Happy Halloween!!

We did pumpkins this weekend! Shawn carved, I painted and pinned. I think fall is my favorite season for sure. Also, I have probably blogged about it before but you have to get some Blue Moon Brewery, Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale. It's seasonal and sells out fast! I was so excited I loaded up the shopping cart. Last year when I discovered it I only got a few six packs and never saw it again on the shelf.

Why does Snoop Dogg carry an umbrella?

Fa tha Drizzle


First thing my darling said to me Saturday morning :)

Entry

The entry has actually been done for quite a while and I really wish I had taken a before picture. It was white wallpaper with tiny pale blue flowers and a strip of trim in the middle. Like a chair rail I guess, which is strange in an entry. Although somehow a chair got in this picture :)

Hope brightens for fast Memphis-LR rail trips

LITTLE ROCK — A study to assess the feasibility of high-speed passenger rail service between Little Rock and Memphis is part of a larger effort to upgrade railroads throughout the region, which proponents now say will come sooner rather than later.

read more here

Financial Rescue for Bikers

Interestingly, the financial rescue package passed by House and Senate last week includes a tax break for those that bike to work. You can be reimbursed for buying a bike, repairs to the bike and $20 a month for riding that bike to work. What do you think? Appropriate in a bill that is supposed to save our economy?

SEC. 211. TRANSPORTATION FRINGE BENEFIT TO BICYCLE COMMUTERS.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (1) of section 132(f) is amended by adding at the end the following:''(D) Any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.''.

b) LIMITATION ON EXCLUSION.—Paragraph (2) of section 132(f) is amended by striking ''and'' at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting '',and'', and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:''(C) the applicable annual limitation in the case of any qualifiedbicycle commuting reimbursement.''.(c) DEFINITIONS.—Paragraph (5) of section 132(f) is amended by adding at the end the following:''

(F) DEFINITIONS RELATED TO BICYCLE COMMUTING REIMBURSEMENT.—''(i) QUALIFIED BICYCLE COMMUTING REIMBURSEMENT.—The term 'qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement' means, with respect to any calendar year, any employer reimbursement during the 15-month period beginning with the first day of such calendar year for reasonable expenses incurred by the employee during such calendar year for the purchase ofa bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair, and storage, if such bicycle is regularly used for travel between the employee's residence and place of employment.''

(ii) APPLICABLE ANNUAL LIMITATION.—The term 'applicable annual limitation' means, with respect to any employee for any calendar year, the product of $20 multiplied by the number of qualified bicycle commuting months during such year.''

(iii) QUALIFIED BICYCLE COMMUTING MONTH.—The term 'qualified bicycle commuting month' means, with respect to any employee, any month during which such employee—''(I) regularly uses the bicycle for a substantial portion of the travel between the employee's residence and place of employment, and ''(II) does not receive any benefit described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph(1).''

(d) CONSTRUCTIVE RECEIPT OF BENEFIT.—Paragraph (4) of section 132(f)is amended by inserting ''(other than a qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement)'' after ''qualified transportation fringe''.

(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.

Chipotle Burgers

No this isn't going to turn into a recipe site, but these were so good! If you like the chipotle flavor but not the spice remember to remove the seeds from the peppers and use more than one adding extra adobe sauce,

1 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, finely chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 slices mozzarella cheese
4 hamburger buns, split and toasted

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil grate. Place the ground turkey, onion, cilantro, chipotle chile pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl; mix well. Form into 4 patties.
Cook the hamburgers on the preheated grill until the turkey is no longer pink in the center, about 4 minutes per side. Place the mozzarella slices on the patties 2 minutes before they are ready. Serve on the toasted buns.

Taco Soup

This is great when you need to throw something together quickly.

2 cans kidney beans (don't drain)
2cans black beans (don't drain)
1 can 7oz diced green chilis
1 cup frozen corn OR 1 can corn
1/2 onion diced (we like onion so go by your own taste)
1pkg taco seasoning
1pkg ranch dressing mix
1lb ground turkey OR beef

Cook ground meet as usual in a pan, then combine all ingredients in large pot stir well and simmer for 30-45 minutes stirring every 10 minutes or so. Judge the consistency, you made need to add a cup of water to the soup while simmering.

Great when eaten over tortilla chips and topped with grated cheese.