I do know how to use the kitchen

You're just going to love this one. In the mood for some Italian/Mediterranean cooking one night. Went looking for a recipe for Stuffed bell peppers. As you may have guessed, I didn't find one to my liking. One started with the phrase "In the microwave". So being a bit of a cook I threw this together. I hope you like it.
 I used 3 bell peppers totaling 6 servings for this dish and did have some extra stuffing when all finished. Most measures are guestimates, as I don't really measure out, more on the waves of dash n pinch of... 

3 bell peppers, mix up the colors

7 oz Ricotta cheese

1/2 lb Italian sausage (I use ground sausage)

1 white onion chopped

2 cloves garlic minced

1 egg

1/2 cup orzo prepared (al dente) I always did want to use that word in a sentence

1 cup chopped fresh spinach

1 tsp basil (more or less to taste)

1/2 tsp thyme (more less to taste

1/2 tsp salt

1tbs oregano

black pepper to taste

2 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)

2 tbsp marinara sauce for color

stuffing:

In a skillet on med heat cook onion with garlic till onion is translucent add sausage stir occasionally till sausage is browned. Be preparing the orzo as the sausage browns. In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, spinach, basil, thyme, salt, oregano 1/2 of the mozzarella, orzo, black pepper. Add to this the onion, garlic and sausage, stir till well blended. I did add marinara sauce to the stuffing for color. 

remove stems cut peppers in half top to bottom, remove seeds and ribs. Set the pepper halves cut side up on a baking pan (cookie sheet) fill the peppers. Preheat oven to 325* bake peppers for 20 minutes covered. Add the rest of the mozzarella topping each pepper half. Cook an additional 10 mins. 

ps this has been a sort of experimental recipe, for "softer" peppers, cook a little longer, or increase the heat to 350*

Goes well with what is known in my family as a Cindy salad. Romaine lettuce, apple or pear slices, pecans or pine nuts. I did add  green olives and spinach,  dashed with Balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Now is your chance to try Merlot (no silent letters) wine.  I think this would have been the perfect time to use endive, instead of lettuce. Have seen endive in the produce but never thought to buy any. We'll save that for another post.

X's or O's

     Now I don't want to hash over this hashtag to much. I was just thinking and though I never have used a hashtag I was wondering if perhaps I was missing something. You the new stuff is always last to land on my desk. So making the long short, I did some research. Wikipedia totally confused me as to what a hastag was, Twitter help did nothing to clear up the situation. Now I did have an idea, that the hashtag was to send messages and what not; but I was at a loss as to how one uses it, know where to put it, what to put it on, etc... So, anyhow, I came across a blog that within 2 paragraphs told me more than those other 2 combined.  As it turns out, yes, the hashtag makes a link of the words after the # (sorta like when Prince became sign) I'm just trying to keep up with the technology of today. They were always tic tac toe boards to me. You know my generation, the "cell phone" was a couple of empty soup cans and a string connecting them.

Wikipedia

Tigers not Lions or Bears

So the comparison is Bengal vs Siberian.
Not to seem "racist" but I think all tigers look alike. Is there a difference besides the local?
One would have to assume there is a difference, the Siberian obviously has longer fur.
One thing does come to mind, is the stripe pattern like a finger print?
Scenario A) police station, accused tiger is detained, while being 'booked' has to give a body print.
     What tiger mauled him, Bengal or Siberian? Does it really matter?

The Bengal Tiger

Neo and Aries

The "bright" one with glowing eyes. Knows he's a house cat and doesn't realize he has claws, instead he insists on biting.

The other, thinks he's a tiger (bengal) is all goofy, won't leave the other cat alone and is for all his cuteness a real jerk. 

opposable thumbs

and after the cheezeburger he's gonna drive to the redlobster.

its not yours its mine

OK for those who don't know this, when your cat nuzzles or rubs against something, anything, it belongs to the cat. Aries owns me, my desk, my chair, my bed, basically everything here is his.

Bud wink

little Bud wink,  he is so cute, sits to sleep on the coffee table, loves his chin and belly rubbed, follows me around the place.  Think this is gonnna work out great, such a lovely little kitty, Aries is his name (aka bud, littel buddy, yea I used to what gilligans island, bud wink... love ya :)

Aries, the real thing

Well last night being the first night here I guess he was a bit nervous.  Didn't want his picture taken, tonight seems to be a little more at ease and layed back.  So (drum roll please) here is my friend Aries.  Only been here one day but as I can tell he has a good demeanor and is quite playful.

I did tell you I was gonna get a cat, just happened sooner than I thought

get to know me

Meet Achilles, as his grave stone implies, "the greatest cat that ever lived. (daughter made the gravestone)  Unlike the his name sake, Achilles was the single most passive, "just let it go on" of great warriars that ever walked the face of this planet. Bathing, no problem he would just look at you with this "when is this over?" look in his face.  Not declawed but the only problem that caused was the scratch marks on my neck when I picked him up to hug him.  He was just a mut, born to Molly (adopted from the shelter) and a neighborhood siamese cat. If I can quote from the John Denver song Matthew, came to be my friend.  

WTF ARE YOU SAYING?

the cat I had to give away to move into a new apartment

if you like cats you will really like this one

Diary of a Dog - Diary of a Cat

EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DIARY

Day number 180

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!

4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

Day number 181

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!

4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!

5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

Day number 182

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARY

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair ... must try this on their bed.

DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan.

DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.

DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer". More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time...

Fun Jokes & Riddles