Norman, the Scooter/Bike Riding Canine

Where do people find dogs like Norman or the skateboard riding bulldog?

Dustin Hoffman's Touching Thoughts About Tootsie

Thank you, Meghan.  Don't you love this guy?

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

A terrific way to use the abundance of garden-grown squash. Filled with flavor without all the carbs. See my notes below.

the rest of this recipe

In error, I included all cheeses with the shredded zucchini.  After baking this mixture, I layered the pizza sauce directly over that base and topped everything with Cuisinart-crumbled chicken sausage. I baked all briefly and garnished with fresh herbs.  It was pretty and delicious.

Next time, perhaps, I'll try adding mushrooms, black olives, peppers, onions.  

It serves far more than four.  Six, for dinner.  More if serving as an appetizer. 

Excellent. Enjoy.

Happy Fourth!

This is what happens when you have boys (as opposed to girls), access to fireworks and a nearby pool.

Is that a totally sexist comment or an amazingly accurate analysis?

You know where my vote falls.

Stay safe and enjoy this celebration.

Update on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 1:46PM by Lois

Lovely -- and so not "rockets red glare, bombs bursting in air." 

To balance the standard July 4th themes, I made Peace Sign collage greeting cards for everyone at a party I attended in Ashland last evening.  I included with them the message, "Here's to peace along with patriotism."  They got it!

Much love, G

Summer Beet Stacks

Our palates are unquestionably unique. 

And I've never been a big fan of beets. Until last night.

Here's the recipe we very much enjoyed with friends.

Did ours look like those in this picture? Not at all. I was working with baby golden beets from our garden. There was no way that cute little stacks could be created/slices instead with goat cheese sprinkled over all/but the flavors were still so, so good.

I hope that you, too, find these fresh finds a good fit.

the recipe

Dress Up Those Dogs

In search of the most natural, flavorful sausages for the 4th.  Do you think I'll be the only one eating them?

more serving ideas from Bon Appetit

How Animals Eat Their Food

How DOES the one on the left maintain his composure?  Who thinks of doing this?  Too, too funny.

It's Not About the Nail

Does this feel familiar?  Too, too funny.

It's Not About the Nail from Jason Headley on Vimeo.

Iced Coffee, Undiluted

Fred & Friends Cool Beans Ice Cube Tray

I'm not an iced coffee person but I know many of you are.

For those of you who love an iced latte, pour leftovers into these very cute coffee bean molds. No more watered down drinks!

Available on Amazon.

Striped Juice Popsicles

Here's the process used to create these delightful, summer-has-finally-arrived, popsicles.

This I can do once my popsicle molds arrive. Thank you, Amazon!

I located the same (BPA-free) molds on Amazon.

Suffering From Inadequate Sleep?

You must read this.

much more

The Fast Diet

Live leaner.  Live longer.

more

Twigitecture: Building Human Nests

Thinking that you, too, would like to spend a night in a nest?  Read on.

the full story

The 4-Minute Workout

I'm definitely in. This I can do.

Is it the only form of exercise I do? No, but I do find that my cardio endurance has increased tremendously with these sprints.  Read on.

Read the rest.

And then find out about other benefits here.

Malemute Melody

How adorable is this?

Ten Minutes to Toned Arms

"Toned arms never go out of style. Take 10 minutes to work your biceps and triceps with Andrea Orbeck. She's trained many Victoria's Secret models and now she'll train you in the comfort of your living room."

Short, but intense workout here. I want her arms. This could take some work.

Mitigate Muffin Top Today

"Muffin top. Spare tire. Love handles. That extra jiggle around the waist may have a lot of endearing nicknames, but that doesn't mean we actually love it. Unfortunately you cannot pick and choose where you lose weight, but you can tone troublesome areas.

To lose weight at your waist, you must commit to cardio workouts to help you lose fat all over, and you also need eat a clean diet. Toning up the muscles under those love handles will both strengthen your core and give you a firmer look through your torso. Here are three of our favorite variations of the side plank that will help create a shapely waist."

See this short video. I want her body!

The Perils of Distracted Parenting

"You can only do one thing at a time: talk to the baby or talk on the phone."

Excellent article 

more

Thanks so much, Barb!

Savory Skillet Lasagne

Fast, flavorful and only one pot to wash. We loved this.

Ingredients

1. 1lbs. ground beef, lean 
2. 1/2 tbsp. garlic, minced
3. 1/3 cup onion, diced
4. 3 cups (1lb, 9 oz.) pasta sauce (Whole Foods Roasted Vegetable)
5. 2 oz no bake whole wheat lasagna noodles, broken up
6. 1/2 cup ricotta cheese, fat free
7. 1/2 cup lite mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

1. In a skillet add ground beef, garlic, and onion and cook until beef is no longer pink, breaking up any large chunks. Drain the fat.

entire recipe

We, too, used the Whole Foods Roasted Vegetable Pasta Sauce.

"Fat free ricotta doesn't sell," noted the grocer so we used whole fat. You could substitute cottage cheese.

Not a fan of beef? Substitute ground turkey or chicken. 

Best Commencement Speeches 2013: The Good Bits Of Advice To Remember

Follow the link.  I think you'll really enjoy this collection of excerpts.

slideshow with comments