I would normally be happy to root for the Packers in the playoffs, juliana, but I can't against the Niners. I have a complicated hierarchy of football loyalty I have to obey. I'm really enjoying the game, whoever ultimately wins!

I used to brush my teeth with a mixture of baking soda and salt with a little mint extract or essential oil or something. I don't think it did anything magical, but it was super cheap and I kind of liked using a powder rather than a paste.

The coconut oil/baking soda combo is sort of a cross between powder and paste...more powder, really. That is one of the things I especially like about it.

It seems less cloying and rinses away much cleaner. The point about it being super cheap is quite appealing as well.

I also like the idea that, when I run out, I can make my own without a trip to CVS!

Oh, coconut oil - last time I made mayonnaise I used half olive oil and half coconut oil and I really like the solidity of the result. Usually my mayo seems to emulsify well enough (in the sense of not breaking, anyway) but stays more liquid than I really want it to be.

I was wondering, of the other people who were interested: did you wind up completing the course? What did you think of it? Have you signed up for any other online courses, through Coursera or EdX or such like?

I finished Dino 101 and I really liked it. There was a nice balance of video and interactive content, and each week was easy for me to do in one session. I tried to do the Science & Cooking Course on edX, but it started while I was on vacation and I never caught up.

There's a Food for Thought course coming up soon that looked interesting: [link]

have people seen these pics of Hiddels and M. Dockery [link]

Oh hey, a McGill course. That does look interesting.

I know this is inappropriate, but I really don't understand why Michelle Dockery never hoists up her boobs.

In life or on Downton? On Downton I think it is the style.

Birmingham schools cancelled school for Monday. On Friday night. They're supposed to have the temp drop 40° overnight tonight, rain turning to snow and not get above freezing again until Weds.

Yeah, Nashville's in a pretty similar situation. On Friday they closed the city schools through Tuesday (!), which means Rose's daycare is also closed through Tuesday. Still no word about *my* school. It's hard to know whether the roads will actually be bad tomorrow or whether it's just people freaking out over the cold. The snow right now sure looks pretty, though.

In life or on Downton?

In life!