Just a Quickie: A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That

I truly did not see this coming. Seal and Heidi Klum are getting a divorce. The reason? Irreconcilable differences per usual.

Did anyone watch the debut of this season’s American Idol? (crickets chirping) Well, if you didn’t you’re not alone. Idol’s ratings are down.

Jon Stewart snarks on Newt Gingrich’s desire for an “open marriage”-and other political funny stuff. And I’m not the only one who things Newt Gingrich looks like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.

To cleanse the palate, enjoy the soul stylings of President Barack Obama. Reverend Al Green approves this message!

RIP Etta James. Perfection. Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, on Etta James via her Facebook page, “Etta James was one of the great soul singers of our generation. An American original! I loved "Pushover," "At Last" and almost any and everything she recorded!!! When Etta SUNG, you heard it!”

Make Shit Yourself: Homemade Chicken Stock

Milwaukee is experiencing some sub-freezing temps and we just got our first substantial amount of snow. It's a great time for soup, especially chicken soup. And you don't have to buy chicken stock from the store. Make it yourself!

This post is dedicated to my mom who still makes the best chicken soup ever!

Homemade Chicken Stock

1) Place leftover chicken parts (I usually save my left over pieces and bones from my roast chicken) into a large pot. Cover the chicken parts with water, usually around 10 cups or so.

2) Add a peeled onion (white or yellow) cut into half. Add two carrots cut in half and also add to ribs of celery cut in half. Add any saved vegetable trimmings you have on hand.

3) Add salt and pepper to taste.

4) Bring the water to a boil on high heat. Lower the heat and let simmer on the stove top covered for around 1-2 hours. At various times, check the stock, add water if needed and spoon off excess foam.

5) Once the stock is cooked, remove the chicken parts and put into the bowl. You can save the meat for the chicken soup or other recipes. Throw out the vegetables or compost. Ladle the stock through a strainer.

6) Refrigerate the stock for a few hours. Skin the fat off the surface.

7) Freeze or refrigerate the stock in 1-2 cup batches in airtight containers. If refrigerated, the stock will keep for about 2 days. If frozen, the stock should keep for about 2 months. I usually freeze my stock and then defrost when needed.

Of course, you can add various spices and herbs to the stock to give your stock various flavors. I've been known to add a bit of cayenne pepper to mine at various times. The extra "heat" is great when you're suffering a cold. I've also added a bay leaf or two when available.

Just a Quickie: A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That

That’s it, Glee. I’m done with you.

Does your kids’ Xmas list total up to $130,000? Suri Cruise’s Xmas list does. Dear Tomcat, it wouldn’t hurt if you bought Suri some stickers, construction paper and crayons from the dollar store. She’ll survive, and she might not end up being a total brat.

Entertainment Weekly gives us the worst hair on TV and in the movies. Believe it or not but a mullet is not among them.

The always modestly dressed Lady Gaga is named “Entertainer of the Year” by the Associated Press.

Salon examines the death of the knowledgeable sales clerk in the age of Netflix, Amazon and iTunes.

WTF Files: Duggars Have Obituary and Memorial Service for Miscarried Fetus

As many of you know, a few weeks ago the very fertile Duggars announced they were expecting their twentieth child. Not surprisingly, there was plenty of commentary regarding the blessed event, especially on the Internet, some of it supportive and some of it snarky (guess which camp I fell into).

Sadly, Michelle Duggar had a miscarriage. I may be an evil childfree feminist, but I do have the ability to be compassionate. I know a miscarriage can be hugely devastating. And though I think Ma and Pa Duggar should concentrate on the 19 kids they already have before making anymore babies, I would never deny them their grief.

However, I will deny the Duggars their famewhore ways. First, today the Duggars are holding a memorial service for the miscarried baby they were going to call Jubilee Shalom. I know people deal with their grief in different ways but a memorial service for someone who was never born and never contributed to society just seems wrong. The Duggars claim the service is just for family and close friends but I wouldn't be surprised if it was filmed for TLC. Remember, this is a family who has exploited their kids for fame and profit for several years.

And in further WTF-ness, the Duggars have published an obituary for Jubilee Shalom in the local paper. Once again, this seems way over-the-top, and the theatrics are rather off-putting. Like I mentioned I empathize with their grief, but making this family tragedy into some kind of showpiece makes me a wee bit sick in the stomach. Have the Jim Bob and Michelle put this much effort into helping their youngest child Josie who was born prematurely and has several health issues?

Once again, WTF?

Blatant Self-Promotion and Bragging Rights

My article about the upcoming redevelopment of Milwaukee's East Library (which is in my neighborhood) was published today at Third Coast Digest.

Book Review: Simply Green-Giving by Danny Seo

I’ve been a big fan of crafter Danny Seo ever since I saw him on Wendy Russell’s late crafting show She’s Crafty. But the delightful Danny is more than just a crafter; he’s thrifty and devoted to the environment He’s also utterly charming and cute as can be.

Being a fan of Danny’s I was pretty thrilled to find Danny’s book Simply Green: Giving at my local library. I quickly checked it out, hoping to get some good advice.
This slim volume tells you simple tricks you can use to give your holiday gifts (or any gifts really) an extra punch. Have extra VHS tapes around? Take apart the cartridge, pull out the tape and use the tape for curling ribbon. Who knew those taped episodes of Friends would come so handy?

One idea I really like was personalizing homemade soap using Scrabble tiles or those old poetry magnets and using them as gift tags. Further bonus: These gift tags are also functional. Of course, anyone familiar with my soap making process is not surprised by this.

Another great idea I liked. Turning a used potato chip bag inside out and using it as wrapping paper. This works best when the inside is silver, and it’s probably a good idea if the bag has been properly washed of potato chip grease. Nobody wants potato chip grease on their gift. However, this does give you a good excuse to eat more potato chips.

Seo also offers suggestions using vintage greeting cards, watch faces, old work shirts, wooden boxes, natural box fillers (including actual peanuts, not the foam kind), old hardback books, terra cotta blooming boxes and even leaves and grass you find in your backyard! Before you throw something in the garbage or recycling bin ask yourself, “Hmm, can I found another use for this?” Yes, I bet you can!

As I read Simply Green: Giving I found myself thinking of other things I could use to wrap and hold gifts. I found some paper grocery bags I could use as wrapping paper. And some cute postcards I have of Parisian scenes would make great gift tags. Seo is a crafter that inspires rather than intimidates.

This book also has a section on actual gift giving using handmade know-how that is both charming and thoughtful, and will please the many people on your gift list. These tips are also inspirational, and will make you think of gift giving in a whole new way that is economical, green and yes, very crafty.

Simply Green: Giving is divided into four sections, which include Cards and Tags, Boxes, Gift Wrap and Bows and Handmade Giving. This book is written on recycled paper (no surprise there). And the various resources Seo provides at the end of the book are a lovely added bonus.

Simply Green: Giving is a great addition to any crafter’s repertoire, and it also makes a great stocking stuffer for your best crafting friend.

Because Every Other Blogger Does It

I can't believe Christmas is only 20 days away. I've made a tiny dent in my holiday shopping. And when I say holiday shopping, I mean my crafting. I bet nobody is surprised I make a lot of my Christmas gifts. Naturally, I make soap, but I also make cookies, chai tea, beaded jewelry and this year I might make some cheesy biscuits.

But I've been busy with other things, too. I'm working on a big story for Third Coast Digest, which has taken up a lot of my free time. It should be published next week.

Kristine and I are starting up a "crafternoon" series this Sunday. We'll watch a movie, drink some wine and work on are latest crafty efforts.

Furthermore, next week I'm going to see a play for free at a theater in Bayview. Don't you love free stuff?

And I've got to give a shout out to Deborah Niemann. Her book Homegrown and Homemade has been named one of the best environmental and green books of 2011 by the website Mother Nature News.