Golf Ball Marker Line

I picked up a couple of devices for $5 to draw lines on golf balls in an attempt to make more putts.  The device is spring-loaded to hold the golf ball firmly, while a Sharpie is used to draw a line on both sides.  This would make a nice stocking stuffer for the golfer in your family.  

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP6HSLPV

Hose Pot

We've replaced our standard hoses and their hose reels in both the front and back yards with the XHose Pro hoses I blogged about this last January.  We didn't want to just leave them on the ground, and we bought a couple of the Hose Pots you see below to hide and protect the hoses.  This combination makes watering our new landscaping much easier, which we (i.e., Gourmet Chef Elaine) will be doing a lot.  

I'm not sure why, but I don't have any issues connecting these hoses to the spigots.  Every other hose I've ever had took 3-5 attempts to get the threads lined up, but this usually only takes the first try.  I so love that.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Suncast-Plastic-75-ft-Hose-Pot-Hose-Reel/1000739748

New Landscaping

After losing every boxwood at the front of the house, we decided to start totally fresh.  After consulting with Mike Gorman of Gorman Landscape, we decided he and his crew would plant ‘Trautman’ Juniper (the tall one on the left) and three 'Bowing Ball’ Arborvitae to the right of that.  In front, we have three 3 White Drift Roses and one ‘Sun King’ Aralia.  The other side (to the right of the front door) has a similar configuration.  These beds were mulched, as was everything else in both yards.  These guys do a great job.

https://www.gormanlandscape.com

Using AI To Get Cleaning Instructions

If you're unsure how to clean something, like the exterior door below, asking an AI Chatbot can get useful suggestions.  Most importantly, it advised against using pressure washers, abrasive pads, ammonia, and bleach.  For the door, it suggested mixing a few drops of mild dish soap (like Dawn) in a bucket of warm water and using a microfiber cloth or a soft sponge, starting from the top and working your way down.  For the glass, since it's textured, use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a dedicated glass-cleaning brush to gently reach into the "valleys."

AI Chatbots can get things wrong, so make sure to double-check their suggestions before tackling a job like this.

https://gemini.google.com/app

Sour Cream

This organic Sour Cream is the bomb!  It's thick, tasty, and will be the only brand we buy going forward.  It lacks watery fillers and has a higher "cling" factor, which is why it works so well as a dollop on tacos or a base for dips.  It's less aggressively acidic than other brands and leans into the sweetness of the cream rather than a sharp vinegar-like bite.  Yum!

https://www.traderjoes.com

Within 300 Feet

The fireworks sign you see below is on the entrance door to our local Meijer store.  First, you wouldn't think they need to tell people not to shoot off fireworks in their parking lot.  But some people are just that stupid.  But the real problem I see with the sign is that it seems to say that if you're far enough away, it's okay to light them up.  Not so.  

While Ohio state law changed in 2022 to allow the discharge of consumer fireworks on specific holidays, it also gave individual municipalities the right to "opt out" and maintain their own bans. Kettering is one of several local cities that chose to keep its ban in place.  

Front Yard Farm

This house on Polen Drive in Kettering, Ohio, is a stunning example of what not to do.  Filling your front yard with a life-sized horse, a pink pig, a black gorilla, geese, chickens, and a rooster is as tacky as it gets.  I suppose you wouldn't have to give your address when you have guests.  Just direct them to the "front yard farm on Polen."

Big shout-out to Kim B for spotting this chuckle and a sigh...

Account Updater Program

A few days ago, I received a new credit card in the mail to replace the one expiring in the next month.  Since I pay a half-dozen or more bills using that credit card, I know I need to update the expiration date on their websites, and I keep a list of bills I pay with that card.  I went to the first one, and the new expiration date was already there.  The same was true for most of the rest of the websites.  What the heck was going on?

This is due to a new service called the Account Updater Program.  Offered by the credit card networks, they send the updated info (new expiration date and CVV) to the card network’s database.  Major merchants and service providers that use recurring billing are subscribed to these updates.  If a change is found, the network securely provides the new information to the merchant. The merchant then automatically updates your profile on their end.

Why do they do this?  A couple of reasons.  First, it prevents "payment declined" notifications and service interruptions.  Second, merchants want to ensure they get paid without you having to log in manually, which is also when some people decide to cancel their subscription.

The only account I had to manually update was a yearly renewal for an Apple storage service.  I guess yearly does not fit the definition of "recurring."

Using AI For Wine Recommendations

I asked the Google Gemini chatbot to "Recommend 5 highly-rated red wines under $20," and the results are shown below.  I've had the Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel several times, and it's always delicious.  Same for the Colombia Crest Cab.  Both of those should be easy to find at most wine shops.  The other three I haven't tried, but I do like Argentinian Malbec and Italian Chianti Classico.  If you're invited to a party, any of these will make a great gift.

https://gemini.google.com

1. Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, Washington)

   This is consistently one of the best values in American Cabernet. It typically features bold flavors of black cherry and plum with a touch of vanilla and cocoa from oak aging. It is smooth, reliable, and pairs perfectly with grilled meats.

2. Catena High Mountain Vines Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)

   While some Malbecs can be one-dimensional, Catena is a pioneer in high-altitude viticulture. This wine offers deep violet colors with intense aromas of black fruits and a hint of spice. It has a velvety texture that makes it very approachable.

3. Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel (California)

   For those who enjoy a robust, "jammy" red, this is a standout. Sourced from vines that are decades old, it delivers concentrated flavors of raspberry and peppercorn. It’s a hearty wine that stands up well to spicy BBQ or rich pasta dishes.

4. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rouge (Rhône Valley, France)

   A classic Syrah-based blend, this wine is famous for its consistency. It offers a savory profile with notes of blackberry, Garrigue (dried Mediterranean herbs), and a hint of black pepper. It is elegant, earthy, and a great introduction to French reds.

5. Castello di Monsanto Monrosso Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy)

   If you prefer something with higher acidity and bright cherry notes, this Sangiovese-heavy blend is excellent. It features the classic "dusty" tannins of Tuscany and a bright, food-friendly profile that shines alongside tomato-based dishes or hard cheeses.

A Tip for Value: When looking for high-quality bottles under $20, regions like the Rhône Valley (France), Mendoza (Argentina), and Rioja (Spain) often provide the highest quality-to-price ratio compared to premium regions like Napa Valley or Bordeaux.

Chicken Marsala

Until recently, I had never tried Chicken Marsala, even though Gourmet Chef Elaine raves about it when she gets it at our local Figlio restaurant.  As you can see in the recipe at the link below, it's a simple cook.  The key ingredients that kick up the flavor are the cremini mushrooms, shallot, and dry marsala wine.  Buying an entire bottle of the wine is a waste, so next time we'll try substituting it with dry vermouth, which is shelf-stable for months.  

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/the-best-chicken-marsala-7195830