TheSnackHound

This post brought to you by Flood Wood Care. All opinions are 100% mine.

Shabby Chic may not be the same rage as it was ten years ago. Ditto with marbleized and cracklified textures. I perfected the "textured" look. You know the one that feels slightly gritty? Carpenters would say, "Hey, nice tooth. Now what color is the finish coat?" The amazing effect was achieved through the wonderous technique called "Haste." How does one make "Haste?" It is being so eager to start on the project that you don't properly prep your surface. Leftover paint splotch that wouldn't come out? Check. A little sand? Check.

You won't want to trick ME into whitewashing your fence. Or would you?

The folks at Flood® Wood Care, who have been in the wood care, stripping, painting and staining business since 1841 – the fateful year that Abraham Lincoln initially broke off his engagement to Mary Todd, but of course reconsidered down the line – would frown on my free form techniques. It may work in a pinch, but may cause long term issues.They actually do have a product called SWF-Solid that allows the wood texture to show through, but of course doesn't have the grit. That is why Flood® has earned the reputation as "The Wood Care Specialist" and is the best solution for any summer wood care products. I have not. And am not.

Here are a few tips for decks, siding and even large surfaces like kitchen floors:

• Thoroghly clean the surface first.
  
• Stir the stain or paint frequently.
  
• If you can, mix all cans of the stain or paint to be used today. This way there is complete uniformity. You aren't getting a different effect from the can that was opened yesterday, or the one you accidentally dipped the purple paint brush in for just that second or too.
  
• Keep a sample piece of wood if you have one, as the actual wood and the "porosity" will play into the final result.
  
• When needing a break, don't stop in the middle of a board. Paint the entire board and stop then.
  
  
• For vertical surfaces, work from too to bottom, drippy.

Okay, Tom Sawyer, now whitewash that fence. I need to salvage it for a rustic kitchen table or pot rack!

This post brought to you by Whitney Farms. All opinions are 100% mine.

The four year old grandfather green onion that I previously mentioned is starting to flower, sprout, or whatever it is doing. It is surprising after multiple garden tillings, an almost near death by invasive pumpkin vines and being fully surrounded by corn that it has managed to survive this long. Even though it doesn't look beautiful right now, it is respectable considering its hard life.

Part of it might just be the organic soil

. I considered potting it in the fall to see what would happen but I never did. If you are looking for organic plant food and are just not sure where to start, Whitney Farms® has a formula available at many major retailers. RIght now, they are offering a $3.00 off coupon to young and old, black thumbs and green thumbs alike.

The second generation green onion, which is celebrating its second glorious year is in much better shape, as it was neve crowded and given a bit more attention. We'll see how grandfather does after this year of proper tending.

The best part about the green onions, or some folks might call them scallions, is the quick zip they add to a variety of meals. I have chopped my share and heavy handedly added them to fried rice and most recently, a veggie pizza. For a fried rice dish consisting of a base of 4 cups or rice (plus a bunch of other stuff), I add a full quarter cup of green onion, sometimes more.

If you are looking for a hardy plant with a tougher constitution compared to herbs, give a green onion plant a try. You won't be sorry, You may just be sorry that you didn't try it sooner. It adds just as much flavor to dishes with just a small amount of onion.

This post brought to you by Chili’s Grill & Bar. All opinions are 100% mine.

Trivia time: Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican independence from what country. It's a tricky one, huh? Answer at the bottom.

I once lived in a town that had a Chili's prominently placed, but I never went there. When I was on the road, there were many greasey spoons with more grease on the floor than on the spoon. As I peered out the window, my weary eyes and choking arteries spotted a very corporate and very backlit beacon of hope. Chili's. At last, consistency and no Scrapple or "Kitchen Sink Casserole" on the menu.

I quickly fell in love with the Molten Chocolate Cake. From my articles, you must think I must be a petite ballerina of 785 lbs with all of my cakes and chocolate cravies. In real life, I am more like Cookie Monster – post 2006 Cookie Monster – as Molten Chocolate Cake is "sometimes" food – rather than the original lovable dough snarfing machine that had no identity crisis.

Of course, Chili's isn't all about the cake. If you are wandering around far from home and don't know the low down of what Mexican restaurant is authentic and what is a greasey spoon with the word "Mexican" hastily painted over a name like "Dopey Joe's Burger Joint," you can belly up to the comfy padded booth with friends for a CoronaRita at Chili's.

What is a CoroniaRita? It's a Margarita, but with Coronita instead of Cointreu or Triple Sec along with Jose Cuervo Especial Tequila. If you are the ultra cool person that is driving, or just don't fancy one and want to be a joiner, you can always request a virgin Margarita while you hang out with your friends. I personally drew plenty of looks when my 18 year old self would sit with my virgin Margarita and my chocolate cake. You know…its the whole fruit goes with chocolate thing that would satisfy some but would revolt the delicate balance of others.

I would draw the same looks now. But it would be rubbernecking, speculating the whole non traditional "fruit (or at least red flavored mix) goes with chocolate thing"…rather than my….ahem…age.

You must be 21 years or older to drink alcoholic beverages and as always, please remember to drink responsibly.

Trivia Answer: The answer is NOBODY. El Grito de la Indepedencia, which celebrates emancipation from Spain is in September. On Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican army fought back the French in the Battle of Puebla. The French army retreated and left 6 years later, but the battle was a major victory and morale booster.

And you thought you had this one in the bag and said "Spain."

This post brought to you by Scotts®. All opinions are 100% mine.

The frost has melted and the mutant onion emerges from its slumber. Nothing is particularly deformed or otherwordly about it. Rather, its midwestern stick-to-it-ive-ness has rallied once again, making this the fourth year this particular green onion plant has survived. Not every plant in the garden, as you can obvserve, has folks thinking about throwing a fifth birthday party for it next year.

Jealous? Well, don't be. While I am not quite sure how the grandfather onion has defied frost, a good potential choke out by corn one year and pumpkins another, you can give your florals and other garden loiterers a sure head start.

Miracle Gro is giving away samples of Expand ‘n Gro™. One lucky Snack Hound reader will get a smaple to try in their garden right now. Well, not right now. It is going to take a few days for you to win and get. Glad that I cleared that up.

The formula uses natural Coconut Coir to hold in moisture and sustain your favorite plants and vegetables, such as Audry II or the Trifids (you can look those up now). I really should name the onion at some point. The short fibers keep the bag small. When water is added, the mixture expands and stores hydration and nutrients for the plant. It is said that it produces 3x the vegetables and feeds up to 6 months.

To win:

1) Comment on this post and tell me what you are growing this year to either subject eager diners at your house to, or to chop off and stick in a vase.

2) For a second entry, Tweet this post to your friends. Be sure to come back here and leave a comment.

3) For a third entry, Comment and tell me what you think the heirloom green onion should be named.

Contest ends at 11:00 AM EST on April 30th, 2012. Contest is open to readers with mailing addresses in the United States and Canada.

Now, here is a little ditty about it for you to enjoy your popcorn with.