Catamaran Ride - Part 2

During our Turks and Caicos catamaran ride, we had stopped for a bit and noticed a pair of porpoises lazily cruising through the water, fins and snouts occasionally breaking the water.  The fun really started when our boat took off and one of the porpoises decided the race was on and began chasing us, leaping out of the water every few seconds.  Capturing the perfect moment almost eluded me as I snapped pictures as fast as I could, trying to time a leap just right.  The picture below was the lone success, captured right before the porpoise decided the fun was over. 

https://islandvibestours.com

Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken

Easily a middle-of-the-week dinner, this recipe delivers a nice twist with its baked cherry tomatoes bursting with flavor.  I offer a couple changes to the directions, first, don't bother reducing the balsamic vinegar, it's touchy and makes you stand there stirring the entire time.  Second, when finished baking, put it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, and monitor that closely, to get a nice brown crust on the cheese.  This link contains a video showing just how easy this is to make.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/sheet-pan-caprese-chicken-3876232

Catamaran Ride - Part 1

Our trip to Turks and Caicos included an awesome four-hour catamaran ride.  Towards the end of the trip we had the option to jump off the boat from a platform and/or take the built-in slide route.  I loved both, particularly the jump, somewhere in the 10-12 foot range, bringing out the kid in me and memories of growing up at the neighborhood pool.  I think the picture really shows how much fun I had.

https://islandvibestours.com

Kettering - No Solicitors

Kettering citizens can pick one (or more) of these 3"x4" "No Solicitors" window clings (as supplies last) at the reception desk at the Kettering Government Center, 3600 Shroyer Road.  With this sign, or another that meets the requirements detailed in section 642.10(f), and placed on or near your main entrance, it's a misdemeanor crime for anyone to solicit you.  Without this, it's perfectly legal for others to bang on your door, annoying or not.

https://www.ketteringoh.org/no-solicitors-window-clings/

Pesto

My wife whips together bunches of basil with garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil (our best one) and pine nuts to make the pesto that's been featured in several of these "Foodie Friday" recipes.  She then freezes it in ice cube trays to make a handy size, then puts three cubes (about ten ounces) in individual bags for up to a year in the freezer.  With this year's bumper crop of basil coming from our raised herb garden, we'll have plenty for (don't say it!) those cold winter months ahead.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/13937/pesto

Android Notification Log

I get tons of notifications on my Pixel 2 and every once in a while I flick one out of existence by accident or after I look at it I wish I could find it again.  Fortunately, there's a widget for that, specifically the Settings widget.  As the directions at the link explain, you press and hold on an open area of the home screen, select Widget, scroll down to Settings and press and hold that icon.  After it's dropped on the home screen, the Settings shortcut menu appears.  Tap Notification log and you're done.  Like the picture below, you now have a nice shortcut to find all your past notifications.

https://www.howtogeek.com/242073/how-to-view-notifications-youve-dismissed-on-android

Kikkerland Rainbow Coasters

We first used these colorful coasters on our recent trip to Turks and Caicos and just had to buy a set.  They solve one of the most annoying problems coasters have, that being lifting off the table with the glass.  The soft, rubbery-like material will stay put on smooth surfaces like our patio table while doing its primary job of keeping water drops off the table.  Eight coasters in eight different colors, for ten dollars.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074HBYYB2

Fusilli with Arugula Pesto and Crispy Pancetta

When it's time to give in to your carb-craving desire, make it count with this delicious recipe like this one.  The pesto is made with a two-thirds arugula, one-third basil combination that's blanched to give it a deep green color.  My wife used cubed pancetta instead of slices and, of course, this is the time to use a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil.  This is as tasty as it is beautiful!

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/geoffrey-zakarian/fusilli-with-arugula-pesto-and-crispy-pancetta-7133916

Wet Umbrella Wrapper

Our trip to the Apple store at The Greene this week was a rainy affair, and we were greeted by this sweet wet umbrella wrapper just inside the entrance door.  Put your umbrella in the slot at the top, it slides into a light plastic wrapper, and then pull forward.  Your umbrella won't get the floor wet, which can be quite a slippery danger.  The slot on the left is for a short umbrella, the one on the right for full-sized.  Is that smart or what?

http://www.umbrellawrapperllc.com

Diet Ginger Ale Plus

On these hot summer days it's nice to quench the thirst with a cool beverage, but I'm not a fan of zero-calorie diet drinks, certainly not a big sugar-bomb soda and water only gets me so far.  My in-between solution is to mix a little bit of either Daily's mix or Monin flavored syrup with diet ginger ale, giving me a 50-60 calorie refresher.  My favorites, so far, are peach, blackberry and strawberry flavors, but there's lots left to try.