Got a new video screen capture program, and decided to celebrate by doing a super quick, crappy Painter speedpaint. XD

Home Remedy for Respiratory Infections

I get chest colds all the time, along with bronchitis and the occasional, hellish bout of pneumonia. I hate going to the doctor though, as their remedies are far too expensive, don't work that great, and have side effects that cause more problems than they solve, so I self treat. I'm not dead yet, so I must be on to something.

Anyway, I recently redeveloped my tea for respiratory ailments, and it (along with a mustard plaster) made me feel better in record time, so I thought I would share. (Disclaimer: I am not a physician--use my remedies at your own risk.)

Ingredients:

1 tblsp FRESH grated ginger
1/2 tsp lemon zest (freshly grated)
Juice of 1 lemon (use the one you just grated ^_^)
1/3 cup grated white onion
1 bay leaf
4 or 5 sprigs fresh thyme
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
4 tblsp honey
4 cups boiling water

Combine everything except honey and water in large bowl, add boiling water. Cover tightly; allow to steep for 15 minutes. Add honey, stir. Drink 1 cup twice a day until better. This should clear your lungs, help kill bacteria, and let you breathe easier.

Surprisingly enough, it doesn't taste too bad, either!

*Do NOT use bay leaf if you are pregnant or believe you could be pregnant!!!*

What a lovely day...not.

Wrecked the bike today coming around a turn. The pavement was slick (it had just started raining), and there was loose gravel. Luckily, it was in the middle of a slow turnoff, so nothing but cosmetic damage, I thought. A few scratches, and I need a new cover for the turn signal. Unfortunately, it started spewing hydraulic fluid a little while ago, and had to be sent to the Kawasaki dealer to see if they can repair it this evening without having to order any parts. It sucks. The bike is my only transportation, and if it's out of commission until the parts come in next week (I've got new tires and brakes ordered), then I guess I'll be hoofing it to work for the next few days.

Damn it, I'm getting too old for this.

Whew!

Tax refund showed up, and my computer and tablet has been purchased. I wound up going with a HP Pavillion Elite m9400, and a Wacom Intuos. The computer is great (8 gb RAM ftw!), except for this annoying, flashing blue light on the front of the tower that strobes the house at night. Vista is not all that great, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be, either. The tablet is also excellent, although I'm having a little trouble getting used to it. It's like I'm having to learn to digitally paint all over again.

Truth to tell, I haven't messed with it all that much. I've been super busy at work, everybody and their grandma has had a birthday (and a party to attend) in the last couple of weeks, and to top it all off, my husband and I fell victim to the salmonella laced peanuts that have been making the news lately. Yes, I've been struck down by Kung Pao Chicken. I've lost about six pounds, though. That's a plus, I guess.

Did you ever get so many cool toys at Christmas that you just didn't know what to play with first, and you were left kind of bored and out of sorts despite the bounty around you? That's where I'm at right now. I've been so long without a decent computer, that I don't know where to start. I've done more killing time with it so far than anything. Lots of SIMS, Guild Wars, and transferring files. Oh well, the new should wear off soon and I'll get back to normal.

I've been wanting to write a bit of fan fiction lately. I was re-watching my favorite drama, Mars (Vic Zhou--yum!), and it occurred to me that it would be easy to rework that story to fit Sakura and Sasuke from Naruto. It sounds like fun, and might help jump start my non-fanwork creative endeavors. Besides, it gives me a few good ideas for fanart, too, which will help put my tablet to use. I don't know if it's the sickness or not, but I'm feeling particularly uncreative lately.

Almost there--I hope!

Anxiously awaiting my tax refund which will be used to purchase a new computer and tablet (Intuos FTW!). I can finally post art again! *dance of joy* I've been using this crappy laptop for nearly a half a year now, my scanner doesn't work with it, and my cat destroyed my tablet with a little help from a water-filled vase of roses.

I'm really nervous that I won't get my refund for some reason. I can't think of anything that would prevent it, but the way my luck runs...cross your fingers. XD

Divine Squash Casserole

Our kitchen was delivered a basket of fresh yellow squash and zucchini. I didn't want it to go to waste, and I didn't want to do the same, tired dishes with it. I wanted something new, and I also needed to use a few excess packages of Alouette cheese that we had on hand. We came up with a quick casserole that was tasty, creamy, and attractive. It was a hit with the customers, and a cinch to make.

Ingredients:

1 white onion, chopped
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 can cream of onion soup
1 can cream of celery soup
3 6.5 oz. packages Alouette Garlic and Herbs spreadable cheese
2 cups mixed broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, and baby carrots
6 small summer squash, sliced
6 small zucchini, sliced
2 tblsp. stone ground mustard
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 cup French's French Fried Onions

Saute onions and bell pepper until tender, set aside. In a small mixing bowl, combine onion soup, celery soup, Alouette cheese, mustard, and pepper, set aside. Pour all vegetables, including onions and pepper, into large, buttered casserole dish. Over the vegetables, pour the cheese/soup mix, combine well. Cover tightly with foil, bake on 350 for 20 minutes.

Remove foil, sprinkle with French's French Fried Onions, return to oven until fried onions are golden brown, about five minutes. Serve.

Recipe: The Best Cranberry Sauce Ever

Yeah, I said it. The best. Ever. XD

This sauce goes great with pork, poultry, veal, ice cream, and pancakes.

Original recipe.

Ingredients

1 16 oz. bag fresh cranberries
1/2 cup dried cherries
2 15 oz. cans jellied cranberry sauce
1 1/2 cups cherry juice
1/4 cup marsala cooking wine
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Simmer over medium-low heat for about an hour, or until cranberries are tender.

One of my favorite ways to serve this sauce? Drizzled over pork tenderloin slices, garnished with orange wedges. Yum!