Caramelized Onions Made Easy

Some may argue that caramelized onions are the easiest thing to make.
I agree, so long as they are thrown into a slow cooker. Whenever I
attempt these on a stovetop, I fail due to my inability to leave
cooking food alone.

A scattering of salt and a few drizzles of olive oil is all it takes
to convert raw onions into a kitchen staple. They freeze really well,
too.

Another Oddity

Since I'm on the topic of odd, here's another one for the files.


The boy snapped this blurry picture last night before retiring to bed. Since Mingus recently chewed up the last dog bed (we used to have 3), we've been laying down old towels for the dogs. Apparently, our efforts at providing a place for them to sleep were rebuffed in favor of our laundry basket full of (formerly) cleaned bedsheets. While I'm used to this trick from the cats, it was one of those "I have to see it to believe it" moments for me in regards to Mingus, hence the boy's picture.

Mingus is a little big for that basket, don't you think?

Odd and More Odd

I had quite a scare this morning. I woke up with a jet black tongue. Even though I did take a picture, it's gross, so no visuals of said tongue from me.

It was with the utmost dread that I started doing web searches on what could be wrong. Doing a web search for "black tongue" came up with really bad things. Then, I searched "black tongue pepto bismol." Bingo.

PSA, if you've had any wine, chew a couple of Pepto-Bismol tablets, and then go to bed, you may wake up with a jet black tongue. Before I had the nerve to google what was wrong with me, I showed the boy and it made him scream "Whoa, you need to see a doctor now!", which in turn made Vespa come over and start licking his face. Who needs coffee on a morning like this?

The worst part of my newly black tongue is that it could last for a few days. Seriously? Am I not supposed to open my mouth in the next few days? I look like a lizard mutant.

The more odd piece of news I have is Rear Gear. Yes! A "Mr. Brown Eye" cover for pets! I'm somewhat tempted to crochet something like this for Mingus or the cats, but then I think about the logistics (will I have to wash it after each use? who wants to wash that?) and I decide against it. But if you're feeling saucy, you should craft one up, put it on your pet, and then send me a pic!

Pressure Cooker Beef Stew

At the opposite end of the spectrum from slow cooking is super duper speedy pressure cooking! I made this recipe today and it tasted as if I had stewed the meat on low heat all day long. Since I added quartered potatoes, which in retrospect should have been whole potatoes, there is no picture. The potatoes turned to mush and made a very unsavory looking (but savory tasting!) dish.

Anchovies and oil cured black olives (please, no watery black olives from a can) in a beef stew was a revelation. I'm such a salt fiend!

The Plume is Gone

Mingus's tail spent quality time with the Furminator. He's upset that I took away his plume. However, I don't like to vacuum said plume on a daily basis. Rip the bandaid off fast, I say.

Don't call him "rat tail," not even as a joke.

Unexpected Sheep

I am watching a wacky car race, and up pop the sheep. Too bad I left
my shears and spindle at home!