The first proof-of-life photos to ping my phone were of rowdy looking macaws. They peered down from coconut trees, their blue feathers trailing, as if they owned the place. Like a couple of dodos, Nate and I texted Alex and asked if he was at the zoo. “No, I’m in Brazil,” he said. Of course… Continue reading Saúde, Alex! Caipirinha Celebration
When Pepper Pandemonium Strikes, Make Avocado Toast
Pesky pepper plants are popping out peppers all over the place at the Fixin’ Leaks and Leeks headquarters. And Nate, one of the MVPs of the Fixin’ Leaks and Leeks team, is picky about his peppers, pickling them immediately so as not to miss out. He purposely plants banana peppers and pickles them—and I can’t… Continue reading When Pepper Pandemonium Strikes, Make Avocado Toast
The Hot Seat: Chair Yoga
Have a seat. Now grab your toes and lift your legs in opposite directions, gently folding them around your head. Breathe. Use your core to resist falling face-first onto the floor. Welcome to chair yoga, sports fans. Okay, not really, but I did view quite a few chair yoga videos to ensure I didn’t get… Continue reading The Hot Seat: Chair Yoga
This and That Pasta Salad
Also known as “lil’bita,” this pasta salad lies dormant in our house for years until it just pounces to life with a lil’bita this and a lil’bita that. (Yes, I realize that “lil’bita” sounds like a rapper’s name: someone who’s either a little bitter (who isn’t, these days?) or a little bita extra outrageous. I… Continue reading This and That Pasta Salad
Craft the Heck Out of an Empty Jellybean Jar
The craft alarm made a thwiping sound today that sent wild rabbits—and probably the neighborhood bear—tearing through backyard kiddie pools on a rampage. But the noise was warranted: I needed to peel the “jellybean” labels off my empty plastic jar, and they were on there, good and tight. Seriously, it was so hard. It took… Continue reading Craft the Heck Out of an Empty Jellybean Jar
Recipes from the Morgue: Halloween in July-August
The morgue is looking tasty—said no one, ever. Except maybe the day I filmed my very own horror cooking “show!” Yep. I can cross “become a horror chef” off my bucket list, for now. Here’s how it all went down: I joined the Horror Writers Association. I found an online volunteer form soliciting videos/panels for… Continue reading Recipes from the Morgue: Halloween in July-August
Meet Me by the Shrub
Woot! Woot! We’re shrubbin’ and clubbin’ here at the Fixin’ Leaks ‘n Leeks Headquarters—which potentially sounds really bad according to some random online dictionaries/searches I’ve just done, but this is what I mean: I’ve just cranked up the Yacht Rock station on Pandora, and I’m making a shrub of strawberries, sugar, and vinegar. And yes,… Continue reading Meet Me by the Shrub
Nervous Beakdown: Identifying Birds in the Yard
Dive-bombing birds are ruining my productivity. They’re flitting about with their feathery tail feathers, buzzing past my ears, and just looking so darn cute, I can’t stand it. How am I supposed to get any reading done in the backyard? And there is so much hot-girl summer reading to do. So, I’ve decided to take… Continue reading Nervous Beakdown: Identifying Birds in the Yard
Sip, Snack, Repeat
If you need beer-snacking accessories, steady yourself and maybe grip the wall for support: they’re in the bookstore. I’m not kidding. That’s where I found this “beer accessory” snack container that makes a sunhat look completely unnecessary and ridiculous. Why wear a hat when your snack dish can just be one for your beer? Or… Continue reading Sip, Snack, Repeat
Bring on the Sharks: Amity Island “Jaws” Red Wine Blend
A calamity in Amity?!! Hold my wine cozy. I’m going in. Here’s what the frenzy’s all about: something full-bodied, with hints of berries—and swimmingly fintastic—is hitting liquor stores everywhere. It’s the Amity Island Red Blend “Jaws” wine by the Fior di Sole wine company in California—and if wine glasses were boats, I’d want one as… Continue reading Bring on the Sharks: Amity Island “Jaws” Red Wine Blend
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