Pedicure, Real Housewives of New Jersey, and A Big Fat Sale

Pedicure: Usually when I get my pedicures, I bring a book and try to read. It never works. I am too distracted with the, "other foot" or "okay, what color?" kind of interruptions. I've started reading magazines instead, the ones that they leave out for customers. Nothing was really interesting to me, so I just started reading through everything. One magazine had a whole section on cooking and baking. Watermelon cookies, slow-cooker spaghetti, three cheese macaroni and cheese, steak fajitas. I took photos of all the recipes and plan on trying them. I will let you know if any of them are worth sharing.


Random thought. I found Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo. I will tell you about him in a minute. (He's a recipe, too, so keep posted.)


Real Housewives of New Jersey: Some of you may know that my ENT office is across from the boutique Posche in Wayne, New Jersey. In my opinion, it's nothing much to look at, in part of a strip mall. I only mention it because somehow (God only knows how), I got myself hooked on that damn Housewives show and happened to notice it.  Tonight, I had run in number three (two was when Teresa was eating at Doc's Kitchen when I was there, but at the time I didn't know who she was) with a RHWNJ cast member. I went to Wal-Mart (okay, okay, stop yelling at me) to get strings of colored Christmas lights. I hang them on my trees on a warm November day, and the green cord blends into my trees so they go unnoticed until the night after Christmas when, BLING! I plug in the lights. Last years lights weren't lighting up entirely. Parts were, on each string, but not one whole set was complete, and I needed eight. I decided to quickly run with my son to el cheapo Wal-Mart for lights. We were parked by the garden section, and that door, and as we were walking through, a worker said, "We're shutting these doors in a minute" which meant we'd parked on the wrong side of the lot. But it was 50* and sunny outside so, who cares? Apparently, Joe Giudice was right behind us, because as we stopped in the aisle to look at lights, he went right past us with his empty cart. Oh my! I was so excited. I exclaimed, "Johnny! A daddy from Housewives is here," to which he responded, "Is that Cat's husband?" (which made me realize that I watch a little too much of the Housewives show).


He was heading to the construction section (paints, tools) and we were taking our lights to check out. Long story short(er), we got into the car and saw Joe trying to exit the garden center, empty handed. The gates were closed. He tried the emergency exit, which was also locked. He shook the door. We giggled. We decided to wait for Joe to try and grab a cell phone pic. As he approached the car, instead of saying something like, 'We love you, Joe. Can we take your picture?' we froze. Only after he was long gone did I snap a photo. I used my cell phone and shot it though my back window. He's about to get into his pick up truck, see?

See him way, way back there?

Which brings me to...


A Big, Fat Sale: If you happen to live within driving distance to Boonton Township, start your holiday shopping early. Mike the Junk Man (and owner of Another Man's Treasures) is having one of his big, famous sales this Saturday, November 13th. Check it out at 65 Elcock Avenue in Boonton (locals, this is where the Boulevard turns into Boonton Twp and before it becomes West Main Street in Boonton.  Afterward, drive on down Main Street and grab a slice of pizza at Roma, walk across the street for some dessert and coffee at Heavenly Temptations, and then continue down to Savannah Hope Vintage for more fun vintage furniture and home goods, handmade soaps and jewelry, hand-knit socks, oh! And Ward Vogt note cards!


Now, about Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo. Today, while walking through Kings, I saw these little brown things on sticks. As I got closer, I exclaimed "Mr. Hankey!" I got a few looks, yes, and after shrugging them off, I picked one up. At just $2.99 a piece, Kings was selling these treats. Three marshmallows, unevenly speared with lollipop sticks, were dipped in chocolate with faces painted on them. They were wrapped in plastic, with a felt hat is glued to the top of the plastic. I forget what they were called. Christmas somethings. I bought one, to show my son and to copy, and I will be making these for friends, and the kids, this Christmas.


They are made the same way the S'mores on a Stick were made, but you purposely put them on unevenly, refrain from rolling them in topping, and then draw faces on them once they are dry. Oh, and you must top them with felt Santa hats. When I make them, I will take a photo to share with you, along with my process.


Perhaps they aren't appropriate for school parties, but they sure do look just like the real Mr. Hankey.

Mo' Bettah Chili? The Wendy B. Chili Experiment

Yesterday I got a message from a friend, Wendy B., who had a question about my chili recipe. She'd started to make it, but it looked too dry, so she wondered if she was supposed to add two 24 oz. boxes/cans of tomatoes instead of one. By the time I got back to her (three hours later) to tell her it was just one, she'd already gone on to add the second box. I had a feeling it would be great, as I've had fabulous meatless chili which is loaded with veggies (made by my ex-husband's wife, Melissa) and asked her to please let me know how it went so that I could share the results with you.


THE VERDICT:


She liked it so much that she said she would add the extra tomatoes again, saying she likes her chili "a bit soupy." She also used ground turkey instead of ground beef. This weekend, my boyfriend requested that I make chili again. A batch for him, and a batch for his neighbors. Wendy B., you've inspired me to try this version. I am very, very excited!


Thus, I am calling this version of chili the Wendy B. Chili. Very exciting stuff. Wendy, thanks for sharing! For those of you who want to try Wendy's version but don't have the original recipe, you can grab it by clicking here: Tiffany's Favorite Slow-Cooker Chili. She omitted the jalapenos, so that her kids would enjoy eating it, and used her favorite hot sauce (and mine, go figure), Cholula, to spice her serving up!

My Boyfriend, Acupuncture, and Perspective

Just seconds ago, I saw this quote on my friend's facebook status: ‎"The difference between a mountain and a molehill is your perspective" - Neuharth. This comes at a time where my ability to put things in perspective is challenged.


Many of you have been kind enough to ask about the progress of my ringing ears (thank you Robin B.), and so I've decided to write a bit about what is going on. I wasn't sure how to approach the blog, and then I saw that quote and here's what it's inspired. 


As I've been reading about tinnitus, I've learned that living with tinnitus and not having it can be one in the same thing. The sound may disappear, but the brain doesn't know that and continues a processing loop that creates the illusion of ringing. Now, please take that information as merely my take. I've done way too much reading and cannot say for certain that I'm interpreting it correctly. In fact, I may be totally incorrect in how I've interpreted that information, but please don't correct me, because it's the idea that I most like.


There are many reasons for tinnitus, and sometimes the cause is unknown. My (hopefully) final doctor visit will be in just over a week, and then (hopefully) I will have a better understanding of what's going on. My feeling is that it is stress-induced and that I've created this, or my body has, to slow me down and get me to look at my life. That is my hope. I have talked for hours about this with my boyfriend, who knows pretty much everything about my whole entire life. He really knows me as well as I know myself, if not better. When he mentioned that the onset came at a time of severe stress (and cited examples), I believed him. I immediately started to feel better. Ironically, whenever I am with him I feel comforted and safe, and often, the symptoms improve. He's good for me.


The day after I spoke with him about this, Tuesday of last week, I went to see an acupuncturist, Susannah Pitman, at Balance Acupuncture Center in Boonton. She asked me basic health history, history of what I wish to be treated for, and any other information that might be helpful for her to know. The intake seemed long and thorough, and I felt confident that she saw what she needed to see (behavioral), and knew what she needed to know (information) to help me. 


She began acupuncture.


After she started placing the needles, she mentioned that she wanted to do something called moxibustion. On the release form that I signed, I remembered reading that there is the chance that one could get burned, so I mentioned that I was concerned about that. She explained the process, and how safe it is (and that yes, there is a chance of getting burned), and then did the procedure on herself so that I could see and feel comfortable with it. After seeing it, seeing the cream used to prevent burning, and noting that even if I did get burned, the spot would be teeny tiny, I felt very comfortable with the process and was hopeful that it would create some sort of change in my physical (ears), emotional (stressed, anxious) state.


After my first session, I felt very relaxed and hopeful. During the days that followed, I saw drastic improvement, and that only started to wane during the last two days. On Sunday, I panicked after spending hours reading horrible stories on the Internet, add to that that I'd been in the house all day, and it got dark at 4 p.m. It was quiet (not great for tinnitus) and I focused on the bad, making it bigger. This carried through to Monday, and that day had a handful of not-so-great messages, which only made things worse.


But today, a week later, I went for my second acupuncture appointment. I told Susannah about the week, and she felt good about the positive changes. Again, she did acupuncture and moxibustion. All the while I kept thinking good thoughts. I read somewhere that living with the ringing is just a matter of ignoring it, until one actually stops hearing it. I did that all day today, and even thought good, loving thoughts when the ringing got stronger. If I associate the ringing with good thoughts, then it won't be so ominous. I left feeling confident, once again, and relaxed. And I decided that I wanted to return again this week, to maintain the good feeling that I was left with after the appointment. I will go back on Friday, the day that I turn 41. It's my gift to myself. I am going to turn this mountain into a molehill, absolutely.


Thank you all for your concern. I promise to let you know the moment the ringing goes away.

New Nude (FREE)

This weekend, I found a few hours to do the things that needed to be done here around the house. Laundry, vacuuming, recycling, and general cleaning. Before I got started, though, I made a stop at one of my favorite stores, Another Man's Treasures in Boonton, NJ. I go there as often as possible, just to look, but usually I end up walking out with a bunch of really cool stuff. The prices are fabulous, and they have loads of fun things like old postcards, jewelry, home decor, and more. The walls are covered with loads of art, priced to sell (including an Adirondack type painting for which I am trying to find wall space). I've gotten cocktail glasses, a vintage beaded purse, and lots of small pieces of furniture. It's a great place to get one-of-a-kind gifts for people; cool, vintage finds.


Mike Anest, the owner, who is well-known as "Mike the Junk Man" also has a warehouse across the street, so if you are looking for something in particular that might not be in the store, he can usually locate it for you.


Wandering in, I noticed a great piano bench that was the perfect size for a spot at the foot of my bed. $10. Can't beat it. I proceeded inside and looked around. Mike and his wife were working in the store that day. We all talked, catching up on the things that have gone on in our lives since we'd last seen each other. I found a bunch of Christmas gifts (can't list them here, since some of the gift recipients are readers) and this really amazing watercolor (the nude, below).

Untitled and unsigned. Too beautiful.

I am guessing it's 8" x 8". It was in loosely wrapped in plastic, and the plastic was held closed with masking tape. It was done on thick paper, and unevenly cut. On the back of the  paper was another watercolor painting (a landscape).  It wasn't framed. Mike threw it in for me, literally, for free. 


I left with two pieces of furniture -- the piano bench and a big wooden box with markings that indicate that it used to hold bombs at Picatinny Arsenal back in the 40s. I am using it in my office to store recycling, gifts, and boxes of photos. It's about 5' long and about 24" high.  In addition, I got a few gifts, and eyeballed a few more things (just waiting to find out who I get in this year's secret Santa) and while I love everything that I bought, this nude is my favorite. It's so graceful, and the way that her hair is painted up in a chignon, I'm almost waiting for it to fall down her back. Lovely.


Another Man's Treasures is located on Myrtle Avenue in Historic Boonton, NJ (973) 299-0883.

Lice? Oh God, Not Again.

I've had it with lice. Look, it beats bed bugs and other horrible things but frankly, lice is a logistic nightmare.


Yesterday, my school sent home a notice that some kids in the school have lice. We had it last year, and let me tell you what I learned so that you can prevent your kids (and yourself) from getting lice. Please read this. 


First off, those chemical lice killers don't work. Lice have grown resistant to them. So if you go buy Nix or whatever, you will just be pouring very harmful chemicals on to your child's head. It's bad for your kids, and the lice won't mind it.


Second, tea tree oil won't do much. You can put it, preventatively, along your child's hair line, or even run you oiled fingers through his/her hair, but ultimately, it won't work. You can keep your child's hair pulled up in a ponytail, gelled back, which limits lice exposure, but isn't foolproof.


You can do a couple things, though. You can have the pros comb your hair out, and your child's. Lice Be Gone is amazing. They comb through your hair and tell you if you have bugs. If you do, they get all the lice and the eggs. We did it last year and it was worth every penny. 973-467-LICE(5423). People travel to this place from Pennsylvania and New York. I highly recommend it.


If you prefer the cheap and easy DIY method, follow these instructions. This works but will take some elbow grease on your part.


The minute you think your child might have lice, get them home (and please keep them home) and cover their head in Crisco (bacon fat works, so does butter). Once their head is covered in Crisco -- I've done it to my own head and my long hair will literally stay on top of my head from the Crisco -- wrap their head in Saran Wrap. If this is uncomfortable for them, or you are worried about it smothering them, you can cover their head with a bandana. Leave this on overnight. This should kill any live bugs. In the morning, wash their hair out with dish soap, like Dawn. 


Now, comb through their hair with a good lice comb. Those blue plastic ones won't get all the eggs or the bugs. I suggest the Nisska Lice Comb. It's what the pros use. The pros put conditioner mixed with baking soda on the comb as they go through, making it easier to see the lice. If you have bugs, you have eggs, and the eggs are hard to see and will hatch. The Crisco won't smother them. So you have to keep doing the Crisco and the combing every night for the first week.  After that, do it every few days or the bugs will return.


If you live with a child who has lice, Crisco your head too. Just in case. 


*


All lice affected homes must be cleaned or abandoned. Lice cannot live without a human host for more than three days. They cannot live on animals, but can travel on them. If you can, go away for a long weekend, and then your house will be lice free. If you can't, everything needs to be vacuumed. Your car, couches, carpets, stuffed animals, everything. Anything that can go in the dryer should, on high heat for 30 - 40 minutes (no need to wash first). Coats, hats, everything. Brushes can be soaked in ammonia or thrown out. Everything you throw out should first go in plastic bags.


If you can avoid a room or two for three days, you won't have to strip it. Lice don't jump, but they cling. When you child takes off his/her coat, a lice might get knocked onto the coat. Then the coat is laying next to another coat, the lice walks over looking for blood. When the child puts on the coat, voila! Lice. They pass on shared hair brushes, and shared pillows at sleep over parties. Don't share hats, helmets, brushes, scarves, coats. Be aware.


Please forward this to everyone you know so that they can protect their kids from getting lice.

Dinner Is Served?

Tonight, dinner was served. I didn't cook, or make plans for a meal. I didn't make a request, or set the table, or do anything at all.


Mostly, I cook dinner, and I love doing it so that's never a problem. On Wednesdays, however, Ward and I usually cook together. Wednesday was taco night for years, but the kids (or maybe Ward) were tiring of it, so we switched it up to burgers. This particular Wednesday, though, when I consulted with him about dinner (what are we having, who is doing the shopping) he said he'd handle it.


Okay...


I asked, twice, what he was making for dinner, and he advised that it would "be good." No clues. I wondered what he could have been preparing. My bet was on spaghetti and meatballs with marinara sauce.


When I walked into his kitchen, I saw three pots on the stove. One with a top on it, two with water boiling, and it was clear that something was cooking in the oven. Whatever he was making, it looked interesting and it smelled really good. I was impressed. For more than a minute, though, I questioned his methods. "Ward, the water's boiling... Shouldn't you put something in there?" and "What's that big pot for? Pasta?" I actually had to leave the kitchen for a minute (to shut myself up). I realized how lucky I was. Ward was making the whole meal, top to bottom.


Finally, he allowed me to peek. A whole roasted chicken was browning in the oven. Jasmine rice, corn, and asparagus were cooking in pots on the stovetop. It looked amazing.


And tasted just as fabulous.

Let's Go Kids! (and an insane chili recipe)

I am not perfect. Far from it. However, I think we have a responsibility to our neighbors and passers-by to take down holiday decorations once that holiday has passed.

If you were to poll my neighbors, they would probably tell you that I am the first person on the block to put up holiday decorations. Christmas lights go up on the first warm day in November, but are not lit until Black Friday. I figure, you can't see the green wires amongst the tree branches, so no one is really affected by them. The day after Thanksgiving, Oh! The lights, they are ablaze, welcoming in the Christmas season. They usually stay lit through New Years Day, and then they get unplugged. The tree gets taken down the same day and dragged out to the curb. Some think I'm being a grinch, but the way that I see it, the holiday is over. Let's move on.

I put up hearts for Valentine's Day during the last week of January, clovers for St. Patrick's Day on the first of March, Easter Eggs immediately follow.

Here's the thing. I always take my decorations down right after the holiday is ended. It is my personal belief that there is nothing worse than decorations that have outlived a holiday, with the exception, perhaps, of a mess that follows a party.

Imagine my horror, then, when today, two days after Halloween, I see ratty ghosts hanging from trees; deflated Halloween balloons still suspended from railings and fences; brown spider webs strung out across bushes. Whole pumpkins, hay bails, and corn stalks, I understand. They continue to be festive through Thanksgiving, but carved, rotting pumpkins just look sad.

And the absolute worst is when the decorations that sit out for weeks following the holiday, are the very same decorations that didn't go up until three or four days before the holiday. Can you say "lazy"?

Enough of my rant. If you've read this and still have your decorations up, please accept my apologies, and then please take down your things. :)

Okay, as for the chili... After buying my slow cooker, I wanted to start using it for more than Deb's Pulled Pork (the sole reason I purchased it). I found a chili recipe online (stove top) and then modified it. I've made it a handful of times, and it seems to be a real hit. I did make it on the stove top once, and Ward mentioned that it wasn't as flavorful. I agree. It needs time to stew.

Tiffany's Favorite Slow-Cooker Chili

(you know you want some)

• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 24 oz. Pom* chopped tomatoes (with liquid)
• 1 large can kidney beans
• 1 T jalapeno wheels (if you want it to be spicy)
• 2 pkgs of chili seasoning
• 1 t cumin
• salt to taste
• 1 c sharp cheddar cheese, grated (for topping)

*I use Pom because it's packaged in a box, not a can. It's a healthier option because can metals can leech into the tomatoes.

So easy. Here we go. Brown the beef in a pan, adding a tiny bit of water or a splash of beer to keep it from sticking to the pan. Once it's browned, add the seasoning, cumin, and salt. Mix well. Remove from heat.

Put browned, seasoned beef into slow cooker. Add tomatoes, onion, beans, and jalapenos and mix well. Then, turn the slow cooker on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours. Stir once midway through.

Put servings into small bowls, top with grated cheese, and serve with tortilla chips. I like to add a little hot sauce to mine, too.

Let me know if you try it, and how it goes. Also, feel free to share your recipes with me. Maybe I will share them in an upcoming blog.