Nest Wars

Yes, the robins are at it again.

Ever since I trimmed off their favorite branch from the tree in the front yard, it seems like they have been trying to put their nest in more and more inconvenient places.

This year they built it inside the covered bird feeder,

which wouldn't be so bad except that it is next to Chloe's kennel.

As a result, I can't stick Chloe out in the kennel to dry after giving her a bath, without ma and pa robin having a cow.  It also isn't possible to give Tigger the cat her spring shower until after the silly birds have fledged.  Tigger might find her dry time more entertaining than usual; then again, she might get her eyes pecked out.  I'm not interested in finding out who would win that battle.

Oh, and they squawk at everything,
we are getting really tired of angry robin noises wafting in the windows.

Once they move out, it will be time to hang that feeder from the tree in the front yard.  Maybe next year they will take the hint.

No Matter Who Is Running

for political office,

I will hang up on you when you call my house

with pre-recorded messages.

Don't Waste My Time!

Some Flowers

Happy Mother's Day

To All Moms

(And the nice thing about pictures is 
that there is no watering required.)

This Should Ruin Their Demographics

So Barnes & Noble sent me a lovely coupon code for 20% off one item plus free shipping, just so it would arrive in time for Mother's Day.  Since we haven't been able to find much of anything at their store lately to total enough for free shipping, we bought Top Gear Season 22.  That should leave them scratching their heads and asking, "Is someone really going to give THAT to her mother for Mother's Day?"  Sure beats chick flicks.  I could have been a mom, maybe.  For the sake of the coupon, I'm counting Chloe.

Conversation with Hubby

So the grocery store had some lamb on sale.  Since mom & stepfather are now in assisted living, I figured that there would actually be some time to cook.  Having gathered some of the ingredients on one of several leisurely shopping expeditions this week, it was time to make lamb curry.  (I had to add a local Indian grocery store to the expedition list, because Penzey's tandoori seasoning is not hot & spicy.  Note, the Indian grocery probably has way better prices on peppercorns too.)  Being still a bit tired (or lazy) I opted for pre-ground spices rather than toasting them and getting the coffee grinder dirty as well.   I had forgotten to get fresh ginger.  The piece in the fridge looked like a mummy's toe, so some ground powdered ginger went into the prefab "hot curry spice blend" along with some more cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric, and a dash of ground cardamom.  After chopping up onions, and pressing some garlic, all was ready.  The onions and garlic were browned in butter and olive oil.  (No, I don't see the point of ghee.  My fridge works fine, and Wisconsin is called the dairy state for a very good reason.  I personally find clarified butter to be rather tasteless and a bit disgusting.)  Then the spice blend was thrown in to bloom in the oil & butter.  Next went the cut up chunks of lamb, that had been trimmed of as much fat as possible.  Once the chunks were browned the lamb bone was thrown in and tomato juice was added to cover.  (Nope, I didn't buy coconut milk either.  This is not authentic, and I don't care.)  Then it was reheated up to a boil and  then turned down to a high simmer/low boil for 1 1/2 hours.  Hubby enjoyed the smell when he came home.  (Note, I had also made a backup stew of beef and potatoes in the pressure cooker, because Indian food doesn't always agree with his insides.  Hence the following discussion.)

Me:  "Hubby, would you like to try some lamb curry?"

Hubby:  "Maybe just a taste.  The color is a bit brown for my liking."

Me:  "So your trouble with curry is that it is basically the same color when it goes in as when it comes back out the other end?"

Hubby:  "Yes, exactly."

Me:  "Then explain to me why you like chocolate."

Hubby:  "Chocolate is a slightly different shade of brown, which makes it better somehow."

And that is the reason why I didn't take a picture of the curry.  (Or maybe I'm still being lazy/resting.  And I need to add ginger and garlic to the shopping list.)

Celebrate Freedom

Mom & Stepfather are firmly ensconced and settling in to a secure lock-down assisted living facility.  Unfortunately, they didn't sleep well last night and therefore didn't want to go to church this morning.  Their loss is my gain.  Time to enjoy my second real day off in four years.  I have the whole day free to enjoy with hubby and Chloe - oh, the possibilities!

Celebrate

Think - Freedom

Time to get out and enjoy the Blue Skies!

Lousy Search Engine

So the newspaper had a coupon.

I figured I should check the store website to see if they still carry the tennis shoes with velcro closure for mom.

First I tried searching the brand, but they were all lace-up.

So I tried searching for "womens shoe velcro"

This it what the search engine produced.

Seriously?

How is this item in any way related to women's shoes?

It did make me laugh.

Maybe it will make you laugh too.