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April 2011 Archives

Catching Up With..

We're Kicking Off a New Column

By Bob on April 29, 2011 6:51 AM | Read More

Charlotte and I thought it would be fun to "brief" you on the Boomer brothers and sisters who frequent the site. So, we've decided to create a new column called "Catching Up With..." that pulls back the curtain on another Boomer every couple of weeks.

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DVDelicious

Dinner for Schmucks

By Bob on April 28, 2011 2:27 AM | Read More

Dinner for Schmucks is a quirky, goofball film that bounces off the comedy guardrails just enough to make you wonder if it could have been better as dark comedy or (dare I say it?) romantic comedy. It's a premise that could've gone either way. Luckily, the middle-of-the-road-comedy approach works very well and it delivers more than its share of laughs.

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Guest Room

Fashionably Great

By Bob on April 27, 2011 4:12 AM | Read More

I'll admit to being fashion-challenged sometimes. But, I learned a long time ago that an outfit consisting of polka dots, stripes and plaid isn't acceptable unless your job description calls for getting out of a VW Bug with 33 other guys in the middle of an arena. It's. Just. Not. Done.

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Daily Distraction

We Can Repair (almost) Anything

By Bob on April 26, 2011 4:07 AM | Read More

Guess I need to find another handyman...

We Can Repair (almost) Anything-400.jpg

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Boomerisms

Boomerisms

By Bob on April 25, 2011 6:14 AM | Read More

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#68 Sometimes you really are the smartest person in the room. The trick is knowing when.

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Don't Try This At Home

Is That Lumber or Are You Just Happy to See Me?

By Bob on April 25, 2011 4:51 AM | Read More

Remodel Diary - Day 1 - 450.jpg

We're doing a remodeling project at Blogger HQ to take in some attic space and create a new home office. We've hired our favorite contractors Doug and Christine to tackle this job and basically turn our lives upside down for the next two months. Join us as we explore whether remodelers and home owners can peacefully coexist and/or find out if it's OK to dump a body in a construction dumpster. 

 

Remodel Diary

Day 1

 

"Framers start early," Contractor Doug said.

 

"They'd like to get goin at 7:30 Monday morning if that's OK."

 

What he DIDN'T say was that a guy in an 18-wheeler would pull up in front of the house with a load of lumber forty minutes BEFORE the framer's "early start". One small detail that was lost in translation.

 

That's why I was shaving when I heard the rumbala-bumbala-bumbala of an 18-wheeler idling in front of our house. No, we don't get many big rigs in our gated Colleywood cul-de-sac. So it took a while for my Monday-morning brain to realize that this 18-wheeler might have SOMETHING to do with our remodeling project.

 

After rinsing the shaving cream off my face, I threw on a pair of shorts and grabbed a golf shirt out of the dirty clothes hamper. I know this wardrobe choice isn't in keeping with the Colleywood dress code, dahling...but protocol be damned. I was in a hurry.

 


 

God bless you, lumber-haulin car nut.

 


 


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Dig This

Lechuza Self-Watering Planters

By Bob on April 21, 2011 2:50 AM | Read More

Here at Boomer Mansion Charlotte's the green-thumb goddess and I'm the guy in charge of pruning, weeding and watering. She likes her plants - I mean, really likes 'em. We once lived in a house that had so many outdoor plants I was spending about an hour every day in the summer just making sure they were watered (yeah, the summers can be hot and dry in Texas).

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Here's the Dish

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookies

By Charlotte on April 20, 2011 8:00 AM | Read More

Bob and I had one of our first fights over cookies.  We were in our early 20s and newly married.   

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Daily Distraction

This is how Jeffrey Dahmer got started

By Bob on April 19, 2011 7:44 AM | Read More

This vintage ad from a "men's magazine" is probably the reason it isn't around any more. Thanks to our friends at Copyranter for finding this gem.

This is how Jeffery Dahmer Got Started-250.jpg

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Out of the Closet

Leifsdottir Shoes

By Charlotte on April 18, 2011 6:30 AM | Read More

My long-time friend Linda Storer and I are soul sisters. Besides being fellow breast cancer survivors, we write together. And we share everything from Brio's Insalata Roma (seasoned grilled white chicken and Roma tomatoes on a bed of field greens sprinkled with grapes and caramelized pecans -ahhh!) to a weakness for Nordstrom's shoes (they're easily returned ... no questions asked).

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Boomerisms

Boomerisms

By Bob on April 18, 2011 6:08 AM | Read More

Age doesn't bestow wisdom-200.jpg#67 Age doesn't bestow wisdom. There are plenty of stupid old people. 

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DVDelicious

The King's Speech

By Bob on April 14, 2011 5:25 AM | Read More

The King's Speech is a crown jewel of a movie that doesn't just live up to the hype - it exceeds it on every level. It's a moving and powerful story of personal triumph that's inspiring without being preachy; uplifting without being corny and engaging from the opening scene to the closing credits.

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Guest Room

Three Mediterranean Must-Sees

By Charlotte on April 13, 2011 6:00 AM | Read More

Although that why-don't-we-get-started-already remodeling project has us sidelined for now, Bob and I are fascinated with Mediterranean travel. I'm voting we go to Italy, Bob's love of baklava has him looking at Greece and, as you'd expect of classic movie buffs like us, we're both curious about Grace Kelly's Monaco (who wouldn't wonder about a country smaller than Central Park that attracts the super-rich?).

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Daily Distraction

What's That Smell?

By Bob on April 12, 2011 5:10 AM | Read More

Thanks to my cousin John Henry for passing this one along!

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Don't Try This At Home

Walk(er) This Way

By Bob on April 11, 2011 6:32 AM | Read More

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I have a confession to make. I HATE reunions.

 

It's not that I'm antisocial, but I just don't see the point in getting together once every decade with people who only want to see me once every decade.

 

What am I Haley's Comet?

 

If you really like me (that includes you and maybe you) you'll see me more often than every time the year ends in zero - because, well, I'm just so damned charming.

 

So of course, this is just a setup to tell you that I broke my rule a few days ago and actually attended a reunion (start wagging your fingers now) against my better judgment.

 

What reunion was it? The WHAT isn't really important. It's the WHY that matters to me. Let's just call it the, People-Who-Get-Together-Every-Ten-Years-For-The-Hell-Of-It (PWGTETYFTHOI)  reunion. See, right now you know it's stupid because the name is so effing long it doesn't even make a good acronym.

 


 

Remember that time we (ate/drank/escaped from that Mexican prison)?

 



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Boomerisms

Boomerisms

By Bob on April 11, 2011 6:05 AM | Read More

When in doubt - don't - 200.jpg#66 When in doubt, DON'T.

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Fresh Ideas for the Table, FREE

By Charlotte on April 8, 2011 6:50 AM | Read More

H-e-l-l-o spring! Our favorite farmers' market has opened for the season, promising fresh tomatoes, strawberries, blackberries and more.

 

To celebrate, Bob and I have found three, new idea-packed resources offering delicious ways to do more with fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs:

 

 


 

We're giving away three Garden-Fresh Cookbooks, a collection of One-Pot Dishes for Every Season and five All-Seasons Garden Guides ... FREE.

 

Read on for details on how to enter. Contest ends April 21!

 



gardenfresh_cookbook_cvr 200.jpgone pot dishes-144.jpggarden-guide-2011-rgb 100.jpg
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Home Runs

Sponge Worthy

By Bob on April 7, 2011 5:35 AM | Read More

Spongeables are one of those why-didn't-I-think-of-that products that make their way into the blogger compound from time to time. What a great idea! They're bath sponges already infused with spa quality soaps and fragrances - all you add is water.

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Fridge Finds

Simply Sensible Meals

By Charlotte on April 6, 2011 9:21 AM | Read More

For years, my girlfriends have teased me about my wacky eating habits. They'll tell you I live on dill pickles and toothpicks (I actually prefer graham crackers), Altoids and cereal (Special K without milk, of course).

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Daily Distraction

Take this Toy for a Spin

By Bob on April 5, 2011 5:29 AM | Read More

This probably explains why I felt dizzy throughout the entire third grade...
 

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In the Mirror

Hair Rules

By Charlotte on April 4, 2011 8:00 AM | Read More

In junior high, I wanted nothing more than to be like Julie Barnes (Peggy Lipton) on Mod Squad. Forget fighting crime. I envied her tall, thin frame; simply natural beauty and -- most of all -- her LOOOONG, blond hair. I just knew those luscious locks were the key to her success in life and love.
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Boomerisms

Boomerisms

By Bob on April 4, 2011 6:03 AM | Read More

Begin each day by doing something nice-200.jpg
#65 Begin each day doing something nice for someone. It frees up the rest of your day.

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Go
Red Thong Strong: Girlfriends Little Secrets to Smoothing Lifes Panty Lines
Guest Room

Diabetes-Friendly Chicken Burrito Bowl

ChickenBurritoBowlEverydayDiabetes 600.jpg

By Laura Cipullo and Lisa Mikus, authors of Everyday Diabetes Meals
Image credit: Colin Erricson

Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.

Tips:

If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.

If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.

Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.

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Playing Favorites

Windy City

It's been almost 18 years since Alison Krauss gave us a solo album, but the wait is over with Windy City. The release (her fifth solo studio album) features ten covers of classic songs (and some bonus tracks) she picked with producer Buddy Cannon.

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