All posts by Allison

Persistence Pays

September 25, 2008 Allison 6 Comments

Cute squirrel in my back yard So some news from my garden….Â

A couple of cute squirrels have been visiting my back yard every day the past couple of weeks, gorging themselves on the excess bird seed that drops to the ground from my bird feeder.

I have a clear view of them from the desk where I sit all day and I have found them entertaining distraction.

Plotting squirrel Despite the plentiful seeds on the ground, Scamper, here, isn’t satisfied with “leftovers” so he cooks up a plan. You can see him here, plotting in the trees.

After several failed attempts, involving squirrel contortion and acrobats, many resulting in near-falls to the ground, he finally succeeds in accessing the storehouse.

Not quite so cute.
Â Â
Clever squirrel
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So I moved the feeder to a branch further out, so he couldn’t reach. But he was persistent… and this is what I found him doing today. I laughed out loud when he lost his grip and fell to the ground (only about 4 1/2 feet), but find myself scolding him now every time he attempts this.Â

Naughty Squirrel

Naughty, persistant Squirrel

Time to get a new, squirrel proof bird feeder.

Reviews/Recommendations

Move over, Braeburn

September 20, 2008 Allison 11 Comments

Move over, Braeburn, there’s a new apple in town.Â

For several years, my favorite type of apple has been the Braeburn.Â Â Sweet and tart, nice and crisp they’re wonderful when in season.Â And, living in the beautiful state of Washington, I get them fresh and crisp every year.Â Â But they haven’t shown up in stores yet (harvest is a bit later than usual due to a colder than usual spring/early summer).

Last week I wanted/needed some apples, and I’ve learned to just ask the nearest grocery department employee “So, what apples are best right now.”Â And on this occasion, I was directed to an apple I’d never heard of before.Â

They were $3.98 a lb – twice as much as any of the other apples – but he swore they were worth it.Â And I’ve learned to trust these guys, after buying apples on my own that turned out to be a bit mushy.Â Blech.Â So I bought several and took them home.

Behold my new apple love…. The Honey Crisp.

Â Â
The delicious Honey Crisp apple This sweet littleÂ guy has a crisp “to-die-for” texture.Â Nothing worse than a mushy apple. (Ok, there are worse things, but that’s beside the point).Â And from what I’ve experienced and read, no other apple matches its crispness.

I finished off my first round and just bought 6 more… still at $3.98 per lb.Â Worth every penny. Yum. I haven’t tried with caramel, but I bet they’d be delicious.

Have you ever tried a Honey Crisp?Â Whate did you think? Â What are your favorite apples?

Family/Friends, Photography, Travel

A study in contrasts

September 19, 2008 Allison 14 Comments

I recently made the dreaded trip over Snoqualmie Pass to visit my sister and family, and participate in Sam & J’Neil’s fantastic scavenger hunt.Â Â I say dreaded, because I drove….Â and it’s a long drive (4 hours)….Â and I drive fast….Â Â Â

In fact, here is a picture of the badge of the officer who gave me a ticket just outside Ellensburg.Â Â Is 82 in s 70 mile an hour zone REALLY that fast? : )Â Â

Every trip to Kennewick, which is on theÂ southeast corner of Washington,Â is a study in contrasts. Â Here’s what it looks like on my side of the state (taken at Snoqualmie Pass).Â

I call it “Eden”

Snohomish Pass
Misty trees

And this is what it looks on Kristin’s side of the state.Â

I call it the “lone and dreary world.”Â Taken near the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.Â Need I say more?
The lone and dreary worldâ€¦

Fortunately, once I arrive in Kennewick I get to enjoy the company of Kristin, Craig, Sam and J’Neil.Â The scavenger hunt was a ball – Kristin and I had a great time coming up with ideas for crazy things the kids needed to find or do, and then she put together an incredible (and organized, of course) adventure for the kids.Â I think she should package and sell it!Â Best scavenger hunt ever!Â I keep hoping she’ll start her blog and share this stuff she creates…Â

But in the meantime, here is a picture of J’Neil’s team meeting one of their “action” requirements….Â

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Chalk outlines in the road

Â Sam’s teamÂ won (I wish I had video to share of the eulogy he gave at the funeral for a dead bug)Â and found the final clue first, leading themÂ to the biggest treasure chest where they divided the loot.Â The silly string was a big hit.Â But J’Neil’s team was pretty happy with their bounty as well.Â Needless to say, a good time was had by all.Â Don’t you wish Kristin was YOUR mom?

Arg! Treasure!

Family/Friends, Whatever

Ideas!?

September 14, 2008 Allison 13 Comments

A request from Kristin…..Â

Jâ€™Neil J’Neil has been asked to the Homecoming Dance.Â She is excited.Â She has her lovely dress and today we ordered the shoes and bought the necklace & tiara….Â She is going to look fabulous.Â

However, since she’s pretty young (14), we’ve asked that the kids go as a “group” rather than it be a “date”.Â The problem is, most of their friends who have not been asked (or have not asked anyone) are feeling a little silly going with the “couples”.

We need some ideas of things the group can do before the prom that would be fun, and entice more of the kids to join them.Â And perhaps ideas of ways to make all the kids comfortable going to the prom.

The kids are all about 15. What fun things can the group do?
–ALSO–

I need Halloween Party ideas.

The kids are also wanting to have a Halloween Party, and I need ideas for 15 – 17 year olds.Â What fun activities with a Halloween themeÂ will keep a group that age interested and engaged? The whole group, if they all came, would be about 6 girls and about 10 boys.

Things this group has done in the past, and had a great time with, are scavenger hunts and murder mysteries.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Music / Entertainment, Reviews/Recommendations

Shorts

September 8, 2008 Allison 6 Comments

In the early 80s, Kristin and I were watching HBO and happened upon one of the most memorable films of our lives.Â It was a brief, animated short film which had won the 1982 Student Academy Award.Â

Ursula It was called “Guess Who’s For Dinner” and in it, aÂ spinach monster attacks a child during dinner.Â It was hysterical and after 25 years is still a clear image in my head. Kristin and I have both spent hours over the years, searching for this in any form… if you stumble upon it, let us know!Â Â The talented animator, Kathy Zielinski has gone on to career with Disney and animated the memorable character Ursula (the witch) in the Little Mermaid, in addition to others.

And then, of course, there were the midnight short film festivals at the Villa theatre where I saw some memorable, and not so memorable animated shorts. Who could forget…

Bambi vs. Godzilla?

I’ve been a fan of short films ever since. So I was delighted to find I can get the academy award nominated shorts for 2004 – 2007.Â Â I got 2006 first (because that’s the one I noticed first) and watched them last night.Â Â What a delightful evening.Â Â Some were better than others, of course – but I enjoyed all of them but one.

I think my favorite live action short wasÂ Â â€œÃ©ramos pocosâ€ (spain).Â Â Mom has left her slob of a husband and grown son, who are helpless without her. They liberate Gran from a nursing home to cook and clean for them.Â Fun, with a twist.

West Bank Story is a love story and rivalry between Israelis and Palestinians and their fast food joints.Â Made by students at USC, it actually was a musical – and won the Oscar.Â It was fun.

My favorite animated short was The Danish Poet” (Canada-Norway)Â – which did win the Academy Award.Â Simple line drawings and a sweet story. You can actually see this one on YouTube.