We Covet Seeing Stars [Crafty Chicks and DIY Dudes Round-Up]

Check out my latest feature post over at We Covet, where I look at one of my favorite symbols: the star.

We Covet Seeing Stars [Crafty Chicks and DIY Dudes Round-Up]

Ridiculous

If "America's Dog" isn't allowed on military bases that speaks to the members of the military who have owned them, not the dog breed. Education, enforcement and prosecution work, not bans. Make it right!

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

Animal Planet on Bully Breeds.

10 Things to Know Before Adopting a Bully Breed : Animal Planet

So, I really couldn't have written this any better than they did.

Fact is, my dog doesn't like other dogs unless she knows them REALLY well.

Or they are completely submissive.

But she's worth it anyway.

Not the case for all pit bulls/bullies but always a possibility.

I know plenty who loooove other dogs.

This little collection o' tips is realistic and sensible and really should be applied to all dogs, actually.

My poor neglected pup...

Why wouldn't you want this?

SHAME ON YOU, Maryland Retailers Association

Why? Oh, because they compared a "living wage" bill (approximate increase= $2.00 per hour) to THE HOLOCAUST.

SERIOUSLY.

Here's the text of the email I sent to the Maryland Retailers Association. I suggest you do something similar in your own words.

I was seriously offended by Jeff Zellmer's statement that the Baltimore "living wage" bill would be "a Holocaust for the retail industry." Not only is that an egregiously inflated  statement AT BEST but degrading and horrifying to the millions that suffered (as well as those who survived) one of the most devastating episodes in our world's history. Your group should apologize immediately.

Regardless of your feelings about this bill, that kind of talk should not go unchecked.

Help the Hamilton Crop Circle

So they don't need much, but they are doing SO MUCH:


The Hamilton Crop Circle's mission is to provide fresh organic produce to local businesses, and integrate young people into the sustainable practices related to growing organic produce to promote a peaceful lifestyle.


They've done an amazing job with very little- mostly volunteer sweat and giving of themselves- but with a little bit of help from a few more people they could make a huge difference in this city. 

Gutter Magazine's Happy Hour

Writer? Editor? Blogger? Photographer? Next Martin Scorsese? 

Chill out with your fellow media types and meet new ones at Gutter's Media Maven Happy Hour @ the Windup Space (North and Charles) on July 14th from 5-8.

Drink specials include $3 Sierras, $3 Gin and Tonics and $3 Rapiers! 

This Sunday's Recipes

Only cooked two dishes this week but they both came out very well!

This pasta dish is a new favorite. It's the end of asparagus season and beginning of green pea season here at the Baltimore Farmer's Market so this is the perfect dish to make on Sunday night! I may mix it up next time and add a little roasted chicken or smoked salmon but it's very good and satisfying all on its own. Don't be sparing with the lemon or the vegetables!

Creamy Pasta With Peas and Asparagus
Asparagus with pasta, made with cream, chicken broth, lemon juice, rotini, fresh asparagus, fresh peas, and Parmesan cheese.

Found at About.com

Ingredients:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
12 ounces rotini pasta
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
2 cups fresh peas
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
In medium saucepan over medium heat, bring cream, chicken broth, lemon juice and lemon zest to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 2/3 cup, about 5 minutes. In a large pot of boiling, salt water, cook pasta for 7 minutes. Add asparagus and peas, bring back to a boil and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain the pasta and vegetables thoroughly in a colander and return to the pot. Add the cream sauce and parsley; toss thoroughly. Add Parmesan cheese & toss. Season with salt and pepper
Serves 4.

This next one came out well enough. I had fresh strawberries I needed to use and needed to make something for breakfast this week. I used half wheat flour and raw sugar. Also was heavier on the cinnamon. Since I'm no baker, the simpler the better.

Strawberry Bread -- a Quickbread
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
20 oz strawberries, frozen
1 cup oil
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Combine dry ingredients then mix well. Make a hole in the center of the mixture and pour all liquid ingredients into it. Mix to dampen but do not beat. Pour the batter into pans and bake for 1 hour or until done.

Found at Best Bread Recipes.

Smiling Faces of Ignorance and Hate

I was appalled this morning when I read about the latest twist in the Constance McMillen story.

A judge ruled she had the right to attend her school's prom with her girlfriend. So what was done? Oh, they held a FAKE PROM and only told her and a few other students, while the "real prom" went on at another location, organized by the enlightened parents of her classmates. There are pictures of the real prom here. See the smiling faces of ignorance (at best) and hate?

Great job, Itawamba County Schools, on preparing your children for the real world. Let's hope they never have to leave your county's borders and deal with it.

"you, the people of Fulton, Mississippi - you are the worst people in America"

18 Wal-Marts

18Wal-Marts
thanks to sugarfreak

THAT'S RIGHT. There are 18 Wal-Marts within 20 miles of 21211. So why on earth would we need one more?


For more info please read the linked article below. Wal-Mart will NOT help our community. I watched the town of Edinboro, PA lose almost all its small-town stores when the Wal-Mart moved in. We CAN prevent this.

http://sugarfreak.typepad.com/mobtownshank/2010/02/the-new-remington-walmartlowes-development.html

Interesting show...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baltimore-MD/The-Annex-Theater/48477560551

Co-CO!

Pale Force REPRESENT.