Leap Day Kitties

Happy Leap Day! What can you do today to celebrate? What woud make this day that comes once every four years, special? A Leap Day Kitty!

Verona St. Animal Shelter is featuring $29 CAT ADOPTIONS TODAY! To celebrate Leap Day, all cat adoptions will be $29 today, Feb 29 from 11 am - 7:30 pm at the Animal Services Center at 184 Verona Street, Rochester, NY 14608.

If you have been thinking of adding a cat to your family - today is the day! You will always remember this special day. And you could name your cat Hopper, Pounce, Quattro, Bonus.... etc. Meowtastic!

Ice on orchids

My grandma has about a half dozen orchids and they are amazing. They get big plentiful blooms and they bloom over and over again. She told me once that she waters them by placing ice cubes at the roots and letting them melt. I decided I would try it with the beautiful heart orchids Aaron got me for Valentine's Day.

When I tweeted that I got comments that it didn't seem like a good idea, knowing orchids like warmth. But if you saw my Grandma's monster orchids you would think it was worth a try too.

Then suddenly my twitter account was being followed by @justaddice orchids! It IS a simple and effective way to water! They have lots of information on their site and blog.

I couldn't believe it! Just Add Ice Orchids. They even have downloadable calendars to remind you when to water your orchid! What a great idea.

Pet of the Week

80 lbs of Chubbs!

Chubbs #4116945

Chubbs is a six-year-old male Mastiff mix who tips the scales at 80 pounds. Dogs are affected by divorce too, and that was how he found himself at Lollypop Farm. Chubbs enjoys walking on his leash and saying hello to people he meets along the way. He doesn't have much interest in playing with toys, but certainly likes treats! This unique looking fellow would be happiest in a home without young children (he's a big boy!), and should meet any dogs in your home just to be certain that everyone will be friends. Chubbs is eligible for Lollypop Farm's Seniors-for-Seniors program. An approved adopter, age 60 or older, can bring him home at no charge. Come and meet this economy-sized lovebug today!

Willie, the cat from last week, has been adopted!

Oscars Party

Aaron and I went to the George Eastman House Oscars party tonight. There was nominated film themed food (ballpark food for Moneyball!) dancing, games, photo ops, silent auction... lots of fun.

We were all dressed up so I insisted on each photo op. Check out the death grip Aaron has on that Oscar.

Oh yeah and the Academy Awards were playing in the theatre. We literally saw about 5 minutes of it! Great party!

Smells like spring

Is spring here? It smells like it!

Meatball Campfire Pie

Aaron made a fire in the outdoor fireplace this evening. The wind was howling but we were cozy tucked in under the side porch.

I thought it would be a good time to make some campfire pies. I have to give credit where credit is due. It was Aaron's idea to make meatball campfire pies. Bread + Wegman's frozen meatballs heated up in the oven and sliced + pizza sauce + mozzerella cheese. All Wegmans ingredients! Score! They were fantastic! I burned the first one but after that they were fantastic!

Oh and I started a "camping" board on Pinterest!

Locket

After having this locket for two years, I finally printed out some photos for it. The boys!

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Every thursday at the office I get excited because it's Buffalo Chicken Salad day in the cafeteria. One night I was thinking about dinner and realized that a BCS would be pretty easy to make at home. Especially with Wegman's new frozen Spicy Bites chicken! I even think I could make the entire meal with only Wegman's brand ingredients. I take that as a challenge sometimes.

The salad mimics buffalo wings but in salad form. It's just lettuce with the spicy chicken chunks, chopped up celery, blue cheese bits and blue cheese dressing. The Spicy Bites turned out to be so spicy I didn't need any of the extra wing sauce. Nom!

Pet of the Week

I can almost make out a W on his forehead!

Willie #12085212

Willie is a six-year-old male Domestic shorthair mix who was brought to Lollypop Farm by our law enforcement officers as part of a cruelty investigation in Riga, New York. Finally, after one long year, Willie is able to be put up for adoption. He is looking for a nice, warm forever home where he can purr and play. This handsome feline was so happy to be reunited with his friend, Lucky (#12085128), who he now shares a kitty condo with. Willie enjoys amusing Lucky with his playful antics and curling up with him when it's time for a nap. These wonderful cats are available as a "two-for-the-price-of-one" special adoption fee, as they are great companions. In addition, they are eligible for Lollypop Farm's Seniors-for-Seniors program. An approved adopter, age 60 or older, can bring them home at no charge! Come and meet them today!

www.lollypop.org/petoftheweek

Spencer, the dog from last week, is still looking for a home.

Jam and Beer Label Makers

I found Jam Labelizer that let's you create jam jar labels. You can customized the words, color and choose different designs.

I am picturing some great jars of strawberry jam this summer. Actually you could probably use this for all sorts of things... applesauce, grape juice... etc.

There is also a Beer Labelizer. This is perfect because Aaron just started his beer kit I got him for Christmas.

Double Pug Ale!

Mardi Gras

My friends Matt and Drea had a Mardi Gras party last night. I have distinct memories of Matt's Mardi Gras parties in his bachelor days where he would invevitably have a run in with UPS who never delivered his King's Cake on time.

This year he made it from scratch. Times have changed. (It was delicious too!)

Crack Bread

We have a party to attend tonight and I needed to make an appetizer. Where do I look? Pinterest of course!

This time I decided to try Crack Bread. Is it because of the "cracks" in the bread or the addictive nature of the snack? You be the judge.

It is a sourdough loaf, sliced, filled with cheese and bacon then drizzled with bacon ranch sauce and baked.

I used a sharp cheddar cheese which didn't melt the best and stick to the bread chunks as you pulled them out. I think that will need some experimentation.

Otherwise it was very good. Crack good.

Cookbooks and Orchids

Some of the goodies I got for Valentine's Day... a Rochester Public Market cookbook and cute spatulas. I am very excited to try something from the cook book.

I also hear rumors that there will be a food truck rodeo at the Public Market! I'll keep you apprised of that development.

For flowers I got this amazing heart orchid. Gah! So cool! I am trying my Grandma's trick of watering it by placing ice cubes in the pot to melt. It might seem like a bad idea knowing that orchids like warm conditions, but my Grandma's orchids are amazing. They look like they could walk out to the kitchen and fix themselves a snack... so I'm giving it a go!

Doughnut Love

Maybe it should be Valentine's Week.

Pet of the Week

I am pretty sure this is what Spencer sounds like - Bahroorooroo!

Spencer #11831600

Spencer is a nine-year-old male Hound mix who weighs 51 pounds. He was brought to Lollypop Farm as his owner's landlord had a "no pets allowed" policy. This handsome boy is very active, moving right along on his walks--most of the time. At other times though, he has his nose to the ground sniffing all of those wonderful smells, like any Hound would do! Spencer would do best in a home without young children. And, he would just love to be your one and only dog so that he can be the center of attention. Spencer is eligible for Lollypop Farm's Seniors-for-Seniors program. An approved adopter, age 60 or older, can bring him home at no charge. Come and meet Spencer today!

www.lollypop.org/petoftheweek

Minnie, the cat from last week, is still looking for a home.

Valentine's Day

It was a good Valentine's Day. Chocolate and lots of pink.

Valentine's Decor

I did put out Valentine's decorations earlier this month. Swapped out the lights in my vintage mason jars.

Heart lights in the windows.

Heart explosion in the kitchen.

Valentine's mantle with a heart tree.

Skating party

Our friend Beth had a birthday party at an ice skating rink. I felt like a kid... skates, pizza and soda pop.

Look at me skating along in my big Cosby sweater. I've had that sweater since I was in high school. They were all the rage and I begged for one. After my mom got me one, I've kept it in a special box since. Now it's old enough to drink.

Aaron was out there cuttin' up the ice too... looking dapper as usual.

Chef Martin Yan at Wegman's Veggie Fest

Today Chef Martin Yan was at Pittsford Wegmans for Veggie Fest. I was looking forward to seeing him. When I was a kid I used to watch Yan Can Cook on PBS with my Grandma.

Before Yan signed cookbooks, he demonstrated cooking different kinds of veggies. He has crazy knife skills. He can slice a mushroom to feed 25 people.

"Cut. Cut. Cut. Cut. Cut. Cut. See how cute? You can cut mushroom any way you like! It's a free country!"

He is so funny! And super nice.

Masquerade Party

Tonight we went to the Hugs Valentine's Masquerade Gala. It was for a great cause - helping children in developing countries that need facial plastic surgery.

I always wanted to go to a masquerade party. I love the mystery of wearing masks. I looked for a long time online til I found a mask that matched my dress. I liked being a kitty for the party.

It was also nice to get to hang out with my peeps for an evening.

This was my big chance to wear the dragon dress I had made in Bejing four years ago. It still had a little cloth tag with Chinese handwritten on it and stitched to the sleeve.

Aaron and St. Baldricks

You see the hair in yesterday's post? Getting kinda long huh? Well, next month you can bid it a farewell.

Aaron has signed up to have his head shaved to collect donations for St. Bladrick's Foundation to help fight childhood cancer.

This is a great cause and it's going to be interesting to see this go down. Please support Aaron and the big BZZZZZZZ if you can! I'll be sure to post pics!

Pug snuggle

Pug snuggle.

Pet of the Week

This kitty likes belly rubs!

Minnie #14826766

Minnie is a ten-year-old female Domestic shorthair mix who was brought to Lollypop Farm when her owner could no longer care for her. This pretty girl has a sleek black coat and a white bib. Minnie loves being petted and particularly enjoys belly rubs! So, if you're looking for a cat you cat you can shower with love and attention, then Minnie's the kitty for you. She is eligible for Lollypop Farm's Seniors-for-Seniors program. An approved adopter, age 60 or older, can bring her home at no charge! Come and meet Minnie today!

Dozer, the dog from last week, has been adopted!

More Pinterest

I joined Pinterest over a year ago and have been happily and obsessively pinning ever since. I was finding lots of amazing things among the people already on Pinterest and a handful of my friends that joined. It's my go to spot for recipes and craft inspiration.

A couple weeks ago I started getting way more follows than usual. Seemed like a Mashable article peaked a lot of interest.

Since then Pinterest has exploded. News is breaking that Pinterest Becomes Top Traffic Driver for Retailers and Pinterest Rivals Twitter in Referral Traffic.

I have to say, I sorta wondered if this was coming. I first had a clue when the folks from the Salvage Gallery told me they were getting all sorts of hits from Pinterest pins pointing to my blog post about them at the Clotheline Festival. Sometimes I go just to see what is being pinned from my blog.

Then the day came. The day Aaron joined Pinterest and it went from kittens, recipes and nail polish to guns, beer and motorcycles.

Goat Cheese Pops

I have been plotting and planning what to make for Kenn & Jenn's annual Super Bowl party for weeks. The winning recipe (from Pinterest of course!) was goat cheese lollipops coated in bacon and herbs.

They were pretty easy to make and really... isn't food on a stick more fun to eat?

Ice Cream Cone Balloons

Tina asked if I wanted to help with Lauren's kiddie birthday party... a party with a theme of rainbows, hearts and cupcakes? I'm in! I was happy for an opportunity to make balloon ice cream cones.

Balloons make terrible back seat drivers. The static in the Smart Car was electrifying.

Little known fact. Stewie LOVES balloons. I had to shut them away from him.

Tina really went all out. It was a pink, frilly, heart and rainbow explosion.

Look at these amazing rainbow cupcakes she made! They were as delicious as they were cute!