You know, Victoria, it's not really a secret.

I get both the Victoria's Secret and Frederick's of Hollywood catalogs in the mail. I think most adults know what is contained within the pages of these catalogs- Victoria's secret is not a well kept one. So why, I wonder, do they feel they need to airbrush all the nipples off their models? It's absurd. It's down right creepy when they do it to women wearing see-through outfits- leaving the nipple free breasts exposed. We have enough uptight nudity issues in this country, but now we're pretending that women don't have nipples? Perhaps this is why public breastfeeding is such a touchy subject- we'd have to acknowledge where that milk actually comes from.

Here's a clue: if you have issues with nudity, partial or otherwise, don't get the catalogs. If you are worried about your young children seeing them, don't get the catalogs. If you're concerned your mail carrier will turn into a perv delivering the catalogs, DON'T GET THE CATALOGS!

Beggars can be whatever they want.

There's a older man that hangs out in the parking lot of our local all-in-one shopping establishment with his dog, a full grown boxer (maybe a mix). I've seen him a few times and deduced that he's either a) homeless, b) jobless, c) bored or d) any or all of the above. Either way, today I thought maybe he and his pooch could use a little lunch so while I was in the store I got one of those Lunchable sandwich packs and a cheap can of dog food (with the flip-top just in case he didn't have a can opener). As I was leaving, I drove by where he sits and offered the food to both of them. He graciously took the sandwich, but refused the dog food saying his dog couldn't eat that brand because she was on a special diet. I asked what kind she eats and he told me. I told him I would try to remember that next time.

As I drove away, I have to admit, I was a bit confused by this exchange. Really Old-Man-who-hangs-out-in-a-parking-lot-all-day, you're going to turn down free dog food? But the more I considered it the more I could see why. Maybe she's got health problems and needs a better class of food. Maybe she's the only thing he's got in this world and he'll do whatever it takes to keep her happy and healthy and living as long as he can- including spending any money he has on the good food. Maybe he just simply refuses to let his circumstances prevent him from properly caring for his pet.

To this I say: No problem, Dude. You just keep on doing your thing and next time I'll get your dog some better food.

Kid-Friendly Applesauce

Although it's not officially fall yet, my apple trees are already dropping more fruit than I can find uses for. I made an apple pie, crock-pot apple butter and after I borrowed a friends dehydrator (she had used it to make me some dried apple chunks) made my own fruit leather.

It was during these many experiments with all things apple that I came up with a recipe for applesauce that my kids love.

Cherry Applesauce

Four cups peeled sliced apples
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 package of Cherry Kool-Aid (or flavor of choice)

Place peeled and sliced apples and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cover and cook until apples are soft, about 15 minutes. Remove apples from heat and pour into a blender or food processor. Add sugar and 1 tsp of Cherry Kool-Aid powder. Puree mixture until smooth and refrigerate.

I like to pour mine into small, single-serving tupperware cups before I refrigerate them so that my kids can just take out a cup to eat, but anything you can put in the fridge would work. Also, because I don't like to waste anything (and it's too hot to stand over a stove), I've made large batches of this in the crock pot and then canned it. If you have the space, it could easily be frozen- Ball makes a good freezer container that mimics the size of a jar and stacks for better storage.

So, let's hear it for no more buying applesauce in containers that may or may not be recycleable/reusable! Let's hear it for using up what nature has so freely provided! Let's hear it for Kool-Aid!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some more apples to peel...