Let's Do Brunch

Ooooooh, look what I found! It's a plate. A salad plate. A Mikasa Duplex Brunch salad plate designed by Ben Seibel circa 1971. Jealous? Anyone? No?


There's a flea market a few miles away from our house. The last time I was in there was about 6 years ago and all I remember was that all they had was a bunch of junk. A couple of Saturdays ago, WD and I stopped by there on a whim and I'm so glad that we did. There was still a ton of junk we had to make our way through, but as I neared the exit, I saw this plate and had to have it. It was $3.50. I'd say that's a bargain considering that there's only minor imperfections--bleeding/fading colors. There's no chips or breaks, thankfully. I know that with the internet these days you can find anything and everything but there's something about that perfect flea market find that's irreplaceable.


Oh, and if anyone is looking for 247 Kevin Nash (of WCW fame) magnets, I know just the place that has them.

Southwestern Smothered Fries

What is it about watching sporting events on tv that makes you crave food covered in cheese and sour cream? For Sunday's race I dug out a recipe that I had ripped out of an All You magazine last summer. It's called Southwestern Smothered Fries and it is delicious. And so much easier than fixing potato skins, too. Plus, the health benefits from the black beans completely cancel out the fat and calories from the cheese and sour cream. Yep, that's right.


1 (24 oz) bag frozen steak fries
1 tsp vegetable oil (I used canola)
1 tsp chopped garlic (I used minced)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 (15 oz) can black beans
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican style cheese blend
sour cream
salsa
green onions


Bake fries according to pkg directions. In a saucepan, warm oil over medium heat. Add garlic, cumin, and chili powder and "cook" for 30 seconds. Add beans with their liquid. Simmer until liquid is thickened and reduced by about half.


Transfer baked fries to a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with beans and cheese. Return to oven and bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.


Top smothered fries with salsa, sour cream, and green onions.

Atlanta

Dear Rodney Childers,

Please get a pen and paper and write, 325 times: Elliott Sadler can not drive a loose race car.

Love,
Ali the Lazy Dog



I don't know how many times Elliott told his crew chief yesterday that his car needed to be tightened, but they were never able to get a handle on it. They tried changes in air pressure, track bar and shock adjustments, but nothing worked. He spun out on lap 221, then again on lap 232, and then for a third time on lap 262, at which point he said, "I think we're finally done guys." I should say so.


Tony Stewart had a rant about Goodyear tires yesterday. So maybe the tires had something to do with it, maybe it didn't. After all, only 12 cars finished on the lead lap. Elliott had his first DNF of the season and fell to 20th in the standings. Remember, we need him in the top 12 to make the Chase.


Kyle Busch (and Toyota) gets the win, and...uh...gulp...Elliott Sadler gets the Red Lantern, and we're in Bristol next week.

Happy 6th Birthday Big Pup!

Six years ago today, after 14 and a half hours of labor, 2 hours of pushing, a 3rd degree episiotomy, and with the assistance of forceps and an epidural, I gave birth to my first son. 8 lbs and 4 oz of perfection.


And my bladder has never been the same. Happy birthday, Big pup!

Big pup: I'm going to be six!
Me: Noooo, I don't want you to be six.
Big pup: Why not?
Me: Are you still going to let me kiss you when you're six?
Big pup: (laughing) Yes.
Me: Okay, you can be six.

No Cats Allowed

The Siberian Husky Club of America ( SHCA ) states:


Predatory instincts in the Siberian Husky are strong. While the Siberian is normally gentle and friendly with people and other dogs, owners MUST be aware that small animals in and around the home, such as CATS, are potential victims of their strong predatory instinct.


Ummm....yeah. I second that. Last Saturday morning, a cat had gotten into our fenced in backyard, encountered 2 small prey lovin' dogs, and couldn't figure a way back out. I couldn't, safely, break up the dog and cat fight so I just had to stand back and watch.


Lexie killed it. It was over quickly. I don't blame her but I wish it had been a squirrel, possum, or another raccoon. Anything but a cat.


You know, we are having a cat themed birthday party here this Saturday for Big pup. Isn't that ironic? Or a coincidence? Or a bummer? Or something?

It's Official!

I now pronounce Little pup officially potty trained! It took a little while longer with him than it did with his brother but I'm not complaining. Nope. I'm not going to say anything negative that may jinx this wonderfully glorious moment. And while I am still in charge of wiping bottoms around this place, it's safe to say that my 6 year stint as diaper changer is over!

P.S. It's been snowing all night and it's a winter wonderland here. Awaiting word on whether or not school is cancelled. I want to go back to bed!

P.P.S. School's open. Bah humbug.

Las Vegas

The Fox affiliate in northwest Arkansas doesn't like sports fans. Back in January it only aired the last half of the Super Bowl and yesterday it did not air the UAW Dodge 400 in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, I had cancelled Directv Hotpass a few weeks ago. Fortunately, I have Trackpass on the computer so we were able to listen to team audio as well as the radio broadcast online.

Go ahead and guess who gave the command to start. Wayne Newton? Nope. Siegfried and Roy? Not even close. Celine Dion? Oh, how I wish. John Byers, the co-director of the UAW Chrysler National Training Center? Of course!

Elliott Sadler started 10th but quickly went downhill. On lap 57 he was caught speeding on pit road and had to make a pass through penalty. That set him back. The first half of the race he complained that it felt like he was driving on ice. He had no grip and even told his crew chief to make sure and write down the codes so they'll never use that set-up again.

As the race went on they made some changes that worked for them and on lap 224 (of 267) he was the lucky dog (a free pass to get back on the lead lap). That was a big break. He made his way up to 12th place when the checkered flag was waved. Sadler is now ranked 9th in the standings (top 12 makes the Chase). And here at the home of the lazy dog, we let out a big sigh of relief. And then promptly sent an angry email to Fox affiliate KFTA.

Carl Edwards gets the win, Tony Stewart (!) gets the Red Lantern, and we're in Atlanta next Sunday.