Stow your banana in a bunker!

Hate when your banana gets banged up in transit? Or even worse - you end up with banana glue?

I found the solution for all your bruised bananas - a Banana Bunker!

I'll admit, it looks pretty hilarious, but what can I say? I'm sure it does the job! You can buy yours from the very cool MoMA Store.

Lil' Pumpkin Baby Shower

I believe today is the day the world will welcome a new baby into Jake's family. We're so excited to see you, baby!

Just 2 weeks ago we had a baby shower for your mom with a cute little pumpkin theme.

Uncle Jake made the food and I baked lil' pumpkin cookies to give away as favors.

Everyone got to take home two yummy pumpkin cookies as well as a mini pumpkin.

Your daddy's Auntie S even made a cute Pumpkin Bear cake!

Ultra Violet Mt. Dew

I like the color purple just as much as I like a good sale, so when I spotted Mt. Dew's new Ultra Violet on sale I decided to try it. The pop is really pretty - a light lavender color in the bottle. But when I poured it into my glass all the fizz and bubbles turned a sky blue color. Disturbing.

The taste? Not so great - much too sweet and syrupy for my liking. I couldn't drink the whole bottle.

Dear Mt. Dew,

Please bring Mt. Dew Throwback back.

Love,

Me.

Jake and Jenny

I saw these a long time ago and figured I HAD to own them. To my knowledge there are only two books - On the Farm and On the Town. - Perfect for us. For Jake is a city mouse, and thus I the country mouse. Or doggies, in this case.

Aren't we cute all snuggled in bed after a long day on the farm?

Christmas is coming...

... the geese are getting fat. Please put a penny in the old man's hat.

Christmas songs will start soon enough without my prodding - so nevermind that.
But - with Christmas approaching - it DOES mean that some stores are already carrying their Christmas ornaments and decorations. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? - more German ornaments for my collection (and $2 cheaper than the past few years!). So I had to indulge.My newest Steinbach friends:
Russian Santa
Bavarian Boy

Honey Bee


Halloween Devil

What a doll...

I had a doll growing up - one of those bald-headed babies that blinks and cries when you flip her over. The doll suited me well, I think. I had doll clothes for her, and I think my brother even liked her when he was a baby (or maybe he just enjoyed having a friend that didn't mind when he'd bite her fingers and slobber on her face.)

Well, I'm all grown up now - or I should be. When I think of dolls I'm reminded of my grandma's display cases, full of dolls she's collected from all over the world, and even a few she made and hand-painted!

Hm... Thinking back, Barbies were cool too. I had 15 - that's a lot of fake body proportions. I wonder if my Barbies were smart. I really can't remember the conversations I made them have, or if they even spoke. I only remember changing their clothes and brushing their hair. Maybe my fantasy Barbie world lacked sound.

Anyway... Why all this talk of dolls? I found a new doll I really like. Or rather many new dolls I like. It started with finding the Pullip doll.

These are fashion dolls that are made by a Korean company and sold by a Japanese company. They were first released in '03 and continue to be released monthly with occasional special edition dolls.

Not only are these dolls adorable (ok, some are just downright sexy), but they are fully posable and have really great outfits/costumes. They would make great dolls to pose for pictures. They also have a really "unique eye mechanism that allows the eyes to move back and forth, and wink, using levers on the back of the head." Fun.

[Image from Pullip Style]

While researching Pullips I found all kinds of interesting dolls...

Momoko Dolls...

[Image from Pullip Style]

Toffee dolls...

[Image from The Valley of the Dolls]

Taeyang dolls...

[Image from Pullip Style]

Zombuki dolls...

[Image from The Valley of the Dolls]

Too bad they're all so expensive.

A laundry list

[Image by ingorrr]
I have a laundry list of things to do. Atop it is ... Laundry!

In an unfortunate turn of circumstances all of the washers and dryers in my apartment building (there are only 2 each) are broken. That means that my pile of laundry has taken over the 2nd bedroom, and is starting to spill down the hallway. Not literally, though it very well could be.

So tonight my laundry and I are going to take a little trip to the laundromat. How exciting. My 2nd time only to the wondrous world of washing machines. How... domestic.

Smak-Tak!

5961 N Elston Ave

Chicago, IL 60646

773.763.1123

www.smaktak.com

A cute and cozy, cabin atmosphere creates a comfortable setting for some good polish food at Smak-Tak on North Elston in Chicago. Jake and I have had to drive by this small restaurant a few times now, but yesterday it worked for us to stop in and have a bite to eat.

Smak-tak translates to Taste-Yes!

Jake ordered the special platter and I ordered the stuffed cabbage rolls (a favorite of Jake's family, called golumpkis in Polish, pronounced go-WHOMB-keys). They were quite tasty - the tomato sauce was nice and thick and coated the golumpkis just right.

We each received two side salads of coleslaw and warm shredded beets with onions, too. The coleslaw was more pickled tasting than traditional mayo-laced American coleslaw. Very refreshing after a warm afternoon. In fact, I bought some at our neighborhood polish grocery store tonight because I enjoyed it so much.

I hadn't realized how much of a role dill plays in Polish food. I can't say that I eat dill all that much, other than in pickle form, and that doesn't really ring true to the taste of fresh dill sprinkled on a cabbage salad or freshly mashed potatoes.

Angus Burgers

McDonald's doesn't top my list for places to grab a good burger. Until now. On a late night cruise with a friend he recommended I try McDonald's new 1/3lb. Angus Burgers. Up for a challenge, I accepted.

Verdict? The Mushroom Swiss Burger is good. Really good. It has mushrooms, swiss, and mayo on it, but we swore the mayo was enhanced somehow. Like... some sort of cream cheese mayo maybe? Maybe it was late night delirium - regardless - Ronald, you got my vote.

[Image from McDonald's]

Number nine, number nine, number nine...

Happy 09/09/09 all.

Fun 09/09/09 and Number 9 Facts:

1. Today is the 252nd day of the year. 2+5+2 = 9!

2. 09/09/09 is a Wednesday, which has 9 letters, as does September.

3. Baseball is full of nines: 9 players, 9 innings, 9 strikes per inning...

4. The animated sci-fi flick "9" about 9 robots was released today..

5. Beatles Rock Band was released today - Revolution 9 anyone?

7. Kitties cherish the number nine - 9 lives, that is!

8. 09 +09 + 09 = 27 = my age today

9. Nine is no longer with us because 7 8 9! (Seven was very hungry.)

I'm nuts for these nuts!

Check your grocery aisles (or Walgreens) for True North's Pecan Peanut Almond Clusters. They're 100% Natural, 100% Delicious, and 100% Free after Rebate (make sure it has the red rebate sticker on it)!

[Image from Frito Lay]

No Monkeyin' Around: Bananas are Blue!

Blue bananas? Apparently so. I was reading an article here about how ripe bananas emit a blue glow when lit with UV light. So what does that mean?

“In contrast to humans, many of the animals that eat bananas can see light in the UV range. The blue luminescence of the banana fruit could give them a distinct signal that the fruit is ripe.” says Bernhard Kräutler.

So put away those crazy psychedelic posters, and party like a monkey -- Break out those black lights and throw an electric blue banana party.

Rainy. Day. Blues.

This picture exemplifies how I'm feeling. Tonight was a gray, rainy night. I like rain, but sometimes it's just... depressing. Maybe my emotional rut started as a result of my walk home in the rain. I was the protagonist in the classic "girl gets soaked by passing bus" scene. You know, one of those huge splashes, where anyone around finds it really funny to see the tidal wave hit the poor pedestrian. Ugh. At least I made some kid on the bus smile.

[Image from procsilas]

In an Absolut world there are no labels

In an Absolut world there are no labels.

And come September Absolut Vodka bottle will be label-free for their global launch of a limited edition bottle.

"No matter what’s on the outside, it’s the inside that really matters. We do it in support of the people who spend their entire lives, stamped with a label by other people," says their Global PR Manager.

Instead of the the Absolut Vodka label and logo the bottle will feature a removable sticker with information on their campaign -- one intended to discard labels and prejudice about sexual minorities.

Good for you, Absolut.

To learn more, visit their blog.

Off the hook

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. Though, I have been constantly busy since... June. But I'm finding a bit more time now, so blogging shall once again commence!

The leading ladies in my life (aside from Mom) are all up to their ears in crochet and knitting projects. I've jumped on the bandwagon myself, though my project shall remain secret!

Needless to say, I'm periodically suffering from "Crochet Hand" -- explanation below. :)

Earlier this year I started an amusing way (maybe just amusing to me?) to name my injuries, aches, and pains. It started with the now infamous "Pong Knee" where I nearly dislocated my knee while playing ping pong -- don't ask.

It's quite simple Action/Object at time of injury/ache/pain + Body Part.

Crochet Hand.

Have a baby for love.

Have a virtual baby for German engineering! Here's our wee VW babe, thanks to the RoutonBabyMaker3000. So cute!

Wouldn't it be fun if they made a tinier, sportier version of the Routon minivan - and named it the Crouton? I'd use it to garnish my driveway.

Colonel Mustard greens

Colonel Mustard, in the kitchen, with ... the greens! Yesterday Jake and I tended to the garden and brought home a lot of mustard greens. To start using them up I made stir-fry tonight. I combined carrots, red peppers, broccoli, egg, chicken, and mustard greens and then made a hodge-podge orange sauce with fresh squeezed orange juice, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, a bit of flour and some oil. Not too shabby for a throw together meal! 

The greens have a very distinct flavor. I like them in small quantities, but there is definately a LARGE quantity of them remaining in the fridge. Maybe I'll try wilted mustard tomorrow. Copious amounts of bacon make anything wonderful, right? :)

Chocolate turtle

One thing I love about living here in the Chicago burbs is that I can run to Mitsuwa Marketplace and grab some sushi and dessert like it's no big deal. What a great feeling! So cultural. So... delicious! I had never tried anything from the bakery in Mitsuwa, and boy, I wish I had sooner. This cute little turtle was like a soft bread/donut and had a yummy chocolate pudding inside. Next time I think I'll try a loaf of bread. It was probably the softest bread I've ever come across. 

Passenger: Chris

Chris was really mesmorized by his iTunes. 

What is Passenger?

Twins!

These fishies we lovingly call our "Twins!" after a skit on Tim and Eric's Awesome Show. Jake and I watch the strange show as much as possible, and in honor of the Beaver Boys, we named the "Twins!" Dilly and Krunk (I think the fish might also like "Shrimp!").

One fish, two fish

Three fish, four fish! Without babies or puppies to brag about, Jake and I have four new FISH to show off! This is our Helianthus, not sure if it's male or female, but I do know this fish is a bully! 

Like kids, the fish all have their own personalities. This guy is very territorial. It also refused to eat anything until day 3, so perhaps stubborn as well. 

We need a name! Ideas?

I'll introduce our other new fish in upcoming posts. 

Sugar, sugar...

[Image from Pepsi-Cola North American Beverages]

Pepsi has provided some taste treats recently with their new Throwback sodas: Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback. Both are good, though the Mountain Dew is especially tasty - it actually goes down smoothly - without making me feel like I'm drinking crazy sugar syrup. (I remember drinking numerous Mt. Dews during slumber parties... ah.. to be young... and on a sugar high)

Prior to Throwback I found these glass bottles of Pepsi Natural. It has an interesting taste - kind of like Coke in that it is more "rooty" tasting. I liked it, but unfortunately I found that the kola nut left a bitter aftertaste. Not cool. I suppose if you like coffee it'd be ideal.

I'm wondering if this temporary Throwback line will become more permanant. Especially with fuss over high fructose corn syrup. Jones Soda and Boylan may just have new friends [enemies] in the soda aisle.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday, Lyric!

Happy Birthday, Lyric!

This is a card I made for my co-worker's daughter. I cut all of the pieces out of construction paper and glued them to the pink flat card. It turned out cute!

Passenger: Tim

Passenger Tim was a [drunk] Cubs fan. He got up to go to the bathroom, then when he came back it took him a couple passes to find his seat again. Silly Tim.

What is Passenger?

Lego Lady

Create your Lego-self here!

Passenger: Kelly

Ta-da! A new installment of “Passenger.” This project has been on vacation for quite some time. I’m not sure why exactly – it’s definitely not for lack of good material. I think it just fell victim to technology – my laptop. My laptop and I have a love/hate (let’s be honest – it’s more love/love) kind of relationship that I feel needs to be broken. And soon!

Iowa impresses

Way to go, Iowa!

Unanimous ruling: Iowa Marriage No Longer Limited to One Man, One Woman

Mog Wog

I come up with my best blog posts while randomly thinking away from the computer or walking down the street. If only there was a way to transfer my thoughts then and there into my blog. When I sit down later and force my earlier thoughts they just aren't the same. The charm, the wit, the interest - is gone. 

I need a Mog Wog. Mind Blog & Walking Blog. Mog Wog.

Sidenote: I googled "mog wog" to see if any particular images came up. Apparently Mog Wog is "Men of God and Women of God." Hm... not what I was hoping for...

Rain Dance

Wonder what your thoughts sound like set to music? This fun app matches up each letter with a specified note, then provides a score and midi file. My original composition was based on the text:

"If I had to create an original score about rain that dances happily through the sky it would sound something like this!"

Music Text Composition Generator

Guess-the-google

Think you're a master of web searches? Try Guess-the-Google where you look at a collage of 20 pictures and try to guess what the key search word was. Some are harder than you think! My high score was 366 out of the 5 times I played. Can you beat that?

(The answer to this one was mullet. Nice do, Uncle Jesse!)

Square roots

Unfortunately I've been too busy this week and didn't have the chance to come up with a "square root" food for today. Root Veggies - you'll live to see another day!

Watch out, pie. Your day is coming...

[Image from Merriam Webster Visual Dictionary Online]

03x03=09

Happy Square Root Day everyone!

Will work for hot water

Day 3 of no hot water is coming to an end. I really miss my warm calming showers. Any shower would be great at this point. I think I'll actually shower at work tomorrow. Please, hot water fairies, find it in your heart to make the water heater work.

She put in her thumb and pulled out a plum-a-granate...

“I am putting real plums into an imaginary cake.”

- Mary McCarthy (American novelist and critic,1912-1989)

Unfortunately no cakes, imaginary, or real, are being made today.

Plum is on the menu though - in the form of Snapple's "Plum-a-granate Diet Tea." I had it at work the other day, and it's really good. It's got more plum than pomegranate, but in my opinion, that's the way it should be. Try it!

No more moving!

Moving is overrated. ha. Seriously. Maybe this last move has cured my want to move every year. One plus is that the clean-up of my condo is much easier than the previous place I rented (had it ever been cleaned?). Final touches will be done tomorrow!

Next the chore is to find a place to stash all this... stuff.

(Perfect time for my New Year resolution to kick in... Down size)

Under the Sea

Shrimp, walleye, clam strips, oh my! Don’s Dock has been a favorite of mine since I moved to the area a few years ago – but with my recent move, I’ve become much closer to the tasty seafood hangout. I’m already tempted to sneak down there and buy some of their delicious Hush Puppies…

Funny haha?

I wonder if the way people choose to textually express their comic amusement offers any insight into their personality…

Are you a “haha” or a “hehe?” Maybe you’re brief with a “heh” or “ha.” Abbreviation crazy, sporting “lol” or “lmao?” Or possibly drawn to the wonderful world of asterisks, letting a *snicker* sneak out and sometimes, embarrassingly, a *snort * or *chortle* …

Which do you use? (Personally I’m a “ha” when I’m slightly amused or the stimulus is just cute or quaint… and I double up to a “haha” for the more amusing or even laugh-out-loud-able.)

You look so meaty!

Hot on the tracks of a new crochet project I surfed right into the site of Joy Kampia O'Shell... and I'm in awe. See for yourself:


Crocheted hamburger dress?

Wow.

Tetris, fabric-wise.

There's so much cute stuff out there. Tetris fabric, anyone?

I just found an archive of amazing (bizarre) model poses on Threadbared.