Tidy Brown Wren, bringing order to your nest

My pepper plants are still producing peppers by the bowl-full. I spent several hours slicing, seeding, and chopping them to freeze for future use. Unfortunately, I did not heed the advice I've read about slicing peppers.  You know, the advice about wearing gloves to protect yourself from the "hotness'? Well, 24 hours later, my fingers are still on fire.  Yes, my skin is still burning and I'm feeling like an idiot.  I have 2 quart sized bags filled with diced chili peppers to toss into chili, soups, and stirfry but my fingers are on fire.  Thankfully, I've now learned my lesson about cutting up peppers. I'll be wearing gloves when I tackle these: I still have green chili peppers left that will slowly ripen over the next few weeks. 

I'm not sure if this year is different or if it's me that's different. I'm noticing so many needs. People without jobs, homes, food, family. Maybe I'm maturing enough to notice the world outside of my own little world.  I feel compelled to do something.  No, I can't save the whole world.  I can only make a small contribution - but that small contribution can have a big impact.  The hardest part?  Getting started.  I've put on my thinking cap to find some ideas of ways to share.  No matter how broke we are there are still ways to give.  Some cost money.  Some cost time.  All require effort.                                                          ...

So, you've carefully cut out 2 eyes, a nose, and a mouth.  Your jack-o-lantern is looking pretty cute - that is until the next day when it starts to rot onto your front steps.  I always hate to throw out a perfectly good pumpkin - even if it's just into the compost pile. Several years back I came up with a solution.  As you can see, my little preschool class is pretty good at making jack-o-lanterns. After we carved our little snaggle-toothed friend, I toted him home to cook him and eat him (Ewww...) First, I cut it in half. Then, I cut each half into even portions.   If you make your jack-o-lantern to hold a candle, you'll have already scooped out the goop and seeds.  If any goop is left after cutting it open just scrape across the surface with a knife and it will come clean.  Hang onto your seeds.  I'll explain how to roast them later. Place all of your pieces onto baking sheets with sides.  This is very important because as the pum...

When we bought our home 5 years ago we found many random things around the property.  One of the random items was an old washing machine filled with dirt.  We emptied out the dirt (because we couldn't move it with the dirt in it) and put it up on the deck to hold seasonal flowers.  It brings a smile to those who see it. The trick to keeping it "light" is an upside down 5 gallon paint bucket topped with a fiber lined hanging basket.  I occasionally add fresh plants, fertilizer and compost. 

Because I write some of my blog posts ahead of time and schedule them to publish, you had no idea that I was driving up to Richmond, VA today to visit Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University to meet with a transplant team.  You were not aware that I was being poked and prodded and evaluated to see if I'm healthy enough for a kidney transplant soon.  You couldn't see the tears in my eyes as my hubby went to the lab to have 15 vials of blood drawn to see if he is potential donor for me. I didn't want to share that with you because. . . well, I don't know why.  Because it's personal?  Because it's not pretty, and organized, and crafty.  It's not gardening, or cooking, or cleaning.  But then, tonight, as I sat down and thought of all that occurred today, I realized that if I can show you my silverware drawer and my laundry detergent then I can certainly share something as real as my pain.  Many of you have been so gracio...

This weekend we went to a friend's annual "Fall Fire Bowl".  We had a great time eating chili and cornbread and sitting next to their fire pit.  The weather was perfect and we all had a great time.  Each of us brought an appetizer or dessert.  I came up with a last minute salsa/olive/spicy/beany type of concoction that my Hubs rated "Yum -Good" and that I had to hide from my son lest he eat all of it. .  Sometimes these experiments work out and sometimes they don't. This one worked out so I'm glad I remembered to write down the ingredients as I created it. Here's the recipe: 1 can  black beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup mild salsa 1 chili pepper, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 green onion, chopped 1/4 cup chopped olives 1/4 tsp. cumin 1/2 tsp. mesquite seasoning 2 Tbl. lime juice Mix together in a medium sized bowl and let sit for several hours before serving.  Serve with pita chips. Now, for the dilemma!...

This is the time of year that makes me want to clean out closets.  Call me crazy (I know you are), but the cool weather sends me scurrying into my coat closet to make sure everything is in order.  Last year's post on organizing the coat closet created a bit of a stir.  I got a lot of emails about your coat closets, the coat closet you grew up with, and your neighbor's coat closets.  I also got a few comments and emails about the review I did of the closet in the photo I used.  Since we had so much fun then, I decided to visit another closet this year and show the good and not-so-good of how it is organized.                                                            ...