Joe Joe's Place Animal Rescue in NJ

An animal rescue group that we work with (i.e. foster dogs for and volunteer our time with) recently took in a litter of very, very sick puppies.  While the puppies arrived appearing healthy, the first one took sick very soon after arrival.  It was confirmed that the puppy they called "Princess Diana" had parvo.  If you don't know a lot about parvo, it's very dangerous for puppies and it is also very contagious.

Princess Diana was in the animal hospital in a "critical" condition for a few days.  During the course of her hospital treatment, Joe Joe's Place incurred over $5,000 of debt for Princess Diana's care alone.  That, added to their existing debt of treating many sick animals over the course of the past few years, puts them in a precarious situation. They are on the brink of having to close their doors - permanently, unless there are thousands of dollars in donations - quickly.

Joe Joe's Place was formed by my friend, Taryn, after her younger brother passed away in his sleep - for no apparent reason.  I wish I could have known Joey as he seems like he was a great person with a huge heart (I see that in his sister too).  Having lost a sister recently and a daughter a few years ago (yes, they both still weigh on my heart like it was yesterday) I know how important it is for Taryn and her family to keep Joe Joe's Place moving forward in Joey's memory.  In a way, it keeps him close - to all of us, even those of us who never had the chance to meet him.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created for Joe Joe's Place and you can find it here: https://www.gofundme.com/puppy-apocalypse-at-joe-joe039s-place.  Even if you can't afford to help right this minute, please share the link - maybe someone that you know has a soft spot for animal rescues or helping someone who has lost a sibling.

Thank you for your support.

Do You Switch?

Do you switch your fruits in the supermarket?  I'm not talking loose fruits like tomatoes or avacados - I'm talking fruits that are packaged - in clamshells - like strawberries.  

While Jonah and I were just in the local supermarket, I watched a lady who had strawberries laid out on top of all of the other clamshells and was picking the best ones for her clamshell.  Wouldn't you want to go to a farm to pick your own if this is your mission?  It's like taking a bouquet of flowers from the floral section apart and only taking the daises or the roses and leaving all the other "leftovers" or "bad" ones for someone else. 

In NJ, we are just coming in to strawberry season.  However, it's been wet lately.  I'm talking Seattle wet.  It's been raining here since Tuesday and *might* clear up tomorrow (for the day) leaving us humid and hot but not to worry, it's going to rain again on Monday and Tuesday.  While this does wreak havoc on the berries and the farms and *maybe* this woman couldn't get to the farm for fresh picking because of the rain, mud and berries coming in late ... but I guess I'm just surprised.  I didn't know that mix and matching out of a clamshell is allowed.

Key West, Florida Anyone?

Tell me everything you know about traveling to Key West, Florida! 

We are currently on the search for a couples ("couple") destination for a long weekend away. 

Have you been to Key West?  Where have you stayed?  Where have you heard is fabulous? 

How do you get there?  Do you fly?  Do you drive?  Do you do both?  Will we need a car there or is Uber an okay alternative? 

Hummingbirds!

I have to admit, I love to watch the hummingbirds in our back yard.  Ours aren't the tame ones that my sister in law has though.  Ours are pretty aggressive towards each other and afraid of us, even though we're out there near their feeders ... a lot.

One issue that we have year after year with our feeders is that they get full of ants and hornets, but ants especially.  Someone introduced me to an insect guard that you connect to the top of your feeder in order to keep the ants (especially) out!  I found a two pack on Amazon (Insect Guard for Hummingbird Feeder) for very inexpensive!  I've also found on Amazon (Parasol Ant Moat)

I think, because it's my birthday today, I'm going to go all out and buy one of each of those and two of these (Antique Looking Hummingbird Feeder).  Those will fill up the remaining hooks on our Shepard's posts - and hopefully keep the hummingbirds nicer and well fed out of feeders that are free from pests!!

(Amazon affiliate links included) 

Trick or Treating in the Magic Kingdom? YES PLEASE!

A few years back, we were able to visit Walt Disney World around Halloween time (we actually came home on Halloween.)  We utilized our Disney Vacation Club timeshare, as we always do.  (To learn more about owning a piece of the "magic", please visit www.disneyvacationclub.com)

Tim & I visiting with Phineas and Ferb

Dates for 2018 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party:

• August 17, 24, 28, 31
• September 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
• October 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31

Folks from the 100 Acre Wood in their costumes. 

Ticket prices vary during the course of the event (they get more expensive as you get closer to Halloween, but start at $75 in advance or $85 at the gate (if still available). You may purchase tickets by calling (407) 939-1782 or online at the Disney website. 

I mean, trick or treating in the Magic Kingdom, a special parade featuring an appearance by the Headless Horseman, characters dressed up in their Halloween costumes - and ghoooosts!  The dancing ghosts from the Haunted Mansion entertain, too, during the parade.  

Dancing ghosts from Haunted Mansion

Some items you may need for your Halloween trip:  a Halloween grocery type bag (https://amzn.to/2jFKeup)*, a pumpkin trading pin (https://amzn.to/2rozJ31)* and maybe even halloween ears!! (https://amzn.to/2rsFUDb)*  

AMAZON AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
There are links on this site that can be defined as “affiliate links”. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you subscribe or purchase something through the links provided that are signaled with *.
Family, Scrapbooks and Coffee is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.
If you got any questions about this feel free to let me know.  

Almost 2 years

It's been almost two years since we lost my sister to suicide.  672 heart wrenching days without her here. Her kids.  Her husband.  Our mom.  Our stepmom.  We are all still so, so heartbroken. Sometimes, I feel almost guilty doing daily, mundane things and finding joy.

A while ago, I had a memory appear on my Facebook from her - from 2013. Not even a month after we lost Darby.  Who knows if I was even out of bed yet.   But it's funny how something as simple as her telling me that she made "Drunken Pork Chops" that I had pinned and how delicious they were.  I think that in her memory, I will share the recipe with you too.

Pinned from:  http://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2010/03/drunken-pork-chops-absolutely.html

Seriously Scrumptious Drunken Pork Chops

• 5-6 pork chops- bone-in or boneless, your choice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 bottle of beer (The darker beer the better.  I use New Belguim 1554. I would not recommend going as dark as a Guinness though.)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup ketchup (I know, I know....but TRUST ME!)

Put a little bit of extra virgin olive oil in the bottom of a skillet. Season the chops with salt and pepper and brown both sides. While pork chops are browning, combine beer, ketchup, and brown sugar in a bowl. Pour sauce mixture over the pork chops and simmer for 40-45 minutes. Remove pork chops and thicken the sauce a bit. In a small cup, combine 1 TBSP of cornstarch in 1/4 cup of water. Stir to combine and add to boiling sauce, whisk so no lumps form. Put pork chops back in the thickened sauce, flip to coat. Serve over mashed potatoes or rice. 
Have your drink and eat it too!