Fun(?) Beaver Facts

1. They are the largest rodent in North America.
2. Their lips are behind their teeth so they can gnaw underwater.
3. They grow to be as much as 60 lbs. and 4 feet long.
4. They live for about 19 years and mate for life.
5. They kick their young out of the lodge at two years old. If the young won't leave, they kill them. Nice. When the young leave, they always travel downstream to build their lodge and dam. If they travel upstream, they risk running into their ancestors who will also kill them. Nice again.
6. An adult beaver can carry as much as 200 lbs. They are known to work in teams for heavier tasks. (Maybe there should be a World's Strongest Beaver Competition, it should air on Animal Planet.)
7. They build dams to make one side of the water deeper so when the freeze comes there is still enough water beneath the ice for them to swim comfortably and hide from predators. We wouldn't want the little bastards to be uncomfortable.
8. They can gnaw an 8" diameter tree in 20 minutes; an 18" diameter tree in less than an hour.
9. They prefer willow, ash, cottonwood, alder, aspen, birch, and poplar trees. Fussy fucks.
10. Their lodges are made up of sticks and mud and grasses, often referred to as a mud igloo. They build a "shelf" up high in the lodge to sleep and stay dry from rising flood waters.

I know all this and more but still can't get rid of them. This weekend we will meet with the neighbors for a beaver pow wow. We may have to break down and hire a trapper.

This is the latest casualty and the first one that is officially on our property.

Our First Pro Hockey Game

As a parent of an avid figure skater, I used to proclaim my love for hockey only because when I would see the hockey players arrive at the rink it meant that we no longer had ice time and we could finally go home. Over the years I have seen many non-pro hockey games, although never from beginning to end. So for Christmas, Lauren bought Rick and I tickets to a Hawks game. Very clever idea entwined with a bit of sarcasm, I'm sure. The game was a blast, no fights though. And the Bud Light Zamboni is brilliant. Final score: Hawks 2, Stars 1.

Merry Christmas to All!

I've come to the conclusion that when you host Christmas it is somewhat like a wedding. Weeks of careful planning, baking, decorating, shopping, wrapping, etc. and it is all over in a few hours. Dinner was fabulous (OK, maybe I'm bragging just a bit), the roast tenderloin was bloody (just the way the big man likes it and I don't mean Santa), the tequila was smooth and those late night sandwiches were perfect. The only thing missing was J&J and Mashley. Maybe next year.

Happy Birthday Sophia!

I cannot believe that my Goddaughter is three already. Where does the time go? Now I sound like my mother.

Blog Break

The preparations for Christmas have kept me very busy this week but I wanted to take a minute to share my tree with everyone, especially those that we will not see this year. I love my tree. It makes me happy.

So you know that I am not playing favorites, I love my basement tree too. I will post that picture later.

Who knew?

Twenty years with this guy and I had no idea he could play the clarinet! Together with Roger and Brad they rocked the MGB Holiday Party. There is some talk of bringing back Santa for the Holiday Party. In my opinion, Rick is a much better Santa than clarinetist. It must be the scotch. A good time was had by all, except maybe Sandip who looks as if he's just been busted.

A very happy Holiday season to all our friends at the firm.

Just a Little Funny

I couldn't resist.

11-2 Baby

What a game! Devin Hester is the man. But he really needs to stop taunting the other team when heading into the endzone. We all know that this will eventually bite him in the ass. I can't believe that his teammates don't call him on this. Perhaps they will today. Bottom line; another win, a playoff bye week and a guaranteed home game at Soldier Field. And it is Soldier Field, not Soldier's Field for all you morons that don't know any better.

Gameday

Tonight's the night. If Rex is not with the program and Lovie doesn't put in Griese then I will be convinced that Lovie has no balls. I'm not saying he has to make Griese the starter but give the guy a chance if Rex can't get the job done. What does he have to lose? Not the game since the D has won most of their games anyway.

Two more things: My brother Bob had better be rooting for the Bears. And if the Saints end up facing the Bears for the NFC championship, Marc had better be rooting for the Bears too. After all, tuition for law school can be pretty expensive!

B E A R D O W N !

Just Venting

I do 95% of my Christmas shopping online for good reason. Yesterday I needed to make a liquor run. I ventured into the dreaded Orland during Christmas. Silly me. The traffic was a nightmare (in the middle of the afternoon) and the stores were no better. So I'm in line waiting to check out at the liquor store and the 2 people in line ahead of me are writing checks! Who does this anymore? Have they not discovered the debit card? And if they must write checks perhaps they could have everything but the amount filled in beforehand! There's a concept.

Santa's Watching

"I've been good, HONEST! Except for the pile of barf in the corner of my mom's bedroom and the garbage that I got into last week, I've been the perfect dog. Now wrap up those rawhides, would you?"

By Request

Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon

1/2 cup chopped shallots
1/4 cup drained capers
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or
1 teaspoon dried dillweed
1 1/4 lb. skinless salmon fillet
1 tablespoon lemon-pepper seasoning
2 tablespoons butter
lemon wedges

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place large sheet of foil on baking sheet. Spray foil with vegetable oil spray. Mix shallots, capers and dill in small bowl. Place salmon on foil; sprinkle with lemon-pepper seasoning. Spread shallot mixture over salmon. Dot with butter. Fold up foil edges to enclose salmon; seal. Bake salmon just until opaque in center, about 25 minutes. Open foil; transfer salmon to platter (no duh) and garnish with lemon.

I also cook this on the grill. It takes less time on the grill but it all depends on the size of the salmon fillet.

I must give credit where credit is due. This recipe was passed along to me by my good friend Karla aka K-Ho. She is one of the best cooks I know.

Outsourcing 101

I am currently enrolled in this new class being offered at Anderson University under the instruction of my brilliant DIL. My first assignment went very well with the help of Timmy and Nick, a few beers and a minimal fee. With absolutely no effort on my part (this is where I excel) I bring you the Anderson holiday light show, the best on the block.


Next class: Night Time Photography 101