Monday, September 14, 2009

Storm Watch 2009

From the National Hurricane Center monthly report for July:

THE 2009 SEASON IS OFF TO A SLOW START WITH NO TROPICAL STORMS OBSERVED. SINCE 1944...THERE HAVE BEEN THIRTEEN YEARS IN WHICH A TROPICAL STORM WAS NOT OBSERVED BY THE END OF JULY...MOST RECENTLY
IN 2004.
(emphasis added)

In that quiet until September year of 2004, two of the four hurricanes to hit Florida directly hit Vero Beach.

We may still be running for the hills inland swamp this year!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Bennett Weight Loss Challenge

So, over here in the world of the Bennett's we are trying to go the way of the healthy (prompted by a word from the Doctor). To inspire us along this lofty goal, we have instituted the following plan:

Bennett Weight Loss Challenge

The Goal: Mark and April are going to lose at least 5 pounds each between
September 1, 2009 and October 1, 2009.

Mark Current 243 Goal 238
April Current 180 Goal 175

The Reward:
1.If Mark loses 5 pounds, he will receive $50 (and $10 per pound for every pound lost over 5).

2.If April loses 5 pounds, she will receive $50 (and $10 per pound for every pound lost over 5).

3.If Mark and April BOTH lose at least 5 pounds, they will each receive $100 (plus the $10 per pound lost over 5 pounds).

This has prompted the use of the phrase "That [insert name of food here] is going to cost me $50 bucks"!!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry

This is a favorite Bennett Family dinner. It fits all the requirements...tasty, easy to make, most ingredents are here most of the time. This recipe has been modified for two because that is how many we cook for here.

Things you will need:
1 and 1/2 cups uncooked white rice
2/3 cups white vinegar
8 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoon soy sauce
4 teaspoons cornstarch (in 6 teaspoons of water)
3/4 cup pineapple chunks
1/4-1/2 cup pineapple juice
2 chicken breasts, in bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 green bell petter, cut into strips
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes


How it works:
1. Cook rice according to package directions.

2. Mix vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce together in a small pot. Bring to a boil. Add cornstarch mixture to other ingredients and stir to thicken. Set aside.

3.Stir-fry chicken in hot oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink in center. Add green pepper and pineapple juice; stir-fry 2 minutes or until tender-crisp.

4. Add 1/2 of the sauce from step 2, red peper flakes, and pineapple chunks; stir-fry until heated through (about 2 minutes).

When serving, put chicken mixture on rice. Use remaining sauce at the table (if it is all in with the chicken, the mixture is too soupy).

Eat Up!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Knitting gone all wrong

I tried to learn to knit a few months ago, but I am NOT a knitter. I have too many other things to do and I can't sit still that long. Today, I put the yarn in the good will pile. A bit later I was in my office and my chair wouldn't roll right, I looked around for the source and saw the yarn. All over. I mean, one end of the room to the other and all twisted around everything. And in the middle of it? The happiest cat you have ever seen. At least the cat got the money's worth out of the yarn. He has been busy with it for a few hours now. I guess this is a good warm up for kids!!

Pretty Things

I read a blog this morning that is focusing on "pretty" this week. I have a few pretty things to share too...

First...our new bedding. It was so fun to get all the pillows and everything fixed up all at once. Mom is proud of my 11 pillows (there are also 11 pillows on the bed in the mediterranean room as well).


Second...I have been craving fruit lately (I blame the medication) and I am trying to be healthy about our dinner choices. This was Sunday night dinner and it was as tasty as it is pretty.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Dash earns his keep

I was in my office and heard a lot of scurring about in the living room. I went out and Dash was sitting in the middle of the floor with little lizard legs sticking out of his mouth. He had CAUGHT the first lizard he ever met. I screamed and ran for the camera. I couldn't get any good pictures of the lizard in his little mouth, but he looked so happy. He kept letting it go and recapturing his prisoner. I got the slider door open and put Dash (with lizard in mouth) outside. It has been about 30 minutes and he still has his new pet and is terrorizing it. He has no idea how to kill it. I am very thankful the cat found the lizard before I did!!! Here are a few pictures of the happy cat.








Monday, April 27, 2009

Burbon Salmon and Purple Potatoes


We were told that purple potatoes are "in" now. So we had to try them, not wanting to be considered behind the times. Turns out they were quite a delightfully tasty side dish to our favorite salmon dish.