I missed having Barkley here, but the combination of “look! people!" black dog hair and white dresses, and a table full of “treats!” was a viral YouTube video waiting to happen, one I did not want to see.  But we were only going to spend our wedding night at a romantic Bed and Breakfast.  Then we would swing by the Doggie Day Camp, where Barkley would remain tonight and pick up the rest of our family, for what’s a honeymoon without a little dog hair.
If I had thought that, ten years ago, I would not be wondering about the best way to get dog hair off a wedding gown. I wouldn’t be here, so very happy.

Godspeed Miss O'Hara. You were always one class act.

I'll be in my bunk garage. Because some things are just hard to resist.   Cheers!

Maybe there's one of these with the soap and the shampoo.

The lampshade was bright shiny red and brought an interesting red glow to the room. I figured if I got lonely enough I could open the curtain and light the lamp and within an hour there would be five guys looking for a good time at my door.
The extra chair for lounging was comfortable if you were a anorexic Hobbit.
We'll start with the art work. First the one over the desk. Don't look directly at your computer monitor. Medication questions should be posed to a pharmacist. Readers experiencing nausea should leave the post. I called this one, "Road Trip from Hell".


Over the bed was the artists rendition of Cirque de Soleil, but which I called Les clowns sur les drogues. Maybe it's just that I'm not deep enough for modern art.. Maybe I just don't "get" modern art like this guy does.

At least I can turn the one light that's not red off and get a bath.
Maybe not. The bath was painted in Cow Patty Brown with a towel rack that resembled something that I think was leftover from Chain Gang Fantasy Camp. There was no other decor but a stark mirror, some shampoo, soap and such, and alas, no eye mask.

The wall couldn't decide it it was world's biggest padded headboard or padded walls. What wasn't padded was a muted CP Brown and, ever so soothing with the bright red, brown, black and silver. It was a room with the coziness of a dental lab, albeit without the sink to spit.


As I settled in, I had this nagging feeling I'd seen this room before. Then it hit me. It looked like the modernistic furnishings from a scene in Woody Allen's 1973 movie Sleeper. I didn't see the movie when it came out, as I was too young to pay much attention to such things. But I saw it later and remember certain bits and pieces of it.


Stay warm. I'll talk to you all soon. - Brigid

I'm all for homemade, inexpensive cooking.  Sure, I'll splurge on fine oils and seasonings and the occasional thick ribeye, nice lamb chop or bottle of Skimmerhorn Devil's Chair wine. But I make up for it by buying in bulk and cooking most things from scratch.  It's one of the reasons I'm not a fan of microwave popcorn.  First,  it's about $5  to $6 a POUND where you can buy popcorn in bulk for about 50 CENTS a pound. 

Secondly, microwave popcorn has a terrible fake, chemical taste to me. The smell alone makes me want to open every window in the place.  Some of the popular butter flavors are flavored with fish.  Yes. . fish.  Yummy.

You can  buy packaged plain popcorn and cook it on a stove but there's an easier way. Here at HOTR we are big on alternative methods of cooking such as cooking dinner with an acetylene torch (similar to grilling pork chops on the sun but with a higher risk of setting yourself on fire). But that's a post for another day, preferably when my Dad is taking a nap and  not reading the blog.

But cooking popcorn without a stove or a nasty bag of fish infused butter like flavor popcorn is easy.

Brown bag it.


Use the plain brown lunch bags (which can be composted if you wish when you are done).  Most are microwave safe and may say so on the label.  Add 3-4 Tablespoons of unpopped corn per bag.  Fold the end over twice, and place standing up in the microwave.  Nuke two minutes (until there is about 5 seconds between "pops").

That's it!! If you just want salt, add just a dab of olive oil to the unpopped corn before you cook it in the bag and then salt when done. My favorite is the truffle flavored oil from Artesano's but any good quality olive oil will work.

But what about when you want something a little more gourmet??


Olive Oil Based Toppings:

Toss hot popcorn with two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large bowl.  Add one of the following and toss again (spice amount is 1 tablespoon unless otherwise indicated).

Combine 1 ounce of Parmigiano-Reggiano with 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, 1 garlic clove, and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes in a food processor until finely ground. Toss with popcorn.

3-4  Tablespoons chili seasoning mix. (I love Penzey's Chili 9000)

Lemon Zest and Cracked Pepper (combined)

Herbes de Provence - very light, a perfect afternoon snack or topping on a salad

Ranch flavor - combine 2 tablespoons powdered buttermilk with 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 2 teaspoon dried dill, and 2  teaspoons kosher salt.

Chinese Five Spice Powder

Old Bay Seasoning

Butter Based Toppings

Melt two tablespoons of butter and add one of the following:

1/2 to 1 teaspoon chopped roasted garlic, a dash of fresh rosemary, top with Parmesan

1 to 2 Tablespoons Scoville Brothers Singing Smoke Hot Sauce

1 Tablespoon Cinnamon Sugar

Truffle Salt (to taste) and Fresh Parmesan

1 Tablespoon Srirachi and 1 teaspoon lime zest

Like "Kettle Korn"?  Add a tablespoon of superfine sugar.


Toss plain popcorn with salt, drizzle with a little bit of maple syrup and sprinkle with a little ancho chili powder (smoky and sweet)

And of course you have to have BACON:
Home on the Range Maple Bacon Popcorn: .

8 slices bacon cooked, drained and dry and finely chopped.
1 cup real maple syrup
1 cup table sugar
1/8 tsp Mexican vanilla
tiny pinch of cayenne
1 cup salted butter

1 cup  unpopped popcorn


Wipe a clean large bowl with a tiny bit of oil or spray with non stick spray and fill with cooked popcorn.  Add a couple drops of Mexican vanilla (about 1/8 tsp)  to syrup mixture, remove from heat and pour over popcorn in the bowl,  tossing to coat.  Mix in the bacon.  Bake at 200 degrees F on 2 large parchment paper lined cookie sheets for one hour, stirring every 10 minutes or so.  Add salt if needed (I don't, but I don't use much salt in anything).  Perfect with a cold beer and good movie.  .

So go on, pick your favorite and make a batch!

Secret Squirrel pops out of bed, ready to start the day.
First, a little walk to get the blood circulating.
A few reps on the workout bench.
This is NOT a yoga pose, I'm stuck.
I think I see the neighbors up, Looks like they have power as well after the big storm.
What do you mean the basement  has water in it?
I wouldn't look down there if I were  you.

Morning comes early here with Partner getting up a little after 5 and I following.

Fortunately, today I get to work from home.  Time to don my professional telework attire.
No, not my Alma mater, but it's soft and comfy and gets the occasional smile.
I still have time for breakfast!
Greek yogurt with granola, fruit and  Best Corn Muffins Ever
The morning went pretty quick, a lot of work accomplished with the quiet.  Let's see, I'll mark out where the witnesses were standing using Gumby and Pokey (no, that'd go over as well as the interrogatories with hand puppets).

Time to stay focused and serious.

Abby napped after lunch on the futon in front of my desk
While I made a phone call to someone I needed a report from. . .