Enjoy and check them out!

 And another great performance:

(you can see how Rick got gray)

Also, a couple of pictures from one of my "adventures", erm um meetings with them

 

Rick and Mary on stage

 Mary and me.  She is so sweet and a great musician/singer!!

Rick and... yeah... giddy me  (check out the guy in the background, eew)

In spite of my admittingly foolish, star-struck behavior, I want to encourage you to check them out.  They are fantastic musicians and hard-working, real people! 

I won't ever tell you about my getting on stage with them fiasco  Though, my daughter might.  Sssshhhh! (hey, all the girls were invited up at every show to throw out the fried chicken!)

Hugs!

kat

Missing Texas

I used to live in Waco.  Where Pat was from and hung out before he got famous.  His (early) songs were quintessential Texas and have and always will speak to my Texas Soul.
Funny side note.  My ex-husband designed the Billy Bob's logo.  Long, interesting story.

A face with an Afro

My across the street neighbors house has a face.  Even hubby saw it right away.  Can you see it?

No, not the bunny!  The "guy".
It's much brighter (and obvious) in person but this is the best my camera could do from across the street.
Kat

A cool video

I got this from my new blog friend over at Vintage South
Have loved Ray since he came on the scene.  Looking at him reminds me of James Taylor.
Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIUSikXex5w

Yearning

Nasturtium.  In a jar of water yearning to be planted outside.

 Primrose.  Yearning to be pink.

We planted three primrose plants in the front flower bed.  They were all orange.  This one, however decided that it would rather be pink.  Perhaps it's because it is planted beneath the camellia bush that has pink blooms.

This is the color it started out as.  Not too pretty right now because it took a beating in the wind and rain we had yesterday.  Also, some critter ate all the first blooms and it's making a comeback.

Ahhh, spring color.  Need it now.  Tired of the rain.
Thanks for visiting and have a great day!
Hugs!!
kat

Zombies

We've all seen them.  The decals on the back windows of mini vans and other family-type vehicles.  Stick figures of Dad, Mom, Kids and pets depicting the "family" unit.
But... this is the best so far!!!

Even the fish in the bowl got into the action! 
Pay no attention to my claw-like hands grasping the camera in the bottom of the pic.

Love this!  Mostly cuz it's better than different!
hugs!
kat

Poppy

This ambitious little flower made its way up and out of a four foot hedge.  Can you imagine the stalk it's on?
Bloom where you're planted (or seeded).

 Right on little flower!  I admire you!

kat

Eeek! There's a bear in my kitchen!!

Remember these guys?

Boo on the left and Henry on the right.  They were about 3 months old in this picture.

Henry.  A.K.A. The Bear.  17 months old, 67 pounds.  Good Grief.  I knew I should have named him Yogi!
Boo Boo is about 55 pounds and about 10" shorter.  Still...
When we're walking, people comment on Henry's size.  He has been mistaken for Bermease and Rottweiler.  But, no.  He's just an incredibly LARGE Aussie.
And soooo LOVEABLE!!!

Hugs!
kat
P.S. We got a new dishwasher and refrigerator after this picture was taken.  Wonderful landlord!!!!

Weirdness and Oddities

Everytime I leave the house or in some cases just sit on the front steps of the house I encounter "Weirdness and Oddities".   Examples:
Over the last several weeks, during my walks, there have been random sightings of oranges (citrus fruit) on the street, in gutters and yards.  Hum.

Woman talking on cell phone:  "Hey, tell them I'm Catholic, maybe we'll get an upgrade"

Two men jogging by my house:  "I wanted to get the pistol grip one but she said that's not what she wanted"

Woman driving car by the boardwalk at the beach and a man repeatly yelling out the passenger window "HAVE A NICE DAY!"   (I thought of the line from the Beatles song "she takes him out to look at the queen, he always shouts out something obscene")

The best one (of many) was last week at the beach.  A woman standing at the waters edge.  Clapping out a beat and singing.  She then found two sticks and continued her "routine".  At first I thought she was doing a cheer then maybe a pep dance.  Forty-five minutes later, it was a true Rogers and Hammerstein musical.  I casually strolled past trying not to stare though I don't think it would have matter to the woman.  She was in her "zone" (own world).  I went to the cafe for a sandwich and when I came back she was gone.  Finished or exhausted?  Who knows.

It's wonderful here and always interesting.  Yeah.

Exciting day at Petsmart

Just decided to feed the birds while I was there.

The bottom of a 34 pound bag of dog food fell out as I was trying to lift it out of the cart!
I had birds swooping in ala-hitchcock at the moment it hit the ground!  The good people of Petsmart brought me a new bag of food and even spread out the contents of the broken bag for the birds to enjoy.
People were commenting and taking pictures (like me)  Fun times were had by all!
Kat