Susanne's Blog

When I got my new (used) stove, I was excited to find out that it had a rotisserie feature.  I have since made a dozen or so rotisserie chickens.  But, as good as they are, I can't help but think there may be more I can do.

Then, luckly, I found a Farberware Rotisserie open faced unit at a Goodwill type store near my parents.  I snatched that bad boy up and am going to use it for a Christmas present.  The only thing is...I have no manual. 

So, here are my TWO questions:

1.  Do you have a great recipe for a rotisserie?

2.  Do you know WHERE I can find a manual for a Farberware Roitesserie model 444 or 454?   (I looked on-line for about 1/2 hour and found only one manual--for sale on e-bay)

Thanks

Susanne

On a episode of My Name is Earl, Randy and Earl discussed who would win in a fight, muppets or sesame street characters.  They said the muppets.  But, I TOTALLY disagree.  In fact, I've been arguing this point with an editor for two days.  He says sesame street characters are week.  They don't fight.  They're a peaceful people.  I say, they're from the street.  They're smart and they can organize a plan of attack that will be unmatched by the scrappy muppets.

Damon points out the old grumpy muppet men, Miss Piggy, the giant eagle, and Animal. 

Fine, good , the muppets have some muscle.  But the point remains....sesame street out numbers the muppets and they have strategy on their side.

I'm don't have a really strong feeling either way, but my gut says sesame street. 

Sometimes, you just have to go with your gut.

I prefer to wear my glasses rather than contacts, but too often I bend my glasses because I shove my face into my camera lens  time and again.  Plus, dogs like to chew on the stems for some reason.  Glasses cost a couple hundred dollars a pair and I just don't have the money to replace them every time they become uncomfortable.

That is....until I found zennioptical.com.  They have glasses from $8.  Total.  eight dollars.  I bought two pairs of glasses, one pair with thinner lenses and I paid $33, total.

That's two complete pairs of glasses, two lens cloths, two cases, and shipping and handling.  $33.

I can't believe it.  I love this website.  Now that I know what I'm doing, and that the glasses aren't crap, I'm going to order more and better cheap glasses. 

Spread the word. 

zennioptical.com

 

I just recently bought a cookie recipe book from Borders for 99cents.  I am so excited because I need a recipe for a nice sugar cookie that can be cutout. 

I've been making a few different cookies and have discoverd the BEST cookie ever.  It's basically a chocolate chip cookie with red hots instead of chocolate chips.  MMMMMM.

I'll be making them for Christmas.

Anyone have any GREAT cookie ideas?

Also, my aunt (in Michigan) has been looking for steel cut oats.  She says she can't find them anywhere. 

I found these at Woodman's in Kenosha, but it would probably cost more to send them than it did to buy them.  Any ideas about where she can look.  She lives in a small town near South Bend. 

 

I don't have a desk here at Fox6.   I use computers that are not being used.  But they are sooo gross.  There are little crumbs everywhere.  Last week, I sat at a computer and  the space bar was stuck.  I shook the keyboard and about three tablespoons of crumbs fell out. 

I know that people sometimes wipe their work space.  Obviously, keyboards are more prone to crumbs and dust and flecks of whatever. 

How do you keep your keyboards chunk-free?  Do those little vacuum cleaner thingys work?

 

Hey, sorry it's been so long since I took the time to blog.  But, I'm back.

On Sunday, my sister and I went to Racine to learn to blow glass.  She made a hanging ornament and I made a paper weight with a flower inside.  It is really quite an experience working with the hot, molten glass.  It's kind of poetic.  I would really recommend the experience. 

Also, there was a photographer from the New York Times there.  He said there will be an article on the "Racine Art Scene" in October 5th paper.  My sister and I may have our glass blowing experience in the paper. 

I took some of my own pictures and they're in my album called: glass blowing.

Enjoy

and, hey,...if you know of any  neat experiences like this...share

check out www.hotshopglass.com for more info.

Susanne

If you have never seen a group of  "Steppers" you are missing out.  It is a high energy art.  And it is really fun to watch. 

Tonight, Friday, the Lloyd Street Steppers celebrated 10 years.   Vice-Principal Ricardo Anderson started the program because he thought it would get some at risk kids involved.  It worked.  Now, their homework gets done, their interested, and they're involved.  In fact, the program is so successful all kinds of students request participating.

Mr. Anderson says they perform at least once a month in school-wide assemblies.  They practice three times a week.  That's a lot of coreography to learn.  But it seems worth it.  The sudents who stepped tonight were AWESOME.  They made me smile.  I wanted to get up and dance! 

Step on! Lloyd St. Steppers!

Vivika and I did a story on unusual fish fry's in the Milwaukee area.  Let me tell you...it was GREAT.  The food was great with the atmosphere to match. 

Of course, we went to a more traditional fish fry at Turner's.  They have a old world feel and fabulous potato pancakes.

Cafe el Sol.  Just south of National near 9th (just west of I-94).  On Fridays, they have live music.  The fish fry in in buffet style.  When we went, there were rice and beans, salad, fried fish, baked fish, and some other dish  (I forget what it was).

Izumi's.  The fish is dipped in panko (mmmmm).  It's served with a Japanese potato salad, Japanese style coleslaw, something like a california roll,  rice, plum wine, and a couple of chicken wings.  It has a classic asian look and feels very comfortable.

The Painted Parrot.  West Allis.  They serve their fish fry on a garbage can cover.  (clean of course).  Their fish fry is HUGE.  It's served with seasoned fries, home made potato chips, slaw,  potato pancakes with apple sauce, and a taste of the Carribean.  They also have fun drinks served in coconuts or with squeeky sharks.  I'm told they have a nacho plate that could feed a small army too.

Ironically, I don't like fish all that much.  But I really enjoyed all these places and I plan on taking my family for the experience.  (If I ever get a Friday off).

oh yeah.   We went to Empire Fish too.  They sell fresh fish for you're fish fry.

The story is on line.  So if you want to see examples of the dinners...take a look

It's bad enough that I can't grow grass in parts of my yard, but now it's gotten worse.  I'm talking about Garlic Mustard.  It has been growing between my neighbor's fence and my fence.  This year it has spread out and now it grows in the yard.  I've tried pulling it out (roots included), and I have unintentionally mowed it.  It just seems to be spreading faster.  In the few years I've lived in a house I haven't had to worry about it.  But I don't want it to spread.  I want grass!

Does anyone know how to kill it and STOP it from spreading?

Les Paul is in town.  He arrived at the airport Wednesday at about 6pm.  He is sooo nice.  He stopped to greet every person who approached him.  He signed autographes and posed for pictures.  What  a humble and kind man.  And he is a genius.

How cool is it that we can claim him as our own?  

There are so many famous musicians and athletes who are full of themselves.  And here is Les Paul...a decent man. 

I got to meet Les Paul.  That's yet another reason I like my job.

 

 

Literally, I finally burned myself.  You probably think I'm upset, but you'd be wrong.  See, I listen to public radio a lot and on an episode of  "The Peoples' Pharmacy"  a caller mentioned that pouring soy sauce on a burn prevents or lessens the pain.  Needless to say...I wanted to stick my hand on the stove that day.  (I didn't).  But finally, this week while making cookies, I let my hand just touch the heating unit thingy in the oven.  The burn was about 3/4 of an inch long.  And you know....those burns tend to HURT!  But I found the soy sauce, went to the sink and poured it on.  I let it sit for a moment and then dabbed it off. 

The burn NEVER hurt.

Guess what I'll be packing with my camping gear...and bringing along whenever I tailgate...and telling my sister about (who is in cooking school).

Soy sauce.

btw...do you have a secret remedy like this you want to share?  Hook us up!

Today, I am all by myself.  I've been editting packages and running around getting locator video, or picking up mugshots, or criminal complaints and what not.  Basically, I've been driving around a lot.  And you may have noticed that it's raining. 

Hellloooo... it's raining.  Turn your lights on. 

I assume that my car works the same as every other car and fogs up right away.  And that the windshield wipers can't prevent water from landing on my windshield.  And that, when it's raining every driver's vision is lessened.

So, why the heck don't people use their lights?  Don't people want to be seen.  Maybe they just want to get into an accident.  Maybe they don't care.  Maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy.  I don't know.

Also...please I beg of you.....use your blinkers.  It's a very useful tool that helps other drivers react to your movements before they happen.  It also probably helps prevent accidents.

I'm not going so far as to say that if it's raining and you DON'T use your blinkers or headlights....that you deserve to be in an accident.  I'm just suggesting that we will ALL be safer if we use our lights and blinkers.

Thanks for letting me rant.  Sorry I missed blogapalooza.

Today, I am all by myself.  I've been editting packages and running around getting locator video, or picking up mugshots, or criminal complaints and what not.  Basically, I've been driving around a lot.  And you may have noticed that it's raining. 

Hellloooo... it's raining.  Turn your lights on. 

I assume that my car works the same as every other car and fogs up right away.  And that the windshield wipers can't prevent water from landing on my windshield.  And that, when it's raining every driver's vision is lessened.

So, why the heck don't people use their lights?  Don't people want to be seen.  Maybe they just want to get into an accident.  Maybe they don't care.  Maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy.  I don't know.

Also...please I beg of you.....use your blinkers.  It's a very useful tool that helps other drivers react to your movements before they happen.  It also probably helps prevent accidents.

I'm not going so far as to say that if it's raining and you DON'T use your blinkers or headlights....that you deserve to be in an accident.  I'm just suggesting that we will ALL be safer if we use our lights and blinkers.

Thanks for letting me rant.  Sorry I missed blogapalooza.

Monday, while doing yard, I found three TINY birds shivering and hiding in my lawn.  I consulted the Humane Society and now, they're living in a Tupperware nest which is tied around the base of a pine tree. 

They are finches.  Adorable, hungry finches.  I'm pretty sure their mommy is visiting their new nest (but I've never seen her).  I'll try and take more pictures, at least until they fly away. 

I hope they make it. 

 

Every once in a while, when someone is sick, on vacation, or whatever, I get a chance to stay in the building and edit shows. The upside is that the weather is iffy and I don't have to participate in that. The down side is, I am sure to have a heart attack one day.

Before I go any further, let me just get this out of the way.

I know every job is hard. I KNOW every occupation has its stressful moments. I KNOW this. I appreciate this.

Now, working for tv news will surely kill me. You don't know what a deadline is until you work in TV news. You think your teacher or boss is going to fire you if your report gets in five seconds late? I don't think so. But if your story is 5 seconds late...dear God!
You've just forced the producer to totally rearrange a show they spent seven hours writing and arranging.
You've just forced a director to change camera angles, to basically throw out a carefully orchestrated guide to the next hour in favor of a "fly by the seat of your pants," chaotic, spastic dance for life.
You've just forced anchors to just try and keep up.
AND you've just forced every other story to air earlier, meaning photojournalists and editors now have less time to finish, and more time to panic. (and for some reason panicking seems to cause computers to fail...which perpetuates this whole scenario).
Finally, you've just forced management to have a "talk" with you. (Those are never pleasant)

And that's only one kind of stress. But that's all I'm going to write about now. Just thinking about it has made my shoulders tense and my heart race. I may have to go be sick.

The great thing is you, the viewer, rarely notice these things.

BTY, I get to edit ALL week! ...oh, my heart.