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February, 2014

  1. Free on iTunes

    February 28, 2014 by admin

    itunes-logoAs you know, we are big fans of free and legal music downloads.  We search regularly for opportunities to sample new songs and find new artists to listen to.

    One of the places we head to frequently is the ‘Free’ section at the iTunes store.

    You may already have an iTunes/AppleID account, but don’t forget to make a regular stop at the “Free” page.  As one of the largest sources of online music, iTunes is able to host free downloads from the major label artist you have already heard of and may already like.  The free songs rotate regularly, so check back often.

    Tip: You can also download videos, TV shows, books and movies from the free section.

    Kelly Clarkson, Zola Jesus, Kellie Pickler along with other top artists and up-and-comers have had free tunes up on iTunes recently.  So make a point to stop by, see what they’ve got to fill out your playlist a bit more.

    Maybe you’ll discover some great new music.


  2. The Boy Birdwatcher Society

    February 26, 2014 by admin

    Our young Bluey has recently taken up birdwatching.  Or bird and squirrel watching, more accurately.  It’s a plan he came up with entirely on his own- just something he wants to do. IMG_1509

    He’ll come home after dropping his sister at school, or spend his lunch, nestled in a chair on the porch watching the bird feeder to see who might arrive.  He’ll even encourage his friends to join him when they visit.

    His connection to the natural world is strong.  It’s very good to witness, but we can’t say we’re surprised.

    After all, from the time he was a few weeks old, he’s had his ‘Bird of the Day,’ where TRDad reads a page from a bird guidebook describing the many species of birds common in North America.  We’ve gone through several different guidebooks by now.

    And he and his sister used to sit and watch the Nature Channel outside the window, as squirrels, birds and other critters came to our porch for a snack.

    And bird-watching is a major element in one of his favorite books, Pogo, which he reads almost everyday.

    IMG_1090So we are happy to help set him up with his binoculars and a cup of cocoa to settle in to watch the birds.  We hope his love of nature stays with him always.


  3. Heroes

    February 23, 2014 by admin

    imagesWe wanted to take a moment to shine the light on the Russian punk band Pussy Riot, and their two members recently released from prison.  These are heroes of our times.

    Three members were imprisoned for playing a song which criticized Vladimir Putin in a Russian Orthodox church, they have endured and even flourished under difficult circumstances.

    Russian prisons in Siberia are renown for their harsh conditions and brutality.  Yet here we see these young women emerge from Siberia as strong as ever, voicing their concerns for the rights and safety of people all over the world.  Daring the Russian government to throw them back in jail!

    They are simply amazing.

    Watch them here on the Colbert Report:

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    We could all stand to see more role models like this: standing up for what is right in the face of extreme adversity.  So we applaud these women and hope they are able to continue to fight the forces of oppression so effectively.

     


  4. Meatless Meatballs

    February 21, 2014 by admin

    Growing up in the heavily Italian North Jersey, we TRParents have seen our share of delicious Italian foods.  Eggplant parmesan sandwiches that are out-of-this-world and hard to find once you leave the East Coast.  Pizza to die for- which seemingly cannot be replicated successfully outside the Garden State.

    And pasta.  So many delicious pasta dishes.

    The classic mid-week meal in most of the houses of our neighbors and friends growing up was spaghetti and meatballs.  A fabulous and filling meal. IMG_1511

    But we are now a vegetarian household, so meatballs have been off the menu.  Until we discovered this yummy recipe that takes just a few minutes to prepare and offers the delectable ‘meaty’ nuggets we remember.

    Ingredients:

    3 or 4 eggs

    1 T Vegetable Bouillon

    1-2 cups grated cheese- we use Romano usually, but it works well with cheddar too.  Probably any hardish cheese will work.

    3/4 cup chopped walnuts

    1 cup dried breadcrumbs

    Process:

    1.  Chop walnuts in food processor with bread crumbs.

    2.  Add bouillon, eggs and cheese.  Start with 3 eggs and add the fourth if the mixture seems too dry.

    3.  Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.

    4.  Remove from fridge and form into small balls.  We make little 1″ diameter balls, but you can make them bigger if you like.

    5.  Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, or until browned.  If you plan to reheat for another day, or simmer the meatballs in sauce for service, you can shorten the cook time by a few minutes.

    Enjoy with some pasta marinara and bread for a great meal.

     


  5. Woof! Woof! Reading Dog Books

    February 19, 2014 by admin

    IMG_1512Somewhere along the line, we started reading ‘Dog Book’ stories to Bluey.  It might have started with  The Incredible Journey, which we enjoyed after viewing the movies.

    We now have a bonafide tradition of reading dog books over breakfast and lunch-  we read just a few pages (maybe 10) at each meal.  It gives us a chance to mellow out in the middle of the day and prepare for whatever adventures our afternoon may bring.

    We go through quite a few books.  On average, it takes us about 2 weeks to finish one.  So there seems like there is always a new story to begin.

    We enjoy these books because we love animals.  Most of the stories go into some detail about animal care and animal illnesses and that helps spark conversations about the animals in our world.

    Here are a few of our favorites from the past year:

    Clarence the TV Dog:  This funny, upbeat book from Patricia Lauber covers the antics of a TV loving pup growing up in the 50’s.  We love Clarence’s  many adventures, and how he always seems to be a step ahead of the people who try to reign him in.

    Animal Ark:  It is a series set at a veterinary clinic in Wales.  The series revolves around the vets’ daughter Mandy and her friend James, who have a knack for finding lost animals and solving animal related mysteries.  With its vet clinic setting, these books contain tons of real world info about all sorts of animals.  And the recurring cast allows us an easy starting point at the beginning of each book.IMG_1514

    Star-Dog:  Star Dog took us in a different direction: science fiction!  With aliens and government agents afoot, we were able to explore a whole new genre while using our dog book theme.

    We are about halfway through our stack of dog books, gleaned from shops and book sales over the years.  We are having a great time with them.  It is so much fun to explore the many worlds of these stories.


  6. Bang On The Drum All Day

    February 16, 2014 by admin

    Occasionally, Bluey will say,  “You know where we haven’t gone in a while? The Guitar Store.”  So we immediately begin scheming on when we can get there.  When it’s too cold out in the winter, or too hot out in the middle of summer, or generally anytime we’re looking for a fun place to go, we know we can head for the ‘Guitar Store’ and have a great time.

    For us the ‘Guitar Store’ is our local Guitar Center, and we love going because they encourage all people to play with the instruments to test them out.  And that’s a lot of fun.

    You can imagine the look on Bluey’s face the first time we walked into the drum room (he was probably 2 years old) and the person behind the counter said: “Do you want some drum sticks?”IMG_1480

    “Yes, please!”

    Bluey loves pounding out some beats on the drum sets.  He loves crashing cymbals, deciding which one makes the sound he most wants to hear.  The store has several sets of electronic drums, along with kongas, bongos and djemopes.  It allows him to explore a whole world of new sounds.

    Bluey also loves the soundproofed acoustic guitar room with its beautiful collection of guitars, mandolins and ukuleles.  And the keyboard section.  And searching for the perfect electric guitar…

    Each section of the store is filled with musical instruments to test out.  It’s a musical wonderland.

    And when we get home, he wants to bust out his own musical instruments and see what he can do.

    So if you are a sensing a little boredom, and need to get out of the house, find your local ‘Guitar Store’ and see what they offer.


  7. Winter Biking

    February 14, 2014 by admin

    It’s the middle of the afternoon on a recent, bitter-cold winter day.  Schools have been cancelled in our area due to the extreme weather.  What does Bluey want to do this afternoon?

    “Let’s go for a bike ride!”

    Our young rider doesn’t let snowy landscapes and subzero temps keep him off his bike.  And why should he?  We see people riding all winter in our town, so he knows it can be done.  And we spend our springs, summers, and falls biking all over- so he knows how much fun biking can be.IMG_1301

    He has heard our winter mantra many times (borrowed from the Norwegians): There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.

    So we saddle up.  Bluey dons his snowsuit, finds his best mittens and a hat.  He wraps a scarf around his neck while I loosen his bike helmet straps enough to fit over his hooded, hatted head.

    We grab the dog and we’re off.

    The trip doesn’t last long- after all it is pretty chilly out.  But Bluey gets a chance to ride and to explore his neighborhood some more on a day when few people are out and about.

    There are some icy patches to remind us that there’s more to winter biking than dressing right—some sections of the sidewalk are a bit treacherous.  But we have a fun jaunt around the neighborhood, and head home for hot cocoa.

    Polar vortex, arctic blast- no matter.  We’re going on a bike ride.


  8. Fruity

    February 12, 2014 by admin

    IMG_1484It can be hard to afford or find decent fresh fruit in the winter.  What to do?  Our kids devour fruit, so not having it in the house for a stretch of time is just not an option.  And though we stock up on dried fruit, it just doesn’t have the same appeal as biting into cold, juicy fruit.

    And then we discovered frozen fruit!  Our kids’ favorites, thus far, are blueberries and strawberries.  Bluey and Plum will dump a serving into a cup and snack on the frozen pieces with delight.  The price isn’t bad (check for Target coupons) and there is always supply and variety available, regardless of the season.

    Tip: You can easily find organic frozen fruit.

    You can also incorporate frozen fruit into recipes for baked goods and smoothies.  Our all time favorite is to use it to create a syrupy topping for our weekend pancakes.  Dump two cups of frozen fruit into a saucepan with about 1 cup of water and ¼ cup sugar (some fruits, like Raspberries, are a bit more tart- you might need more sugar, so adjust to your taste).  Simmer on low heat, occasionally adding more water depending on your desired consistency.  Yummy!

    Check out frozen fruit as an option to supplement your fresh fruit grocery shopping and forget about the bpa lined can!


  9. Great Reasons To Buy Girl Scout Cookies

    February 9, 2014 by admin

    Maybe you’ve been eating them your entire life.  Or you already have a connection to pick up a few boxes this year.  Maybe you can’t tell a Trefoil from a Pecan Sandy. (Hint: The Pecan Sandy tastes like Pecans.)girl scout cookies

    Regardless, here are some very good reasons to buy Girl Scout Cookies this year:

    1. They are super-delicious!  How do they taste so good?  We’re not sure.  But we suspect a mix of magic and top-secret formulas.

    2. A bunch of them are Vegan!  Thin Mints, Thanks-A-Lots, Lemonades. and Peanut Butter Patties are vegan!  And all of the varieties are kosher!  So buy a few boxes.  Also, the Girls Scouts are testing out a Gluten free variety this year- perhaps your local troop is carrying it?

    3.  Purchasing cookies sends a clear message that you won’t be scared off from delicious snacks by a bunch of wrong-headed anti-choice people!

    4.  They go great with Beer!  Who needs a better reason than that?

    5.  They have a Cookie Locator!  Or use your smart phone to track down the nearest cookies!

    We love Girl Scout cookies!  What’s your favorite?

     


  10. Netflix

    February 7, 2014 by admin

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    This TR Family has a tendency to end up at the finish line well after most people are already celebrating.  We take out time.  We wait until we are ready.  We are methodical and like nothing better than closely examining all aspects of any decision.

    So it is only this year (2014) that we join the vast majority of our friends in saying goodbye to cable TV.  We couldn’t be happier with our change to internet TV via Netflix.  And for those that are still debating the switch, consider the following:

    • We now have an extra $75 per month.  Seventy Five dollars.  It is a ton of money for our budget conscious family.
    • You will never have to watch another commercial.
    • You aren’t tied to any viewing schedule.
    • There is no contract.
    • You can set up separate lists for each member of the family, making it easier for each person to find an enjoyable and appropriate selection.

     

    We have had a very positive experience moving to Netflix.  But it might not be for everybody. We suppose that if you are sports obsessed, you might not be happy with it.  Netflix doesn’t offer “live” programming.

    Also, since using Netflix there’s always something you like on TV, this means you can’t use ‘there’s nothing good on’ as your primary reason to turn the TV off and do something else.  So you may need to find new reasons to limit TV time for your family or yourself.  We suggest a simple: “That’s enough TV for now, let’s do something else.  Your shows will still be available later.”

    Give Netflix a try.  You can always go back to cable.  But we bet you won’t!