Family Christmas

I didn't forget, Mom! It just took me a while to decide what to say.

We had a wonderful time at the somewhat different and late Christmas gathering at my parents house on Saturday. The company was great, the food was perfect and the gifts from Mom and Dad were more than they should have been. I have already lit my Pumpkin Pie candle. It won't last long at my house.

I got to visit with Mom and Dad, with my grandfather and my uncle and with my neice. She is growing so fast and she is so full of energy! Sandi, you have your hands full! Me and Mom had a nice trip to Grenada to Walls especially to get a candle for Chris. He is so hard to buy for that when Mom heard him say he liked the scent of a candle she had, she was on it. We were out the door, in the car and heading for the dam. I hate the dam. Sorry, but I don't like driving over large bodies of water. That would cover bridges and boats, people.

We got to talk and we spent more than we should and stayed longer than we should have, but guess what. It didn't matter. Here we are and everything is fine. Chris didn't miss his game and I actually cooked dinner. We didn't eat out! I was impressed with us.

Thanks mom, for the great Christmas, yet again. I love you and Dad and it was nice to visit with you.

The Usual

I am finally at home in my comfy clothes after working all day. We had Huddle House for dinner and it was perfect. Now I can smell coffee making and I am giving my dog his nightly treats.

This dog is on such a tight schedule he squeaks. I get out of the bed in the morning and head for the shower. If he is not already awake, he wakes up when I get up and follows me into the bathroom. He has done this since he was able to walk. Then after the shower he follows me when I go put on my robe . He stands there wagging his tail until I start to go out the bedroom door. If I don't come immediately, he comes back to me, gets my attention and raises his head and front paws and quickly turns his head toward the door in a "come-on" sort of way. He knows its time for his morning treats.

I give him one, he goes and lays it down in front of the bathroom door and comes back for another. I give him another and he goes in the bedroom and lays it right inside the door. He comes back for another and takes it into Marli's room and lays it right inside the door. Then he comes back for his fourth (he always gets four and he knows this). He takes the fourth in front of the bathroom door and lays down to eat it. He comes back to me and I say the same thing every morning. "Go eat your food now". He starts at the bathroom door and goes to every place aforementioned. Then, if Chris isn't awake, he decides he needs to go out. He stands in front of the front door and lowers his head and stares at me. I am in the kitchen making my lunch and our breakfast and I can see him staring. He just stares at you intently until you start to go to the door. Then he acts like a circus poodle doing really fast 360's on the carpet til you open the door (the wooden one) He claws at the other door til you open it. Then he Superman dives off the porch and pees on the trash can, then the tire. EVERY MORNING. Same order.

He starts running back to the house when he is done and I am watching for him so I open the door and he never slows down the whole trip. He runs clear to the kitchen grabs his ball and starts growl/barking at me twisting his head (while holding the ball) wanting me to play. I sometimes throw it (if I can get it out of his mouth) and sometimes I don't. When I don't, he throws it for himself. Right over his head. Yep, he slings it over his head , waits for it to fall somewhere and surprise attacks it. He falls down on his two front paws with his little backside in the air and chews like crazy. It's always the same thing.

The coffee is ready!

Back to Walmart

We had to go to Wal-Mart here in town again tonite for yet another pack of batteries. For the "Hair Gems" machine. That place looked like it had been pillaged by the 50%-off-vikings or something else barbaric. It was a mess!

I like to look at the bath supplies (you know the ones, they only have the good bath sets at Christmas). I found the body spray bottles with no tops, some of them had no sprayers. I picked up a body wash bottle to sniff the "Gingerbread" scent and got a slimy hand because some idiot used the same hand to close the bottle that they had apparently sqeezed body wash into (probably thinking it was lotion). The only toys and electronic goodies left were obviously repackaged using scotch tape and no forethought.

You could only imagine the neanderthal-like behavior on Christmas Eve in that place! (I was in Tupelo for the pillaging, thank you very much.)

I was in our home town Wal-Mart for about an hour on Christmas Eve, though, we had to get some stocking stuffers. There was some kid in there who was obviously mentally handicapped. He was probably 12 or so. He kept following me. We went to the DVD's and there he was ogling over my shoulder while making strange giggling and/or cooing noises. I passed it off as a too crowded aisle. But then , he would take a few steps, spin like a fairy in a jewelry box and come back and "sneak-up" on me. Then we went to toys. And there he was again. Giggling and spinning. He waltzed up to me and stood there grinning, teeth shining. I looked back , but I wasn't kind. Somebody's mama needs to put them in the cart. Where was mama? Probably hiding. After I looked at him, he tilted his head and walked past me, looked back again and went around the corner. Still cooing.

Maybe I was cruel, but I wanted to get done and get the heck out of there. It was filling up fast. Every man for himself.

Nonetheless, it is over. b-r-e-a-t-h-e. I can now that we have the batteries.

We and our Wii and Other Updates

I could never give back enough to everyone who gave to us this year. I have to try though. My neighbor gave us so much from decorations (she made a wreath for my front door) to big fluffy towels. I am a scrooge, I won't lie about that. I just hate christmas because it is about who can top who. I had gotten to the point where I would just rather sit in my house and read until the whole thing was over. BUT I do have a daughter who wouldn't appreciate that.

She got to spend some time with Mimi and Papaw before Christmas on a trip to Austin , TX to see Uncle John and Aunt Stacy. They visited the Alamo, the Trail of Lights and Alvin and the Chipmunks, the movie. Uncle John, big kid that he is, had Guitar Hero 3, a big screen TV and two big fluffy dogs. Aunt Stacy gave her an Angelina Jolie hairdo. My child was in heaven. On the way home she visited with Aunt Sandi, Uncle Mark and Adeline. She and Adeline were thick as thieves the whole time. I think Adeline is accustomed to sleeping alone and rooted Marli out of the bed a time or two. It's all part of the experience. Makes for a memorable trip. Darn that Big Pooh.

She knows that we are Santa so we didn't do the usual Christmas morning surprise this year. We opened everything Christmas eve night. She got a Wii from Papaw Jerry so we went to his house first on Christmas Eve, then we came back home to open gifts here. Had to do it in that order, because WE got the games to go with the Wii. That thing is addictive, ya'll.

She got her Wii and several games. One of which she has already grown tired of so we traded it in on another one today. She got almost everything on her list. The laptop will have to wait. I found out that when your kid becomes a tween the clothes become much much more expensive and the same amount we spent on clothes last year would double and then some. Also found out that she wears a size 6 1/2 shoe. I wear a 5 1/2 so I get some serious hand-downs.

I did get a little gift money and you know me, headed for the bookstore. BTW, Aunt Sandi, Marli got the money from those already read books put on a gift card. She hasn't made up her mind yet on which book to get. I found a Phillip Pullman box set (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass). Oh, and thanks for the t-shirt! I wore it shopping today.

Also, today I got my books from paperbackswap.com in the mail. Book Three on The Lost Years of Merlin and the Life Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. I am reading The Alchemist now as well. I have about 7 different books going at once. It's bad to do it that way, but I can't help it. I have to start one when I first get it, whether I am still in the middle of another one or not. Maybe I should have bought a bookshelf instead...

I HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK TOMORROW! I won't know where I am when I get there. I have the best boss in the world . He let us have from December 21st to December 27 as a vacation. And I got a wonderful Christmas bonus to boot. A fat check and a one hour massage coupon. He's a big hearted guy.

We have one more stop to make for Christmas. Going to Mimi's and Papaw's on Saturday. I am excited about that, for sure! After that's over, it will be fireworks for New Years Eve and then no more time off til Good Friday. Better enjoy it! That's a long unvacation.

The lowdown:

Not only is he a graduate of the EMT course, he is the HONOR graduate (top of the class, baby) AND he scored the highest on the final exam. Not just for that class, but EVER. Highest score EVER scored on the final exam.

There is nothing else to say.

It's Done.

YIPEEEEEEE! ;) (Ya'll know...)

Nervous and late and it's only Thursday?!?

I am kind of nervous this morning. Marli has gone to Huntsville today via schoolbus equipped with her new Captain Underpants book and spending money. I am happy for her and I know she will have a blast, but school buses don't have seatbelts, ya'll! Only the gifted class is going so it will be a smaller group than the entire 6th grade. They will visit the IMAX theater and see all the sites. I'm sure there will be many stories to tell this evening when I pick her up.

This week is craaaawliiiiing. I was late this morning. On purpose. I just couldn't go! I tried to get up, but it didn't work. Anyways, I'm here now. Better get going.

Parade , etc.

We enjoyed visiting with my mom and dad this weekend. They came up to see Marli march in her first Christmas parade. She is doing very well on the flute. She has vowed that after the band's Christmas festivities are over she will never play Jingle Bells again (and it would be fine with me, too!) I'd better not complain too much. She could be a drummer. Or a MSU fan with a @#$% cowbell. Don't let me get started.

I would post the parade pictures if I had any. There were some taken, but they are on my father-in-law's camera in Georgia awaiting email. I took one one photo with my phone, but it doesn't do well with motion. So I'm like "She's the red smear on the right". We had fun though. Mom gave candy to the big sad eyed little boy beside us, we were right across the street from K.C's Espresso so it smelled GREAT where we were standing. It was warm out for a Christmas parade.

Thanks to my sweet neighbor, we are now the owners of a Jazzy Santa. He is wearing shades and playing Santa Claus is Coming to Town on the sax, and he bobs and weaves like Ray Charles. Best thing, HE HAS AN OFF SWITCH. That way the batteries don't have to mysteriously disappear....

About two years ago the same neighbor gave us a motion sensor Santa wall hanging. You could wave at it and Santa's eyes would slam open (yes, a slamming sound) and he shouts "HO HO HOOOOOOO, MEEEERRY CHRISTMAS!! NEVER NEVER accept something like this as a gift. You will regret it the most when you walk past it at 3:00 in the morning and have to mop up pee with your eyes closed. Also, I'm thinking it was re-gifted. Just a hunch.

Merry Chrithmath to Kith & Kin....Drumroll........

I just had to do it. I HAD to. It got in my head and I couldn't stop til I got it right. Hope ya'll enjoy! Have a moose-full of eggnog for me!!!

Okay, here's the story: It has become a tradition in our family to watch the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on Christmas, or whenever we get together for Christmas. My entire family can quote the entire movie to you backwards and forwards. For a small fee you can call 555-1234 to book us for your party and/or event!!

So I spent a good part of last night finding the right music and the right background to fit the occasion. When I think of Christmas, what you hear playing is what immediately comes into my head...followed by Clark W. Griswold's voice singing "O come let us adoooore hiiiiim...."

Happy Christmas to my Mother and Daddy, Sandi, Mark and Adeline and John and Stacey! Love you!

My Little Elvis

Blood, Sweat & AC/DC

Headed back to the gym today. It felt great! I have missed it, but I didn't realize how much until I went back. There were only 3 familiar faces! I guess alot can change in a year. I am at 118 now and my lifting weights have gone down more than 35 pounds. I stood and looked at myself in the mirror before we left. My shoulders had shrank sooo much and my traps were invisible.

I looked terrible. Burnout is a brutal thing.

Full speed ahead though! I look forward to being the only female in the gym who wishes for the scales to go UP and who doesn't think of the gym as a social gathering. Hello? Remember why you're here? Your @$$ won't get smaller because you flapped your jaws for 2 hours...

Well, there's my rant.

I am settling down with a cup of coffee and my dog (who is wrapped in his blanket) trying to forget that I have to get up at 5 A tomorrow. Again.

Holocaust Survivors Reunite with Vet

Yahoo News:

HUDSON FALLS, N.Y. - Carrol "Red" Walsh didn't know what to expect when his patrol came across a train stopped along a hillside during the U.S. Army's dash across northern Germany in the final, chaotic days of World War II.

In and around the abandoned line of freight cars milled some 2,500 emaciated and ragged Jewish prisoners from the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. There were scores of children.

"They were just jammed, crammed in there," said Walsh, a 24-year-old tank commander in April 1945.

On Friday, the now 86-year-old retired state Supreme Court judge reunited with three of the survivors of the Nazi death train his unit found near Magdeburg, about 50 miles southwest of Berlin. The train was on its way to another concentration camp.

The veteran and the survivors were to take part in a daylong program hosted at the high school in this Hudson River village north of Albany.
The reunion has its roots in a class project launched by Matthew Rozell, a history teacher at Hudson Falls High School. In the early 1990s, he created an elective course for seniors to collect stories from local veterans and post them on a Web site.

One of Rozell's students was Walsh's grandson, who told the teacher about his grandfather's wartime service. Several years ago, Rozell interviewed Walsh and George Gross, a fellow tank commander from Spring Valley, Calif.

Their account of the train liberation was posted on the project's Web site, along with black-and-white photographs taken that day by the major leading their patrol.

That's where some of the child survivors of the Nazi train, now in their 60s and 70s, found their story.

"All of this to a large degree came out of a high school project. This to me is fascinating," said survivor Micha Tomkiewicz, a Polish Jew from Warsaw who was 6 when he and his mother and uncle were liberated.
Tomkiewicz had an earlier reunion with Gross and his family. He said he's looking forward to meeting Walsh, and he credited Rozell for the reunions.

"It's pretty humbling," Rozell said.

Tomkiewicz was to be joined by fellow survivors Peter Lantos, a neurologist from London, and Fred Spiegel, an author from Howell, N.J.
Friday's program includes a viewing of "A Train Near Magdeburg," a 10-minute DVD produced by two of Rozell's students, followed by talks from each of the three survivors.

For Walsh, it will be his first face-to-face meeting with anyone from the train since he came upon them on what turned out to be their lucky day — Friday the 13th, April, 1945.

"I had almost forgotten about the incident itself, really, over the years," Walsh said. "It was almost like another day in combat. Nothing surprised me by then."

Glad That's Over

The day in Court wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! I got all my work done on time, got done earlier than I thought and held control the entire time. Whew! Don't have to do that again until January 08.

I just finished my dinner of chicken nuggets from Schmukdonalds. I eat there because it's convenient when I have to work overtime and I regret it afterwards. A good cup of coffee always settles my tummy and I feel alright again.

Oh yeah, I had a good hair day. Even though it's been rainy and cool here all day. I think I'll try on of these hot drinks and relax.

Apple Toddy

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. Apple Brandy
Hot Apple Cider

Directions:
Pour cider over brandy & garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Cider And Tequila Hot Toddy

Ingredients:

4 cups apple cider

1 cup cranberry juice cocktail

1/2 cup tequila

1/4 cup Triple Sec or other orange-flavor liqueur

Lime and lemon slices for garnish

Directions:
In a crockpot, heat cider and cranberry juice cocktail on low just until hot for 2 hours (do not let boil). Just before serving, turn on high for 10 minutes and stir in tequila and liqueur. Serve toddy in mugs, garnished with lime and lemon slices. Makes 6 servings.

Squirrrrelllll!

I forgot to mention the squirrels yesterday when I was walking! They were hysterical. Chasing each other round and round trees, screaming at each other at the top of trees, stopping right on the path puffing their back up at you wanting food. They will stare you down for a peanut!

They eat anything they can find in the trash cans. Once we saw one fall face first into the trash after a morsel.

Random

It was nice walking in the park this evening. The weather was perfect! I got some exercise and some thinking done. Walking by yourself you have to think instead of talk so other people don't leave. I made plans for tomorrow's work day. I had to! I left in a rush without finishing something that has to be ready for court by 8:30 in the morning. I get there at 8:15. Yeah.

I'm listening to Cannonball Adderley on my Last.FM music player. There's a lot of good jazz on there. They have a huge selection for all the different genres.

We had chinese for dinner tonight. dd was begging for it, but I didn't really want it. I ended up having salad and a few things from the buffet. Mostly shrimp. Which was oversalted so I will be drinking all night. Only water, though. This time.

Random

It's COLD outside this morning! COLD! I have to repeat it to myself to believe it! Finally! No more 110 degrees! No more 95 degrees in the middle of the night! I don't remember ever being so glad to see fall.

On another note, apparently we should have been eating tangerine peel all along. Click the link to read the article. We have a certain deficiency that they provide that fights cancers.

I can't get anyone up this morning. I think it might be because it's cooled off enough to actually be able to sleep comfortably. I got up late myself, but not late enough to cause a problem. I made sure that my daughter went to bed on time and I know my husband did too, but they won't budge! My dog gets up before everyone. How does he do it? Maybe I should feed them dog treats.

We live for our coffee around here, which is why when something stands between us and our cup of joe, we take action. We ran out of coffee filters. Hmmm. We have paper towels! Press one into the filter holder, fill with coffee grounds, slam that sucker into place and full speed ahead. It worked! The coffee tastes a little cardboardy, but who cares! We got coffee!

Fall Recipes

A long one, then a short one. Enjoy!

NEW ENGLAND MAPLE-APPLE CRISP

This dessert recipe features two of New England's best ingredients--apples and maple syrup. It's wonderful topped with fresh whipped cream or a little scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or, enjoy the warm, crunchy taste without the adornments (and added calories!).

Serves 6-8 people.

You'll Need:
Two Mixing Bowls
9" x 13" Baking Dish
Aluminum Foil

INGREDIENTS:
4 large, peeled, thinly sliced McIntosh apples
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup real New England maple syrup
Topping Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked rolled oats
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons real New England maple syrup
1 teaspoon almond extract

PREPARATION:
Mix sliced apples, lemon juice, cinnamon and syrup in a large mixing bowl. Mix topping ingredients in a separate bowl and set aside.
Grease a 9" x 13" baking dish, and spread the apple mixture across the bottom of the pan.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until the apples are tender. Spread the topping evenly over the apples and return the pan to the oven. Bake an additional 20 to 30 minutes uncovered at 350 degrees until topping is crisp.
Note: Top with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if you'd like.

APPLE AND CRANBERRY PUFF PANCAKES
Ingredients Batter:
3 eggs at room temperature
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
2 Tablespoons butter
Filling:
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Granny Smith apples, coarsely sliced (or 1 Rome and 1 Granny Smith)
1/2 cup cranberries, chopped
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
lemon juice (optional)
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium bowl, thoroughly whisk eggs. Slowly add the flour, whisking all the while to prevent lumps. Gradually add the milk and whisk to form a smooth batter. Set aside.
In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, then add the sliced apples, cranberries, cinnamon, and sugar. Cook over medium heat until fork tender, about 15 minutes.
In a 9-inch oven-safe pie plate, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, taking care to not burn it (or spray pan with a non-stick cooking spray). Fill the plate with the cooked apple mixture and top with the prepared batter. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until puffed and golden.
Top the pancake with a sprinkling of lemon juice, if desired, and finish off with a liberal dusting of powdered sugar. Slice into portions and serve immediately.

Serves: 2

Yaaaaawn

This day is nearly over. Thank goodness. I am relaxin with coffee and popcorn. Yeah, I know weird combination. I was starving and yawning so that seemed to be the solution. I have started using Taster's Choice Instant Coffee singles. I love those! Once you have them for a while the percolated coffee just isn't as good. Although it's hard to beat a good espresso from Java Junkies or K.C.'s Espresso.

I am having to prepare my paperwork for court on Thursday so I am swamped with that as well as the things I already have going. Once Thursday is behind me, though, things will be back to normal until the next date.

My pretty scented candle has burned down to a nub now. It was Oak and Cedar Moss scent. I liked that, but I try to get a new scent each time. I want a cinnamon one this time. I am glad the hot weather has passed and cinnamon reminds me of fall. Aromatherapy to keep a smile on my face when my mind is saying "I WANNA GO HOME!"

Pizza @ Bedtime

I did it again and it happened again.

Leftover pizza at bedtime causes crazy dreams. I know my dog can't talk, but he did last night. He told me he was joining the National Guard. I was impressed. :/ One of his buddies was joining so he was going too. I put the date on my calendar in red marker and everything (in the dream, not for real). Next time I get hungry at bedtime, I will go for oatmeal.

Injustice Served?

This is just nuts. They are sending the burger to a CRIME LAB. Haven't you always heard spilling the salt is bad luck? Maybe she should have thrown some salt over her shoulder...

UNION CITY, Ga. - A McDonald's employee spent a night in jail and is facing criminal charges because a police officer's burger was too salty, so salty that he says it made him sick.

Kendra Bull was arrested Friday, charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct and freed on $1,000 bail.

Bull, 20, said she accidentally spilled salt on hamburger meat and told her supervisor and a co-worker, who "tried to thump the salt off."
On her break, she ate a burger made with the salty meat. "It didn't make me sick," Bull told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
But then Police Officer Wendell Adams got a burger made with the oversalted meat, and he returned a short time later and told the manager it made him sick.

Bull admitted spilling salt on the meat, and Adams took her outside and questioned her, she said.

"If it was too salty, why did (Adams) not take one bite and throw it away?" said Bull, who has worked at the restaurant for five months. She said she didn't know a police officer got one of the salty burgers because she couldn't see the drive-through window from her work area.
Police said samples of the burger were sent to the state crime lab for tests.

City public information officer George Louth said Bull was charged because she served the burger "without regards to the well-being of anyone who might consume it."

Ireland

Doesn't this make you want to GO? I have always wanted to.

Then, of course, there's the ale..

Injero Bread

I found this in my almanac and thought it sounded really easy:

3 c. warm water
2 c. self rising flour
3 tbsp club soda


1. Add warm water slowly to the flour, stirring to make a thick batter (about pancake batter consistency). Add the club soda.

2. Cook half the batter a time in a non-stick pan. The bread is done when bubbles are on the surface and it is no longer wet. Turn it over for a brief searing when almost dry. Remove it to a plate and keep the breads separated with kitchen towels. Can be made up to three hours ahead and freezes well.

House Plants You Can't Kill

The following 6 houseplants pretty much grow themselves. In fact, your biggest problem my be what to do with all the baby plants they’ll produce. All 6 can be grown in the indirect light from a window and like the same indoor temperatures as most people (55 - 75 degrees F.)





1. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) Earned its name by growing under the worst of conditions, even outdoors in deep shade Prefers low lights. Grows in a clump. Leaves are sword-like, pointed, about 4" wide & 2' long. Occasionally flowers indoors. A variegated version is available with white stripes. (USDA Zones 7 - 9)


2. Christmas Cactus (Zygocactus or Schlumbergera) A trailing member of the cactus family that produces deep pink / red flowers in early winter. Seems to do its best when ignored. Can handle low light, but you’ll get more flowers in bright light. Pruning after blooming with keep the plant bushy.
You can force your Christmas cactus to bloom in December by keeping it in complete darkness for 12 hours a night, beginning in about mid-October, until buds appear. An even easier method is to subject it to cool temperatures (50 - 55 degrees F.) starting in November. Just leave it on a windowsill at home while the heat is off, because you’re at work. (USDA Zones 9 - 11)

3. Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata) & Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderian) Dracaena have long been the centerpiece of container plantings. Street plantings in towns across America feature 1 spiky dracaena stuck in the center of red blooming geraniums in a half whisky barrel. But there is actually a good amount of variety in dracaena and most make excellent, easy care houseplants. In particular, Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) which resembles a small palm tree and can reach heights of 10 ft. and Lucky Bamboo, which isn’t bamboo at all. Both have stems that can be trained to bend or spiral hin stems are topped by clusters of slender arching leaves with narrow purple margins. They grow best in bright light and if allowed to dry out between waterings. Even if allowed to wilt, dracaena will spring back after watering, although the leaf tips may turn brown. Will tolerate low light. Lucky bamboo is often grown in water, but once substantial roots have formed, it is happier planted in soil. (USDA Zones 10 - 11)

4. Mother-in-law's tongue or Snake plant or Bird's-nest plant (Sansevieria) Called Mother-in-law’s tongue because of its long, sharp, pointed leaves and because it never leaves. These are long-lived, easy care houseplants. Very tolerant of low light. Water sparingly or it will rot. Only 1 or 2 waterings are necessary indoors during the winter, depending on the humidity. Variegated forms need more light and can be more difficult to grow. There is also a dwarf variety, Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii’, called Bird’s Nest. (USDA Zones 10+)


5. Pothos (Epipremnum) One of the easiest houseplants to grow; almost impossible to kill. Trailing plants that just keep on growing, 10+ feet. Pruning the plants will keep them fuller at the base and each cutting can be rooted in water to create more plants. Pothos like to dry out between waterings, but if left dry too long, leaves with wilt and eventually dry and fall. Very tolerant of all types of light conditions, even artificial office lights. You can let them trail down or secure them to a support or trellis. There are many variegated and golden varieties available. (USDA Zones 11+)

6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Spider plants just keep on giving. You almost never see a spider plant that doesn’t have babies attached. Often grown in hanging baskets, spider plants will get 2 to 2½’ wide and 2 to 3' long. Their roots tend to fill a pot, so repotting may be necessary every couple of years. When dangling babies start to form roots, they can be cut off and planted on their own. (USDA Zones 9 - 11)


Some More Easy Care Houseplants Worth a Try :

African Violet (Saintpaulia)
Aloe (Aloe)
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)
Jade plant
Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Prayer plant (Maranta)
Rubber plant or Rubber tree (Ficus elastica)
- - - about.com

From the Farmer's Market

Bow Ties with Roasted Vegetables and Mozzarella
Serving: 8
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 3/4-inch dice
1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into 3/4-inch dice
1 fennel bulb, trimmed, halved, cored, thinly sliced
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
3/4 pound farfalle (bow ties)
1/2 cup sun-dried tomato pesto
1/4 pound part-skim mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Directions:1. Heat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss bell peppers, fennel, tomatoes, oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in a jelly roll pan or on a baking sheet. Roast for 10 minutes. Stir in zucchini and roast for 10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.2. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain.3. In a large bowl, toss pasta and pesto until pasta is coated. Add roasted vegetables and mozzarella and toss.

Nutritional Information:Based on individual serving.
Calories: 380
Total Fat: 13 grams
Saturated Fat: 3 grams
Cholesterol: 10 mg
Sodium: 280 mg
Carbohydrates: 51 grams
Fiber: 6 grams
Protein: 14 grams