Hello Monday - We greet you with open arms and a happy smile for the coming week! Super fun collection of interestings to share today. BEGINNING WITH: AMAZING ANIMAL FACTS THAT WILL LIKELY BLOW YOUR "WOW" FACTOR AWAY: My 3 favorite take-aways are: A blue whale weighs as much as 3 elephants and is as long as 3 Greyhound buses. What?! Elephants have a specific alarm regarding humans are near. WOW! Dogs' senses of smell is about 100,000 times stronger than humans. However, they only have 1/6 of our taste buds. No wonder they're cool with the bagged dog food. Ha! HOW TO CLEAN BIRKENSTOCKS TO LOOK BRAND NEW As a proud owner and wearer of about 10 pair of Birkenstock (different colors and styles) sandals - this cleaning them article has my full attention. I've been wearing Birkenstocks for more than *cough* 35 years. If you don't have a pair. Might wanna check them out. They're fantastic! 12 BEST FRUIT AND CHEESE PAIRINGS I don't have a favorite take-away. All the dynamic duos make pairing sense! ZOO SIGNS ARE CLEVER = LAUGHTER! TOP 20 ANIMALS PEOPLE WANNA SEE IN THE WILD Hands down agree. ... as long as I view them from a distance in the wild and in a secure safari-type vehicle. Ha RECIPES! ZUCCHINI HOUDINI BOATS - thumbs up! Another creative recipe to enjoy the zucchini bounty of summertime! CHICKEN KA-BOBS Grilled summertime dinner on a stick. PARSLEY PESTO - would've never thought about parsley pesto, but I trust any and all recipes Shutterbean brings to the "table" - and the numerous examples of how she serves it! Call me the leader of the parsley/pesto fan club around here! GREEK STYLE SHRIMP SAGANAKI Totally has my curious ready to make the dish this week or next week at the latest. Easy to prepare +over 600 5 star reviews. Uhhhhhh - 'nough said! WATERMELON SMOOTHIE Doesn't sound all that unusual of a blender-whirl - save the part where the watermelon chunks are frozen first (!) + add strawberries. That's the secret to success! HORCHATA Oh, how I love you Horchata!! Morning time, noon time, mid-afternoon pick me up time, Dessert time. Sip by sip you're bliss. And now - thanks to this recipe, I (we) can make you conveniently at home!

Hello Readers + fellow Daymakers - January went out with a giant chill - pill that slid into February for a few days.  Sleet - icy roads - brrrr. I was prepared as far as wrapping outdoor + dripping faucets, making sure there were staples for my cat family, wild birds outside the picture window and me for a few days.  All is well. Are you a shopping cart returner or not?  Stephanie Hayes' column in today's issue is a pretty - darn - good - made - ya - think piece.  Be sure to give it a read. Fajita marinade recipe!  Thumbs up.  Get ready to make it over and over and share the recipe - people are gonna be asking for it. I present today's Wednesday Reader.  I hope it succeeds in bringing a bit of a kick - back - enjoyment time. As always, thank you for being here.  Appreciate ya.