Sam the Koala, Rescued from Australian Bush Fires

David Tree, fire fighter, found a dazed koala and gave him water from a bottle in the now infamous photo and video.

See more photos of rescued animals here.

Wildlife experts fear millions of native animals may have been killed in the firestorm.

For anyone wanting to donate to help wildlife, here is a link to the Victoria RSPCA. On the page is also a link to the Australian Red Cross, to aid human victims.

Snowball the Dancing Cockatoo

I live with two birds (budgies) and I’m constantly amazed at their intelligence, ability to play and the very distinct personalities. Snowball came onto my screen one day from a link like this, and I couldn’t get over his dancing to the Backstreet Boys. Well, put Snowball and one of my fave bands together and this is what you get. Enjoy and please leave a comment. Did you laugh as hard as I did?

Cats and Other Pets

No Meat, No Greet

Our animal companions love us unconditionally.  They don’t think about what they’ll get out of the whole deal; they just love.  Except for cats.  If they could, they’d have a written contract with terms and conditions outlining our duties.  Their terms would include napping, stetching and eating and just showing up.  Maybe they are more like humans in that regard.

Difference between Men and Women

A woman slows down behind an aggressive driver on the freeway.

A man speeds up.

Getting Older

Another day, another medical appointment.

The Magic of Fall

Pics I snapped on a walking trail. 

Fatboy Slim and Inspiration

I so get these guys!!!

Wisdom from the Simpsons

You’re not a door mat.  You’re a door prize.

-Marge Simpson

Freezing Whole Tomatoes

This time, I washed them, dried them with a paper towel, cut off the tops, set them on a cookie sheet, froze overnight, then transferred them to a ziplock bag.

When they knock together, the sound reminds me of those decorative glass balls from the 70’s.

From what I’ve read, I can run them under hot water when I want to use, and the skins will peel off easily.

Much less hassle and better than my previous attempt. (See post here)

Freezing Tomatoes: Don’ts

I have a green thumb as well as the time to nurture a garden.  All summer, I cared for my tiny plot of dirt, amazed whenever a new piece of food appeared.  There were a few hot, yellow peppers which when eaten, required minor first aid.  There were far too many lettuce plants, including a whole row of raddicio.  Pleasant to look at but, yuk.  Who likes that stuff anyway?  There were herbs:  garlic chives, sprawling parsley plants and burgundy-colored basil.  And, there were tomatoes.

What can compare to cherry tomatoes, plucked directly from the vine and popped into the mouth?  They seem to evoke all kinds of tongue sensations from sweet to tangy to….mmm….I’m salivating just thinking about them.  I’d planted a couple of these tiny treat-bearing plants along with a handful of the bigger varieties. So when the summer ended and frost beckoned, I had to decide on what to do with the rest of the tomatoes, some still green.    

I read the web sites, learned my options and went for blanching, peeling, coring, squeezing out seeds and liquid, bagging in a ziplock bag and sucking out the air with a straw.  I wanted to do it right and enjoy delicious, garden tomatoes in my spaghetti sauce in the middle of winter. 

Big mistake.

I’d started out with around 15 tomatoes and ended up with this.

I think my mistake was cooking rather than blanching the tomatoes which resulted in more than peels being lost.  And as directed, I’d removed the juice and cores and seeds.  These unsavory bits filled a half of a big colander. 

As I sit here, covered in tomato splatter, (those suckers can really squirt, can’t they?) , I have to think, “There must be a better way.”