Kittehs

Lack of inspiration leads to kitteh photos....

Lila, circa November 2009

Simon, circa November 2009

Simon, circa May 2011

Simon, circa May 2011

Oh, and Prince Fielder just hit a walk off homerun into the second level bleachers at Miller Park. Game lasted 14 innings. Thanks dude!

Experiment

I just picked up a new computer for a little experiment. The cost of things (and stuff) are rising fast. The gas station down the street has gas for a mere $4.07 a gallon.  I've decided to ditch my cable TV and opt for watching the cable networks online and just using the antennae for my local channels. Over the course of a year I can save around $600 a year give or take. Plan on getting a membership to Hulu as well as MLB.TV so I can watch my beloved Brewers.

After doing some research, I determined I would need at least a 2 GHz processor and 2 GB ram as well as an HDMI port (my TV already has the HDMI port). The key was trying to find a computer within my $400 budget. So I dragged the boy with me to BestBuy (safety in numbers) and started the search. While there I narrowed it down to 3 different machines. The first was a nice Toshiba  that was way out my price range, an HP with good reviews and the one I really wanted, an ASUS but again - way over budget. So I scoured the internet to see if I could find something similar.  Long story short, I found a brand spanking new variation on the HP, that included a Photosmart printer, for under $400.  

Simon just had to be a ham. 

Purdy color. 

So far I've just surfed the web and edited a few photos using the pre-installed photo software. Battery life was almost 6 hours. More info on how it works as a replacement for cable TV to come. 

Kitchen Utensils Anyone?

Kitchen Utensils can make or break a good cooking experience. You don't need everything under the roof of the kitchen specialty store. Just a few items and you'll be cooking like a pro.

Wooden or Bamboo Spoon and Spatula

Why are these on the list?  They don't conduct heat, won't scratch non-stick pans, and will only catch fire is if placed in direct flame for a few minutes.  I like bamboo the best. It is lightweight and stands up well to washing. Plus it's a renewable resource. It wouldn't hurt to keep a ladle and non-slotted spoon in the drawer or canister either.

Bowl Scraper

The bowl scraper is handy to have in the kitchen. Use it to get the last bit of pancake batter from the bowl or scrape bottom of the mayo jar. Commonly made from silicone, rubber or plastic but can be made from bamboo and wood as well. Plus, the come in endless numbers of colors. 

Tongs

These are great for tossing pasta, turning meat and easily moving string beans from pan to plate.  Plastic tipped ones won't harm pans. Just don't leave them sitting on the pan for too long. Plastic does tend to melt on hot surfaces after all.  (Kitten optional)

Whisk

The whisk. Love this little gadget for everything!  Take making brownies for example. You can froth the eggs, sift the flour with the baking soda, mix everything together and whip the cream for on top.  Find one with a  sturdy comfortable handle to make life easier on your hand.

 

Can Opener

Having a good can opener when you're cooking in the kitchen (or at the campsite) is important in order for you to be able to quickly open up any can. The best kind for your pocketbook is the hand held variety with a serrated wheel and large handles(pictured below). This was first introduced in the 1920s and still remains popular today. Never submerge your can opener in water and thoroughly dry after cleaning. I don't recommend the chrome style with pencil thin handles. They are hard to grip and tend to slip off the can.