This Stop Willoughby

Brace Yourself, If You Need To, That Is

2012-01-16T13:17:00.000-08:00

I'm right handed. Very right handed. My left hand is good for a few things. I use it when I'm typing and for non-dexterous things like holding an object, but other than that, it is simply there to give me a symmetrical appearance. If I attempt to write with my left hand, it looks like a child's writing. I can't even imagine using my left hand to cut with a pair of scissors or chop vegetables with a knife. It wouldn't end well.

My dad is left handed. When he was in elementary school, it was frowned upon to use your left hand for writing. Teachers would force him to put the pencil in his right hand even though it felt awkward to him. For some reason, they believed you chose your dominant hand as opposed to it being predetermined. It did eventually serve a useful purpose for him, though. He severed a tendon in an accident while at work. He had surgery and his left hand was in a cast for weeks. The company gave him a temporary position that required a great deal of writing which he had to do with his right hand.

My husband, on the other hand (pun intended), is ambidextrous. He writes with his right hand, but does a lot of other things with his left. He plays sports left handed (except golf) and uses tools left handed. With scissors and knives, he uses his right. Interesting, huh?

Back to me. Like I said, my left hand is my stupid hand, but it was never an issue until recently when my right hand started to give me problems. At first, it was a little achy if I was using it a lot. Sometimes it felt stiff in the morning or sore at night. I chalked it up to the onset of arthritis and took ibuprofen for the pain. It helped, so I figured it was just something I had to learn to live with. Around Christmastime, I started to have problems gripping things and my hand was so sore that I couldn't make a fist. Soon after, the pain in my hand was waking me up in the middle of the night. A few times, it felt like the circulation had been cut off and I was afraid to look at it for fear that it would be dusky. I was beginning to lose function in my hand.

To shorten an already long story, it turns out that I don't have arthritis, I have carpal tunnel syndrome. I caught it early enough that it appears I will have no lasting problems. To alleviate the symptoms, I have been wearing a wrist brace to keep my wrist in a neutral position. For the time being, I am wearing it during the day as well as at night and removing it only when I will be getting my hand wet. In time, I will be able to switch to wearing it only at night and then, eventually, I won't need it at all if my symptoms subside.

The reason I'm telling you this story is that it can be easy to attribute hand and wrist pain to a number of other things. Anyone who does a lot typing can be at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome, so that includes my blogging friends. If you are experiencing pain, tingling or numbness in your hand, fingers and/or wrist, don't ignore it. If it is, indeed, carpal tunnel syndrome, permanent nerve damage can occur if it is left untreated (click here to see the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome). It's been less than a week since I started wearing the brace, and it's made a huge difference for me. I haven't had any pain and I have full use of my hand again.

Willoughby

Sometimes, My Virtual Wanderings Are A Bad Idea

2012-01-11T10:04:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I haven't been around much, lately. I'm trying to get back to blogging regularly. Really I am. It's just that I've been so busy doing important things like developing a plan for world peace, building a perpetual motion machine and writing a literal translation of the quatrains of Nostradamus. In my spare time I've been studying quantum physics and learning ancient languages. Yeah, something like that, anyway.

Sometimes, when I'm online doing research for said activities, I get sidetracked. Today, I got caught up in Twilight Zone trivia. You probably know what a Twilight Zone fan I am, so you can understand how all things TZ are interesting to me. I love to know what inspired a particular episode or get some behind the scenes scoop. It started out innocently enough, but I was in too deep before I knew it. Way too deep.

Alongside trivia about the original 1960's series was information about the 1983 production of Twilight Zone: The Movie. I was aware that a tragic accident happened during the filming, but I did not know the specifics. There was a segment that was supposed to take place during the Vietnam war. Actor Vic Morrow was to run across a river carrying two young children. All around him explosions would be going off and a helicopter would be flying overhead. Evidently, the special effects explosions caused the helicopter pilot to lose control and crash, which crushed one of the children to death and decapitated Vic Morrow and the other child actor.

I clicked on a video, thinking it was a clip from the released version of the movie. It was not. To my horror, it was the accident as it took place. A number of cameras were rolling at the time and it was captured on film. I immediately stopped the video when I realized what I was looking at, but it was still sickening. All I really saw was the helicopter crashing to the ground and the blades of the propeller shearing off......but still......just knowing what was happening within the fire and smoke.....so upsetting. It was several hours ago that I watched it and I'm still shaken.

Like I said, sometimes my virtual wanderings are a bad idea.

Willoughby

It's Just Not Christmas Until Something Catches Fire

2011-12-29T13:59:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse.

The stockings were hidden in the closet with care,

Because I was sure that no one would look there.

The children were upstairs, sleeping away,

Too old to be looking for Santa and his sleigh.

Mr. W had fallen asleep watching TV,

So the only one conscious in the whole house was me.

Out of the corner of my eye I spied quite a sight,

From the star shaped decoration that held a tea light.

The soft mellow flame had grown quite a bit higher,

As the small cup of wax began to catch fire.

I blew and I blew, but it did me no good.

The air did not extinguish the flames as it should.

Mr. W woke from his short Christmas nap,

And rushed to my aid as quick as a snap.

He blew, just like me, which made matters worse,

Unsure what to do, we started to curse.

Mr. W grabbed the star, fast as a wink,

And rushed the whole mess right to the sink.

When he doused it with water, flames only jumped higher,

As the wax in the cup continued on fire.

It finally died out, with a sputter and hiss,

And we were able to return to our holiday bliss.

No damage was done, which was lucky, no doubt,

The fire could have spread had we not put it out.

When the ordeal was over a lesson was learned,

If you decorate with candles, you just might get burned.

Willoughby

*I should clarify, while I referred to this as a "decoration", it was a table top candle holder and not a tree decoration. It was sitting on a side table when the fire started. I would never have a lit candle hanging anywhere near the Christmas tree!!

Announcing The Winner Of The Novica Giveaway

2011-12-11T15:20:00.000-08:00

Sorry, this announcement is a little later that I intended it to be.

The names of all participants were put in a hat and shuffled around thoroughly. Mr. Willoughby then randomly drew one name. The winner is Joanna of The Fifty Factor! Congrats, Joanna! Have fun shopping!

Thank you to everyone who entered my Novica giveaway.

Willoughby

It's Time For A Giveaway!

2011-12-07T16:31:00.000-08:00

I am excited to announce that Novica has, once again given me a $50 gift card to award to one lucky winner. If you're not familiar with Novica, they work in association with National Geographic to bring the work of talented artists and artisans around the globe to the rest of the world via the internet. Shopping their website is a unique experience as you can view information about each artist along with the works they create. It gives each item a very personal feeling. In the Keepers Of The Arts section, you can watch videos of the artists at work.

I love Novica so much that I could go on and on telling you how wonderful their website is, what great customer service they have and, especially, how talented the artisans are, but it would be much more fun for you to see for yourself. Before you head over there, though, let me give you a sneak peak of some of the wonderful things you'll discover (and maybe help you find some unique Christmas gifts).

Wool Belt "Black Night Bouquet"
in Accessories

Leather Laptop Case "Executive Finesse In Black"
in Men's Accessories

Obsidian Cufflinks "Night Magic"
in Cufflinks

Wood Walking Stick "Mermaid"
in Walking Sticks

Cotton Scarf "Timeless Purple"
in Women's Scarves

Peridot Cufflinks "Jigsaw Riddle"
in Silver Cufflinks

Now that you've seen some of the beautiful items available at Novica, are you ready to enter my giveaway for a $50 gift card? Here's what you need to do:

Entry Rules

1. You must be a follower of This Stop Willoughby, or become one.
2. You must click on the one of the category links listed in the captions of the photos above, browse the items in that category, and then come back and leave a comment on this post telling me about one of your favorites.
3. You may leave an additional comment on this post (one per day) telling me about a favorite item from any category.
4. If you would like to earn a bonus entry, mention my giveaway on your blog along with a link to this post. Please be sure to leave a comment (with link) letting me know that you've done so.
5. This giveaway is not limited to the United States. If you have followed the above rules, you're eligible as long as Novica can ship to you.

The deadline for entries is Sunday, December 11, 2011 at noon Eastern Time. The winner will be drawn randomly and announced by 3:00 Eastern Time. One entry per day as well as one bonus entry allowed. Please be sure to include a way for me to contact you should you be the winner of this giveaway. If your email is not linked to your blog, please include it in the comment you leave here. If I am unable to contact the winner, a different winner will be drawn at random.

Good Luck!!

Willoughby

Trying To Get The Feeling And Some News About A Giveaway

2011-12-06T13:11:00.000-08:00

I'm just not feeling it this year. Christmas, I mean. Any enthusiasm I'm able to muster is pretty much forced. I'm not entirely sure why it doesn't seem to hold the same excitement for me that it used to, but it just doesn't. I feel badly about it. Christmas should be a magical time.

Maybe it's the weather. I dread winter. I have no interest in dealing with months of snow and cold, and driving on icy roads get old really quick. We've only had a light dusting or two so far, but December marks the beginning of four or five months of bad weather. It's likely colored my outlook on Christmas.

More than that, I think it's that the Christmas push starts earlier and earlier every year. My local supermarket started putting up their holiday displays in September. By now, I've had my fill of Christmas and it hasn't even gotten here, yet.

I find the advertising more obnoxious than usual this year, too. One store is telling you that you shouldn't give any gift that isn't a name brand (so much for that scarf you spent the last month knitting), and another is encouraging you to make a chump out of Santa Claus by out-gifting him. Worst of all, in my opinion, are the advertisements for a certain car company. How many people do you know who can afford to give a $30,000 gift for Christmas? In an incredible stroke of irony, I happened to see that ad just after the commercial for Save Our Strength where they tell you that one in four kids in America goes hungry every day. Puts it in perspective, doesn't it?

We haven't done much of our Christmas shopping yet, and I'm not too psyched to start. Every time we've been in a store lately, it's been a bad experience. In one store, the cashier threw away our gift card (even though it still had money left on it) and then gave us an attitude when she had to go through the trash to retrieve it. In a home improvement store, we left our cart full of wood at the end of the aisle because it was too difficult to maneuver (we're renovating our home office, but that's for another post) and a cashier took it without telling us. When we finally found it, she was pre-ringing our items because she said it would save us time. It's a long story, but in the end, she rang everything up wrong and charged us twice for the whole order. It took an extra 45 minutes to check out and we ended up having to go back to the store to get the second charge removed.

My plan is to do as much of our Christmas shopping online as possible. I'm trying to stay away from the big store's websites and purchase gifts from places like Etsy and Novica, where I can be much more connected to the artisans who create the items they sell. I've also been eyeing the adorable sweet and savory petite bites at Alchemy by Carla Hall (remember her from Top Chef?).

How about you? Are you feeling all warm and fuzzy about the holidays? Where are you doing your Christmas shopping this year?

Giveaway

One thing that always makes me happy and puts me in a festive mood is having a giveaway. Come back tomorrow and I'll announce the fantastic giveaway that I'm having!

Willoughby

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet....Is That A Dead Body On Your Porch?

2011-11-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

Last year, our daughter decided she was too old for trick or treating so we started a new tradition of spending the evening around a fire in the backyard and handing out candy from the arbor that opens onto the sidewalk. It's fun and gives us an opportunity to decorate more than just the front porch.

So once again, we roped off the front walkway with "Danger" tape and hung a sign directing the trick or treaters around the corner to the backyard (our house is on the corner).

We still wanted to have a Halloween display on the front porch, so we converted it into a morgue, complete with a dead body.

We placed our pumpkins along the route to the "Haunted Gate".

Last year, we had creature silhouettes peeking out the side windows. This year, we opted for zombies, instead. They were a big hit. A group of boys stood on the sidewalk watching them to see if they would move.

It was chilly, in the 40's, so we stayed close to the fire when we weren't handing out candy. We had our torches lit for some additional light.

We had Halloween themed music blasting and there were ghosts and bats strung across the backyard, fluttering and flying in the wind.

When the evening was over, we had given out nearly 400 pieces of candy, but we still have quite a bit left.

How was your Halloween?

Willoughby

I Can't Lye, The Snake Was Pretty Cool

2011-10-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather over the weekend. It was unseasonably warm, with clear blue skies and lots of sun. We weren't sure what we wanted to do to make the most of it. The possibilities were endless; the beach, the park, a picnic, a day trip. Snake handling wasn't on the list, but we'll get to that soon.

My daughter had just come downstairs after taking a shower and we were in the kitchen talking about what to do with the day when we heard a gurgling sound. We listened for a moment and determined it was coming from the half bath. The water in the toilet bowl was bubbling and churning. I flushed to see if that would stop it, but it didn't. The water continued to bubble and it wouldn't drain.

I called to Mr. W for help. We knew the toilet itself wasn't clogged, but we thought there might be something blocking the drain further down the pipe. The trouble started after the shower had been used, so maybe something had gotten into the shower drain. We thought that by plunging the toilet, we could clear the clog.

In the backyard, just past the end of the porch, there is a pipe sticking out of the ground that vents all of the drains, so I went to check it out. As I got closer to it, I could hear splashing. To my horror, raw sewage was spewing out of it. I ran back into the house and told Mr. W to stop plunging.

Initially, we decided to take the wait and see approach. We waited for the "water" level in the pipe to go down. It took a few hours, but it eventually emptied enough that we could pour some professional strength drain cleaner into it. This stuff was supposed to be strong enough to dissolve everything but the pipe itself. We had high hopes, but, when our son turned on the shower to get ready for work, the pipe again overflowed.

Our next thought was to snake the pipe with a 25 foot hand held drain snake. We managed to get the entire length of it through the drain without hitting an obstruction. Not sure what else to try, we dumped some more drain cleaner into the pipe and waited.

By Sunday, we were getting pretty discouraged that the drain cleaner was not clearing the pipe. We thought of calling a plumber, but we knew that would be outrageously expensive on a weekend, and being the DIYers that we are, we wanted to fix it ourselves. Again, we snaked the drain, then we added some foaming root killer in case tree roots were the cause of the clog.

When Monday rolled around and we were still in the same predicament, we decided to try one last chemical treatment. According to a number of online sources, lye was the chemical of choice. I had serious reservations about using it after reading about the potential for explosion. Still, we were desperate, so we carefully added lye to the offending drain. There was no explosion, but also no progress. It was time to call in the big guns.

Mr. W rented an electric drain snake. It had a 100 foot cable and came with an assortment of blades for cutting through roots and debris in drain lines. It took both of us to operate the machine, one to feed the cable into the pipe and the other to advance it, but we got the drain flowing freely. We were kicking ourselves for not doing it Saturday afternoon instead of adding all of the useless chemical drain cleaners.

Although we can't say for sure, we're fairly certain it was a root blocking the drain. There are a lot of mature trees around here and it's pretty common in old drain lines. Should you ever encounter a similar problem, I highly recommend renting the electric snake. It cost a small fraction of what a plumber would have charged and was pretty easy to use.

You never realize how much you take your plumbing for granted until it's not working, you know?

Willoughby

*All photos courtesy of Google Images

Scary!

2011-10-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

My daughter has a sudden fascination with horror movies. She hasn't seen any of them, but with Halloween just around the corner, she's seen and heard references to a lot of them. The Exorcist is of particular interest to her because she heard it was rated the scariest movie of all time. She asked me what it was about and if I thought it was too scary for her.

It's been years since I've seen the film, but I remember the general storyline, so I gave her a brief description. I told her it was far too scary for her and that it had some very adult scenes that I don't think are appropriate for an eleven year old. Still, she pressed on, asking me what part of the movie scared me the most. Without a doubt, I told her, it was the scene where Regan (Linda Blair) scrambles down the stairs on her back in a creepy fast crab walk. Even a still photo of that scene gives me the chills (which is why I chose to post a different photo).

She wanted to know what other movies were scary to me, so next, we talked about the movie Rosemary's Baby. As I've mentioned before, it made me terrified of my closet when I was a kid. I don't want to give away the plot if you've never seen it (although it came out in 1968, if you haven't seen it by now....), but the closet plays a pivotal role. My daughter asked me how old I was when I saw it and I had to admit I was probably about her age. In any case, I think it's a little much for her.

Around that age, I was also pretty scared by The Amityville Horror. I saw it at the theater with my parents soon after it came out in 1979. The red room in the basement of that house was truly terrifying to me, and it continued to be even after we got home. At that time, my oldest brother's bedroom was at the top of the stairs. It was painted a deep orange and had orange shag carpet (very fashionable in the 1970's). If the door was closed and the light was on in his room, an orangey-red glow could be seen on the hallway floor. It reminded me of the Amityville red room so much that I can still remember running up the stairs and past his room as fast as I could to get to my own. My daughter thought that was pretty funny.

As an adult, I told her that the one movie I couldn't finish watching was Hannibal. I liked the first film of the series, Silence of the Lambs, but Hannibal was far too disturbing for me. I started to give her a watered down version of the story, but she told me she didn't want to hear the rest. I can't blame her, I had to walk out of the room when we rented it years ago. To this day, I have no idea how it ends.

The only movie to give me nightmares as an adult was Fire In The Sky. I just couldn't shake the image of Travis Walton (D.B. Sweeney) being examined/tortured by aliens. Every time I closed my eyes, I would see that scene. Whether or not you believe this is a true story (supposedly it is), it's still pretty scary.

We started to talk about the movie It, but as soon as I said "evil clown", she didn't need to hear any more. I've always been freaked out by clowns and so has she. I told her she could watch a clip of It online, but she declined. Still, I posted it here. Tim Curry plays the role of Pennywise The Clown brilliantly. If this doesn't chill your blood, nothing will.

I told my daughter that I would try to think of a few scary movies that were appropriate for her. She's already seen some of Night of the Living Dead, but that's so goofy and cheesy (which is what I love about it) that it doesn't bother her. The only other movie that came to mind was The Others. To me, it's more mysterious than scary.

Since then, I think she's changed her mind about watching anything scary at all. On Sunday, Mr. W and I were watching an episode of The Most Terrifying Places in America on the Travel Channel and she asked if she could watch it with us. We said yes, so she came in and sat down. About 30 seconds into the first story, when they showed a reenactment of a ghost sighting, she suddenly remembered something she needed to do in another room. I guess The Exorcist will have to wait a few years.

Willoughby

How Do You Like It?

2011-09-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

I was browsing the Yahoo home page when I came across an article about macaroni and cheese. Maybe you saw it, too? It gave a link to the recipe for what is considered to be the World's Best Mac and Cheese and listed tips for perfecting it in your own kitchen. I had hoped to find a few reviews of the recipe, but the comments following the article were full of personal mac and cheese recipes and a lot of opinions on what makes the perfect macaroni and cheese.

I find this all very interesting because macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods. The best I've ever had (sorry, Mom) is the macaroni and cheese served at the Frankenmuth Brewery in Frankenmuth, Michigan. From their menu: "Our house recipe four-cheese blend atop bowtie noodles sprinkled with bread crumbs, butter, parmesan and parsley." It's truly cheesy heaven on a plate, with just the right amount of crispiness on top.

When I was a kid, my mom made really great macaroni and cheese for dinner every once in a while. She would put it in the oven to brown the top a little bit, but she never put any sort of bread crumbs or cracker crumbs on to make a crunchy crust. That's probably why I prefer mac and cheese without too much crunch added. In my mind, it supposed to be a primarily creamy dish.

As much as I like to make dishes from scratch, I've never found a really great recipe for macaroni and cheese other than my mom's. I've tried dozens of them, but they always seem to be too dry and grainy or the cheese separates or the taste is just not quite what I'm looking for. The addition of mustard doesn't do much for me, either. A few online friends recommended I try one that contains cottage cheese, but that sounds awfully lumpy to me. For me, the perfect macaroni and cheese should have a sharp/tangy sauce so smooth and creamy that it is almost (but not quite) runny. It should not clump together as you spoon it out of the serving dish. The top can have a lightly browned, thin bit of crisp coating, but it shouldn't have a thick crust.

How about you? What is your perfect mac and cheese? Do you make it from scratch or you do you covet the blue box?

Willoughby

Oh, September!

2011-09-21T06:54:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I find September to be one of the most difficult months of the year. Most of it has to do with getting in the groove of a new school schedule after three months of summer slacking, but it has a lot to do with the changing weather, too. It's a month of many transitions.

Last year, our school district decided to push the start time of the elementary school and middle school up by an hour. I really hated it because school also got out an hour later. Too late, in my opinion. On a more positive note, my daughter had an extra hour to get ready in the morning and there was less traffic for our drive to school. This year, we're back to the original start time. I prefer it, but mornings are rushed and the traffic is so much worse.

I'm also making a transition with a new SUV. It's used, actually, but it's new to me and I'm still figuring out where everything is and how it all works. One day last week, on the way home from driving my daughter to school, I pushed the wrong button on the radio and couldn't find my preset radio stations. I didn't want to take my eyes off the road for long, so I was stuck listening to this:

"Stuck" may not be technically accurate since I turned it up and sang along..... The next day, when it was raining, it was less fun to realize that I didn't know where the control for the rear window wiper was. I know how stupid that sounds, but it's in a different location than it was in my last SUV.

September weather has been quite a transition this year, too. Early in the month, it was warm enough that we were still able to swim in our pool. Since then, the temperature has gone up and down considerably. One day I have the windows open, the next I have the heat on in the morning and the air conditioning on in the afternoon. The humidity has also been a joy. This morning, it was 67 degrees with 95% humidity. Every horizontal and semi-horizontal surface outside was covered with moisture. It took forever to defog the windshield (once I found the correct button).

Oh, September, is there any way I could bribe you to bring back August?

Willoughby

Bringing Back An Old Favorite

2011-09-12T09:45:00.000-07:00

Our little town had its annual festival this weekend. As I've mentioned before, we're not huge fans of the festivities. Blame it on the number of times we've had to clean our yard of beer cans, plastic cups, liquor bottles and other assorted garbage. We won't even discuss the year a bus load of partiers decided to relieve themselves in our shrubs.

Instead of hanging around the house and watching people scramble for parking spots along the street, we decided to bring back an old favorite (which you may remember from a previous post), the Cheap Thrills Road Trip.

For this trip, we wanted to revisit a place we've enjoyed in the past, Harbor Beach, Michigan. The drive to Harbor Beach takes you through beautiful little beach towns and along the Lake Huron shoreline.

As we passed through Forester, we stopped, once again, to pay our respects to the grave of Minnie Quay (more info. on the legend of Minnie Quay can be found here). We brought along a small seashell to place on top of her headstone.

It was surprising to see how many trinkets had been left by previous visitors. It's obvious that the story of a young girl's suicide and unsettled spirit touches many people in some strange and amazing way. May she rest in peace.

We strayed from the original Cheap Thrills Road Trip Challenge a bit this time. Instead of bringing a picnic lunch, we decided to use our budget on a late lunch/early dinner. The town of Harbor Beach has a number of restaurants to choose from, but we wanted something we could take to the waterside park, so we ordered sandwiches from Ernesto's Pizzeria.

While our sandwiches were prepared, we walked next door to McNally's Antique Shop. This is a fabulous place. Years ago, it was a grocery store and it still retains the original walk-in refrigerator and freezer (though neither are kept cold anymore) with their huge, thick doors. They serve as mini display rooms and are full of merchandise. The shop owner, Richard, is super knowledgeable and friendly. If you should have the pleasure of dropping into McNally's, be sure to say hi to Richard and tell him Willoughby sent you!

After we picked up our sandwiches, we headed over to Bathing Beach Park at the Trescott Street Pier to eat. The seagulls were out in full force, so we opted for a picnic table under the pavilion. It was a gorgeous day and we had a beautiful view of the water.

When lunch/dinner was finished and we had enjoyed the park and the scenery, we jumped back into our truck and headed south to White Rock. There is a roadside park where you can take a nature walk. Although it's difficult to see in the picture, the goldenrod were covered with butterflies. I was lucky enough to have one land on my arm, but only for a moment.

To the left of the nature walk there is a viewing area where you can see "White Rock". It has a unique and interesting history. At one time, it marked the boundary between Native American land and the territory that was ceded to Michigan. During WWII, the US Air Force used the rock for target practice.

Beyond the viewing area are stairs leading down to the water. There is a small stretch of beach, though I don't think it's used much for swimming and sunbathing.

Mr. Willoughby hopped across the rocks to a large, stony ledge a few feet from shore.....

while our daughter sat on an old, fallen tree to admire the view.....

and I wrote a message in the sand so other visitors would know we had been there.

It was nearing dusk when we decided to head back home. If you live in a rural area, you know that dusk is an active time for deer. We had an incredibly close call with a young doe who ran out in the road in front of us. Mr. Willoughby didn't notice her approaching until I screamed. Had he hit the brakes a fraction of a second later, I would have a very different story to tell.

Back in our own small town, we had to stop to let something else cross the road....

before we could get home.

Once again, we had a great time and felt like we were on vacation for the entire day. In case you're wondering how this measured up to my Cheap Thrills rules, we used less than one tank of gas, were home before nightfall and with the cost of our food and drinks, spent a total of $18. We have no regrets that we decided to take a road trip and skip the local festival.

Willoughby

It's All Fun Until Someone Gets Arrested

2011-09-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

Every year, over Labor Day weekend, a big festival takes place not far from here. It's a huge event, spread out over more than 15 city blocks. It's based on art, music and food so there is plenty of each to enjoy. We've been to this festival in the past, before it was relocated to a different city.

In the old location, there was no admission fee and no specified entrances. You would pay five bucks to park in a local church lot, walk a few blocks and enter the festival from any point in the city. You could bring your own refreshments or buy them at one of nearly a hundred booths. The main stage, where all the well known bands played, was in a state of the art arena with seating for 3000.

Now, in the new location, parking is fifteen dollars, there is a three dollar per person admission fee (it goes to charity, I don't have an issue with the cost) and you have to enter at one of several gated entrances. You stand in line, pay and then submit to a search of your belongings to make sure you're not bringing in any food or beverages. If you do have, say, a bottle of water, candy bar or piece of fruit in your possession, you must surrender it. The family in front of us had every nook and cranny of their baby's stroller and diaper bag searched for such contraband.

We attended the festival specifically to see one of our favorite bands perform. After walking a few blocks, we found the main concert stage where the big name bands were scheduled to play. In stark contrast to the arena we were expecting, we found a fairly small stage set up in a parking lot. The only seating available was fenced off. It was VIP only, for winners of a local radio station contest. The rest of the audience had only standing room.

It was an overcast day, not hot, but damp. The humidity was nearly 80% and you could feel every bit of it when sandwiched in between a few hundred other spectators. We were there early enough to get pretty close to the front. We had our daughter with us and she's not quite five feet tall, so we positioned ourselves where she could see the stage by looking between other people. But just before the show started, a man and his wife pushed through the crowd (nearly knocking over a disabled man) and positioned themselves directly in front of us. They could see that they were blocking our daughter's view, but they didn't seem to care. I remarked how rude they were and got no response. By moving a few steps to our right, we managed to get a little bit better view. Unfortunately, it also put us in direct line with the dancing woman who was spilling beer everywhere.

Things continued to get worse. The stage was located about 40 feet away from the railroad tracks. During the show, three trains came through, blaring their horns and nearly drowning out the concert. The blockhead and his wife who had obstructed our view kept backing into us and the dancing drunk woman started staring at my daughter and me. A woman to my left was filming the concert with her phone which she positioned directly in front of my face and her friend continuously flipped her hair in my daughter's face.

We did our best to enjoy ourselves. The band was great, and once the breeze started blowing, it didn't seem as damp and sticky. But the people around us were sucking all the fun out it. It was beyond irritating and way past annoying. I just couldn't take it anymore so I looked over at Mr. Willoughby and mouthed the words "domino effect". He nodded and we set our plan into action. I gave him a big shove which sent him directly into the back of the blockhead. Blockhead then flew face first into the fence that sectioned off the VIP section.

The band stopped playing because of the commotion. It was quiet enough for dancing drunk woman to hear me when I asked "What is your problem?". She threw her beer to the ground and responded "You want a piece of me?", to which I replied "Bring it." Everything happened pretty fast after that. I'm not sure who threw the first punch, but we went at it for a good three or four minutes before some people pulled us apart. Mr. W was protecting our daughter during the scuffle, but when someone suggested he "control his psycho wife", he started swinging. Other fights were breaking out all through the audience. It had become a riot.

By the time the police arrived, the band had left the stage all together. A dozen or so people, myself and Mr. W included, were arrested and taken away in handcuffs. Our daughter was held in protective custody until my parents arrived to pick her up.

And that's when I snapped out of my daydream. We didn't start the domino effect and we didn't push or punch anyone. As badly as I wanted to lose my cool and hit a few people, the prospect of being arrested made it less appealing. In reality, we sang and danced and enjoyed the show as best we could, despite train whistles and rude spectators. No handcuffs were involved and our daughter went home with us.

Will we attend the festival again next year? I'll get back to you.

Willoughby

Nicknames

2011-08-30T06:02:00.000-07:00

It's true, I'm a nicknamer and I have been for as long as I can remember. It all started when I was a baby. I'm not sure if I didn't know my parents' given names or I just couldn't remember them, but I started calling them "Mom" and "Dad". Whether I coined these terms isn't clear (although I'm pretty sure I did) because I've heard other people use them when referring to their parents. In any case, you guys are my friends, so feel free to use them within your own families.

My husband has a first name. I've seen his birth certificate, so I know what it is, but I don't use it. I usually call him "honey" or some other term of endearment. Lately, especially if we're working on a project together, we call each other "Louis" and "Billy Ray". It comes from the movie Trading Places, where, at the end, Eddie Murphy says "Looking good, Louis" and Dan Aykroyd replies "Feeling good, Billy Ray".

My son had a variety of nicknames when he was younger, but we don't use them much anymore. "Junior" is the only one that really stuck, although he isn't actually a junior. My daughter, on the other hand, responds to at least a half dozen different nicknames, including a shortened version of her given name. Most of the time, though, I call her "Peach" and I have since she was a baby. Recently, she decided she should have a fruit related nickname for me, so she's been calling me "Nectarine".

Of all the nicknames I've ever had, Willoughby is one of my favorites. It suits me. I look like a "Willoughby", don't you agree?

Willoughby

Congrats To The Winner Of The Giveaway.....

2011-08-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

The names of all participants were put in a hat and after some thorough mixing, I had my daughter draw one at random. Want to know who won? It's ~K~! Congratulations, ~K~! I hope you enjoy your running t-shirt!

Willoughby

Is This Heaven? No, It's Michigan

2011-08-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday started out warm and breezy. The sky was a clear brilliant blue, save for the occasional white cloud drifting by. It was as close to the perfect summer morning as you could hope for.

As the day wore on, the temperature and humidity rose sharply. The air felt thick and heavy under what had now become a dull, gray sky. Even a short walk to the park had transformed into a perspiration inducing task. It was downright dreary; clear that rain was on it's way.

There is nothing quite like a good summer rain and no better place to view it than a covered porch, so we sat outside and waited for it to begin. From time to time a dark cloud would spill a dozen or so big drops, but that was about it. Eventually, we gave up waiting and went about our evening.

Mr. Willoughby was at the back of the yard near the pool when he called up to me. He told me to step off the porch and come look at the sky. It was amazing, he said, and I needed to see it.

As soon as I stepped far enough into the yard to see over our house, I was awestruck. There were colors and shapes and patterns that only nature could produce. It was powerful and inspiring. Humbling and breathtaking. Because I knew that I could never adequately remember or describe it, I ran in the house and grabbed the camera. I took some still shots and some video (the background noise you hear in the videos is the wind and the chirping of cicadas).

It was even more lovely and vibrant in person, like witnessing the descent of Heaven to Earth.

Shortly after the videos were taken, we were treated to an intense light show as jagged bolts and sheets of lightening overtook the sky. I have spared you the video where Mr. W. impersonates Doc Brown and shouts "1.21 jiggawatts" in the background and I laugh my fool head off, nearly dropping the camera.

Willoughby

*The answer to my "Unanswered Question" post is approximately 250 miles, according to several sources I consulted.

**There is still time to enter my Running T-Shirt Giveaway! Click here for more info.

An Unanswered Question

2011-08-23T06:59:00.000-07:00

We spent a recent evening in our backyard enjoying a bonfire and doing some star gazing. From time to time, we would see a plane fly overhead and wonder about it. Where was it coming from and going to? Just for fun, we would imagine all sorts of destinations.

But then we started to ponder the science of it. We saw at least a half dozen planes that night and they were all little more than dots in the sky, so we had to assume they were flying at cruising altitude, approximately 30,000 feet. The closest major airport is about 60 miles away. Would a plane have climed that high in that distance or were the planes we were seeing coming from a more distant airport? This led to the biggest question of the evening. How far away, in land miles, could a plane be seen?

Let me clarify. Let's imagine there was a super bright light that shined from the bottom of the plane, back to the ground. We can agree that the light would mark a specific location and we could say that the plane was directly over that location, correct? So the question is, how far from that location would you be able to see the plane in the sky? One hundred miles, five hundred miles, one thousand miles? From my home in Michigan, could I see a plane flying over Ohio? I'm sure there is a scientific formula to figure this out, but I haven't researched it, yet.

So, friends, what do you think? How far away, in land miles, could a plane (flying at 30,000 feet) be seen from your backyard? The only prize awarded will be bragging rights, but think how smart you'll feel if you guess correctly* (assuming I can find the answer and determine a winner).

Willoughby

*If you should happen to know the answer already, or have the inclination to research it, please email it to me at thisstopwilloughby@yahoo.com instead of leaving it in the comments. We don't want to spoil the fun of guessing for everyone else!

**There is still time to enter my Running T-Shirt Giveaway! Click here for more info.

Run, Don't Walk, On Over Here! I'm Having A Giveaway!

2011-08-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

You can never have too much motivation when you're trying to achieve your goals, right? That's what Mr. Willoughby and I thought when some people we know decided to take up running. To give them a little extra encouragement, we designed and printed some t-shirts for them. It turns out that when other runners saw them, they wanted a little extra motivation, too, and we've been busy at our screen press ever since.

They are now available on our Etsy store, The Cabbage Rose, but we also wanted to have a giveaway. If you're already a runner, trying to become a runner, know a runner, or just like free t-shirts, enter the giveaway and you could win one! We'd love to give you some extra motivation!

Are you motivated to enter? Here's what you need to do:

Entry Rules
1. You must be a follower of This Stop Willoughby, or become one.

2. You must click on the link to The Cabbage Rose, browse the running shirts, and then come back and leave a comment on this post telling me which one is your favorite.

3. If you would like to earn a bonus entry, mention my giveaway on your blog along with a link to this post. Please be sure to leave a comment (with link to your post) letting me know that you've done so.

4. This giveaway is limited to the United States (sorry!).

The deadline for entries is Friday, August 26, 2011 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time. The winner will be drawn randomly and announced shortly thereafter. One entry as well as one bonus entry allowed. Please be sure to include a way for me to contact you should you be the winner of this giveaway. If your email is not linked to your blog, please include it in the comment you leave here. If I am unable to contact the winner, a different winner will be drawn at random.

Good Luck!!

Willoughby

Victoria Would Use Them If She Had A Dinner Party

2011-08-08T15:32:00.000-07:00

Because we have a bar on our back porch, we get some pretty great bar related gifts. One of our favorites is a set of dishes in the shape of the letters B-A-R.

They're great for drink garnishes like olives, cherries and lemon wedges.

On Saturday, we had a small dinner party for my parents 55th wedding anniversary and we used them to serve finger foods. As the snacks were consumed, the dishes got moved around. I didn't notice it until my daughter walked up to grab a few pistachios.

She stood looking at the dishes and smirking. Then she started laughing.

I asked her what was so funny.

She told me to look at the dishes.

That was when we noticed they no longer spelled B-A-R.

They spelled......

(wait for it)

(wait for it)

....they spelled B-R-A.

Do we know how to party or what?

Happy 55th Anniversary, Mom and Dad! May you have 55 more wonderful years together!

Willoughby

A Spicy Tale

2011-07-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Willoughby who liked to cook with fresh peppers. She liked them so much, in fact, that she decided to plant some in her garden. She was downright giddy as she picked out some lovely Anaheim pepper plants from the local nursery.

At home, she found the perfect sunny spot for her little gems. She gave them new homes nestled among the lillies, roses and herbs in the flower beds that line her yard (Willoughby always plants vegetables among the flowers, she likes the organic way it looks).

Every morning, Willoughby would carefully water her spicy, treasured plants. Sometimes, she would talk to them and encourage them to grow large, lovely peppers. They responded in kind by sprouting tiny white flowers and healthy green leaves.

As the days went by, the tiny flowers grew larger and began to sprout green baby peppers. It made Willoughby smile to think of all the wonderful dishes she would create when they were mature enough to be picked and roasted.

One day, when she went to check on them, Willoughby found that the lower leaves of several plants were missing. She looked under and around each plant, but found no signs of the missing leaves. They hadn't fallen off. It seemed that some furry creature, perhaps a rabbit or a squirrel, was helping himself to a little salad. Willoughby was worried, but she didn't know what to do. How could she protect her beloved plants from the four legged invaders?

Over time, more and more leaves disappeared. Willoughby felt sad, but she was encouraged that the baby peppers were still continuing to grow. One pepper, in fact, had become three or four inches long and was nearly ready to be picked. She decided she would pick the pepper the very next day.

Shortly after sunrise, Willoughby rushed out to the garden, anxious to harvest the fruits of her labors. She was relieved to find the pepper still hanging merrily on the plant. She was so happy, in fact, that she went back into the house to get her camera and take a picture of the pepper.

As she zoomed in on it, she noticed something she hadn't seen before. There was a hole, about the size of a pencil eraser, in the side of the pepper. Something, a bug or an animal, had eaten away at her one mature pepper. Willoughby was so angry, she picked the pepper and threw it out of the yard.

Since that day, the majority of the leaves and all of the baby peppers have disappeared. Willoughby has stopped making plans for spicy chicken enchiladas, pepper topped pizzas, roasted pepper burgers and dozens of other peppery, tasty dishes.

In an effort to turn this catastrophe into a learning experience, Willoughby did some research to find a way to repel the critters and creatures that destroyed her lovely pepper plants so she might avoid the same outcome next year. In a cruel irony, she found the one substance that deters unwelcome munchers. Hot pepper sauce.

Willoughby

Postcard From Camp

2011-07-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

It's been a while since I've written, but I'm still here at Camp Willoughby.

I'm having a great time, but being head counselor keeps me pretty busy.

There are lots of flowers to water....

....and visitors to deal with. Some are welcome.....

......and others are not.

I finally found the time to upholster the outdoor dining chairs, although now I'm thinking of getting rid of this set (we have another set and Mr. Willoughby said he feels like he's sitting at the kiddie table when we use this one).

Other projects are still unfinished....

....but we'll get that sagging gate straightened up eventually.

I've made a new friend...

...who tells me when the hot tub is too hot. And an old friend has been replaced....

....thanks to ebay.

We've been hanging out in the pool as much as possible. We added lights this year and have enjoyed a night swim or two.

We've made lots of great food (remind me to tell you about the spicy chicken flautas) in the kitchen and on the grill. We've even decked out the yard with torches and candles for a late meal just because pasta on a Tuesday night seems more special that way.

I'm trying to find the time to catch up with all my favorite blogs (and still dealing with that pesky issue that keeps me from commenting on some of them), but for now, I'm headed out to watch the long awaited rain from my favorite spot on the back porch.

That's all from Camp Willoughby for now. How is your summer going?

Your friend,

Willoughby

Let's Get Cooking Together! Mixed Berry Cobbler

2011-06-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

Grab your car keys and head on over to your local farmer's market......or roadside produce stand.....or berry farm.....or supermarket. Wherever you can get some gorgeous fresh summer berries, you need to go right now. It will be worth the trip. Promise.

This dessert is so simple and quick to make that you can whip it up shortly before the guests arrive to your cookout. For Father's Day, we made it with a combination of raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, but you can use whatever berries you like best. Be sure to taste your berries and adjust the amount of sugar accordingly (ours were a bit tart, we used about 3/4 cup sugar). Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Grab a partner (because the whole point is to have fun cooking with someone you love), pour a few glasses of your favorite beverage and turn on some great music. Let's get cooking!

Mixed Berry Cobbler

Fruit layer:

8 cups fresh berries (4 pints), rinsed

1/2 to 1 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

juice of 1/2 lemon

zest of 1/2 lemon

1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

pinch salt

Topping layer:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

pinch salt

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, cubed

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350°.

Fruit layer: In a very large mixing bowl, toss berries with sugar, flour, lemon juice, lemon zest, almond extract and salt. Transfer to a 7 x 11 baking dish. Set aside.

Topping layer: Place flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Cover and pulse several times. Remove lid and add cubed butter. Cover and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour heavy cream and almond extract through feed tube and process just until a loose dough forms.

Drop dough by tablespoons over bottom layer until fruit is covered and dough is gone. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar over all.

Bake at 350° for 35 - 40 minutes or until fruit is bubbling and topping is golden. Let cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy!

Willoughby

Musical Suggestion Box

2011-06-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

We spend a lot of time outside in the summer. Whether we're doing yard work, swimming, or just hanging out, we've almost always got music playing. During the daytime our music of choice is usually alternative or rock. At nighttime, we like to slow things down a little and listen to something more mellow. The problem is, we've been listening to the same playlist for a long time. I need to add some new selections to it but I keep drawing a blank when I try to think of what that would be.

Sometimes there will be a small group of people having coffee and dessert and we need some relaxed after dinner music. The age range could be anywhere from children to grandparents, so there would be a vast array of musical tastes.

Other times, it's just Mr. Willoughby and me, sitting at the bar enjoying a glass of wine. We'll usually have dozens of candles lit, so the setting is rather romantic, but we're not necessarily looking for love songs or romantic music. Just something a little slower paced.

We have pretty eclectic musical tastes. Good music is good music, regardless of the artist or genre, so most anything mellow would work. At the bottom of this page, I've included a mini sample version of our playlist to give you an idea of what we've been listening to you. There's a little bit of blues with John Mayer, some old school Frank Sinatra, a contemporary twist from Adele, mixed with some light Matt Nathanson, Colin Hay, Foreigner and Sting. The Eagles Hotel California is a summer tradition, Santana and Rob Thomas because they're so Smooth and Staind because I can't bring myself to have a playlist that doesn't include a little Aaron Lewis.

From here, I'm leaving it to you to drop some fantastic ideas in my musical suggestion box. Whatcha got?

Willoughby

Let's Get Cooking Together! Caesar Salad With Spicy Grilled Shrimp

2011-06-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

This is a quick and easy dish to make at the end of a busy summer day. With two cooks working together, you'll have the prep done in minutes. If you want to speed it up even more, don't bother to measure the ingredients for the shrimp marinade. A drizzle, a squeeze and a few dashes will do just fine. You'll still end up with amazingly flavorful shrimp. We use a perforated grilling pan to cook ours (it sits on top of the grill grate and keeps smaller foods from falling into the fire), but if you don't have one, you can thread the shrimp onto skewers.

For the Caesar dressing, we've given you the classic recipe which includes a raw egg yolk, but we've included the substitute amount of mayonnaise. If you're uncomfortable using raw egg, go ahead and use the mayo. You won't lose any flavor in the bargain.

Speaking of flavor, we're begging you not to eliminate the anchovies. Yes, they're a little creepy looking jammed together in that little jar (or tin), but they add a saltiness and a complex flavor that you really can't get without them.  We swear on our salad tongs that they won't make your dressing taste fishy.

Ready for a fabulous, light summer meal? Grab a partner (because the whole point is to have fun cooking with someone you love), pour a few glasses of your favorite beverage and turn on some great music. Let's get cooking!


Caesar Salad with Spicy Grilled Shrimp

For the Spicy Shrimp:

1 lb. shrimp, shelled and deveined, tails removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Caesar Salad:

1 head romaine lettuce
1 egg yolk or 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
6 anchovy fillets
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup salad croutons, homemade or prepackaged
1/2 cup freshly shaved Parmesan cheese*

In a large bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic powder and black pepper. Toss until shrimp are well coated.  Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Rinse romaine lettuce leaves and spin or pat dry. Tear or cut into bite sized pieces and place in a large salad bowl.  Thinly slice red onion and separate into individual rings.  Add to lettuce.

In cup of food processor combine egg yolk (or mayonnaise), Dijon mustard, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, sea salt and black pepper. Process until smooth. With food processor running, slowly pour olive oil through feed tube. Remove lid and add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Replace lid and process for an addition 10 - 20 seconds. Drizzle dressing, a little at a time, over romaine lettuce and red onion rings. Toss to coat. Lettuce should be coated, but not soggy.

Light charcoal grill or preheat gas grill to medium high heat. Grill shrimp until pink, about 3 minutes per side.

Divide salad between four serving plates. Top each serving with shaved Parmesan, croutons and grilled shrimp. Serve immediately.

Looking for a wine pairing? Sauvignon Blanc is a good choice.

*To shave Parmesan cheese, run a vegetable peeler along the edge of the block or use the large slicing edge of a box grater to create large, thin shavings.

Willoughby

Letting Go

2011-06-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

It's never easy to say goodbye to a dear friend, but sometimes you have no choice. You have to make tough decisions and do what is best for your buddy no matter how much it hurts.

We found ourselves in that very position Tuesday night. We were sitting on the back porch, enjoying some time with our friend when she suddenly lost the ability to turn to the right. Despite our attempts to lure her out of the corner, she huddled there, weak and vulnerable. It was difficult to accept that the time had come to "pull the plug", although we've known this day was coming for some time.

We've been enjoying her company since the day we discovered her, among her brothers and sisters, at a local store. Other shoppers passed by them without so much as a glance, but for us, it was love at first sight. She was practically begging us to give her a good home. If we had known how much we would love her, we would probably have taken her siblings, as well. That was more than five years ago, although I can hardly remember a time that she wasn't part of our household.

Summer nights and rainy days were when we enjoyed her the most. She would sit on the back porch, patiently waiting for some attention. Inevitably, we would play with her, often losing track of time and playing into the wee hours of the morning. She may not have been the most sophisticated playmate, but we loved her just the same.

Our attempts to resuscitate her were in vain. If only her reset button would have been the cure for her ailments, but, alas, it was not. Turning her off and then on was of no help, either. Even fresh batteries could not save her. We had to accept that she had navigated her last maze and eaten her last energy dot.

And so today we lay to rest our beloved plug and play Ms. Pac Man game. She will be mourned, not only by the Willoughby family, but by her nemeses Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Sue. We will miss you, my friend. You will never be replaced (unless we can find another unit, in which case you will be replaced immediately).

Our dear friend Ms. Pac-Man 2004-2011
She will be missed

Willoughby

We Have A Winner!

2011-06-06T18:58:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Polly from The 5th Sister! You have won a $50 Novica gift card! Have fun shopping!

Treasure Found and Last Chance For Giveaway

2011-06-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

I use a laptop now, but we used to have a big desktop computer. One day, just after picking up my daughter from preschool, I smelled something burning. When I walked into the office, smoke was pouring out of the computer. I unplugged it and left it alone until the smoke finally cleared. That night, when Mr. W opened the CPU to see what had happened, he found that all the plastic components had melted. It seems I had discovered the situation moments before it burst into flames. I can only imagine what would have happened if we hadn't come straight home from school that day.

More than losing the computer, I was upset about all the files that were lost along with it. I hadn't thought to save anything on disc (I don't think flash drives were available at the time). We had countless hours of music files, personal files and, most precious of all, hundreds of family pictures.

Over the weekend, my son was looking through a box of CDs, most of which were unlabeled. He popped one into his computer and found that it was a photo CD with pictures from 2003 and 2004. I don't know who made it or when it was made, but it contained all of those pictures I had thought were lost forever. I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I was.

Here are a few of my favorites (chosen specifically because my friend Lisleman from A Few Clowns Short refers to us as the Witness Protection Family):

A nice picture of Mr. Willoughby and our son
in North Carolina.

From left to right - A friend's son, our son and Mr. Willoughby

From top to bottom - A friend's daughter, our daughter

Our daughter on the computer before it melted.

Our son jumping his dirt bike.

Mr. W and the kids racing a friend on a Go Cart.

Me with the kids and a little glare from my sunglasses.

The kids at an air show. Some soldiers put camouflage paint
on my son's face.

Last Chance For Giveaway

You have until 5:00 pm Eastern Time today (June 6, 2011) to enter the Novica Giveaway. Click here for more information. If you are having trouble posting your entry, please feel free to email it to me at thisstopwilloughby@yahoo.com. The winner will be announced this evening. Good luck!

Willoughby

**I'm still unable to post comments on some of my favorite blogs. I hope Blogger gets this issue fixed soon. Holly, Matty, Amy and Liz - I haven't stopped reading your posts, I just can't leave a comment.

Giveaway Update

2011-05-30T16:16:00.000-07:00

Due to the continuing problems with Blogger, I have extended the deadline for my Novica giveaway to Monday, June 6, 2011. Thank you for your patience!

Willoughby

Let's Get Cooking Together! Steak au Poivre

2011-05-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

We celebrated my dad's birthday, yesterday, with a French Bistro inspired dinner. Without a doubt, the star of the show was this Steak au Poivre. Traditionally, Steak au Poivre is made with filet mignon, coated in coarsely cracked black pepper, seared on the stovetop in a smoking hot pan then finished in the oven and served with a cognac infused cream sauce. Our preparation puts a little spin on the dish in that we sear it on the stovetop, but finish it on the grill. The smokiness of the grill pairs nicely with the black pepper and enables you to prepare enough steaks at one time for a small dinner party. We also put our own riff on the sauce by using dry vermouth instead of cognac.

This is a perfect dish to make together because one cook can finish grilling the steaks while the other cook prepares the sauce. Grab a partner (because the whole point is to have fun cooking with someone you love), pour a few glasses of your favorite beverage and turn on some great music. Let's get cooking!


Steak au Poivre

8 filet mignon steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup coarsely cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil or grapeseed oil
2 shallots, finely chopped
1/2 cup dry vermouth
1/2 cup beef stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
5 or 6 fresh thyme sprigs, whole
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons capers, drained

Light charcoal grill or preheat gas grill to medium high.

Rinse steaks and pat dry. Combine salt and cracked black pepper on a small plate or in a shallow dish.   Press each side of steaks into salt/pepper mixture, making sure they are well coated.

Place a heavy skillet over medium high heat and drizzle with oil.  Pan is ready when oil just begins to smoke. Sear each steak on all sides, about 2 minutes per side, until well browned and crusted. Remove to a large platter or baking sheet until all steaks have been seared.

Reduce heat to medium and add shallots to drippings in pan. Saute until tender, then deglaze pan with dry vermouth. Allow to cook for one minute, then add beef stock, heavy cream and whole thyme sprigs. Simmer until thickened, then add Dijon mustard and capers. Keep warm until ready to serve (remove thyme sprigs before serving).

Grill steaks as desired, about three to five minutes per side for medium rare. Let rest for several minutes after removing from heat. Serve with pan sauce.

Looking for a wine pairing? We served a French Bordeaux but Cabernet Sauvignon is another great choice.

Enjoy!

Willoughby

Milestones And Comment Difficulties

2011-05-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

I can't remember exactly what I thought motherhood would be like before my children were born. I know I pictured snuggling with cooing babies wrapped in fuzzy blankets, and reading bedtime stories to toddlers in footy pajamas. I looked forward to first words and first steps and visits from the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus. I don't think I ever thought it would be easy, but I'm sure I never realised how hard some of it would be.

I never thought about how heart wrenching it would be to leave a crying child behind on their first day of preschool, even if it was the right thing to do. I didn't think about how badly I would wish to trade places with them when they are sick or how my heart would ache when someone hurt their feelings. I certainly didn't know how hard it would be to watch them become independent and need me less. Time goes by so much faster than you think it will. Somehow, I think all of those parenting books I read when my kids were younger left that information out.

Last night, we passed another one of those bittersweet milestones when my son graduated from high school. While I was extremely proud to see him receive his diploma, I can't deny that I had a lump in my throat. I know this is how things are supposed to work. You raise your children to be able to move on to the adult world the same way you did. You let them go the same way your parents let you go. It's the way it's always been and the way it will always be. Still, it's not easy.

On a lighter note, I took some fabulous pictures that I'm dying to share. I know you'll never believe that these were not taken by a professional photographer because they are such high quality images, but I swear, I took them, myself. I really do have a talent for lighting and composition.

Filing in to "Pomp and Circumstance"

Waiting to take their seats

It's been a while since I shared current photos of Mr. Willoughby and myself, so I got a few shots of us dressed for this special occasion. As an extra added bonus, I added a picture of my daughter.

Me. Did you notice I always seem to be wearing boots in these pictures?

Of course you recognize Mr. Willoughby

My daughter

Don't you love family photos?

Comment Difficulties

I've been reading your blogs, but I've been having trouble commenting on some of them. I haven't had an issue with blogs where a new windows opens for comments, only those that have a comment box at the bottom of the post. It never shows me as signed in. When I click on "Google Account", it takes me to the sign in page. After I sign in, my comment still shows up as anonymous and won't post.

Is anyone else having this problem? I would appreciate it if you could email me and let me know if you are or if you have a solution. I don't know if it's just me, or if it's a Blogger issue.

Giveaway

There is still lots of time to enter my Novica giveaway. You can find more information, including the rules for entering, right here. If you are having trouble leaving your entry (see above), please feel free to email me and let me know. I'll be happy to add your name to the giveaway.

Willoughby

Let's Get Cooking Together! An Elegant Party Menu

2011-05-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

I'm posting our "Cooking Together" feature a little later than intended this week, but I hope you'll agree that it was worth the wait. It is a complete menu for an elegant dinner party, from the main course through dessert. It may look complicated, but with two cooks and a little time management, it's not difficult (see checklist and tips at bottom). We served this to celebrate my mom's birthday, but it would also be nice for an anniversary or engagement dinner. It has a lovely presentation. You can expect to serve 8 - 10 guests generously.

Here is the menu:

Click to enlarge.

Grab a partner (because the whole point is to have fun cooking with someone you love), pour a few glasses of your favorite beverage and turn on some great music. Let's get cooking!

Herb Roasted Pork Loin

For the pork:

1 4 lb. boneless pork loin, rinsed and patted dry
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
6 rosemary sprigs
8 large thyme sprigs
8 sage sprigs
8 savory sprigs
2 shallots, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

For the sauce:

1/3 cup dry vermouth
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Season pork with salt and pepper. Place roasting pan over burner (if your roasting pan is large, you may need to straddle it over two burners), then heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Brown pork on all sides, then transfer to a large plate. Insert roasting rack in roasting pan and place half of herbs down the middle of the rack.

In a small bowl, stir together shallots, garlic, mustard, and 1 tablespoon oil. Using the back side of a spoon, rub over top and sides of roast (careful, roast will be hot), then place roast, fat side up, on top of herbs. Roast 1 hour. Toss remaining herbs with remaining teaspoon oil and arrange on top of roast.

Continue roasting 5 to 15 minutes more, until internal temperature reaches 140° to 145° (temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees as it rests). Transfer pork to a cutting board and let rest 15 to 25 minutes.

While the pork is resting, remove rack from pan and discard herbs. Place pan across 1 or 2 burners on medium heat. Add vermouth and mustard and deglaze by boiling, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until reduced by half. Add broth and simmer 3 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a 2-cup measure. If you have more than 1 1/2 cups, boil to reduce; if less, add water.

Melt butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, whisking, until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Whisk in vermouth mixture and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Serve on the side.

Caramelized Shallot Mashed Potatoes

6 tablespoons butter, divided
4 shallots, sliced thin
3 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium skillet over medium heat. Add sliced shallots and cook until tender and brown, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Transfer shallots to small bowl. Add milk to skillet. Set aside.

Meanwhile, place peeled and cubed potatoes in large saucepan. Add enough cold water to pan to cover potatoes by 2 inches. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain. Return potatoes to pan and stir over medium heat until dry, about 1 minute. Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Bring milk in skillet to simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Add hot milk to potatoes and mash. Stir in caramelized shallots and season with salt and pepper.

Parslied Carrots

1 lb. baby carrots
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest

Place steamer basket in large saucepan and add water until it reaches bottom of steamer. Place carrots in basket and cover. Steam over medium high heat until carrots are tender, 20 - 25 minutes.

Using slotted spoon, remove carrots to a large bowl. Add butter, chopped parsley and lemon zest. Toss until butter melts.

Chocolate Cobbler

This will look runny when you place it in the oven. As it bakes, a layer of brownie will rise to the top and a layer of gooey chocolate sauce will form on the bottom.

1/2 cup butter
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/4 cups boiling water

Vanilla gelato (or ice cream)
candied walnuts (available next to ice cream toppings in supermarket)
Fresh, whole strawberries

Preheat the oven to 350°. Melt butter in an 9x13 inch baking dish while the oven preheats.

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, 1 cup sugar, and 3 tablespoons cocoa. Stir in milk and vanilla until smooth. Spoon batter over melted butter in the baking dish.

In small bowl, stir together the remaining 1 1/2 cups of sugar and 1/2 cup cocoa powder. Sprinkle evenly over the batter. Slowly pour boiling water over the top of the mixture, do not stir (mixture will be runny).

Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until top is set. Let cool slightly. Cut into squares, but do not remove from pan.

To serve, place a square of cobbler with chocolate sauce in a margarita glass (or bowl if you prefer). Add a small scoop of vanilla gelato and top with two or three candied walnuts and a fresh strawberry. Serve immediately.

Checklist:

Wash, peel, and cube potatoes. Place in pan with cold water, cover and set aside.
Prep steamer with water and carrots. Cover and set aside.
Rinse all herbs with cool water and set on tea towel to dry.
Have one cook rinse, dry and season the pork while the other cook preps shallots (2 finely chopped, 4 thinly sliced), garlic, parsley and lemon zest.
While one cook browns the pork, the other cook can mix together the ingredients to spread on the roast.
When the roast has been in the oven for approximately 45 minutes, start boiling the potatoes, caramelizing the shallots and steaming the carrots.
Once the roast has finished cooking is has been set aside to rest, one cook can prepare the sauce while the other cook finishes the mashed potatoes.
One cook can add the butter, parsley and lemon to the carrots while the other slices and plates the roast.
The Chocolate Cobbler can be made ahead of time and warmed slightly before serving.

Tips:

If your guests are late, or you need to keep the roast warm for a while, do not leave it in the oven in the roasting pan or the drippings you need for the sauce will cook away. Instead, transfer to a different baking dish and cover with foil. Reduce oven temperature to 250°. Prepare sauce according to recipe, transfer to a covered oven proof dish and keep warm in oven.
We made the cloverleaf rolls from scratch, but I did not include the recipe here. You can use your favorite white bread recipe or purchase premade rolls. If you choose to make them from scratch, get your dough made and set aside to rise before beginning the checklist tasks.
If you plan to serve coffee with dinner and/or dessert, don't forget to set up your coffee maker ahead of time so you can just flip the switch when you're ready for it.
We printed copies of the menu on white card stock and gave them to each guest as they arrived. It makes a nice keepsake.

Questions? Comments? Let me know.

Have you entered my Novica giveaway today? Click here for more information.

Willoughby

Longer Weekends And A Giveaway!

2011-05-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Weekends are never long enough, are they? Whether I have a million things to do or just want to relax and do nothing, the time goes by far too quickly. It makes me wonder who came up with the idea that, of the seven days in any given week, only two should be reserved for the weekend.

I'm proposing that we change the calendar. We'll add a day, to make a total of eight days per week. Then, we'll split the days equally into "week days" and "weekend". To clarify, that means every week will have a four day weekend. What do you think? Would this work for you? The only problem I can see is that the year will be longer by 52 days, so that will eventually mean Christmas will fall in the middle of hot summer weather. We could solve that problem by dividing the year into 46 eight day weeks, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I guess we'll need to come up with a name for that extra day, too. I'm leaning toward "Slackday", but I'm open to other suggestions.

This weekend, being only two days long, was full of yard work for Mr. W and I. We were only able to accomplish about half of the tasks on our list (we did manage to squeeze in some time to soak our feet in the hot tub). If we had had those two extra days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Slackday), we could have gotten so much more done. I would have had time to post the giveaway I've been promising instead of making you wait until today.

Giveaway

I am so excited to announce that Novica has again given me a $50 gift card to award to one lucky winner. If you're not familiar with Novica, they work in association with National Geographic to bring the work of talented artists and artisans around the globe to the rest of the world via the internet. Shopping their website is a unique experience as you can view information about each artist along with the works they create. It gives each item a very personal feeling. In the Keepers Of The Arts section, you can watch videos of the artists at work.

Whether you are shopping for yourself or looking for a gift for someone else, you'll be able to find something special and one of a kind. You can shop categories like Corporate Gifts, Eco Friendly, and Gifts For Dad or click on something specific like Jewelry and Apparel to find necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings and clothing. Don't miss Home Decor to browse rugs, clocks, bookends and more. If you'd like to search items by the country they are created in, you can do that, too.

If you have a favorite artist, you can view all of their works in one place. I am in love with the blown glass created by artists Javier and Efren from Mexico. I own a beautiful set of margaritas glass they created and am anxiously awaiting the set of dessert goblets I ordered a few days ago.

Dessert Goblets by Javier and Efren

You can do more than shop on the Novica website. In Microfinance, you can learn how to support artists with a loan that will earn you an extra 15% toward Novica purchases. If you're looking to start a new full or part time career, learn all about becoming a Novica consultant at Novica Live!

I just can't say enough good things about Novica. From the wonderful opportunity they give artists by making their work available for purchase, to the excellent customer service they provide. I am so pleased to work with them again.

Now that I've got you all excited, you probably want to know all about the giveaway. Here we go:

Entry Rules
1. You must be a follower of This Stop Willoughby, or become one.

2. You must click on the Novica Corporate Gifts link, browse items in that category, and then come back and leave a comment on this post telling me about one of your favorites.

3. You may leave an additional comment (one per day) telling me about a favorite item from any category.

4. If you would like to earn a bonus entry, mention my giveaway on your blog along with a link to this post. Please be sure to leave a comment (with link) letting me know that you've done so.

5. This giveaway is not limited to the United States. If you have followed the above rules, you're eligible as long as Novica can ship to you. Certain exclusions may apply to some items.

The deadline for entries is Monday, May 30, 2011 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time. The winner will be drawn randomly and announced shortly thereafter. One entry per day as well as one bonus entry allowed. Please be sure to include a way for me to contact you should you be the winner of this giveaway. If your email is not linked to your blog, please include it in the comment you leave here. If I am unable to contact the winner, a different winner will be drawn at random. The prize will awarded in the form of an electronic gift card. You do not have to share your mailing address with me if you are selected as the winner.

Good Luck!!

Willoughby

A Little Sad, A Little Funny And A Giveaway!

2011-05-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

At one time we had a house full of family pets. We had a dog, two cats, three hermit crabs and dozens of fish. Now we have none. I wasn't terribly attached to the fish or the crabs, but it was difficult to lose Molly, our 17 year old dog, when she died six years ago. Shelley, our 16 year old calico cat, was hard, too, when we lost her 3 years ago. Most recently, our 21 year old cat Chester curled up, went to sleep and never woke up. I still think I hear him plodding up and down the stairs at night. I miss him. I miss all of them.

We don't want to get any more pets. Not right now, anyway. Luckily, we have a yard full of wildlife to enjoy.

In a shrub near the back porch we have Momma, the mother robin. The four tiny blue eggs in her nest just finished hatching yesterday. She gets upset if we get too close, but we can sneak a peak in the nest when she leaves to find a meal.
In the overhang of the porch roof, a mother black bird is also raising a family. They're not in a spot where we can see them, but we can hear the babies chirping for their mother when she leaves.
A sweet little hummingbird has decided to make our Honeysuckle her favorite hangout. After sipping on a few flowers she likes to kick back on the interior branches of the shrub. She doesn't seem to mind company, we're able to get within a few feet from her perch without spooking her.
My favorite of all is the baby bunny we've named Dandelion. He lives under the wood pile on the side of the garage. At least a dozen times a day he ventures out to eat and explore. His favorite food seems to be dandelions (hence, his name).

We've also had purple finches and gold finches on the feeder, adult rabbits chasing each other through the hedges and a pair of pizza eating raccoons who raid our garbage cans.

Today was old fashioned school day for my daughter's fifth grade class. The kids dress like Laura and Albert Ingalls and they hold class in the one room school house we have in town. To make it as authentic as possible, the teacher has the students do their work on slates. They also get to try using quill pens and ink to practice Victorian style penmanship. When my daughter came home from school, she still had the feather with her. She told me she hadn't been able to write very well with it. "It takes practice," I said. "Is this what you used when you were in school or did they have regular pens by then?" she asked me.

Do I really look that old? I'm 43 not 143!

We've had a lot of rain over the past few weeks which has caused our perennials to grow like crazy. A few days ago, I had to adjust the plant that grows up a post in our backyard. Later, I was telling my husband about it, but I couldn't think of the name of the plant. It's a climbing plant that develops large purple flowers and I'll bet some of you already know what I'm talking about, but I just couldn't come up with the name Clematis. A few hours later, it popped into my head, or at least I thought it did. "Chlamydia! That's the name of the plant in the yard," I said.

I hate when I confuse the names of plants with the names of venereal diseases.

I have a fabulous giveaway to announce, but you'll have to wait a little longer. Trust me, it's a great one! Come back tomorrow for details!

Willoughby

Let's Get Cooking Together! Chimichurri Grilled Chicken

2011-05-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

I know, I promised I would post some fantastic recipes and then I disappeared for a few weeks. Well, I'm back now and ready to cook. Grilling season is upon us, so it seems fitting to start with a recipe for grilled chicken.

If you make grilled chicken from time to time, you know the trick is to cook the chicken thoroughly and still end up with a juicy and tender result. You probably also know that it's not always as easy as it sounds. About a year ago, we made the most beautiful chicken. We followed a recipe that called for marinating it and then brushing it with a sauce while it cooked. It looked and smelled great when we took it off the grill, but we were disappointed to find it rubbery and nearly flavorless. Using a brine, as this recipe does, makes all the difference, so don't be tempted to skip that step. The chicken only needs about an hour in the brine (a little more or a little less than an hour is fine), so you can prepare the rest of the recipe, get your grill heated up and prep your side dishes in that time.

Grab a partner (because the whole point is to have fun cooking with someone you love), pour a few glasses of your favorite beverage and turn on some great music. Let's get cooking!

Chimichurri Grilled Chicken

Brine

2 quarts water
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Chimichurri Sauce

1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
juice of one small lemon

4 pounds bone-in chicken pieces

Rinse chicken pieces in cold water. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, salt and garlic powder. Add 2 quarts water and stir until dry ingredients are dissolved. Immerse chicken pieces into brine. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.

Finely chop shallot and garlic cloves and place in the cup of your food processor along with parsley, salt, black pepper, chili flakes, oregano, olive oil, red wine vinegar and the juice of one small lemon. Pulse several times, until well blended but not pureed. Set aside.

When chicken has nearly finished brining, light charcoal grill or preheat gas grill to medium high heat. Remove chicken from brining liquid but do not rinse.

Place chicken on heated grill. Baste with Chimichurri sauce every ten minutes or so, turning pieces each time to ensure even cooking. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°.

Remove chicken from grill and let rest briefly before serving. Discard any unused Chimichurri sauce.

Just a few quick thoughts about cooking together. You can divide the tasks for this recipe (or any recipe) any way you like. For example, the person with the better knife skills can do the chopping while the less experienced cook does the measuring. On the other hand, it may be a good opportunity for the less experienced cook to improve their ability to use a knife. As long as the emphasis is on having fun (and safety, of course), you really can't go wrong.

Mr. Willoughby and I have such a great time cooking together, we hope to inspire you to cook with someone you love. We had couples in mind when we decided to make Cooking Together a weekly feature, but there is no reason you can't cook with your mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, best friend, weird uncle, crazy aunt or your next door neighbor. We would love to hear from you if you try this recipe.

Enjoy!

Willoughby

Culinary Inspiration

2011-04-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

My husband and I got married on April 22, 1989, exactly 22 years ago, today (there are a few wedding pictures here if you're interested). Our first home was a one bedroom apartment in the suburbs. We signed a one year lease, and our payments of $375 per month included gas and water. The only utility we were responsible for was the electric bill which ran about twenty five to thirty dollars each month. We were both working full time and this was long before we had discovered the (dangerous) joys of credit cards, so we had quite a bit of discretionary income left after paying our bills. We were less than a mile from a busy shopping area that had dozens and dozens of restaurants offering fine dining to fast food and everything in between. Sometimes it was just the two of us, other times we went out with friends, but we ate out pretty regularly.

We didn't prepare meals at home often. The kitchen in our apartment was not exactly a dream kitchen. It was galley style with very limited cabinet and counter space and no dishwasher. The refrigerator was a twenty year old, single door model with a tiny freezer that had to be defrosted once a month. As much as I've always enjoyed cooking and baking, this kitchen did not exactly inspire me.

This picture is on the website of the apartment complex
we lived in. The size is the same, but our kitchen
had dark, faux wood cabinets and an older
refrigerator. What you see is what you get, opposite the
sink is a blank wall.

It wasn't just the kitchen that made culinary inspiration difficult, there was a lack of places to find inspiration. We take the internet and food channels on television for granted now, but at the time, you had to rely on cookbooks and magazines for recipes. Finding the perfect dish was a lot more time consuming. There was no function to search by ingredient other than the index at the back of the book, and, of course, you had to have the book in the first place.

Eventually, though, we started cooking at home more often. After a trip to an apple orchard, Mr. W and I had a pie bake-off to see who could make the tastiest apple pie (he won). Shortly after that we made homemade clover leaf rolls to take to Thanksgiving dinner. Little by little, we found ways to be creative in that small space.

Fast forward to today and cooking together is one of our favorite things to do. It's more than just a hobby, it's a passion. While other couples may have date night and go out for the evening, we enjoy spending our date night in our own kitchen. It's time spent together, talking, laughing, listening to music and creating food to share with family and friends. Our efforts are, more often than not, successful, but we've made a few duds along the way. We made some less than impressive empanadas (really bland) last week and an inedible Pad Thai the week before. Two bottles of sickeningly sweet homemade Limoncello await a palatable use, as well. The butterflied lobster tails, Thai shrimp, lemon glazed chicken scallopini, five cheese paninis, and chicken empanadas we've made recently more than make up for all of it, though.

In the very near future, we would like to share our cooking adventures on This Stop Willoughby. We'll be choosing dishes from random places all over the globe as well as putting our own riff on recipes from chefs right here in the U.S. They will, likely, be posted on Saturday or Sunday of each week. We hope to inspire you to cook with someone you love (or a perfect stranger if that's your thing). I hope you'll join us!

Willoughby

*If you attempt to click on the video for our wedding song in the wedding post I linked, you will find that it is no longer available. If you would still like to hear the song, you can click here for another youtube video.

Just Like Morgan And Jack, But Without The Unlimited Funds

2011-04-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a gorgeous spring day, perfect for sitting outside. Well, not really. It was 45 degrees with overcast skies, but we have a covered porch and a heated pub table, so we pretended it was. Add in great music, a lovely bottle of Chardonnay and some good conversation and it wasn't such a stretch.

I don't recall how it came up, but Mr. Willoughby and I started talking about all the places we'd like to go and all the things we would like to do. Before long, we realised we were making a "Bucket List" (list of things you'd like to do before you die, if you haven't heard the term or seen the movie). It was informal, I didn't write any of it down on paper, though, maybe I should have. Not because either of us plan on dying anytime soon, just because I think having your dreams and goals in black and white is sort of motivating.

If I did write them down, I would have to make two separate lists because Mr. W and I don't always want to do the same things. That's not to say that we don't have similar interests, but he is more daring than I am and he doesn't suffer from a paralyzing fear of heights.

Skydiving is an example of something we may not ever be able to do together. It's on his list, but not on mine. I can easily picture him sitting on a plane, dressed in skydiving gear, a look of excitement and anticipation on his face as we approach the jump point. I can also see him fearlessly jumping out of the plane in an all out adrenaline rush then landing on the ground, ready to do it all over again. If you put me in that scenario, I would likely be sitting on the plane, dressed in skydiving gear, a look of fear and horror on my face as we approach the jump point. When it came time to jump, I would have to be shoved out of the plane, sobbing and screaming. On the plus side, if I survived, it might cure me of my fear of heights. On the other hand, it might not.

Strangely, I like the idea of hang gliding. I know that doesn't make much sense since I have that pesky fear of heights, but it's something I've always wanted to try and it's something Mr. W would like to do, too. When we vacationed in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, we watched people hang gliding over the dunes at Kitty Hawk. Landing on sand seems pretty safe, so I think I could do it. I'm not saying I wouldn't be sobbing and screaming, but I would probably do it.

Surfing is another activity we probably wouldn't be able to do together. A few years ago, I was pinned under a series of powerful waves while swimming in the ocean. The water was no more than two feet deep and I was only about 20 feet from shore, but I couldn't get up or get my head above water to take a breath. It was terrifying and left me afraid of the exact sort of waves that surfers live for. My husband may have to conquer surfing on his own, but I'd be happy to stand in ankle deep (maybe knee deep) water taking pictures of him while he does it.

Some other items on my list are: Catching a sailfish (catch and release is fine with me, I just want the thrill of catching one), going white water rafting, re-learning to speak French, visiting all 50 states (I've been to about 20), learning to play the piano, and owning 365 pairs of brand new socks so I could wear a new pair every day (you laugh, but what is better than the feeling of new socks?). I have other items of the more personal improvement variety. You know, get in better shape, botox the hell out of my face (kidding, I think), etc.

Mr. Willoughby's list includes: Learning to play the guitar, running a marathon, riding in a powered parachute, owning a 1964 Cobra, and learning to fly an ultralight (and, eventually, a plane).

I'll be sure to update you when we accomplish any of the items on our list. We don't have the unlimited funds that Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman had, but I think we'll be able to make some progress over time. I just got ten new pairs of socks, so that's a start.

What's on your Bucket List?

Willoughby

Going U.P.

2011-03-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

The calendar may say that spring is here, but the weather begs to differ. It is slightly above freezing, right now, and there is still a fair amount of snow on the ground. The only thing that is keeping me going is the idea of taking a trip once the warmer weather finally arrives. It doesn't help, any, that I keep seeing this commercial on television.

Every year, I request a copy of the Michigan travel guide. It's full of gorgeous, glossy pictures of places I've never been (even though I've lived in Michigan my entire life), and places I'd like to go. It's a good starting point for planning day and weekend trips. Once I find a place of interest, I begin my search on the internet for more information.

We've been talking about spending a weekend in the Upper Peninsula, so I spent some time researching points of interest, there. It is primarily forest land, which means that a trip to the area is not going to be full of amusement parks and tourist attractions. Camping, hiking, kayaking, swimming, fishing and sightseeing are the standard. There are dozens of state parks and state forest areas with campgrounds, and they all have unique features that I've been comparing.

The first thing I ruled out was any campground with the term "rustic" in it's title. I love the outdoors as much as anyone, but when I read the following, it didn't inspire me to make reservations:

Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump.

Vault toilets? Yeah, I know what they are. Most of the scenic overlooks along the eastern part of the state have them. On a 90+ degree day you can smell them from a half mile away. Trust me when I tell you that you don't want your campsite anywhere near one.

Another type of campsite I wasn't terribly familiar with was a "walk in" site. Then I read this description of one:

Craig Lake State Park is the most remote state park in the system. It spans more than 6,900 acres in Baraga County. Craig Lake offers a touch of wilderness and access into the park is somewhat of an adventure. Vehicles with high ground clearance are recommended due to the rocky conditions of the road. The park contains six full lakes and numerous small ponds along with a variety of wildlife such as deer, black bear, beaver, loons and a portion of the Upper Peninsula moose herd. Craig Lake is 374 acres and features six islands and high granite bluffs along its northern shoreline.

A touch of wilderness? It sounds like more than a "touch" to me. You can drive into the park, but you must walk to the camp sites because there is no vehicle access. I'm sure it's beautiful, but when you use "remote" and "black bear" together, I get a little worried. We may consider visiting during the daytime, but I don't think we'll be spending the night. While I may want to share some highlights of our trip on my blog, I don't want to be featured on an episode of "I Shouldn't Be Alive".

I had read that some of the campgrounds are close to ghost towns. An afternoon spent poking around an old, abandoned logging camp or mining town sounds like fun. I also found that there is a place called "Willoughby Lodge" that sits on the foundation of the former sawmill in the now defunct town of Prentiss. How cool is that?

There is still a lot of information to cover, so we don't have any concrete plans, yet. Even so, I'm enjoying the planning because it keeps me from looking outside and noticing the snow that just won't leave. Plus, Tim Allen is pretty convincing (he does the voice over in the Pure Michigan ads).
Do you have any plans for spring or summer getaways?

Willoughby

If you're planning a trip to Michigan, or want to spend some time on a virtual getaway, click here to view the digital version of Michigan Travel Ideas.

Give Me A Break, I Haven't Even Finished My Coffee Yet!

2011-03-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

The other morning I had the kitchen television on while I packed my daughter's lunch. I was standing at the kitchen counter, sliced ham in hand, when I glanced at the screen just in time to see a close up shot of a cold sore. I wasn't watching a medical show, this was a commercial for cold sore ointment. I quickly looked away and went back to layering sliced ham on bread, but it wasn't easy with the image of an oozing cold sore burned into my brain. Thank goodness my daughter likes mustard on ham, mayo might have been more than I could handle, just then.

With lunch making duty complete, I sat down to drink some of my coffee and forget the nasty cold sore image. I grabbed the remote, scanned through the preview guide and found a movie that I like, a comedy, so I thought I might watch that for a few minutes. I clicked over to it just in time for a commercial. No cold sore this time, instead, acne treatment. Before I go on, let me just say that I sympathize with anyone who has stubborn acne. Who hasn't had the occasional pimple, right? That said, I could live without images of erupting zits.

Over the next 20 or 30 minutes, I saw plaque along the gum line in a toothpaste commercial, before and after shots of an infected cut in an ad for anti-bacterial cream, cat urine in a commercial for carpet cleaner, nail fungus in an advertisement for anti-fungal treatment, skin erupting into goose bumps in a commercial for peppermint candy and filthy dog teeth in a commercial for canine plaque spray. I won't even mention the number of commercials where people are licking food off their lips, their fingers, or in the case of the Doritos commercial, another person's fingers. All this before 7:00 a.m. When did watching television become so disgusting? I can understand how all of these products work without seeing the oozing, dripping, crusted results.

Maybe it's just me. It's certainly possible that other people aren't as easily grossed out as I am. We occasionally go to a particular restaurant that has big screen TVs mounted above the bar and in different locations around the dining area. Usually, they will have sports or news on, but once while we were there, they had the Dr. Oz show on several of the screens. The topic of the show had something to do with plastic surgery and they were showing the removal of skin tags. I saw people glancing at the screen while they were eating so I can only assume that no one complained or asked that the channel be changed. I couldn't see it very well, but it's not something I would choose to watch during a meal (or at any time, really).

How about you? Do these images gross you out, too?

Willoughby

I Might Buy It If I Had A Coupon

2011-03-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes our dinner table conversation gets a little carried away. A few days ago we started coming up with unnecessary products that aren't (yet) available. Have a look and see if there is anything you can't live without.

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Kwick Kill Brand Vitamin Enriched Rat Poison - Only the best will do for your family. That's especially true when it comes to eradicating vermin. Our tasty pellets are enriched with calcium for strong bones and flax seed oil for a shiny pelt. Simply distribute Kwick Kill Brand pellets in areas pests are known to inhabit. Once consumed, death should occur in two to four hours. Your family will have only the healthiest dead rodents. Guaranteed or your money back.

Kids Love Em Brand Bone-In Fish Sticks - Because our product is minimally processed, our fish sticks are more economical than the leading brand. Your children will delight in finding and removing the bones from each tasty, batter dipped morsel. Serve with tartar sauce and fresh lemon wedges. Note: Pliers may be required to remove larger bones. Caution: Potential choking hazard. Do not serve to children.

Caliente Pharmaceuticals Jalapeno Flavored Antacid Tablets - Other antacids may work, but they leave an unpleasant, chalky aftertaste.  Caliente brand antacid tablets have a mildly spicy flavor that can be enjoyed after any heartburn inducing meal. Dosage: Chew one or two Jalapeno Flavored Tablets to stop heartburn. If pain persists, discontinue use. Caution: May cause heartburn.

Boheme Pilsner Super Light Beer - This is no ordinary light beer! Full bodied, crisp and refreshing, Boheme Pilsner Light Beer weighs in at just 99 calories per bottle, but that's not what makes it the perfect beer for today's weight conscious beer consumer. Boheme is blended with diuretics. If you thought beer ran through you before, just wait until you try Boheme! It doesn't stay with you long enough to cause weight gain and think of all the calories you'll burn running to the bathroom!  Boheme's Motto - Through the lips, over the gums, look out kidneys, here it comes!

Today's Gourmet Breath Mints - You may not be able to afford to eat gourmet foods, but you can afford to smell like you did. Choose from one of six varieties; Lamb with Rosemary, Boeuf Bourguignon, Oysters Rockefeller, Trout Almondine, Osso Bucco and Chicken Florentine.  The flavor and aroma last for hours. You're wallet may give you away, but your breath never will.

Cozy Home Coffee Flavored Tea - Can't decide whether to have a cup of coffee or a cup of tea? With Cozy Home Brand Coffee Flavored Tea, you never have to choose!  For a complete breakfast, serve with our omelet flavored pancakes and sausage flavored bacon.

Stylemaster Temporary House Paint - Selecting a color for your house can be difficult.  What may look good on a small sample might not look great on a large scale. With Stylemaster's Temporary House Paint 3 Step System, you can take the guesswork out of choosing the perfect color. Step One - Thoroughly clean siding with our liquid Prep Cleaner and the blue sponge that comes with the kit. Be sure to saturate well. Primer will not adhere to any untreated surface. Step Two - Using the two inch foam brush that comes with the kit, apply Stylemaster Temporary Primer in a short stroke crosshatch fashion.  Be sure to apply liberally. Paint will not adhere to any unprimed surface. Step Three - Apply Stylemaster Temporary Paint (in color of your choice) in horizontal strokes using the two inch bristle brush that comes with the kit. Vertical strokes may not adhere properly. That's it, you're done! Stand back and admire your work.  If you like the color and wish to apply it permanently, you will need to purchase the Stylemaster Temporary House Paint Remover system to remove the temporary paint. Warning: Do not use if rain is predicted within 30 days of application. Direct sunlight may alter color and finish of paint. Paint may adhere permanently to skin, clothing, masonry, auto finishes, trees, grass, shrubs and ornamental plants.  Stylemaster products may leave a residue that will prevent any paint (including Stylemaster brand) from adhering, in which case, sand blasting may be necessary.

Elegant Hostess Disposable Outdoor Dinner Gloves - It happens every time. You set your outdoor table for an al fresco meal, when suddenly the wind picks up and blows the napkins away.  With Elegant Hostess Disposable Outdoor Dinner Gloves, you can leave your worries behind. Each diner removes their gloves from our lovely, weighted pop-up dispenser just as dinner is served so there are no napkins to blow away. Your guests will love the convenience of being able to pick up buttery corn, juicy chicken and saucy ribs without getting their hands sticky. And who needs a napkin when you can wipe you face with a gloved hand? Made of soft-spun paper, they are disposable as well as elegant. One size fits all. Also available in poncho style.

Grandma's Kitchen Salted Sugar - Have you ever confused the salt container with the sugar container?  Never again with Grandma's Kitchen Salted Sugar.  Each bag contains 2 1/2 pounds sugar and 2 1/2 pounds salt blended together.  Note: May make sweet dishes overly salty. May also make salty dishes overly sweet.

Ultra Secure Screaming Bathroom Door Lock - If there is one place you want privacy, it's the bathroom. But how can you be sure the door is locked? You can check and double check, but do you really feel secure? The Ultra Secure Screaming Bathroom Door Lock will put your mind at ease. Immediately upon locking the door, the hinge mounted speaker will broadcast a 120 decibel blood curdling scream to let you know that the lock has been activated. Now that's peace of mind. Easy to install, battery operated.

YouNeek Fragrances Unscented Perfume - Sometimes you feel like putting on perfume, but you're bothered by the smell of it. YouNeek Fragrances has created just the product for those days. Made with an exclusive blend of hydrogen and oxygen, it's fragrance free and hypo-allergenic. $165 per ounce. Available at a high end fragrance counter near you.

Willoughby

I Do Actually Know A Thing Or Two About Knives

2011-03-13T10:34:00.000-07:00

I remember watching my grandpa use a sharpening steel to hone knives when I was a kid. He could do it really fast and it was amazing to watch. He came from a family of butchers so he knew the value of a well maintained, sharp knife.

Cooking is something my husband and I enjoy doing together, so, from time to time, we watch cooking shows to get some new ideas and techniques. Professional chefs have some impressive knife skills, but many of them do something that surprises me. They use the sharpened edge of their knives to scrape food from the cutting board.

If you look at a typical chef's knife, you'll notice that the blade is curved on the cutting side and flat on the top. There are a number of reasons knives are made that way, but one of them is to make scraping food off of your cutting board more efficient and save the blade of your knife. Using the sharpened edge of your knife to scrape your board can dull the blade and, potentially, nick it.

Some professional chefs don't seem to know that, but, if you didn't before, now you do. Next time you chop an onion or slice an apple, don't forget to flip your knife over and use the straight side to scrape your food into the pan. Your knives will stay sharp longer.

Willoughby

Blame Me, It's Probably My Fault

2011-03-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

Winter just keeps dragging on around here. Every time we get a sunny, slightly warmer day, the snow melts a little bit, but then we get hit with six inches of snow. It's two steps forward and one step back. I've been complaining about it for weeks, but here's the kicker, it may have been my fault all along.

You see, a few days after Christmas, we took down all of our indoor and outdoor decorations, but I left the crystal wreath on the front door. I decided that it was more of seasonal adornment than a specifically Christmas-themed decoration. What's the harm, I figured, in keeping it up, especially since it looks so beautiful when the light reflects off the glass crystals?

But then today, out of nowhere, it hit me. Mother Nature has seen the wreath still hanging on the door, celebrating all that is winter, so she thinks I'm enjoying the snow, the ice and the cold. She's not punishing me with what seems to be the never ending winter, she's giving me what she thinks I want. How could I not have seen this before?

So this afternoon, I am taking the wreath off the door. Before I do, I consulted with the weather forecast for the next five days. You'll notice that snow or a rain/snow mix is predicted for two of these days.

If I'm right, by taking down the wreath, Mother Nature will get the hint and we won't get any more snow.

I can't say for sure whether the removal of the wreath will change the weather beyond my local area, we'll have to wait and see. However, if it becomes suddenly spring-like where you live, you can blame me.

Willoughby

Cutting Words

2011-03-06T08:57:00.000-08:00

My husband and I were watching a cooking show the other day and one of the dishes the chef prepared was oatmeal layered with sauteed apples. It looked good and since I have some apples that are starting to get a little soft, I thought I would make it for Sunday brunch.

While I was peeling the apples, I flashed back to a memory from thirty years ago. I was at Girl Scout camp and I had been assigned to cooking duty. I was asked to prepare the salad. The scout leader handed me a bowl full of lettuce and assorted vegetables, a cutting board and a knife and told me to get started. I washed everything, tore the lettuce into a big bowl, cut up the tomatoes and then started to peel a cucumber.

"What are you doing? Are you trying to cut yourself?" she shrieked at me. "Who on earth taught you to peel vegetables?"

"My mom," I answered, sheepishly.

"Well, it's wrong. Hand it to me. I'll do it." She said, while my troop mates looked on uncomfortably. "You can go set the tables."

I was about twelve years old when this exchange took place, but I was not new to cooking. My mom had been letting me cook, with supervision, for two or three years by then. I had peeled more than a few vegetables and I had done it the way my mom showed me, by using a paring knife held perpendicular to the vegetable and pulling it toward my thumb. It was the she did it and the way both of my grandmothers did it. I was pretty good at it and had never cut myself.

Courtesy of Google Images

I was upset about it, at the time. The scout leader managed to make me feel stupid, embarrassed and insulted with her comment. Most of all, I felt like she was insulting my mother by suggesting that she was incompetent and had taught me something dangerous. I hadn't been enjoying camp much up to that point, but after that I was downright miserable. I couldn't wait to go home.

Maybe it wasn't as much about what she said as the way she said it. After all, when she asked who had taught me to peel vegetables, what did she think I was going to say? Had I been a little older at the time, I don't think it would have bothered me, much. I never liked her or enjoyed Girl Scouts after that.

It's probably silly that I remember that after all these years, but it really made an impact. Words are powerful, and if you're not careful, you can cut someone, even if it is unintentional.

How about you? Have you ever had a similar experience that stuck with you?

Willoughby

And The Winner Is.....

2011-03-01T16:58:00.000-08:00

First of all, I'd like to thank you all for entering. If you've been a follower of my blog for any length of time, you know I prefer the low tech approach of selecting a winner to a giveaway. I think it's more fun and so does my daughter.

Here's what we did. We listed all of the entries on little slips of paper, folded them in half and placed them in a bowl. We shuffled them up really well and then my daughter closed her eyes and selected one.

The winner of the $40 CSN Stores Gift card is.......................L.B. of the blog Muddy Runner! Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your prize!

Willoughby

Statistically Speaking

2011-03-01T13:07:00.000-08:00

Statistics are endlessly fascinating to me, especially when applied to real life situations, so I've decided to create a scenario that everyone can identify with to glimpse some of the mundane, funny and downright strange statistics I've found.

Our scenario, for this example, is going to be the supermarket on a weekend afternoon. We're going to assume there are 100 people, including employees, milling around the store and parking lot. Based on percentage statistics (which I admit may not translate accurately to a number as small as 100, but work with me here), you would likely rub elbows with:

10 people who have been involved in a menage a trois
1 person who bites their toenails
40 people who make New Years resolutions
25 people who are afraid of spiders
1 person who can ride a unicycle
31 men and 14 women who sleep nude
1 person who practices a vegan lifestyle
3 people who are ambidextrous
17 people who talk to themselves
75 people who are dehydrated
19 people who have travelled outside of the US in the past year
56 women and 38 men who believe in ghosts
3 people who have been to a Barry Manilow concert
27 people who are left handed
3 twins (just because the term "twins" relates to an even number doesn't mean they shop together!)
2 people who can juggle three or more objects
5 people who think they've been abducted by aliens
33 people who don't wash their hands after using a public restroom
65 people who can roll their tongues
25 people who name salsa as their favorite condiment
41 people who like Justin Bieber
24 people who have at least one tattoo
75 people who like roller coasters
50 people who's second toe is longer than their big toe
3 people who are severely allergic to bee stings

Did any of those numbers surprise you? Did you see yourself once or twice? Think about it next time you go to the supermarket!

Giveaway

I will be choosing a random winner of the CSN Stores $40 giftcard giveaway later today. If you haven't entered yet, or would like to enter again, you have until 7:00 pm Eastern Time to enter. Click here for more info. Good luck!

Willoughby

Who Comes Up With This Stuff?

2011-02-27T08:54:00.000-08:00

We have a new obsession with advertising, around here. Television commercials, print ads, radio ads and billboards are all included. We've turned it into sort of a game. The point of the game? Pick out the stupidest statements advertisers make. Here are a few favorites:

Farm picked broccoli (from a commercial for frozen meals). As compared to what, free range broccoli? Seriously, where else are you going to pick broccoli?
Check with your doctor before taking prescription X (from dozens of ads for prescription medications). Wouldn't I need my doctor to prescribe the medication in the first place? Maybe this statement is for people who buy their meds on the street.
Sauce made with real tomatoes (from a commercial for frozen pizza). I agree with this one, I hate the taste of faux tomatoes.
We pick only the most tender vegetables (from a commercial for frozen vegetables, the vegetables shown are carrots). Should carrots be tender before they're cooked? I like them to be crisp.
With crisp vegetables (from a magazine ad for frozen meals). Should vegetables be crisp after they've been cooked? I like them to be tender.
Why mess with morning coffee (from a commercial for an energy drink). Maybe because I like the taste of coffee? If you follow this logic, why mess with eating food when you could just take a vitamin?
Professional installation (from a carpet company ad). Who else would a carpet company send to install your carpet? Good hearted volunteers? Isn't anyone paid to install carpet, by definition, a professional?
Made in our kitchens by cooks (from an ad for a fast food restaurant). I'm so relieved that they don't have the janitor preparing my chicken.
Now I have the confidence to improve my credit score (from a commercial for an online credit reporting service). Confidence, as far as I know, is not a form of legal tender. Ever try using it to pay your bills? It takes money, not confidence, to improve your credit score.
Call *insert-phone-number-here* (from any number of billboards along the highway). Is there a safe and convenient way to call, write down, or even read a phone number when traveling at 70 mph?

I really do want to know, who comes up with this stuff?

Giveaway

It's not too late to enter my CSN Stores giveaway! Click here for more information.

Willoughby

My Vacation, A Celebration and A Giveaway

2011-02-21T11:22:00.000-08:00

My Vacation

If you've been wondering why I haven't posted a new blog or stopped by to comment, recently, it's because I've been on vacation. I know, I didn't tell you I was going on vacation, but it was a last minute kind of thing. I think it's almost always that way when you take a vacation............from sanity.

Yes, friends, that's where I've been. At home and losing my mind over an endless stream of unexpected expenses, pricey auto repairs (on every vehicle we own), damaged kitchen countertops, an early spring thaw (can you say mud?), an overwhelming winter storm (can you say knee deep snow?), and one particularly clever field mouse that snuck in the house and evaded capture for over a week.

When I shared on Facebook that it was raining lemons around here, a friend suggested that I make margaritas. Wouldn't you know that we were out of tequila? Such is life....

A Celebration

Today is a day of celebration in our house because it's our son's birthday. As hard as it is for us to believe, he is now eighteen years old. The time has gone by so fast.

It's quite possible that you're thinking "My goodness, Willoughby, you don't look nearly old enough to have an eighteen year old son!". I probably wouldn't argue with that statement. Take a look at a recent picture of me:

I look far too young to have an adult son, don't I? The same could be said for Mr. Willoughby. See for yourself:

Judging by these pictures, I think we look just as young as we did on this day eighteen years ago.

Happy Birthday, Son! From your not-so-old parents!

A Giveaway

When we built the bar on our back porch, we spent weeks searching for bar stools that were just the right style and size. Eventually, we compromised and chose a set that are great looking and comfortable, but a little shorter than we would like. This spring, I'm hoping to replace them with taller, or adjustable bar stools.

So, now, you're wondering why I'm talking about bar stools and what they have to do with the giveaway I mentioned. Well, CSN Stores have lots of fantastic bar stools and they have given me a $40 gift certificate to award to one lucky winner. You can use it toward any item (not including shipping) on their website.

I will draw one winner, at random, on March 1, 2011. Please be sure that your email is linked to your blog or that you provide a contact email in your comment on this post.

To enter:

1. You must be a follower of This Stop Willoughby, or become one.

2. You must click on the link above, browse the items in that category, and then come back and leave a comment on this post telling me about one of your favorites.

3. You may leave an additional comment (one per day) telling me about a favorite item from any category on CSN Stores.

4. If you would like to earn a bonus entry, mention my giveaway on your blog along with a link to this post. Please be sure to leave a comment (with link) letting me know that you've done so.

5. This giveaway is limited to the United States and Canada (sorry!). Don't forget that you are responsible for shipping charges.

Good luck!

Willoughby

Keeping It All Together

2011-02-04T14:25:00.000-08:00

Recently, I received an email that said, "Willoughby, you seem to have it all together, how do you do it?" (That's how I interpreted it, anyway. The actual email said something about my having won the British lottery, but I knew what they meant.) I have to tell you, I'm asked this question frequently (never), and my response is always the same, "I'm a little bit of an idiot. I keep it all together by embracing my inner moron."

I know, I know, you're skeptical. After all, I don't seem like an idiot (sometimes), but that's only because I try not to flaunt it. I wouldn't want to make anyone feel inadequate because they did not possess the same potential for idiocy as I do.

Let's take yesterday, for example. The kids had a snow day, which gave me plenty of time to putter around in the kitchen. I was making spicy Mexican food for dinner, so I thought I would make a cool and creamy dessert. My plans for making a banana cream pie last weekend had fizzled out, so I decided that's what I would make.

I started by creating a thick, velvety homemade custard. The air was heavy with the scent of vanilla as it simmered on the cook top. Next, I set about making a pastry crust. It baked up beautifully; delicate and flaky, the fluted edges lightly golden brown. When both were thoroughly cooled, I combined them. I considered a meringue topping, but settled on whipped cream, instead. The end result was quite lovely. We could hardly wait until dinner was finished to cut the first slice.

As I prepared to serve this lovingly prepared work of art, I spied the bananas sitting on the counter and remembered something very important. The one thing I had forgotten to add to my banana cream pie was the bananas. A debate ensued as to whether I should still add them to the filling. They could be pushed down into the filling or placed on top. They could even be stirred into the filling, although that would certainly make a mess of the whole pie. In the end I opted to leave them out completely and call our dessert vanilla custard pie. I was embracing my inner moron, who, apparently, doesn't like bananas.

Willoughby

Big Bully

2011-01-26T06:41:00.000-08:00

I looked at the calendar this morning and noticed that it was January. Still. Like a house guest who has overstayed his welcome, January keeps hanging around. Of all winter months, it is by far the rudest.

November is considered the beginning of winter around here.  While technically still fall, November is the month that ushers in colder temperatures and the first snow of the season.  Even so, I don't dislike November because it has fairly good manners. It only sticks around for thirty days and rewards us with a holiday based, mostly, around food and football. Even if your Thanksgiving get together doesn't turn out well, it's an extra day off work, right? Maybe even a long weekend. You have to give November points for that.

December isn't bad, either. There are so many things to keep you busy that it usually flies by. With all of the holiday shopping, decorating and partying, you almost wish December had a few extra days. The holidays may promise more than they deliver, but, December never does.

February is the most polite month of them all, in my opinion. It doesn't stick around very long, humorously looks to a groundhog for prognostication and midway through, it rewards us with a holiday that celebrates love and chocolate. What's not to like?

March marks the beginnning of spring. Buds start to appear on trees and tender green shoots bravely poke their heads out of the ground.  Warm or cold, rain or snow, March is a month of optimism. Even when it doesn't feel like spring, you know it's coming. It may be fickle, but you've got to give kudos to March.

That brings us back to January. We celebrate it's arrival every year with parties, champagne and fireworks.  Crowds gather to watch a giant ball drop to mark the very second it appears. No wonder it has a superiority complex. January knows that it can behave as despicably as it likes and we will still welcome it when it comes back next year. I can't wait to say good riddance to it, the big bully.

Five more days....

Willoughby

Not Exactly A Bucket List

2011-01-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, Mr. Willoughby and I were making a verbal "bucket list". Well, sort of. We weren't so much making a list of things we want to do before we die, as much as places we would like to go if we had the time and money to travel. Our list included the typical places you'd expect; Paris, London, the pyramids of Egypt, Tuscany (where we would visit my friend Elvira), the Swiss Alps....you get the idea.

Next, we talked about places we would like to travel right here in the U.S., and from there, places we would like to go closer to home in Michigan. We tried to think of all the "must see" Michigan attractions so we could rule out any that we've already visited. Sadly, we couldn't think of very "must sees" in our own home state. We ended up resorting to a Google search.

Once we had a list of cities and attractions staring us in the face, we remembered how many great things there are to see and do, here. There were some surprises, too. Places we hadn't heard of that we added to our list. This summer, we're hoping to revisit our "Cheap Thrills" day trip challenge and, perhaps, include a few weekend trips. The term "camping" was even mentioned (remember me, the germophobe with minor OCD who hates spiders and bugs?).

My question to you, blog friends, is what are the "must sees" in your state? Whether the state you grew up in or the state you currently live in, what should I be sure to see and do if I visit? From restaurants, museums, and tourist attractions to natural wonders, I want to know so I can add them to our not-quite Bucket List.

Willoughby

I Have A Confession To Make, I'm Afraid Of My Bathroom

2011-01-13T07:44:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, I was standing at the bathroom sink when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something move. I looked down and found a huge, furry spider in the sink. When I say huge, I mean gigantic. Ginormous. Herculean. Immense. Jumbo. Mammoth. Brobdingnagian (my new word of the day). It had a leg span of at least five inches. Or maybe it was five centimeters. All I know is that it was big.

I have no idea where it came from, but I think it dropped from somewhere above the sink. It could have been on the medicine cabinet or the wall, or maybe (gulp) it was on me.  Could I have had a spider chilling out on my shoulder or my arm and not have known it? Seems unlikely, but anything is possible.

My first thought was to grab something large and heavy and squish him, but there was nothing handy in the bathroom. I didn't want to go looking for something in another room because, knowing how tricky spiders can be, I was sure he disappear while I was gone. The only weapon I could find without taking my eyes off of him was water, so that's what I used. I turned the faucet on and tried to splash him toward the drain.

At first he did nothing but laugh at me (he was laughing with his eyes, anyway). He gave me a look that said "You may be bigger, but I'm faster.  Splash away, silly woman." Then he began to run up the side of the sink, making a break for the countertop and potential freedom. It was then that I spied the cup my daughter had left next to the sink after brushing her teeth. I snatched it (with Ninja like speed and agility) and filled it with water. I doused the intruder which caused him to lose his footing and surf toward the drain on a mini wave. A split second later and he was sliding into the drain and out of sight.

This was not my first (spider) rodeo, however, so I was not about to fall for that hiding-under-the-drain plug trick. I pulled up on the lever that closes the drain and filled the sink with water. If there was even the tiniest gap around the plug, he was going to need mini scuba gear to escape.  After twenty or thirty minutes, I released the lever and let all two or three gallons of water slide down the pipe. I figured that was certainly enough water to wash him down the drain and on his journey toward the water processing plant.

Or was it?  Since then, I've wondered if he could have gripped the underside of the drain plug and found a little air bubble to keep him alive (do spiders have lungs?). In his little spider brain (do spiders have brains?), he could have concocted a plan to hide out and wait for me. When the bathroom light went off, he would have known that the coast was clear to make an escape.

So now, when I flip on the light in the bathroom, the first thing I do is look for him. I look in the sink, on the walls, the floor, the toilet.  I haven't found him (yet), but sometimes I think I feel him watching me. Or maybe it isn't him at all, but a spider friend or family member bent on making me pay for what I did. Spider revenge......I'm afraid. I'm very afraid.

Willoughby

Spring Cleaning (Sort Of)

2011-01-11T09:44:00.000-08:00

I often get teased about my house cleaning habits. My son even says I'm obsessed because I tend to like things done a certain way. I may be particular, but, obsessed? I just don't see it. I was thinking about this while I scrubbed the toilet seat hinges with an old toothbrush.

It's true that I do a lot of cleaning. I put the dust rag, vacuum and various antibacterial cleaners to work every day, but I also have this quirky personality trait that allows me to procrastinate about things I can't see. This quirk applies to closets, drawers and spaces that I don't have to look at on a regular basis. It's like selective OCD. If I see it, it must be clean, but if I can close the door, I can forget about it (for a while). Eventually, it gets to me and I go on an organizing bender. Over the weekend, I did just that. It started when Mr. Willoughby and I finally installed the shelves in a cabinet that we built for glassware (over a year ago).

I look at that cabinet every day because it's in our dining room. You can't get into the kitchen without walking past it, but it was easy to put off installing the shelves because our glassware was being stored in various other places (we have a LOT of glassware). When we received our new margarita glasses, just before Christmas, though, there was no place to put them. The kitchen cabinets and the china cabinet in the dining room were all full to capacity so we could procrastinate no longer.

I couldn't get a photo straight on because
the flash reflected in the glass and whited out the pic.

As I said, we built the cabinet over a year ago. We bought an old, handmade cabinet at the flea market because we wanted the vintage leaded glass door. It was poorly constructed and falling apart so the seller had a price of $8 on it, but immediately offered to let it go for $5. We brought it home, took it apart and used the door, the hinges, the knob and some of the original wood as well as new wood, and trim molding to build a new cabinet. We ordered glass shelves from a local glass shop. It's been sitting in the dining room, empty for the most part, since it received the final coat of paint last summer.

Close up of the pattern on the door.

Along with the new margarita glasses, it also holds some of the pilsners and various cocktail glasses that were being stored in the kitchen. That, of course, meant that we had newly available space in some of the kitchen cabinets, so we tackled that next. Everything was sorted and organized. We also got the new kitchen goodies we got for Christmas put away.

The most daunting task, however, was cleaning our home office. That room has become the "catch all" for everything that doesn't have anywhere else to go. Piles of paperwork, boxes of craft and project supplies, books, photographs, ebay items, the list goes on and on. It's a small room to begin with and it was bursting at the seams. It took an entire day for two of us to get through it all, but two bags full of trash and one box full of donations for the Salvation Army later, it's clean and organized. Would you like to see the photos? Yeah, that's not going to happen just yet. Presently, it's furnished with cast offs that I'm anxious to replace. There are two old bookcases that have seen better days, a shabby chic tin-topped table (much more shabby than chic), a computer armoire that's far too big for the room and a few other pieces I could live without. I adore the vintage office chair, but it's not very comfortable, so that needs to go, too. We're not even going to discuss the wallpaper. I couldn't find what I wanted at the store the day I bought it, so I chose the pattern I hated the least. Stupid thing to do, I know.

Not kind to the behind!

The future plan (very near future, I hope) is to rip down the wallpaper, paint the walls, install built in bookcases and replace the computer armoire with a desk that fits the size of the room. When all of that happens, I'll post some pictures.

For now, the organizing continues. The closet in the laundry room is calling my name.

Willoughby

Experiment Completed - The Result? More Experimentation Necessary

2011-01-03T09:51:00.000-08:00

I was bouncing around the internet the other day when I stumbled across something that caught my attention. It was a recipe (more of a method, really) for transforming humble choice grade supermarket steak into superbly tender and delicious gourmet works of culinary art. The pictures that accompanied the method were food porn at its best. Thick slabs of perfectly cooked beef, pink in the middle with a seasoned crust, topped with a pat of ever so slowly melting garlic and parsley butter. I was seduced.

Mr. Willoughby is the steak-lover in our house, so we do have it from time to time because he enjoys it, but the kids and I don't normally get too excited about steak. New York Strips, Porterhouse, T-bones and Ribeyes can be tasty, but also tough even when we marinate them. Filets, though, are a different story. Diminutive as they may be, I'd rather have a tender, juicy, four ounce gem of steak than a twelve ounce piece of shoe leather any day. Sometimes, we'll buy a whole tenderloin and cut it into a dozen or more perfect little filets. The only down side is that it can be expensive.

So back to the method of transforming cheap steaks into heavenly deliciousness. It looked simple and inexpensive. It involves generously salting both sides of each steak with coarse salt, letting them sit at room temperature for an hour per inch of thickness, then rinsing, patting dry and grilling (click here for complete instructions). There is a scientific process that supposedly takes place to transform and tenderize your steaks.

We followed the instructions to the letter. Our steaks were New York Strips, just under and inch thick, so we let them process for about 45 minutes. As he took them out to grill them, Mr. Willoughby said they felt as tender as filets. Our hopes were high. A short while later, when he pulled them off the grill, the steaks did not look very promising. They had shrunk to less than half of their original thickness.

Cutting into them was disappointing to say the least. They were tough. Not kinda tough, sorta tough or a tiny bit tough. They were really tough! I didn't get a picture, but I found one on Google Images that comes close.

On a tenderness scale, I'd give them a rating of shoe leather. The flavor was nice, seasoned and flavorful yet not overly salty, but the texture made them nearly inedible.

We're not quite ready to admit defeat on this intriguing method. We're willing to concede that the steaks were overcooked. It had gotten dark outside and a flashlight doesn't give the best light for accurately determining how cooked a steak may or may not be and the charcoal did flare up once or twice. Beyond that, more experimentation is needed before we can say whether we may have over or under processed the meat before cooking or if this method simply doesn't work for us.

On a more positive note, I decided to make Yorkshire Pudding instead of bread or rolls to go with our steaks, and it turned out wonderfully. I had never made Yorkshire Pudding before and I was worried that mine wouldn't puff up like they were supposed to due to my inexperience.

My fears were unfounded. They were puffed, airy and delicious! You can find the recipe I used here.

Now that you've heard my experimental steak story, I want to hear from you. Have you tried this method? Did it work for you? What is your favorite way to prepare and eat steak?

Willoughby

And The Winner Is.....

2011-01-01T11:05:00.000-08:00

I know there are all sorts of high tech ways to draw a random winner when you're having a giveaway, but I prefer the low tech approach. I think it's more fun and so does my daughter.

Here's what we did. We put the names of all the entrants on little slips of paper, folded them in half and then put them all in one of my new hand blown margarita glasses (seemed appropriate for this giveaway since I got them from Novica, don't you think?).

We gave them a good stir and then my daughter reached in and chose a name.

It's a little blurry, but I think you can clearly see who the winner is. Congratulations, Kerrie! I hope you enjoy your shopping spree!

I'd like to thank everyone who entered my giveaway as well as the wonderful people at Novica for giving me the opportunity to share the talented artists and artisans with my blog friends.

Willoughby

Ringing In The New Year With Rod

2010-12-30T07:36:00.000-08:00

You've probably been asked this a million times in the last few days, but, what are you doing for New Years Eve? Do you have plans with friends and/or family? Will you be going out? Are you hosting a party? In keeping with a tradition we started a few years ago, we'll be staying home. I've been looking forward to it for months.

Our festivities begins at 8:00 a.m. when our friend Rod gets here. You know Rod, don't you?

Okay, Rod Serling doesn't really come over. That would be impossible, as well as creepy, since he died in 1975, but the SyFy channel runs an annual Twilight Zone marathon beginning at 8:00 a.m. on New Years Eve and ending at 5:00 a.m. on January 2. We'll be watching quite a bit of it.

It will be a pretty unstructured day/weekend around here. In addition to watching our favorite Twilight Zone episodes there will be plenty of talking and laughing. We may play cards or Scrabble. There will also be plenty to eat. A variety of finger foods will be available for impromptu snacking, and they will most likely include crackers and cheese (Dubliner Irish cheese is a new fave, Willoughby House Cheese Spread is an older fave), tortilla chips with salsa, pretzels, nuts and a few fresh fruits and vegetables. There will also be a variety of beverages which will most certainly include wine and San Juan Tea for the adults. For dinner, the current plan is crab legs and shrimp.

I know you're probably thinking that our plans sound pretty tame, but that's just fine by us. Before we started our tradition with Rod, we had some pretty bad New Years Eves. The worst would be 1999, the big Y2K that everyone was so worried about. Our daughter was just shy of two months old and still in the NICU. We spent all night at her bedside, terrified that, if the predictions were true, the power and computer systems at the hospital would shut down at midnight. They didn't, but it still made for a long night.

Another year, we were invited to a get together that included both adults and children. We were told there would be activities for the kids (there weren't). We brought a bottle of wine (and then found that none of the other adults at the party drank alcohol). The hostess became increasingly upset that the guests were still in her home past her children's bedtime (and was vocal about it). It remains the only New Years Eve party we ever attended where we were home by 9:30.

There were also the miscellaneous New Years Eve parties over the years where guests drank too much and became obnoxious, belligerent or sick (like not making it to the bathroom to throw up kind of sick). Add to that last year, when I had the swine flu or a few years before that when both of the kids and I had the stomach flu.

So if you're in the area, stop by. You're welcome to enjoy a tame New Years Eve with the Willoughbys. And Rod, of course.

Have you entered my giveaway, yet? Even if you have, you can enter once per day, so click the link and enter again! You could win a $50 Novica shopping spree!

Willoughby

My Belated Christmas Gift To You - A Very Special Novica Giveaway

2010-12-27T10:38:00.000-08:00

I hope you had a wonderful time enjoying the holidays with family and friends. All of the festive activity kept me pretty busy and away from my blog, but now I'm back and I have a belated Christmas gift for you. I'm having a giveaway and I think you're going to be as excited about it as I am.

Recently, Novica gave me the opportunity to choose a product for myself to keep, review and post on my blog, as well as a $50 gift card to award to one of my followers. If you're not familiar with Novica, they work in association with National Geographic to bring the work of talented artists and artisans around the globe to the rest of the world via the internet. Shopping their website is a unique experience as you can view information about each artist along with the works they create. It gives each item a very personal feeling.

Mr. Willoughby and I spent an afternoon pouring over the website before deciding what item to choose. I wanted to get something that we could enjoy on a regular basis. As soon as we found a set of Margarita glasses called "Happy Hour", we knew we had to have them. They are absolutely gorgeous and I couldn't be happier with our choice. Hand blown in Mexico, each one is unique with tiny air bubbles in the glass (which I love). Like all items from Novica, they arrived along with an artisan story card. The artists, Javier and Efrén also tucked a lovely postcard from Mazatlan into the box.

"Happy Hour"

I was so happy with the margarita glasses that Novica so graciously gifted to me that I decided to do a little Christmas shopping. I ordered a beautiful silver and pearl necklace for my niece called "Moonbeams" and my son ordered a pair of silver and garnet earrings called "My Heart and Yours" for his girlfriend. Both are handmade in Indonesia by artist Nyoman Rena. They look lovely in the pictures, but in person they are stunning. Each arrived in a pretty fabric covered gift box, tied with a raffia ribbon and topped with a raffia flower bow.

"Moonbeams"

"My Heart and Yours"

I decided from the beginning that I was going to give a very truthful review of the product and customer service I received from Novica because it wouldn't be fair to do otherwise. If I felt they misrepresented anything, I was going to say so. If there were problems with ordering, shipping or anything else, I wasn't going to keep quiet about it. I'm thrilled to say that Novica far exceeded my expectations. I'm confident that you will be as pleased with them as I am.

The Giveaway

The wonderful people at Novica have given me a $50 gift card to award to one of my followers. You can use it toward any item(s) on their website (don't forget to consider shipping cost). Get something wonderful for yourself or someone special. Although I've only mentioned glassware and jewelry, there are many other categories on the website, including Corporate Gifts, Gifts for Mom, and Gifts for Him. If you're interested in jewelry, you can search by type, such as bracelets or earrings.

Entry Rules

1. You must be a follower of This Stop Willoughby, or become one.
2. You must click on the Novica Corporate Gifts link, browse the items in that category, and then come back and leave a comment on this post telling me about one of your favorites.
3. You may leave an additional comment (one per day) telling me about a favorite item from any category.
4. If you would like to earn a bonus entry, mention my giveaway on your blog along with a link to this post. Please be sure to leave a comment (with link) letting me know that you've done so.
5. This giveaway is not limited to the United States. If you have followed the above rules, you're eligible as long as Novica can ship to you.

The deadline for entries is Saturday, January 1, 2011 at noon Eastern Time. The winner will be drawn randomly and announced by 3:00 Eastern Time on 1/1/11. One entry per day as well as one bonus entry allowed. Please be sure to include a way for me to contact you should you be the winner of this giveaway. If your email is not linked to your blog, please include it in the comment you leave here. If I am unable to contact the winner, a different winner will be drawn at random.

Good Luck!!

Willoughby

Disclosure: I was given a $50 gift card by Novica to choose an item for myself to review and post on my blog. I chose a set of margarita glasses called "Happy Hour". I was also given a $50 gift card to give away. Both the "Moonbeams" necklace and the "My Heart and Yours" earrings were paid for by me. The thoughts and opinions I have posted in this review are my own. My disclosure policy is available for viewing here.

White, White, White

2010-12-13T12:12:00.000-08:00

I'm not a huge fan of winter weather, but I have to admit, yesterday started out to be a very pretty day. At noon, the temperature was 32º with very little wind. A few inches of snow had fallen overnight and coated everything in fluffy white.

The snow was falling gently in large flakes. It felt like being in a giant snow globe. It was the perfect day to make our annual trip to the tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree.

We go to the same farm every year. The people are friendly, the selection is great and the price can't be beat (and it includes shaking and wrapping your tree). After you pick out your saw, they give you a map of the farm with the phone number on top. Once you've picked out your tree, you can call them from the field and they will come with a wagon to pick you and your tree up.

No matter where you looked, the view was like a Christmas card. The trees were perfectly frosted with snow.

It didn't take long to find our perfect tree (our son is now the designated tree cutter). It's a lovely blue spruce that is far too tall for our living room, but, as suggested by the staff at the farm, we'll be cutting away the bottom portion to shorten it up to 7 feet.

While the tree was being wrapped, we took some time to enjoy the fire. We weren't cold, but it still felt good. I took a few family pictures, too. I'm not much on having my picture taken, but, just for my blog, I posed for this picture.

Yep, those are really my feet with my baggy jeans tucked into the top of my boots.

Once we got the tree tied to the car, the temperature had started to drop and the wind had picked up. The forecasters had been predicting a winter storm, but I assumed they were wrong (they usually are).

By the time we got home, it was bone chillingly cold. The wind was blowing so hard that I could barely push the car door open. The gently falling snow had become a driving blizzard that burned when it hit your face. The news was reporting hazardous driving conditions and airport delays.

I started checking news websites for school closings. At 5:00, there were none. By 8:00, there were about 50. I made a final check around midnight and the number had jumped to 83, but our local schools were not on the list.

At 4:30 this morning, Mr. Willoughby turned on the news and saw that our schools had decided to stay closed for the day. I checked online and found this:

Click on picture for a closer look.

Do you see what it says in the circle on the left? 541 schools closed! Note the temperature at the top of the page, too. It was 10º with a windchill of negative 11º.

When the sun came up, it was breathtaking in more ways than one. The snow, lit by the sun, was breathtakingly beautiful, but the temperature would literally take your breath away. I couldn't tolerate the cold for more than a few minutes when I stepped out to snap a few pictures.

Looking down the street.

The neighbor's trees.

The weight of the snow bending a 7 foot tall arborvitae down
to the ground.

The wind even blew the door on
the gas grill open. We probably won't be grilling
or eating outside tonight.

How's the weather where you are? Is it beginning to look a lot like Christmas, yet?

Willoughby

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

2010-12-09T15:45:00.000-08:00

How do I know? Because the Willoughby house has become the midwest regional outpost of Santa's workshop.

We've been decorating.

And filling gift basket orders.

We've been stocking our Etsy store,
The Cabbage Rose, with

Body Scrubs

Bubble Bath

Vintage Silver Keychains

Olive Oil Storage Bottles

and a few other goodies.

There are still custom orders to fill, shopping to do,

and baking to start.

So if I haven't stopped by to say hello in a while,

it's because Santa has been keeping me busy!

What have you been up to?

Willoughby

May I Take Your Order?

2010-11-29T14:18:00.000-08:00

We don't go out to eat very often, so when we do, I want to have a good time. I want the food to be tasty, the atmosphere to be fun and the service to be good.   A local morning show recently had listeners call in with what they consider "deal breakers", or experiences that would keep them from going back to a particular restaurant. I didn't call in, but here are some experiences that were deal breakers for me.

Waiting Too Long To Be Seated - There is a restaurant a few miles out of town that makes great fish and chips and killer Long Islands, so it's usually our first choice for dining out without going very far from home.  Once, when my niece was visiting my parents, we all decided to go there for dinner. It was a Friday evening and it was pretty crowded, so we were prepared to wait for a table.  There is no real waiting area, so we stood near the door. The owner's wife had a problem with this and told us to "quit blockin' that door!". We asked if we could get a chair for my dad to sit in because he has back problems and can't stand for very long.  The answer was no. We asked if he could sit at the bar and wait. Again, no. We asked how much longer we could expect to wait for a table. The owner's wife said "How in the hell do you expect me to seat seven people on a Friday night?" We left.

Waiting Too Long For Food - We had dinner in a restaurant while on vacation in North Carolina. We were seated almost immediately and our order was taken right away, but after that, it was a long wait. We asked our server about it several times and the response was always the same, "Not much longer". After nearly an hour, our meals were finally brought to the table, for the most part, cold. The manager came by to explain the delay.  The restaurant was out of bread, and because I had ordered a club sandwich, he had to drive to the nearest store, choose a loaf of bread, stand in line, drive back and then have the kitchen make my sandwich.  He seemed rather put out by the whole ordeal. I couldn't understand why they didn't just ask me to order something else!

Bad Food - This has happened so many times, it's hard to narrow it down to just a few experiences. There was the place that served us chicken sandwich that were still raw in the center, the Italian Ristorante where my Alfredo sauce was rancid, the Chinese restaurant where the lobster sauce looked, smelled and tasted like low tide, the seafood joint where the drinks tasted like antibacterial cleaning fluid......I could go on and on.....

Bad Service - Another all too frequent experience. You know how it goes, you get the wrong food or it hasn't been prepared the way you specified (rare instead of medium, fried instead of baked, Italian instead of Ranch, etc.) and the server is rude when you ask him/her about it.

Overly Friendly Service - Pleasant and conversational is great, but there is such as thing as being overly friendly. We had dinner at a Jamaican restaurant on a slow evening. Because she had no other tables to wait on, our server pulled up a chair and sat with us while we ate. We heard all about her multiple ex-husbands. It was awkward.

Disappointing Atmosphere - We had a gift certificate to an Inn in Canada. When we checked in, we were told to dress for dinner as their bistro was very high-end. After being seated, we noticed that Mr. Willoughby was the only man in the dining room wearing a jacket and tie and I was the only woman in the room wearing a dress. The favored attire seemed to be sweat suits because most of the other diners were wearing them. Still, we wanted to have a nice dinner so we asked for a bottle of local wine. A bus boy dropped it off at our table, so we waited for a server or sommelier to come by and open it. When neither did, we asked the bus boy if he could bring us a cork screw. "No need, I can do it for you", he said while he unscrewed the top.

Dirty, Dirty, Dirty -  From lipstick on the cups and glasses to food encrusted utensils, dirty restaurants are a real deal breaker for me. If my sleeve is stuck to a puddle of syrup that hasn't been cleaned from the table, how can I enjoy my food? And how clean do they keep the kitchen? I don't have a lot of experience with this category because if a restaurant is dirty, we don't eat there.

Assorted Objects In The Food - I should probably skip this category. After all, you probably don't want to know about the scrap of hand written shopping list I found at the bottom of my macaroni and cheese or the fish bone Mr. Willoughby found in his pulled pork sandwich. The hair in my sandwich is too gross to think about and........I should stop now.

How about you? Got a good deal breaker story? Do tell!

Willoughby

In My Free Time, I've Been Wondering.....

2010-11-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

Why is the cord on my mouse so long? How far away from the computer do they expect me to sit?
When was the first American Thanksgiving? In history books, the illustrations always show the Pilgrims and the Indians having their feast outdoors. It seems highly unlikely that anyone would have an outdoor dinner in late November in Massachusetts. (An internet search narrowed it down to autumn of 1621, no actual date)
Why, when unemployment and foreclosures are skyrocketing, are local governments spending time and money deciding whether McDonalds should be able to sell Happy Meals?
Is daylight savings time really necessary? I have yet to find any benefit to turning on the lights at 5:00 pm.
In countries where languages other than English are spoken, do they ever use English expressions? Here, in the US, we say things like "Ciao" (hello in Italian), "Gracias" (thank you in Spanish), "Au Revior" (goodbye in French) and so on. Do they do that in other countries?
What percentage of air travelers have malicious intent? Is it enough to justify the cost of the body scanners, the labor to install them, repair and maintenance of them, and the training for employees to use them? Have they revealed any weapons or substances that would have gone unnoticed by previous screening methods?
Why does my cable company advertise on cable channels? If I can see their advertisement, doesn't that mean I'm already using their product?
If I could look through someone else's eyes, would colors look the same? Do we all perceive colors in the same way? What about tastes, do we perceive the taste of food differently? It would explain why some people love certain foods while others loathe them.
What would the world be like if animals could speak?
Why are advertisers in such a rush to push the holidays on us? I've seen Christmas merchandise in the stores since August. Today, I heard an ad for New Years party supplies on the radio. I'm wondering if they'll start setting up the Valentine and Easter displays before November is over.

Still contemplating......

Willoughby

Your Thoughts Wanted and Scenery Worth Sharing

2010-11-12T06:13:00.000-08:00

I'm not an idiot. I may look like one sometimes, I may act like one sometimes, but I'm really not an idiot, so I hate to be treated like one. Recently, I was in situation where someone was talking down to me and treating me like an idiot. This was someone I had never met before, so the condescending attitude was unexpected. How did I handle it? I didn't.

While I'm not normally confrontational, I'm most certainly not opposed to opening up a can of verbal whoop-ass when push comes to shove (metaphorically, not physically). Now, I can't help thinking about what I could have or should have said.

Did I keep my mouth shut because I was caught off guard? Was I simply being polite? Does it make me the better person? Would I regret it now if I had been equally rude? I just don't know, but it's bothering me.

So what are your thoughts, blog friends? When do you speak up for yourself and when do you let it go? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

**********

Have you ever been to Michigan? If not, I wonder what comes to mind when you think of our mitten shaped state. I've known people who have relocated here from other states and were surprised to find it didn't fit with their preconceived notions. Detroit gets so much media attention that I think that may be part of the problem. I assure you, the rest of the state does not look like Detroit! A large portion of Michigan is still very rural. Northern Michigan and the upper peninsula have particularly beautiful scenery.

I subscribe to Pure Michigan on Facebook. They post a variety of Michigan information including local events and trivia (your state probably has something similar). Recently, they posted this gem. It's Kid Rock's newest video, filmed entirely in the upper peninsula of Michigan.

Whether this -

- or this -

is your idea of Michigan (and even if it isn't) I hope you'll take a few minutes and watch the video. It shows the Michigan you've probably never seen and the song is pretty great, too.

(Neither the state of Michigan nor Kid Rock paid me to endorse this video. I wish.)

Willoughby

Hungry? How About Some War Shu Gai with Bonus Shrimp Rings?

2010-11-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

What dish are you most likely to order if you go to a Chinese restaurant? One of my favorites is Almond Boneless Chicken, also known as War Shu Gai. Never heard of it? I'm not surprised. I recently learned that it is a local dish, created somewhere in the Detroit area to appeal to American palates. As disappointed as I am to find out it's not authentically Chinese, I still love it and wonder why it hasn't made it's way to Chinese restaurants in other parts of the country.

Basically, War Shu Gai is boneless chicken that has been dipped into a light batter and fried. It is served with either white or fried rice, a sauce/gravy for dipping or pouring over the dish, and garnished with almond slices. Since you probably can't get it at your local Chinese restaurant, I'm going to show you how to make it. It's simple, but can be a little time consuming. If you've got a sous chef to help, all the better.

First, you need to get your oil heating. You'll want it at 375 degrees to cook your chicken. Any higher and you will likely burn the outside of the pieces before they are fully cooked on the inside. Any lower and too much oil will be absorbed and you will have greasy chicken. We use a deep fryer, but you can use a pan of oil and a candy thermometer if you don't have one. (Side note: we use our deep fryer outdoors, even in the winter. It doesn't make the house smell greasy and their is much less mess to clean up.)

We're going to use about 2 pounds of boneless chicken. You can pound each piece to a uniform half inch thickness, or you can do what we do and cut the chicken into strips. Either way, prepare your chicken and set it aside.

Now we'll make the batter (scroll down to the bottom for complete ingredient list), starting with the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the flour, corn starch, baking powder, salt and sugar. Add the vegetable shortening and cut it into the other ingredients with a fork or pastry blender until coarse crumbs start to form.

For the liquid ingredients, we need 1 cup of cold water and three egg yolks (save the whites, you can use them in your fried rice or make an omelet). I find it easiest to use a measuring cup for this.

Next, beat the eggs and water together with a whisk until they are well blended. Then, add them to the dry ingredients.

Mix well. Your batter will probably be a little lumpy. That's fine, it won't be a problem.

Now, if your oil has reached 375 degrees, you can start cooking. Dip a piece of chicken in the batter (make sure it's well coated) and gently place it in the oil.

Continue with several more chicken strips, being sure not to crowd the fryer. Let the pieces cook for 5 to 7 minutes, using a wooden utensil to turn them if necessary.

Remove cooked chicken and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Transfer pieces to a baking sheet and place in a 250 degree oven to keep warm while you cook the rest of your chicken.

(When we make this dish, Mr. Willoughby handles the frying while I make the gravy so that they are both done at about the same time. If you are working alone, you can make the gravy while the chicken is keeping warm in the oven. This is also a good time to make your rice or fried rice.)

To make the gravy: Over medium heat, melt three tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan. Add three tablespoons flour and cook for one or two minutes, until the mixture starts to become golden. Add three cups chicken stock and three tablespoons soy sauce. Increase heat to medium high and continue to cook until sauce thickens and begins to simmer. Turn heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve.

Ready to serve? Place a heaping scoop of rice on plate, place chicken strips on top of rice. Drizzle sauce/gravy on top and garnish with sliced almonds.

I forgot to add the almonds before I took this picture!

As you can see, we also made some fried shrimp rings. To make them, peel and devein 2 pounds of shrimp. Remove the tails.

To make the rings, dip two shrimp in batter and place carefully in fryer with ends touching to form a circle. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes, turning if necessary.

This batter is also great for fish. You can substitute 1 cup of cold beer in place of the water to make a traditional beer batter.

War Shu Gai

Batter -

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup ice water
3/4 cup cornstarch
3 egg yolks
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Gravy -

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
3 cups chicken stock
3 tablespoons soy sauce
Sliced almonds for garnish

********************

Enjoy,

Willoughby

Hangin' On Halloween, Willoughby Style

2010-11-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

In past years, Halloween wasn't much of a family event because I would be home by myself handing out candy while Mr. Willoughby took one or both of the kids trick or treating. Yesterday, though, we were able to spend it together. Of course, my son hasn't gone trick or treating in years, but this year, my daughter decided she was too old to go, too. She said she would rather stay home and help hand out the candy. When we weren't able to change her mind, we made the decision to decorate like crazy so we could all get involved and have fun. We didn't exactly have a theme, but we knew we wanted to make it a little scary.

Usually, we decorate the front porch and that's where I hand out candy. This year, we wanted to try something a little different and have the trick or treaters come to the back yard. We live on a corner and have an arbor with a gate that opens to the sidewalk; the perfect place for handing out candy. We lit a fire in the fire pit and cranked up some Halloween music, so it was the perfect place to hang out, too. To keep anyone from coming to the front door, we roped off the entire front yard with "Danger" tape and hung a sign with an arrow that said "Ghosts and Ghouls and Treats Await, Around the Corner at the Haunted Gate".

We draped the arbor with Halloween lights.

And added a greeting to the gate.

There were some surprises in the windows that face the sidewalk.

Ghosts and bats hung from fishing line across the yard. The wind kept them fluttering all night long.

A strange glowing liquid sat on the patio table.

There were some scary pumpkins leading the way to the Haunted Gate.

Karen Cooper from Night of the Living Dead.

Frankenstein

A creepy skull.

Jack Torrance from The Shining.

Dr. Bernardi from The Twilight Zone.

We also made a stuffed dummy and hung him from the tree next to the arbor.

He looks pretty real, doesn't he?

We rigged him to dance to music. See for yourself.

Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to rotate the video!

I'm sure you've guessed that it's not a dummy. It's my son (with a nylon stocking over his face).

And yes, that's me laughing at the end.

He was hanging from a climbing harness so he was in

no danger of falling and huring himself.

He scared and amused lots of trick or treaters.

You want to know what question he was asked the most?

"How's it hanging?"

I hope you had a great Halloween, too!!

Willoughby

Wandering With The Willoughbys, Country Style

2010-10-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

Mr. Willoughby and I had an opportunity to do some wandering on Wednesday afternoon while the kids were in school. We started out by heading to the nearby town of Romeo. There are some great stores, cafes and restaurants in the older, quaint downtown area. There is a newer section of town with chain stores and fast food restaurants a few miles up the road, but we didn't go there.

You may not have heard of Romeo, but I'll bet you've heard of one it's more famous citizens, Bob Richie. No? Maybe you know him by his stage name, Kid Rock. I'll bet you thought he was from Detroit. Nope, he's a country boy from this charming little town.

Courtesy Google Images

We didn't see Bob, I mean Kid Rock, while we were wandering and window shopping, but I did snap some pictures of some other sights.

The red brick of the church against the brilliant blue sky is striking, isn't it?

I'm not sure if this is still a hardware store, but I love the old sign painted directly on the brick.

This time capsule is buried in a small community park. It is scheduled to be opened in 2060.

If they had been open, we might have been tempted to stop in for some ice cream.

I wonder if Bob eats here when he comes back home? We didn't go in, but it sure

did smell delicious when we walked by!

This Thai restaurant is so new that it isn't even open yet.
The owner is a friend of Mr. Willoughby's

so I'm sure we'll be back.

If you're thinking of visiting, you can fly right into Romeo. It's one of the smallest airports I've ever seen. Remember the airport on the show Wings? Romeo airport is even smaller. I would have taken

a picture of the terminal, but it's a half mile down the road, past the

hangers and runways.

After we left Romeo, we took the back roads home, where there are dozens of farms. I never get tired of looking at barns.

I'm not sure that this old barn would still be standing if it weren't for all the trees growing in, around and through it. I think they are actually holding it up.

I wonder what they grow at this farm? They have several huge barns and lots of silos.

As you can see, the field has already been cut down.

I don't know what this is called, but they were filling it when we drove by. I think that's corn

inside it.

This road leads back into the town we live in. I snapped this picture because I was amazed at the

cloud formations. It reminds me of ocean waves crashing into the shore.

If only we were having a party....

Growing up in the suburbs, I never ran across a sign for deer processing.

Around here there seems to be one on every corner.

Back at home, we did a little wandering through the yard. We were surprised to find

this cayenne pepper still growing.

When the wind blows, the leaves on this sumac look almost like flames.

Another little pop of color. This spiderwort is still blooming among the fall leaves.

After the kids got home from school, the sky started to get dark. We had to hurry out to get

our pumpkins for Halloween.

We ended up at a roadside stand where pumpkins were $3.00 each. Our daughter put

the money in the "honor box".

Our wandering nearly complete, we came across this place. Against the gray sky and the bare tree it looks a little like a scary, haunted house, doesn't it?

It isn't, it's just......

Willoughby

Open Your Wallet And Say "Apple"

2010-10-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that fall is not my favorite season, but from time to time I do find something to make it a little more appealing to me. The activity of choice for this past weekend was a trip to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. I thought we would all enjoy the hayride through the orchard and have fun picking a bushel of apples. If the pumpkins were nice, we might pick a few of them, too. Afterward we could each get a hot donut (or doughnut, if you prefer) and a glass of freshly pressed cider.

We haven't been apple picking in years, so I wasn't sure where we should go. We live on the outskirts of an area literally bursting with apple orchards which means there are quite a few to choose from. They all have Halloween related attractions right now and I thought wandering our way through a corn maze sounded like fun, so I set out to find an orchard that had one.

Google seemed like the best place to start, so I searched for you-pick (or u-pick) apple orchards near the town we live in. I got a list of nearly a dozen orchards in the area, some of which had websites. Nearly all of them also had reviews. Everything I needed to choose the perfect orchard was right at my fingertips. Sort of.

The first thing I noticed is that none of the websites list prices for anything. Would a bushel of apples cost $20, $40 or $100? Was there a fee for the corn maze? How much are the pumpkins? It's more about the fun than the money, but I like to know these things before we head out.

Next, I moved on to the reviews. I know you have to take the opinions of strangers with a grain of salt, but it's still nice to hear what others have to say. One of the first reviews I read said that a particular orchard had an eleven dollar admission fee. What did the reviewer get for his eleven dollars? Nothing. That is the fee, per person, just to enter. Each attraction has an additional fee; the petting zoo, the corn maze, the haunted house, the children's play area and even the ride out to the orchard and pumpkin patch. There were five people in our group, so it would have cost us $55 just to say hello. I don't think so.

I kept reading reviews and finding that same story at other orchards. The admission fee differed from place to place, but every orchard in the area was charging one. The price of everything else seemed to be highly inflated, too. More than one place was charging $9 per gallon of cider. And a dozen donuts? Twenty dollars and up. If you still had the room (and the money) for a caramel apple you could expect to shell out another $6. Oh, and you wouldn't want to forget to bring something to hold the apples you pick. If you needed a bag or box, there's an additional charge. It's no wonder that one reviewer said she felt so nickled and dimed that it put a damper on the fun she and her family had.

I didn't have to spend much time deciding which orchard we were going to visit on Saturday afternoon. We weren't going to go at all. I don't mind paying for a good time, but this is out of control. We could easily have dropped over a hundred dollars at any of the orchards and that wasn't even including the cost of the apples or pumpkins. What should have been a simple, fun afternoon would have been more expensive than some amusement parks.

When I was a kid, we went to the same place to pick apples every year. The hayride out to the orchard was complimentary, there was no additional fee. The only things you paid for were the food and drinks you consumed and the apples and pumpkins you took home. There was no petting zoo or pony rides (I'm not a fan of either, by the way, I feel sorry for the poor animals) and the corn maze was free (when they had one). Times sure have changed.

Just what I needed, another reason to dislike fall.

Willoughby

You Think My Last Post Was Curious...Let's Discuss Men And Women

2010-10-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

The curious behavior I mentioned in my last post was not gender specific, but I do think the behavioral differences between men and women are pretty interesting. Let's examine the following scenarios, shall we?

Scenario Number 1 - You and your spouse are at a party and you're sitting at a table with several couples you've just met. Someone mentions children and the topic of conversation turns to labor and delivery.

Most women will:

a) sit and listen quietly because they don't want to share such intimate details with perfect strangers
b) give a detailed account of every second of their childbirth experience in verbal technicolor

Most men will:

a) contribute to the conversation
b) jump up and run away from the table as if their pants were on fire

Scenario Number Two - You and you're spouse see a classic 1967 Mustang Fastback.

Most women will:

a) know the make, model and year of the car
b) comment on what a pretty color it is

Most men will:

a) comment on what a pretty color it is
b) wonder aloud if the engine is a 351 Cleveland because they didn't have a Cobra Jet until the early 70's, if it's numbers match and if it's totally stock

Scenario Number Three - You and your spouse are shopping for new jeans.

Most women will:

a) grab the first pair off the rack, hope they fit, pay and get out of the store
b) try on 18 pairs, ask if they make her look fat, swear to start a new diet and exercise program and eventually leave the store with new boots and no jeans

Most men will:

a) try on 18 pairs, ask if they make him look fat, swear to start a new diet and exercise program and eventually leave the store with new boots and no jeans
b) grab the first pair off the rack, hope they fit, pay and get out of the store

Scenario Number Four - You and your spouse have decided to paint the living room. You've decided that it should be a neutral color. At the store, you narrow down you choices to Beguiling Beige, Caribbean Sand and Rustic Taupe.

Most women will:

a) make a quick decision
b) spend an hour comparing the colors, noting their subtle differences, decide against all of them, go back to the paint samples to look for more choices, consider them for another hour, eventually leave with Caribbean Sand and then spend the ride home talking about how Rustic Taupe would probably have been a better choice.

Most men will:

a) say "Just pick one so we can get the Hell out of here."
b) there is no b. Most men will say "Just pick one so we can the Hell out of here."

Scenario Number Five - You and your spouse are asked to define the word period.

Most women will:

a) define it as something that women beyond the age of puberty experience once a month
b) define it as a royal pain in the butt and tell you how lucky you are to be a man

Most men will:

a) say "You better be talking about punctuation!"
b) assume you're not talking about punctuation and run from the room as if their pants were on fire

How did you score?

Willoughby

Curious Behavior

2010-10-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

We're a strange lot, aren't we? Human beings, I mean. Why do we do some of the things that we do?

We feel the need to share unpleasant smells. Let's say I'm making chicken for dinner. If I open the package and it smells bad, you can be pretty sure I'm going to ask my husband for his opinion. "Honey, the chicken smells rancid, can you come here and give it a whiff?" I have no idea why I do that, I have a perfectly reliable sense of smell. But I'll bet you do it, too.

We feel the need to share unpleasant foods/drinks. Let's say I've poured myself a glass of milk. If I take a drink and it tastes bad, you can be pretty sure I'm going to ask my husband to try it, too. "Honey, I think the milk is spoiled. Here, take a drink and tell me if it tastes funny to you." I have no idea why I do that, but I'll bet you do it, too.

We confirm that something hurts, repeatedly. Let's say I wake up with a stiff neck and every time I turn my head to the left it hurts. I know this, and yet I'll turn my head to the left at least once or twice an hour to confirm that it's still painful.   If there is someone around to demonstrate this to, I will. "See, it hurts every time I turn my head like this." I have no idea why I do that, but I'll bet you do it, too.

We get verbal with inanimate objects. Let's say I'm writing my blog when my computer screen freezes. You think I'm just going to sit there and wait patiently? Not likely! I may start with gentle cajoling, but it will likely escalate to me slinging blatant insults at the screen.   "You stupid piece of #%$, why can't you work the way you're supposed to!!" I have no idea why I do that, but I'll bet you do it, too.

We offer disclaimers before we do something we shouldn't do. Let's say I'm making toast when a piece of bread gets stuck in the toaster. I know I should unplug it before rooting around in the slot with a fork, but maybe I'm lazy that day. I stick the fork into the toaster while saying "I know I shouldn't do this, but.."   I have no idea why I do that, but I'll bet you do it, too.

I can't explain any of it, but it's definitely curious behavior. I wonder about it a lot. I have no idea why I do that, but I'll bet you....no, it's probably just me.

Willoughby

Tolerant

2010-10-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

Purple is my favorite color, is it yours? Maybe you prefer blue or yellow or orange. I can understand why you might like most colors, but, I will admit, there is a particular shade of green that I'm not fond of. If it happens to be your favorite color, we can agree to disagree and talk about something else. I think we can still be friends even if we don't agree on which color is best, don't you?

Favorite color is a fairly superficial topic of conversation, but the point is, you're entitled to your opinion. I don't think anyone should ridicule you or think less of you because they don't agree with your choice. It's a matter of tolerance, something that we seem to be sorely lacking, of late.

I read something over the weekend that made me incredibly angry and incredibly sad. According to this article, there have been four teenage suicides at an Ohio high school, all of which were directly or indirectly the result of bullying. Each case involved different bullies, but the underlying cause was the same, intolerance.

MENTOR, Ohio (Oct. 8) -- Sladjana Vidovic's body lay in an open casket, dressed in the sparkly pink dress she had planned to wear to the prom. Days earlier, she had tied one end of a rope around her neck and the other around a bed post before jumping out her bedroom window.

The 16-year-old's last words, scribbled in English and her native Croatian, told of her daily torment at Mentor High School, where students mocked her accent, taunted her with insults like "Slutty Jana" and threw food at her.

Suzana Vidovic found her sister's body hanging over the front lawn. The family watched, she said, as the girls who had tormented Sladjana for months walked up to the casket - and laughed.

"They were laughing at the way she looked," Suzana says, crying. "Even though she died."

Unthinkable, isn't it, that someone could be so intolerant of another human being that they would torment them until they took their own life. And laugh about it. It's not just teenagers, either. Take a look at this item from a local news website:

TRENTON, Mich. - Her family says 7-year-old Kathleen Edward is in the final stages of a degenerative brain disorder diagnosed as Huntington's Disease - the same disease which killed her mother, Laura, when she was only 24.

Neighbors Jennifer and Scott Petkov, who have been feuding with the family, admitted to posting grim depictions of Laura and Kathleen on Facebook. One photo depicts Laura in the arms of the grim reaper, while the other features Kathleen's face above a set of crossbones.

The couple also have a coffin hitched to a pick-up truck in front of the house, which they say is nothing more than a halloween decoration.

There are less extreme examples that are still ugly. In the comment section following an article on the economy, I was shocked at the name calling. The terms "Democrap" and "Republican't" were rampant.  It seems that political bashing has become a pop culture sport. Celebrities on one side are constantly bashing the President while those on the other side are constantly bashing anyone who doesn't support him. You may think it has nothing to do with teenagers who bully or adults who torment critically ill children, but I think it does because it breeds intolerance.

If I were trying to solve a big problem and was instructed to choose a group of people to work on the solution with me, I would intentionally chose individuals with different points of view to encourage debate. If we all posed the same idea, we would simply talk in circles and never make any progress. Sometimes it's good to hear something you don't agree with. It can inspire you to stick to your guns or motivate you to embrace a new ideology.

Don't get me wrong, I think you should stand by your beliefs and convictions. You should think you're right or why have an opinion in the first place?  It's the unwillingness to tolerate anyone who doesn't agree with you that upsets me. It's one thing to be passionate about something you believe in, but it's pompous and superior to think you're always right and anyone who doesn't agree with you is always wrong. We can't all be right all the time, but we can all be tolerant of one another.

Willoughby

Rethinking Summer Friendships And Why Buttered Bagels Are So Funny

2010-10-07T09:38:00.000-07:00

This summer, we made some new friends. Their company was pleasant, so we extended an open invitation for them to stop by anytime. We looked forward to their visits and didn't mind when it became a daily ritual.  They always seemed to show up hungry, so we made sure to keep plenty of their favorite foods in the house. We wanted to be good hosts.

For a while, it was a harmonious relationship and we were all benefiting from it in one way or another. Still, though, by the end of summer I was beginning to think that they didn't really respect us.  I wasn't initially put off by their sloppiness, but at some point it became an issue.  Wherever they went, a mess seemed to follow. They never made any effort to pick up after themselves.

They have never invited us to their home and they never bring anything to share when they come to ours.  It's become obvious that all they really want is a free meal and that they're not looking for any sort of meaningful friendship, but I still felt the need to serve something the last time they stopped by. In their usual style, they ate and left.

I found out that they've been making themselves at home when we're not around. And not only have they been coming by for a meal, they've been practically living just outside our back door. Apparently, they were looking for someplace to hang out during the rain storm last weekend, so they decided our back porch was just the place to do it. They did more than just relax on our furniture, they tore the grapevine wreath apart and used the couch cushions and the floor as their own personal bathroom. It was a disgusting mess that required a massive clean up.

I still have fond memories of the lovely warm summer afternoons we spent together, but I'm not sure whether I want them back in my life after what they did. One thing is for certain, if they are no longer welcome at our house, they'll find someone else to take advantage of. While I'm not usually in favor of using my blog to settle personal differences, I felt I needed to show you what they look like so you'll know what you're in for should they show up at your house.

Sure, he looks harmless, but he has no respect for your outdoor furniture.

He'll spill his food all over the ground and never offer to clean it up.

They're fun to watch and listen to, but I'm not sure that's enough to make cleaning bird droppings off upholstered furniture worthwhile. Will we continue to fill the bird feeders? Maybe. I'm still waiting for them to apologize.

Why Buttered Bagels Are So Funny

My daughter is a lot like me. She finds words endlessly fascinating. She's always asking me how different things got their names or how languages developed. We often wonder what the first spoken word was and who it was spoken by.

Sometimes, just for fun, we like to take a common word or phrase and change it. Recently, we focused on body parts. We couldn't decide why fingers and toes, being similar appendages, had such different names. Were they both named at the same time? Did one person decide on their names or was it a group effort? How strange would it be if they were renamed and what would they be called? We considered quite a few options and came up with foot fingers. Imagine, if you will, how it would sound to use foot fingers in place of the word toes.

"Ow! I just stubbed my foot finger on the coffee table."

"Are you sure those shoes fit? It doesn't look like there is enough room for your big foot finger."

"I have a hole in my sock. My foot finger is sticking out."

From there, we moved on to the word butt (my daughter is 10, butts are funny when you're 10). This time, instead of just changing the word, we decided to swap it with another word beginning with the same letter. Our number one choice was bagel. So the idea is, bagels would now be called butts and your butt would now be known as your bagel. Got it? It could sound a little something like this:

"I'm putting butts in the toaster. Would anyone like cream cheese on their butt?"

"I don't like my butt toasted. I prefer eating my butt cold."

"I slipped on the stairs and fell right on my bagel."

"Do these jeans make my bagel look big?"

And that is why buttered bagels (translation: buttered butts) are so funny. At least to us they are. If we make any more changes to the English language, I will be sure to let you know. Just trying to keep you on your foot fingers!

Willoughby

~Photos courtesy of eNature.com~

Vincent D'Onofrio Doesn't Need To Pierce His Eyebrow!

2010-10-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

My son wants to pierce some portion of his face/ears. One day he wants a pierced ear, another day he'll talk about piercing his nose or his lip. He hasn't wanted to pierce his eyebrow......yet. I've said no to all requests. Not because I have anything against piercings (I don't), but because, well, he's my son and I don't want any unnecessary holes in him. I've spent the last 17 years trying to keep him in one piece.

Here's how I rationalized it. I told him that women wear makeup and jewelry to adorn their faces. Men don't need these things, I said, because they have facial hair and can change their look by growing and or shaving beards, sideburns and mustaches (as illustrated by Vincent D'Onofrio, below).

Photos courtesy of Google Images

My son wearing facial jewelry, therefore, would be the same as his sister wearing a fake beard or mustache. He didn't buy it. Not for a second. But he did want to know if I would object to his sister wearing faux facial hair if it became popular (as illustrated by my daughter, below).

Before I answer that, let's take a minute to think about facial hair becoming a female fashion trend. Would there be shops specializing in facial hair for women? Would some women take more permanent measures and get beard implants? Is that even possible? If you overheard two men debating "Are those real?" while looking at a woman, they could be talking about her sideburns!

So back to the question, would I object to my daughter wearing a chin toupee if the became the rage? I'll get back to you if that happens. I hope I haven't started a new trend.....

Willoughby

Goodbye Frank and Fall Is In The Air

2010-09-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

It was inevitable, I guess. We just weren't meant to be, Frank and I. No matter how much I begged and pleaded, he was unable, or possibly unwilling, to give me what I wanted and/or needed. He refused to let me communicate with my blog friends and denied me the pleasure of wiling away a lazy afternoon surfing the web. I should have sent him packing long ago.....but you know what they say about hindsight.

So he's out of my life now. No more Frank, aka Frankencomputer, to make me miserable. I'll shed no tears for him with his secondary monitor and multiple cords. I've moved on to a newer and more reliable computer. One who accepts my photo memory card and connects easily to my printer. I'm back in the virtual world.

Fall Is In The Air

I know that the first day of fall is (was) September 23rd, but to me, fall begins on the day the kids go back to school so I've had that "fall feeling" for about a month. I can't say that I'm overly happy about it because I much prefer spring and summer, but fall does have a few redeeming qualities.

We live on the edge of orchard country, so there are plenty of places to buy apples or take a hayride and go pick them yourself. Each place also sells their own variety of freshly made donuts and cider. Pumpkins, pies, potatoes, preserves (and multiple other products beginning with the letter "P") - you can get those, too.

If you're looking for entertainment, there are quite a few corn mazes around here. Too tame? We've got oodles of haunted houses in the area. About 30 minutes away is one of the top rated scares, Erebus. It is the world's largest walk-through haunted house. It's not for me, but my son and his friends go every year.

My favorite thing about fall, though, is the number of fall festivals featuring antique sales and craft shows. In years past, we've set up a booth and sold some of our wares, and we're planning to do the same again this year. We've been busy making all sorts of things including gift items and Halloween signs. If you'd like to take a look, you can find them for sale here, in our Etsy store, The Cabbage Rose. We'll be adding more items soon, so feel free to stop back and browse (or shop) frequently!

Lastly, if the crisp fall air has made your skin dull and dry, why not get a facial. You'll be glowing like Michael Myers in no time! Have a look!

Happy Fall, y'all!

Willoughby

Mind Your Manners and Vintage Cooking

2010-09-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

I remember hearing the expression "good manners never go out of style". People used to say that from time to time, but I'm not sure they do anymore. Who can blame them? I'm beginning to think good manners have been thrown in a pile labeled "obsolete" along with dinosaurs, cassette tapes and property values. This trend seems to be running rampant, too. It's everywhere.

The Local Supermarket

I stopped in to pick up a few items last week.   My daughter was with me and she wasn't feeling well, so my attention was focused on her. I did notice, though, out of the corner of my eye, that the woman who was ringing up my groceries kept pulling a tissue out of her pocket and blowing her nose. After a quick blow and wipe, she would go back to scanning without bothering to stop for a squirt of hand sanitizer (each lane has a gigantic bottle of Purel next to the register).   Rude? Check. Gross? For sure, but it gets worse. By the time she got to my last few items, she was simultaneously holding a nasty tissue and my bag of gourmet coffee in the same hand.   That wadded up, germ infested tissue touched at least five or six packages of food that I was buying.   I complained about it and I was told someone would be in touch with me. That was over a week ago and I still haven't heard from anyone. I don't know who has worse manners, the cashier or the store management.

The Other Store I've Been Going To Since The Above Incident

My daughter needed school supplies, so we headed off on another shopping trip.  We also needed charcoal, so after picking up the 127 things for school, we headed over to the "seasonal" area of the store where grilling supplies are displayed (which is really funny because true Michiganians don't stop grilling when summer is over, we just shovel a path and brush the snow off the grill).   The charcoal was stacked waist-high on a pallet. I grabbed the top bag and dragged it off, only to find it was ripped across the bottom.  Ten pounds of briquettes and black dust fell out of the bag and onto me (go ahead and laugh, I'm sure one day I'll find it funny, too).   While I was attempting to stomp some of the filth off my legs and shoes, a store employee said to me "That's okay, m'am, you don't have to clean up the floor" and left me standing in the pile of charcoal. Did I mention that he was pushing a janitorial cart stocked with a broom and paper towel?

On Television

A certain yogurt company has television commercials that make me cringe. One ad has a supermodel slurping and licking yogurt out of the container. Another has a well known actress offering samples to a couple who can't be bothered to swallow their yogurt before commenting on it.  My children had better table manners when they were toddlers.

School

We went to an open house at school last week and I couldn't believe how many people were on their cell phones. Some even took calls while the teacher was addressing the parents.

My Neighborhood

Some neighbors of ours lost their home to foreclosure. There is no sign in the yard and the house is not yet up for sale, but it has apparently been listed on some foreclosure websites.  On a daily basis, people stop by to check the place out. Most of them actually attempt to open the doors and windows to get in the house. I don't think that's called shopping, I think it's called trespassing.

**********

Vintage Cooking

A few days ago I had the urge to make peanut butter cookies, so I did what I usually do. I sat down at the computer and went to a cooking website. I looked at a bunch of different recipes, but I couldn't decide which one to try. While I was mulling it over, I thought about the collection of vintage cookbooks and hand written recipes that I inherited from my grandma and my great aunt.  I pulled them all out, piled them on the kitchen island and dove in.

What I thought would be a quick search turned into an afternoon of culinary archaeology. I found recipes for things I've never heard of like Shin Bone Stew and learned the meaning of quaint terms like larding (threading bacon or salt pork into less fatty cuts of meat). I also found dozens of old recipes I'd like to try.

Most importantly, however, I found a recipe for peanut butter cookies. They are by far the best I've ever made, using the perfect proportions of simple ingredients. They have all the features I think are most important in a superior peanut butter cookie: a) they have a strong peanut butter flavor, b) they maintain a nice shape while baking and don't spread too thin, c) they stay soft for days. The first batch disappeared as fast as I could make them. (I'm sorry that I don't have pictures to post, but I'm still using a "Frankencomputer" that has no memory card slot.)

If you'd like to try them, here's the recipe. It was dated 1944.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl, beat together butter and both sugars until smooth and creamy. Add egg, peanut butter, and vanilla and beat until well combined. Stir in flour, salt and baking soda. Mix well. Roll into one inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Press down gently in criss-cross pattern with tines of fork. Bake for 12 minutes. Cool completely before removing cookies from sheet. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

**Note- The recipe doesn't specify to chill the dough before baking, but I chilled mine for about an hour.

Willoughby

Joanna Made Me Do It!

2010-08-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, Joanna didn't really make me do it, but she inspired me. I was reading her blog, The Fifty Factor, this morning and she posted a list of 84 things about herself and encouraged others to do the same. I love a challenge, so I'm going to give it a try. Are there 84 things about me that you would find interesting or don't already know (or that I would admit to)? We'll see......

I still remember the exact second I fell in love with my husband.
Purple is my favorite color, but I don't own any purple clothing. Nothing in my house is purple, either.
My grandmother and I were never very close, but the things I inherited from her are some of my favorite possessions.
I love the way new socks feel when you put them on, but I think new shoes are almost always uncomfortable the first few times you wear them.
My dog died 6 years ago and I still expect to find her sleeping in her favorite place, sometimes.
When I get nervous, I hyperventilate.
I almost always remember what people were wearing when I first met them.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Most of the time.
Life is too short to hold grudges, but sometimes I do it anyway.
To recite the planets in order, I have to sing a song I learned from Blue's Clues when my son was in kindergarten.
No matter what astronomers say, I still think of Pluto as a planet.
I didn't get cold feet before our wedding. I never doubted that my husband and I were soul mates.
I got sick on a corn dog when I was about 7 years old. I haven't had one since.
Sunny days are great, but I love dark, rainy days once in a while.
Laughter is important, it can change your mood instantly.
If there is a House marathon on, I'll probably watch it.
The five second rule doesn't exist in my house. The idea of eating food that fell on anything but your plate makes me queasy.
Disingenuous is one of my favorite words because it's a very dignified way to say "Liar, liar, pants on fire".
I'm a trained interior decorator.
At this very moment, you could seat 20 people on my back porch and in my yard. That's only if you're counting chairs and bar stools. If you included the porch steps, the number would be around 25.
My husband makes me laugh. Daily.
My kids make me laugh. Daily.
We currently have three hot tubs, but we need to get rid of two of them. Want one?
I used to love scented candles, but lately they give me a headache.
Fall is great for about a week. Once the trees lose all their leaves, the world looks dead to me.
Christmas used to be my favorite holiday, but now I prefer 4th of July. Better weather, no last minute shopping to do.
Sunglasses are a must for me. I can't drive on a sunny day without them.
None of the ceilings in my house are painted white.
The glass is usually half full, in my opinion.
I'm a terrible liar.
I prefer liquid fabric softener to dryer sheets.
New cleaning products make me happy.
If I don't recognize your number, I'll let my phone go to voice mail.
Freesia are the best smelling flowers. Roses are a very close second.
I would chose chocolate over any other flavor 99% of the time. Ice cream is the exception. I rarely chose chocolate ice cream.
I think there must be life on some other planet in some other solar system. It just makes sense to me.
Door to door salespeople make me crazy. If I wanted to buy something, I would go out and get it.
The smell of salt air is intoxicating.
In high school biology, we learned to type our own blood.
My blood type is O positive.
I tried a no carb diet, once. I looked and felt terrible.
The movie "Rosemary's Baby" scared the crap out of me when I was a kid.
I used to be a cheerleader.
You could describe my sense of humor as sarcastic.
Of all the people I'd like to meet, Stephen King is number one on my list.
I try to live my life without regret. Still, there are things I wish I could change.
Most of the time, I've got an annoying song stuck in my head.
I paid $2.50 for my purse. It was on a clearance rack and had been marked down 10 times.
Revolving doors make me a little nervous.
I wonder why they stopped making colored toilet paper. Remember that? It came in colors like peach, seafoam green, and powder blue to match your bathroom decor.
My son always tells me I have too much time on my hands when I admit to wondering about things like why they stopped making colored toilet paper.
I used to drive a car with manual brakes. When I bought a newer car with power brakes, I nearly put myself and my passengers through the windshield every time I stopped. It took me a month or better to get used to them.
Squirrels are my nemesis. They empty my bird feeders and dig in my garden.
I've gone out to scrape the snow off my car wearing shorts, a coat and snow boots.
Going to the movies doesn't interest me very much. I'd rather watch a movie at home.
Procrastination is one of my less appealing qualities. I'll tell you about it. Later.
I always manage to break the mechanism that allows a vacuum cleaner to stand upright. I have two vacuum cleaners, neither one will stand up unless you lean them against something.
Money can't buy you happiness. True, but it sure can make your life easier.
I miss having a fireplace.
My daughter taught herself some Japanese. She learned it online when she was 8. That boggles my mind.
I have a habit of reading headlines, but not the stories that follow them. I can tell you what's happening, I just can't give you any details.
When I was about 5 years old, I had a clock that looked like a barn in my bedroom. It had a cow sticking it's head out of the barn door and his eyes would move back and forth. I was scared to death of that thing. I didn't bother to tell my mom about it until just a few years ago.
Unsolicited advice usually irks me.
I love games and puzzles.
People who are "story toppers" irritate me.
Loud noises bother me, but I like loud music.
Firecrackers are pointless. See above.
Popcorn always smells better than it tastes.
I wish my grandma had written down the recipes for all the wonderful things she made. I'm still trying to figure out how to make her icebox cake.
Suckers are spherical and lollipops are flat. Am I right?
I think it must have been an evil genius who decided to pipe the smell of rotisserie chicken through the supermarket.
I'm the only girl in my family. When I was a kid, I used to think it was unfair that my brothers had a sister, but that I only had brothers.
The last time I went to a roller skating rink, I put my skates on and immediately fell on my butt.
I wish I could age as well as Raquel Welch. Have you seen her lately? I swear that woman doesn't get any older.
My son and I have really deep conversations about the afterlife.
Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables.
The songs that Aaron Lewis (of Staind) writes speak to me.
I never drive over the speed limit in residential areas, but I've been known to have a lead foot on the expressway.
Bonfires make me happy.
I'm very particular about the scent of soap, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant. I won't buy something without smelling it, first.
I've never won the lottery. Not the big jackpot, anyway.
It's nearly the end of summer and I haven't been to the beach.
I'm a big fan of hugging people that I care about, but getting hugs from people I've just met makes me a little uneasy.
Any day above ground is a good day.

Whew! That was tough! Are you up for the challenge?

Willoughby

Am I So Out Of Touch That I Missed When Washing Your Hair Became Uncool?

2010-08-10T09:50:00.000-07:00

While my husband and I were watching television a few nights ago, I noticed what I think is sort of an odd trend. We saw at least three different commercials for products that are meant to give you clean and/or frizz free hair for three days. I've got to admit, I don't understand the concept.

This morning, I went to the website of one of these products and this is what it says, "When you don't wash, natural oils and impurities build up along the hair shaft, making strands look greasy and flat or dry and frizzy. This buildup weighs down your style and leaves hair feeling less than fresh and beautiful." It also explains how the products work, "This unique collection is formulated with Mineral Clay to eliminate odor and remove buildup, Witch Hazel to absorb excess oil if your hair tends to be greasy, and Aloe Vera to rehydrate frizzy/dry hair. All of the products are infused with citrus extracts for ultimate refreshing benefits. Say hello to a fresh new day even when you skip shampooing!" Their products come in four different forms: dry shampoo, creme, mist and foam.

If you're trying to achieve fresh, beautiful hair, wouldn't it be just as easy to wash it with regular shampoo? Having my hair look, feel and smell clean is important to me. I can't recall a time that I thought to myself, "My hair is unclean. What can I do, other than wash it?" If you're sick, bedridden or have no access to water, that's a different story.

I hope that shampoo (and clean hair, in general) isn't becoming uncool. Personally, I love shampoo (and clean hair). There are a few favorites that I buy most often, but my daughter and I have been known to spend twenty minutes or more smelling all of the different varieties at the store. I especially like to smell the brands that cost $30 or more per bottle to see if they smell superior to the under $5 variety (to me they don't).

If shampoo does become uncool, what's next? Dry showers with powdered soap?

Willoughby