BlogggerOne

2011-04-02T13:28:00.001-04:00

View from my boat, The DorthyJane

When considering a redecoration, why not think about a theme? What is your passion? Mine happens to be water and boats. So I am searching for ship wheels, boat photos, marine knots, light houses, etc. But, if you’re a great gardener, an old-fashioned watering can filled with large artificial greens in one corner, crossed gardening tools tied with raffia hung on a wall next to posters or photos of garden shows would make great accessories.

These same ideas can apply to any hobby or interest-music, fashion, sports. When you choose a special theme, you can spend time browsing various places for just the right item to add to your special place, where you spend a lot of time reviving your energy surrounded by many of your favorite things. Keep this in mind when you select a color scheme and please don’t over-do it! Clutter does not relax the eye or the mind when someone enters a room. Keep it simple. Remember—less is still more no matter the design project.

BIG CITY vs.COUNTRY LIFE

2010-11-10T19:03:00.002-05:00

I could never live in a big city. The lure of an exciting night life, vast skyscrapers, crowded subway cars and traffic that would make any driver psychotic, pales in comparison to the advantages of country life.

Did you know that 5 million people ride the New York City subway every day? Just the thought of having to go through that process makes my heart speed up and breath come short.
A condo the size of my closet sells in Manhattan for 1.5 million dollars. That entitles an “association” to charge you a hefty monthly fee for…well, basically telling you what you can and cannot do with your place, plus...I don’t know-keeping the lobby clean and letting the bug man in once a month. And, in a town where you have to fight just to have a purse dog, my only property caveat is that we can’t keep a herd. Hey, I really don’t want a herd although several of my nice neighbors do have them. They let me feed their horses, chickens, cats and dogs and that makes us all happy.

I don’t know about offensive smells in the big cities. Out here skunks can create havoc on a warm summer’s night when we sleep with the windows open. That’s definitely the down side of country living. Of course, gunshots are heard almost as frequently here as they are in the cities. Only yesterday (the opening day of hunting season), what sounded like elephant guns were booming across hillsides, (and on our property) as eager hunters went after the mother and baby deer we watched cross our road all summer.
In Boston people do strange things to protect their parking spots, like put chairs out to block strangers from “stealing” them. Parking is certainly no problem out here. You can put as many bulldozers, tractors, snowmobiles or diesel trucks as will fit in or around your barn.
I would really like to hear from you who actually live in the city and tell me how you cope.
In addition: here's a quick update on the new house down the road. They are now putting on the siding, so it looks pretty messy but you get the idea.

Write to me! Comments please!

HOME BUILDER KILLED IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

2010-09-26T10:44:00.000-04:00

I really hate posting this blog but feel that since I was photographing and blogging the construction of our new neighbors’ house, that you should also be apprised of the death of Richard Clark, the builder and owner of Clark Craftsman Homes. My photos of the sign in front of the house are a testament to his life, family and work. I am convinced that he will be watching over this project until its’ completion and perhaps beyond.

I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Clark Family.

September 25 Garage Roof Completed and Roof on Turret Ready for Shingles

I will continue to post progess on this beautiful home.

New Neighbors, Continued

2010-09-16T09:59:00.001-04:00

(Earlier Photos Below) September 7, 2010

Three Days Later the Garage Roof is Going Up

Rafter Lumber Leaning Against Front

Mountain Visible Though Unfinished Roof

Garage Roof Finished With Studio Window

Construction Assistants Checking Out Sidewalk Superintendents

Center Roof Finished

Great Shot of Back Side of House

It's a bit dark but you can see how the garage blends in with the back.

I will continue to photograph this process until it is finished.

Comments And Sponsor Clicks Please.

2010-09-10T10:32:00.001-04:00

JACK’S FAVORITE—CHILI SAUCE

A very good friend of mine gave me this recipe over 30 years ago and it’s still the best one I’ve tasted yet. My stepmother and I accidentally used “tablespoons” of spices instead of “teaspoons” and it came out great! I will be giving some of the jars as gifts but leaving most of the sauce for Jack. He would cry if I didn’t.

INGREDIENTS

12 Large Tomatoes

1 Large Onion-chopped

1 Large Green Pepper-chopped

1 Cup Sugar (I use Splenda)

1 Cup Vinegar

1 Tablespoon Salt

¾ Tablespoons Cinnamon

¾ Tablespoons Cloves

¾ Tablespoons Nutmeg

¾ Tablespoons Ginger

2 Tablespoons Chili Powder

DIRECTIONS

Peel tomatoes after soaking in boiling water for 2 or 3 minutes. Place in large pot, then add spices, onion, pepper, vinegar and sugar (Splenda). Simmer until desired thickness (about 3 to 4 hours). Freeze and/or follow Ball Blue Book canning instructions to the letter, including boiling for 10 minutes after water comes to second boil. Be very careful removing jars from boiling water bath, first of all so you don't get burned and secondly because you do NOT want to disturb the jar lid sealing process. They are NOT sealed if you don't hear them "pop" or they are rounded and not flat when cooled. Happy Canning!

Let me know if this works for you! Other comments and sponsor clicks appreciated.

HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION

2010-09-05T19:46:00.002-04:00

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So, how was your summer? Please comment and click a sponsor. Appreciate it.

CIGARETTE TAX PITS NY STATE GOVERNMENT AGAINST SOVEREIGN NATIONS

2010-08-30T10:30:00.001-04:00

Who would ever have guessed that cigarettes would cost over $9.00 a pack??? As if the reality that desperate smokers are being punished by New York State at $4.35 per pack tax for their bad habit isn’t enough, the state is also attempting to force the Indian Nations to pay the tax to them on every pack they sell. Considering the American Indian Nations are deemed “sovereign” (which means they were declared independent by treaties made in the 1700s and cannot be controlled by anyone but themselves) and that Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution says that “states do not have power to commerce with tribes much less regulate them,” doesn’t it appear as though the New York State government is merely trying to elicit money from any source regardless of legality or ethics?
I am neither a Native American, nor am I a smoker but absolutely believe the state should leave the Indians alone! They are trying to make the best of what they were left with when the colonists took over their lands and drove many of their members west to fend for themselves in a bitter and harsh environment.
Governor Patterson, I strongly suggest that you and your peers refrain from speaking with forked tongues and stop trying to change treaties and revamp the United States Constitution.

2010-08-09T09:46:00.002-04:00

Construction on the new house (earlier pics below) is moving fast so I thought I’d better show you these photos now. I’ll be going on vacation for a few weeks and unfortunately I won’t be able to track the progress until I get back. Who knows what will be accomplished by then?

Studs on Bottom Floor Window (on left) and First Floor Studs in Place

Lower Floor Back Bay Window

Opposite side view of Bay Window

Looking Down into Bottom Floor

Mask Removed, He's Thanking Me For the Carrots

Hope I can post some great vacation pics when I return.

Remember the horses with the masks on? I got a comment explaining that it’s to keep the insects out of their eyes. Isn’t it great that the owners take such great care to protect their animals? Thanks to anonymous for that comment. Now we’ve all learned something new.
If you haven’t noticed lately, you can click the “animalrescuesite” key on my blog and feed shelter animals for free.
I also have started a second blog at HUB pages and you may be getting a notice every time I post there. I don’t really know but I’ll try and send you the hot key whenever I can. I love hearing from people around the world at HUB and so far I have connected with a writer in Ireland, a guy who lives in London and a teacher from down south, among others. Hopefully that list will continue to grow each day.
I really do appreciate every comment, so please keep them coming!

MORE NEIGHBORS

2010-08-06T09:21:00.000-04:00

We will be having even more new neighbors of the human variety when their home is completed down the road. I'm taking pictures to show you how that process is going. The narrow lot is set high above a valley that overlooks a western mountain range. The builder has placed it so that the two story structure will be all windowed facing the mountains. You are looking at where the garage will be on the right front side of the home.

This shot taken a week later shows the poured garage floor and studs peeking up from the bottom floor that will overlook the mountains.

This is a left side shot that shows second floor studs being nailed into place, also facing the mountains.
I will try to continue shooting this process so you will get the full picture of the home as it is completed. In the meantime, I revisited the other neighbors who live one plot over to the right of this house. Remember how they looked with their masks on?

As yet, I haven't learned their names but I do know they love carrots and if you don't bring them any, they will simply walk away and ignore you.

Here is another lady who hangs out in our neighborhood.

Until next time, please leave a comment and click a sponsor. Don't forget that you can purchase stuff though my Amazon link to your left. Thanks!

Just a Teaser

2010-07-25T19:02:00.005-04:00

Just a teaser to let you know I am hard at work on my computer/sewing digitizer and Janome 350E Embroidery machine and I will let you see the results soon.

This takes time and I don't want you to think I'm not attending to my blog. I'll be explaining it to you all--and soon. It's just an elementary lesson but you'll know a lot more about computerized embroidery than you do now, when you're done reading the blog, so hang tight and I'll see you back here in a few days.
You'll be a able to catch it on my HubPage as soon as I publish the title. Thanks for youR patience.
Until then, keep creating!

p.s. Here's a couple of photos of my new neeeeeigh......bors. Aren't they beautiful??? I checked on them this morning and their masks have been removed. Does anyone know what they are for? Please let me know!

Leave a comment. Click a sponsor--Don't forget to purchase your Back To School Stuff
from my Amazon. Thanks a million!

2010-07-02T10:00:00.001-04:00

After having written on the incompetency of most major organizations running our world today, I am happy to report there is hope on the horizon with the emergence of someone you may have heard of--Salman Khan.

This brilliant man has several BS degrees, plus one masters in electrical engineering and one in business from Harvard. Better yet, he has started an online teaching web page that blows the doors off any previous attempts to transfer intelligence from one brain to another.

If you go to Kahn Academy.org, you will find hundreds of subjects that this man is proficient in and ready to transmit to anyone who desires to learn them—FOR FREE!

Having trouble with basic equations? Domains of functions? Unit vector notations or harmonic motion? Khan is your man. Just click a key, pause and/or repeat when you don’t get it and learn, learn, learn. He has eliminated all excuses not to be smart in a multitude of subjects that have perplexed ordinary people since time began.

This man appears to be a God send for a world devoid of mathematical and scientific knowledge so necessary for the successful perpetuation of mankind. And what’s even better--the man is also proficient in economics!

Both on television and his web page, Salman Kahn has expressed solutions to the present financial crisis plaguing the world! The least our government can do is listen, pay attention and maybe learn stuff they missed when they were sleeping through economics in college.

Please check it out and let me know what you think.

Then, click a sponsor.

Thanks!

2010-06-23T10:01:00.002-04:00

Believe it or not, there are some people who identify their entire world according to automobiles. I actually know such a person and he is not a car salesman.

This person can’t remember your name but he’ll know the make, model, color and horse power of the car (cars) you drive. When this guy goes shopping, he can scope out your car in the parking lot from 1000 feet away. This is fine if you want everyone to know where you are. If your car shows up for sale up in a roadside, used-lot, he will know before your husband or wife does.

If you are coming toward him on a highway at seventy miles an hour and he’s coming the other way, he will know it’s you. And, If you have a blond in the car instead of your brunette wife, he might wonder who you’re with but more likely will notice if you’ve been to the car wash recently or if you’re using high performance tires (like his) that will only last 14,000 miles.

If Ford, Honda, Chevy or any other manufacturer changes so much as a rear-view mirror on the newest model, it’s the first topic on his list of conversation. Which models are being discontinued? Added? Hybrided?

He’s not a very good reader but he can quickly scan every line of the latest Car and Driver Magazine. He may not be able to remember what day of the week it is but just ask him about hemis, engine compression ratios, turbos, super chargers, intakes, exhausts, gear ratios and he’s yours for another two or three hours.

Show him a picture just of the dashboard of any antique car and he will know the make, year and model. Got a little rattle, buzz or clink in your engine? He’ll probably know what’s causing it.

And, of course, he will know exactly how many seconds it will take your car to go from a dead stop to 60 miles an hour on a highway entrance ramp, and in fact, will not buy any car that does it in more than 6 seconds.

Do you know such a person?
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2010-06-03T09:20:00.001-04:00

Like I’ve said before, I love farmers. They are the hardest working folks in the world. Almost everything they do benefits someone else--feeding everyone, except maybe those who have their own gardens and dairy cows.

Eastern New York Farm Field

In these photos, you see plowed fields that will produce food for thousands of people and a bunch of animals, too. Despite heavy winds, flooding rains, baking heat and freezing cold, these people battle the elements with strong hope every season that this will be the best one yet. Recently, farmers have had to cope with skyrocketing fuel and feed prices that deeply cut into their profits, making it more of a wonder that anyone would continue to do this at all.

Many farmers have given up and moved on, leaving empty fields and orchards all across this nation. I know because I drive by them everyday.

Deserted New England Apple Orchard

I think this is very sad. Farming is a noble profession that some of the nicest people in the world engage in. I was lucky enough to meet a group of young people who are growing up on our local farms and they are extremely kind and gentle with their animals, as well as with their friends and families.

There will be corn growing here in a few days

Well anyway, here’s to all of those of you who keep our factories, restaurants, stores and farmers’ markets loaded with all that good, healthy food that we literally could not live without. Someone out here really appreciates your hard work and I will say a prayer that all things come together to bring you great success in your endeavors.

What do you think about farming? Leave a comment, click a sponsor. Thanks!

p.s. Remember that nut case bird I told you about who comes back every year? Well, here are her babies born a few weeks ago.

2010-05-23T09:09:00.000-04:00

The Greatest thing since…

We all know it’s certainly not sliced bread. Maybe something new is the greatest thing since heated car seats, permanent press fabrics, automatic dishwashers, or electric knives.

Of course, there’s always bra extenders, Netflix downloads, disinfectant wipes, remote controls and polio vaccines. I think hands-free, car phones are pretty neat.

But, the best thing since anything is definitely the Florentine Bakery’s cannolis and my homemade sausage bread. Don’t believe me? Just ask my grandson, Jon. He will confirm this statement.

What do YOU think is the greatest thing?

Please leave a comment and click a sponsor. Hopefully Google has stopped advertising maple syrup by now. Thanks!

TIPS

2010-05-10T09:44:00.000-04:00

HERE ARE A FEW MORE SPRING TIPS:

If you use coffee filters, you only need buy the big ones. They will fit in the smaller pots and work well if you measure in the grounds, then fold the paper over the grounds and use a small piece of tape to hold it together. This keeps grounds from seeping into the coffee as well as ensuring fresh flavor.

Vermont Mountains

Do you have that nasty, rough skin around the heels of your feet? No need to scrape it off with one of those files “as seen on T.V.” Simply apply your favorite body lotion, cover them with a comfy pair of socks for about an hour every day and voila—rough skin gone.

I’ve also discovered that ants HATE Listerine. I put a bottle in a closed, kitchen cupboard last week and my ant invasion ended that night. My daughter-in-law tells me that baby powder works just as well. Take your pick to end your ant problem.

Have any more tips? Send them to me!

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MORE MONEY SAVING TIPS

2010-04-30T10:20:00.000-04:00

Checked out the dollar Tree Stores, Inc. and was happy to find a few bargains.

A package of (6) 9x 12, heavyweight, reusable clasp envelopes, (made in America) Sally Hansen Lip Gloss and Ajax Lemon Dish soap are some of my favorites. Of course, everything is a buck. But, my most favorite is box of 30 band aids that would cost anywhere from $1.79 up to over $6.00 in a drug store. I was disappointed to not find the transparent, packaging sealing tape which I use a ton of. It makes a great lint remover and is twice as fast as the little roller thingys.

It appears as though Wal Mart is no long discounting greeting cards, so you can cross them off your list. Their bananas were $.49 a pound which seems reasonable and I love their Great Value Coffee which is $3.28 for 13 ounces. They also had huge strawberries for $2.50. I saw the same pack in the local grocery store yesterday for $3.99. Got a 5 pack of my fave gum (Lush 5) for $2.88 which is a real bargain considering that it cost $1.49 a pack last month at the mini mart. That’s a savings of $4.57!

Got a great buy on Puff tissues at B.J’s and they’re still discount greeting cards.

Did you know that bounty paper towels have sheets that basically tear in half, so if you don’t need a big sheet you can use far less of it? I like that.

Ninety Nine Restaurants are advertising that they have “Real Size” Entrees for only $9.99 and 9 lunches starting at $5.99. In a time when restaurants are serving food in smaller dishes (Panera’s) and the prices are going up, this seems like good news. I will try it out and let you know. You can also go online and sign up with many restaurants to receive their coupons.

Jolie bathing in the Jacuzzi

In these days of astronomical prices, I’ve decided to just get along with less. The more companies charge, the less I’ll buy. It’s my own little boycott.

Do you have any more money saving ideas? How about where to save money on gasoline?

Have you read my new NoBBull.blogspot.com blog yet? Check it out and let me know what you think.

Please leave comments and click a sponsor. Thanks!

MORE NEIGHBORS

2010-04-16T19:05:00.001-04:00

Here is another one of our delightful neighbors. I believe those two dark spots are the critter eyes staring me down while I snapped the photo. This adorable creature is a North American porcupine, a rodent with a coat of sharp quills. It appears to weigh about 10 to 12 pounds which is average and it resembles a hedgehog. I think they are very cute, also.

According to Wikipedia, it eats leaves, twigs, green plants and as you can see, often climbs trees to find food. Reputed to be very slow, we can attest to that fact because I took the first picture on my way to lunch and the second one two hours later on the way home. The critter had moved a couple of feet.

What’s really interesting is that they search for salt all the time. They will eat plywood cured with sodium nitrate, paint, footwear, and are attracted to roads where rock salt is used to melt ice and snow. This could explain why we saw it at the side of our dirt road which is loaded with salt from the winter storms.

I don’t care if it is considered a large rodent. I think it’s adorable! What do you think?

Remember I told you about the nutty bird who would come back and build her nests under my cat's nose, no matter how many time we toss them out in the fall? Well, here it is. She's back and making a mess of our front porch.

Spring is great because it is so full of hope. HAPPY APRIL!

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MORE SIGNS OF SPRING

2010-04-08T07:38:00.001-04:00

There's a bird that wakes me up every morning at 6:30 a.m. now that spring is here. This morning, he/she has awakened a group and they are now chattering as though they really have a lot to say. Although I find this a most pleasant way to wake up, it makes me wonder why birds do this. We have a commune of wild turkeys somewhere on the property that cackle incessantly, apparently while sitting on their springtime eggs. Mind you, these birds are quite a way from our house but we can hear them the whole time they are making this sound to the surprise of our visitors, who assume they are listening to hundreds of frogs.

Jack says his mother’s chickens used to make a similar sound while they were lying on their eggs, so it is apparently not that unusual. Maybe one of you has the answer to this mystery and if you would like to share it with us—please do!

Regardless, this is the most magical time of year in New England. The forsythia is in full bloom, along with cherry blossoms and dogwood, promising further lush beauty to come soon. The warm temperature alone is enough to spur people into spending long hours outside no matter what their agenda’s entail.

We’re all looking forward to many more of these beautiful days. Happy spring to you all, again.

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SPRINGTIME IN NEW ENGLAND

2010-03-26T10:01:00.000-04:00

It’s just a date on the calendar but that doesn’t stop folks from enjoying any temperature above freezing in New England and picturing how green everything will be in a few weeks. That’s a stretch because right now the landscape is still painted in wheat and burnt umber with several shades of grey. Hard winds swirl old leaves into the air making our cat crazy wondering what the faluke is going on outside.

Early spring up here means corn fields turn into rice paddies, mud season has begun and frost heaves finally dissolve leaving pot holes and large tarmac cracks. Along with crocuses pushing up through slow melting snow piles, the only thing budding on a tree this week would be a plastic container catching sugar drips from the maples.

We’re still grateful for the extra daylight because it’s pretty hard seeing where the road sides are located in the dark. Many of the white stripes painted along the edge have long dissolved making it impossible to see where the fields begin and the road ends, especially in the rain.

The people at the humane society also tell us there’s more stray animals giving birth about now. Soon they’ll be flooded with all manner of baby felines and canines in their wonderful shelter. Please try and remember them when you have old blankets you no longer need or if you are considering getting a pet.

Spring cleaning is still big in some homes. Windows have to be washed because the winter storms plaster a combo of crud that makes it hard to see the sunny views we’ve so missed.

We have a nutty bird who insists on building a nest in a space between the roof and a column on our front porch every year. My cat sits right inside the screened-in porch and stares at the creature who is so stubborn, no matter how many times Jack throws out the old nests, or how many times I scream when we surprise each other, I know she’ll be back in that same spot very soon.

I can’t wait until the buds show up on our forsythia and azalea bushes. They will explode into the most beautiful mélange outside my living room windows. I’ll be sure and post photos when that happens.

About last week’s blog…..

The Union Leader in New Hampshire published “Maple Beyond The Morning” in its’ Wed. issue. Benton’s sugar shack has been producing maple syrup for 150 years! It is now being operated by the sixth-generation family members!

To the reader who wants to know about obtaining great maple syrup in southwest Virginia. I found The Bland County Family Farm, which has had ten years of tapping in that area. Their web page is: http://www.Andersongrassfed.com as they also sell beef.

Hope you are all enjoying the “pre spring” landscape and warmer temperatures wherever you may be.

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2010-03-19T13:44:00.002-04:00

SUGAR TIME

You can tell it’s spring by the jugs hanging from sugar maples that pervade the New England landscape. Sugar, stored in the roots in the fall, would drip into wooden buckets when the Algonquins first introduced it to colonists in the 1600’s. The Indians showed the new inhabitants how to make a hole in the tree, stick a wooden spout in the hole and hang a bucket on the spout.

This process could continue for several weeks until the weather got warm enough to reduce the sap’s sweetness. The Algonquin’s then showed the Colonists how to cook the liquid over a fire, boil off some of the water and let the remainder “caramelize” into a delicious syrup.
Today, Canada produces more than 80% of the world’s Maple Syrup, which is not surprising since the majority of Algonquin’s live in the Ottawa area. Vermont is the largest United States producer.
There are some health benefits to eating Maple Syrup. First of all, it is low in fructose compared to high fructose corn syrup and it is rich in manganese and zinc.

One reason that real Maple Syrup is so expensive is that it takes about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.

If you want to learn more about this interesting process, you can visit Wikipedia.org/Maple_syrup like I did.

Here’s a cookie recipe to get you started, which I got from http://homecooking.about.com/od/cookierecipes with a few little changes.

Maple Nut Cookies

1.5 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup butter

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg, lightly beaten

½ cup pure maple syrup (not imitation)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup shredded sweetened coconut

½ cup chopped macadamia nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until well-combined. Add flour, coconut and macadamia nuts. Stir just until combined. Scoop teaspoons of dough and place on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden. Let cool 5 minutes and completely cool. Store in a covered container.

For a little extra flavor, you can frost them with maple frosting.

*If you have any insulin issues, I strongly suggest not eating these cookies.

And, a happy spring to you all.

I would like to ask each one of you to please tell a friend about my blog and ask them to tell one of their friends. Hopefully this will ratchet up my readership as I continue to watch it grow.

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THE NEW GRANNIES

2010-03-11T10:05:00.003-05:00

Maybe it started with Jacqueline Kennedy telling her grandchildren to call her “Grand’Mere” but gone are the days of these ladies wearing house dresses and rolled up stockings. Now it’s blue jeans and Sketchers, North Face and L.L. Bean. Instead of going to market to gather ingredients for chicken and biscuits, they’re headed to the dairy aisle for yogurt and fiber bars before heading to the gym to tackle treadmills and free weights.

They studied computers before Al Gore invented the internet, wear sweats instead of sweaters, have hair streaked with gold instead of grey and can be found running with the dog not rocking with the cat.

They e mail, shoot photos with a digital camera and have Bluetooth car phone hookups. They’re on Face Book, Twitter and BlogSpot, conduct business over the internet and pretty much use that for all info and research.

Some have MP3 players, others like to burn music downloads on a disc and just pop them into their Bose Wave Radios or car disc players.

Many, many are accessing all this great technology (which their generation helped develop)—and they are loving it. Since they are able to connect with kids and grandkids regularly, we better be good to them because now there’s no escape from text messaging, emails and those ever-present, loving, watchful eyes.

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WHEN IS IT O.K. TO TELL A LIE?

2010-03-04T19:31:00.003-05:00

We have all seen famous sports figures, politicians and super stars lying about something they have done to hide their shame and avoid the repercussions of their actions. Trouble is, when someone is branded a “liar” no one believes anything they say.

Recently, I was shocked when almost 300 people in Dr. Phil’s audience admitted to lying—regularly. Maybe that's why we see all those news stories about liars. They think everyone else is doing it. The truth is (no pun intended) not everyone does lie.
For the most part, I don’t even exaggerate. Anyway, I figure there are some times when a person just has to “bend the truth” and here are a few of the times I came up with personally.
Many years ago, when I baked my first apple pie for my new husband, he took a bite and told me it was delicious. I tried it and instantly realized the crust tasted just like cardboard. But, since my man was so gracious about it, I baked him another one and today I make the best apple pie you will ever taste. I’m thinking if he had been honest, he’d still be getting store-bought pies.

Back in the 1980’s Jack and I took a wrong turn while towing a broken car from Boston to Utica. Stuck in the middle of a narrow side street, I looked over at him, noticed a vein bulging at the side of his forehead and decided this was a good time for a lie. Looking at the map I said, “Don’t worry, honey, I know just where we are and we’ll be back on the highway in a few minutes.” That situation could have created a serious medical problem because he was terribly upset.

More recently, because my identity was stolen, I was forced to fudge some personal information to protect our assets. I deeply apologize to anyone who may be upset by this ruse but it is necessary to keep the thieves at bay. I really think this is an excellent reason to lie, even though it seems to put me closer to the level of the theives.
None of these incidents included spousal cheating, congressional shenanigans or fudging athletic drug test results.

One thing I will promise all of you, every recipe I publish is tested by me, every photograph is taken by me and every opinion or subject matter has been either researched (with credit given to all authors) or stating facts I truly believe.

So, what do you lie about?

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER

2010-02-24T09:59:00.003-05:00

Jack loves breakfast. But, I don’t so the poor baby almost never gets to eat it. Since we like to keep Jack happy, I decided to start having “breakfast for dinner.” Not only are many morning recipes yummy but they are a real healthy choice, too. Using About.com’s- low carb diet web page, I found directions on how to make a crustless quiche, which takes little time and effort.

This is the combination I came up with and Jack loves it! I have to say I really like it myself, so much so that I actually ate the leftovers, which I never do.

BACON, SPINACH, MUSHROOM, CHEESE, CRUSTLESS QUICHE

4 Slices fully cooked bacon

2 Cups, fresh spinach

8 Green onions

½ to ¾ Cup sliced mushrooms

4 Eggs

9 Chopped green onions

1 ½ Cups cream, milk or soy (I used vanilla flavored soy milk)

Coconut oil (for medium heat)

Saute bacon, onions and mushrooms in coconut oil for about 3 minutes. Add spinach and cook 3 to five more minutes or until spinach is “cooked down.”

While other ingredients are sautéing, whisk eggs with milk until combined. Add desired herbs to mixture.

Cut sautéed ingredients to desired size, then spread in bottom of quiche or pie pan, sprinkle cheese over top, pour over egg mixture.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.

If you want less fat, eliminate the bacon and it’s practically a perfect health dish and it’s something anyone can make.

Bon Appetite!

Hey, guess what I made for St. Patrick's Day. A Jerzees (50 cotton/50 poly) tee shirt with a dozen, light-green shamrocks embroidered all in a row. So subtle you can wear it year 'round. As my Dad would have said, "It's real snazzy." Would you like one, too? Only $20.00 everything included, even shipping! Email me at BlogggerOne@yahoo.com.

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SOME INTERESTING OLYMPIC HISTORY

2010-02-18T14:28:00.002-05:00

In 776 B.C., The first recorded Olympic Games took place featuring chariot/horse racing, wrestling, boxing, running, combat, and pentathlon. Women were not admitted. They were held every fourth year until 393 A.D. when an earthquake destroyed Olympia.

The first successful attempt to emulate the ancient games was formed in France from 1796 to 1798 during the revolution. Later, in 1850, the English revived them until 1866.
In June of 1890 at the Sorbonne in Paris, the first multinational Olympic Games were planned to take place in Athens in 1896. Demetrius Vikelas was elected as the first president. ( From: (Wikipedia.org)

1928: Games were held in Amsterdam and women participated for the FIRST time. Sonja Henie of Norway won the ice skating championship.

1932: Winter Games held at Lake Placid for the first time.

1964: Olympic Games held in Tokyo. U.S. wins 37 Gold Medals, USSR wins 41

1968: Games in Mexico City. US takes 45 medals USSR gets 29

1976: Held in Montreal 32 Asian and African countries withdraw because of political issues.

1988 Winter games held in S. Korea. Ben Johnson from Canada breaks the 100 meter world record but is disqualified for taking drugs. (From: “The timetables of History the New third revised edition by Bernard grun.)

The 5 intertwined rings of the Olympic symbol represent the five inhabited continents including North and South America as one.

What I find interesting about this process is that the Olympic motto expresses the philosphy that the most important thing is not winning medals but in taking part in the sport. Unfortunately, we don’t hear that very often either from the Olympic Committee or from the participants. Maybe we should focus more on the struggle and challenge of making it to the Olympics than on “who wins what.” It's enjoyable to watch the events regardless of who wins.

I think the atheletes should all get a “participation medal.” Let’s face it, those who perform under such stress are already the "best of the best."

What do you think?

A VALENTINE MESSAGE

2010-02-11T10:41:00.002-05:00

Since almost all lyrics deal with love in one way or another, what can be left to say about the subject? The mere number of words devoted to love is proof enough of its' importance. Here are a few good ones: "Love comforteth like sunshine after rain" (Shakespeare), "Love and scandal are the best sweetener of tea" (Henry Fielding) and "...there's nothing worth the wear of winning, but laughter and the love of friends" (Hilaire Belloc). These are all from The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations by Angela Partington.
To my guy, I want to say, how do I Love Thee? Let me count the ways.
I love the way thee takes my car and brings it back sparkling clean, with a tank full of gas. I love thee when I'm feeling like crap and thee brings me takeout. I love thee when thee folds thee's own laundry and puts it away. I love thee when thee encourages my latest cockamamie scheme, no matter how nuts it sounds--thee is my biggest fan. And, I really love thee, when thee defends me when thee thinks someone is picking on me.

Since my guy is so good to me, I made him this flourless, healthy, chocolate cake that is so easy, you can quickly whip up one for your honey. It's rather flat but so rich and full of flavor you don't need a very big piece to really enjoy it with light, Redi Whip.

4 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped (I used chocolate chips)

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3/4 cup white sugar substitute

1/2 cup cocoa powder

3 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease 8 inch round cake pan and dust with flour or cocoa powder. In top of double boiler over lightly simmering water, melt chocolate and butter. Remove from heat and stir in sugar substitute, cocoa powder, eggs and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto cake plate and cool completely. Slices can be reheated for 20 to 30 seconds in microwave before serving.

From: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/flourless-chocolate-cake-II/Detail.aspx

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU ALL!

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