Sarah Palin

McCain has announced his VP. Sarah Palin, the conservative Alaskan governor. Known as a bit of a renegade, as many say McCain is. They are both unafraid of doing what needs to be done!
Great choice, I think. Word is she was chosen with great care and they managed her introduction very well. Renegade, woman, conservative, hard-working, called big oil to task, headed up largest natural gas project on record, 80% approval rating - Brilliant!
McCain is in it for the long haul. He has worked his way up; serving in the military then devoting his life to public office. There was no silver spoon in his mouth at birth, although he did marry well. Mostly he worked tirelessly, and intelligently. He is one of the most practical, down to earth candidates I have seen in a long time. Doesn't hurt that he has been an ardent and early supporter of biomass technologies as an alternative either... From what I have read of Sarah Palin she is also a hard worker who is not afraid to go against the grain to do the right thing! A little more prolific than I would hope but that doesn't really have much to do with Veeping, so...
The election will provide a first, regardless. A woman will be the first VP with the McCain/Palin ticket. Or the claim of first African American with the Democrats.

Meme by transference

I found this meme over at JelleyJules. I tend to lose my originality after I read other people's answers so I turned it loose to hubby. (snicker- snicker) Here is what we got...

You are in a mall when zombies attack. You have:
1. One weapon
2. One song blasting on the speakers
3. One famous person to fight along side you

1. One weapon- H- Zombies, huh? Well, you've got to go for the head. You could use a shot gun! Ohhh...not enough bullets. Better go with a chain saw. You'd have to be close up, but you wouldn't run out of ammo...
2. One song- H- You wouldn't really be able to hear it, what with the chain saw going... (pondering and getting a devious little grin)... I guess I'd have to go with something from Rob Zombie...
3.One famous person- H- Does it have to be a real person or a character? S- Whatever you want... H- Bruce Willis is pretty kick-ass. Or Rambo... S- You have to pick one. H- I'd have to pick Rambo, he has a higher body count.

NNnnooooooooooo!

I woke up to this...

I can't believe the leaves are already falling! Someone said we are right on schedule this year. Our trusty Farmer's Almanac says we will have a cold and early winter. Our local farmer's wife said that since she has so many acorns in her yard that it will be a warm winter. I know who I WANT to believe!!

Bad News- Good News

People's Choice winner for best Sci-Fi series has been cancelled. Not a surprise, but disappointing. Continuum proved success for the direct to DVD movie's after SG-1's demise. Perhaps we will have an Atlantis movie or two as well??

New Stargate Series Targeted For Summer 2009 Premiere
New York, NY - August 22, 2008 - SCI FI Channel and MGM Television Entertainment have reached an agreement to extend MGM's Stargate brand with a new series for the Channel. Production on the first season of Stargate Universe, a weekly series based on the popular Stargate franchise, will begin in early 2009, with the show targeted to premiere that Summer. Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, co-creators of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and who both currently serve as executive producers on Atlantis, will serve as executive producers and writers on the new series.

"SCI FI has enjoyed tremendous success with Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and we're proud to be the home of the new Stargate Universe," said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming for SCI FI & Co-Head Original Content, Universal Cable Productions. "Universe will continue the Stargate legacy of vibrant storylines and compelling adventures, but will re-invent the format in a whole new way."

"The Stargate franchise enjoys a loyal and substantial fan base that welcomes each new installment with fevered enthusiasm," said Charles Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and Corporate Development for MGM. "We are delighted to be working again with Brad and Robert and look forward to seeing new adventures with the launch of Stargate Universe on SCI FI Channel next year. Stargate Universe will continue the longstanding relationship between MGM's stellar science fiction franchise and cable's premiere destination for all passionate science fiction fans."

Thomas Vitale, Senior Vice President Programming & Original Movies said, "Stargate Universe is a natural progression for the Stargate brand and for our network. Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis have been key drivers for SCI FI and we are looking forward to seeing where this next chapter leads, as each new installment of the Stargate franchise further engages the SCI FI audience."

Wright and Cooper said: "In 'Universe,' we plan to keep those elements that have made the franchise a success, such as adventure and humour, while breaking new ground in the relationships between mostly young and desperate explorers, thrust together and far from home. Above all, we believe the Stargate itself remains an enduring icon with infinite potential as a jumping off point for telling stories."

After unlocking the mystery of the Stargate's ninth chevron, a team of explorers travels to an unmanned starship called the Destiny, launched by The Ancients at the height of their civilization as a grand experiment set in motion, but never completed.

What starts as a simple reconnaissance turns into a never ending mission, as the Stargate Universe crew discovers the ship is unable to return to Earth, and they must now fend for themselves aboard the Destiny.

The crew will travel to the far reaches of the universe, connecting with each of the previously launched Stargates, thus fulfilling the Destiny's original mission. Challenges will arise though as the ship comes into range of Stargates placed centuries ahead of the Destiny and the crew is unable to control the ship's navigational schedule. If someone is left behind, there is no way to go back for them, adding to the drama of encountering new races, enemies and adventures.

Stargate Universe will debut as a two-hour movie event on SCI FI. Following its premiere, Universe will assume a regular hourly slot in Summer 2009.

Down Day

A new walk today through a con-com area. A little short but it did have this great root ball, a four leaf (mushroom) clover, and a pond at the end.

We continued on to climb T Mountain. It was once a ski area, but has been turned into a recreation area.
Great views of North Pack, and with the crystal clear view you could see all the way to Nashua!

Polar is getting older.
He stays with us now, and trails behind just a little by the end of the hike. You take the good with the bad, I guess...

He did have fun playing in our pond when we got back. He hasn't caught a frog yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time... In the mean time he is still a good swimmer :)
Blizzy was glad to see us back so she could go play outside!

After this we went off on an LLBean rug hunt for Art's folks. Struck out, but found a dress for $15, and went to Keene for dinner.

Maine Getaway!

Art's sister rented a house up in Maine for the week. They invited us up for a little getaway. We had a great time enjoying the sites, having a great seafood dinner at Cape Neddick, and taking a blissful sailboat ride on the Cricket! We brought some lobsters home to boot :)

Wordless Wednesday

Horrors

We recently started up our Netflix subscription after taking the summer off. Last night was Art's pick- Legend. I love Wil Smith, so even though I heard it was scary I agreed to watch it.
I am not a scary movie person. I went to see Raiders of the Lost Ark with my church group when it came out (I must've been six or seven?) and had nightmares for weeks. I haven't gotten much better since. After hubby talked me into watching The Ring I wouldn't let him leave my side for over a week. Don't get me wrong I love bloody gory movies like Die Hard, Kill Bill, or Pulp Fiction. Even movies like Fargo, and No Country for Old Men are right up my alley. I just don't like horror movies!
So last night we watched Legend. I had Art on one side with a firm grip on his hand, Zoi on my lap, and I even pulled Polar up on the futon for additional support. Poor dog, he got so stressed out each time I jumped, or gasped and ducked my head into Art. He kept saying "It's just a movie!" I left the room for the final scenes and at this point hubby was mocking me about how it was 'just a movie.' After the movie he went down to watch Saw or Ghost Ship. DH tried to get me to watch Ghost Ship once. I will forever have the image of people being cut in half by metal wires imprinted in (on?) my mind's eye... ((shudder))
I turned on The Girls Next Door and Gene Simmons to try to clear the creepy images from my head when Art's cell phone rang. It was a little after nine. MJ from the fire department said that our big pellet supplier a couple of towns over has just had a second alarm for a fire at the plant. CRAP! (only the other word!) We turned on Art's pager and listen in for a while. Crews were being called from several surrounding town's. We tried to get tac 1 on Art's radio for on the scene details, but couldn't.
So, we headed down to the station. MJ and another officer were already there. We listened over the next couple of hours as the fire moved from the an electrical panel to the cooler, then outside to the large 20 ton storage silos. Our town didn't get called, but everyone around us did including a ladder truck from a nearby training facility.
After a couple of hours it was obvious that our fd was not going to be called so we headed home. I had to ask Art if this was "just a movie." Not this time. We are having our highest demand year for stoves and fuel this year. Stoves are sold out this year and allocated half way through next year. Pellet mills are running 24/7 to try to keep up and this will set us back weeks. NOT good. Around midnight we turned in as it seemed that they had it under control and were just mopping up.
First thing this morning we headed over to the plant to check it out. The fire barricades were still up and pumper trucks were still on scene. We talked with the plant manager who said that sometime overnight the fire migrated to their large (60 ton?) raw material silo. Then more engines and tankers started to pull in. I ask about our friend who owns the company. Poor guy was stuck on Martha's Vineyard. He couldn't get back last night on a plane because of the severe thundestorms, and the ferries weren't running.
Then Art's phone rang. MJ called to ask if he could be late for work because our fd was paged for cover duty relating to the fire. Art said yes and btw grab his gear, he would meet them at the cover station. Then Art's pager went off again. I dropped him off at the cover fire department then hurried back home to try to finish a deal with a commodoties broker to secure some (expensive) pellets so we have some for September. I don't think we will be getting any out of the guys nearby for a month or more. (Random cursing)
This is definitely a horror movie that I wish I had NOT seen.

Outside

Eight weeks old. I thought it was a good time for them to see the world outside their coop. The greenhouse. We're doing baby steps here- they are chickens you know!
They were all piled in the chick box (their safe place) because Art had to do a little hammering to get the back door of the greenhouse to stay closed. So I extracted them one by one.
I took Abbie first. I held her on my lap until she calmed down and hopped off. She plunked in the dirt and flopped onto her side (??!??) so I went to grab Bobbie.
Then I scooped up Elliot, who likes to be held and snuggled (very UN-rooster like ;)He sat on my lap for the longest time panting.
As I continued to extract them it got easier for them to get down to investigate once I got them out, but harder to extract the remaining chicks. ?? Once everyone was out they followed my lead into the weeds. Yes, we have a TON of weeds in the greenhouse. It used to have plastic on the south roof, but it all blew off or was torn off. The new panels have just arrived but it will be another month before it gets buttoned up...

Either way they started to peck around eating the greens, the dried seeds, and one of them got lucky enough to catch a wasp! Yummo!

I left them for about fifteen minutes but, then I heard the thunder and thought I should put them back. This was much easier. Art took one side, I grabbed Elliot and took the other and we herded them back in to the coop. I gave them a cucumber as a reward. BIG DAY!

Recipe Box Swap

Hosted by Randi at i have to say
Nothing makes me think of summer like raspberries. I remember hiking in the mountains of Utah growing up with my Dad and brother on Sunday's when Mom was working and picking wild raspberries.
The home we live in now was once an organic farm with eight to ten rows of raspberry bushes. I don't have the time or the green thumb to keep it up to the level I am sure they did, but we do get more than our fair share of berries each year. I let ladies from the fire department auxiliary, and ladies aid come pick to their heart's content. Our greenhouse guru Damon was able to pick a quite a few himself, and I pick buckets giving them to friends, family, and going on a raspberry binge for the month of July.
Thanks to my trusty Press n Seal I was able to save many many bags for use this winter :) and then, of course, there is jam. I LOVE raspberry jam. Sadly, I do not know how to make it myself but some of the ladies who pick give me a few jars so it works out in the end...
In celebration of summer, and at the request of one of my favorite bloggers at Random Thoughts and Musings... here are some of my favorite Raspberry recipes.

Raspberry Mousse
2 cups fresh raspberries
1 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
4 cups whipped cream
1/4 cup sugar or sugar substitute
Fresh mint
Raspberries
Whipped cream
Raspberry sauce from recipe below (optional)

In a saucepan combine 1 1/2 cups raspberries and sugar. Heat and stir over medium jeat until turned to liquid. Stir in gelatin. Remove from heat and scrape into a large bowl. Let cool for five minutes. Remove chilled whipped cream from refrigerator. mix one cup of whipped cream into raspverry mixture until well combined. Fold in remaining whipped cream. Pour into wine glasses (or dessert bowls) and chill. Put a swirl of whipped cream, drizzle with raspberry sauce (optional), and a couple/few fresh raspberries on top with a sprig of mint and serve.

Decadent Raspberry Brownie
1/2 cup light Karo syrup
1/2 cup butter
5 squares semisweet chocolate
3/4 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raspberries
raspberries (for garnish)
mint (for garnish)

Chocolate Glaze:
2 squares semisweet chocolate
1 1/2 Tbsp. light Karo syrup
1/2 Tbsp. Butter

Raspberry Glaze:
1/4 cup raspberries- mashed and sieved
3 Tbsp. light Karo syrup
1 tsp. corn starch
1 Tbsp. water

Line bottom of eight inch springform pan with baking parchment. Grease sides. Flour lightly. In large saucepan, bring corn syrup and butter to a boil, stirring occassionally. Remove from heat. Add chocolate stirring until melted. Add sugar. Stir in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla, flour, and nuts. Mash berries. Sieve if desired. Stir into batter. Pour into pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes until cake tester comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove. Cool completely on rack.
To prepare chocolate glaze melt chocolate, butter, and Karo syrup in saucepan over low heat stirring often.
To prepare raspberry glaze put raspberries and Karo syrup in saucepan. Mix corn starch with water. Add to saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring until thickened.
Pour chocolate glaze onto cake top. Spread onto sides.
Swirl the raspberry glaze into the chocolate glaze.
Garnish with fresh raspberries and mint.

Almost...

One Step closer. All cleaned, primed, and painted. Now just venting and a pellet basket and we are go for wood cooking!

Carbon Footprint

Like many others we have been working to reduce our carbon footprint. Our biggest contribution to reducing our carbon emissions was done years ago when we began heating our home with carbon nuetral wood pellets.
When we moved into our new house we upped the ante by putting in the boiler so now we not only heat our home with pellets we heat our domestic hot water as well. This is our first full summer with that setup and it is working great.
On the example of friends who use an efficient wood boiler to heat their home and water we turn the boiler on once a day. We take our showers, do dishes, cleaning, and laundry that needs hot water then we turn it off. On average I would say it is on for about ten hours a week as opposed to 168 hours (24/7).
We also do most of our laundry in cold or cooling water and then hang them on the line to dry. I love the crisp fresh feel and smell of line dried clothes!
In the summer months and into the fall we use our wood pellet grill for cooking/baking. It has just as much temperature control (with a built in thermostat) as my oven/range, but doesn't warm my house and uses about one-fifth the electricity.
I went around the house about a year ago and unplugged everything. I plugged things in as I used them, and the others remain unplugged. I also make an effort to unplug things after I use them that I only use sparingly like the iron, an extra tv, boom box, pellet stove in the summer, and sewing machine. I do make an effort to unplug my cell phone and laptop chargers when I am not using them as they suck up almost as much juice whether or not they are charging/powering the device.
When we first moved into this house we changed our lightbulbs for the compact flourescents, and we are upgrading our windows and insulation as we can to decrease energy loss in the winter.
We also buy as much food as we can locally. I love the fresh milk and cream (especially ice cream ;) from our local dairy, and the fresh meats can't be beat. We joined the local co-op for our veggies, and get most of the fruit we eat from our yard. We have had great success with Damon using our greenhouse and fields for growing. Win- win there. Then, of course, we have the chickens now. They are way too much fun! You should have seen them fight over a few grapes I gave them yesterday. Best game of keep away I have witnessed in a long time...
We combine our trips so we aren't constantly in the car running up and down the hill. We got bikes and should be better about using them for local travel, but that is in the "still working on it" category.
The latest project for energy reduction is actually an idea from last winter. For Christmas we bought a 100 year old wood cook stove instead of gifts for each other. It was a little rusty and well used, but still in working order and will be beautiful with a little tlc. Of course, our plan is to adapt it to burn pellets (not changing it to a convective stove just using the pellets instead of wood for fuel). It sat in our friend's garage for almost two months after the holiday, then in the warehouse until today. (We had gotten a hearth pad for it in the spring...) Today we spread it all out and got the grinders and wire brushes out and start cleaning her up. Tomorrow I will paint it and then we can bring it home to set it up! We are putting it where the original house owner's had a wood stove. Venting through roof is done we will just have to adapt into it. Gee- I wonder where we will get the pipe from!LOL! Here are some before pics...

Letter to the Future President

Care of the Stimulator-