tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8714206109231567092024-03-13T09:49:47.552-07:00Chadwick LandA place to share ideas and advice relating to homekeeping and entertaining. And to imspire myself to do more creative things with my time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-89986602621451907832010-12-14T10:27:00.000-08:002010-12-14T10:51:03.878-08:00Steaz Iced Teaz Rocks the Canned Iced Tea Market<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TQe70gcKFZI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/r2rfDnDH66I/s1600/steazcans.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550611576493053330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TQe70gcKFZI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/r2rfDnDH66I/s400/steazcans.jpg" /></a> <div>My favorite bottled/canned tea beverage brand changed this past year. I still enjoy the occasional <a href="http://www.nantucketnectars.com/juice_info.php?juice=31">Nantucket <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nectars</span></a> brand tea or half & half but now mostly enjoy the <a href="http://www.steazteas.com/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Steaz</span></a> brand selection of teas. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I enjoy the fact that they have a less intrusive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sweetness</span> to their teas. They <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">actually</span> state on the cans that they are "lightly sweetened". Sugar, however, is still the second ingredient listed. The flavor I go for most often is the lime pomegranate white tea. I would rank all the flavors I have tried in the following order: 1. lime pomegranate, 2. blueberry pomegranate <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">acai</span>, 3. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">unsweetened</span> lemon, 4. lemon, 5. mint, 6. peach. </div><div></div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected"></span> </div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Naturally</span> they are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">available</span> at <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/item.php?RID=289">Whole foods</a> and other local whole foods stores. If you ask them, one of the crew at Whole Foods will pull a case of 12 for you, when they have them from the back. The usually keep them loose in an open <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">refrigeration</span> case near fresh baked good and prepared foods. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Steaz-White-Pomegranate-Lime-16-Ounce/dp/B001HTG4HG">Amazon</a> has a case available for $19.30 that qualifies for free shipping. I think I pay around $1.40 a can at Whole Foods. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-26873805970509897782010-12-13T08:27:00.000-08:002010-12-14T10:51:54.486-08:00Discover Great Clifton Webb Film Series<a href="http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index/?o_cid=mediaroomlink&cid=360034"><em>Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell</em></a> is the third and final film of the Belvedere series. The members of the retirement home steal the movie from Mr. Webb, who is no slouch. Despite few locations, the staging of the scenes with multiple characters is very engaging. This is another example of being unxepectdly being sucked in by a film airing on <a href="http://www.tcm.com/">TCM</a>.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/n35hNw8_0rc?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/n35hNw8_0rc?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><em>Mr Belvedere Goes to College</em> (1949) - Sorority house / 2nd film in the seriesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-86608920073101293002010-12-03T08:02:00.000-08:002010-12-03T08:30:49.169-08:00Visit From Christmas Trees Past<div align="center"><em></em><span style="color:#ffff00;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXVx9u3GI/AAAAAAAAAZI/PH2HhTs8nsM/s1600/christmas07.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546490079040429154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXVx9u3GI/AAAAAAAAAZI/PH2HhTs8nsM/s400/christmas07.jpg" /></a>A fresh-cut tree with a woodland theme stays fresh with water from a plastic bucket placed in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">faux</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">bois</span> flower pot.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXVr0niiI/AAAAAAAAAZA/E7B8gaCO6d8/s1600/christmas052.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546490077391587874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXVr0niiI/AAAAAAAAAZA/E7B8gaCO6d8/s400/christmas052.jpg" /></a> Rabbits, though off topic, are good for Christmas too. One year I created a woodland setting inside of a built-in china cabinet. When the glass doors were closed, the woodland creatures appear to be looking over the festive room.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXVb-qFMI/AAAAAAAAAY4/7F4omTAmtwU/s1600/christmas073.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546490073138730178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXVb-qFMI/AAAAAAAAAY4/7F4omTAmtwU/s400/christmas073.jpg" /></a> This large bottle brush style tree came from a stationary store. The glittery tree is retro and modern at the same time and requires no ornaments.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXIwcc3sI/AAAAAAAAAYw/YBv0KRYx7Rc/s1600/christmas072.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546489855294103234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXIwcc3sI/AAAAAAAAAYw/YBv0KRYx7Rc/s400/christmas072.jpg" /></a> Rabbits again! I keep these German candy containers out - almost - year round. They look great with red and green.<br /><br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546489838979889458" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXHzq1uTI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/PD6IZ8Tju14/s400/christmas074.jpg" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXIXSha1I/AAAAAAAAAYg/ryVAQgqBAfE/s1600/christmas07.jpg"></a>I was not always a fan of the feather trees because of the lack of lights. However, I overcame the lack of lighted sparkle by adding all white and silver ornaments to shimmer by day in the natural winter light. By night, they shimmer in the candle light.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXIPGIlAI/AAAAAAAAAYY/jkkSlEfhKks/s1600/christmas05.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546489846342128642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TPkXIPGIlAI/AAAAAAAAAYY/jkkSlEfhKks/s400/christmas05.jpg" /></a>This slender artificial tree is a theme tree in the extreme. The tree is plastered with vintage Muppet ornaments and some new ones by Christopher <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Radko</span>. </div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-84424665443791147012010-11-18T09:18:00.001-08:002010-11-18T09:18:34.392-08:00Sadie and Jasper Play<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="240" height="180" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=04d01ea0ce&photo_id=5187642038&flickr_show_info_box=true"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=04d01ea0ce&photo_id=5187642038&flickr_show_info_box=true" height="180" width="240"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21381230@N06/5187642038/">Sadie and Jasper Play</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/21381230@N06/">Chadwick Land</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>Here is an example of how they are currently interacting with each other. Jasper is nine-weeks-old here.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-49348863376582367122010-11-18T09:00:00.000-08:002010-11-18T09:13:49.890-08:00Two Dachshunds Continue the Bonding Process<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TOVb5QdORII/AAAAAAAAAXQ/jApP94-aHYE/s1600/sadiejasper1110.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 321px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540935955777471618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TOVb5QdORII/AAAAAAAAAXQ/jApP94-aHYE/s400/sadiejasper1110.jpg" /></a> Sadie and Jasper watch and protect the top of the stairs. <br /><br /><div align="left">My two darling dogs, one a puppy going on nine-weeks-old and one an adult going on four-years-old, continue with the ups and downs of becoming a two dog household. They are not best buddies yet but I can hope for that as the end result. Sadie plays with him but is not too rough even when he bites her with his sharp puppy teeth. These teeth snap and close shut like those of a baby alligator. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-47630803882314106112010-11-03T10:55:00.000-07:002010-11-03T11:00:33.296-07:00Jasper the Dachshund Puppy in the Pumpkin Patch<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TNGjONIZs2I/AAAAAAAAAXI/I7rmN0MwImI/s1600/jasperpumpkin2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 313px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535384881453445986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TNGjONIZs2I/AAAAAAAAAXI/I7rmN0MwImI/s400/jasperpumpkin2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TNGiWjZS3JI/AAAAAAAAAXA/PJQ6COXU7gU/s1600/jasperpumpkin3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535383925357206674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TNGiWjZS3JI/AAAAAAAAAXA/PJQ6COXU7gU/s400/jasperpumpkin3.jpg" /></a> It was windy and cold outside, however, I managed to take a couple of cute shots. He is growing quickly and his older sister, Sadie, is teaching him a thing or two about taking her toys away.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-85380889749402327452010-10-29T12:37:00.000-07:002010-10-29T12:45:42.219-07:00Jasper as Count von Dracula<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TMsiqhg45fI/AAAAAAAAAWg/mawEWsZN1tM/s1600/jaspercount103.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533554681100953074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TMsiqhg45fI/AAAAAAAAAWg/mawEWsZN1tM/s400/jaspercount103.jpg" /></a>He wears the smallest vampire costume from the Martha Stewart Pets line available at PetSmart. </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TMsiqiHYUhI/AAAAAAAAAWY/yPPIIRYn7GY/s1600/jaspercount10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533554681262395922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TMsiqiHYUhI/AAAAAAAAAWY/yPPIIRYn7GY/s400/jaspercount10.jpg" /></a> The costumes were on sale reduced down to 75% off their original price.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TMsiqcviTxI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/di7sTbGF1D0/s1600/jaspercount102.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533554679820209938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TMsiqcviTxI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/di7sTbGF1D0/s400/jaspercount102.jpg" /></a> For the sale price of around $4.00, the costume was an inexpensive pet indulgence.<br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-50714173293862272952010-10-29T10:02:00.001-07:002010-10-29T10:02:33.755-07:00Jasper PLaying with Sadie's Toys<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="240" height="180" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=9a76f9af14&photo_id=5125834389&flickr_show_info_box=true"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=9a76f9af14&photo_id=5125834389&flickr_show_info_box=true" height="180" width="240"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21381230@N06/5125834389/">Jasper PLaying with Sadie's Toys</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/21381230@N06/">Chadwick Land</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>He prefers her toys over his own. While not surprising, the toy taking does stir up some minor drama between them. They soft toys do a good job of protecting one's hand from his razor-like babby dino teeth.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-25783168661050626752010-10-28T08:07:00.000-07:002010-10-28T10:26:51.953-07:00Halloween Product Pick for 2010<a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/remote-control-glowing-pumpkin-light/?cm_src=rel">Remote Control Pumpkin Lights</a><br /><br />Available from Williams-Sonoma (online and in stores). They are now on sale for $4.99 down from original price of $19.99. The remotes and the timers make these worth having for outside decor or hard to reach in-door decorations. With a push of the remote, you do not have to wrestle with candles or lighting a pumpkin each night. They are also safe and pose no fire risk like candles. The LED lights are surprisingly warm and can either flicker like a candle or cast a constant glow. To keep them from getting wet outside while illuminating your pumpkin or inside the head of a scarecrow, simply put them inside a Ziploc bag and you can protect your high tech, low investment effect.<br /><br />Honorable mention:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533117813868184530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TMmVVgP_w9I/AAAAAAAAAWI/fhrHHkOYXwo/s400/halloweentoys.jpg" /><br />Martha Stewart Pets available at PetSmart has a fun line of Halloween toys for your dog. One toy is actually two different toys because each one is reversible. They are no longer available online but sell in stores for around $5.00 each. Choices are: Ghost/Tombstone, Vampire/Bat, Witch/Cat.<br /><br />Jasper likes the chewing the witches fleece nose and hair.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-67953008155554632212010-10-28T07:53:00.000-07:002010-10-28T08:03:29.882-07:00Jasper is His NameI finally decided on a name for the new puppy. His chosen name is Jasper and it suits him well. A blank piece of paper was divided into three columns of potential names. However, despite all the choices the clear favorite, since seeing the puppy's photo with his eyes open and reinforced by our first meeting, was always Jasper. He will be seven weeks old on Saturday. During his first week home, he has definitely bonded to us and is fearless in his pursuit of fun and toys. Sadie nearly four years his elder definitely has not bonded to the under four pound bundle of cuteness. For now he is using the pee-pee pad when I can catch him and his separation anxiety is intense. I do see hope on the horizon in his relationship with Sadie.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-28701748032672939972010-10-13T09:30:00.000-07:002010-10-13T09:38:28.770-07:00New Puppy Opens His Eyes<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TLXfDeSXlBI/AAAAAAAAAWA/s4IeXKrAmnY/s1600/sadiebro10122.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527569368429859858" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TLXfDeSXlBI/AAAAAAAAAWA/s4IeXKrAmnY/s400/sadiebro10122.jpg" /></a> Is he ready for play or for a nap? </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TLXfCrk-1UI/AAAAAAAAAV4/_w429NyA9tw/s1600/sadiebro1012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527569354817721666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TLXfCrk-1UI/AAAAAAAAAV4/_w429NyA9tw/s400/sadiebro1012.jpg" /></a> OK, my spots look like this on this side. I think those are sleepy eyes. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">His new home is ready for him but he's still a few weeks away from coming home to meet his big sis. Will have to get some toys that are his very own to prevent conflict and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">jealousy</span>.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-43934316835671021932010-10-04T06:41:00.000-07:002010-10-04T06:48:16.157-07:00New Puppy Arrives Late October<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TKnZwFCWhzI/AAAAAAAAAVw/YIQhE4XodTU/s1600/sadiebro2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 327px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524185837955614514" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TKnZwFCWhzI/AAAAAAAAAVw/YIQhE4XodTU/s400/sadiebro2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Sadie, my dachshund, missed her companion Spencer since his passing in August. We decided to take the leap and acquire another dachshund as a companion for Sadie. The new puppy will be Sadie's brother from a recent litter of her parents. We are already looking at the best options for the introduction of Sadie to her bother to minimize any behavioral or jealousy issues on Sadie's part. My hope is that she will help us care for him. My other hope is that he will be a bit more laid back than she is. I have a list of names going for potential names. The breeder named him Spats but will not be keeping that choice. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-19058867987579212692010-08-17T11:44:00.000-07:002010-08-17T11:53:58.344-07:00Spencer Memories<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TGrY4yJxWpI/AAAAAAAAAVg/AYkLc3BTzuY/s1600/spencerchair.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506451964460882578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TGrY4yJxWpI/AAAAAAAAAVg/AYkLc3BTzuY/s400/spencerchair.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TGrY4ecbqAI/AAAAAAAAAVY/HVk0G1Gnm5M/s1600/spencerbow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506451959170443266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TGrY4ecbqAI/AAAAAAAAAVY/HVk0G1Gnm5M/s400/spencerbow.jpg" /></a><br />Spencer would sit patiently during Christmas time photo shoots. He would often strike a classic pose perfect for holiday cards. Note the perfect stance in the first photo and the <em>classy</em> bow tie in the second. He looks <em>huge </em>in these photos. Yesterday he weighed in at a mere five pounds. I will also note that when a vet tells you to put your cat or dog on a special diet it is worth the extra expense. Spencer had been on a special diet since November 2008 due to his kidney problem. The special diet bought us close to two years more of added companionship. I learned this lesson early on in my care of Spencer. When he was a two, he had a bladder infection that was most likely due to the high ash content of inexpensive dry cat foods. I switched over to a better brand and he was much improved.<br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-69947875145571413932010-08-15T11:34:00.000-07:002010-08-15T11:41:13.609-07:00Spencer 1993 - 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TGg0U703gYI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/XOaSfx4oHiQ/s1600/spencer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TGg0U703gYI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/XOaSfx4oHiQ/s400/spencer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505708078721892738" border="0" /></a><br />Today, I had to put down my Spencer. I had the pleasure of his company for over 17 years. He quickly deteriorated over the past week. I feel numb about his passing but am glad I was able to be with him as he took his last breath. I love him and will miss him meeting me at the door when I come home from work. Spencer, you were loyal and the time passed too quickly.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-70433763970221642262010-07-12T12:35:00.000-07:002010-07-12T13:04:15.161-07:00"I Am Love"<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UUXEAhJb_O0&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UUXEAhJb_O0&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />"<a href="http://www.iamlovemovie.com/">I Am Love</a>" is a welcomed relief between blockbusters. Current summer film season has not been one of the greatest when compared to past years. Comic book adaptations and sequels are more stale than usual. I would settle for day-old bread sequels verses ones not fit for croutons on a bland Cesar salad. Food, love and passion are the elements of this vivid Italian melodrama. American independent films often go for the bland looking and the tragic. Colors are on vibrant display and most beautifully worn by the films star. The director reminds us that film is a visual art that needs not rely on 3D (which can be wonderful) or cumbersome descriptive dialog. He chooses to show the audience the story rather than unravel it mater-of-fact like.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/dnrj">Review</a> of music composed by John Adams used in film<br /><br />T Meter <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_am_love/">Rating</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-1381313247755211542010-07-08T06:37:00.000-07:002010-07-08T08:29:15.078-07:00Reading on the Train, Pat Conroy, First post from iPadToday is my first post composed while on board an MBTA train. I "just" missed my train and had to wait for 45 minutes for the next train to Boston. Thankfully, the heatwave that has enrobed the Northeast the entire week relented a touch and allowed a sea breeze to cool me on the raised concrete platform. I passed the time in the company of my second Pat Conroy novel (<a href="http://www.patconroy.com/beach-music.php"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Beach</span> <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Music</span></a>) of the summer. Now arriving at the station. More to follow soon.<br /><br />Line from Chapter Twenty-two: "The world was my subject and my hometown was the stimulant that drove me out to seek the world." Choice of "drove" definitely implies a complicated relationship with home. Have to read the book for more clues!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-31620136516112881242010-06-05T01:00:00.000-07:002010-06-05T07:33:21.564-07:00Coastal Design in Gloucester, Mass.<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TApfgpNs1eI/AAAAAAAAAVI/JpLatXyGATU/s1600/gloucesterhome.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479296911073400290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/TApfgpNs1eI/AAAAAAAAAVI/JpLatXyGATU/s400/gloucesterhome.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Photo Credit: Trent Bell for The New York Times. My Favorite Room!</span></div><br /><br />Home & Garden<br />On Location: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/06/02/garden/20100603-location-slideshow.html">Coastal Design in Gloucester, Mass.</a><br />NY TIMES<br />Published: June 2, 2010<br />An antiques dealer’s Massachusetts home that is anything but a standard-issue New England clapboard house.<br /><br />"The 42-foot-long living room has a Moravian tile floor. The oil-on-canvas frieze that encircles the room is from a lodge in the Adirondacks. An Anglo-Indian chaise is upholstered with “guerande” velvet from Manuel Canovas."<br /><br />My favorite room is the living room featured as photo three in the slide show.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-28924506325625571222010-06-04T12:18:00.000-07:002010-06-05T07:37:05.649-07:00Tribute to Rue, The Sexy, Sassy Golden Girl<p><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ypn2q9UeZcs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ypn2q9UeZcs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s6b6lKnkdIs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s6b6lKnkdIs&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />Above, two scenes in which Rue's comedic timing shines. </p><p><br />Arts<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/04/arts/04mcclanahan.html">Rue McClanahan, Actress and Golden Girl, Dies at 76</a><br />By DOUGLAS MARTIN<br />Published: June 3, 2010<br />Ms. McClanahan, a screen and stage actor, helped make “The Golden Girls” a long-running television hit by playing the saucy Southern belle Blanche Devereaux.<br /><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-69230447339569803662010-05-20T12:01:00.000-07:002010-05-20T12:07:54.931-07:00Antique Coverless Book Bundles | Restoration Hardware<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/S_WHYyvT7TI/AAAAAAAAAVA/Pbv-kxghnjc/s1600/books.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473429782145527090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 336px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/S_WHYyvT7TI/AAAAAAAAAVA/Pbv-kxghnjc/s400/books.jpg" border="0" /></a> Yes, $29.00 for <em>just</em> one bundle of discarded and bound pulp fiction<br /></div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1671515&navAction=jump">Antique Coverless Book Bundles Restoration Hardware<br /></a><br />First, these books are not antique (more like some bargain bin used bookstore finds of mostly 70s and 80s paperback editions). Second, they tore off the covers and added twine and want $29.00 for five stripped down editions. Third, this product is for someone who has lots of money, not lots of time and has no imagination. At first glance I thought they were simply store props to fill out a display in a rustic French or boatyard manner.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-34460310867653608432010-05-20T11:51:00.001-07:002010-05-20T11:54:24.167-07:00Groom-to-be pops the question at Whole Foods in Cambridge - Cambridge - Your Town - Boston.com<a href=http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/cambridge/2010/05/groom-to-be_pops_the_question.html>Groom-to-be pops the question at Whole Foods in Cambridge - Cambridge - Your Town - Boston.com</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a><br /><br />My old stomping grounds serves as a romantic backdrop for an engagement. Whole Foods loves free publicity.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-53923023595337140362010-04-28T07:13:00.000-07:002010-04-28T07:20:55.783-07:00‘Sunset Daze’ radiates an aura of beauty and sentiment - The Boston Globe<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7RbZLEfSuv8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7RbZLEfSuv8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2010/04/28/sunset_daze_radiates_an_aura_of_beauty_and_sentiment/">‘Sunset Daze’ radiates an aura of beauty and sentiment - The Boston Globe</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wetv.com/sunsetdaze">Sunset Daze </a>at WEUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-20634081879671671592010-04-22T07:05:00.000-07:002010-04-23T07:39:24.253-07:00One Year Latter, The Blog Lives OnToday marks the first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">anniversary</span> of my blog - it keeps on keeping on. I think I have been successful (for the most part) in keeping it positive and reporting on subjects that appeal to me, making my everyday life more fun filled and challenging my known interests. Challenges do not have to be rock climbing to be growth inducing. A recipe or home project can seem daunting until it is tackled and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">admired</span> - not from afar - <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">up close</span> with dirty hands or aching muscles. Last year I posted an article about the success of blogs. Read below to see where this one fits. You will find this blog is one of the few and proud that survived the paperless world of online posting.<br /><br />"According to a 2008 survey by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Technorati</span>, which runs a search engine for blogs, <strong>only 7.4 million out of the 133 million blogs the company tracks had been updated in the past 120 days</strong>. That translates to 95 percent of blogs being essentially abandoned, left to lie fallow on the Web, where they become public remnants of a dream — or at least an ambition — unfulfilled." <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/fashion/07blogs.html?_r=1">NY Times </a>06/07/2009, <a href="http://chadwickland.blogspot.com/2009/06/ny-times-blogs-falling-in-empty-forest.html">Posted to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Chadwickland</span></a> 06/10/2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-22059659265418626322010-04-21T08:22:00.000-07:002010-04-21T12:08:10.662-07:00Green Lawn SafetyOpinion<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Opinionator</span>: <a href="http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/the-dandelion-king/">The Dandelion King<br /></a>By By ROBERT WRIGHT<br />Published: April 20, 2010, NY Times<br /><em>Wild, weedy lawns are greener, but can we consider them prettier, too?</em><br /><em></em><br />I could not live with a lawn full of weeds but I do not use chemicals on my lawn. Some of the approaches I take are listed via a link at the end.<br /><br /><a href="http://safelawns.org/index.cfm"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SafeLawns</span>.org</a><br /><br />The site is very detailed and includes instructional videos. A variety of <a href="http://www.redpigtools.com/servlet/the-Weeding/Categories">hand tools</a> can be used to do manual weeding to get directly to the root of the problem. A <a href="http://www.redpigtools.com/servlet/the-16/weeder%2C-fulcrum%2C-ball%2C-dandelion%2C/Detail">Ball Weeder</a> is a Victorian invention and good for weeds as is an <a href="http://www.redpigtools.com/servlet/the-36/weeder%2C-dandelion%2C-asparagus%2C-digger%2C/Detail">Asparagus Knife</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-61217978712909985702010-04-17T09:43:00.000-07:002010-04-17T10:07:31.964-07:00A Decor With Provenance, NY Times 3/10/10<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/S8nmd1nCaTI/AAAAAAAAAU4/KqnlLwCQu3o/s1600/wall.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461149423444846898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/S8nmd1nCaTI/AAAAAAAAAU4/KqnlLwCQu3o/s400/wall.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo: Leigh Davis for The New York Times</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Found objects add inexpensive (free) sculptural elements to a space or credenza. Remember to put felt pads on the bottom to prevent scratching.<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"></div><div align="center"><div align="center"> </span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/S8nmdmQoYSI/AAAAAAAAAUw/9WLryGuwYPM/s1600/board.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 273px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461149419324334370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/S8nmdmQoYSI/AAAAAAAAAUw/9WLryGuwYPM/s400/board.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Photo: Leigh Davis for The New York Times</span><br />A Homasote board from Lowe's ($20) decorated with postcards. Wall art includes both found/collected mementos, which are united together with color, uniformed placement, and a <em>raw</em> piece from the hardware store (Homasote). </div><div align="center"> Buying coordinated push pins will unify an eclectic collection. </div><div align="center"><br /> </div></div><div align="center"><div align="left">Fashion & Style<br />Brooklyn Apartment: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/03/10/fashion/20100311-location-slideshow_index.html">A Décor With Provenance</a><br />Leigh Davis for The New York Times<br />Published: 20100310<br /></div><br /><div align="left"><em>Inside the Brooklyn one-bedroom that is a live-work space for the architects Robert Highsmith and Stefanie Brechuehler.</em></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-871420610923156709.post-46526830410147364982010-04-15T10:32:00.000-07:002010-04-16T12:55:45.871-07:00Big Fern Takes a Holiday / Have Clay Pot Will Travel<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/S8dN5bQifQI/AAAAAAAAAUo/ZJKxFoXi9ck/s1600/fern.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460418722175024386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 379px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KPmYy_zL3z4/S8dN5bQifQI/AAAAAAAAAUo/ZJKxFoXi9ck/s400/fern.jpg" border="0" /></a>December 2009: <em>Fern</em>, a prehistoric plant, surrounded by 20th century lit. </div><br />This was <em>Fern</em> as she looked in December after being inside for a bit over a month. <em>She</em> does not look - sadly - this bold or robust now. Wintering in a warm, dry and less humid house did not suit her like the grand outdoors courtesy of my deck. However, she will be going back out there in a couple of weeks. I will post the after winter photo soon. It's the least I can do because I know <em>she</em> will be beyond last season's prime in no time at all. More on fern <a href="http://www.doityourself.com/stry/bostonferns">care</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0