tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71165953974957332552024-03-13T00:13:03.360-07:00World Wild WebbChris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-64930596722537827562011-06-12T09:44:00.000-07:002011-06-12T09:48:59.985-07:00Marinated CheeseWent to a wine and cheese party last night at a friend's place out in Fountain Hills. 14 different types of wine, yet I am somehow escaping hangover hell. Maybe there's still pinot noir dripping through my veins. The chocolate wine that I had found by accident in our pantry at the last minute was such a hit that it won first prize (a huge glass wine carafe)!<br />
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Also popular was my cheese, although it was a far cry from winning - the victor by a long shot was an amazing strawberry-dripping-jalapeno-cream cheese concoction that was melt-in-your-mouth-yummy. But, since a few people also asked for the recipe for my marinated cheese, here goes:<br />
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1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil<br />
1/3 cup red wine vinegar<br />
3/4 tsp. dried basil<br />
3/4 tsp. dried parsley<br />
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper<br />
pinch dried oregano<br />
1/2 tsp. sea salt<br />
1 tsp. unrefined (turbinado) sugar<br />
a couple of drops of lemon juice <br />
1 or two chopped green onions<br />
1 chopped and seeded roma tomato<br />
one pound of your favorite cheese, sliced or cubed<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLIIAa5lNeeYl6R-ss_hQmhYNoTD6LnyblJvtIMuSsm_RvK7qeqaj40DFUIg9uF81T-stqHaTIM122KkWkTmwSpG_DxEYx-O-f7xKH84Ayr_Gbt8Dv9bdRbpbpuxMT4_nc3aN1yR0CYU/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLIIAa5lNeeYl6R-ss_hQmhYNoTD6LnyblJvtIMuSsm_RvK7qeqaj40DFUIg9uF81T-stqHaTIM122KkWkTmwSpG_DxEYx-O-f7xKH84Ayr_Gbt8Dv9bdRbpbpuxMT4_nc3aN1yR0CYU/s320/IMG_0406.JPG" width="320" /></a>Put all ingredients* except onions, tomato, and cheese in a covered jar and shake well. Allow flavors to meld for at least 8 hours or overnight, shaking occasionally. Add tomato and onion to the mixture. Put cheese in a large bowl and gently mix in marinade until cheese is covered. Refrigerate for three hours. Remove cheese from marinade and arrange on a serving platter. Serve with crackers and 14 varieties of wine.<br />
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I suppose you can use just about any type of cheese, but in this case I used pepper jack and mozzarella. People seemed to especially like the pepper jack, but it was a bit crumbly. The mozzarella held together well. With fresh herbs instead of dried this probably would have been a lot better, but it was pretty good as it was. This marinade is also delicious with fresh vegetables (I couldn't resist dipping mushrooms, cucumber, and cauliflower in it while it was melding)<br />
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Bon Appetit!<br />
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This week's mission: go to Total Wine and find me some more of that chocolate vino.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*ingredients are approximate - measuring tools were not used.</span>Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-35840828612878527602011-04-07T13:12:00.000-07:002011-04-07T13:12:27.806-07:00How to Prepare Your House to SELL!If you're in the process of selling your home, you know there's a lot of competition in today's market. Here are some examples of creative ways to make your house stand out from the rest:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiN0GYxTTX9gIFFLxr3N4LLbO0MGzFN1PIhvY55c9t11cXcFfEbtITQntn96IrrFbMntxCRbemlNrBF47g7cAXrl4ZDplT0EI_EDpoJP1AXdUA-MeBh4oqcg0Y5xkeq9ypkEYJe5hH5Y/s1600/HOLYCOLORBATMAN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiN0GYxTTX9gIFFLxr3N4LLbO0MGzFN1PIhvY55c9t11cXcFfEbtITQntn96IrrFbMntxCRbemlNrBF47g7cAXrl4ZDplT0EI_EDpoJP1AXdUA-MeBh4oqcg0Y5xkeq9ypkEYJe5hH5Y/s320/HOLYCOLORBATMAN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Add bold color. Have your house professionally painted, choosing from a wide selection of popular color schemes, or make up your own combination. This home owner chose from a cheery spectrum of primary colors. Notice how the yellow compliments the saltillo tile.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEY-6bqt-knyBmYUop8BJvbQWdFAlZH_kgKVL-_MNienLTB1n7Lfq47Pq2Mw4OO_FxP7bUDcx_ULCz98GnPpm-K17RMPVD2wk1sceNdTWzkMyVpDpO54EHx5y5G6Bbut1GKx5_uYFWGo/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEY-6bqt-knyBmYUop8BJvbQWdFAlZH_kgKVL-_MNienLTB1n7Lfq47Pq2Mw4OO_FxP7bUDcx_ULCz98GnPpm-K17RMPVD2wk1sceNdTWzkMyVpDpO54EHx5y5G6Bbut1GKx5_uYFWGo/s320/IMG_1770.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you can't afford to hire a professional, get the entire family involved to make the process quick and efficient. Attention to detail and moving furniture may be difficult for a seven-year-old, but you can compensate by skipping baseboards and painting around the bed. The addition of a tasteful mirror can make a master bedroom appear larger. For an inexpensive alternative to carpet, the floor can be painted with high gloss paint.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8xNwJyfQuYjrBJA6v06qrHr4OqVix_ljBN11BFk0pCIoomo6QeCS5_Mj8lUVB9p1BXFeeKa4eVufo4GvD1iFy91KSO4qmvS11Ldyx7wjiP2uHoNjcZGJbOa0OitrWe6aXop6fdhFxnc/s1600/uglykitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8xNwJyfQuYjrBJA6v06qrHr4OqVix_ljBN11BFk0pCIoomo6QeCS5_Mj8lUVB9p1BXFeeKa4eVufo4GvD1iFy91KSO4qmvS11Ldyx7wjiP2uHoNjcZGJbOa0OitrWe6aXop6fdhFxnc/s320/uglykitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's important to pay special attention to the kitchen. This dated kitchen was modernized by simply painting the cabinets black, utilizing an interesting array of colors, and incorporating slate tile to the cabinet backs, producing an air of luxury.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIs6plgxcYmi-abhYlgxtX2s6mKhDH30ccMVaFoDgWnSE6SxMjfYf9PpP0O_yTyDvF2bg-5VAtkQDE1EQqkyQyBAOUk9_rv0C8Bpn9qRBd3qyDAJzl9snf0AexO7gtO4Bl00Ny7Z8bZ4/s1600/DesertHollowKitchen1Before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIs6plgxcYmi-abhYlgxtX2s6mKhDH30ccMVaFoDgWnSE6SxMjfYf9PpP0O_yTyDvF2bg-5VAtkQDE1EQqkyQyBAOUk9_rv0C8Bpn9qRBd3qyDAJzl9snf0AexO7gtO4Bl00Ny7Z8bZ4/s320/DesertHollowKitchen1Before.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> This seller drew buyers' eyes away from the missing, mis-matched, and damaged appliances by contrasting the rosy pink counter tops and floor tile with dark algae-green walls.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiat-YGJ3rDplYBEDfTLr1eWlRDlh88FWdcgopj_sXf7DWZMScpjszR0_9nCXuwosIvONjtCcxSPzrUuAwAvYPb5nFrt2anKlrK80uJ6JQ0wLH6obnJrhbWBaKbX8lLcXWg1QhPLiopKTI/s1600/upgradedwindowcoveringsthroughout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiat-YGJ3rDplYBEDfTLr1eWlRDlh88FWdcgopj_sXf7DWZMScpjszR0_9nCXuwosIvONjtCcxSPzrUuAwAvYPb5nFrt2anKlrK80uJ6JQ0wLH6obnJrhbWBaKbX8lLcXWg1QhPLiopKTI/s320/upgradedwindowcoveringsthroughout.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Descriptive elements in the actual listing remarks are very important if you want your listing to stand out. Your agent should draw attention to the best aspects of your house. For example, this listing read "updated window coverings throughout the home".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmxluLWr5DqS_rJFafz7BIX4uVnaze67TpmUuPiUoZ3ewyNjOWqWNrzTj2gyfWAtFxv68nNJwH2pp_5gimRysY4pE2Em_R73FKiw73ZJHVhET4PFjHviPiTQChMzayshoJbnJiwSOK7s/s1600/lightninghouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmxluLWr5DqS_rJFafz7BIX4uVnaze67TpmUuPiUoZ3ewyNjOWqWNrzTj2gyfWAtFxv68nNJwH2pp_5gimRysY4pE2Em_R73FKiw73ZJHVhET4PFjHviPiTQChMzayshoJbnJiwSOK7s/s1600/lightninghouse.jpg" /></a></div> <br />
The listing photos should also show off your home in its best light. To draw attention away from overhead high voltage electric transmission lines, this clever photographer shot 1313 Mockingbird Lane during a thunderstorm and patiently waited for a lightning flash to add dramatic effect.Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-77453179638043903132011-03-17T14:50:00.000-07:002011-03-17T14:50:00.777-07:00Industrial Hemp - The Greener Solution<i>“Why use up the forests which were centuries in the making and the mines which required ages to lay down, if we can get the equivalent of forest and mineral products in the annual growth of the hemp fields?” – Henry Ford</i><span data-jsid="text"> </span><br />
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<span data-jsid="text">The production of industrial hemp in the U.S. has been virtually illegal since 1937, mostly due to political reasons. That's a major bummer, because hemp has many uses that are much more environmentally friendly than common products we currently use: </span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfi7tGHzNrlcS66k2XAZnRm7kUKXDuoSnZ9_U_zmXXLBYCTV2lBEGGklXc7g4yGKAQv_nQua9skVwxrRiqm_jS97I0Gw3BRb4MA5cHyMWuDm7f9WXCvOXj_DRHHOneAkkyvPNiaMnif8/s1600/marijuanalies.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfi7tGHzNrlcS66k2XAZnRm7kUKXDuoSnZ9_U_zmXXLBYCTV2lBEGGklXc7g4yGKAQv_nQua9skVwxrRiqm_jS97I0Gw3BRb4MA5cHyMWuDm7f9WXCvOXj_DRHHOneAkkyvPNiaMnif8/s1600/marijuanalies.jpeg" /></a><span data-jsid="text">Hemp as an <b>alternative fuel source</b> to petroleum: Hemp seed oil can be used in bio-diesel engines. Henry Ford intended the Model T to run on bio-diesel, specifically hemp. Hemp is more easily turned into bio-diesel than peanut and soybean oils, the original diesels. Unfortunately, Big Oil entrepreneurs, who were making it rich searching for and manufacturing petroleum oils, made up fallacies about hemp that eventually led to the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act, that made growing of hemp and all cannabis virtually illegal in the U.S., even though the production of hemp bio-diesel could lead to reduced dependence on fossil fuel, less war, corruption, and pollution over oil. Hemp as a bio-diesel is a totally renewable resource.<a href="http://www.hemphasis.net/Fuel-Energy/fuel.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></span><br />
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<span data-jsid="text">Hemp as an <b>alternative to cotton</b>: Unlike cotton, hemp does not require large doses of pesticides and herbicides, as it is naturally resistant to pests and grows fast, crowding out weeds. Hemp fabric is more durable, mildew resistant, and blocks out more UV rays.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nK0f5no8_JGzb7Y9BhGnn-OlNWf69PrEV62DVJ3TlO9YkSMXcZaXx5VFSi4i7skrh2zENr2W2-qgyA8q-KKhiaqCxEOEnp5EqQlwV7GD5oeEZdts5luD5uCJxSj7s0f_ycN2ToJQICM/s1600/hemplegal.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nK0f5no8_JGzb7Y9BhGnn-OlNWf69PrEV62DVJ3TlO9YkSMXcZaXx5VFSi4i7skrh2zENr2W2-qgyA8q-KKhiaqCxEOEnp5EqQlwV7GD5oeEZdts5luD5uCJxSj7s0f_ycN2ToJQICM/s1600/hemplegal.jpeg" /></a></div><span data-jsid="text">Hemp as <b>paper</b>: To make paper, trees must grow for many years, while a field of hemp can be harvested in a few months and make four times the paper over a few decades. Also, the making paper from hemp uses only a fraction of the chemicals required to turn trees into paper. The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both farmed it. Ben Franklin owned a hemp paper mill.</span><br />
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<span data-jsid="text">Hemp as an <b>alternative to plastic</b>. Biodegradable and recyclable plastic blends address global policies for CO2 reduction and oil dependence. Hemp is also used in many other products, such as toothpaste, lubricants, inks, paints, cosmetics, cleaners, and even concrete.<a href="http://www.hempplastic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span></span></a></span><br />
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<span data-jsid="text">Hemp as <b>rope and canvas</b>: All ship's ropes and sails were previously made from hemp fibers. In fact the word canvas comes from cannabis. It wouldn't surprise me if Jesus Christ walked the earth in sandals made from hemp.</span><br />
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<span data-jsid="text">Hemp as a <b>super-food</b>: Hemp seeds contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary to maintain healthy human life. The seeds can be eaten raw, ground up and added to breakfast cereal, sprouted, made into hemp milk , tea, or used in baking. Fresh leaves can be a tasty salad additive. Products include cereals, waffles, hemp tofu, and butters. Retail hemp food products have virtually zero THC, so there's no worry about getting high off it!<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKr_lYPVM_X2zUb8FcO6mrKO7qnuKKt7du-tsZjg4sUlXWFui3ON9u8JiMp1hrxCDF8pe_UjzpgEm50bDyLX0sWG7ora3C5ukIhDNzEkR63hR9jwrS-8atMQEivn8ytq1vtiTuU93Yy0Q/s1600/HempCanSaveOurPlanet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKr_lYPVM_X2zUb8FcO6mrKO7qnuKKt7du-tsZjg4sUlXWFui3ON9u8JiMp1hrxCDF8pe_UjzpgEm50bDyLX0sWG7ora3C5ukIhDNzEkR63hR9jwrS-8atMQEivn8ytq1vtiTuU93Yy0Q/s320/HempCanSaveOurPlanet.jpg" width="247" /></a><span data-jsid="text">Don't forget about the obvious: Hemp (well, "marijuana", actually) as an alternative to many chemical-based, animal-tested, Earth un-friendly <b>pharmaceuticals</b>. Uses range from well-documented reduction of nausea and vomiting, stimulation of hunger in<span class="text_exposed_hide"></span><span class="text_exposed_show"> chemotherapy and AIDS patients, lowered intra-ocular eye pressure (shown to be effective for treating glaucoma), as well as general analgesic effects (pain reliever) Some studies have also shown that cannabis-based drugs can reduce or prevent certain types of cancers. Many U.S. States have made, or are considering making, cannabis sativa legal for medical purposes. </span></span><span data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Shhhhh, don't tell Pfizer</span></span><span data-jsid="text"></span><span data-jsid="text"></span><span data-jsid="text"> or Monsanto... they'd want to patent it. </span><span data-jsid="text"> </span><br />
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<b><span data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">So in honor of upcoming Earth Month in April, write your favorite U.S. legislator and ask that they ignore their fat-cat lobbyists, and recognize the potential value of ending hemp prohibition, for the environment and as a tax revenue-generating industry. </span></span></b><br />
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<span data-jsid="text"><a href="http://www.biodieselathome.net/History_of_Biodiesel.html">http://www.biodieselathome.net/History_of_Biodiesel.html</a> </span><br />
<span data-jsid="text"><a href="http://www.hemphasis.net/Fuel-Energy/fuel.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://www.hemphasis.net/F</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>uel-Energy/fuel.htm</a></span><span data-jsid="text"> </span><br />
<span data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_%28drug%29" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://en.wikipedia.org/wi</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>ki/Cannabis_%28drug%29</a> </span></span><span data-jsid="text"> </span><br />
<span data-jsid="text"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://en.wikipedia.org/wi</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>ki/Hemp</a></span><span data-jsid="text"> </span><br />
<span data-jsid="text"></span><a href="http://www.hempplastic.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://www.hempplastic.com</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>/</a><span data-jsid="text"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.hemp.org/"><span data-jsid="text">http://www.hemp.org/</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxd64t6H3_4"><span data-jsid="text">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxd64t6H3_4</span></a><br />
<span data-jsid="text"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1767749769">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne9UF-pFhJY&feature=relate</a>d </span><br />
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<span data-jsid="text"> </span>Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-41139365211075944172011-03-15T16:27:00.000-07:002011-03-15T16:27:44.021-07:00The Trash Walker of Stetson Valley<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4l0SVMFr1cVMMiBbYLb22axQ2JoqTHLgaD-6WmCEKe1htWhJsIZLZSxPgtaWoNdUG48Gdvbfn8YFvnPfh0oiLv4gYT0rNGp2Ls-W4dYf2xWbep7QM8g-d7sWIC7XBa1O1GV2jupy428/s1600/IMG_20110315_122252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4l0SVMFr1cVMMiBbYLb22axQ2JoqTHLgaD-6WmCEKe1htWhJsIZLZSxPgtaWoNdUG48Gdvbfn8YFvnPfh0oiLv4gYT0rNGp2Ls-W4dYf2xWbep7QM8g-d7sWIC7XBa1O1GV2jupy428/s320/IMG_20110315_122252.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim Linagan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Today while walking near home in the adjacent subdivision of Stetson Valley, I met an intriguing older man ambling along the sidewalk with two bags of trash, in an area where you wouldn't normally see transient people. With beads of perspiration welling up on his sun-reddened face, he answered my queries about what he was doing. Walking side-by-side, as he picks up some loose debris off the road, he tells me that he walks four to five hours around the neighborhood every morning, partly with his wife, Chris. He figures that since he's already out walking anyway, he might as well be picking up litter while he's at it. He usually starts around 7:00 am, before the sun gets too hot, but got a late start today. He often gets four or five bags full after walking for this long, but today has been a low-litter day. He's been doing this every day since he moved into his Stetson Valley home in 2006. The reason why he does it? To keep the neighborhood looking clean. And it does. I thanked him for doing such a noble thing for the environment and his neighbors, and he went on his way, occasionally bending over to pick up a stray candy wrapper or squished water bottle.Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-54930868125628197912011-01-18T13:33:00.000-08:002011-01-18T13:33:23.915-08:00Top of the Valley - Deem Hills Recreation Area<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1DpGwCvT5jxId6dqOgTsmMgpZ_W_gPy_nqY30Xx0qaLJ5xg9woOLhPYPq6s6KGhmyVfxtfpt03gaWDNqCXgKUeKa6s-GLh4seGNaExlzRyiaNdqP86lxUhFQyzPoopREi9AyJPNla2Q/s1600/IMG00041-20101213-0935.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1DpGwCvT5jxId6dqOgTsmMgpZ_W_gPy_nqY30Xx0qaLJ5xg9woOLhPYPq6s6KGhmyVfxtfpt03gaWDNqCXgKUeKa6s-GLh4seGNaExlzRyiaNdqP86lxUhFQyzPoopREi9AyJPNla2Q/s200/IMG00041-20101213-0935.jpg" width="200" /></a>Last winter, the City of Phoenix opened a new park in Stetson Valley, a Phoenix subdivision adjacent to our own. I was not impressed - it seemed that all that the park included was several soccer fields and a small children's play area. What a shame that the dozens of acres that the city had set aside for public recreation was left undeveloped. Land that for decades has primarily been used and abused by hunters, target practice shooters, ATV'ers, illegal dumpers, and partiers, all of whom have left a devastating amount of debris and destruction upon what was once pristine Sonoran Desert. I was disappointed - if it were cleaned up a bit, this area in the Deem Hills would be a prime location for some excellent hiking trails.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt13BWEgm3LXtUqVfXlGGXzUmvurn7yolZeECv9pyLiQxaV-9WmUhR2yGSxAFENw7LfEeQt1hwevazFl24lCUdsVUeJV7gdHz27pMyS9IteSDWgeC5HHBkARbhUaZlOTUBhAlIsFxmw8/s1600/IMG_4662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt13BWEgm3LXtUqVfXlGGXzUmvurn7yolZeECv9pyLiQxaV-9WmUhR2yGSxAFENw7LfEeQt1hwevazFl24lCUdsVUeJV7gdHz27pMyS9IteSDWgeC5HHBkARbhUaZlOTUBhAlIsFxmw8/s320/IMG_4662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83BBbeFTufGP2mmSfCgxbVRfFta8kZoRVea8uB9Z11Wm2E8psSlFK4M8IrwEx6-C5b4B7ONplMpnqG-wmmpmqwiu1dHSl4PZXtmPzncgp08llmcBT0sI1NUf4-OH-SilOmQX1eR-pv7M/s1600/IMG_4669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83BBbeFTufGP2mmSfCgxbVRfFta8kZoRVea8uB9Z11Wm2E8psSlFK4M8IrwEx6-C5b4B7ONplMpnqG-wmmpmqwiu1dHSl4PZXtmPzncgp08llmcBT0sI1NUf4-OH-SilOmQX1eR-pv7M/s320/IMG_4669.JPG" width="320" /></a>Later in the year, sometime in the fall, I noticed that there appeared to be a trail parallel to Happy Valley Road cut into the hill behind the Stetson Hills subdivision. My wish must have come true! I went to the Deem Hills Recreation area and now found that the city had indeed built some new trails over the summer. My maiden hike in late November, with my husband and visiting mother, found us plodding happily along several miles of new, well-graded trails. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkABxdfr0JvN3LUrc9GE1QSEG3GeAU6dvax7cq8yc1QX8G4i5Qnu59r2e8mpumxiN2G2im34Ov8gYa7NxXh7ejWA-mFyNyo2z6adyv-EG2XwqWNTzmpE_HENrYAqMT5-8tNpMbWvyxWqk/s1600/IMG_4679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkABxdfr0JvN3LUrc9GE1QSEG3GeAU6dvax7cq8yc1QX8G4i5Qnu59r2e8mpumxiN2G2im34Ov8gYa7NxXh7ejWA-mFyNyo2z6adyv-EG2XwqWNTzmpE_HENrYAqMT5-8tNpMbWvyxWqk/s320/IMG_4679.JPG" width="320" /></a>Since then, my husband and I have found a new favorite in the Ridgeline Trail, which runs off from a trail that circumferences the highest hill, zigzagging its way up to the top, then switchbacks back down to the main trail. The views are amazing. From the ridge, you can see pretty much the entire Valley of the Sun and its surrounding mountain ranges - the Bradshaws, White Tanks, South Mountain, Estrellas, McDowells - even Weaver's Needle in the Superstitions! You can also see glimpses of Lake Pleasant, the reflection of windows on hillside mansions in Carefree, Piestewa Peak, Shaw Butte, the hills of Thunderbird Park, and up-close-and-personal views of Ludden Mountain and Pyramid Peak.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6RMAPdJ5m1QVOkHtTSYIQObN2gl0YTwANamah9uKCkEAB_mneJ_x2pGBs_En4HD8-wivjsnjas1QyoWnpM7-xsm0h26zjNRTURA9ZaKFUVB4U4Fk9X4qyN8zciKugFqVFgLeapRm9D0/s1600/IMG_4675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6RMAPdJ5m1QVOkHtTSYIQObN2gl0YTwANamah9uKCkEAB_mneJ_x2pGBs_En4HD8-wivjsnjas1QyoWnpM7-xsm0h26zjNRTURA9ZaKFUVB4U4Fk9X4qyN8zciKugFqVFgLeapRm9D0/s320/IMG_4675.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Miles of the CAP canal are seen from here. I can even pick out my own house from the middle of one of the hundreds of subdivisions visible from this point. Hot air balloons make a regular appearance, seeming to almost graze the hill to give their passengers a thrill. We often sit atop the hill close to dusk watching them go by, land in the close by desert, and take off again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1klmf7iKcwyHkC8HHFc32Ujo9gz1KtREEtbRBfrxQ4NysfOuMlpQEgO6JYpzXXXXdgzCQPWpW9MJgZvI9okeJ92QFplIuDtQKUUToG-Y9LW3BmkJYMzkjv1bvNpSd5x32ZiSmo_PcXso/s1600/IMG00034-20110108-1629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1klmf7iKcwyHkC8HHFc32Ujo9gz1KtREEtbRBfrxQ4NysfOuMlpQEgO6JYpzXXXXdgzCQPWpW9MJgZvI9okeJ92QFplIuDtQKUUToG-Y9LW3BmkJYMzkjv1bvNpSd5x32ZiSmo_PcXso/s320/IMG00034-20110108-1629.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2npe_qKD1pQ_oWTfbnuoR91hrVcG9skOwAE0NWzKJqTlgULeb9tLXIAVaujc9pdOAOXdaAgOZAPM5Uku5S8iY5c9z0IkghVgFVt7IIqaDLVovWTtISKmvm4BtMM1CX09d8s1-SdkGZs/s1600/IMG_4695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2npe_qKD1pQ_oWTfbnuoR91hrVcG9skOwAE0NWzKJqTlgULeb9tLXIAVaujc9pdOAOXdaAgOZAPM5Uku5S8iY5c9z0IkghVgFVt7IIqaDLVovWTtISKmvm4BtMM1CX09d8s1-SdkGZs/s320/IMG_4695.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
We've now hiked this trail at least a dozen times this winter. The ~4 mile trail connects to a community trail that flanks Stetson Valley along the canal, all the way to a block away from my house, making a perfect 7 mile hike from my doorstep. I'm thrilled that the City of Phoenix has answered my wish for a trail system so close to home!<br />
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Below is a map of the Deem Hills Recreation Area trail system. The trails are still being improved, but are already a favorite among hikers, wanderers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZ9GL0X-H-PLYs6SRIYuL_mbQ0BjqYwEh5dhi77tqcqZRqBC_i8TRLJRNT_r0VwFYT2PU0otJ-FRLxlYupdOBH9cldPu6wycG7jBJXQsMlIKisDA57WVrwvKQEyDIM1XhwxWuiPMtRMk/s1600/deemmast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZ9GL0X-H-PLYs6SRIYuL_mbQ0BjqYwEh5dhi77tqcqZRqBC_i8TRLJRNT_r0VwFYT2PU0otJ-FRLxlYupdOBH9cldPu6wycG7jBJXQsMlIKisDA57WVrwvKQEyDIM1XhwxWuiPMtRMk/s640/deemmast.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1DpGwCvT5jxId6dqOgTsmMgpZ_W_gPy_nqY30Xx0qaLJ5xg9woOLhPYPq6s6KGhmyVfxtfpt03gaWDNqCXgKUeKa6s-GLh4seGNaExlzRyiaNdqP86lxUhFQyzPoopREi9AyJPNla2Q/s1600/IMG00041-20101213-0935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-85391848987932021432010-08-30T11:20:00.000-07:002010-08-30T11:20:34.498-07:00Spicy BBQ Chicken Marinade<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If to you the thought of eating low-fat poultry meat is bland and boring, try this out - your taste buds will be in for a treat!</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> This marinade recipe is based on a Portuguese specialty called “piri-piri” chicken, utilizing ground native piri-piri peppers (originally from Africa but now the pride of Portugal) rather than cayenne or other ground peppers. Not sure if piri-piri is available here in North America in grocery or specialty stores but if you can find it, try it out – it adds a nice flavour. </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The marinade is absolutely marvelous for BBQ chicken pieces, but I imagine it would taste equally yummy on other grilled or baked meats or seafood (I've done it with shrimp and it was fantastic! Will have to try it on scallops).</span></span></span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1 cup EVOO</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1.5 TBS piri-piri pepper or cayenne pepper or ground chili pequin / Thai chilies </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.5 TBS paprika</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4-5 cloves minced garlic</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 tsp sea salt</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.5 tsp ground oregano </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2 tsp lemon juice</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.5 tsp ground pepper</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.5 tsp sugar</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Put the above in a tightly sealed jar, shake briskly, and keep in the</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">fridge for a few weeks to meld flavours. Take out every day or two for a couple of hours to un-congeal (is that a word?) the oil, so you can shake and mix the ingredients more.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recipe based on 1 cup of oil should cover 25-30 pieces of chicken. I usually </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">use</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> only 1/4 cup at a time, for 6-8 pieces of chicken. 8 hours is enough to blend the flavors in the jar, but the longer the better. Marinate the chicken or other meat in the fridge at least 8 hours or longer for the most intense flavour.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBKvF96uAYF7wCrmt0rt285XBlqDh3UD4d4_Cjwx8sU3LNqSH2f9B7V4PlNRRqCUhHH-QwMyjEzj6IcQtxY4LmKLHnzuGNbIDKjNkFZus5df_EQpOLFNs0gcbz381W3HOnGkkkOGuZMQ/s1600/barbeque-chicken-on-the-grill-largethumb2152867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBKvF96uAYF7wCrmt0rt285XBlqDh3UD4d4_Cjwx8sU3LNqSH2f9B7V4PlNRRqCUhHH-QwMyjEzj6IcQtxY4LmKLHnzuGNbIDKjNkFZus5df_EQpOLFNs0gcbz381W3HOnGkkkOGuZMQ/s320/barbeque-chicken-on-the-grill-largethumb2152867.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Be sure to remove the extra fat and skin from the chicken pieces before marinating or the grill could flare up and burn the chicken.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grill on medium-high heat for about 45 minutes (based on thick breasts or thighs) or until juices run clear. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For chicken Tandoori, you may add 1 TBS Turmeric, 1 tsp. gharam marsala, a small amount of red food coloring (optional), and increase the lemon juice to 1 TBS. Turmeric is full of cancer-fighting anti-oxidants.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I haven't tried it yet, but might some time add tequila and use lime</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">juice to make tequila-lime chicken; or some bourbon and brown sugar to make bourbon chicken.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You could also try this oven-baked, with the chicken pieces coated with seasoned bread crumbs after dipping in milk, for a “Fried” chicken that would make the Colonel come back to life.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Feel free to modify as you wish.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="western"><span style="color: #3a3935;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bom apetite!</span></span></span></div>Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-25323252228232017252010-08-15T16:25:00.000-07:002010-08-15T16:25:16.169-07:00Smile in the Sky<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGj1I9uA2fUlBSbryPQG3zL8zlvgzlC3VNEmtoq4fRnDAtKddg9kz0Rw2rj_XC7iNyiEsKcjMD6tD7jUOmlrYobjjN4EHJcyX9C_EztTlyVB_1QIxmfyOSqOjd5A-iIMFkhwah5jZUZo/s1600/rainbowupsidedown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGj1I9uA2fUlBSbryPQG3zL8zlvgzlC3VNEmtoq4fRnDAtKddg9kz0Rw2rj_XC7iNyiEsKcjMD6tD7jUOmlrYobjjN4EHJcyX9C_EztTlyVB_1QIxmfyOSqOjd5A-iIMFkhwah5jZUZo/s320/rainbowupsidedown.JPG" width="320" /></a>Yesterday around 5:00 pm, as Jason and I were chillaxin' in the pool, we were treated to a rare sight in the hazy Phoenix sky - an upside-down rainbow. Never in my *mumble* years on earth have I seen such a thing.<br />
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No, our eyes weren't playing tricks on us, and we hadn't had four-too-many frosty beverages. Apparently, this was an optical phenomenon that happens when atmospheric pressure, the angle of the sun, and the ice crystals in cirrus clouds have a party.<br />
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According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumzenithal_arc">Wikipedia.com</a> (from where I copied this photo), "It is rarely noticed because it occurs so far overhead, but in fact is relatively common. Cirrus clouds which cause a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_dog" title="Sun dog">sun dog</a> can cause a <b>circumzenithal arc</b> when they reach the zenith, if the Sun is low in the sky."<br />
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True, I probably wouldn't have noticed the arc, had I not been wearing polarized sunglasses. It wasn't nearly as bright, colorful, or perfect when they were taken off. The Technicolor arch faded in and out for about an hour, sometimes showing only two colors, sometimes more brilliant than a regular rainbow.<br />
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Yet another spectacular masterpiece by the world's greatest artist, Mother Nature!Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-71652979313552383772010-08-14T10:04:00.000-07:002010-08-14T10:13:25.645-07:00Dry HeatA phrase heard often in Phoenix is "But it's a <b>dry</b> heat". Dry heat or not, that's little consolation for those of us who inhabit the desert city. Today it's going to be around 112F degrees (~ 45C). Tomorrow it is going to be a degree or two hotter. If you can't imagine what that kind of heat is like, picture this:<br />
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You know that blast of hot air when you open the oven door, that's what it feels like when you open the door of your air conditioned home to go outside.<br />
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You will walk all the way across a parking lot in order to get the space with the tiniest bit of shade to park under.<br />
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You conserve your body temperature by walking very slowly.<br />
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You keep oven mitts in the car so you can touch the steering wheel.<br />
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Hot water comes out of both taps, no matter how long you let it run.<br />
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You have to drink water constantly to maintain hydration. If you see someone in public without water, you know they are either a tourist or an idiot.<br />
<br />
Many people leave their garage doors open a foot to let the hot air escape. <br />
<br />
The cute puppy in the right margin of this blog refuses to walk on the sidewalk and demands to be carried.<br />
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The temperature gauge on the BBQ reads 180 before it's been lit.<br />
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Ice cream for breakfast sounds like a good idea.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlUeEOkROJzPHNrtuCKxibCae2vk2CnddkcCGviUiELK5f2hiMOtTas55YsMf34quDpnHORdHfDPcPHP9PF8W156DUzpl98eBpjnE7UfY4Nni8_q-pbRkaDGmHKisUZDCzdrEgIX8cW8/s1600/eggfrying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlUeEOkROJzPHNrtuCKxibCae2vk2CnddkcCGviUiELK5f2hiMOtTas55YsMf34quDpnHORdHfDPcPHP9PF8W156DUzpl98eBpjnE7UfY4Nni8_q-pbRkaDGmHKisUZDCzdrEgIX8cW8/s200/eggfrying.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>You can brew sun tea in the shade.<br />
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Never mind frying eggs on the sidewalk - you can grill hamburgers and roast marshmallows over the hood of your car.<br />
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Your summer electricity bill surpasses your mortgage payment due to A/C use.<br />
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You take two (or three) showers a day. And go through 21 pairs of undies a week.<br />
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The weatherman talks about a refreshing break coming when it is going to "cool down" to 105.<br />
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You jump in the pool to cool off, but it's more like a warm bath.<br />
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<br />
But it's a<b> dry</b> heat. We live with it. The heat is long forgotten when winter comes and we have the most lovely weather imaginable! In fact, I'm imagining it right now.Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-3197960225016787632010-08-03T16:34:00.000-07:002010-08-03T16:34:21.279-07:00Tofu Lasagna<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love lasagna - it's one of my favorite foods - but traditional versions tend to cause some grief around the mid-line, if ya know what I mean. Ground beef, heaping piles of Parmesan and ricotta cheese, eggs, etc. are full of artery-clogging saturated fat. I recently made a more healthy version - with tofu. Tofu is a highly nutritious, protein-rich food that is made from the curds of soybean milk. It doesn't have much flavor of its own, but when the water is squeezed out of it, it readily takes on flavors of anything it is cooked with. This recipe uses tofu to replace the ground beef in typical lasagna.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before you say "YUCK!", try it - you might like it! Here's how it's made:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ingredients:</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">9 uncooked lasagna noodles</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 12oz block of extra-firm tofu, thawed from frozen, drained well </span> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2-3 19oz cans of Italian style Diced Tomatoes (I used fire roasted with garlic, and only used 2 cans. When I make this again I'll use 3)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 medium onion, diced </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4 cloves garlic, minced </span> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 Tbs. lemon juice </span> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyowmhfND66agkZlOYynHywxx7MGt_wyTgkbW2GpkTH2WWHYz5I_AJnV6D82afng4cVj7m5GPHFJcvJPGh5FxntUTPwWTfq0PAHHPqY8YCq-U7tpmYW9nIHABg1Gjl0KO_N8271xKDvv4/s1600/IMG_3921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyowmhfND66agkZlOYynHywxx7MGt_wyTgkbW2GpkTH2WWHYz5I_AJnV6D82afng4cVj7m5GPHFJcvJPGh5FxntUTPwWTfq0PAHHPqY8YCq-U7tpmYW9nIHABg1Gjl0KO_N8271xKDvv4/s200/IMG_3921.JPG" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">1 Tbs. dried basil leaves</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 tsp. ground oregano</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2-1 tsp. crushed dried chilis</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/2 tsp. pepper</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg or allspice</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 large bottle of your favorite red wine</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6oz frozen chopped spinach, drained well</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 egg whites, beaten</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1/4 cup fat-free grated Parmesan cheese topping </span> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 cups low-fat part-skim mozzarella cheese</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> (feel free to use fresh ingredients if you have them!)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xorOzhPW-J2uDxKwP5F659mGlYJo2jt5M2FCl45fZMeAYRoolffviigwiEf5_4FNzn3gjOKGwFQjGRH0goBzObANxoK7ler1bV0iSLd6TRhuvqkhE3Ahyr_7VL9QTJG8y2S5xkXFha8/s1600/IMG_3929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xorOzhPW-J2uDxKwP5F659mGlYJo2jt5M2FCl45fZMeAYRoolffviigwiEf5_4FNzn3gjOKGwFQjGRH0goBzObANxoK7ler1bV0iSLd6TRhuvqkhE3Ahyr_7VL9QTJG8y2S5xkXFha8/s200/IMG_3929.JPG" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's what the Italians do - soak the noodles in hot water in the same pan you'll use for the lasagna. You'll have no need to boil them!</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BHVUNRZXP5SBzQGzwkPPNdcld5Lweq24_5ddxfRrD9UBN3DW5RdzpxTrDtPtOoNyzh-vUfMYJhmysxzPhgzvIfPJ6QhRWPRdxwb1WNEHmC4PAfAuql2B0NF4Wgqgr0xyAsU2UsmtsFc/s1600/IMG_3920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BHVUNRZXP5SBzQGzwkPPNdcld5Lweq24_5ddxfRrD9UBN3DW5RdzpxTrDtPtOoNyzh-vUfMYJhmysxzPhgzvIfPJ6QhRWPRdxwb1WNEHmC4PAfAuql2B0NF4Wgqgr0xyAsU2UsmtsFc/s200/IMG_3920.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Squeeze as much water as you can from the tofu. With very clean hands (or use plastic gloves) crumble the tofu to a ground beef-like consistency, squeezing as much water out as you can. This will keep the sauce from being runny.</span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBIqR3C9L9jB6N_BlDHnA7PKrFnQ01OJM29jmPnElPIhURxkPkn5Apszh19Fnc_zVJknX5YuBi0FF0W9t0Jjob4BElXhSuVGeVVsC694Hc1e_aXwW2WdMvowgfUOrNhEQGEU5QcPWV98/s1600/IMG_3926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBIqR3C9L9jB6N_BlDHnA7PKrFnQ01OJM29jmPnElPIhURxkPkn5Apszh19Fnc_zVJknX5YuBi0FF0W9t0Jjob4BElXhSuVGeVVsC694Hc1e_aXwW2WdMvowgfUOrNhEQGEU5QcPWV98/s200/IMG_3926.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Sauté the onion & garlic in a small amount of olive oil (not too hot!) until almost translucent, then add the crumbled tofu. Sauté a few more minutes, then add the spices, lemon juice, 1/4 cup red wine, tomatoes, and tofu. Simmer for about 10 minutes or longer, letting the flavors combine.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beat the egg whites into a small bowl, and mix in the drained spinach and Parmesan cheese. Pour yourself a glass of wine and take in the aroma of the sauce as you sip it.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileM6-ZAX-MRJ_hEddNgG4kSCzUvfBIU7rZ6DN_-AH5o-_xMZ9RJBQMvZ7AhsdeU1ATnAhfq1tIRBFLVWIbZPewtZDQiDRsTMWP6ozTEAaOnABxRy0b4rYS6Xq3BOxJSILAupI1SZ6Zkk/s1600/IMG_3931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileM6-ZAX-MRJ_hEddNgG4kSCzUvfBIU7rZ6DN_-AH5o-_xMZ9RJBQMvZ7AhsdeU1ATnAhfq1tIRBFLVWIbZPewtZDQiDRsTMWP6ozTEAaOnABxRy0b4rYS6Xq3BOxJSILAupI1SZ6Zkk/s200/IMG_3931.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spray the bottom of a 9x13" pan with olive oil or cooking spray, then line with 3 softened, expanded noodles. Evenly spread the spinach/egg mixture over them. Add a 2nd layer of noodles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAAJkCix4dERRLPs70StoR9RZqlbBPdDvI0rwwXUyJVfS6Ar6f80zcrimuS-G6aj65aEtNpK6DYSsYtn6xvpwPiUsLiB8YQeFn_eXwOQ6lkJqagAdQ22bCp-iLP5fEZIG0Ktn5T9Qm1k/s1600/IMG_3933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAAJkCix4dERRLPs70StoR9RZqlbBPdDvI0rwwXUyJVfS6Ar6f80zcrimuS-G6aj65aEtNpK6DYSsYtn6xvpwPiUsLiB8YQeFn_eXwOQ6lkJqagAdQ22bCp-iLP5fEZIG0Ktn5T9Qm1k/s200/IMG_3933.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spread 1/2 of the tofu/sauce mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with one cup of mozzarella. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUPvg5hV31IXlU4Yom1-lByqO3P4Dk5-p4EhCtIYitbO8tdijbXaWWyCz1h9I6USkeqvWlpNeA5fJdTEcydxDpy3sdEUECYiddYWKnhjHp_P2TjtsoqRt1-SrbWt3k26CUcSQ6qs6b0Q/s1600/IMG_3934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUPvg5hV31IXlU4Yom1-lByqO3P4Dk5-p4EhCtIYitbO8tdijbXaWWyCz1h9I6USkeqvWlpNeA5fJdTEcydxDpy3sdEUECYiddYWKnhjHp_P2TjtsoqRt1-SrbWt3k26CUcSQ6qs6b0Q/s200/IMG_3934.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Add another layer of noodles, sauce, and cheese. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. (175c) Pour yourself another glass of wine. Tune your satellite radio to the Frank Sinatra station.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURS01rIHb5FOtdCz8MX9dZmSYUWsYtRHWMYaJdO8GFSDYMYe_HZVrOuNsFaIBwNlV-uRJf_RZ5RwJuN2v-DbIAXX_8AzGy7OjExPBmMXVM_xg06rSQrCPAjE1TisB35UAVN1X1uCjHQE/s1600/IMG_3940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURS01rIHb5FOtdCz8MX9dZmSYUWsYtRHWMYaJdO8GFSDYMYe_HZVrOuNsFaIBwNlV-uRJf_RZ5RwJuN2v-DbIAXX_8AzGy7OjExPBmMXVM_xg06rSQrCPAjE1TisB35UAVN1X1uCjHQE/s320/IMG_3940.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cook the lasagna, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and just starting to brown. Finish off the bottle of wine and open another.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4GQitT8a_GDn8Z3EvW2abUcoYMDebbWn3Q9Z0cD37aRwh1Uj7ZcUrTmhjmZ0r6Gp8GaVWz8vko8bSy9BNHIbAc_AReaomt8UtXLdM0K2rMpLzg9Xl9CLIDvMNufYWCOGAbfWgJ9flAU/s1600/IMG_3943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4GQitT8a_GDn8Z3EvW2abUcoYMDebbWn3Q9Z0cD37aRwh1Uj7ZcUrTmhjmZ0r6Gp8GaVWz8vko8bSy9BNHIbAc_AReaomt8UtXLdM0K2rMpLzg9Xl9CLIDvMNufYWCOGAbfWgJ9flAU/s320/IMG_3943.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After cooking, let stand for 10 minutes. Get help cutting it into 8 servings and serve with red wine.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><h3 class="r" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">buon appetito!</h3><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-5264850613026051302010-07-31T15:05:00.000-07:002010-07-31T15:14:58.073-07:00The Canadian Snowbird in ArizonaA rusting mini-van with foreign license plates sits stopped in a Phoenix home-improvement store parking lot. Inside is an elderly man who is chatting through the van's open window with several men wearing work clothes, who are standing in a small group in the lot.<br />
<br />
Along comes a police officer who breaks up the conversation to question the van's driver. "Sir, may I see your license please".<br />
<br />
"Sure," says the grey-haired man, who digs the requested card out of his wallet.<br />
<br />
"Sir, this is not an Arizona-issued document. I also see that you have plates that also are not Arizona issue. Can you explain."<br />
<br />
The man replies "I'm from British Columbia".<br />
<br />
<br />
"Where in Mexico is that?"<br />
<br />
<br />
"It's actually in Western Canada."<br />
<br />
"Then why were you speaking Spanish?" The officer asks, becoming less polite.<br />
<br />
"To communicate better with these young men. I spend a lot of time in Mexico, in fact, I've been granted Permanent Residency there, so have picked up the language."<br />
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The officer peaks through the window into the back of the vehicle, where there is a pile of floor tile and grout. "I see you have been purchasing home improvement supplies. Are you planning on exporting them to Canada or Mexico?"<br />
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"Neither. Last Fall I bought a condo here in Phoenix, where my daughter lives. I'm doing some fix-ups. I live here in the winter."<br />
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"You LIVE here? Sir, I have reason to suspect you are here illegally. You were speaking Spanish, and attempting to pick up day-laborers who you should suspect are also here illegally, which is also a crime. Not to mention your outfit is strange for Arizona - nobody here wears short pants and a T-shirt when it is 40 degrees. I am required by the articles of SB 1070 for these reasons to determine your legal status."<br />
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The old man raises his eyebrows and replies "Well here's my Canadian passport, and my Mexican ID, if that helps, but I was just asking for directions..."<br />
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"Sir, Arizona law SB 1070 makes it illegal for you to be in Arizona without immigration papers. Without federal-issued documentation, and a lack of Arizona Driver License, I am required to take you to jail until your status becomes determined by a federal authority. You will be required to pay for the jail time until such time, plus a minimum $500 fine. This vehicle will be confiscated, and impounded as evidence. You will be deported if it is found you do not have legal status."<br />
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"But I'm a TOURIST!"<br />
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"Sir, you claimed you live here, and have not produced a travel Visa which you would have if you are really a tourist."<br />
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"Actually, Canadians are exempt from having Visas, officer!" The old man states.<br />
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"Sir, don't make me add 'resisting' arrest to your charges. SB 1070 does not make special provisions for Canadians. We are to treat all immigrant aliens equally, not based on race or country of origin. Step out of the vehicle, please."<br />
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The above story is a (admittedly a bad) work of fiction, but it is a scenario that really could happen based on the way the controversial Arizona SB 1070 is written. I really hope that the provisions of the law that were stricken out by Judge Bolton are not placed back on the November appeal. I fear for my father (the very real snowbird with the mini-van) and all other tourists from out-of-state, and also for all legal immigrants, especially if they "look or act like an illegal alien." <br />
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We need immigration reform and badly. But SB 1070 is not the answer. I beg all Arizonans and visitors to Arizona to plead with Governor Jan Brewer to not appeal the provisions that were struck down as being unconstitutional. We do not need Arizona to be a "police state". I hate being political in a blog, but this is a very important issue which is close to my heart. Arizona is financially broke and doesn't need to lose any more much-needed tourist dollars! <br />
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<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/28/AR2010072801794.html">Arizona immigration law SB 1070 - Judge blocks some sections</a><br />
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This legal immigrant will get off the soap-box now. Please take a look at the cute puppy on the right of the page, and have a great day!Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-64360797810869811102010-05-27T10:39:00.000-07:002010-05-27T10:39:51.028-07:00D.I.E.T resultsJason and I recently went on an experimental carbohydrate-restricted, high protein diet for a week (see last 2 blogs). As someone who is fascinated with the science of nutrition, the results didn't really surprise me.<br />
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After just the first day, both of us felt like we had swallowed a billiard ball whole, and that feeling lasted throughout the week. Jason complained daily about his disruptive bowel movements (thank me for not elaborating). Although we found it not-too-difficult to come up with satisfying meals, it did seem redundant to eat so many meat products (turkey, turkey-bacon, turkey-kielbasa, and ham - we do not like eating beef, in fact we usually don't eat red meat at all) and the same sides of cabbage, green salad, or broccoli. We also missed our high-fibre bread & cereal. I originally thought we may adhere to this diet for 2 weeks, but we weren't feeling very good, and knowing that restricting carbohydrates may be tough on the liver and other internal organs, we quit after one week.<br />
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So was it worth it? I lost .45% of my body weight and Jason lost .48%. He attributes his weight loss to exercising more that week, and mine could very well be normal fluctuation. In fact, in the few days since we resumed eating our usual low-fat, low-meat diet, I've lost another .8 pounds! So no, I'd say the diet was not beneficial in any way, and as predicted, I wouldn't recommend a long-term low-carbohydrate diet to anybody.<br />
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So much for the miracle diet. We're happy to be back to our usual way of eating! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguO_4QhdxR49kM5DiFbsb13RNKKonFlQvQZWI6sPzjSjYRzUzIy2AqMhGKyARJUwSROLcN9eDARjXF5kYCFsW3mN9js3WIkOIukQaTUW17eP4CwZMPqdmQVKhyphenhyphendvPLlOuY01LvfttL6p8/s1600/newfoodpyramid.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguO_4QhdxR49kM5DiFbsb13RNKKonFlQvQZWI6sPzjSjYRzUzIy2AqMhGKyARJUwSROLcN9eDARjXF5kYCFsW3mN9js3WIkOIukQaTUW17eP4CwZMPqdmQVKhyphenhyphendvPLlOuY01LvfttL6p8/s320/newfoodpyramid.gif" /></a></div>Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-7984828308338921542010-05-16T11:46:00.000-07:002010-05-16T11:46:39.714-07:00D.I.E.T. Day 1I received a really cool scale from my sister for Christmas. It not only tells you what you weigh, but also your BMI, fat/muscle ratio, how many calories you need a day to sustain your current weight, and what your "body age" is. I have no idea how it works, or how accurate it can measure these things by the sensors under your feet and in the hand grips from which it gleans information, but it's cool, none-the-less.<br />
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So, today being the first day of my experimental low-carb diet, I stepped upon my cool scale to set the base mark. 113.2 pounds, BMI around 20, and I'm only 32 years old! Not bad. I'd still like to lose the muffin-top, though. Almost-daily exercise and eating a nutrient packed diet hasn't done it. Jason has weighed himself as well, but he won't tell me what the scale said.<br />
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We've already survived a bread and cereal exempt breakfast of egg white scrambled with freshly chopped green onion, green chili, and tomatoes. Lunch will be lean turkey kielbasa and sauerkraut with spicy mustard. Supper: leftover dark turkey meat & a romaine lettuce, celery, tomato, and cucumber salad with home-made olive oil & vinegar dressing.<br />
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We'll see what several days of complex-carbohydrate deprivation will do when I stand on my scale in a week or two.Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-55404343032729832062010-05-14T13:46:00.000-07:002010-05-15T10:32:36.853-07:00Me? A D.I.E.T???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFhyphenhyphenQjkrDTP2mqc8UH7lVu2XWvRT_GbQ_sn3MmeEnkKrTwtu77u3bVG0Wv2oyVJsCMpjyAPi95PetYDTk4d4Qpjbu4ciUXX77kVep_ACJ5jV3FuemaF1VDjN4h6C74CyFHyo3oWHzQTM/s1600/fatwoman.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>Those who know me best know that I am a freak when it comes to nutrition. What the same people <i>don't </i>know is that I think most fad "diets" are downright dumb, if not dangerous.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFhyphenhyphenQjkrDTP2mqc8UH7lVu2XWvRT_GbQ_sn3MmeEnkKrTwtu77u3bVG0Wv2oyVJsCMpjyAPi95PetYDTk4d4Qpjbu4ciUXX77kVep_ACJ5jV3FuemaF1VDjN4h6C74CyFHyo3oWHzQTM/s1600/fatwoman.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFhyphenhyphenQjkrDTP2mqc8UH7lVu2XWvRT_GbQ_sn3MmeEnkKrTwtu77u3bVG0Wv2oyVJsCMpjyAPi95PetYDTk4d4Qpjbu4ciUXX77kVep_ACJ5jV3FuemaF1VDjN4h6C74CyFHyo3oWHzQTM/s320/fatwoman.jpeg" /></a></div>But lately, there's been a couple of pounds that just don't want to leave my hips despite regular exercise, and for the most part, eating right. My husband has a few pounds or thirty he could stand losing, himself.<br />
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So, starting Sunday, I've decided that we are going to try healthy variations of a couple of different diets, for only a week or two at a time, to see how we feel and look by changing things up a little. The first will be a healthy low-carb diet.<br />
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This diet will allow:<br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaojfmoZOvrb3X_7J-j6viRIZRIw-LWno2B_SPrkFJzTT8w7NXAL7dOyJ2NxZNnsqpoaBN26I-x4meanh0o2jHv9NBaRr3JOv765K6Wc8JUVVXRa8O7pjQjyJ6IZfenT7CaCodL61ou2U/s1600/chickenraw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaojfmoZOvrb3X_7J-j6viRIZRIw-LWno2B_SPrkFJzTT8w7NXAL7dOyJ2NxZNnsqpoaBN26I-x4meanh0o2jHv9NBaRr3JOv765K6Wc8JUVVXRa8O7pjQjyJ6IZfenT7CaCodL61ou2U/s200/chickenraw.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li>sautéed, baked, steamed, lightly stir-fried or BBQ, LEAN meats, fish & seafood, poultry and their products, barbecued, (such as lean lunch meat, turkey bacon), in MODERATE PORTIONS. None of that "all-you-can-eat steak, bacon, and ribs" from a popular fad low-carb diet. I'm talking like a deck-of-cards size.</li>
<li>egg whites and no more than 2 yolks per week.</li>
<li>low-fat dairy and soy products (including skim and sugar-free soy milk, & tofu)</li>
<li>cheese in small amounts for flavour</li>
<li>healthier non-processed vegetable oils such as olive & canola</li>
<li>green vegetables such as Romaine lettuce, spinach & other greens, green onions, parsley, cabbage, & broccoli</li>
<li>tomatoes: fresh, cooked or canned without sugar</li>
<li>peppers of all kinds - the spicier the merrier</li>
<li>all herbs & spices, and fresh garlic </li>
<li>beer or wine in same moderation as usual diet, no hard liquor drinks or coolers. </li>
<li>salsa & sugar free hot sauce, horseradish, sugar & fat free mustard, smoke flavoring, sugar-free soy sauce, lime & lemon juice in small amounts</li>
<li>sugar free pickles & unsweetened sauerkraut</li>
<li>tea & coffee</li>
<li>no more than 4 ounces of unsweetened orange juice per day</li>
<li>a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement</li>
<li>home-made oil-and-vinegar dressing</li>
<li>plenty of water</li>
<li>artificial sugar-free sweeteners</li>
<li>grapefruit, lemons, lime </li>
</ul><br />
What it <i>won't</i> allow:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimymEVxOWn5BMka_JfALBBtON_ZZjrIECyXX9j-Y4rfGgxu558nhQxuXRIV9J2KmLNUmmwKD0MlBHdKkfB2puMNufQ1_fCPRVbzXn2UsYaK7_avgRe4q60O_U8t27Iy5bEbP3UrD4Tl94/s1600/hotdog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><ul><li>Fatty meats or dairy products including wieners, bologna and hamburger; whole milk & high-fat cheese </li>
<li>Fried ANYTHING!</li>
<li>beans, including soy beans (edamame)</li>
<li>nuts & seeds</li>
<li>berries</li>
<li>rice, cereal, breads, corn, pastries, cakes, cookies, granola, pasta, crackers, or any other grain products<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimymEVxOWn5BMka_JfALBBtON_ZZjrIECyXX9j-Y4rfGgxu558nhQxuXRIV9J2KmLNUmmwKD0MlBHdKkfB2puMNufQ1_fCPRVbzXn2UsYaK7_avgRe4q60O_U8t27Iy5bEbP3UrD4Tl94/s1600/hotdog.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimymEVxOWn5BMka_JfALBBtON_ZZjrIECyXX9j-Y4rfGgxu558nhQxuXRIV9J2KmLNUmmwKD0MlBHdKkfB2puMNufQ1_fCPRVbzXn2UsYaK7_avgRe4q60O_U8t27Iy5bEbP3UrD4Tl94/s200/hotdog.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div></li>
<li>sugary condiments such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, sweet-and-sour sauce, mayo, whipped dressing, store-bought salad dressing, store-bought spaghetti sauce, sweet pickles</li>
<li>high complex-carb veggies such as potatoes, carrots, yams, beets (don't even THINK about french fries!), cauliflower</li>
<li>processed meals (like I ever eat those anyway)</li>
<li>canned vegetables</li>
<li>juices besides 4 oz of OJ/day</li>
<li>anything with sugar or corn syrup in it including jams & jellies</li>
<li>more than 2 egg yolks a week</li>
<li>peanut, soy, saturated, or tropical oils or anything with those in them, including butter or margarine.</li>
<li>brown, yellow, white, or red onions in large amounts</li>
<li>candies, chocolates (it should go without saying, but...)</li>
<li>fruit except for grapefruit, lemons, and lime </li>
</ul>We'll follow this for a week, two if we can handle it. My husband is reluctantly willing - we don't enjoy eating meat all that much - and will miss the high-fibre bread and cereal products, as well as the rice & beans, for sure. After this trial we are going to try something altogether different to compare results.<br />
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Feel free to try along with us, and I would love to hear your results - good or bad. There's a great web site that will let you know the carbohydrate, protein, and fat content of most foods at http://www.nutritiondata.com/ Let me know if you have any questions.<br />
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Bon appetite!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">photos courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net</span>Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-75053776341486753102010-04-30T14:03:00.000-07:002010-04-30T14:03:32.374-07:00Palin Claims Drilling 'Safe And Environmentally Friendly'<object style="background-image: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/g6MOzmiY9iQ/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g6MOzmiY9iQ&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g6MOzmiY9iQ&hl=en_US&fs=1" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-43800909489996761072010-04-25T15:08:00.000-07:002010-04-25T15:49:38.496-07:00Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees, the flowers and the trees...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyGbnF1ZpJlVZcOVi01KZNhyphenhyphenEyd_Hp_bpUtWmZFNwx4hMFJ_tVeFic4WZklukT55QXvp5hy9up9OCJG4EBN40Ee2uW7OM-JL3rSuCwr-Ci7TmfUtObkzdPMq1PFr455W51TqXJjDrcS8/s1600/IMG_3549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyGbnF1ZpJlVZcOVi01KZNhyphenhyphenEyd_Hp_bpUtWmZFNwx4hMFJ_tVeFic4WZklukT55QXvp5hy9up9OCJG4EBN40Ee2uW7OM-JL3rSuCwr-Ci7TmfUtObkzdPMq1PFr455W51TqXJjDrcS8/s320/IMG_3549.JPG" /></a></div>Yesterday, we took a day off to spend my birthday at the <b>Boyce Thompson Arboretum</b> near Superior, Arizona. The weather was perfect, and the timing couldn't have been any better, as most of the desert wildflowers and trees on display there were in full bloom.<br />
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Hundreds of cars were in the parking lot, indicating how popular this State Park is on a fabulous Spring day.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVpRyp8MIAWETKFwygsIvmDrXwVapDMisMQbABOA6S4WT2RWO8M6qQ2BTNz8oWYyGsKwhHv_fUDoaNeINuKCfZsTfFhorAqh_RbPAC-HGY_w6Q28A0pUO-WBmuqJTRBKjOguqLz04Cyg/s1600/IMG_3700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVpRyp8MIAWETKFwygsIvmDrXwVapDMisMQbABOA6S4WT2RWO8M6qQ2BTNz8oWYyGsKwhHv_fUDoaNeINuKCfZsTfFhorAqh_RbPAC-HGY_w6Q28A0pUO-WBmuqJTRBKjOguqLz04Cyg/s320/IMG_3700.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Pictures and words can only <i>begin</i> to describe the kaleidoscopic show of flowers throughout the park. So much for a barren desert! You couldn't turn your head without being amazed by yet another bush, cactus, herb, succulent, or tree in bloom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_Q40CsEsTslJ7jPwzZ1RzMti68ZRurNeoCncOr_gGUHpL8-59hj9fuOAZ8tOEauDvHtuqWlF7AMqOGk9cTNIar4IDu1xcTVhSJ_id1MzO1swJon1D_iPbGYKJjqf1oXAAqlniTNNa1U/s1600/IMG_3587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_Q40CsEsTslJ7jPwzZ1RzMti68ZRurNeoCncOr_gGUHpL8-59hj9fuOAZ8tOEauDvHtuqWlF7AMqOGk9cTNIar4IDu1xcTVhSJ_id1MzO1swJon1D_iPbGYKJjqf1oXAAqlniTNNa1U/s320/IMG_3587.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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One of my favorite birds seen here in the Sonoran Desert, a Phainopepla. Jason thinks its name sounds like a disease.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7lub0TPexoPkECXXyHzexlvzUTpLQQbDJlMJDLTH8ytgIsDE5nGCHfGWboVvpdnxMrzChRn97B1e51tDc0I0XCLNXOBDR9y_H9ZmDMJloKmP9Wv26JfTJ9GkDqCVZln-41l1oKLSZYQ/s1600/IMG_3710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7lub0TPexoPkECXXyHzexlvzUTpLQQbDJlMJDLTH8ytgIsDE5nGCHfGWboVvpdnxMrzChRn97B1e51tDc0I0XCLNXOBDR9y_H9ZmDMJloKmP9Wv26JfTJ9GkDqCVZln-41l1oKLSZYQ/s320/IMG_3710.JPG" /></a></div> This clever fellow ran away from Jason as he tried to photograph it, but for some reason it found refuge on my foot. I think he might have wanted to clue me in on how I could "save hundreds on car insurance."<br />
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Please forgive the chipped nailpolish & ugly sandals (they're COMFORTABLE! :-) )<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e740G38ep1Mo7jqzSDvDatfO9i3SrBuwZG_JldpjcfwCmkLsUAau5mog1gBWgkQg0jncAOVPfGjQP7KPgeECp3q7nBwoyFU2wVpc0TVgN8XDZxxvW_Tg9zLOeAj-B_W2e41xc4MnB1k/s1600/IMG_3605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e740G38ep1Mo7jqzSDvDatfO9i3SrBuwZG_JldpjcfwCmkLsUAau5mog1gBWgkQg0jncAOVPfGjQP7KPgeECp3q7nBwoyFU2wVpc0TVgN8XDZxxvW_Tg9zLOeAj-B_W2e41xc4MnB1k/s320/IMG_3605.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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This is a carpenter bee. Like June-bugs, they are quite large and imposing, but at the same time, non-aggressive. They are ubiquitous in the Sonoran desert in March/April.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0tib3uq4UHGyCba7pj0cPDkZgzov-tRqw3coQOw0zWyrJxJYqog2QOwesluc4IhbEpptzQZ3tTf4Q5iEZvH2yEgHbrbxHKNsKf9BcI2DTfm61QD8-7harWJ0apSGKfM4wac7aKQBfN8/s1600/IMG_3583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0tib3uq4UHGyCba7pj0cPDkZgzov-tRqw3coQOw0zWyrJxJYqog2QOwesluc4IhbEpptzQZ3tTf4Q5iEZvH2yEgHbrbxHKNsKf9BcI2DTfm61QD8-7harWJ0apSGKfM4wac7aKQBfN8/s320/IMG_3583.JPG" /></a><br />
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One of the many trails in the park. This is so funny... just as I was about to caption this photo, Jason asked me how to spell "chihuahua" (he's writing the pets portion on a rental home contract)<br />
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The park has several different geological and geographical zones, such as the Chihuahuan, Upper Sonoran, Eucalyptus forest, Australian Outback, herb garden, Magma Ridge, and South American exhibits.<br />
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This is the clever silky trap of a funnel-web spider's spiny cactus lair. Insects can go in, but they're not likely to re-emerge!<br />
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We didn't go past this point. <br />
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One exhibit was of a small forest of different eucalyptus (redbark) trees from around the world. Some of these trees were huge!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nJWBbf0J4xbWcL6jlI4MKc6APjy0rRhyphenhyphenZD10Xb8ThymfRu5J7WgS1n9Psu0lx-gtNaVSWDgX9Em_DGFs3CJvSyTLeIptJHlV9tguv76s6Kkt7dyHnJ5mwevmrMKc2Oh_g8wnkI91bfs/s1600/IMG_3625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nJWBbf0J4xbWcL6jlI4MKc6APjy0rRhyphenhyphenZD10Xb8ThymfRu5J7WgS1n9Psu0lx-gtNaVSWDgX9Em_DGFs3CJvSyTLeIptJHlV9tguv76s6Kkt7dyHnJ5mwevmrMKc2Oh_g8wnkI91bfs/s320/IMG_3625.JPG" /></a></div> Enjoying a beautiful day amidst the birds and the bees, the flowers and the trees, was an awesome birthday present! If you are in the Phoenix area, especially in Spring, <b>I highly recommend visiting the Boyce Thompson Arboretum!</b> Even if you're not a "nature person" you will enjoy it. You are welcome to view the complete photo album of of the spectacular flowers & scenery from yesterday's trip by clicking <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/schriswebb/20100424_Boyce_Thompson_Arboretum#">here</a>Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-51483674422260033922010-04-19T21:13:00.000-07:002010-04-19T21:15:53.490-07:00A Trip to Nowhere and BackYesterday, in honour of Jason's Birthday, we took the day off and took a road trip to nowhere and back. Where's nowhere, you ask? Well, it's near Nothing. Nothing is a place where there is literally nothing to see, and we've "been there, done that" on many trips past it on the way to more interesting places. Unlike Nothing, what we thought was the middle of nowhere actually had a few populated central Arizona towns in which we've never been. I guess to call them nowhere is a bit misleading and insulting to their residents, so although they might not be somewhere most people go, they ain't nowhere.<br />
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</a></div>To get to these towns we headed east from Highway 93, just a few miles south of Nothing, and just a few<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijm3yYn-2tcRgm_1OGO5MXhQcDya6VaT1tTIy7P-BK1Tg6-dS7UyS5ymcbQnmGij3zQ6c37k8A7VwdbU2FeVAkFodR-rOcsoj5JuSxrc1EX2mplrUDssMXUvJo_pK1bGudHGvBvBoS-7k/s1600/2010-04-18RoadTrip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijm3yYn-2tcRgm_1OGO5MXhQcDya6VaT1tTIy7P-BK1Tg6-dS7UyS5ymcbQnmGij3zQ6c37k8A7VwdbU2FeVAkFodR-rOcsoj5JuSxrc1EX2mplrUDssMXUvJo_pK1bGudHGvBvBoS-7k/s320/2010-04-18RoadTrip.jpg" /></a> miles north of the Santa Maria River. We went in and out of the thriving metropoli of Bagdad (not a typo), Hillside, Skull Valley, Kirkland, Willhoit, Peeples Valley, Yarnell, and Congress. We saw a lot of amazing scenery on the way. The rocky hillsides dazzled us with greenery and wildflowers. This was mostly high desert and rangeland that you can easily imagine is brown and dreary at most times, but not this Spring. In fact, the Hassayampa and Santa Maria Rivers, as well as their tributaries were flowing with snowmelt runoff. We also saw lingering snow on the hills, from the pass south of Prescott. You can click the following photos to enlarge them:<br />
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This is the Hassayampa River in Wickenberg, which is usually dry. "Hassayampa" comes from the Yavapai Indians, for "River that flows upside-down". The water literally flows underground most of the time. A local legend has it that anyone who drinks from the river can never again tell the truth.<br />
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This is the Santa Maria River south of Nothing. Not exactly raging waters, but refreshing-looking just the same.<br />
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This quaint 50's style diner appeared to be the focal point of the town of Bagdad, a small mining town, but one of the larger bergs on this trip. Bagdad's non-descript houses all looked the same - white stucco with red roofs - probably because they were built by and are owned by the mine.<br />
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This is the Santa Maria River again, but several miles upstream. We'll have to camp here some time.<br />
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This rather precarious double-wide trailer was about the only thing that was hillside in Hillside Arizona. I just realized - we never saw a soul in either Bagdad or Hillside - maybe everyone was in church?<br />
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The only business in town, the Hillside Country Store, was closed of course.<br />
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I was hoping to see some famous painted rocks on this trip, such as the skull over Skull Valley, and the Frog Rock over Bagdad. We missed those, but this one really quacked us up.<br />
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Skull Valley. Notice the age of the gas pumps.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudxplZj5decLGK2c_-az2whUkqVnh1Pr5k9nBs83aLdv1eez7fTejLWFCiz09nT3JNv4CI_c2_G6B-i1Ashrv5zwBf8sH6G4yJZDWEZn6w4NKRK7O89Vtxrl5IEFVTpiwzTDNrlKY_Os/s1600/IMG_3518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudxplZj5decLGK2c_-az2whUkqVnh1Pr5k9nBs83aLdv1eez7fTejLWFCiz09nT3JNv4CI_c2_G6B-i1Ashrv5zwBf8sH6G4yJZDWEZn6w4NKRK7O89Vtxrl5IEFVTpiwzTDNrlKY_Os/s200/IMG_3518.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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The approach to Skull Valley's thriving business district.<br />
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Peeples Valley. Kind of picturesque, but there's not really all that much there but horse grazing land.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is where all the action is in Kirkland.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnHxrKIoKnwht_oJkxI1FhIKcMErycfvthWwtIg7HvNr2l5-wGf9YNiu_s_799Jw-qHKBWPKGxsWA-F54WuC6gw_QJOe0FCMgaYtVV-fouw1afd4pMtmuc7Xm3EzDpBrwhKU5d9lGo9c/s1600/IMG_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnHxrKIoKnwht_oJkxI1FhIKcMErycfvthWwtIg7HvNr2l5-wGf9YNiu_s_799Jw-qHKBWPKGxsWA-F54WuC6gw_QJOe0FCMgaYtVV-fouw1afd4pMtmuc7Xm3EzDpBrwhKU5d9lGo9c/s200/IMG_3515.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8Uy5H7o7vvCdFhe5ThU6gvN8N_p0GSGY8YlSzEmWxuYLF3sc023juzj0Th7RlowbaYLpf7VVQEX0_vwmQWoHpPxxX2Rn8oKd6hfZ8UJkV-yXwwlZKELWduVtxvoKOW7dkcMrHK9lKXE/s1600/IMG_3531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8Uy5H7o7vvCdFhe5ThU6gvN8N_p0GSGY8YlSzEmWxuYLF3sc023juzj0Th7RlowbaYLpf7VVQEX0_vwmQWoHpPxxX2Rn8oKd6hfZ8UJkV-yXwwlZKELWduVtxvoKOW7dkcMrHK9lKXE/s200/IMG_3531.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>There was a cool overlook at about 6000 feet elevation. We could see for miles.<br />
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</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's the birthday boy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquGs9CodI-Zk7k4CU4-MtJ00I3oIbDggEt2x1RP8u_rcg9ZSDZTKP2_B28VOLyb9M5m0VdqHOO6wB3L46SQTRWO_k3-iCZmRp1URMsa3hxgmVwbdPap0HIZRguXaeF58RcNUM4g0Gemw/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquGs9CodI-Zk7k4CU4-MtJ00I3oIbDggEt2x1RP8u_rcg9ZSDZTKP2_B28VOLyb9M5m0VdqHOO6wB3L46SQTRWO_k3-iCZmRp1URMsa3hxgmVwbdPap0HIZRguXaeF58RcNUM4g0Gemw/s200/IMG_3532.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7dCLJ3gzOx-35vRiz_njyF_JubQnHLUglfDtl_5dKsXOo1_miX2abK1S3Mn9nqud4NQIRllZp7iNAXoUwhNKrIX5c3q5Jiz9cfSLc53buF3KiO7DnRjsIRyySAODLykWGeJfDFj9_l8/s1600/IMG_3514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7dCLJ3gzOx-35vRiz_njyF_JubQnHLUglfDtl_5dKsXOo1_miX2abK1S3Mn9nqud4NQIRllZp7iNAXoUwhNKrIX5c3q5Jiz9cfSLc53buF3KiO7DnRjsIRyySAODLykWGeJfDFj9_l8/s200/IMG_3514.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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There were lots of scenic rocky outcroppings and hoodoos along the route.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Congress was an interesting town. If you're in need </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Uf6NdMjW0TjOS5cDpxooZ9eeDbPCqnHWdfZlW0uiI2FYbIMF81QsqCc5bDAUWze7uZ8iIaUfMNGC09YuijCYqoGQiEWytF7Inv7Tod4VXfuuZPD8IESzQbb6nL7njoKMLl2gkKbVrSU/s1600/IMG_3542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Uf6NdMjW0TjOS5cDpxooZ9eeDbPCqnHWdfZlW0uiI2FYbIMF81QsqCc5bDAUWze7uZ8iIaUfMNGC09YuijCYqoGQiEWytF7Inv7Tod4VXfuuZPD8IESzQbb6nL7njoKMLl2gkKbVrSU/s200/IMG_3542.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">of something extremely odd, chances are you can buy it here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquGs9CodI-Zk7k4CU4-MtJ00I3oIbDggEt2x1RP8u_rcg9ZSDZTKP2_B28VOLyb9M5m0VdqHOO6wB3L46SQTRWO_k3-iCZmRp1URMsa3hxgmVwbdPap0HIZRguXaeF58RcNUM4g0Gemw/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquGs9CodI-Zk7k4CU4-MtJ00I3oIbDggEt2x1RP8u_rcg9ZSDZTKP2_B28VOLyb9M5m0VdqHOO6wB3L46SQTRWO_k3-iCZmRp1URMsa3hxgmVwbdPap0HIZRguXaeF58RcNUM4g0Gemw/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5izgSIfO5T7YuzmFEJOF7k_tX6sMg4MFY9TFuKQfpVGjZkmzwAktDTi1ODaVM57UXdreekUw-zclvomwaMROGeSUt76956eDtaC_j964Tvh8-BITw3riKeO7crTcWwikJoQra5GwjSRc/s1600/IMG_3538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5izgSIfO5T7YuzmFEJOF7k_tX6sMg4MFY9TFuKQfpVGjZkmzwAktDTi1ODaVM57UXdreekUw-zclvomwaMROGeSUt76956eDtaC_j964Tvh8-BITw3riKeO7crTcWwikJoQra5GwjSRc/s200/IMG_3538.JPG" width="200" /></a> ... or a nine-foot rooster. Pulling an antique tractor. I'm sure there's a very good in-joke about this that's well-known in town. Or perhaps the shop owner is just nuts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This concludes our enjoyable road trip to nowhere and back. We didn't see any famous landmarks, but most of the towns we saw along the way were better than Nothing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijm3yYn-2tcRgm_1OGO5MXhQcDya6VaT1tTIy7P-BK1Tg6-dS7UyS5ymcbQnmGij3zQ6c37k8A7VwdbU2FeVAkFodR-rOcsoj5JuSxrc1EX2mplrUDssMXUvJo_pK1bGudHGvBvBoS-7k/s1600/2010-04-18RoadTrip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-69480910105406100052010-04-13T13:46:00.000-07:002010-04-19T15:49:04.080-07:0010 Things to Make Our Wallets (and Mother Earth) Happy!Every time my birthday comes around, I'm reminded of a slightly more important event that happens around the same time every year.<br />
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Two days before my firs<a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtN5aHCNuOwWopqqFPOli4sH4Q8-QWgXvxw16eQfApKSdke4T_IBXgOwfnomLsf3tcO1tBZncsza3nXSQjZ825k9FWSE5ffhzkeiCLxoc0DTtOkt1L73y5nL3jDGRHIviyoyGBGYizw8/s1600/earthe_01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtN5aHCNuOwWopqqFPOli4sH4Q8-QWgXvxw16eQfApKSdke4T_IBXgOwfnomLsf3tcO1tBZncsza3nXSQjZ825k9FWSE5ffhzkeiCLxoc0DTtOkt1L73y5nL3jDGRHIviyoyGBGYizw8/s320/earthe_01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459741546859899554" border="0" /></a>t birthday, April 22nd, 1970, the environmental movement was kicked off with about 20 million Americans attending peaceful demonstrations in favor of environmental reform. Now April 22nd is observed by half a trillion people, in scores of countries around the world.<br />
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You can google Earth Day's history if you're interested. What's more important is to pay attention to what it stands for today. That is, that we need to be responsible to our environment. Back in the first Earth Days, being environmentally responsible used to equal inconvenience and price, but today that that is far from the case. In fact, there are several tiny changes we can easily adapt into our lifestyle to actually <span style="font-style: italic;">save</span> money.<br />
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Here's a few:<br />
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1. Change your light bulbs to CFL's. An ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) will save about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in about 6 months. It uses 75 percent less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb. See more about this<br />
<a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=LB">here.</a><br />
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2. Turn off your computer and/or laptop when you're not using it. A<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJyYfOlBXabKz4q-VghUR5UHwJwYiDScr__doe-A5fcAPugIgrqZOM524OClAiq1_IH4OhRGjnIftLEEaFOZNHqfvii9lLyH6DhkhyphenhyphenILEOIqj3SSjVr_QR2zhn7rjZ-Nn56_oUiX77Zw/s1600/DSC_1454(2).jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJyYfOlBXabKz4q-VghUR5UHwJwYiDScr__doe-A5fcAPugIgrqZOM524OClAiq1_IH4OhRGjnIftLEEaFOZNHqfvii9lLyH6DhkhyphenhyphenILEOIqj3SSjVr_QR2zhn7rjZ-Nn56_oUiX77Zw/s320/DSC_1454(2).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459764380539767730" border="0" /></a> screen-saver could aptly be called an energy-waster. Unplug your accessories when convenient. Same goes with your phone charger - it sucks juice even when the phone isn't being charged. Unplug your A/V equipment when you go on vacation. Find out energy output on various computer equipment<br />
<a href="http://computing.fs.cornell.edu/Sustainable/fsit_facts.cfm">here.</a><br />
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3. Switch to a Time-of-Use power plan if your utility provider has one. You can save a lot of money by doing your high-energy activities at low-demand hours. Buy a timed thermostat if you don't have one...<br />
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4. Turn off your thermostat (or at least change it by a few degrees). On cooler days, adjust by putting on a sweater. On warmer days, sleep with fewer blankets. Use ceiling fans (but <span style="font-style: italic;">only</span> when someone's in the room!) Did you know your computer throws off a lot of heat? (turn it off...)<br />
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5. Water your plants/la<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8Rnx7XfZJmY3j_Cp2myeSbgfsbrrvJPkTXQYKCM6VTMFtgRPnI_fL-6sGjhjVoHCHEBtfJDIYvh9SUoFQGVDxbGK_p2me_6Y9T-8WFbjqKuuQeWnshEPDj-Oil5IpskrQreuBD-OLDk/s1600/dew.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8Rnx7XfZJmY3j_Cp2myeSbgfsbrrvJPkTXQYKCM6VTMFtgRPnI_fL-6sGjhjVoHCHEBtfJDIYvh9SUoFQGVDxbGK_p2me_6Y9T-8WFbjqKuuQeWnshEPDj-Oil5IpskrQreuBD-OLDk/s320/dew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459748330658045746" border="0" /></a>wn when it's coolest outside. If you don't have a timer, now is a great time to buy one. If you live in the desert, utilize low-water-use plants in your landscaping. Instead of a hose or blower to control the leaves on your patio or lawn, pick up a broom or rake and get some exercise.<br />
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6. This one's obvious - walk or bike instead of driving if you can. Carpool or take public transportation. Not so obvious - keep your tires inflated to the proper psi - this will increase mileage!<br />
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7. Use inexpensive natural products such as vinegar/baking soda to clean your home. Vinegar removes hard-water stains better than a lot of commercial bathroom cleaners. Baking soda is a great non-abrasive cleanser.<br />
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8. Don't run your dishwasher or washing machine if you don't have have a full load. Save time<span style="font-style: italic;"> and</span> money.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2bWkO5pNfM5WyvC3hfvUZ4koYCOFDN-EF-qyRhXZ09sOYp2BqS3258CCEO9790Xx-23nHuJyC8Kr0nRxGYAoTKf0otH3K3Bi272-s93fY9NUtAPtWKQY8pPUXlZiDNlCi3tAbH8qK5Q/s1600/DSC_7475.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2bWkO5pNfM5WyvC3hfvUZ4koYCOFDN-EF-qyRhXZ09sOYp2BqS3258CCEO9790Xx-23nHuJyC8Kr0nRxGYAoTKf0otH3K3Bi272-s93fY9NUtAPtWKQY8pPUXlZiDNlCi3tAbH8qK5Q/s320/DSC_7475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459750748102654066" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">9. Re-use and re-cycle. Instead of buying bottled water, use a safe-alloy bottle and fill it with water from your tap or fridge. Save your old jars, pails, and margarine containers - they have lots of uses. Donate your good used clothes and re-usable items to charity.<br />
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10. Eat right. Buy more fresh vegetables and fewer pre-pac<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP4vNuFhyphenhyphenj0ndi5G57K7ttbwq42LpI0NDsLrUrYil1ziWVzD5V4xRNx-gUiBGJU7gv7dsFC_87A-P_ywvugNMqSNltDE9rOnqDfpoTcbqw8dBBiPQOW-FPaMLpHAZc9tNl8y5DLGcqJE/s1600/pasta.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP4vNuFhyphenhyphenj0ndi5G57K7ttbwq42LpI0NDsLrUrYil1ziWVzD5V4xRNx-gUiBGJU7gv7dsFC_87A-P_ywvugNMqSNltDE9rOnqDfpoTcbqw8dBBiPQOW-FPaMLpHAZc9tNl8y5DLGcqJE/s320/pasta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459754580985296162" border="0" /></a>kaged dinners. Buy what's in season and prepare meals accordingly. Buy staples such as rice and beans in bulk, and when they're on sale. It's amazing how much better you, your wallet, the environment, and especially those of the bovine or porcine persuasion, feel if you limit your meat intake.<br />
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It takes very little effort to do incorporate the things mentioned above into one's life, but every little bit makes a difference. Have a happy Earth Day!<br />
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<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=worl08e2-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000NISDNU&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-65468667762893387082010-03-26T16:37:00.000-07:002010-03-28T13:30:56.349-07:00Earth HourTomorrow at 8:30 PM local time, millions of households around the world, and hundreds of governmental, educational, public, and private buildings will be turning out the lights in honor of Earth Hour. Earth Hour was started by the World Wildlife Fund to draw attention to the need of governmental action against climate change, one of the biggest threats to wildlife and nature. (not to mention entire <a href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/indian-island-submerged_2010-03-25">Country-Islands)</a><br /><br />I might not exactly be an environmental activist, but I do appreciate the world I live in and everything in it. (well maybe except for mean people - they suck) I've switched to Low E lighting, use products packed in greener packaging, recycle, and even drive a Prius (at the oh-so horrifying risk of going into sudden acceleration and being unable to stop it).<br /><br />Some people don't believe in Global Climate Change, or that if it does exist, it's a natural cyclical phenomenon and there's nothing we can do about it. However, there's no denying that we as a world community, through exploitation of natural resources, have shaped the earth into an uglier place to live, contributing to polluted skies and waters, depleted rainforests, constantly warring and genocidal oil states, corrupted governments, and threatened or completely wiped out species.<br /><br />There's also no denying that the governments throughout the world can enact laws that fight these exploitations, and perhaps if enough votes are rallied up they will be more motivated to do something about it.<br /><br />We can vote by simply turning off our lights for an hour.Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7116595397495733255.post-35755212382874572512010-03-22T11:10:00.000-07:002010-03-22T13:47:13.738-07:00The Desert in BloomThe Sonoran Desert in Arizona isn't always the brown, barren, lifeless terrain that one's mind might conjure up. Thanks to a large amount of El Nino rainfall so far this year, the landscape is blanketed with a variety of Spring wildflowers and abundant with wildlife. The scents of engorged creosote bush leaves and sweet pollen, and the sounds of birdsong permeate the air.<table border="0"><tbody><br /><tr><td> <a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQLcHG2yPCrsHmDVYjhskJ2Rv2sTIm4-GJx-bQychYFhcN9mCVxPOZsy0IAZnSqFK8RkAgtwNMAEYLOjaOSR2531XTTptmGrHQLcXdKZ0skp-XqrknJ9WR45GplYgYo7mP6d23P_q2XE/s1600-h/IMG_3241.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQLcHG2yPCrsHmDVYjhskJ2Rv2sTIm4-GJx-bQychYFhcN9mCVxPOZsy0IAZnSqFK8RkAgtwNMAEYLOjaOSR2531XTTptmGrHQLcXdKZ0skp-XqrknJ9WR45GplYgYo7mP6d23P_q2XE/s320/IMG_3241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451525007199995906" border="0" /></a></td><td><a style="" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpTpA5kYSV5V0gNLJPnOBwUV8ZSP31qgbusC8eglqsyQH5lAi6ZJwHdbEIam8VjBAA9W-XYNJxI3mqsNM9sBLLHMQlVWpjGRI48BHzV5-LeUPDPqdpEAJGtzyMoARVALJVcxlQR4O9qY/s1600-h/IMG_3248.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; 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display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0_NkaSS8wwrBXUBhtDQP7spB3nCqD5DBA1bvYvVLIzPuDgGCezXCEJWRZr9SAloy_FBCy9nsouY3fO8GmTxsmfXZjYxed927DPqxUIrVJjJf6mOClm1NBYyJtgl9Xgix8OM9SDVxwCg/s320/IMG_3261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451526958920519010" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIhpErXBCzPzs7naBwYQ9AcMjZcv8dBBXy3WTl7wazeuiPRqbtvjFC5ciCV2w2OuTHKzaPwUm4RbO-QL_-9QOxOSQGfXiYwM0mvoFjKCFSTp8N42pWqkZ7zl382ukO5MxboHAy7unJGU/s1600-h/IMG_3279.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIhpErXBCzPzs7naBwYQ9AcMjZcv8dBBXy3WTl7wazeuiPRqbtvjFC5ciCV2w2OuTHKzaPwUm4RbO-QL_-9QOxOSQGfXiYwM0mvoFjKCFSTp8N42pWqkZ7zl382ukO5MxboHAy7unJGU/s320/IMG_3279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451524980564125906" border="0" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgdPwp7ygKrBx2LeIh-BpWXJmCHLZVi2h87nknYEExn8dJXvUBINsm3ML2bnecep85CKWQ92y7oi3Bi3YqJ8p53gsF3aoJELmPYpboVTEBxcidYFv3mxe0rv34BRtFIypwH4rfAOhth4/s1600-h/IMG_3250.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgdPwp7ygKrBx2LeIh-BpWXJmCHLZVi2h87nknYEExn8dJXvUBINsm3ML2bnecep85CKWQ92y7oi3Bi3YqJ8p53gsF3aoJELmPYpboVTEBxcidYFv3mxe0rv34BRtFIypwH4rfAOhth4/s320/IMG_3250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451525741657594562" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sXgZHelslqPx3N0hW4jG2EfEJGk13z_AxE5RuKgZNmp1DLzfE00aOcltY6Wz-kXC03OWJmZ6rv7npIxzEnxPCS4xPaya9aOAlJV1rDEmYB0LjHKgfCSkVEsWrl6nTvC8PU_pAt43JyI/s1600-h/IMG_3263.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sXgZHelslqPx3N0hW4jG2EfEJGk13z_AxE5RuKgZNmp1DLzfE00aOcltY6Wz-kXC03OWJmZ6rv7npIxzEnxPCS4xPaya9aOAlJV1rDEmYB0LjHKgfCSkVEsWrl6nTvC8PU_pAt43JyI/s320/IMG_3263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451526965372744498" border="0" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdz-oMv2vR4Sc12eRzjUS0uSP5S4Qhr22YlzqqfZu9beBKqJytLskRgiIn2LfsQqzc_eYLxmW8tekBhXOpFzVnBqrzfUaXy6A4it2Vvo1vH-xccgvOE7axEf3b5BDOKIWmcPJ1jn1mrQ/s1600-h/IMG_3256.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdz-oMv2vR4Sc12eRzjUS0uSP5S4Qhr22YlzqqfZu9beBKqJytLskRgiIn2LfsQqzc_eYLxmW8tekBhXOpFzVnBqrzfUaXy6A4it2Vvo1vH-xccgvOE7axEf3b5BDOKIWmcPJ1jn1mrQ/s320/IMG_3256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451526929949198114" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><br /></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmt__6xHh2-fvcDyRQH37EhPXGf6REKlG2jHN8vRtnwDRXaI8fSU_wRYcpiOlLU8IGO-VhyphenhypheniyiCQVKER90dZEM0yr0xYHA4ov-r2qpGaetpS6xRXeUwZIjhp3v_7DDBSBmqkNinIO1b6U/s1600-h/IMG_3249.JPG"><br /></a></td></tbody></table><br />I shot the above photos yesterday a short walk from home. The images are clickable for a full screen view.Chris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06094719864533876652noreply@blogger.com0