Look Alike or Not?!?

A few weeks back in a blogged entitled My 2 Mom's...I introduced y'all to my biological mother...Diane Williams!?!
Since it was also around Mother's Day...I posted some similar things on my Facebook page!?!
Since then I have had A LOT of people tell me how much I look like her!?!
I am not really sure if I see it or not!?!
So, I went looking through some of my sister's pictures to find some pictures of Diane to compare to some pictures of me!?!

I posted one below...let me know what you think!?!


Yes you aren't seeing things...when I went looking for a photo of her - I found one of her wearing the exact same shirt I had photos of me in as well - scary don't you think?!?

So, what do y'all think - do we look alike or not?!?


Today I am thankful for a great taste in clothes...
wonder where I get that from!?!

Happy Memorial Day 2011

...this song about sums up all my feelings...





Today I am thankful for all those that gave -&- are still giving!?!

Grilled Hamburger Tips -&- Recipes!?!

Since tomorrow is Memorial Day I figured a lot of you would be heatin' up the grill
-&-
making some delicious hamburgers!?!
But sometimes it is hard to know how to make a burger just the right way - so, I found some handy tips I'd like to share with you!?!

When a hamburger is done right, you know it--the smoky, char-grilled outside and the juicy inside, all barely contained within a chewy, toasty roll!?!
That's what a burger is all about!?!

How to get the Best Flavor

Meat with a higher fat content will be juicier but will also shrink more when it cooks. If you shop at a grocery store or a butcher that grinds their own beef, choose coarsely ground beef for juicier burgers with a more pleasing texture.

Add just about anything you like to your burger mixture.
Here are a few flavoring suggestions:

* Fresh or dried herbs and spices
* Dehydrated or fresh minced onion and garlic
* Seasoning mixes for soups or salad dressings
* Your favorite cheese, such as Blue cheese, goat cheese, Gorgonzola, Feta, Stilton, Cheddar, or pepperjack
* Prepared sauces including Barbeque sauce, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, Hoisin sauce, plum sauce, oyster sauce, salsa, or salad dressing
* Other tidbits like olives, capers, chopped tomatoes, diced chiles, crumbled bacon, or minced ham

Here are 20 Great Burger Recipes!?!


How to Grill it properly:
* Make sure the grill is the appropriate temperature Medium-low to medium heat is best. Too hot, and burgers burn on the outside before getting done on the inside. Keep the lid closed while cooking; it shortens cooking time and keeps burgers moist.
* Use beef that is no leaner than 85% A little fat keeps burgers moist and flavorful. For ground chicken and turkey, add a little olive oil or broth to the mixture.
* Always clean and oil the grill grate This prevents burgers from sticking, extends the life of your grate, and helps put those beautiful grill marks on your patties.
* Cook burgers properly Cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (170 degrees F for poultry). For an accurate reading, insert the thermometer into the patty horizontally.



Today I am thankful for cows because without cows there would be no hamburgers!?!

Letter Placement

AOCDRNDICG TO RSCHEEARCH AT CMABRIGDE UINERVTISY, IT DSENO'T MTAETR WAHT OERDR THE LTTERES IN A WROD ARE, THE OLNY IPROAMTNT TIHNG IS TAHT THE FRSIT AND LSAT LTTEER BE IN THE RGHIT PCLAE. TIHS IS BCUSEAE THE HUAMN MNID DEOS NOT RAED ERVEY LTETER BY ISTLEF, BUT THE WROD AS A WLOHE. ACN OUY DEAR TISH?!?



Today I am thankful that I learn something new everyday!?!

Cucumber Salad

Even on the road I am able to throw this great salad together!?!

Ingredients:

4 medium cucumbers, peeled and diced 1 (8 ounce) container vanilla low-fat yogurt 1 (8 ounce) container reduced-fat sour cream

1/2 cup diced onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon dried dill weed salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1.	Drain cucumbers for a few minutes on paper towels. In a serving dish, stir together the yogurt, sour cream, onion, garlic, and dill. Add cucumbers, and gently mix to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving for best flavor.

Today I am thankful for fresh vegetables...yummy!?!

God's UNLIMITED service!?!

God has the best service plan with unlimited talk time, no roaming charges, no hidden fees, -&- no credit check to get Gods service!?!


Today I am thankful for my UNLIMITED connection to God!?!

Lemon Frost Blueberry Brownies

I was at the mall the other day -&- they had a bakery stand that
was selling all
sorts of baked goods so we stopped by for a little treat!?!
But what we found was out of this world!?!
Then after falling in love - I had to search out the recipe
to share it:Lemon Frost Blueberry Brownies!?!

Ingredients

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup canola oil

1 21-ounce can LUCKY LEAF ® Blueberry Pie Filling

1/2 cup dried blueberries

1/2 cup whipped cream cheese

1/4 cup butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar 1 18- to 21-ounce package brownie mix

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 drop yellow food coloring

Milk

2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 3-quart rectangular baking dish; set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine brownie mix, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir in eggs and oil until just combined. Fold in blueberry pie filling and dried blueberries. Spread mixture into prepared baking dish. 2. Bake for 35 minutes. Cool in baking dish on a wire rack. 3. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, lemon peel, lemon juice and food coloring. Beat until combine, adding additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, if necessary, to reach desired spreading consistency.

Spread frosting over cooled brownies.

Sprinkle almonds over frosting.

Makes 24 brownies.

Today I am thankful for whomever created this delightful recipe!?!

Break Even

Heard this song for the first time the other day
-&-
I really liked it...so what do I normally do when I find something that I like...
I share it with you!?!






Today I am thankful that I have been in a lot of instances been able to
Break Even!?!

Gary Weedle's Story!?!

With everything going on in the Nation...I thought I'd share a great feel good story with you!?!

Gary Weddle in photos seen before his nearly 10-year-old beard was shaved, and after shaving on Monday.

EPHRATA, Wash. -- An Eastern Washington teacher who has been on a shaving strike since the Sept. 11 attacks is clean shaven once again.

Gary Weddle had made a vow not to shave his beard until Osama bin Laden was captured or killed.

Weddle kept his word Sunday evening.

"I spent my first five minutes crying and then I couldn't get it off fast enough," Weddle, 50, told the Capital Press.

Weddle was a substitute teacher in Wenatchee when the terrorist attacks occurred on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

"When the twin towers came down, I was horrified and I was glued to that television set for several days," Weddle said during an interview with KOMO News in June of 2003. "And (I) realized that not only was I not taking showers I wasn't shaving."

A year after the attacks, he got a permanent job at Ephrata Middle School teaching life science, and by then was sporting a 10-inch beard.

Over the years, the beard grew and grew. At the start of each school year, Weddle told students the beard was a reminder of the attacks.

"If they want to shave it off my body in the coffin, they can, but I'm going to hang on to it," he said back then. "I'm not going to forget, and I'm not going to let anyone forget."

But when the news broke that bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces on Sunday in Pakistan, he wasted no time in finding the razor. He had cut the beard and was shaving the stubble before President Obama addressed the nation.

Friends and neighbors watched him cut the beard. It was his first time shaving in 3,454 days.

Weddle was 41 when he made his vow.

"I wanted him to get rid of it, but it was his vow," his wife Donita said. "I respected his passion and keeping a vow. I was willing to look past the beard because I love him."

Now she said her husband looks 10 years younger.

"It's a very happy moment for us," she said. "It's a very happy moment for the whole nation."

Today I am thankful for American's who stand for something, make a commitment to something -&- then follow through!?!

Garlic Fingerling Potatoes

I love Garlic n' I love potatoes...what could be better!?!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds fingerling potatoes
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped Italian parsley leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a casserole dish, mix together the potatoes, oil, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Today I am thankful for my love of garlic...I couldn't survive without it!?!

Armed Forces Day

Today is the 52nd Celebration of Armed Forces Day...be sure to thank someone who is putting there all out there on the line to protect you!?!



Today I am thankful for all those serving in the Armed Forces!?!

Flowers...

Beautiful flowers are blooming everywhere...

-&-
boy aren't they beautiful!?!

Today I am thankful for all the beautiful flowers!?!

Frittata with Asparagus, Tomato, -&- Fontina

This looked so good -&- I thought I'd share it with y'all cuz I know how much you are going to want to try it as soon as possible...mmm!?!

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons whipping cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus a pinch
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 12 ounces asparagus, trimmed, cut into 1/4 to 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tomato, seeded, diced
• Salt
• 3 ounces Fontina, diced

Directions

Preheat the broiler. Whisk the eggs, cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a medium bowl to blend. Set aside. Heat the oil and butter in a 9 1/2-inch-diameter nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and saute until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Raise the heat to medium-high. Add the tomato and a pinch of salt and saute 2 minutes longer. Pour the egg mixture over the asparagus mixture and cook for a few minutes until the eggs start to set. Sprinkle with cheese. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the frittata is almost set but the top is still runny, about 2 minutes. Place the skillet under the broiler. Broil until the top is set and golden brown on top, about 5 minutes. Let the frittata stand 2 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, loosen the frittata from skillet and slide the frittata onto a plate.

Today I am thankful for Fritata's - lol...Mmmmmmmmmmm, good!?!

Adele - Rolling In The Deep

I love this song by Adele...



There's a fire starting in my heart,
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bring me out the dark,

Finally, I can see you crystal clear,
Go ahead and sell me out and a I'll lay your ship bare,
See how I'll leave with every piece of you,
Don't underestimate the things that I will do,

There's a fire starting in my heart,
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bring me out the dark,

The scars of your love remind me of us,
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all,
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless,
I can't help feeling,

We could have had it all,
(You're gonna wish you never had met me),
Rolling in the deep,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep),
You had my heart inside of your hand,
(You're gonna wish you never had met me),
And you played it to the beat,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep),

Baby, I have no story to be told,
But I've heard one on you and I'm gonna make your head burn,
Think of me in the depths of your despair,
Make a home down there as mine sure won't be shared,

The scars of your love remind me of us,
(You're gonna wish you never had met me),
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep),
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless,
(You're gonna wish you never had met me),
I can't help feeling,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep),

We could have had it all,
(You're gonna wish you never had met me),
Rolling in the deep,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep),
You had my heart inside of your hands,
(You're gonna wish you never had met me),

And you played it to the beat,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep),

Could have had it all,
Rolling in the deep,
You had my heart inside of your hands,
But you played it with a beating,

Throw your soul through every open door,
Count your blessings to find what you look for,
Turn my sorrow into treasured gold,
You'll pay me back in kind and reap just what you've sown,

(You're gonna wish you never had met me),
We could have had it all,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep),
We could have had it all,
(You're gonna wish you never had met me),
It all, it all, it all,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep),

We could have had it all,
(You're gonna wish you never had met me),
Rolling in the deep,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep),
You had my heart inside of your hands,
(You're gonna wish you never had met me),
And you played it to the beat,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep),

Could have had it all,
(You're gonna wish you never had met me),
Rolling in the deep,
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep),
You had my heart inside of your hands,
(You're gonna wish you never had met me),

But you played it,
You played it,
You played it,
You played it to the beat.

Today I am thankful for friends who have a great taste in music
-&-
point out stuff they know I will love!?!

Snickerdoodle Muffins

What a great way to start the day!
When you hear "Snickerdoodle" you think COOKIE...which I LOVE!?!

But this recipe is turning that notion on its ear!?!

Not only do these muffins have that great Snickerdoodle taste, but they also have the healthy addition of oatmeal!?!

So, what are you waiting for...get baking -&- while you are at make a few extra for me!?!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c Self rising flour
1 c oats
1/2 c sugar
1 egg
4 Tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 c sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 c milk

Directions:
1 Mix all dry ingredients together, flour,oats,1/2 cup of sugar
2 Mix together egg, butter and vanilla and milk
3 Add wet mixture to dry mixture, mix until everything is mixed well.
4 Fill muffin cups 2/3 of the way full. Bake at 400 for 12-14 minutes.
5 While baking mix the topping together, 1/3 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Once muffins are out put topping on muffins!?!
If you prefer a lot of topping brush a little melted butter ontop of muffin to get more of the topping to stick!?!
Today I am thankful for the yummy flavor that cinnamon adds!?!

White Castle Recipe

Yesterday I told you about...
White Castle


Well, today I thought I'd let you know how you can make them at home!?!

These are really close to the real thing!?!
My husband was in heaven!?!
They're great for dinner, snacks, or even taking on the road!?!
I'm not real fond of White Castle myself but the husband gobbles these up!?!

Note: To freeze: Assemble hamburgers less the condiments.
Flash freeze, wrap in plastic wrap, put in a ziplock bag and label.

To heat: Microwave until heated through!?!


Here is the recipe!?!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs ground chuck
1 (4 tablespoon) envelopes onion soup mix
1 eggs
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons water
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
24 small square dinner rolls
American cheese (optional)
pickles (optional)
Sauce:
1/2 cup mustard
1/2 cup ketchup

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Hamburgers: Mix first 6 ingredients and press into an ungreased 10 by 15 inch jelly roll pan.
3. Prick with a fork.
4. Bake for 10 minutes.
5. Drain off juices (if there's a lot of excess).
6. Cool.
7. Cut into 24 squares.
8. Place squares on dinner rolls.
9. Combine mustard and ketchup and spread on rolls.
10. Top with pickles and cheese, if desired

Today I am thankful that I cook things that make my husband happy!?!

White Castle

In business -&- family owned since 1921 White Castle is a favorite around the nation...its burgers n' fries have a unique taste you won't find anywhere else!?!

And, my husband loves this place...


This is just an appetizer for my husband...can you believe the actually sell these burgers by what they refer to as the "suitcase"!?!


If you are in a hurry or just don't want to leave the house you can always get some White Castle on your next trip the supermarket - that way you will always have some on standby!?!



Today I am thankful that I don't have to eat something just because the husband likes it!?!

The Blindside

I am sure a lot of you have already seen it
-but-
this is one of the most amazing movies I have ever seen!?!
I cried the first time -&- have cried every other time while watching it as well!?!
It is heartwarming movie that just proves
there are still good people!?!


Based on the true story of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy who take in a homeless teenage African-American, Michael "Big Mike" Oher!?!
Michael has no idea who his father is -&- his mother is a drug addict!?!
Michael has had little formal education and few skills to help him learn!?!
Leigh Anne soon takes charge however, as is her nature, ensuring that the young man has every opportunity to succeed!?!
When he expresses an interest in football, she goes all out to help him, including giving the coach a few ideas on how best to use Michael's skills!?!
They not only provide him with a loving home, but hire a tutor to help him improve his grades to the point where he would qualify for an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship!?!


Today I am thankful for loving people like the Tuohy's!?!

Woman's Remote

In a perfect world...LOL!?!

Today I am thankful for all the amazing people in my life!?!

Generations of Cookies

A lot of times when I blog you will see me post recipes for the goodies
that I show you
-but-
I realize that a lot you don't have the time to spare to
make these goodies for yourselves!?!
So, do I have a solution for you!?!
A friend of mine named Marie has started a cookie company named Generations of Cookies
-&-
has the most amazing cookies ever...that you can order
-&-
have shipped right to your door!?!

Here are a glimpse of just a few of those cookies:












Makes you mouth water, huh?!?
Check here out by clickin' the link below:

Generations of Cookies


Today I am thankful for such talented friends!?!

Butter Pecan Cake

Had this cake while visiting a friend the other day
-&-
had to have the recipe immediately...
it was more than delicious!?!


She served it with Butter Pecan Ice Cream -&- wow was it good!?!

- 3 Tbsp butter
- 1 c pecans, chopped
- 2/3 c butter, softened
- 1 c sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 c all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt

- 2/3 c milk
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
FROSTING INGREDIENTS
- 3 Tbsp butter, softened
- 3 c powdered sugar
- 3 Tbsp milk
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
- pecans, toasted
Directions

1. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a 13x9x2 inch baking pan; stir in pecans and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes; cool.

2. Cream softened butter in a large mixing bowl; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy and sugar is dissolved.

3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

4. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

5. Stir in vanilla and 1 cup pecans, reserving remaining pecans for Butter Pecan Frosting.

6. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 9 inch cakepans; bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cake tests done.

7. Cool layers in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely.

8. Spread top and sides of cooled cake with Butter Pecan Frosting - Yield: one 2-layer cake.

9. Butter Pecan Frosting: Cream butter; add sugar, milk and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy.

10. Stir in reserved toasted pecans.

Yield: enough frosting for one 2-layer cake.


Today I am thankful for friends who share such great recipes with me!?!

P.S. I Love You!?!

I am not to usually go gaga over the good looking men in Hollywood...
but please excuse for a moment while I make an exception!?!
After watching P.S. I Love You...
I can honestly say...Please order me a Gerard Butler, paired with some Jeffery Dean Morgan -&- a bit of Harry Connick Jr. on the side!?!
Hot diggity damn!?!
Oh, and the movie was really good as well!?!
Give a look for either to story or the eye candy...
either way you won't be sorry!?!


Holly Kennedy is beautiful, smart and married to the love of her life - a passionate, funny, and impetuous Irishman named Gerry!?! So when Gerry's life is taken by an illness, it takes the life out of Holly!?! The only one who can help her is the person who is no longer there!?! Nobody knows Holly better than Gerry!?! So it's a good thing he planned ahead!?! Before he died, Gerry wrote Holly a series of letters that will guide her, not only through her grief, but in rediscovering herself!?! The first message arrives on Holly's 30th birthday in the form of a cake, and to her utter shock, a tape recording from Gerry, who proceeds to tell her to get out and "celebrate herself"!?! In the weeks and months that follow, more letters from Gerry are delivered in surprising ways, each sending her on a new adventure and each signing off in the same way; P.S. I Love You!?! Holly's mother and best friends begin to worry that Gerry's letters are keeping Holly tied to the past!?!
Who knows...?!?


Today I am thankful to have the husband that I have been blessed with!?!

My 2 Mom's...

Since Mother's Day was just yesterday I figured today I'd tell you about my 2 Mom's...

~♥ God blessed me with 2 Mom's...

One that gave birth to me

-&-

loved me enough to let me go!?!

And, one that chose me, raised me -&- molded me into whom I am today!?!

They both have showed me unconditional love in insurmountable ways...

I have truly been blessed!?! ♥~

(L: My adopted Mom...Judy Knight -&- Myself)
(R: My biological Mom...Diane Williams -&- Myself...the first time we met!?!)


Today I am thankful that God chose the life for me that He did!?!