Can I Haz a Purrrrrrrr?

Let me tell you:  Everyone needs a cuddly and purr-filled cat!  It is the remedies of ALL remedies to lay your head (gently) on your cat's mid-section when they're purring.  When I'm feeling a little blue or have a headache, Mr. Cat's purrs are SO uplifting.  And ya know, there may be some science behind why...

They always like it when you're working.

Researchers say that purring not only expresses a cat's pleasure and communication with their young, it also helps out during stressful situations, including when injured or near death.  A cat's consistent inhaling and exhaling purr is anywhere between 25 to 150 hertz -- a frequency range that appears to boost bone density and healing.  Perhaps that's why domesticated cats don't seem to have as many muscle and bone defects as the domesticated canine.  And why researchers are asking whether this can help astronauts who spend extended amounts of time in zero gravity (which results in diminished bone density and muscle degeneration).  Cats seem able to stimulate their muscles and bones while expending minimal energy during their loooooooooong hard days of cat napping and just laying about....with purring!

Another article references a new theory that purring may release endorphins in cats.  My question is:  Can a cat's purring release endorphins in humans too (because it sure makes ME happier!)?  I mean, the author reminds us how cats make great therapy animals and that cat owners have lower blood pressure.

Me and Him :)

Hmmm....I dunno, but I'll say that there isn't anything quite like being near a purring cat :)!

Sing Song Duo

LOVE IT!

Visit HelloGiggles for more :)

Cyber Cleaning

I've been on a de-cluttering rampage (sloooooowly, but surely).  One major thorn in my side?  Internet related content and memberships!  I was one of THOSE weirdos who jumped in too fast with all the digital possibilities.  So now -- clean up and minimizing.  Today I deleted my MySpace space (see what I did there?  Did you see it?) account (which, btw, they really layer on the guilt and play on fears and insecurities of social disconnection).  Felt good, man.  

As I did, I came across an a gem to share.  Enjoy!

video by Sister (of her son)

Back To It.

And what did y'all did for your 4th of July weekend?

Boyfriend and I started down the long journey of watching the Star Trek series from the very beginning.  

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We also celebrated Mom's birthday at Brother's house.  He is attending culinary school and made us a wonderful dinner!  

On the 4th we were invited to a day at a river in Nevada County where we ate lots of BBQ and went swimming (thank goodness!).  We didn't buy fireworks, so we walked around our block to view our neighbors' fireworks.  Always beautiful...and cheap for us!

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Unfortunately, we didn't take pictures...this weekend was just too full of hotness and funness to stop in the middle :).  Hope you had a good one!

The Cleansing

So, I have this dirty little secret...it makes me cringe.  Now, I'm willing to share it with you so that maybe you can learn from my mistakes and avoid inevitable horror.  

MY MICROWAVE IS DISGUSTING!

Well, not anymore....I cleaned it :).

Sorry, I just can't bring myself to show you the before picture.

We are SO bad at cleaning that thing and we just never got a cover for the food.  I mean, why clean ickiness when we can continue to procrastinate?  But who wants to continue to put food inside something that you don't even want to put your arm in to clean?

So now, it looks marvelous.  Though it took some major time and elbow grease...at first.  I started out by scrubbing it with a brush and soapy water -- I didn't think it wise to use chemicals because food + heat + chemicals most likely = disaster and EWWW.  After several minutes of barely any progress, I realized that I should microwave a bowl of water first.  VOILA!...steam technology is an amazing discovery.

What are some environment/life/atmosphere/food friendly ways you clean your appliances?

Must Go? Mendocino, CA

Juuuuuuust got back from a wonderful surprise birthday getaway for Boyfriend.  We LOVE Mendocino...

If you're coming in from the valley, this is a great place to stop on the way.  DELICIOUS sandwiches! Located in the back of the Antiques & Uniques shop in Cloverdale.

Underground Cafe, Cloverdale

The main area of Mendocino has some of the best eye candy...

Want. This. Lamp.

Papa Bear's Chocolate Haus (misspelled on Yelp)

And gardens galore!

Frankie's...a town favorite for pizza AND ice cream!

We stayed at the Alegria Oceanfront Inn & Cottages.  One of our favorite B&B's.  The owners are the nicest folks...and great cooks!  Elaine is a County Fair award winning baker!

Broccoli, cheese, & sun-dried tomato frittata with a cinnamon scone.

Just a few miles drive away...the redwoods.

Fern Canyon at Van Damme State Park

And of course...BEACHES!

For our fancy Bday dinner....Cafe Beaujolais.  Located a couple blocks up the street from our cottage.

Top:
Niman Ranch Filet Mignon
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed
Truffle Butter, Sauce Au Poivre
(paired with a lovely Pinot Noire:  Domaine Chlofflet-Valdenaire, Fibry, Clos De Chouse, 1er Cru)

Bottom:
Petaluma Duck Two Ways Crispy Skin Breast & Leg de Confit
Carmelized Onion Buttermilk Spätezle, Wilted Kale
Balsamic Jus Lié

Irresistible

Top:
Coconut Cream Pie
Chocolate Macaroon Crust, Caramel Sauce

Bottom:
Flourless Callebaut Chocolate Lava Cake
Tahitian Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

I would recommend sharing the duck and desserts...they were SO RICH!  The filet mignon was so melt-in-your-mouth perfect!

So is Mendocino a Must Go?  Well, only if you like relaxing, good weather, and great food...but I guess that's not for everyone :).

Must See? Sherlock

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How many renditions of Sherlock Holmes can there be?  There seems to be no end...but there also doesn't seem to be anybody complaining.  Sherlock Holmes is one of those characters that people can't seem to get enough of.  So how does one keep Holmes fresh amongst a TV schedule saturated with modern day crime solving, dead bodies, and police consulting mentalists?

I DON'T KNOW, but the BBC's Sherlock series has found a way to do it for me!...and maybe about 7 million other people as well.  Creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat have found a nice balance between maintaining the essence of the Holmes/Watson duo with a modern day update--a combo easily gone awry.  It is the age of technology.  Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) well knows it and makes full use rather than letting it hinder his innate sharpness.  

As for Watson's character (Martin Freeman), he satisfies some of the pushover qualities that many have come to know and love in early TV and movie interpretations while also nurturing the intelligent military (and ladies) doctor.  His perhaps unintended humor is dry, subtle, and HILARIOUS.  

Cumberpatch and Freeman have GREAT on-screen chemistry.  This series does not disappoint in it's mystery, realistic humor, and demanded intelligence.  I can't wait for the new episodes (rumored to currently being filmed in between days of The Hobbit filming).

p.s.  Anyone want to get down and geeky with the Sherlockians with me?