Foxy

Joe and I took the dogs for a walk yesterday. We went on our usual route...a trail that winds around the woods just off base. Lately we've seen a lot of foxes around - more than we've ever seen since moving up here. But we've never been close to any...they're always running across the road, or jumping into the brush yards and yards away.

That was until yesterday. We're walking, la la la. I hear some type of growling and rustling up ahead. I'm kinda anxious...after all, Kodiak is bear country (even though we've yet to see one). As we pass by an off-shoot of the trail, a fox jumps out not more than 6-10 feet away, and starts growling and yipping at us. Joe and I freeze for a second, the dogs start going crazy, and the fox advances on us. It didn't run away. It came after us! Aren't they supposed to run away? Aren't smaller animals supposed to be intimidated by larger creatures?

I swear it's eyes were red, too.
It was a crazy fox.

We high tailed it out of there.
Figures we'd end up being mauled by a fox instead of a bear.

Recipe Bonus

These aren't so much recipes, as little tricks or suggestions that I couldn't keep to myself.

Add at least two teaspoons of almond extract to your next batch of brownies or chocolate cake. Holy crap.

Try a grilled pineapple, ham, and cheese sandwich. Mmm.

Buy a bottle of dried parsley flakes, and put them in and on everything you make. Soup, chicken, canned vegetables, garlic bread, gravy. Makes things seems a little more homemade.

Enjoy!

{I'd love to know some of your favorite tricks of the trade, if you have any you wanna share!}

This would be so funny if only you watched Rome on HBO, knew our dogs, and heard Joe's voice for King

Joe and I were making dinner in the kitchen. King's under foot, waiting around for some scraps, but Joe tells him to leave.
As King slinks out, Joe says in his King voice: "Joseph of the McCollums, I call for justice!"

It had me laughing all night.





Seriously, go watch Rome, already.

Framed Art

I meant to post these pictures for a while now, mostly for Mom, who keeps asking.

Here's the newest artwork to make it onto our walls. It only took over a year to get the prints out of the closet and into the frame shop...


Apparently, I'm not so good at getting things done fast, huh?

This print is from Sheri...when she and Dawn were visiting...and we went on a shopping spree in town. We each got similar works from the same artist - Sheri's was puffins, and Dawn's a polar bear. It's hanging at the top of the stairs.

These prints are in the bedroom, framed and matted the same. I think they're gorgeous in a group. As soon as I saw these prints in the store, I fell in love with them. Byron Birdsall is a simply amazing artist.


Double matted, with a copper-ish frame, in the living room, also by Birdsall. And possibly my favorite thing. Ever.

It's not Labor Day yet

Joe: "Who wears a white sweater to go fishing, anyway?"

Re-Cycle

I bought a bike this past week. This was a big step for me. I haven't been on a bike since I was ten. There was a horrible accident...which resulted in a complete and total fear of riding.

Justifiable.

But Joe got one last month. He was pestering me to get one too, so we could start up our own gang.
I had to. To start the McCollum Bike Gang.

Totally justifiable.


PS. We're still thinking of a suitable gang name. Any suggestions?

Not-So-Weekly Recipe

Totally lacking in the recipe department. I know, I know. It's been the same ole' same ole' around here lately. Plus, not many grocery store trips. So the cupboards are bare.

However, these are an amazingly great treat. Even when you're low on supplies.




Quick and Easy Peanut Butter Cookies


ingredients:

1 cup peanut butter (I personally have to have crunchy. Have to have.)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
dash of cinnamon
splash of vanilla extract


directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Double recipe if desired. (It'll only make around a dozen...depending on the size of the cookies)
2. Spoon out teaspoon sized dollops of dough onto cookie sheet. Press tops down with sugar-coated fork.
3. Bake at 350* for 10 minutes, or until bottoms turn brown.
4. Let sit on pan for a few minutes, then move to cooling rack.

Enjoy!