I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! (Little Known Fact)

In what could possibly be the first of a series, I’m posting a little known fact. What you see in the image is a spray container of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. The product is mostly water and liquid soybean oil. However, it’s handy and tasty for toppings and cooking. It boasts no calories and no trans fat, so basically, it’s nothing.

I’ve been doing a lot of label reading in the last few months, so while preparing dinner, I checked the label on this doozy. Here’s the little known fact:

Serving sizes:

• 1 Spray – Used in Cooking
• 5 Sprays – Used as a Topping
• Servings per container – ready for this? – 1700 for cooking.
• But only 340 if you’re using it for a topping.

I’m most certain you’ll sleep better tonight knowing that there are 1700 servings in this gorgeous yellow container. HEY! How’d you like to have the job that figured that one out?  ;-)

And now for something actually helpful:

Photo Info:

• Nikon D300
• Nikkon 85mm f/1.4 shot at f/1.4
• White Balance – Cool White Fluorescent
• ISO – 560
• Handheld in my Kitchen.

I love that little lens. ;-)

Fall Gardening – Collecting Seeds

This is the first Autumn that I’ve actively collected seeds for next year’s gardens. My Gardening Mother has been very encouraging and has collected a few for me as well. I’m still doing a little research on how to keep them through winter. It appears some seeds need to freeze in order to germinate. I’ll get back to you on that later….

Basically, the collection of seeds simply means that instead of dead-heading flowers in the fall, let them dry completely. Then collect the dried bloom and break open the center. I did this over a paper plate and let them get completely dry before storing in a paper envelope. They have to be dry so they won’t start growing mold. Once you’re sure they’re dry, place in a cool, dry place for the winter season.

So far, my list of seeds includes:

• Double Pink Coneflowers
• Cosmos
• Dwarf Sunflowers
• Cockscomb
• Becky Daisies
• Gerber Daisies
• Impatiens
• Tall Verbena
• Silky Lupine

I have faith in most of them. I know that a lot of plants will re-seed themselves. Take Cockscomb for instance…it comes up EVERYWHERE! Plus, it survives the hot & dry Oklahoma summers and still shows off. I highly recommend it if you have those conditions. Plus, it can be transplanted and does not mind at all. I have transplanted some that were 24 inches tall and they hardly seemed to mind at all. Also, the Impatiens re-seed themselves – but they are very late in coming up in the summer.

I’m not sure what will happen with the Lupine. I collected the seeds in Colorado. I absolutely love their colors and tall, gorgeous stems covered with blooms. Stand by and we’ll see if they will germinate and grow in Oklahoma.

The Cosmos & Tall Verbena seeds are from my Mom. Hers were gorgeous this past season. I can only hope that they’ll do as well for me.

And here’s what I hope will happen with the seeds I’ve collected this Fall.

Double Pink Coneflower

Cosmos

Dwarf Sunflowers

Impatiens

Silky Lupine

Tall Verbena

Becky Daisy

Cockscomb

Are you a seed collector? Do you have any hints for me? I’d love to hear them!

[Photography Note: New Header Shot & Seed Envelopes shot with Nikkor 85mm f/1.4  Love that lens!]

Michael Steele, You’ve Been Granted a Reprieve.

Yes, that’s correct.

I headed to the county election board today to change my political affiliation from Republican to Democrat. Drove six miles, in fact, to reach it. Arrived at the Election Board at 3:40 pm.

The hours posted on the door were Mon – Fri: 8 am  – 3 pm

What??  EIGHT TO THREE? THREE???

It looks like I’ll be a registered Republican until next week. So, Michael Steele, you have a few more days to convince me not to switch. And it better be good. Because I can see right through you. I would actually like to register as an Independent…but I want to be able to vote in local elections.

A few more days….

Just a few more………

THREE O’CLOCK???

Collecting Impatiens Seeds

Impatiens love the shade and will brighten any dark corner of your shady garden.

Impatiens are a mainstay in my flower gardens and from what I’ve read, they’re the number one bedding plant sold in the United States. Every spring I purchase several flats to brighten the borders of my flower gardens and intersperse into some garden terraces on a slopping hillside.

Here you see a seed pod which has formed after a bloom has dropped. Note the small size compared to the bloom.

My Mother is a knowledgeable gardener and has been collecting and trading seeds for a few years. This summer/fall I started doing the same. Some of the flowers make it easy to collect seeds. Others, like the Impatiens, require a little more patience. Impatiens seeds can be collected from the flowers after the growing season when the pods develop at the ends of the stems.

 

The very tiny brown seeds are inside the spiral pod that has popped open.

When collecting the pods, it is a good idea to put something over the pod before picking it, because it will possibly pop open in the process of picking. I carefully placed a clear zip lock bag over them so I could see the pod and catch any seeds if it popped in the process. The first one I picked popped in my hand and startled me! :-)

The seeds of the Impatiens are inside the spiral that pops open and they are very tiny. I find that working over a white paper plate is the best way to see and save them.

Every year I have volunteer Impatiens scattered throughout my gardens, but I never knew how they re-seeded. Now I know. The seed pods are so impatient that they pop open and freely re-seed my beds. Isn’t that thoughtful of them?  ;-) I’ve also noticed that it takes the volunteer plants a lot longer in Spring/Summer to establish themselves and bloom. I live in Hardiness Zone 6B. Since this is my first attempt to collect Impatiens seeds, I’m looking forward to letting them dry and helping them with an earlier start indoors next Spring.

Deer Candy

Also, be advised that a nick-name for Impatiens is “Deer Candy.” We have white-tailed deer in our area and they love to raid the gardens. Impatiens are one of their favorite snacks. So consider yourself warned. You may have to put in a deer defense system to enjoy having Impatiens in your garden.

Since this is my first attempt at collecting, drying and starting Impatiens seeds, I’ll give you an update next Spring/Summer. I’ll be starting them inside about 10 weeks before our last frost.

Happy Gardening!

An Open Letter to Steve Jobs and AT&T

Steve, Steve, Steve…..

Yes, I know you’ve heard this before, but why is AT&T the exclusive wireless carrier for the iPhone?

I love my iPhone. I had a first generation & now have a 3G. Of course no one told me until I was in the process of buying it that I do not have the 3G network in my area. Nope. Do NOT. At the time I bought it only two metro cities in Oklahoma had the 3G network. Now a few smaller cities have it, but it’s still not available to in my area. I like the speed of the 3G network, but the Edge network has been working fine for my needs. And there’s no complaint with the phone coverage. There are occasional dead spots with the AT&T towers when traveling, but no major complaints. Stay tuned for the COMPLAINTS in the next paragraph.

AT&T…..

Right up until last week, things seemed pretty much hunky-dory with my AT&T mobile service. Let me begin by saying that my phone display has ALWAYS shown me the bars for phone coverage and next to the bars it has ALWAYS said AT&T.

I just returned from a two week trip away from home. The iPhone display looked the same. Now, get this.

One week into the trip, at precisely 2:33 a.m. a text message comes in and wakes everyone up from sound sleep. It frightened me because I was afraid it was a family emergency or something of equal importance. Nope. Not the case.

It was, in fact, a text message from AT&T which read as follows:

“Important AT&T FREE MSG: Your off-network wireless data
usage is violating the terms of your contract.
Please contact us at 800-331-0500 for details.”

I had no idea what it meant, but I dismissed it and tried to go back to sleep. Seriously, AT&T – 2:33 a.m. ??? Are you freaking kidding me?

=================================================================

The next morning, the display next to the bars read “Off Network”  [the display on the mister's iPhone still said AT&T] and  I had an email from AT&T titled:

Excessive Domestic Off-Network Data Usage Alert for xxx-xxx-xxxx.

It read as follows:

Dear LELA MCCRACKEN,

Our systems have detected that you are transmitting a substantial amount of data while roaming in areas not directly served by AT&T. The Terms and Conditions of our data plans (including unlimited plans) provide an “off-net usage” allowance that is equal to the lesser of 24 megabytes or 20% of the megabytes included in your plan.

To assist you with knowing when you are using another carrier’s network, we have changed the label on your wireless data device screen to display “Off Network”. Please be aware of this network label and work to limit your data transmission while outside the AT&T data network boundaries. The AT&T data network coverage map is available at www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer

We are available to answer any questions you have by contacting us at 800-331-0500 and referencing keyword: “DRC_xxx”.

Thank you,
AT&T

=================================================================

Completely unbelievable. So I did, in fact, call AT&T with questions.  I first informed the young lady that I received a text at 2:33 a.m. telling me I was violating my contract. That seemed to stun her a little. Geez. The young lady then attempted to explain in very grey terms that I was using a tower not owned by AT&T and it was costing them money. AHEM. Yes, well. Poor AT&T. I explained to her that I knew AT&T had to pay for us to use other towers, but how exactly was I supposed to KNOW when I was ‘Off network’ if my iPhone display was reading AT&T? AND that with the amount of money that I give to AT&T each month, that I’m certainly not going to break the company by occasionally using another tower (even if I don’t know I’m using one!)

She seemed to understand and told me that’s why they changed the display to read “Off Network.” How handy. So I asked her exactly what that meant. Truthfully…I could tell she didn’t know. She mumbled around and finally said, well they’ll review your account in uh…about 6 months & then it might go back to saying AT&T. WHAT?? Holy Hell. Unreal. I said…oh, okay, so then … again… I won’t know when I’m “Off Network.” Hrm. What a wonderful idea [please read all the dripping sarcasm intended.] I said, “I’m going to be here another week – so, I’m not even supposed to check email?” Her suggestion (you’ll like this)  well, maybe you could use your husband’s iPhone. LOL. OMG. I didn’t even bother to explain to her it’s THE SAME DAMN ACCOUNT.  Good grief. She finally told me that if I kept using it off network they could eventually suspend my account. Laughable.

The story continues….(are you still reading?) The next day, I logged on to my AT&T account to check it for details. The first thing I saw was this greeting:

“Valued customer since 06/30/1998″ Wheeee.  :-)  I saw nothing of interest or helpful and logged off.

The next day I got an email from AT&T. It was titled: ATT_Update

The mail started:

Thank you for choosing AT&T!
This e-mail is to confirm and explain recent changes you made to your wireless account.

In your Customer Service Summary CSS you will find: blah, blah, blah……..

WHAT?? I DID NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES. PERIOD. NONE.  Now what? So I called them AGAIN.

I explained that I had NOT made any changes to my knowledge and I wanted to check to see what had been changed. It turned out the only change was the one that AT&T had made to flag my account & change my display to “Off Network.” I said…”Okay, then, but I DIDN’T MAKE THE CHANGE, AT&T did.” She said…yes, but anytime something changes, that email gets sent. I told her, “Uhhuh, but it SHOULD say “…recent changes AT&T made.” She finally agreed.

And she went on to tell me that it would actually be 90 days when my account was reviewed again & if the off network usage had dropped, that the account would no longer be flagged & the display would revert to say “AT&T.” AGAIN, UNREAL. Seriously, AT&T, who thought this up? No place is there any information (that I can find) which says what the time frame is for using that ” 24 megabytes or 20% of the megabytes included in my plan.”

Seriously, is there anyone here who thinks AT&T will actually kill my account for these infractions that I didn’t even know I was committing? Would they rather do without my $149.00 per month for these two iPhones? Laughable.

So, Steve…..while you chose AT&T because you thought they had the best network – I guess you know by now, that there are a LOT of unhappy iPhone users. Let’s see what we can do about this.

Okay, Steve? Thanks! I knew we could count on you!

Michael Steele, Are you serious? :: OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN PARTY DOCUMENT ::

Dear Michael Steele and the Republican National Committee,

First I’d like to thank you profusely for the recent survey I received in the mail. It has helped me make a decision that has been weighing on my mind. As you so aptly pointed out, it is an:

“OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN PARTY DOCUMENT – DO NOT DESTROY”

Oh My God….I’ve received an OFFICIAL REPUBLICAN PARTY DOCUMENT. Yes, the survey is registered to me! My name is on it and everything. So it must be official. (rolls eyes) Oh wait…hold on…further reading indicates that I’m addressed in the ‘letter’ that accompanies the survey, as: Dear Friend. Okay then.

First of all, you say that my answers on the survey will represent ALL Republican constituents living within my Congressional District. WRONG. My answers (were I to give you any) would be MINE alone…not those of anyone else.

Both the survey and the letter are a laugh. I’ve never seen such a biased survey or letter of information. How can you, in good faith, make such grey, fuzzy statements and expound on them as you have here. Take this question for instance:

3. Do you agree with Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi’s efforts to impose massive tax hikes on the American people?

• Yes
• No
• Undecided

Well now, there’s certainly no generalization there, is there? (rolls eyes again) Or how about this one?

7. Do you support the Democrats’ efforts to create a massive new federal government bureaucracy that would be run by unionized government employees and would have complete control of your health care costs and choices?

• Yes
• No
• Undecided

Are you kidding me? Who are you trying to brain wash here? Do you think we cannot read? Do you actually think we cannot study health care proposals & how they would affect us? How can you, in good faith, spend money on this piece of garbage you call an official survey and use it in an attempt to say it’s the wishes of the constituents? Truly unbelievable. If you actually wanted input from constituents regarding policies, wouldn’t it be a good idea to ask about those? Instead of simply filling this survey and letter with Democrat Bashing? Is that what this party has come to?

And the kicker: Your bold plea for money. And even if I cannot pledge any support this year, you’d really appreciate it if I would chip in $11. to help pay for the survey. *blink* Unbelievable.

You know, Michael Steele, I’ve never been a straight ticket voter. I have always felt that I researched the candidates and voted for those that I felt would best serve the public’s interest.  And even though I have been a registered Republican for many years, I see the party’s goals turning fuzzy…just like those mugs up there.  That’s why, after the last eight years of Bush,  I voted for Barack Obama & with his win, felt that there was hope for our nation.

So, your official survey has given me the extra push that I needed to make my decision.

I’ll be changing my party affiliation as soon as possible.

Bob Dylan – Highway 61

Chalk it up to another coincidence? Today’s choice for my morning libations was a mug from  Dallas, TX, in the year of or near to 1999. Bob Dylan and Paul Simon (a rather unlikely combo) were in concert. Loved the mug – had to get one. It’s one of those comfy truck stop/greasy spoon mugs that just fits the hand & the drink doesn’t dribble down the side when you sip.

So as I’m drinking my coffee/and later tea/ and bouncing around the internet….I come across a notation on Losanjealous that Bob Dylan & His Band are playing at The Palladium tonight & tomorrow night. Were I  in L.A. – I’d go see him again. And tickets are a paltry $56.50. Ouch, Bob. But I’m really glad he’s still doing tours. It was a great show in ‘99 (even though I heard someone near us joking that they wondered if they’d have to prop him up) and I’m sure the current show is even better.

I came upon another slightly funny bit of information this morning on the Rolling Stone site…. In the same year, apparently the duo was fined for playing too long. Who knew… Go check it out.

And if you’re in L.A. – go check out Bob for me. Thanks.

“Painting: The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather and exposing them to the critic.”

Ah yes…such a fantastic quote by Ambrose Bierce, who is best known for The Devil’s Dictionary. Now, after finding his definition of painting, I’m going to have to read more of his work.The guy was a genius.

My daughter and I just wrapped up an amazing, art intensive weekend. This is the third such time we’ve rented a cabin at a state park and loaded it with almost every conceivable art material out there. Okay, that’s not quite true. But be assured that we had baskets of collage materials; scissors, acrylic paints; brushes; markers; colored pencils; drawing pads; matte medium; a wide assortment of stretched canvas; work tables; lamps; work stools; a laptop loaded with photos and classical music;  etc. etc. etc.

That’s right…we take nothing to chance. We know we’re going to need lots of light. So we not only take the extra lamps, but extra bulbs…just in case. Wouldn’t you?

It doesn’t take us long to get all of the cabin furniture out of the way, and replace it with our own ‘work’ furniture. So in the space of just a few minutes, the space becomes ours.  As working artists, it’s not the amount of time we have, but the ‘un-interrupted time’ that lends itself so well to that creative drive. We have the fridge & pantry well stocked; we have all the supplies we could ever want/need and we know our time is our own. Period. Amazing feeling, that.

This was the first time to this particular state park and the cabin exceeded our hopes. We had a whole wall of north facing windows! Absolutely an artist’s dream lighting situation. But of course the lamps took us well into the wee morning hours of creativity.

So after two full days & three nights of working….we hated to see the weekend come to an end. But we’re so stoked now, that we want to schedule another one soon. Of course we’ll be working in our respective home studios in the mean time…but it’s just not the same. Not.

So here you have a sample of our hard work. And I should mention, that the cabin had a flat screen TV with an endless channel selection. And we never had it on.

"Fort Garland: The Red Chair" by Lela Bouse-McCracken 12x12 Mixed Media

"Temporarily" by Alison Fowler: 24x24 Mixed Media

Pumpkins and the price of Gold?

Seriously. What’s with the pumpkin prices around here this year? After visiting something like two grocery stores, Lowe’s, and a nursery – and seeing prices in the neighborhood of 5 dollars, 7 dollars and TWELVE dollars? Are they made of gold this year? Whatever happened to TWO DOLLAR pumpkins?? Seriously. And it seems the Farmer’s Market has stopped for the year.

Well, if I had to pay five bucks for a pumpkin…then I was glad that we spotted a young mother selling them off the back of her old, beat-up truck. A cardboard sign taped to the side said “Pumpkins $5.”  I knew she needed the money…and I felt so bad for the baby in her arms & the three year old who was asleep inside the truck. She was running the truck to keep her babies warm.  Gosh. But she seemed happy & the kids did too…and healthy. With the price of gas….I wonder if she actually made any money. We bought two big pumpkins & went back later to by 4 tiny ones for a dollar.

I love these pumpkins…but I can’t stop thinking about her.

The Fall Migration of the Monarch

During last week’s visit to Southwest Oklahoma, we were fortunate enough to observe a cloud of Monarchs that were stopping to rest in some small Willow trees along one of the canals at Hackberry Flat. This was the fourth such time I’ve been lucky enough to witness such a fantastic sight. Thousands of the gorgeous Monarchs swirling in and through the sky and trees…and finally settling into the trees for the night.

“Monarchs are especially noted for their lengthy annual migration. In North America they make massive southward migrations starting in August until the first frost. A northward migration takes place in the spring. The monarch is the only butterfly that migrates both north and south as the birds do on a regular basis. But no single individual makes the entire round trip.

Female monarchs deposit eggs for the next generation during these migrations. By the end of October, the population east of the Rocky Mountains migrates to the sanctuaries of the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve in the Mexican states of Michoacán and México. The western population overwinters in various sites in central coastal and southern California, United States, notably in Pacific Grove and Santa Cruz.

Monarch butterflies are poisonous or distasteful to birds because of milkweed poison stored by the caterpillar stage; their bright colors are warning colors. During hibernation monarch butterflies sometimes suffer losses because hungry birds pick through them looking for the butterflies with the least amount of poison, but in the process killing those that they reject.” - Wikipedia

Here you’ll find even more information about the Monarch Butterfly – provided by the National Wildlife Refuge System. And as they say:

“The annual migration cycle of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the world. Every year, millions of monarchs migrate thousands of miles from Canada and the United States to overwinter in the mountain peaks in the states of Mexico and Michoacán in Mexico. This magical journey, deemed an “endangered natural phenomenon,” is dependent on conservation of habitats in all three North American countries – United States, Canada, and Mexico.”

The National Wildlife Refuge system may call it a natural phenomena – but I’m glad they went on to call it a ‘magical journey’  because I call it pure magic! And if you’ve ever seen it, you’ll just never forget it!