Monthly Archives: February 2009

Holly West > What’s New > 2009 > February

PAWS/LA on Facebook

Posted on Categories InspirationLeave a comment

As many of you know I've been a volunteer for PAWS/LA since 2001.  Since that time, the staff and volunteers of PAWS/LA have worked hard to grow the organization and I am so proud of it.

LogoPAWS/LA clients, which includes people with life-threatening illnesses, seniors, and other disenfranchised pet owners, have numerous challenges in their lives.  PAWS/LA helps ensure that losing their beloved pet(s) isn't one of them.

I am passionate about PAWS/LA's mission for a couple of reasons.  First, anyone who has ever owned a pet knows what a great source of love and support they are and how much they enhance the quality of life.  Keeping pets with their owners at their "hour of need" is tremendously important in aiding their recovery.  Second, many animals end up in shelters when their owners are no longer able to care for them because of illness or financial hardship.  PAWS/LA is dedicated to keeping these animals with their owners and out of shelters.

All of this to say that PAWS/LA asked me to help them set up a presence on Facebook, which I have gladly done.

PAWS/LA Cause Page – You can donate to PAWS/LA via the donation link on this page as well as actively participate in promoting PAWS/LA by asking friends to join the cause, posting a box to your profile, and donating your status to the cause.

Stu_facebook_paws   
PAWS/LA Group Page and PAWS/LA Fan Page – Joining either of these pages helps promote PAWS/LA to your friends and keeps you updated on special events, volunteer opportunities, and news about PAWS/LA.

If like me, you believe in PAWS/LA's mission and are a member of Facebook, please consider joining any of these pages, volunteering, or making a donation.

Herb Garden Ideas

Posted on Categories Uncategorized2 Comments on Herb Garden Ideas

The nurseries here still don't seem to have much in the way of herbs, so I guess I will just have to be patient.  In the meantime, I found some good ideas for making my herb garden more successful:

How to Make Herb Garden Markers

Never Pay for Onions Again

Herb Growing Tips

How to Make a One Pot Herb Garden

Lest you think I've forgotten about my vertical garden, I did a little browsing at the nursery this morning for possible ideas.

There were a lot of different trellises available, and one I liked in particular had asian lines reminiscent of a shinto shrine (my apologies for the photos–they were hanging up and my iPhone doesn't do it justice):

Trellis

 

My thought was that I could hang rectangular planters equidistantly on this trellis, kind of like this:

Long_container 

Three of these would fit quite nicely and allow for plants to grow.

The trellis was $49.99 and the planters $8.99 each.  Still a long way from the $399 price tag on the vertical garden from Smith & Hawken, but also still a little pricey.  I'm gonna continue looking around.

Find a Death

Posted on Categories Diversions, Books3 Comments on Find a Death

I don’t remember being into mysteries or murder or the macabre when I was younger.

Although now that I think of it, I did rather enjoy the novels written by Lois Duncan, who writes some pretty amazing books for teens and young adults.  Some of my favorites were Daughters of Eve, Killing Mr. Griffin, Stranger with My Face, and I Know What You Did Last Summer.  Even now, as an adult, I love those books.

So maybe that’s when my fascination with murder, crime, and death in general started.

Which brings me to the reason for this post.  One of my favorite websites is called Find a Death and I find it utterly compelling.  It is basically a compilation of the “death stories” of celebrities and not-so-celebrities, complete with photos, death certificates, gossip, and sometimes, mementos.

William_holden_dc

The creator is a guy named Scott Michaels who has what I think is a pretty interesting story of his own.  Scott also has a business called Dearly Departed Tours, which I’ve never been on but wouldn’t mind seeing.  Maybe a good sightseeing trip for the English relatives?

Some of my favorite profiles are:

Desi Arnaz (some good gossip here)
Jackie Coogan and the Addams Family Cast
Sam Cooke
Grace Kelly

A word of warning:  Some (maybe most) of the content on Findadeath.com is not work-appropriate.  Some content on it is not for the squeamish.  Finally, while I don’t personally find it disrespectful, there is the occasional hint of irreverence about death and celebrity on this site and if you think you might be easily offended, perhaps it isn’t the website for you.

Otherwise, have at it.

News Flash: Pre-Order the Kindle 2 Today

Posted on Categories Books4 Comments on News Flash: Pre-Order the Kindle 2 Today

The new and improved Amazon Kindle 2 comes out today.  Correction:  You can pre-order one starting today for shipment on February 24.

I got my Kindle about a year ago and it is my favorite electronic gadget of all time.  That includes my iPod, my iPhone, my Garmin, and pretty much anything else I can think of.

If you're a reader and you have the price, I'd highly recommend getting one of these babies.

Speed Cleaning

Posted on Categories Uncategorized3 Comments on Speed Cleaning

I have shared this idea with many people, but for some reason, I never thought of posting it here.

My original concept for speed cleaning came when I was trying to think of ideas for exercising whilst getting something done.  The idea is to get your heart rate up, keep it up, and have a sparkly clean house at the end of it.

Speed_cleaning_before

Basically, you just need to clean as fast as you can without stopping and if possible, without going into another room while you are doing it.  Here's some tips:

1)  Gather everything you need before you begin.  It helps if you have all your cleaning materials in container that you can just take from room to room.  If you need a vacuum, a mop, or a broom to complete the room, make sure they are there and easy to access.

Speed_cleaning_during

2) Get a box or a laundry basket to put all items in the room that belong in other rooms.  Toss anything that doesn't belong into that basket, which you will then carry from room to room as you clean, removing and putting items away as necessary.

3)  Put a garbage bag within easy reach.  This will also be taken from room to room as you clean.

4)  It helps to have a time goal in mind.  Assess the room–can you do it in ten minutes?  Twenty?  Set a time and then try to meet it.

5)  Speed cleaning is not about organizing, it's about maintenance.  There is no time for reflection on what things to keep or toss (aside from the obvious, like junk mail).  If what your home really needs is organization, take a weekend to do it.  I actually recommend pretending like you're moving house about twice a year–be brutal in determining what stays and what goes.  Not only will this make speed cleaning much easier, but it will help you live a clutter free life.

Speed_cleaning_after

Voila!  Less than 15 minutes later, I have a lovely dining area.  On to the rest of the house!

Pasta with Shrimp, Tomato, Garlic & Basil Recipe

Posted on Categories Crime Writers Kitchen, Recipes7 Comments on Pasta with Shrimp, Tomato, Garlic & Basil Recipe
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Photo via Wikimedia Commons

A long time ago, I used to go to a restaurant in Los Angeles that served a dish called Pasta Portofino (or something like that). It included pasta with shrimp, tomato, garlic, and basil. It was a favorite of mine, and eventually I came up with my own version of it.  The restaurant
is long since closed, but I still enjoy this recipe all the time.

This is a light pasta dish that really lets the flavors of shrimp, tomato, basil, and garlic shine.  I originally created the recipe without the zucchini, but one day I had one left over and I decided to add it.  When it’s chopped so finely, it adds nutrition and texture without a heavy zucchini flavor.

Pasta_tomato_garlic_basil

Cook Time: 25 mins.
Level:  Easy
Yield:  2

Ingredients:

1/2 tbs exra virgin olive oil
1/2 lb raw jumbo shrimp, peeled, tails off, and deveined
4 garlic cloves, minced finely
1/2 small zucchini, chopped in food processor or mini prep for a very fine consistency
Pinch red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt (plus salt for boiling pasta)
2 fresh tomatoes, chopped
4-6 leaves of fresh basil, chopped
1 cup penne pasta
Freshly grated parmesan to taste

In a large pot, put water to boil for pasta with a handful of salt.  When water boils, cook pasta until al dente, about 11 minutes.  Remove from heat and drain.

Mince and chop your garlic and zucchini and set aside.  Cut the tomatoes in half and gently squeeze out some of the juice and seeds into the sink, then chop.

In a large skillet, heat the oil on medium.  Do not let it get too hot before putting in your garlic and zucchini because the garlic could burn.  Sautee for 1-2 minutes.  Add the shrimp, red pepper flakes, and salt and sautee until the shrimps are pink and almost cooked through, 2-3 minutes.  Add the chopped tomatoes and finish cooking the shrimp 1-2 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in the fresh basil.

Add the pasta to the skillet and mix thoroughly.  Serve in bowls or plates and top with fresh parmesan.

copyright Holly West 2009

Gardening Made Vertical

Posted on Categories Uncategorized2 Comments on Gardening Made Vertical

I saw this posted on another blog recently:

Vertical_garden Photo:  Smith & Hawken

Like the author of the original post, I am intrigued, because there is one wall in particular on my balcony that is screaming for something like this.  But at $399, I am thinking I will have to try to come up with something myself because times are tough, ya know?

I looked at a couple of videos on YouTube demonstrating vertical gardens but I didn't find one that looked suitable (and to be honest, one of them was almost 10 minutes long and I just wasn't in the mood).

I will have to get back to you on this, because at the moment I don't have the time to research or think of any good ideas for making this.  However, I wanted to throw it out there (ideas, anyone?) and I'll re-visit the project when I have a chance.  I am positively itching to plant some herbs and this would be the perfect method for growing them I think.

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