“This is super stingy, but save Amazon shipping boxes flat under your bed or on the floor of a closet so you don’t have to buy boxes for gifts at Christmas or for birthdays.”
Keeping Pets Cool in the Summer
Do you have any idea how important it is to make sure your pet doesn't sweat to death this summer? I don't want to lecture you here, but please take some kind of precautions here, people. A vet once told me that taking a dog for a walk on a crazy hot day is the equivalent of a human walking around barefoot on piping hot sidewalks - and expecting that to be normal. So the best times to walk them in the summer? When the sidewalks are coolest - mornings and evenings.
And maybe these products below are unnecessary, but I love that they exist.
Self Cooling Pet Pad, available in different sizes on Amazon
Look at how cool that dog looks! I've bought this dog mat and it does actually stay pretty cool. The problem is trying to get a dog ON it. The box doesn't tell you how difficult that part is. Also, the fact that is looks like a pee pad doesn't help things along here.
The Frobo, keeps a water dish cold for an extended period
Now... will I buy the Frobo? I really want to. But I think I sort of have a problem with buying smaller-scale-luxurious items. So maybe I'll ask for one for Christmas.
Keep those bitches safe this summer, please!
Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops
I just made this pork and rice dish and it tasted incredible. I'm always looking for other things to do to pork (since pulling it is the popular one) and this recipe is fantastic. I adapted it slightly from A Little Claireification based on my own preferences, so if there's anything in this that you'd alter even more - I have a feeling it'll still taste amazing. Especially over rice.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 pork chops (bone in or out, your choice)
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 orange bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 can black beans, drained
Instructions
- Turn on your slow cooker and add the first eight ingredients.
- Stir briefly just for a minute until the brown sugar is dissolved.
- Add the pork chops, turning them once to coat both sides.
- Add the onion, peppers, corn and black beans on top.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours.
- Serve pork over rice or with a side of your choice.
Mom Says
Illustration by Andrew Hamm
Illustration by Andrew Hamm
Great
Hahahah.
“Maturing is realizing how many things don’t require your comment.”
Read Hard - Book Blog
I feel like we all wish we read more. Am I right in thinking that? The moment you become an adult there's this impalpable pressure that's suddenly placed upon you to be so fucking well read, it's an exhausting expectation. That being said, I'm always impressed by people who read a ton and will forever love that trait in a person.
I will never be well read. That's just a fact I've come to deal with, which is fine. I mean, I read - but maybe only five or six books a year (and that's considered a good year). (One time I read three books in four days and I feel like that sentence may be my final words someday I'm still so proud of it.) Anyway, it's all right to assume that you probably read more than I do. And if that is true, and you give any kind of a shit about getting actual GOOD book recommendations on what to read next, then this blog (Read Hard) is for you.
The lovely woman who writes it is my dear friend Adele and she writes exactly how she speaks, which I think is rare and just the best. She just started it earlier this month and it's about goddam time.
Rockaway Taco
There are two things you need to be happy: beaches and tacos. So when there's a place that you can go where you can dine on BEACH TACOS, I will likely suggest you go there as I just did this past weekend.
And if you do make the trek to Rockaway (which really isn't that far at all from the city), please get the fish tacos. I was a little disappointed when I realized they're deep-fried fish tacos and not, like, California kinda fish tacos - but they're still really tasty. And the Mexican corn? Get the hell out of here, I could've eaten five of those. Definitely the best thing on the menu. Also note that the chorizo tacos are nothing to write home about.
Would this place be as popular if it were in Manhattan? Crazy doubt it. But since it's in the middle of nowhere amongst (mostly gross) beach-type food, it makes sense why people are so into this place.
The Pet High Chair
“Satisfying a mutual desire for companionship, this high chair permits your dog or cat to accompany you at the dinner table. The high chair clips securely to tables up to 2” thick and its height adjusts without tools to elevate your pet to near eye level. It has a frame of powder-coated 5/8” steel tubing and its arms are rubber-coated so they will not mar table surfaces. By providing an alternative to sitting on your lap, running disruptively underfoot, or outright banishment, the chair assuages a pet (and its owner’s) frustration, and promotes more refined behavior. The chair’s 600-denier tan/brown nylon fabric cleans easily. Two tethers on the chair protect your dinner guests against any lapses in etiquette. Folds for convenient storage and travel. For pets up to 10 lbs.”
The people who brought you the dog umbrella are now touting this contraption. Am I writing a post about this item because I think it's ridiculous or because I think it's amazing? Honestly, I don't even know anymore. I used to think that I'd never be the type of person to carry a tiny dog in a purse before either and that's now a reality, so WHO KNOWS. I can say for sure that I wouldn't buy this high chair solely because I don't run with an eat-food-at-the-dinner-table kind of crowd. But if I did? Man, this might have to get bought. LOOK AT HIS LITTLE FACE.
Also, don't judge me for carrying a dog in a bag because:
- I don't like the idea of tying her up outside a grocery store and leaving her alone since that seems kind of mean and also SHE'S GORGEOUS AND SOMEONE WILL TAKE HER.
- She likes the air conditioning that she gets to experience inside said grocery store.
- I do not do it for fashion, I do it for necessity. If we're outside, she's walking on her tiny paws, always.
Edison's Ghost Machine
Words can't express how incredibly proud I am to know and love the woman, Jennifer Faylor, who penned this book of poetry. I've spoken of her before and I likely will again.
I had the pleasure of previewing Edison's Ghost Machine a few months ago and was startled by the fact that I think I may actually consider myself a poetry fan now. Who knew it could happen? Not only is it beautifully written and memorably poignant - but if you and I have any similar tastes at all, then you'll absolutely feel as strongly as I do about it.
A full review of this book will be the subject of a future post - I'm only mentioning it to you now since it recently became published and available for your fine eyes. You can get a copy on Amazon and there's no reason in hell you shouldn't read it.
You can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.