Quick Question...

Why are cats allowed to do whatever the hell they want but dogs are expected to stay inside and out of people's way?

Several of my neighbors have cats and they are always willy nilly losing them like it's no big deal.

But now it is a big deal to me.  My new neighbors started letting their cats out of the house about a month ago and since then it has been Bark City at the Rush household.  Whenever Rosie sees one of those free-for-all felines, she goes ballistic.  Usually this involves waking up Jack from a nap, annoying the crap out of me, and just generally causing an unnecessary ruckus.

So my question to you cat owners out there is this: Why is it OK for you to let your cat roam freely in my yard, under my car, upsetting my dog, and making me feel dirty, when I have to train my dog and keep her on a leash?

Sure, in a dream world, all animals could safely roam as freely as they wanted to and return safely home each night.  But it's not a dream world.  

Case in point: Doritos don't make you skinny.

If I wanted a cat in my yard or my car, you best believe I would get my own.  I don't have a cat because I'm highly allergic and highly unattracted to them.  Recognize.

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Fall Break 2K14

Last week I went on a much needed vacation.  It was beautiful and relaxing and fun as hell.  But there is nothing to make you feel more like a 30 year old than partying like a 20 year old all week.

By the time I returned my body was screaming for hydration and legumes and by soul was begging for mercy.

But it was all worth it.  

My only minor regret which resulted in a major bruise was slipping into the pool at Nippers.  In my defense, the pool was apparently painted in slime and shaped in a way that had no apparent edges by which to reach the side of the pool.

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But in the defense of the pool I also had more than one rum drink at lunch.  

Let me just tell you, the only thing a girl over a size 6 loves more than wearing a bathing suit in public, is taking dramatic falls into bodies of water in that bathing suit.

Don't worry though, I managed to hold my drink above water and it remained unscathed in the accident.

Now I'm back to life, back to reality, and back to the sweetest little face in the world.  But I'm already excited about my next vacation, whenever that may be.

Chicken in a Creamy Parmesan and Sundried Tomato Sauce

This is the bomb.  This is beautiful.  This is so easy and delicious.

The author of this blog makes the most amazing looking things and I always want to try them, but never want to make them because they look too complicated.  But this recipe is so easy! 

Chicken in a Creamy Parmesan and Sundried Tomato Sauce

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ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 4 (~6 ounce) skinless and boneless chicken breasts, pounded thin
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
• 1/4 cup oil packed sundried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)

directions

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat, add the chicken and cook until lightly golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side, before setting aside.
2. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
3. Add the wine and deglaze the pan.
4. Add the broth, cream, sundried tomatoes and parmesan, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens a bit, about 3-5 minutes.
5. Mix in the chicken along with any juices, season with salt and pepper to taste, remove from heat and mix in the basil.

It involves all of my favorite ingredients and it really is beautiful in color.  And even though it involves heavy cream, it's really not that high in calories but taste like a decadent delight.

I served mine with rice and roasted asparagus.  It is a winner!

White Chicken Chili Recipe

This is the easiest chili recipe I've ever made and one of the most delicious.  I was surprised how much flavor it had because it really is so simple.  But it is packed with flavor thanks to a cornucopia of spices.

White Chicken Chili 

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Author: Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 (15-ounce) can white beans, with liquids from beans
• 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilis, with liquids from chilis
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano

Instructions

1. Add chicken to a 4-quart, heavy bottomed Dutch oven or stockpot. Add chicken stock and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Shred chicken with two forks and then add back to the liquid.
2. Add garlic and onion to stockpot, white beans, green chilis, dried oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh oregano. Stir until well-combined. Taste for flavor and adjust to your preference.
3. Simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.

I just added a dollop of sour cream to each cup and a few dashes of hot sauce and it was the perfect light but delicious soup for a crisp fall lunch or dinner.

Body Paint

Two weeks ago I saw Wicked in NYC.

Last weekend was Halloween.

Naturally, I have full body and face paint on the brain.  I do not see how anyone could get painted like this every single day of the week, and twice on Saturdays in the case of the Wicked witch.

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You see, I know a thing or two about full body paint.  One year in high school I got conned into dressing up as the planet Mercury with my parents for an elaborate solar system themed party that, I must point out, was no where close to Halloween.  I had braces at the time and apparently that made me the perfect silver candidate.

AWKWARD

I remember picking silver paint out of my ears for days after the actual initial painting.  

I can't remember how or why I agreed to this, but I hope I either got a big bonus in allowance or was in trouble and serving out a punishment.