A Message To The Barbarian With The Squirty Things

Just Quit It.
I am not a happy baby Dude, so know this crap off with the chasing and the towel and yanking my mouth opens..I have teef and I know how to use them.,...

SO QUIT IT.

Grrrr...hisss

A Hissed Off Baby Dude Loki Lo aka Number One Son

Baked Shrimp And Rosemary Update ~ aka OOPSIE !

Mea Culpa.

I can't find the original recipe on Pinterest...big surprise.

I didn't catch this, SU did though. In the recipe I posted, it calls for oil and I assume by that they mean olive oil....but I didn't get any amount in the original post.

DOH !

We did make the recipe Saturday and we all loved it . Jere and I deduced that since you are basically blooming the herbs in the oven when you heat them in the oil, you pretty much know much oil to put..you don't want to fry the shrimp but you don't want them to stick either.....maybe 1 or 2 tablespoons ?

I just kind of eyeball it .

Anyway..try the recipe, I took my shrimp and made a shrimp salad and it was tasty.

Have a good week .
Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Happy Friday ~ Bruce Of The Day ~ !

LOL..what can I say....even scruffy , he looks good.
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition , it's Friday !

We are still in the process of trying to get the baby dude his meds. The pill so far is not an issue but the liquid down the gullet continues to be . Last night could have been a real disaster when my husband decided to sans attire grab Loki so that we could burrito him....without so much as a " Are you ready with the stuff " to see that I am am prepared. Suffice to say, he is without injury, the table..what the hell...what's one more gouge and Loki is at least speaking to me.

I'm still shaking my head.


Rumor has it that there is a lil something headed towards the Gulf.....oh yes please.

The Moron will be over to help SU with the bookcase...let's just say 8 feet tall is a tad excessive. Me...I will be buried under covers ..but I have been warned that they may wake me up so all is good.

I have no idea what I am going to cook, much the same as not having any idea why POTUS decided to nominate Caroline Kennedy Iforgetwhatherlastnameis as Ambassador to Japan...I mean really ?

Dear POTUS , I am sure that she is a lovely person with great strength of character, but she has neither a speaking or reading comprehension of the language at all. Now ,    I don't know about how all y'all at 1600 Penn would feel , but if the situation was reversed and we had a new Ambassador from another country who had no working skills at our language , oral or written...wouldn't you be a tad offended at this lack of respect ?


I'm just sayin.............


Have a great weekend.

Ciao,
Aunty POl

Heaven In A Crockpot AKA I Spend Way Too Much Time On Pinterest .

Heaven in a Crock-Pot by Jen Benkart



Ingredients:



1 box Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix



1/2 cup butter, melted



4 eggs



1 pouch Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix



Directions:



Mix it all together. Cook about 3 hours on low. Top with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream, as desired.




LMAO

I was bored out of my mind at work as it was /is a super quiet day , so of course after finally getting through level 36 on CandyCrusher ( Yeah Me ! ) , I bopped over to Pinterest because you know I can never stop with the bakery goodness ( aka " Expand your Ass - Wow...call me now ) ..and there it was.

I am honestly looking for new crock pot recipes and then The Heavens Opened Up...there  via Lovely Miss Jen Benkart on Pinterest. Miss Jen, sweetie, I can't find the link to your blog if you have one but girl...we are all drooling over this at the office.

Next Up, Bruce Of The Day or Why it's not a good idea to try to doctor a cat when you are nekkid.


Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Oh , This Brings Back Memories !

http://dyingforchocolate.blogspot.com/2013/07/1-2-3-hot-fudge-sauce-national-hot.html

WOOT !
Today is " National Hot Fudge Sauce Day ! "

Isn't every day ?????

Miss Janet over at " Dying For Chocolate " had this post and I couldn't resist. You really have to read her blog, it has the best recipes and retro ads and their history.

MISS JANET ROCKS !

Anyhoo, I remember my mother making  something very much like this when we were small spawn in San Diego. It may in fact be before Southside was born. It  was a real treat because Mom didn't keep a lot of ice cream or desserts on hand if Dad was deployed. The Charlie Chips cans that were marketed out of a truck much the same as the Good Humor Truck was one thing, Mom had a thing for BBQ chips and we all loved their huge ass pretzels. Every once in a blue moon, she would stop the donut truck ( I am not making this up, there was a company that had the same sort of set up as Good Humor or Charlie Chips and they'd bop around the neighborhood selling hot fresh-ish glazed bakery goodness ) .

Later on , when we lived with Grandma and Grandpa Engwall in Winthrop, Grandma would make this also if she had time . Most Saturdays were dedicated to cleaning the house and baking for the after Church Service coffee hootenany in the basement of First Lutrin in Winthrop. Hey, we didn't care...canned Hersheys worked nicely too...long pour Grandma....long pour. To this day , I miss the Butter Brickle Ice Cream we used to get in Minnesota.....

And Ironically..with IBS..yep...me and MAH SON ...Ice Cream is usually just that ..a memory.

Go check out her bloggy....you know the drill..slap Mr. Linky.

Ciao,
Aunty Pol Who Is  Now Craving Dairy Goodness..."Sniff".

Oh Lordy..And I Have Fresh Rosemary Growing On The Patio ~ It's Baked Shrimp TIme At The Casa !

6 fresh thyme sprigs

3 large fresh rosemary sprigs, halved

Freshly ground black pepper

1-1/2 lb. extra-large shrimp (26 to 30 per lb.), preferably wild, peeled and deveined

1-1/2 Tbs. white wine vinegar

Kosher salt

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.



Pour the oil into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add the thyme, rosemary, and 1 tsp. pepper and bake until the oil mixture is fragrant, about 12 minutes.



Add the shrimp to the dish and toss with tongs until coated. Bake the shrimp until pink and firm, 8 to 10 minutes.



Add the vinegar and 1/2 tsp. salt, toss well, and let rest at room temperature until the oil cools slightly, about 5 minutes. Discard the herbs (if you choose) and serve.





Other than  the fact that down here a head count of 25 to 30 shrimp per pound isn't considered " large size", this looks great. I think that a salad , hot bread to grab all the yummy oils and so on and wine might just constitute the perfect summer meal.

I am still in my avoidance mode regarding the kitchen because it's hotter than hell right now , but 400 degrees for only a few minutes is do-able . . As I look out the office window, you'd almost swear that we were in LaLa land, the ozone is so badly built up that it looks like smog. I guess I'l be rocking the sinus meds at bedtime..le sigh.

As for Loki....After I remembered that my boy loves his Num Num ( Petromalt) , I realized that I could wrap Petromalt around his pill and he would scarf it down. The liquid meds are more problematic...Le Sigh. What's a few more scars....yes, I know we need to " Burrito " the boy , it's catching his wirey ass that is the hassle.I could have stock in Johnson and Johnson by this point.


Have a good Friday !

Ciao,
Aunty Pol

A Cure For A Bad Day In Cranky Pants Land ~ Aunty Pol's Version 2.0 ~ !

Don't Ya Love Science ?

Bonus Points : Waxahachie !

Ciao,
Aunty Pol

A Cure For A Bad Day I Cranky Pants Land ~ Aunty Pol's Version ~ !

When in doubt read " Over The Hedge " by T. Lewis and Michael Fry ( Author of " Committed").

You will laugh till Yoo Hoo blows out your nose .

Trust me .

Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Just Keeping It Honest .

Just being honest about how I feel right now.....yeah....STRESS ROCKS !

Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Sounds About Right .

Time To Drag The Water Hoses  Around The Joint.

Le Sigh,

Ciao,
Aunty Pol

When In Doubt...

Cream Cheese Peach Pie Delight




1 package of white or yellow dry cake mix

1/3 cup butter, room temperature

2 large eggs, divided

29 ounce can of peach slices, drained

... 8 ounces of Cream Cheese, room temperature

1/3 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract



Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray. In large bowl combine cake mix, butter, and 1 egg. Mix until crumbly. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of crumbs for topping. Press remaining crumbs in bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes.



Cut Peach slices into 1 inch pieces. You can use frozen or fresh peaches if you choose but I like canned for this particular recipe because of the short baking time. Spoon into partially baked crust. In large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, 1 egg and vanilla extract. Beat with mixer until creamy. Spoon over peaches. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Bake 30 minutes. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

When in doubt...find something wonderful to think about baking.

Cream Cheese = Imodium..but what the hell.

Enjoy !

Ciao,
Aunty Pol

We Will Get Through This .

Initially ,  IBD  wasn't mentioned mentioned by Dr. Tom. I had to miss the  appointment due to a conflict so the Daddy Unit toted our boy  .  Gordy seemed to really like Dr. Tom and the way that he had his practice set up ,  but  he really had little more than " It seemed nice"..in all fairness what the hell else are you going to say in that situation...it's tense enough as it it wrangling 11 metric tons ( 11 lbs) of pissed off son into a PTU . Decor critiques and so on aren't standard to him  and my husband is more of a "Meh" kind of dude. So, I called the practice and that's when IBD reared it's mofo ugly ass head .

I was on the floor most of yesterday...heartbroken.

We had been through this for so long with Xena, it became the focus of our lives for over 3 years. ...and now my boy...my baby dude. I know that we can handle this and so on we go.....but I am at the same time so angry for ..not at him...for him that he has to go through all of this . It's just not fair .As far as we can tell , there is no cure per se, it's a chronic condition that must be managed.

Manage we will....but right now...LIFE SUX !

Carry On.

Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Medical Monday

Here we go again.

I spoke to Dr. Tom to get a better idea of what is going on with my son .
It appears that along with the early stage kidney issues, he has IBD ..yep

Just like Xena.

I'm fighting an anxiety attack right now and feel just a tad gut shot so this will be a short post.

All good thoughts are genuinely appreciated at the Casa.


Have a good week.


Ciao,
Aunty POl

Happy Friday ~ Bruce Of The Day ~ !

Happy Friday !

It's been an interesting week.
We fired our Vet this week.
Yeah , I trumped their sorry asses.

Loki has lost a bit of weight and is throwing up more often..or at least it seems that way to me. I have been keeping an eye on him and he is mourning Xena so I naturally called Banfield at Petsmart.

It took me 2 hours to get through .

They are all booked up for the next 2 Saturdays so August 3'rd was the first opening.

All was fine until the biotch pulled up Loki's records and saw that he had not been in for a long time...10 years or more.

Ummm..he hasn't been sick.

He is an indoor boy, going out means that he is in a PTU on his way to the vet.


Miss Congeniality is acting as if I am not only the worst parent in the world, her attitude is such that I am doing an " Island Of Dr. Moreau " on my children.

I am still getting attitude over the phone  as I describle what the problems are  , so I ask Miss Congeniality to pull up Xena's records. I tell her to look at them . She can plainly see that we averaged 2 to 3 times a month over the last 3 1/2 years trying to manage my baby's illness. I then told Miss Congeniality to look at the amount of money that we had spent on Xena.


Clearly, we are engaged full on involved parents.
I told Miss Congeniality that I would keep an eye on Loki but if something dire arose..like him vomiting blood..oh well then she replied that of  course we could bring him in and they would work us in but we were aware that we would have to wait ?

Bitch..you crossed the line.

So I e mail Jere and ask of Dr. Tom is accepting new patients. Jere and Cindy have raved for years about their Vet..Dr. Tom. So Jere Lee sends me Dr. Tom's website.

It's wonderful.

His staff bring their own pets to work with them, the website is warm and engaging and gave me a really good gut feeling..so I called.

Loki has a 12:30 tomorrow.

Dr. Tom is a private vet, and I recognize that it will cost more , but by Bast, if I wouldn't take that attitude from my own doctor, why the hell should I take it on my son's behalf ?

And on the upside , at last glance the IBKC has raised over $106,000.00 for the Tacoma Pierce County HS....

I am so happy to have been a small part of this.

I'll post the update on Loki and Dr. Tom as soon as I can.

Have a great weekend.

Ciao,
Aunty Pol

For The Office " Suggestion " Box

Yeah...Monday through Friday .

LOL

Ciao,
Aunty Pol

One Hundred And One Bazillion Dollars

http://www.theittybittykittycommittee.com/2013/07/we-did-it.html

We did it....we really did.
I am so happy to be a part of this every year. I actually look forward to the "Shameless Shakedown " posts  and I am amazed each and every year what can be done by Laurie , Craig, Charlene and Wylla plus a host of others.

A happy ending to my charity Trifecta* indeed.


* I am a tri-coast donater . I support BARCS in the Baltimore area,the Tacoma and Pierce County HS and the Houston Humane Society...gotta spread it around ya know .


Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Crock Pot/Slow Cooker French Dips

French Dips :

1 4 to 5 lb Beef Roast ( I used a regular beef roast , not a pot roast )
2 cups water
2 cups beef broth ( low sodium is what I use )
2 pkgs. dry instant onion soup mix ( I use Liptons and will use the beefy onion next time )
Salt and pepper to taste.

Optional : Garlic powder to taste ( I cannot cook beef with out garlic)
                Sweet Bell peppers ( I like the jars of red ones )
                Sauteed onions
                 Provolone or cheese of choice
                 Sub or Hoagie rolls


 Pour 1 to 1 1./2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet and heat.
Salt and pepper beef to taste.
Sear all sides of the beef .
Place beef in the bottom of the slow cooker
Add water, broth, dry soup on top of roast.
Cover and cook on high for 3 hours then reduce heat to low for another 3 hrs or until done depending on the temperature of your crock pot.

The roast will be done when it falls apart using 2 forks.It will be fully cooked and not pink so don't freak out if you prefer rare beef as I usually ( always ) do .

When desired doneness is reached remove beef from crockpot and shred .

Place shredded beef on roll , top with garnish of choice the above optionals or not and cheese. Place under broiler until cheese melts,

Serve with Au Jus.

Die Happy.


Review :  4 1/2 Stars. out of 5 stars ( Hey, nothing is perfect.)

I made this last Sunday and it was the easiest thing ever. Since there was plenty of Au Jus left over, I put it in the fridge to cool off  so that I could skim any fat. This will  then be frozen for a base for French Onion Soup. I may also add some additional onions to the beef /broth mixture as it cooks .

However..next time I will use all beef broth instead of broth and water .

SU LOVED IT and it's a keeper.

Enjoy,
Aunty Pol

Well , That Certainly Clears It All Up .

Let me start by saying that IMHO , other than the fact that she has the BEST hair, Kristen Stewart can't act her way out of a paper bag...and yes , I read all the Twilight Books. Note , I did not say I watched the movies...I'd rather watch paint dry.

I work with the public.
I work with the public every day of the standard workweek.
I do my very best to keep a relaxed , professional posture and set to my features.
I do not grin from ear to ear.
I do not set my jaw in  the  Joker like rictus like manner.
I keep a pleasant, well modulated tone to my voice.
I am old enough to use the following words : " Please, thank you , you are welcome , sir and ma'm ."

I may eye contact and maintain eye contact .

And I have just realized and or discovered that I suffer from  " Bitch Face.

Bitch face .

Actually, on further research, it is actually called " Resting Bitch Face "

It's s term..really..check it out .

According to the Urban dictionary , it is the expression that makes one appear as to be a bitch.

Well , allrighty then .

I make eye contact with all persons that I need to . I pay attention and actively listen .

I do not however grin from ear to ear like a puppy with a new rawhide chew toy.

At least once a day of not more , a random co-worker will ask..." Are you okay...mad....feeling okay ? "

I answer that I am fine unless there is something that I am preoccupied with such as the kitty's or a family illness. I prefer to keep my work life and my "real " life separate.

This is the way that I am.
This is the way that I have always been.
This is the way that I shall always be .

I am not sick, angry , mad, pissed off, twitterpated, miffed , verklempt , worked up, frazzled, berserk , anxious , angst ridden , terrified , in a lather , beside myself  or in a temper.

I can however get there pretty damn quick if I have to spend more than a certain amount of time explaining the above to stupid people.

You will know it if I am pissed .

Hint # 1 : My eyes change color.
Hint # 2 :  I get really , REALLY quiet.

Solution: Get the fuck out of Dodge, get out of my face , and keep going.

I know the difference between those  who genuinely love me and want to know what is going on and the rest of the Twatasarrissuses that merely want to get a rise out of me .

Amateurs .

There isn't a thing wrong with having Bitch Face..at least we look like we have some concept of manners and professionalism  .

Ciao,
Aunty Pol

Wheeeee !

Ah..it's been one of those Mondays...." When in danger, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.

Of of the attorneys at the office is having a closing today in what would appear to be easy peasy.

NOT !

All of the appropriate space was booked and planned and I almost fainted when I arrived at 7:45 , my normal to see his legal assistgant already here ...Ruh Roh !!!!!!!!  The number of parties involved was doubled the anticipated number so I spent the larger part of the morning moving conference room bookings on my floor and praying for room on 13.

HAH !

Depos to the right of us , depos to the left....ONWARD !

I do miss when it's like this , I enjoy the insanity and the buzz of a busy day...and of course JAR JAR is being a bitch for her usual winning methods...every day that I do not slap the taste out of her mouth is a day I don't need to make bail on an assault charge.

She is one of those lovely ladies who have no problem being a complete bully and we all know it ..it just grates ...A LOT .

Oh well...

I have a recipe to locate and I know where it is, travel arrangements to finalize and a bottle of Beaujolais at home..

LIFE ROCKS !

Have a great week.

Ciao,
Aunty Pol

So Bad , It Was Great !

I really didn't think too much about this movie, given my penchant for ripping the channel a new one over their programing policies or lack thereof.

I mean really, from what little I've seen regarding this movie, no one was doing more than  making it into some sort of " Hi Bob" drinking game...not my first time at the rodeo as they say. So I taped it...


And since there was nothing else on..I watched it.

It was so bad it was fabulous !!!!

Right up there with my beloved Army of Darkness.

MST3K would have been over the moon over this one .

I almost need it on DVD.

If Netflix has it..rent it....

I have never laughed so hard.

And irony..Tara Reid is now relegated to playing the mother roles.

Hey Lohan.....object lesson there sweetie.

Have a great week .

Ciao ,

Aunty Pol