Easy Garden Hose Wreaths

I had a 50' garden hose that didn't fit in my little garden hose reel bucket thingy (that's the technical term). So I thought about throwing the hose away, being as space is at a premium where I live.
Then I thought, why would I throw out a perfectly good hose? Why not cut it up instead?
So I did.

Absolutely Easy Peasy Yet Fantastic Chicken Enchiladas

Yeah, I totally made that name up. But it's true. Really it is.

And while I do make my own salsa, you can too. Or buy *cough* *cough* store bought. That's fine. Although I cannot vouch for the taste if you do.
I usually make a double batch of enchiladas because, well, a single batch just isn't enough for two growing boys and Grau. Seriously.  The last time I made these, I only slightly increased the amounts and made 13 enchiladas, and Grau's elderspawn ate eight on his own. I know! EIGHT! Wow.

Where I Mess with My OCD Son. Because I Can.

So, my son is a bit OCD. His room can be a total mess, but by heaven the lid on the dish soap bottle in the kitchen must be CLOSED. He's reprimanded me several times because I don't care- I leave the flip top open and go about my business.

So, one day I thought, Hmmm....I could totally mess with him and see what he does....

So this is what *I* did...

I cut the flip top lid off the dish soap.... (language alert below the fold)

Getting Techy

Yeah, that's me. I'm getting techy. I just started a Google blog thingy (yup, that's the technical term) because I wanted to upload a zipped file to one of my popular posts, but couldn't. Blogger doesn't allow me to do that. So I opened a google blog thingy and uploaded the file there, then linked it to my post on here and vice versa.

See. No problem!

Espresso Dark Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

I got this recipe from The Monday Box and I am so glad I did!
These are wonderful. Not sweet, not not sweet. Ya know? Perfect with a cup of coffee or hot tea.

I used 85% Dark Chocolate instead of the toffee or semisweet chocolate bar the recipe calls for. I'm sure if you use the recipe as posted, it would be sweeter. I like mine not that sweet, so the dark chocolate worked out perfectly for me!

Spicy Chicken Caesar Wrap

Oh, how I love chicken. I really, really do. It's one of the few foods that takes on the flavors of whatever you cook it with. Seriously. Unlike beef which must assert its dominance over the dish and can only be coated with flavor, chicken is a wonderous protein that chooses to play well with others.

Stop Wasting Money on Storage Labels!

I've been doing this for some time. It works great, and occasionally takes a bit of elbow grease, but it sure is a heck of a lot cheaper than purchasing those storage labels.

Where I Come From

Yes, I'm an Okie. And proud of it.
No, I wasn't born there. But Oklahomans don't expect you to be born there. They adopt you. It gets in your blood. It's something you are, and then because of Oklahoma you become something more.

I lived in Oklahoma since the 9th grade. I moved away when I was 21. Moved to many other cities as well. But I went back in 1993 and stayed. It is my home. It is my love.

Switching the Swiffer Scent

I am a rag mop girl. Really. I prefer the old time rag mops to anything on the market today. I just feel they do a better job. Yes, you get your hands wet. It's not the end of the world. But ever since moving into a new place,  I've struggled with keeping the 'engineered wood flooring' clean without stripping it of its protective surface.

I broke down the other day and bought a knock-off Swiffer and wet mopping floor cloths. For two reasons- 1) my kitchen is small and 2) the rag mop doesn't get into the corners well without me having to rag-in- hand-and-knee them clean. Pain in the arse. Or lower back. You choose.

Health through Tinctures

I've always considered myself a naturalist. I prefer woods, fires, water and earth to anything man-made. The earth was made to provide everything we need in which to survive. Yes, even the animals for food. I could never be a vegetarian. Not because I disagree with them, but because I really prefer meat to veggies. Nothing beats a good piece of bacon!
However, when it comes to my health, I try to be as natural and earthy as possible.
I much prefer eating pineapple to soothe my tummy than taking a slimy pink muck that tastes like chalk.

Chamomile and Peppermint tinctures

Pina Ranchera- Home style!

A friend of mine went to a cozy Mexican restaurant near where she lives and told me about this dish. I've never tried it, nor have I been to that particular establishment. But the dish sounded intriguing.

I asked her to send me the pictures she took, and anything she could remember about the dish.