Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

I’m one who lives by the Life 101 philosophy that anytime there is opportunity for celebration… jump in and make it fun. To me, St. Patrick’s Day is a time to plop a green wig on my head and go galavanting with a gaggle of similarly greened friends. Whether it’s a simple shamrock on the face, a glass full of green beer, a belly full of corned beef, or full Leprechaun regalia (yes, I have a friend…), I say make the most of the day. Life’s too short not to play.
But wait! As an added bonus, here’s a dancing Leprechaun!

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Life 101 – Happy Advice

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Congrats, you’ve survived the Ides of March. (Julius Caesar was not so lucky, though he did get a salad named for him.) Now that you’ve survived, it’s time to promise yourself that tomorrow you’ll live life big. With that thought, Westminster and I wanted to post on the homepage what I think are the 10 Secrets to a Happy Life.
Tip 1: Laugh. A lot!
Tip 2: Plant a garden.
Tip 3: Shop enthusiastically.
Tip 4: Make things look good.
Tip 5: Embrace uncertainty.
Tip 6: Adopt a best friend.
Tip 7: Exercise until you feel good.
Tip 8: Figure out your family.
Tip 9: Live for the moment.
Tip 10: Celebrate the talents of others.
This spring, we’re hoping you wake up each morning reawakened and ready to appreciate the day and the presents it gives you.

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Gardening – Wisdom

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Speaking of gardening and gorgeous weather, I couldn’t resist playing hooky today and scooting across the Brooklyn Bridge and into the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Even in the early weeks of March, there was much in bloom from crocus and daffodils to winter hazel, barrenwort, and magnolia. I have marked my calendar for this weekend to start digging in the gardens at Edgewater Farm. Inspired by the beauty of the blossoms and this Life 101 thought: He is happiest who hath power to gather wisdom from a flower. I can’t wait to get smart.

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Gardening – Forsythia

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

I think every yard should have some forsythia. I always look forward to its yellow blossoms ushering in spring, and am often found traipsing through February snow to cut branches to bring them inside and “force” them to open. Groundhog be damned! This year, I didn’t have any snow to contend with and the branches didn’t really have to be forced. It was more a gentle “nudge.” A week in water and LOOK! I have spring in my foyer and spring in my step!
Did you know??? The forsythia was discovered in China by a plant-hunter in the late 1700s. (Do we still have plant hunters?) Here’s my Life 101 gardening tip: If you plant forsythia, prune, baby, prune! Forsythia is a plant that needs to be tamed and kept in it’s place. Pruning it after it flowers will promote better branching and create more flowers in future years.

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Life 101 – LaughFest

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Speaking of rubber chickens, last year to kick off Gilda’s LaughFest (named for the late comedienne Gilda Radner) in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, a crowd of revelers gathered to break the Guinness Book of World Record for most tossed rubber chickens. Those cluckers tossed 925! This year 607 peeps gathered to set a new world record for the largest gathering of people wearing animal noses. They donned chicken beaks and, well, succeeded. Now, that’s how people should get along.

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Pet Fun – The Rubber Chicken

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

A gorgeous day in New York City brought lots of people to the park, including Westminster, his rubber chicken, and me. Without fail, when we take the rubber chicken for a walk, we get attention and, more, we make people smile, laugh, (and point.) In turn, we have a good time. Wes even seems to laugh. (Those with dogs will know what I’m talking about.) And what I realized is a Life 101 tip: Fun is more fun if you’re not the only one having it. So, have some fun with someone! And if you need a rubber chicken, you can buy it here.

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Quick Fix – CD cleaner

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Okay, okay, I know. Who has CDs anymore? Well, I do. Thousands of ’em. And on my “To Do” list for several years has been downloading them into my iTunes. I’ve finally begun the project and have found numerous CDs scratched. The cure for 90% of them has been quite simple. Quick fix: Wash scratched CDs with a drop of dish washing soap and then towel dry (in one direction.) It works! So, check that off my list! I’m LOVING getting to listen to my clean tunes. Do you have any “Spring Cleaning” tips you’d like to share? Yes, I know the one about putting denture cleaner in the toilet bowl overnight to make it sparkle by morning.

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Life 101 – Remember to Smile!

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Was riding a crowded subway today and in comes a singing quartet. After their rendition of “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” and passing the hat, they gave us New Yorkers a piece of advice as they exited the train. It’s simple and easy Life 101: “Remember to smile. It won’t mess up your hair.” The sentiment made a train full of crowded New Yorkers stop and smile. And left me smiling the rest of the day. These are words to live by (and, in case you needed it, Westminster and I have provided some photographic proof at left.)

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Gardening – The Bird House

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

While you’re thinking spring gardening, think about a bird house (or three). They aren’t just for decorative purposes! I’m going to put mine up this weekend for the early birds. (Proving the old adage: “the early bird gets the condo.”) Why should you try to attract birds to your garden? 1) They are a natural pesticide, keeping the insect population under control. 2) Small birds help in cross pollination by drinking the sweet nectar from the flowers. 3) Happy birds are a happy sight and their sounds and chirps have been shown to uplift the spirit. I found this fun collection of houses at Home Goods (where I often go to happily feather my nest for cheap cheap cheap!) Happy weekend!

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Quick Fix – Peanut Butter Day

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Bruce Littlefield

Did you know March 1 is “National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day?” But everyday for me is peanut butter day! It is my go to afternoon snack, as it was my granddad’s before me. (A shout out to my favorite, Skippy, proudly made in Arkansas!) Peanut butter and a banana are the quickest, most perfect snack and always fuels my afternoon work. I did a Facebook poll (join us!) to ask “What’s the weirdest thing you have ever put peanut butter on?” Answers: a peanut, pancakes, on toast with scrambled eggs!, a milkshake, peanut butter & sweet pickle sandwich, on a kosher pickle, and with horseradish… You got any better ideas?

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