Out with the old (yoga mat)

I am trying to clean and re-stickify my Jade yoga mat, and during my internet search for tips, I stumbled across a lot of suggestions for repurposing your old, gross mat rather than just tossing it.  The Jade site has a good list, and here are a few of my favorites:

1. Place under an area rug for no-slip gripping.
2. Drop off your old mat at an animal rescue group. Most of these places need soft, durable mats, rugs, towels, & blankets to line crates.
3. Line kitchen shelves to prevent glasses from slipping and scratching.
4. Cut the mat into squares and use them as "bases" while playing baseball with the kids. Easy to carry and easy to clean!
5. Use to kneel on in the garden to protect your knees!
6. Use as kitchen drawer liners..
7. Use as grip pads to open jars.
8. Cut to size and use as foot pads for the bottom of furniture that is on a wood or ceramic floor. Glue on pieces with a non-toxic adhesive.
9. Cut and put down in front of the kitty litter box to stop the litter.
10. Makes a great liner under house plants, you can even cut it to fit each plant

image source: Ultimate Reuse Challenge

Yep.

It's Friday.

Chair(REvision)

This is what I did on Sunday night while watching Once Upon a Time.

Carpool at sunset

The days are getting longer, and it's lovely.   The sun is still setting as we drive home across the Golden Gate Bridge.  

My Darling Dear

From this funny site.

Quandry: The Carrot (aged)

I don't like it when people tell me I am too old for something.  I rarely believe it's true, especially when we are discussing an activity like rollerskating or a certain favorite tshirt that says "QD Mufflers" on it.  However, this theory of mine does not apply to food and it's a double standard I will act quickly on.  For instance, if I even think that milk has been in the fridge to long, if the thought even crosses my mind, I have to get rid of it.  Same with produce. Gone. Later broccoli. Sorry, slightly mealy apple.  As a result, I tend to buy little and often.  Anyway.  Old. 

Which brings us to today.  I'm up in the air about carrots-- when are they too old?  Where is that line?  Is it when they are dried out?  Is it when they start to shrivel?  Is it when the ones in the bottom of the bag get slimy?  Case in point:

It's dry.  There are creases.  I ate one of this carrot's friends, begrudgingly, and there was some bitter (but that may have been the inevitable "one bad carrot").  Is this carrot too old to eat?

Anna says no.

Tribute: Hunger Games.

Moment.

Just Dance with my nieces.  I am very focused and perhaps slightly concerned.  Thank you, sister, for snapping a photo of this finery.  

Brentwood, California.

(this post could also be titled "Update your blog so I don't have to stare at the damn frittata.  Everydayyyyy Friiitattta:  A Response")

2012 New Things: Make a Frittata

Frittatas intimidate me.  I have always known they are inherently easy, but for some reason they seemed too complicated to figure out and the idea of putting a pan from the stove INTO THE OVEN blew my mind.  I mean, can you do that?  (you can.  as long as it's oven-safe, duh.)

Starting 2012 simply, I made a frittata.  I am fond of Mark Bittman's recipes and he has a "more veggie, less egg" take on frittatas.  Loaded up on asparagus, leeks, peas and spinach, the frittata came out very green.  Green is good. 

yum.

Keep It Going: 2012 New Things List

My 2011 Bucket List has, thus far, been my most favorite list I have ever made.  Throughout the year, the list reminded me of things I wanted to try and, as a result, I backpacked to Sykes Hot Springs and the Desolation Wilderness, went to the Legion of Honor, made awesome paella and failed mince meat pie, canoed with my family, went snowshoeing and took a tap dancing class.   The spirit of trying new things lead me to ride my bike 27 miles, build a counter on my backporch, and meet up with friends more than staying in.  In general, I definitely learned that saying yes is way more fun than saying no.  

And so, I'm going to continue this idea, this mantra into 2012 and creating a "new things" list (apparently 'bucket list' is morbid to some).   Here we go!

2012 New Things

1. Visit Angel Island
2.  Make a frittata.
3. Learn to crochet an afghan.
4. Learn Prelude in C by Bach
5. Go to a meditation session
6. Go lazy inner tubing on a river
7. Watch the Godfather
8. Read Moby Dick
9. Visit Mono Lake
10. Hike to the Tourist Club
11. Backpack the Lost Coast
12. Ride a horse
13. Make tiramisu 
14. Publish in a scientific journal
15. Eat raw foods for a week
16. Have an epic crafting party
17. Take a paddleboat out on Stow Lake
18. Visit the Pleasanton Ridge
19. Partake in a fancy tea
20. See a Great Lake

Yes is more fun than No!