Travels in the South

 Yum!  Can you say that?  Double Yum.  When mom/dad went to Chicago back in May, Aunt Tina took them to a place called Pilot Pete’s.  This restaurant was on a small airfield.  You could eat in the restaurant and watch small plans come/go.  It was totally neat.

Aunt Tina ordered some wings.  You want them a little hot but you don’t want them swimming so bad in the sauce that you end up wearing the sauce.  You know what I mean?  So Aunt Tina got the sauce on the side with some blue cheese.

These wings were totally delicious and yummy.  Go ahead.  I won’t tell anyone if you lick the screen 🙂

 

National Fried Chicken Day – Oh Have Mercy!

Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here – Keeping my paws on the nuts of the world! 

July 6 is National Fried Chicken Day.  On this day, enjoy your crispy, tasty, finger licking good fried chicken.  Fried chicken has got be one of America’s favorite meals.  You know right up there with apple pie!  And you know what?  Fried chicken is good hot or cold right out of the refrigerator.

We all know that fried foods aren’t good for us but every once in a while, you just have to splurge on some great chicken. And today, I *had* to mention this national holiday because Bacon’s mom is a huge fan.  No, let me change that.  Bacon’s mom is a ginormous fan of the fried chicken.  And yes, even the little booger Bacon likes his share as well.  It’s tasty – however you get it.

And the good thing about fried chicken is that it comes in many different forms.  Almost everyone thinks that their recipe is the best recipe.  You have KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) when it was really KFC – not this newer lighter better for you version they are putting out there.  Heck, that’s another news update for another time!   You also have Church’s which is really good.  Their pieces of chicken are huge and oh so wonderful.  And, you even have a place called Bojangles that has really good fried chicken.

Then, you have Bacon’s parents favorite chicken – Popeyes.  You can get it either spicy or mild.  Mom likes it mild and dad likes it spicy.  That Bacon, he eats it either way.  Look at that picture of the chicken.  Doesn’t that fried chicken look just about next to perfect?  Can you tell that we are from the south and we adore chicken??

So, on this day – you enjoy some fried chicken from your favorite place – even if it’s your own kitchen.  I am totally sure they will be having Popeyes at the Hotel Thompson!

 

Journal of Healthier Living – Week 6

Welcome my friends.  I’m tweaking my weekly journey with my healthier living.  It’s a step in the right direction for sure.  I hope you come along for the ride.  Instead of day-to-day comments, I’m going to post something from my personal journal to share.  Hope you enjoy.  Remember all of us go down this path and we are all in it together ❤

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Week of 02/11-02/17/2018 – Week 6

“Dear Journal – Sometimes I think we beat ourselves up too much.  There is a line between challenging yourself to do better and pushing yourself over the edge.  If I push myself too much, it becomes something I *have* to do, a chore if you will, and my OCD gets tested.  If I leave it at the pace I’m going, I can fit it into my life where it becomes a habit in the end and not so much as a chore.  Shaking my head.  Life is full of complications – LOL.  But so far, I think I have this right now.  I do want to pick up the pace a bit more.  Now I’m trying to turn a 24 hour day into 36 hours.  Do I really need sleep?  Just joking – I love my sleep.  It’s hard to believe how things these days in the form of moving around is so much easier.  I’m so grateful that I had breast surgery.  I think I need to send the doctor a thank you note.”

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This week walked: 9.12

TOTAL 2018 Miles:  53.30

TOTAL 2017 Miles:  541.06

 ❤ small goals turn into big accomplishments ❤

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Okay my friends – another week with using the air fryer at the Hotel Thompson.  One of my biggest weaknesses foodwise is fried chicken.  It might be a southern thing.  It’s a huge comfort food here in the south.  And it’s something I was never able to work around with trying to lose weight but yet keeping my favorite food in the mix.  Who needs all of that grease that it’s deep fried in, right?

Well, I think I found my heaven.  Let me present to you Exhibit A – fried chicken (skinless and boneless) that was prepared in air fryer.  I put it on on the white napkins straight from the air fryer so that you could see – absolutely NO GREASE.  Look at the crispy outside and the inside was so juicy.  Better yet, I’ve found with the air fryer that you actually taste your food and not the grease that it is cooked in.  I seasoned my chicken before hand with salt/pepper and some pepper flakes.  I then dipped it in a seasoned egg mixture and then dipped it in a seasoned flour mix.  I then put the chicken in my air fryer.  The basket held five chicken thighs at one time.  I set the timer for 20 minutes on chicken at 380 degrees.  At 10 minutes, I stopped the timer and turned the chicken.  It came out this beautiful.  It was a HUGE hit here at the Hotel Thompson.

 

Travels in the South

One night last week, mom was craving pasta.  Not just any pasta but a New Orleans Pasta from a local restaurant.  Look at this picture.  Wouldn’t you crave it too?  Mom doesn’t usually crave pasta but when she does, she always goes for this one.  It has penne pasta, shrimp, chicken, smoked sausage, peppers, onions and a spicy homemade Cajun alfredo sauce.  Doesn’t it look yummy?

The only thing mom hates about this pasta are the shrimp.  Why do they keep tails on the shrimp when they serve it in a pasta like this?  Mom has to stop and take the time to remove all of the tails so she can jump right in and eat.  What do you think about this pasta?

 

Travels in the South

See, mom/dad can eat somewhat nutritional at times… somewhat.  Give me hoof on this one.  This is one of dad’s favorite breakfasts that he likes to order at a local restaurant.  Chicken fried chicken with white gravy on top, hashbrown casserole and fried eggs.  See, somewhat good for you give or take.  We are in the south so there has to be something fried on it besides the eggs.  The chicken is usually very tender and the gravy on top adds another dimension.  Have you ever had chicken fried chicken or hashbrown casserole?  Mom loves hashbrown casserole when it’s a little bit more crispier – think the outer edges.  Yummy!

 

Dear Bacon

 

 Dear Bacon – Who says that the grown ups get to have all of the fun in this world?  I asked for a little game system and guess what?  I got one!  AND it wasn’t even my birthday or Christmas.  My humans got it “Just Because”.  I love that day.  Have you ever had a “Just Because” day?  Signed Hammy

Dear Hammy – I think a “Just Because” day is most excellent to celebrate.  Sometimes mom treats all of us anipals here at the Hotel Thompson to that kind of day.  You know – Just Because they love us.  Those are awesome reminders of their love for us.  Maybe we should do a “Just Because” thing for them too.  If you come up with some ideas, let me know and I’ll be sure to share.

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Dear Bacon – Nope.  Not going to happen.  No way. I am not getting in the water.  Please make it go away.  Suggestions – can you help me out?  Signed Stuck in a Corner

Dear Stuck in a Corner – Sometimes one just has to do what one has to do my friend.  Sometimes all of the licking and cleaning in the world can’t get cleaned what water and bubbles can.  I was once like you – didn’t want to be near the water.  Then I found out how much fun it can be.  I say let the humans have their way.  Before you say no in defiance, let me explain.  After bath time, you usually get extra treats and perhaps something special for dinner.  You just have to.  It’s an unwritten rule in the anipal kingdom.  If it doesn’t happen, then you can torture your human in other ways.  Just sayin’.

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Dear Bacon – I have a sick human.  Really I do.  Let me tell you what these balloons are and then you can decide.  I’m a turtle.  Sometimes my human can’t find me.  Therefore, he ties these balloons around my shell to always know where I am.  Told you – shakes head.  He’s sick. Signed Humiliated

Dear Humiliated – You know my friend that’s kind of genius.  Really.  Your human always knows where you are so he knows where to feed you.  And hey, did you ever see the movie “UP”?  Maybe you can take flight with enough air in those balloons.  Happy sailing and do buckle up.

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Dear Bacon – Help us please.  The humans locked us up in the bathroom while they went somewhere.  When they got back home, they were upset over the room.  I don’t get it.  They set the room up with lots of things for us to play.  Why would they be upset?  Signed Kitty Troubles

Dear Kitty Troubles – Snorts my friends.  I’ll tell you a secret.  Those silly humans LOVE that white stuff A LOT!  They go beserk when they don’t have it in their scratch box and if we play with it here – shivers.  I say push everything in the corner.  Just leave one happy mess for your humans next time.  And don’t play with the priceless white stuff.

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Dear Bacon – My human went all teary eyed and off the edge when I got out of the box.  I don’t get it.  Why is she making such a big deal?  I went pee.  Do you see this look on my face?  I mean she went over the edge with oohh and aahhh.  Signed Mystified

Dear Mystified – I have to admit it, that’s adorable.  No really.  Not the look on your face.  Look in your scratch box.  Your ‘pee’ looks like a shape of a heart.  That’s what happened my friend.  You got your human right in the heart.  They always cry when they see hearts.  It’s cute.  I’ll have to remember that the next time I take a wizzy.  I wonder if I can make a heart?  Happy tinkling!

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Dear Bacon

Dear Bacon –  I have a slight problem here.  I’m always being watched.  Always.  It’s like I get no peace or alone time.  What can I do?  He’s watching me now, isn’t he?  Signed Helpless

Dear Helpless –  WOW!  He is watching you right this instance.  What is he writing a book – are you chapter 3?  The dude needs to leave you alone.  You need to fix this now.  Perhaps the next time he is in the other room, maybe you need to shut the door.  Or persuade him into a closet.  You know, something along those lines.  Sshheessh – a purr thing has to have their alone time.  Good luck my friend.

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Dear Bacon –  With the cold weather coming, I have to use anything to keep my head warm.  They say if the head is warm, your entire body is warm.  I think this is doing the trick.  I found it in the miniature human’s room.  What do you think?  Signed Cat Heater

Dear Cat Heater – My friend.  I think you might want to rethink that head warmer.  Tell me it’s new and not slightly used too okay.  You see, that is not a head warmer.  That is one of the miniature humans butt warmers.  I’ve seen them.  What happens in them is not pretty.  Not pretty at all.  Although it does have a certain appeal as apparel, I’m afraid the other purr things in the hood might just laugh you out of the neighborhood and not let you play in their kitty games.  I’m just sayin’.

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Dear Bacon – Life is not fair.  Halloween only comes but once a year and I am so very glad.  Can you believe that my humans dressed me up like a poop factory for the big day?  I’m so humiliated.  Why couldn’t they dress up the small human that cries all of the time like this?  Why me?  I mean my poop is no more than the humans.  Really.  Please help me.  Signed Poop Factory

Dear Poop Factory – I have to admit my friend that the costume is very original.  I saw a lot of costumes on the big night but I think yours might be the icing on the cake.  I say wear it with pride.  I know it’s humiliating.  But I assure you that Christmas is just around the corner.  You know what needs to be done to the Christmas tree.  You know just as a token of your appreciate for this outfit.  Snorts.

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Dear Bacon – Where there’s a bag, you know a cat is there to play.  My buddy snapped this picture of me while I was playing pop goes the kitty in the bag.  Talk about perfect timing huh?  I think my abs look better than your pot belly.  What do you think?  Signed Abercrombie Cat

Dear Abercrombie Cat – OMP (Oh my pig).  That is hilarious.  This picture is so priceless that I’m going to let the shot of my physique just go right on by.  I say bravo to you and your brother for the perfect picture taking.  I think this needs to go viral, perhaps be in a Cats of 2015 calendar or a Christmas card.  Maybe even sneak on your parents Facebook account and post this picture.  Great job my friends.  Now, I’m off to look for me an equally charming shopping bag.  I wonder if they have one with James Bond somewhere here in the Hotel Thompson.

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Dear Bacon – For some reason, I think there is an impersonator here in the room with me.  I woke up from one of my many naps this morning, waddled into the living room and found HIM.  HIM is not talking, not purring and not moving.  I think he’s trying to wait for me to turn my back.  I just know he is.  What do you think?  Signed Chucky

Dear Chucky – Oh my!  I think you need to be careful there little guy.  It looks like HIM is preparing to pounce on you.  That could be really dangerous.  I can only imagine what kind of damage he could do to you.  Shivers.  Thank goodness HIM is not here.  Be careful.  Maybe never turn your back to him.  That’s it.  Be vigilant!

 

You Can’t Take My Daddy Anywhere!

All I can say is that you can’t take my mom/dad anywhere.  Trouble doesn’t find them.  *They* find trouble.  It’s true.  I piggy swear it.  They are always up to no good.  Throw in daddy and his wicked sense of humor and all plans of behaving are out of the window.  Take the other day for example.  Both of them decided to go out to eat.  Heck, that’s nothing new – snorts with piggy laughter.  So leave it to my dad to find trouble at the restaurant.

They went to a restaurant that is predominantly known for selling chicken.  Yeah – we all like that for sure.  But mom sees this sign at the entrance… of course after she made daddy walk through the kids door – shaking my head.  So she tells daddy to put his head in the hole of the cut out.  That’s my daddy – never asking questions but jumping right in to do what mom tells him. Maybe he should stop that… you think?  Mom snaps the picture laughing… and oh yes other customers were laughing too on how trained daddy is.

Then mom sits down and sends the picture to someone on her phone.  That person replies back with this meme.  Shaking my head.  Those two.  Please friends – don’t enable those two.  Snorts and rolls with piggy laughter.

 

Dear Bacon

Dear Bacon,

Sometimes you find yourself between a rock and a hard place and sometimes it’s just between two trees.  It’s all about balance in collecting these nuts for the winter time.  You do anything like this?  Signed Limber

Dear Limber,

That is some balancing act my friend.  I’m amazed at your technique.  I once saw a human nephew do this between the door jams in my bedroom.  He climbed right up using his feet like you did.  Amazing… simply amazing.  I myself do not have this talent due to my ‘amazing’ pot belly – snorts.

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Dear Bacon,

You know the old song, “Who let the dogs out? – bark bark” Well, we’re tired of it.  It’s not always all about the dogs.  It’s about other anipals too.  So me and Red are trying to start a new song, “Who let the pigs out – snort snort – Who let the cats out – meow meow”.  It’s kind of catchy.  What do you think?  Signed Red and Socks

Dear Red and Socks,

I’m all in!  I like it.  It’s very catchy.  I think I’ll start singing it now my friends – snort snort – meow meow.

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Dear Bacon,

The humans don’t get it.  This is MY remote.  It’s my turn for the television show that we are going to watch.  Do you have to fight for control too?  Signed Scamp

Dear Scamp,

AAWW – you need your time with the Animal Planet too my friend!  We had a battle of the wills when mom/dad adopted me.  Hey, I have my own tastes in shows and they do too.  In order to keep peace at the Hotel Thompson, they set me up with my very own television and remote in my bedroom.  Hey – now I’m in heaven!… except when they put my remote on top shelf of the book case.  That’s just mean.  Maybe ask your humans for your own set up.  You never know until you ask.

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Dear Bacon,

You ever have one of those days that the only thing possibly left to do is make a face?  I find that it relieves a lot of stress in my life.  If you haven’t tried it, do.  It may make a difference.  Let me know what you find out.  Signed Puss in Boots

Dear Puss in Boots,

I have to snort on that look on your face.  That is quite humorous.  Personally, I have not tried it although I have seen such looks on my mom’s face from time to time.  I think she may be a firm believer in your stress reducing technique.  I’m off to watch myself in the mirror now to see what I look like.  Thanks for the tip pal!

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Dear Bacon,

Did you mention food?  Me and my bro’s are so there.  Just let us know when/where.  Signed Husky Gang

Dear Husky Gang,

Whoa – hold back my friends.  No mention of food here whatsoever.  Nothing to see.  I do enjoy your healthy appetite and thrust for life.  Ya’ll make such a cute picture together.  And from that picture, I pick up quickly that you are the leader of your gang – snorts.  Stay alert my friend.  You’ll be the first to know if food is on the table here at the Bacon Casa.

 

Dear Bacon

Dear Bacon,

My human thought she would bring me to work today.  As you can tell, neither one of us got a lot of work done.  Well, my mom didn’t.  I did because her desk was the most frequented visited cubicle that day.  I wonder why?  Signed Shrimp

Dear Shrimp,

Smiles and wipes piggy eyes.  Aren’t you just the most adorable, cutest little thing I’ve seen in a while.  I just want to rub that little belly of yours.  You must have really been tired little guy.  Maybe you should do more visits to work with mommy.  I think in no time you would have all of her co-workers wrapped around your little paws!

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Dear Bacon,

I know we are suppose to be enemies but we’re not.  We are buds.  He watches my back and I watch his.  We have the most interesting conversations at our house.  Why can’t we all just get along in the world like us?  Signed Tom and Jerry

Dear Tom and Jerry,

Ya’ll have a great point.  We *should* all just get along in this world.  There shouldn’t be anything saying that we can’t because of one thing or another.  Ya’ll are setting the best example – keep up the great work my friends!

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Dear Bacon,

I was this close to freedom before they caught me and put me back in lockdown.  I could taste freedom and it tasted pretty darn good.  Any suggestions for next time?  Signed Stretch

Dear Stretch,

I have to laugh buddy.  They say your kind is slow and not full of spunk but I think *they* are wrong.  You show the tenacity in making the ‘great escape’.  You were so close – how you got that far up on the fence is beyond me but way to go my friend.  Next time though, might I suggest just watching out for the gate to open.  It might be a safer way for your taste of freedom.

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Dear Bacon,

What?  Haven’t you ever seen a bird wearing a hoodie before?  It gets cold.  I don’t have a ‘fur coat’ like you do.  My feathers only provide so much for warmth.  I think it’s a great idea.  We should all have one, you think?  Signed Fun Times

Dear Fun Times,

I think it’s great!  You look warm, festive and ready to go meet the world in that hoodie.  I say don’t worry about what anyone else might think.  As long as you are warm and comfy, who cares!

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Dear Bacon,

I need help.  I know you have Bashful.  Bashful is like a happening international traveling pet rock.  My owner, he just keeps me in a cage and feeds me.  I don’t get that life of first class traveling or anything.  Any suggestions- can you help me out?  Signed Bug

Dear Bug,

I am so sorry little guy.  Your owner must not have gotten the parenting guide like I did with Bashful.  You have to have exercise.  Your owner needs to walk you or at least put a hamster wheel in your cage for exercise.  Does he take you out for social time, watching television?  Heck, if anything else, you need a friend.  You give him my number, I’ll email it back to you.  I’ll talk to him and see what we can come up with my friend.

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