Tonight's dinner was fantastic ... in a way that caught me completely off guard. I mean, fantastic!!

I don't really do recipes per se ... I'll take culinary suggestion from them ... but I was going on the fly with this one. I didn't really know what to expect and I was way outside my comfort zone on this main dish. But I'm telling you, it rocked!

Chicken Sausage w/Leeks

1 package of spiced apple chicken sausage, fresh (about 5 brat-sized sausages)
1 med Vidalia onion, sliced
2 leeks, sliced
1 med granny smith apple, peeled and sliced
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
3/4 c apple cider
1 trusty, handy-dandy cast iron skillet (or whatever it is that you use)

In a couple tablespoons of oil, brown the sausages over medium heat. Remove from the pan. Add onions and leeks, sauté until softened (about 5 mins) Add apples, sauté stirring constantly until soft (about 2 mins). Return sausages to the pan. Add apple cider vinegar and apple cider and continue cooking until sausages are done and the liquid has reduced by at least half.

Plate and serve!

So so yummy, tangy and sweet Â… Mmm Mmm!
And I have some for lunch tomorrow. ;-)

My full menu:
Chicken Sausage w/ Leeks
Polenta w/ Sundried Tomato & Basil Cheese
Cauliflower & Snap Peas

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:11 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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I think I'm going to need to borrow ArmyWife's red tent for a few days. Normally, I'd say the tent is overkill for me, but this time, it might not be a bad precaution.

Last night, I was moody ... not bitchy or irritable ... Just plain moody. I have a lot on my mind and all of it just weighed with a terrible sadness.

I've been doing my best to keep it within the confines of my own personal space, but I think I've failed on a few occasions.

So perhaps today I will take with me to the confines of the tent a very comfy blanket, some pillows, and curl up in the corner with a movie sure to make me cry. Maybe I can flush out some of these demons out with a bought of overly dramatic tears brought on by just the right cinematic forumla of cheese, bullshit, and unlikely romance.

Maybe this is why I never go camping ...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:30 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 Whether physically or metaphorically, "getting away from it all" is very appealing. Just don't let the little time out become a long withdrawal.

Posted by: Lysander at July 06, 2006 10:49 AM (ShW/G)

2 Honey, we need to start decorating the tent, so people can rent it or borrow it...a cyber red tent... I think that may be the ticket. Fill it with cheezy movies, and books, candles, and lotion, and cucumber masks, a hot tub for soaking, no mirrors and comfy jammies.....

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at July 06, 2006 01:03 PM (gLfxV)

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At the risk of furthering the highly erroneous idea that I am a neat freak ... I feel the need to confess my sins of the day.

... I crevice tooled nearly my entire house ...

I pulled out all the vacuum attachments, made myself a magic wand of suction (wow, someone could go bad places with that one), snapped on the crevice tool, and away I went.

Room corners? Done
Baseboards? Done
Edges of the carpet? Done
Crown moldings? Done
Fireplace encasement? Done
Air vents? Done
Door frames? Done
Sliding glass door track? Done
Under the stove? Done
Under the fridge? Done

And then, yes ... there's more
... I dusted/cleaned every neglected thing in the house ...

All the usual stuff? Done (duh)
Chair rail? Done
Stupid inset wall panels? Done
Evil decorative wood going up the stairs? Done
Banisters? Done (btw, these were the nastiest part of the whole day ... hand grime like you wouldn't believe!)

If my room werenÂ’t still so cluttered up, I'd think I'm turning a little OCD. I'm telling you, today was a scary day ...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:07 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I've spent some time lately explaining to a newcomer in this realm the hows and whys of my thought processes and actions. It got me to thinking about my time in New York and how much my mom just didn't understand about me.

It was Fleet Week. What girl doesn't love fleet week? Men in uniform ... YUM!

In our planning, the Fleet Week events and visiting ships kept getting pushed out farther and farther. I kept emphasizing to my mom that attending events and/or visiting the ships was something I really wanted to do. She did the "ok ok, we'll get to it" that we've all heard before.

Finally she got so frustrated by my daily insistance that she burst out with, "you lived in San Diego for six years, haven't you seen enough? Is there something you need to see that you don't already know about?"

And there was her mistake ... She only heard the what and she didn't understand the why.

I stopped her on the corner and had her look across the street. I said, "Do you see those two people right there? They are the reason I want to go to Fleet Week. They are the reason I need to go to Fleet Week. And they are the reason I think we should go to Fleet Week."

Those two people were anti-war protestors passing out stickers and shouting to people about their negative messages as they passed by.

But she still didn't get it ... so I continued ...

"Mom, the people getting off the ships are going to see these people and who knows how many more people like them. Some of them are probably being 'welcomed' home by these messages ... by messages that are as least supportive as they could possibly be ... toward people who get shot at, blown up, and witness death as a job.

When they get home and its just them and their thoughts, is that what you want them to think about? That the only people who took the time to recognize them and their efforts were the people against them? Because I promise you, there aren't nearly as many people openly saying 'thank you' or 'job well done' or even 'glad to have you home' as there are these disgraceful ones.

The people getting off these ships aren't going to see that tattered flag you have tied to your second car's antenna or that magnet you keep intending to buy but just haven't gotten around to yet. But what they will see is you clapping your hands at one of their concerts or shows, or touring one of their ships, or learning about their equipment. They will see you taking an interest when you show up to Fleet Week. They will see that there are still Americans that believe in their purpose and their mission. They will see that the pride they have in themselves is also found in the people they represent ... because you took the time to show up.

They might not say anything about it to anyone else, but how do you feel when you put together an event and no one shows up?"

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:30 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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My day certainly did not turn out at all how I had intended it to.

My original plans were to go with two friends and join the masses of tourons (tourists, to those of you who aren't local) for fireworks on The Mall. Last night, my girl called and cancelled on me. I called this morning to try to talk her into it but she wasn't having it. So, since she was bummed, I said we'd hang at her place. She wasn't having that either. Well shit ... these two were damn near the only ones in town and they were bailing on me. WTF?

Instead ...

I had Mexican food, rolled in some dirt, almost got killed, bleached the crap out of my kitchen, had Japanese food, discussed vaginas, and THEN got to watch fireworks. more...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:05 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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This is still one of my favorite holidays...

I miss the days as a kid when I would wake up early and watch the parade, making sure to get a good candy catching place right on the curb, then going to the local park and having a big neighborhood BBQ & picnic, playing with squirt guns and water balloons all day to stay cool ... of course having a good fireworks spot claimed earlier in the day with a couple of blankets on the hill above the baseball diamond ... because the fireworks were always the best part ...

It was our day of independence from our parents in some ways. We got to be kids all day, we had our own blanket strategically separate from theirs, and no one looked at us crosswise for it all day. We felt like grown ups for a day, I guess.

So go out and enjoy your picnic, BBQ, local get together, or whatever festivities you have planned.

I'll be having a beer, mulling over my memories, waiting for the fireworks ...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:35 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Finally ... someone has some sense ... Supreme Court Issues a Stay for Cross on San Diego City Property

It sure as hell isn't the idiot trying to get the cross taken down though. I mean seriously ... the cross is part of a war memorial ... are you really going to pull the whole separation of church and state thing? Cuz other than that argument, you've got nothin, Buddy.

You don't like the cross? Don't look at it.

And how long are you going to push this battle? The city has been having political and financial trouble for how long now? If you cared about your city, you'd help them sort it all out. Instead, you're using it to your advantage to try to get your pet project through. Guess that means you don't get to complain about anyone else doing that again, now do you?

I say again ... if you don't like the cross ... Don't look at it.

Thank you, Supreme Court, for having some sense.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 06:03 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I know I'm not exactly a demure little kitten, but seriously?
I think this is off ...

You Are 28% Lady

You tend to make up your rules of etiquette, throwing all conventions aside. And while you try to be a lady (sometimes), your behavior is often quite shocking.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 03:20 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Seems that I'm pretty late to the party on this one but I'll write about it anyway ...

I love to walk through the wine section of my local store, sometimes because I feel the need for a bottle or two and sometimes because I just love to laugh at the crazy labels people are putting on things these days.

Tonight, this one caught my eye:

From their bottle (and site Jarheadred.com):

Jarhead Red is a wine made by Marines, for Marines, at Firestone Vineyard on CaliforniaÂ’s Central Coast. Net proceeds from the sale of this wine benefit the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which provides educational assistance to children of U.S. Marines, with special attention given to children of fallen Marines. (www.Marine-Scholars.org)
Adam Firestone – CAPT USMC 1984-91 (Winegrower)
Ruben Dominguez - SGT USMC 1979–84 (Vineyard Foreman)

Besides, everyone needs to have a little table wine laying around. And getting your buzz on while doing your part to help out the Marines just makes it that much more rewarding.

Jarhead Red is available for sale online to: CA, CO, ID, IL, IA, MN, MO, NV, NM, ND, NY, OH, OR, TX, WA, WV, WI & WY (states not listed may have local retailers instead)

I'll let you know how I like it once I pop the cork later this week ...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:20 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I finally got a picture of my dad's OTHER $1500 mistake ...

Meet Ringo:

(click to enlarge)

I suppose he's kinda cute ...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:02 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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I was reminded recently ... against my will, in fact ... about what perception really means and how powerful it can be.

... it is a personal truth ...

... it is an intimate reality ...

... it is the thin veil of belief under which we grow to live our daily lives that keeps us generally happy and content ...

but things can change and that veil can be lifted
and we don't always like what we see
yet, there remains another veil through which the light of the world is filtered
and enters a new perspective that we must learn to find comfort in

... but is truth ever really revealed?
... if its not, does it really matter?

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:40 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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My thoughts on this movie can be summed up in one word - Perfect.

It fulfilled its intended purpose with authenticity and a sense of genuine reality; it revealed the experience, ordeal, excitement, and doubt of war through the eyes of the warfighter. Not just through the eyes of the warfighter but through the personal thoughts and existence of these warfighters. These men shared themselves with the audience in ways most friends and neighbors never would.

The film didn't take a political stance on the war. It served as the vehicle for these personal truths to be shared with those of us that will never honestly know or understand what war is really like. We, as viewers, should feel honored and privileged to be given such insight.

I think that this movie should be seen by everyone who has an opinion on the war in Iraq or our troops that are serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

I'll say again - this film is simply perfect and a treasured diary.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 10:32 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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In a random pick me up tonight ...

I popped a button open on my shirt with my boobs (by accident, of course!)

Thanks, Girls! That was a nice physique-related ego boost.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:27 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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TONIGHT!!

Friday, June 30

5:10 7:35 9:50

E Street Cinema**
555 11th Street NW
Lincoln Square Building
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 452-7672

View the trailer here

Go out there and show these guys that what they have to say is important and we are listening.

**Entrance on E Street between 10th and 11th Street
100% metro accessible from the Blue, Green, Orange, Red and Yellow lines at the Metro Center and/or Gallery Place/Chinatown metro stops

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:08 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Yo Toeny!

Why don't you take a little walk ...

I thought I made it clear the last time ... I don't wanna see any of you or your crew around here again.

And you tell your goon Phoot-fungus I'm on to his laundering scheme too.

Capice?

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:28 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Dudes ... a quick hint here ... Mr. Josh Turner has a song that is exactly the kind that gets to me. Those Brad Paisley lyrics last week were mighty fine too. Call it campy, call it cheesey, call it whatever you want ... it still makes me smile ...

...and if you've got a problem with that, I'll punch you in the kidneys

Listen to it at CMT (not firefox friendly)

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:46 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Just how is it that every time my dad comes to town, I end up doing his laundry? And not just laundry, but his underwear!?

I swear its like he only has the three pair that came in the pack together from Kmart ...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:03 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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ATTENTION DC BLOGGERS:

The War Tapes screening has arrived!!
"ItÂ’s the first war movie filmed by soldiers themselves on the front lines in Iraq."
"These soldiers got the story the 2,700 embedded reporters never could."

Friday, June 30
11:40 2:25 5:10 7:35 9:50
E Street Cinema**
555 11th Street NW
Lincoln Square Building
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 452-7672

Get out there, go see the movie, and support the people who lived the story. It will only show for one week ... With that many showings, you've got no excuses, so DON'T MISS IT.

View the trailer here

**Entrance on E Street between 10th and 11th Street
100% metro accessible from the Blue, Green, Orange, Red and Yellow lines at the Metro Center and/or Gallery Place/Chinatown metro stops

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:32 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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11:06 PM
me: well I'll do my best to keep you readers happy
just don't let me get bored, I start blogging about obscure things

reader: hey, it's all about substance

me: like cadavers or how terrible sex with socks on is

11:07 PM
reader: depends on what kind of socks

me: if they are socks, they suck
end of discussion

11:08 PM
reader: whatever, you're telling me there's no difference between ankle socks that get your feet and big ass tube socks that go halfway up your leg?

--------------------------------------------
I never got to finish this conversation, so I'll defend my position via blog ...

Having sex with socks on sucks. Period. SUCKS! Suck suckity suck suck sucks. I don't care how great the sex is, wearing socks just taints the whole damn experience for me.

Maybe this is just me, the person who can't stand other people's feet touching her own, but it is a huge peeve. I don't even like to wear socks during the day time, why would I want to wear them to bed? They make you all hot and make your feet get all caught up in the blankets. And then while you're having sex? That's just unnecessary friction potential and poor body ventilation.

Plus, if I'm wearing socks, my dude can't do that little thing I like ...

So you see, the type of sock does not matter. A sock is a sock is a sock. All of them evil, no matter their type.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:46 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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1 ... I'm sorry, but have to respectfully disagre....

Posted by: Eric at June 28, 2006 08:06 AM (r5XsL)

2 Cat... I am with Eric on this one. There is the hurried, half dressed passinate type ya know. and what sort of foot trick are you talking about? My Gawd woman....

Posted by: armywifetoddlermom at June 28, 2006 08:11 AM (gLfxV)

3 I'm all for half dressed ... but those socks are still coming off. And now that I think about it, I'm not so sure I want to wear socks at all ... ever ... I'm starting to think they really are evil

Posted by: Princess Cat at June 28, 2006 09:13 AM (6DzB4)

4 How does this apply to your spike-heeled boots?

Posted by: Leopold Stotch at June 28, 2006 02:25 PM (/tTif)

5 Spike-heeled boots, as well as some others, are always welcome ... and if their partner in crime, stockings, should arrive as well ... so be it ;-)

Posted by: Princess Cat at June 28, 2006 02:58 PM (6DzB4)

6 Sex with socks on ... nope no way ... Don't matter if it is that wild frenzied rip your clothes off cant wait monkey sex, the socks have to go .... Socks on .... sorta feels like you in a hurry to get the hell outta there ya know???? And then there's the whole "playin' footsies' thing .... Yeah right, just what I want ... slide my foot down and encounter ..... wool or cotton or what-have-you ... Talk about a bit of a turn off .... Or even worse, slide my hand down and hit sock at the ankle .... Nope no way nuh uh ....

Posted by: Rogue at June 29, 2006 04:06 PM (MzHB7)

7 This is just a bunch of sockist hate-speech, and I find it offensive :-P

Posted by: Harvey at June 30, 2006 02:31 PM (L7a63)

8 Well, let me put it this way.... at this point I'd settle for socks, if it meant I was getting anything at all

Posted by: Laurie at June 30, 2006 09:29 PM (gqNCk)

9 I'm with you on that, Laurie!

Posted by: FbL at June 30, 2006 10:59 PM (CQcMp)

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I had some somewhat good news fall into my lap today ...

That $1500 I dropped to bail that guy out of jail (A YEAR AGO) is finally headed back to me.

After at least 8 months of radio silence, he called me out of the blue and told me that everything was taken care of. Naturally, I was skeptical. I checked the case file online and it said essentially the same thing. All I could think was, "well, I'll be damned ... I never thought I'd see the day ... "

I am trying to figure out the karmic circle of it all though ...

Not 20 minutes before he called, my doorbell rang ... my doorbell NEVER rings. On the other side was a semi-handsome young gentleman selling coupon books ... in the rain. Generally I'm not interested - but then he mentioned the wheelchair basketball team and I didn't have the heart to shut the door. I flipped through the book and made my purchase donation.

Was that my karmic good deed that brought me circle enough to deserve this good news? Maybe. Maybe not. But karma sure did get the bail jumper's ass though ... he's got the worst case of shingles his local hospital has ever seen.

I love karma.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 07:50 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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