Frog of the Day

Home Grown - Zucchini Frog
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino

I just got finished eating a large stack of apple pancakes - yummy! I'm finding myself looking through recipes, cleaning, and generally climbing the walls. It was 7 degrees here this morning, but is supposed to warm up considerably. Still, it is going to take a while for the snow to melt. In the meantime I'll just keep puttering around the house. Hey how about some fried zucchini for lunch........

This frog collectible is from Enesco and is part of their Home Grown line. This frog is called Zucchini Frog. He is made of resin and stands about 4 inches high. I received this cutie for Christmas 2008. A note about the packaging is in order - the box has a "Nutrition Facts" label which is really funny. Servings of Companionship, Total Laughs, Friendship, Smiles, and Humor are given - of course Zucchini Frog gives you 100 percent of your daily needs.

More Snow Pictures

Snow
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino

The plows have been working overtime trying to get caught up. Here in Tidy Town we're not equipped to handle snow like this. You can see the depth along the road. It's obviously deeper because it's pushing the foot of snow to the side. The neighbor across the street had a loader today moving snow out of the end of their driveway. I finally have a small path that goes from the front door to the street - and that's good enough for me because I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.

Frog of the Day

Chantilly Lane Duets - Blue Moon
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino

The shutdown of Tidy Town continues and probably will until next week's thaw starts. I decided yesterday to cook pretty much all day. I did an oven full of ribs - which was a nice snack! I also got the crock pot out and started a cajun bean soup. I added 2 pounds of sausage and it is delicious. It made a full 3 quarts so I should have enough to last me until that thaw next week comes. I'm awaiting the arrival of a young man to shovel a path from the street to the door so that I'm assured mail delivery. The mailman was nice enough to plow through the snow yesterday - probably because there was no mail delivery the day before and I bet he plowed through a lot of snow to deliver the mail - but I don't think he'll do it for a whole week. I'm getting lots of little things done around the house. Thankfully we never lost power here - many thousands around here did and they're saying power may not be back on until mid-February!

This frog collectible is an animated plush and is really cute. It is from PBC International and part of their Chantilly Lane Musicals and is a Duets. The frog and the sock puppet sing Blue Moon. Some parts are sung by the sock puppet all by itself - a ventriloquist frog! This is a large frog - standing 22 inches tall. It is battery operated with an on/off switch located in the hand. I received this for Christmas 2008 and it makes a fun and cute addition to the collection.

Ridiculous Amounts of Snow

More snow fell overnight - along with a lot more sleet - there is now between 10 and 12 inches out there. Almost all roads in the area are closed. I listened to the radio this morning and it took a whole half hour to list all the closings - they would have done better to list what was open!

As I looked out over the snow I thought of how the Frog Wrangler would have loved this. She loved to play in the snow. After being out in it she would come in with ice in her coat and a nose piled high with snow. She was such a heat factory that by the time I got the camera to take a picture with all that snow on her face it would be melted and you knew she was wondering why I had the camera and not a towel to give her a rubdown because she was all wet. I mean how silly can one person be! The Frog Wrangler was a mixed breed but had a predominance of Australian Cattle Dog and Shepherd - I urge everyone to make a donation to their local Australian Cattle Dog Rescue group. There are a lot of them out there.

It's early here and I'm going to go make some pancakes and have a mug of hot chocolate. Enjoy your day.......

Snow!

More Snow
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino

It started with a little sleet last evening before I went to bed then quickly turned to snow. I saw quite a bit of drifting happening so I pulled out my emergency radio that I can crank and it has a light on it - thanks AB - and got it all cranked and ready to go. I was sure we'd lose power, but thankfully no. Reports this morning is that there are between 4 and 7 inches out there and that the roads are super slick. I have not seen any cars on the road this morning and that's a good thing. Every school in the region is closed.

Now the bad news. More sleet has started falling and it is expected to change quickly again to snow with another 6 inches of new snow expected between now and tomorrow morning. It may look pretty but I'm glad I don't have to go out in it!

Frog of the Day

Webkinz - Tree Frog
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino

I'm beginning to get a little worried about the weather here at Frog Central - from last week's high of 60 to Saturday's low of -10. Last night we received a blanket of snow and today the snow machine is supposed to turn on full blast to one of the worst winter storms seen here in a long, long time. I may be snowed in until a spring thaw - the estimates keep getting bigger - the latest is for 10 inches of snow! That's unheard of in these parts. I'll keep you informed.

This frog collectible is a Webkinz from Ganz and it is a tree frog. This plush is really cute and gives you access to the Webkinz website where you can take care of your animal in a virtual world. A cute little frog from the great people of Ganz. I received this for Christmas 2008.

Frog of the Day

Radko - Happilly Ever After Bride
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino

I'm running way late today. I woke up about 6:00 and thought great - in about 15 minutes I'll get up and get the day started. When I woke up again it was almost 8! Oh well. I had to go pick up my co-op food order this morning - filled the freezer back up. The drop off for recyclables is on the way so I got rid of the pile of papers and magazines that was taking over my living room. When I got home I made up one of those WaiChey (spelling is probably way off!) kits. It's pretty good - but with all the pots, pans, bowls, and utensils it requires to make, I think I'd rather stop by the Chinese Restaurant in town.

This frog collectible is the other half of the last Frog of the Day. This is a Christopher Radko ornament called Happily Ever After - Bride. Her Radko number is 35975. I had said in the Groom's entry that these weren't being made in Italy anymore but wasn't sure where they were being made - I can now report that they are being made in Romania. The two make a cute couple, don't you think?

Beautiful Weather

The temperature was supposed to hit near 50 yesterday. It didn't. It was almost 60! Absolutely gorgeous - and I hope you all don't mind, but I went outside and played a bit yesterday. Of course I'm paying for it today, but it was worth it. Today we are supposed to be back in the low 50's so I'm going to play hooky again today because tomorrow we're back in the 30's. This warm weather is just what the doctor ordered. Even Petey, my cockateil, has been non-stop happy - whistling away all day long yesterday.

I do want to point my readers to a quarterly newletter for frog collectors called Beyond the Pond. I received one of their quartely newletters, which runs the gamut from frog jokes to frog items you can buy. You can check out it out on their website ToadlyFrogs

Frog of the Day

Radko - Green N Groomed
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino

Yesterday was sure exciting - I couldn't believe the size of the crowds in Washington. I got so wrapped up in the festivities I forgot to take anything out of the freezer to make for dinner. I ended up ordering a pizza from Pizza Hut (and a P'zone for just a buck more). Pizza Hut is the only local pizza chain in town - it's not as good (or as cheap) as the Walmart pizza. Unfortunately the snow we got the other day - we added about an inch more the next night and it is all a solid sheet of ice. We need a couple warm days to thaw out before I'm heading out anywhere.

This frog collectible is from Christopher Radko and is called Green n'Groomed. This is in what they call the blown freehand style. This style used to be made in Italy, but the productions have moved from there - I'm not sure to exactly where. The Radko number is 35975. This is one of the ornaments that I bought in the 50 percent off sale the day after Christmas. This groom needs a bride - and I bet you can guess what Radko ornament will be showcased tomorrow.....

Inauguration Day

Hope everyone had a good day yesterday - the MLK holiday. And now today is inauguartion day for our new president. Watching television is awe inspiring to see millions of people crowding Washington as early as 4 this morning to get a spot to witness history. Enjoy the day, revel in our renewed spirit - I'll be back tomorrow with a new frog - maybe even a new Radko....

Karma

Snow
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino

So yesterday I was ha-ha-ing some friends that with all the super cold weather this last week, at least we didn't get snow. This morning I got up, made breakfast and finally decided to go out and get the paper and spend the day relaxing - maybe taking a ride down to IGA for a couple necessities. I couldn't believe it when I walked outside - SNOW! Now you may say it's not very much, but for this area any snow is a major event and this is about what we get when we do get some. Brrr! I grabbed the newspaper and ran back inside. I think any errands will wait tomorrow when hopefully all of this will be gone. I just know my phone is going to ring later and I'm going to hear a loud na-na-na-na-na-na on the other end. Karma has done me in again......

Saturday shivers!

It's still really cold here at Frog Central. Today's temps have moderated a bit to a whopping 25 degrees. Things are supposed to be much warmer come next week with temps in the 40's - it can't come soon enough if you ask me. Petey, my cockatiel, has learned to appreciate the new cover I bought him recently - it keeps him nice and warm. This morning he got on a whistling jag to wake me up and to come take the cover off him. It works every time. Usually because I start laughing when he's wolf whistling at me - then because he starts in on the whistling that plays behind that enzyte commercial.

This morning I got to take advantage of one of my Christmas gifts - the gallon of pure maple syrup mom got me. I made pancakes with a couple strips of bacon. Quite tasty, and when washed down with a mug of hot chocolate - it really gets you ready for the day. I still have a bit of unpacking to do and that's first on my list today. I am getting a lot of inside stuff done with these extra cold days - especially catching up on my sleep.......

Frog of the Day

Frog Solar Light
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino

OK, I think I've thawed out a bit today. Yesterday mornings wind chill of some 20 below zero was reason enough for me to stay in bed a bit longer than normal. When I did get up I got busy making a loaf of bread and then baking some brownies. I stayed in front of that oven as long as possible! Things are supposed to start warming up a bit over the weekend - I hope. Either way, I'm not going outside anytime soon......

This frog collectible is a frog solar light. It has an on/off switch on the bottom. I believe the solar panel recharges a battery in the bottom - although I'm not exactly sure. It is quite heavy. The bottom is ceramic while the frog itself is leaded glass. The box has a Made in China stamp on it - other than that I do not have any further information. I received this as a gift for Christmas 2008.

Frog of the Day

ChocAdorables! - Fudgie Frogs
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino

Yesterday was frantic to say the least. I awoke to snow flakes flying around so I made a mad dash to the post office and the newspaper headquarters - I came home with a big bucket of mail and papers. Yesterday I made it through most of the mail - a few items that I'll finish up today. The newspapers I'll start on today at a more leisurely pace. All the bags are in from the car and I even had a bag of trash to go out last night (my neighbors must wonder how I managed that in just one day home - I kind of wonder myself!). I hope today will be a little bit slower. If the weather is any indication it certainly will at least be an inside day - the temps hit 8 below zero this morning wind chill. And the temps won't move much for the next couple of days. Brrr!

This frog item is (or was) delicious! It is from Candy Tech (www.candytech.com) and is from their ChocAdorables! 15 pieces of fudgie frogs with mint chocolate truffle goodness that was just so good I couldn't resist. I would definitely recommend them if you come across them at your local store.

Home Again

View from motel
Originally uploaded by KenCalvino

Did yout think I had gotten lost? I was beginning to wonder too. But I finally made it home last evening. I was able to spend a couple of days in New Jersey visiting AB - it was a lot of fun catching up after way too many years seeing each other. We're already making plans for our next get together. It was a long drive back to Illinois - and dodging snow storms along the way. I had planned on taking another day driving but the weather was calling for ice storms so while the getting was good I kept on going. I'm glad I did because it was nice to sleep in my own bed.

Two nights ago as the snow started falling and I was crossing the border between West Virginia and Ohio I decided to stop for the night. The motel was halfway up a mountain! I didn't realize just how high up I was until the next morning when I was leaving. I was concerned driving back down the mountain after an inch of snow fell, but the road crews had it all cleared off. Beautiful view, but I'd hate to live up there all the time! I bet there are days they don't get down. It was nice to get back to the flat land of Illinois.

I have quite a few frogs to put up and some other exciting things to share along the way - so Happy New Year, it's good to be home and tomorrow we'll get back to business as usual. Now I have to go finish unpacking........

Trip Home Delayed

I awoke this morning to about a 1/2 inch of ice coating everything. There was some question as to whether we would get it or not because the weatherman has been wrong every single day for the last 3 or 4. Well, today he got one right. Ice, sleet, freezing rain - all taking place along the route I was set to drive. The salt trucks have been out in full force doing their job today, so I'm planning on starting out first thing in the morning and heading to New Jersey to visit with AB. Since my time in New Jersey will be shortened by a day - we'll have to talk really, really fast......

Sunday Afternoon Nap Time

We've just finished a rather big meal from the local Italian eatery and now everyone is falling fast asleep in their favorite chairs. It's been a great vacation but the last few days have been filled with plans for heading first to New Jersey to visit AB, then on to home. The motel reservations have all been made and now I'm working through the logistics of packing the car - it seems I'm going home with a lot more than I came with. Now the only last big concern is the weather. So far it's been pretty nice - no real snow, only a couple of flurries here and there. Unfortunately, Wednesday - the day I'm leaving - is supposed to be a wintry mix, at least that's what they're calling it - to me it means ice on the roads. Here's hoping that it holds off for a day or two. Now on to that nap.......

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a great time last night. We ordered in some of my favorite pizza, made some dip, and a cheese ball. Lots of snacks, of course. Television was tuned to CNN to watch Anderson Cooper and the ball drop at midnight in Times Square. Instead of champagne, we had been sipping a great wine all evening and toasted with that. It's really, and I mean really, really cold here so I was glad that we stayed in and celebrated right here at home.

Like Times Square, which empties out in about 20 minutes, it didn't take long before everyone was off to bed. Today relatives are stopping by for a bit and I just put a cake in the oven and am getting ready to watch the Rose Parade.

Kick back and relax today - and hopefully you're having another nice, long weekend. Enjoy, and again Happy New Year!