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photo from kisa12 @ stock.xchng

It is the time of year, now that it’s just after Memorial Day, to start barbecuing. It’s one of my favorite things to do, sit in the yard and hang out, waiting for the Bratwurst or chicken breasts.

Now, I’m relegated to a Forman Grill. I would prefer a Weber or something, charcoal. Do you BBQ inside? Outside? What’s your favorite BBQ to cook on?

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Sorry for the lack of posts today and yesterday. Things with work are a bit busy and I’ve got some personal stuff going on, but I’ll try to get something up on Friday, and if not, I’ll definitely be up and running next week.

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I have a cat. Her name is Ally Ginsberg. She’s very cute, but she can smell. And seeing as her litterbox is downstairs, where the kitchen is, we need lots of smell-diffusing items. The problem is, the plug-in ones aren’t very pretty. And my scented candles only work so well. There’s nowhere to put a reed diffuser that is out of Ally’s reach, so we’re kind of stuck.

The new Method Aroma Ring is making it’s way around the home design blog community, and I must say, it’s pretty cute, even if it does slightly resemble some kinds of birth control. The middle scented part is refillable and Method, as always is pretty Earth-friendly. But does it work?

Is that the best option? How do you scent your homes?

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Dishwasher and microwave-safe, this mug is a cheery way to begin your day. Shoshona Snow makes this mug by throwing it on the potter’s wheel and painting it black, the removing little pieces of the porcelain to reveal the unpainted portion of the mug. Most of her pieces seem to use this style, which is modern and bright to me. ($20)

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I’m not kidding. I love this mug. I bought t on a search months ago after my last mug got cracked. The only one I had hiding in the cupboard was a leaky cheap-o one from Target years ago. I wanted to get a Nissan mug (not the car company, at least to my knowledge), but I couldn’t find one anywhere near here. So I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and say this. When I got it, it was called Click and Seal, but OXO’s web site calls it the LiquiSeal Travel Mug.

Put some coffee or tea in here, click it closed and shake all you want. I throw mine in my work bag and it’s never leaked. Ever. Get it. ($20)

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We have this mango in our kitchen, waiting for me. It’s perfectly ripe, waiting to be eaten. Since I was a kid, I’ve loved mangos and for about the same time, my Mom has told me I’m horrible at peeling them. I squeeze too hard and all the jiuce runs down my arm. The mango ends up bruised, but it’s still tasty to me.

Maybe I need to get this mango cutter from the lovely folks at OXO. ($12)

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These aren’t new by any means, but it’s closing in on BBQ season and I wanted to remind everybody of these. Luau lamps are portable and can be used on their super-discreet charger or not. They’re also LED-lit, so Mother Earth likes them far more than other portable lamps that might use batteries or the like. ($249, from Vessel)

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Happy Memorial Day!

I hope everyone is taking the time to remember, say thanks and enjoy the day off. We’ll be back tomorrow.

I’m off for the day to spend some time with the family in Southern California. What is everyone else doing?

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While you’re at your picnics and camping trips, take a second and think about this:

3,680 soldiers from around the world have been killed in action during the Iraq War. More than 25,000 soldiers have been wounded.

No matter what side you are on, today is the day where you say thank you to those that have lost, lives, limbs and time with family to serve their country. They are risking their lives for this war, and will continue to do so. They are heroes.

I want to say thank you to the soldiers I know:

Thanks, Jeremy Jacobsen. We haven’t talked in years and I haven’t seen you since your wedding, but I can noly hope that you, Shannon and the baby are safe and sound. You were one of the most dedicated Marines I ever knew, and I’m sure that’s still the case.

Thanks, Navy man on the USS Kittyhawk who shall remain nameless. You loved me despite only seeing me once. You told me things no one probably knew and I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I did to you and I want you to know that it was not out of hatred. I was in a different place than I am today. Someday, I will be in Oregon and we will see each other. I hope that we can still hug and forgive.

Thanks, Austin. I still remember when I hugged you while in uniform during my freshman year of college. I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to do that and I was supremely embarrassed. I hope you are well and continue to be the sweet, caring person you were back then.

Thanks, to the countless others I have met during schooling and through my work. I doubt anyone remembers my name, but the image of all of you will remain embedded in my mind. You give everything for this war and I do not want you to think that you are not remembered. You are. I cry at your stories. I weep for your loss. My heart pains for your families.

Today is a day to remember.

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Chamba ware is a type of glazed clay cooking vessel. People have compared it to cast iron, in regards to safety and heat conductivity. This is a pot that is beautiful and would probably make a delectable stew. I wouldn’t feel bad about leaving this on the stove. ($69, from Vivaterra)

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