Dear Sunny B.

Sorry to hear about your ear trauma. 

Wish I’d known about Blue Basils after my “incident” with the vacuum.  You know how mommies can get cleaning up before you’ve had every scrap of kibble. Well don’t tussle with the vacuum.  It always wins.

The swelling has gone down quite a bit since this picture, but my sniffer is still quite tender.

Another Blue Basil please! 

Any hoo, other than that, Plent is going well.  It’s my favourite thing; well that and walking, oh.. and plums, and chasing squirrels, and dinner time, and…..

P.S. And let those among us who haven’t had their nose stuck in a vacuum hose cast the first stone at the glass house.

Licks

Tally Kolkena-Dunn

Burning the Candle at Both Ends

Susan and I are currently in Rio de Janeiro where we are striving to keep up with the samba/caipirinha/sun worshiping culture...all this while Susan is delivering a top-notch program for her client.  Frankly, it feels a little like this:

But fear not!  We are carrying on in true Plenten tradition.  Let it not be said that we are not celebratory!  We SHALL burn the candle at both ends ('tho it does look uncomfortable...)

Missive from Connie

While we were in Mexico S.B. found the perfect Plenten drink, the Blue Basil. 

Here is the recipe:

1.5 oz vodka

1/4 oz cassis liquor

2 large basil leaves

8 - 10 bluberries

1/4 oz lime or lemon juice

Muddle the above in a tall drink glass then add

your favorite combination of club soda and/or sprite to fill the glass.

Enjoy.

p.s. Drinking several Blue Basils is of course how one gets over trying to tie ones ears a la Martha.

A CAUTIONARY NOTE….

Don’t tamper with what nature gave ya. 

I was tired of being floppy....

Then I  saw those hot look’n upright may I say erect, bunny ears ! Who wouldn't want to look like that ?

Thank you Martha – it looked like a good idea. Now I’ve got serious ear cramps and may have to have the knots cut.  Hope this incident won’t affect my Feaster duties.

Anyway, big ouch.  Will let you know how it all turns out.

S.B.

Thinking of the legal beagles with love and admiration

And wrote an ode to jury duty (was thankfully released from same last week)

Not a single cutey
Waiting for jury duty
Scanned the hundreds of faces
Sitting quietly in their places
All eavesdropping on one conversation
Craving a strong libation
Digested each restaurant in Toronto Life
And was poised with virtual fork and knife
For a fabulous steak dinner
This process won't make me thinner
Remembering to do my kugle
And lamenting the loss of google
Dreaming of books and scrabble
While hanging with fellow rabble
Imagining many better ways
To kill the hours and days ...

Plenty of Partying running you down?????

The Art of Napping….

Plent can be a tiring business.  Frequent naps help to sustain stamina and restore zest.  

The following panel of experts has kindly offered up their tips for the perfect nap.

The Deep Doze

This is my fav.  I find it works best if I bulk up on berries, campers or picnickers for a couple of weeks in the fall and then find a cozy den.  I can nod right off and somehow my inner alarm gets me up and good to go come spring.  The key is to really pack in the fruit, carbs and proteins before dozing off. 

The Cat Nap

My preference is a series of short but frequent “cat” naps- often up to a combined 18 hours during the dawn, day and dusk.  Somewhere warm and comfy.  Of course in between naps I snack and demand treats.  This gives me the energy to be up all night partying, tearing around the house and jumping on my humans while they try to sleep. 

The Power Nap

Now this is a real art.  It requires the ability to drop off in the midst of whatever and where ever.  It may require relentless practice but you’ll be rewarded in the end.  Like the cat nap, it is usually of short duration and is the pause in a busy day that totally refreshes.

Bunny Napkins for Spring

Happy Spring Everyone!!  As we enter this season of fertility and, well, bunnies may I suggest we all begin practicing our napkin folds?

This lovely model is from Martha Stewart but you can go here for more explicit instructions.   Imagine the possibilities: with breakfast in bed, tea with the relatives and, of course, Feaster.

Happy folding!

FESTIVAL ALERT !!!

FESTIVAL  ALERT….. march 20

“Holi - the festival of colors - is undoubtedly the most fun-filled and boisterous of Hindu festival. It's an occasion that brings in unadulterated joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright colors!

With winter neatly tucked up in the attic, it's time to come out of our cocoons and enjoy this spring festival. Every year it is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March and glorifies good harvest and fertility of the land.

"Don't Mind, It's Holi!"
During Holi, practices, which at other times could be offensive, are allowed. Squirting colored water on passers-by, dunking friends in mud pool amidst teasing and laughter, getting intoxicated on bhaang and reveling with companions is perfectly acceptable. In fact, on the days of Holi, you can get away with almost anything by saying, "Don't mind, it's Holi!" (Hindi = Bura na mano, Holi hai.)

The Festive License!                
Women, especially, enjoy the freedom of relaxed rules and sometimes join in the merriment rather aggressively. In a way, Holi is a means for the people to ventilate their 'latent heat' and experience strange physical relaxations.”                                                                                                    (Excerpted from an Introduction by Subhamoy Das, About.com Guide)

WOW…this has Plent written all over it!  Sign me up.   Thanks to Mz. Mary Jane Stitt who I believe has offered up her new house for a paint ball party venue !!

Is Sunny Bunny Irish???

HAPPY
ST. PATRICK'S
DAY  !!!

What's Green and Irish and Stays Out all Night?

Paddy O'Furniture!

Bonnie's Favourite: St. Patrick's Shamrock Salad...mmm..mmm

Shamrock Salad:

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch thin asparagus spear
• 150 g sugar snap peas, trimmed
• 150 g snow peas, trimmed
• 150 g shelled fresh peas
• 50 g rocket
• 50 g baby spinach
• 2 sticks celery, sliced
• 250 g four leaf clover
• 100 g shamrock, leaves

DRESSING INGREDIENTS

• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 -2 teaspoon grainy mustard

Directions:

1.  Remove woody ends from asparagus and shamrocks and cut into equal lengths.
2. Cook the peas, asparagus, and clovers in boiling salted water for around 2 minutes or until just tender but still crisp. Do not overcook them and when removed from water refresh them in a bowl of iced cold water. Drain, pat dry and place into a bowl with rocket,spinach,shamrocks  and celery.
3. Combine the dressing ingredients, add salt and pepper to taste and mix well through. Pour over salad, and toss.
4. Forks Up!                     ENJOY

Sad Etsy Boyfriends

Portland, OR is steeped in DIY (do it yourself) culture.  Many crafters sell their wares on Etsy.  But who should model them?

Click here to see "20 Sad Boyfriends" all modeling homemade hats and clothing because they love their gal.  Poor saps.

Definitely chuckle-worthy...

St Patricks Day warm-up

St. Patrick's Day is around the corner and is full of Plenten opportunities. I thought it would be fun to do an Irish Crosaire Puzzle (we call them cryptics on this side of ocean). This is from the Irish Times.

I'll send the answers on the 17th. If anyone completes the puzzle send it along. The race is on!

Luck of the Irish to you!

Across



1 It's about Hans switching routes across his country (9)

6 <---- Arrive here shortly before it hurts (5)

9 John Gormley & Co. get nothing there, for leaving their post (3)

10 Using our flap, we'll be in complete control (3-8)

11 A ship of fools? Well, one anyway (3)

13 Sting you with one in the dish to tell the difference (11)

14 The methodical way to show the southern bus company north Clare (7)

15 It's partly "tosh", or euphemism for "reinforce" (5,2)

17 Feeling guilty that Edward was a fake (7)

19 Back in the middle of July, that graduate had a go ... what a pain! (7)

20 A vegetable season that might move you to tears (6,5)

21 Even what she used to be called about? (1'2)

22 Shock vote for the last of your round ... that's cute! (11)

24 Sat-nav pings (3)

25 Model not in the poster (5)

26 They're on the stage with the pins, as arranged (9)



Down



1 A GNC announced by Greece (6,3)

2 <---- Here too, in conversation (3)

3 It constricts nothing in British Airways (3)

4 Yes, but not right in the hole at the centre of the church (4,3)

5 Lies from southern conservatives (7)

6 Cruise vehicle maybe for several saints? (1,3,4,3)

7 Make cool changes I regret and fear (11)

8 It's Ernie who golfs in Westmeath and is partly British (5)

12 Bits show Tim's back ... he returned to sneer (11) 13 He proposes the candidates after Germany gets the number below the line (11)

16 For the song to return is the forecast (9)

18 Failure to kick the rugby ball? (4-3)

19 Kind of wear that's a gift from Hawaii? Sure! (7)

20 Brush that's small, and a little soft (5)

23 Especially quick gift for a clairvoyant (3)

24 Go to a place in India (3)

SUNNY BUNNY'S PLENTEN TIPS

Listen up…. As this year’s Feaster Bunny- big honour, thanks eh- I’ve got

a few tips on some of the Plenten imbib’n protocols.  Such as: you tea

totallers knock it off; anyone with a milk mustache will be sent to their

room;  juice is OK as long as it’s got some celebratory punch to it, if you

catch my drift.  Every drink is a TOAST TO PLENTITUDE, so go for it like you

mean it.  I’ll be watching, and like my bud the big jolly red guy- I’ll know

who’s Plenting and who’s not.

OK, so booze is not totally mandatory. There may be a few exceptions

allowed as long as you get with the program and celebratize your drink

with at least a cherry or umbrella.

Let me know if you got questions or concerns.  Four weeks till Feaster!

Cheers and Plentitudes

Sunny Bunny

Inspiration for Merlot

We recently visited the Louisiana Bayou and took a swamp tour.  Our guides keep many cats and the bravest of them all is Mugsy.  Watch as he faces down not one, but two (!) alligators.

Like Merlot, the heart of a lion in the body of a kitty.

Bonnie's Plenten Plans

In keeping with my on going recovering catholic syndrome I have decided to give up certain thing for Plent:

I will give-up lettuce,broccoli, rapini and any other green that looks like it would appeal more to a cow than a human. 

 Champagne, beer and wine remain on the list of desirables.  

Also for Plent I will try at least 5 minutes of laugh therapy every day because we all know that Laughter is the best medicine. 

Love Bonnie

Yoga for Champagne Lovers

I came across this most excellent yoga instruction from Harold's Planet, I will be teaching a 45 minute class next Saturday after I have perfected all the moves, it may take a few practices! ah well

cheers Jane

http://harolds-planet.blogspot.com/2010/07/harolds-planet-yoga-for-wine-lovers.html

Mardi Gras for All Our Friends

Tally, our 12-year-old Golden Retriever, enjoys the occasional costume.  Yesterday she sported her Mardi Gras beads.

No, we did not give her a hurricane cocktail.  They were just for us.

Shrove Tuesday kick off...

Plent festivities kick off on Shrove Tuesday, this year on March 8^th, with the customary Pancake Dinner.  Shrove Tuesday is a term associated in English-speaking countries for the day preceding Bash Wednesday, the first day of the season of feasting and plenitence called PLENT.

Of course PLENT has a long and fascinating history of symbolism and iconography. The Pancake symbolizes the circle, which is “an ancient and universal symbol of unity, wholeness, infinity, the goddess, and female power. To earth-centered religions throughout history as well as to many contemporary pagans, it represents the feminine spirit or force, the cosmos or a spiritualized Mother Earth, and a sacred space.”

Pancakes also represent the plentitude that can be found in the simple ordinary staples of life.  They are an excellent way to ease into the Plenten practices.  My advice is DON’T OVER DO IT ON THE 1^ST NIGHT.  You’ve got to pace yourself so you can peak at FEASTER.

Onto the ……The Pancake Dinner.
The following is an outstanding recipe from Bonnie Stern. I highly recommend it. I have learned from experience that it is a good idea to have double ingredients on hand in case you need to make 2 batches. Sometimes in the excitement, say when guests are distracting you, there could be an ingredient mix up or omission.

 

MM MMMM     YOGURT PANCAKES

Ingredients

Champagne     

2 eggs  (raw)

11/2 cups plain yogurt (check the expiry date)

2 tbsp granulated sugar (optional) I usually omit this- on purpose

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp *****BAKING S O D A *****

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

     Pour liberal amount of champagne and toast the occasion.  Break eggs-into bowl. Whisk in yogurt, sugar (if desired). Take a break for more toasting.  Sift flour and baking SODA into egg mixture.  Sifting can be tiring so break for more champagne. Pour melted butter into batter; mix in.

     Heat lightly greased skillet, preferably non-stick, over medium-high heat. For each pancake, sip champagne and drop about ¼ cup of batter into pin.  Cook 3 to 4 minites or until tiny bubbles appear in your champaine er..hic..bubbles appear in your pancakez and the sirfice has lost its sheen. Sip n’flip and cook second side briffly.

     Makes about 16 pinkcakes.

   HAPPY PLENT !