Treat Your Pet Right

UNSAFE for cats and dogs: alcohol, avocado, baking powder and baking soda, caffeine, chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, rhubarb, yeast dough.

UNSAFE for dogs: broccoli, potato peelings, green-looking potatoes.

UNSAFE for cats: apples, cherries, dog food, milk, peaches, plums, raw fish, raw eggs.

SAFE for dogs: apples, bananas, carrots, celery, cooked eggs, cucumber, green beans, honey, lean cooked meat, peanut butter, plain cooked pasta, plain yogurt, watermelon.

SAFE for cats: 1 TBLS or less of tuna in water, cooked boneless beef or chicken, cooked eggs.

Info gathered from monthly PUBLIX mailer.

2nd Generation Christmas Cactus

3 years ago, I took a little snippet of my Grandmother's Christmas Cactus on Christmas day, wrapped it in a moist paper towel, returned to Atlanta 2 days later, placed snippet in soil.

After being dormant for the first year, my Christmas Cactus is now a beautiful addition to my plant family.While it is not the oldest or youngest of my collection, the votes are in and my Christmas Cactus has won the "most sentimental" position.

Place in sun (outside in summer/window in winter), water only once soil is completely dry, requires patience. Remember - if it is green, it is alive.

Now Available via USPS

If you would like to reach me via the United States Postal Service, please note that mail is only checked twice a month.

MAIL IS CHECKED DAILY DURING THE MONTHS OF DECEMBER AND JULY DUE TO THE HEAVY VOLUME OF CHRISTMAS AND BIRTHDAY CARDS. 

IN FINE PRINT
SENDER BEWARE!

Black Flats & A Rockin' Scar

While not being exactly the most graceful lady, I try to stick with my "sophisticated and professional" shell at work.  Yesterday I was meeting with a client and felt cute as a button in my black pant suit, new little black flats, grey silk cami, and my long strand of pearls (my nails looked fab too).  My client, whom I have known for 3 years, says, "what happened to your foot?"  I giggled and with a bit of hesitation said, "well..I was at my parents house for Thanksgiving, was sitting by the fire with my sisters, got a little carried away and kicked the firepit."  With a giggle and smirk of his own he replied back with THIS, "You know Martha Jane, you are put together, you are a good lookin' girl, but you are a bit of a Tom-Boy, aren't you?"  I was taken back for two point two seconds, and then realized, that maybe he was right...I have heard something similar before. 

I walked away from my presentation feeling not only good about my black pant suit, new little black flats, grey silk cami, and long strand of pearls - I now had an accessory unique from any of the other stylish 20/30 somethings in my office - I, Martha Jane Cute as a Button Walker, had a rockin' scar, and a story to go along with it.

Mama's Banana Bread

AN EASY RECIPE
Baking banana bread is routine in my kitchen during the fall and winter seasons, however, it reminds me so clearly of my parents home during the weeks leading to Christmas. I will hold on to and continue the tradition of having banana bread and coffee cake (recipe to come soon!) as a sure indicator that Santa is coming! My mama would work all day on these two desserts...she would make MANY and would wrap each one individually and place them in the dinning room.  Each morning (afternoon or night) the family could nibble on her wonderful holiday desserts or she would give them to neighbors/friends who stopped by our home during the season.  My condo in the city feels like home, now as an adult, with the same smells I had as a child... 

1 ¼ Cup of flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sugar
2 bananas, mashed
1 tsp. baking soda
½ cup cooking oil
½ tsp of salt

Sift together dry ingredients in bowl.
Add eggs and oil
Fold in mashed bananas
Pour into greased and floured 9x5x31/2 inch loaf pan

Bake at 350 for 1 hour

Makes 1 Loaf

HINT:  Santa enjoys banana bread!  Leave a slice by the fireplace on Christmas Eve...

2009 Christmas Card

I ordered my Cards from an online company http://www.tinyprints.com/.  I highly recommend this company for the ease of ordering and quick delivery...3 business days!

My Roommate

LYLA

also known as:
Monk Monk
Baby Monk
Lyla Monk
Lyla Pants

Baby it's Cold Outside

43 degrees with a wind chill of 37, Ben and I bundled up, hopped on bikes, and set out for a Saturday adventure.



Cruising through Centennial Park, we stumbled across ESPN's Game Day for the SEC Championship game played at the Georgia Dome.

A few blocks away...Atlanta Christmas Parade.

A shout out to Tiger...

The Westin Peachtree Plaza in the background still unrepaired from the Tornado of March 2008

The best way to travel...

Perched by the CNN Center

This float made me think of the little men in my life (Walker, Henry, John Lawrence, and Mac)

Our beverages inside the CNN center while listening to Ben's Florida fan attire critique : Results were equal to if not worse than their perfomance on the field.

I fell in love with carrots

Last weekends visit to Dekalb Farmers Market. Visual Stimulation at its best.

Instead of the routine visit to your local grocery, try your local farmers market for a leisurely stroll through the not so typical produce section... Great prices, beautiful produce, and your next love awaits...

I fell in love with carrots.

Grilled Cabbage

I fell in love with this recipe from a recent camping trip to Red Top Mountain. I make this dish almost weekly.

• Cut cabbage into half and then quarter
• Place each piece of cabbage on individual square piece of tinfoil
• Wrap with bacon
• Dab 1 tbsp of butter onto cabbage
• Dash hot sauce to taste (I use Texas Pete and use approx 1 tbsp)
• Sprinkle with Garlic Salt
• Wrap each quartered cabbage into tin foil pouch and place on grill, high heat, until softened (30 mins usually)

I usually cook the whole cabbage and save leftovers for snacking the next day! Delish!

Planting in November

One of my favorite things to do while home, is most certainly, gardening. One generally thinks gardening requires having a large area for planting - I on the other hand have to work with an area that is 5x8 feet. Challenging, yes. Successful, YES! I live in an 800 square foot condo in Midtown, Atlanta, thus, requiring me to do all of my gardening in pots on my balcony.

My recent planting includes:

Savoy Cabbage

Red Cabbage

French Thyme

Cilantro

I start by mixing organic compost from a local nursery, Farmer D's (pictured above). I mix 50/50 with potting soil. Cabbage grows extremely well when planted with a leafy herb like thyme (I like Lemon or French Thyme), parsley, cilantro. I have planted the Savoy cabbage with French Thyme and Red Cabbage with Cilantro, both in 2 gallon pots (I will move into 5 gallon pots once they have matured).

I love these tags! I bought them at Target during the Spring in the $1 section. Great way for your guests to know what delightful treats you have planted without having to ask (if you know me...I do not mind telling)! - Be my guest!

Photos of Potpourri

• A note worthy question asked by my sister, "If you use a pot normally used for cooking, does the potpourri leave a residue that can be tasted in future cooking?" I did not expericence any problems with residue.
  

Homemade Potpourri

Make use of what you have. Today I made potpourri for the first time. Simple and rewarding. Below you will see what I used from left over breakfast, garden, and unused items in my pantry. Bring the season into your home by creating your personalized potpourri (and aromatherapy).

Bringing in Thanksgiving Potpourri
Orange peels (1 orange)
Grape fruit peels ( 1 half)
4 Cinnamon sticks ( I bought 1/2 lb for $.88)
3 sprigs of French Thyme
3 cups of water

Put ingredients in pot on stove at medium heat. Allow to simmer. Once water reduces, feel free to add more water (or apple cider) to continue enjoyment.