Good Morning Dear Reader:
Yahoo! Photos are working! It's the little things.
I have no idea what the gnomes who run Wordpress, my preferred blogging software, have in store for me today. Yesterday, I was unable to post photos, which just made me crazy (well, crazier than normal). I tried every trick I know (two) to get the photos to insert, but alas, they would not. So I apologize for such a bland post and in case the photos don’t take today, please give me a call and I will run right over to your house and show them to you in person!
Last night we had some darling college boys over to the house and the minute they saw Professor Tomato, they just went wild. They could not believe it was a real tomato. When I had convinced them of its authenticity, they hatched a plan to put him up on Ebay to finance their college education or their next kegger. My sister encouraged them to do it quick, as Professor Tomato is beginning to mellow and a lengthy bid process could result in Professor Puree.
Who wants an autograph?
If you should see Professor Tomato show up next week on the Jay Leno or David Letterman’s show, remember, he got his start right here.
Smart Shopping
The August 2010 issue of Consumer Reports just hit my mailbox and as usual it is full of great articles to help you save money and avoid bad experiences on major and minor purchases. This issue’s theme is Classic Kitchens for less. The article covers every area of kitchen remodeling–appliances, fixtures, flooring, cabinetry and counter tops. They have three price ranges for remodels–do it yourself, $5,000, a budget makeover with a professional, $15,000 and the deluxe, $50,000. If a remodel is in your future, this issue is a great investment and on the news stands now.
Oh, that bites!
I have seen the clever looking Clip-On Mosquito Repellent which advertises “head to toe protection up to 12 hours”. It clips on your belt and uses a tiny fan to circulate repellent. After Consumer Reports tested individuals placed in rooms with 1,000 hungry mosquitoes (don’t you wish you had that job), they stopped the experiment at 2 hours because of the test subject’s numerous bites. What they do recommend are:
1. Off Deep Woods Sportsmen II
2. Cutter Backwoods Unscented
3. Off Family Care Smooth & Dry
4. 3M Ultrathon
5. Repel Plant Based Lemon Eucalyptus
6. Natrapel 8-hour with picaridin
Scary facts also in this issue:
I am always shocked by how much sodium is hidden in our food and I have started reading labels more carefully, especially of meat products and frozen dinners, etc. Shocking to me was the fact that Mission flour tortillas have 630 milligrams of sodium in a serving, Celeste Pizza for one has 1,230 milligrams of sodium and Kellogg’s Raisin Bran has 350 milligrams. Our total daily intake should be no more than 2300 milligrams or one teaspoon of salt. Too much salt can raise the risk of asthma, kidney stones, osteoporis, stomach cancer, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.
Take good care of yourself!
Diane