"Poodle, Where You Been?"

Sometimes things fall into just the right place at just the right time and land right in your lap!
Today, Ma and I saved a little white poodle from the middle of a busy road near our house. He was clearly lost, wandering in and out of traffic, and though cars were stopping for him, his movements were as unpredictable as a little drunk leaving a bar. He crossed in front of us, Ma stopped, I got out, he came right to me, we hopped back into the car, he cuddled a thank you and sat nicely in my lap. As we made our way to turn around, discussing the "now what" part of our rescue (signs, ad in the paper, you know...), Ma spotted an older gentleman clearly searching for something. Perhaps, a little white poodle! She rolled down her window and inquired if he was indeed looking for a dog. Yes he was! A white dog, she asked. Yes he was! A little white poodle, he said. We pulled over and returned his baby! His face lit up as he asked "poodle, where you been?" It seems our furry friend was an inside kinda guy, who had managed to get tangled around a tree while on a walk, pulled free of his collar and leash, and had the sweet taste of freedom before deciding he was lost and wanted to go home. As we drove away, we watched the man cradling his baby, his poodle. Guess we all just happened to be in just the right place at just the right time. That is one lucky little poodle!

Speaking of things falling into place (I hesitate to even write this as I am fearful of jinxing myself, but I will), I have finally made peace with my Bialetti Cappuccino maker! After many failed attempts and reviews read, I finally listened to my Ma and I made a cappuccino. She had been telling me that I needed to wet the rubber seals and get the coffee part a little damp and not grind my espresso beans into dust. Yeah, uh huh, I thought, she doesn't know... Well, turns out she did know! When I did all of those things, the coffee did not drizzle out of the reservoir, it did not erupt like a volcano, I got perfect foam and it didn't taste half bad either! Aways the skeptic, I just knew that it was a fluke and would never work again, but it did. I have made several more cappuccinos since, following Ma's advice, and each one has been better than the last! Thank you Ma! You were right. Again... :)

I Wish Starbucks Delivered...

I am in massive need of some espresso!
It has been a very busy year for me so far, and though I am not complaining, I am very happy that there is a Starbucks down the road to fuel me along, paid for by my Christmas gift cards. On the down side, I have developed one mean caffeine addiction! If the espresso has not entered my body by a certain point in the day my head starts to pound and nothing, and I do mean NOTHING, can ease that pain. But the way I see it, why not enjoy my espresso. What else do I do??? I don't eat meat, or fast food, or potatoes to speak of, or cheese (except goat and the occasional treat, a treat that kills my stomach)...I don't drink coke or any other soft drink, I stay away from most sugar and starches, I restrict my calories, I don't drink, smoke, or do drugs, I don't watch tv really, the list goes on and on... but damn it, I am gonna drink my espresso! I got a Bialetti Cappuccino maker for Christmas and when I figure out how to use the thing I will be in business! It seems simple enough. Measure the water and put it in...check. Put "espresso ground" coffee in, but do not pack it down...check. Put specified amount of milk (soy milk) in...check. Make sure it is all screwed together tightly but not too tight and put it on a cold heating element and heat to medium...check. I watched the included dvd, I read the book, I was prepared to throw out the first three pots as instructed (though I found this insanely wasteful). I did all this and yuck! But that's okay, they said the first ones would not be good. I tried again... coffee dribbled out of the reservoir down the sides and onto the cook top where it burned and stuck... Okay, still okay. I try again...following every step to a T each time, always thinking that this time I will make the perfect cappuccino! Well... So several tries and two coffee explosions later (This part was scary as heck! Hot coffee, soymilk and froth erupted like a volcano! I had to flee!), I have yet to make the perfect cappuccino or even a drinkable one... I have not given up! This little contraption will not break me!!! (I'm still singing my New Years song..."I've got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine"!) But for today, I'm going to Starbucks. Think I will add an extra shot.


Pictured above is my New Years Day treat from Starbucks. I ordered a Venti Soy Cappuccino, they made a Venti Soy Latte (which I like but not enough for the extra calories), so they offered to give me both... What was a girl to do?