I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw another scorpion in the back yard. At first, it looked like a leaf but I’ve trained myself to study every dirt pile,  leaf, and stick in the back yard. This one looked just like some dried things that fall off the shrubs on the back hill… or ARE they dried things that fall off the shrubs? I used to go outside with my camera – now I go out with a magnifying glass! Seriously. And that scarf around my neck is not about fashion. I always think something’s crawling on my neck. This is no way to live!!!

I miss my blog! But I’ve been swamped with handling my stepmom’s affairs, getting some work done on the house, and we have house guests this week. Plus I’m trying to write another cookbook, make some more videos and trap some more squirrels, but who has the time? Now there’s a mole creating his own private highway across my lawn, and something left a big pile of poop in the back yard last night. Where’s the hawk when you need him? I’ll be back to blogging soon. Meantime, feel free to share your own details about what’s overwhelming you. I don’t want to be the lone whiner!

It’s one thing for me to post pictures I take in my back yard but quite another to take those photos and create a collage of all my back yard visitors. That’s exactly what my facebook friend, Brian, did in his spare time. He did such an awesome job and clearly spent a lot of time to do this, so I want everyone to see it. I love my backyard and consider all the visitors ‘family,’ even the ones I love to hate (like the mangy, rat-faced, no-good, low-life, beady-eyed, scum-sucking, tomato-stealing squirrels). If  all seventeen showed up at once, who would be the last one standing?  Who would escape? Who would become lunch? Would any of them work together as a team or would they backstab each other to survive? I know who would run & hide like a scared little girl…

I’ve never regretted telling the truth.  I can’t throw away a good jar. One size fits all is a crock.  Denis is the best hugger in the world. I have 47 spatulas but my car is 9 years old….my priorities are clear. No one wants to change the toilet paper roll, including me, so I always try to leave 2 or 3 squares of tissue on the roll so the next person has to deal with it.  Spiders can hold their breath for 19 hours – I didn’t need to know that. Stretch pants are nobody’s friend. Cookies are a waste of time without milk. “At the tone please leave your message…when you are finished recording, you may hang up or press one for more options.” If anyone has ever pressed one for more options, I’d like to know about it.

I’m proud to report that A LIFE WAS SAVED thanks to one of “Jenny’s Heroes.” Alisha Obando, a school nurse from American Falls, Idaho, had requested funds in January to provide three AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) to her local school district. Last week, a young life was saved. A 17-year-old student collapsed at football practice and had no pulse. The AED saved his life. I know that a lot of people have been helped though “Jenny’s Heroes” but this is the first definitive proof that a life was saved. I’m rewarded beyond words. If you want to see more about Alisha or the other Heroes, click here.

Scene of the Crime:

Evidence:

D.N.A.  Sample:

Mug Shot:

Hi Jenny. I want to know more about how to prevent dry skin on the face.

Noreen

Dear Noreen,

There are a few things I can suggest and the first is your diet. A healthy diet is always reflected in healthy skin. Besides lots of vegetables & fruit, it’s important to consume some fat but only healthy fat, like olive oil, canola oil, avocados, nuts, etc., and drink water every day. Secondly, make sure you are not stripping away moisture when you wash your face – do not use regular soap (never deodorant soap!) but only a mild cleanser and no hot water. Look for a rich “hydrating” moisturizer and if your climate is dry, use a humidifier and spray your face regularly with water. I hope that helps.

Jenny

Jenny,

If I want to add lowfat healthy seasoning to the paperbag popcorn what would you suggest? before or after popping? mrs.dash has several varieties without sodium etc, have you experimented?

Lynda

Lynda,

If you pop without oil, I would add the dry seasoning after because otherwise, it won’t stick. If you use oil, you can add the seasoning with the oil and shake the bag well before popping. I like my popcorn the traditional way so I pop it in the microwave plain, with no oil, then I add a little melted “Canola Harvest” (I don’t use butter) and I add popcorn salt. But your question inspired me to experiment and since I love kettle corn, I tried popping with a little canola oil and about 2 teaspoons of sugar and it was great – a very light, slightly sweet treat. Depending on your tastes, you can add all kinds of seasonings like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chili powder, onion powder, dried herbs, or a little parmesan cheese.

Jenny