Five in Five: A

Five things I love that start with the letter A:

Art: This weekend was Gallery Night in Erie, which happens monthly. We made it to three exhibits. It was fun, albeit brief. And as I mentioned before, my mom is an artist. It was been a pleasure to decorate my house with a mixture of her photographs, my pictures, and a collection of other pieces of art I've purchased. I wish I had a larger income so I could make real art purchases. Maybe someday I will be a patron.

Artichokes: Although I haven never had an opportunity to eat fresh artichokes off the petal, I've always wanted to. Someday soon. I saw on the Food Network how to braise them in the oven. It looked simple enough. I love artichoke hearts - marinated or in water. I love adding them to salad. I love including them in a vegetable saute. I love making them the star in spaghetti sauce. And I love dips made with them. Mmm.

Accents: Seriously, why are people from outside the United States so cute? It's because of their accents.

Animals: I need to go to the Erie Zoo. Last year I went around this time. I really want to see the baby giraffe. I was lucky enough last weekend to see some of the educational birds of prey rehabilitated by Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center. I will post more about that when I have a chance to upload my photos off my mom's camera (so I guess, expect those by December). It was so neat to be up close to these wild birds you only see from a great distance. Hopefully, I got some great photos.

August: I love the dog days of the summer. I can visit the beach every weekend. I can enjoy a good book in my antigravity chair in the backyard. I can't wait to relax and soak in this hot summer month. What do you mean it's over? WTF? Where did it go? No, I'm serious. How can it possibly be August 31?! It hasn't even been hot this month. Every weekend flew by. I did not use my antigravity chair at all this month. I only cracked open a book once. And I definitely am less tan now than I was at the end of July. I was enjoying the lower humidity and the lower electricity bills, but I wasn't ready for the heat and dew point levels to drop and stay there. Bah!

YouTube-sday: Laughing Baby, Running Collie

I have a feeling Daisy would do the same thing with that laughter. But she also would be be licking the baby's face much more and perhaps jumping over his head!

VMAs: There are no words

Nicki Minaj impersonates Rachel Berry's impersonation of Lady Gaga.

I'm going to need a face mask to not catch the crazy.

Thanks, Nicki, for covering your face and trying not to spread the disease. But it's probably best if you just go home and lay in bed until the crazy has passed. And burn those "clothes" and stapled on stuffed toys so you don't get reinfected. Get well soon!

Foto Friday: Holy Moly

This photo was taken on April 4 in Sedona, Arizona. It is a view from the Chapel of the Holy Cross (a spectacular church built in the side of the rocks.) The cactus in the foreground is Plateau Cholla or Whipple Cholla  (or maybe they are the same thing). I do know the yellow buds on it is its fruits.

Five in Five

Five things I'm craving right now...

1) Wavefarer Sunglasses

2) Hair Feather Extensions

3) Grey Suede Booties and Rounded (with a chunkier heal) Pumps

4) Meatloaf

5) Vintage Everything

Preparedness

Even though Erie ranks number two in the country for safety from natural disasters, we are not immune to everything. In my opinion, it is important to prepare because once you have (overly) prepared, the event might not be so bad (think: Y2K). Or, at the very least, the impact to you from the event will be minimized.

According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), you may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer.

 

FEMA's Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from http://www.ready.gov/.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

 Do you have an emergency kit? Will you make one? Anything else you would recommend including?

YouTube-sday: Water Park Fun

Too bad dogs aren't allowed at water parks. This doberman would have a blast!

YouTube-sday: Lend a Helping Paw

I also ask Daisy, as I am doing housework, "When are you going to start pulling your own weight around here?"

Here's a Jack Russell Terrier who certainly would be helpful to have around the house.

Just Another Reason...

Just another reason I love Erie. It's beautiful! Here's our Bicentennial Tower built to signify the city's 200th year in 1996. It is 187 feet tall and has 2 observation decks; it's located at the foot of State Street on Dobbins Landing.

Foto Friday: Rule of Thirds

The first principle of photographic composition is the Rule of Thirds. It is the basis for a well-balanced, interesting shot. The principle of the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts:

With this diagram in mind, the rule of thirds helps to identify four important parts of the image you should consider placing points of interest in as you frame your photograph. It also gives you four ‘lines’ that are also useful positions for elements within your photo.

If you place points of interest at the intersections or along the lines, your photo will be more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally. Studies have shown that when viewing images people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot – using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it.
In learning how to use the rule of thirds the most important questions to be asking of yourself are:

What are the points of interest in this shot?
Where am I intentionally placing them?

Lastly – keep the rule of thirds in mind as you edit your photos later on. Post production editing tools today have good tools for cropping and reframing images so that they fit within the rules. Experiment with some of your old shots to see what impact it might have on your photos.

Here's a photo I took (not using the rule of thirds) and cropped it afterwards.

This photo was taken on April 5, 2011 in Sedona, Arizona. I was pretty obsessed with cacti on the trip, but this heart-shaped one I think I had good reason to photograph! (When cropping, I lined the middle cusps of the heart with the upper right "intersection." But that made the left side of the heart the center of the image. So I probably didn't crop it properly.)

Five in Five

Five things I'm loving right now...

1) The start of the school year. And I don't even have any kids (that I know of). Behrend is a buzz. Today is move-in day for the first-year students and while the campus isn't dead in the summer, it's really alive with energy, eagerness, and excitement. It's such a fun time for these new students and I am glad I get to be closer to the heart of campus this year to witness the fun.

2) The Beach. Family from Pittsburgh was in town this past weekend and I spent two days at Presque Isle enjoying the sun (didn't get burned), waves (didn't get wet), and sand (somehow I still got sand in my car!). We are so lucky! I just wish it wasn't a 40+ minute drive.

3) Netflix. I'm trying out streaming Netflix right now. And I'm loving it! I spent the last few days watching the first season of Mad Men. I didn't really start regularly watching the show until last season, but I caught a few episodes here and there. Now I get to see all of them and sorta cheat since I know the backstory and know what happens four seasons later. Once I get done watching Mad Men, I move on to Weeds and Nip/Tuck. Any other recommendations? P.S. I'm streaming through my BluRay player (Christmas gift from my parents) that I hooked up to my TV and connected to the internet all by myself. I'm just so proud.

4) Peach pie. My mom makes the most delicious pies. Seriously. The flaky crust (Betty Crocker 1960s recipe) is the best. Yesterday she made a homemade peach pie (made from local Pennsylvania peaches) and invited me over for a slice. YUMMO! If you don't know, peaches are my favorite fruit (I think I wrote that before). But actually blueberry is my favorite type of pie. But seriously, it was so scrumptious, I wasn't allowed to take a slice home with me (the family kept the rest for themselves).

5) House guests. Well, guest. There was just one person. But Daisy and I really enjoyed having Justina stay over for her birthday weekend. I don't get to play host very often, since I'm from Erie and most of friends are also from Erie. I wanted to try to make up a basket with towels, bottled water, and other stuff, like KT, but ran out of time - I barely got the house cleaned and the lawn mowed. Next weekend I will attempt to be a better host for the night.

Let's Celebrate

Is everyone ready for CelebrateErie?!

CelebrateErie is the annual weekend where Downtown Erie comes alive on State Street from 4th to 12th Streets with wonderful sights, sounds and smells August, 18-21, 2011.

Taste of Erie kicks of the celebration (I'm gonna need a synonym for this word or I'm gonna be repetitive) in Perry Square from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday, August 18. This year's local vendors are different than in years prior. Taste of Erie will feature: La Bella, Sensory 3, Sluggers, The BrewErie at Union Station, Three B Saloon, and Connie's Ice Cream.

Actually that's almost a completely different line-up.

I sure am going to miss Theodore's crab cakes, Pufferbelly's peanut butter pie, Betrand's seafood mac & cheese, Colony's sweet potato fries, and Latino's yummy smells (I never got to try their booth in all the years they were there).

La Bella was there in 2010 and I think I tried a chicken salad croissant sandwich from them... I think. Apparently it wasn't that memorable. Either Sluggers or BrewErie or both were there before, but I can get bar food (and their bar food) anytime I go downtown on the weekend. So that's kind of unfortunate.

I'm a bit disappointed.

For the last two years, a coworker and I have driven downtown at lunch on Friday to enjoy Erie's tastes. I thought the point to Taste of Erie was to bring fine dining establishments into the heart of the city so we could all enjoy foods Lake City, North East, and Waterford without having to travel there.
It's probably a shorter distance for me to drive to Sensory 3 (in the casino) than it is to drive downtown. Plus I wouldn't have to deal with crowds, metered parking, weather conditions, and cash only payment.

I don't know if I'll be making a special trip downtown just to eat my lunch, but, of course, there is more than just food to bring me downtown for the weekend.

Check out the schedule of events at celebrateerie.com.

What's your favorite part of CelebrateErie?
What do you think about the local food vendors?
Will you go downtown for some of the festivities this weekend?

YouTube-sday: Dead as a Dog

I wonder if I could teach Daisy this trick. Ha. It just cracks me up!

Cumin Confusion

I bought cumin last week. It wasn't on my grocery list, but spices were a good price.

I knew I had seen cumin in lots of recipes and always thought, "Nope. I can't make that, I don't have cumin." So now I have the spice, and I can't seem to recall why I needed/wanted it.

I quick search on the Internet and I find cumin is a common ingredient in Middle Eastern, Asian, Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines. That certainly explains why I wanted it. I love all those ethnic foods. And cumin is the second most popular spice in the world after black pepper.

With more searching, I think I finally figured out the latest "recipe" that inspired this spice purchase. It was Erie's Whole Foods Cooperative (it's Facebook page is more informative) citrus quinoa salad. I ate this cold salad at the Co-Op's 30th Birthday Bash. It was a quinoa base (but cous cous would have worked too) with peas, currants, chopped almonds, fresh parsley, and green onions. And the salad was tossed with a citrus dressing that included fresh squeezed orange juice (and maybe some lemon and tangerine), olive oil, salt and pepper, honey, and (I think, possibly) cumin.

Mind you, this entire list of ingredients is just taken from my senses. The salad was so delicious and the textures were a delight.

Maybe in the future I will try to replicate this salad, but in the meantime, do you have any favorite recipes that include cumin? Or do you have any recommendations of dishes I can use this spice in?

Foto Friday: Green Your Photography

Whether you're a pro or just a weekend shutterbug, photography is an excellent way to get close to nature and share its beauty. Here are some tips from the Sierra Club on how to make each click eco-friendlier.

Tip #1: Recharge
Given the waste problems of traditional batteries, it's good news that most cameras now come with rechargeable batteries. To keep your device fully charged even during remote backpacking trips, try a solar-powered camera bag or battery pack. If you have to use old-fashioned batteries, dispose of them properly by finding a nearby recycling center.

Tip #2: Choose your camera wisely.
While film cameras have a certain nostalgic charm, it really is time to switch to digital. Film cameras produce more waste, thanks to the water, electricity, and hazardous chemicals needed for film development. And I probably don't have to tell you this but, disposable cameras are pretty wasteful too. Though if you're in a crunch and cave in, remember to drop it off for recycling.

Tip #3: Reduce waste.
If you have yet to join the internet photo-sharing world, know that it's easier, faster, and greener than printing out all your pictures to show friends and family. If you're still printing photos, though, consider using recycled photo paper. Stuck with an overload of prints? Reuse them by slapping a stamp on the back and turning them into postcards.

Tip #4: Give old cameras a second life.
When it's time to upgrade, you don't have to throw your camera out. If it still works, you can donate it to a charity or youth program. To recoup some of your investment, try Best Buy's trade-in program for “gently used” electronics, or organize a recycling fundraiser with Ecophones.com. If your camera has truly bitten the dust, look into whether your manufacturer takes back used products (Canon does) or recycle it at Staples.

Daisy is my Baby

An online survey by Kelton Research, shows pet owners today seem to blur the lines between children and pet dogs in many ways. For example, 81% of those surveyed consider their dogs to be true family members, equal in status to children. It appears dogs have become such an important part of the family that 54% of Americans now consider themselves to be "pet parents" rather than "pet owners". The rest of the survey, which isn't that surprising to me, is summarized by Psychology Today.

Other things the study points to:

• Pet owners nickname themselves "mommy" and "daddy"
• Pet owners celebrate their pet's birthday
• Pet owners talk to their pets like they were family members
• Pet owners have two or more nicknames for their pet
• Pet owners have photos, photo albums, and scrapbooks of their pet
• Pet owners talk more about their pet than the topics of politics, work, or friends.

As much as Daisy and I are a family, I don't talk about myself as "mommy" and my parents are not her grandparents. They are "Mom" and "Dad" to me, so that is how she knows them. I think this could be because I am the sole human in the household, so there is no one saying my name. Aside from that distinction, it is pretty accurate and I don't think the survey declares anything outrageous.

One thing I consciously resist is comparing my dog or my experiences with her to someone's child. I know how untactful that would be. However, this is my blog, so I am going to forgo the tact.

Reason's Daisy is like a Child:

1. Every outfit of mine has drool and/or dog hair on it.
2. Bowl movements need to be cleaned up.
3. Shopping trips always include something bought for her.
4. Wake up time is dictated by her.
5. She gets all the toys out of her toy box and doesn't clean them up.
6. I have photos of her in my office, on the frig, and on my iPhone.
7. Her name and/or a story about her spring up in every conversation.
8. Sitters must be found for weekend trips.
9. I talk to her when I am getting ready in the morning to keep her entertained.
10. Bath time is stress time.
11. I'm so proud when she behaves or shows off something new she learned.
12. Strangers stop me on walks to ask about her.
13. When she gets hurt or scared, I baby her.
14. I cuddle with her.
15. My schedule is dictated by her.

One way she is different from a child:

1. I can lock her up in a cage and leave her home alone. Although on the flip side, I can't bring her in restaurants and grocery stores and events.

Five in Five

Five things I'm loving right now...

1) Breezes, low humidity, and cool nights. Ahhh. So refreshing. I love having my windows open: at home, in the office, and in the car (as long as I have a hair tie). This cool nights have been great sleeping weather. These afternoon breezes, made more intense be being located on a hill, have delightfully graced my cheeks. And this low humidity has been a welcome relief for my air conditioner, for my puppy, and for me.

2) Sendhil Ramamurthy. A fine looking man. I normally don't gush about hot, male celebrities. But how good looking is he?! Currently he is in the cast of Covert Affairs (on USA Network) and every time he is on screen, I have a hard time following the dialogue. It's a good thing he is a secondary character or I would really be struggling to follow the storyline of this CIA drama. ::Sigh:: Be still my heart.

3) Summer Reruns. Although I am semi-annoyed when a rerun of a show comes on, this summer I have been enjoying catching up on some of the episodes I missed. And also I like changing the channel to watch an obscure science show, a helpful HGTV/Food Network show, or cable drama I forgot existed. And when all else fails to grab my attention, I can always grab a book and curl up.

4) Dry July. Every summer when a drought stikes, I've worried about my family not having water in their well. And this summer's first, I found without rain, one must water flowers and veggie saplings. One reason I can give as to why the love I have for a dry July... I hardly mowed the lawn at all! Woop! Not to mention, rain never spoiled a weekend plan last month.

5) Project Runway. Two weeks into this season and it is awesome. Last week's episode (it airs on Thursdays), the designers had $300 to spend at a pet store and needed to make a garmet out of pet items. It was fantastic! As much as I love watching great fashion walk down the runway, it doesn't compare to how much I love to see designers (really clothing artists) use unconventional materials to make a creative, beautiful outfit.

YouTube-sday: Indoor Pool

Gus is one smart bulldog!

Foto Friday: Trout Lily

This photograph was take on May 8, 2011 in Erie, Pa. along Four Mile Creek in the Wintergreen Gorge. It is a wildflower called a trout lily.

Camera Stuff:
Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
F-stop: f/11
Exposure time: 1/160 sec.
ISO speed: ISO-200
Focal Length: 230 mm

Nature Stuff:
Erythronium americanum is a herbaceous flowering plant in the family Liliaceae. The common name "Trout lily" arises from the appearance of its mottled, colored leaves which resemble the coloring of brook trout. It blooms in early spring with yellow flowers tinged with red. It is shaped like miniature lilies with 1- to 2-inch flowers that bloom a mere 5-10 inches above the ground.

Five in Five

Five things I am loving right now...

1) Office Windows that Open. It seems like a trend that every summer passes too quickly and I forget to embrace the gorgeous weather. I've been in my new office (and new building) for 14 months and I have really enjoyed (not having to share an office and) cranking the windows open to enjoy the warm breezes, freshly mowed lawn scent, and the carillon bells' music.

2) Paid Time Off. It's something I take for granted and something I don't take advantage of as much as I should, if that makes sense. I'm very fortunate to earn lots of vacation days throughout the year (I actually earn too many for me too use). But I can remember back to when I was slaving away working two summer jobs without ever taking a day off because I couldn't afford to not earn my pay for that day. I'm thankful that when I want to enjoy a sunny day, I can. When I'm feeling sick, I can take time to recover. Or when I need to get my oil changed, I don't have to fret about the $5.15 I'm not earning.

3) Sunscreen. In my life, I have been badly burned many times and it was mostly from my own stupidity or laziness. Now at my wise-old-age, I know better. I apply and reapply. Rub that white cream all over. And spray that slimy lacquer until I shine. This is no joke! As I've said before (perhaps on this blog), I am not one of those people whose burn turns to a tan. My skin goes from red to dead.

4) Local Produce. I love summer for so many reasons, but local produce is a top reason. Our local farmers are hard at work, in the heat, sun, and sometimes rain, to bring us freshly grown produce. I'm sure it's a job one must love to do, because you are at the mercy of Mother Nature, and I can't imagine it yields high incomes. But now is the time of year I grab a cart, toss my sunglasses to the side, b-line straight to the local produce section at the grocery stores with a crazed look in my eyes, and buy way more veggies than I can ever consume. I love it.

5) Boating. I was fortunate to join Staci, Amy, Kt, Nikkie, and their husbands at Staci's in-laws' Chautauqua Lake House. Captain Shane drove the pontoon boat around and let the rest of us enjoy the warm sunrays and cool waves. It was fabulous! We are so lucky and thankful! (More to come on the adventure later... if I get around to it. But for now, here's a pic:)

Photo by Staci

Meatless Mondays

One day a week cut out meat! I signed the pledge awhile back (I tried to figure out the exact date, but alas I left no social media trail.). It has not been very difficult at all to maintain this promise.

Skipping meat (at least) once a week may reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. It can also help reduce your carbon footprint and save precious resources like fresh water and fossil fuel.

Health Benefits:
Limit cancer risk.
Reduce heart disease.
Fight Diabetes.
Curb obesity.
Live longer.
Improve your diet.

Environmental Benefits:
Reduce your carbon footprint.
Minimize water usage.
Help reduce fossil fuel dependence

Join the movement and sign the pledge.

YouTube-sday: Tough Life

Now this is relaxation: Yawning Baby Sloth. Too cute!