Cancelled...

This blog will be cancel1ed ... due to lack of interest!?!


Today I am thankful...!?!

The Wedding Dress

A woman who had been married three times walked into a bridal shop one day and told the sales clerk that she was looking for a wedding gown for her fourth wedding.

"Of course, madam," replied the sales clerk, "exactly what type and color dress are you looking for?"

The bride to be said: "A long frilly white dress with a veil."
...
The sales clerk hesitated a bit, then said, "Please don't take this the wrong way, but gowns of that nature are considered more appropriate for brides who are being married the first time - for those who are a bit more innocent, if you know what I mean? Perhaps ivory or sky blue would be nice?"

"Well," replied the customer, a little peeved at the clerk's directness, "I can assure you that a white gown would be quite appropriate. Believe it or not, despite all my marriages, I remain as innocent as a first-time bride. You see, my first husband was so excited about our wedding, he died as we were checking into our hotel.”

"My second husband and I got into such a terrible fight in the limo on our way to our honeymoon that we had that wedding annulled immediately and never spoke to each other again."

"What about your third husband?" asked the sales clerk.

"That one was a Democrat," said the woman, "and every night for four years, he just sat on the edge of the bed and told me how good it was going to be, but nothing ever happened."

Today I am thankful ... I never had to find a wedding dress ... LMAO :)~

Happy 45th Anniversary!?!

Although my Dad left us 10 yrs ago - I still wanted to make a special note of this day!?!

(Had a little fun with an older picture -&- a photo editing program!?!)




(This picture was taken about a month before they would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary)

Today I am thankful that God brought my parents together many years ago!?!

Squash Cupcakes

1 small (7 to inch) yellow summer squash, finely grated 1box yellow cake mix 1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz)
1 container vanilla frosting
1 cup salted dry-roasted almonds, crushed

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
2. In large bowl, stir together summer squash, cake mix, water and oil with whisk until almost smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, making sure to include chocolate 4. chips in each one.
5. Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until toothpick or cake tester inserted
6. in center comes out clean.
7. Cool in pan 10 minutes.
8. Remove from muffin cups; cool completely on cooling racks, about 30 minutes.
9. Frost cooled cupcakes with frosting. Sprinkle crushed almonds over tops.

Today I am thankful for the wonderful summer vegetables!?!

For Sale: Scenic, SD

Scenic, South Dakota, might not have much -- a dance hall, a jail and a handful of out-buildings. But it's a town. And most of it could be yours for $799,000.

"They've decided to sell and move on," said Dave Olsen, a realtor with Coldwell Banker, who is hoping to sell the property.

It's 46 acres in total -- 12 acres in town and 34 acres around it -- located about 50 miles east of Rapid City, South Dakota.

The sale includes the "kit and kaboodle," said Olsen -- a saloon, dance hall, museum, bunkhouse, two stores, a train depot, jails (one abandoned) and a handful of out-buildings.

The property is posted on buyscenicsd.com, which offers video tours of various locations. Cow skulls adorn the sign for the Longhorn Saloon, which advertises tobacco, lunch and dancing -- in that order.

Since its heyday, Scenic has seen its population dwindle to less than 10 people. Nearly everyone in town is related to Twila Merril, Olsen said.

Since Merill was diagnosed with cancer, the upkeep on Scenic has become too much for the family, he said.

"It's really an interesting place and there's so much history," Olsen said about the town. "All it needs is a little population -- and ingenuity."

Today I am thankful for growing up in a small town!?!

Humidity vs. Cookies

Question: “With all this humidity, my freshly-baked cookies got stale.
How can I crisp them up again?”

Answer: Moisture may be good for your plants or your skin, but not for your cookies. Summer, though welcomed for the sun and fun, also brings humidity that makes your cookies limp — not so fun. Keep those cookies crisp by storing them in an airtight container. Some people toss a piece of bread in with the cookies to help absorb any excess moisture. You could also re-crisp them by baking on a wire rack in a 300 degree F oven for a few minutes.

Today I am thankful for the Food Network which has some great helpful hints!?!

Stuffed Mozarella Meatloaf

Stuffed Mozzarella Meatloaf

Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef, lean
1 lbs fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced in 1/4 inch pieces
1 small loaf (day old) Italian Bread
2 eggs
1 small onion, chopped
3 Tbs red or green bell pepper, diced fine
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 c fresh parsley
1/4 c fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste

Topping:
1/2 c canned tomato sauce, crushed
1/2 c ketchup
1/4 c brown sugar, unpacked
*Mix all these ingredients in small bowl, reserve

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl add broken pieces of Italian bread to water. Soak, then squeeze out water from soaked bread. Discard all water, adding bread back to bowl, pull apart. Add eggs, onion, peppers, garlic, parsley, basil, salt and black pepper and mix well. Add ground beef to bread mixture. In large baking dish spread out half meatloaf mixture. Add mozzarella cheese on top, across the center of the mixture. Layer remaining mixture on top. Spread sauce mixture on top of meatloaf. Bake to 165 degrees or about 45- 55 mins. Let sit for a few mins before slicing.
Today I am thanking God for my friends with such amazing food talent!?!

The Healing Egg!?!

A young man sprinkling his lawn and bushes with pesticides wanted to check the contents of the barrel to see how much pesticide remained in it. He raised the cover and lit his lighter; the vapors inflamed and engulfed him. He jumped from his truck, screaming. His neighbor came out of her house with a dozen eggs, yelling: "bring me ...some eggs!" She broke them, separating the whites from the yolks. The neighbor woman helped her to apply the whites on the young man's face. When the ambulance arrived and when the EMTs saw the young man, they asked who had done this. Everyone pointed to the lady in charge. They congratulated her and said: "You have saved his face." By the end of the summer, the young man brought the lady a bouquet of roses to thank her. His face was like a baby's skin.

Healing Miracle for burns:


Keep in mind this treatment of burns which is included in teaching beginner fireman this method. First aid consists to spraying cold water on the affected area until the heat is reduced and stops burning the layers of skin. Then, spread egg whites on the affected area.
One woman burned a large part of her hand with boiling water. In spite of the pain, she ran cold faucet water on her hand, separated 2 egg white from the yolks, beat them slightly and dipped her hand in the solution. The whites then dried and formed a protective layer.
She later learned that the egg white is a natural collagen and continued during at least one hour to apply layer upon layer of beaten egg white. By afternoon she no longer felt any pain and the next day there was hardly a trace of the burn. 10 days later, no trace was left at all and her skin had regained its normal color. The burned area was totally regenerated thanks to the collagen in the egg whites, a placenta full of vitamins.
This information could be helpful to everyone:
Today I am thankful for modern medical miracles -&- for old medicine that still works!?!

Greek Pizza

I had a similar pizza the other day
-&-
it was delicious!?!
This was the closest recipe I could find!?!

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided
* 1 (12 inch) pre-baked Italian pizza crust
* 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, coarsely chopped
* 1 tablespoon oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
* 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 2 cups baby spinach leaves
* 1/2 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Adjust oven rack to lowest position, and heat oven to 450 degrees. Mix mayonnaise, garlic and 1/2 cup feta in a small bowl. Place pizza crust on a cookie sheet; spread mayonnaise mixture over pizza, then top with tomatoes, olives and oregano. Bake until heated through and crisp, about 10 minutes.

2. Toss spinach and onion with the 1 Tb. sun-dried tomato oil. Top hot pizza with spinach mixture and remaining 1/2 cup feta cheese. Return to oven and bake until cheese melts, about 2 minutes longer. Cut into 6 slices and serve.

*You can substitute the Kalamata Olives for canned black olives and the Sun Dried Tomatoes for fresh chopped tomatoes.*



Today I am thankful that God made some many different people so we had so many different delicious foods to choose from!?!

smart Ass

Life is all about ass:
You're either covering it...
Laughing it off...
Kissing it...
Busting it...
Trying to get a piece of it...
Behaving like one...
...or a...
Smart Ass!?!

Today I am thankful that yes...I am a smart ass!?!

Teddybears ft. Cee Lo -&- B52's - Cho Cha

Don't know why I love this song -but- I just do!?!



Today I am thankful that I have such great friends who give me such a great variety of music!?!

Top 10 - First Date

Today I am thankful I don't have to deal with first dates!?!

Warning: ICE

WARNING !?!

Very important, please read!?!

Vodka -&- ice will ruin your kidneys...

Rum -&- ice will ruin your liver...

Whiskey -&- ice will ruin your heart...

Gin -&- ice will ruin your brain...

Coke -&- ice will ruin your teeth...

That damn ICE is lethal!?!

Warn all your friends:

Lay off the ICE!?!



Today I thankful that I drink all my drinks without ICE - lol :)~

The Obama Stamp

The Postal Services created a stamp with a picture of President Obama on it!?!
The Postal Service noticed that the stamp was not sticking to envelopes!?!
This enraged the President, who demanded a full investigation!?!
After a month of testing -&- $1.73 million in congressional spending, a special Presidential commission presented the following findings:
1.The stamp is in perfect order!?!
2.There is nothing wrong with the glue!?!
3. Democrats were licking the BACK side of the stamp until there was no adhesive left!?!
And Republicans were spitting on the front side of it !?!


Today I am thankful that this "stamp" will never see the real light of day!?!

Carrot Cake Cookies

I know they look good...but...please stop licking the screen!?!

The recipe is below - easy to follow -&- just waiting for you to get at it!?!

Oh, and if you happen to make a few extra dozens or so - you know where to find me!?!



Ingredients:

1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup coarsely grated carrots (2 medium)

1 scant cup walnuts (3 ounces), chopped

1/2 cup raisins (2 1/2 ounces)

8 ounces cream cheese

1/4 cup honey

print a shopping list for this recipe

Preparation:

Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 2 baking sheets.

Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

Beat together butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in carrots, nuts, and raisins at low speed, then add flour mixture and beat until just combined.

Drop 1 1/2 tablespoons batter per cookie 2 inches apart on baking sheets and bake, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until cookies are lightly browned and springy to the touch, 12 to 16 minutes total. Cool cookies on sheets on racks 1 minute, then transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.

While cookies are baking, blend cream cheese and honey in a food processor until smooth.

Sandwich flat sides of cookies together with a generous tablespoon of cream cheese filling in between.


Today I am thankful that now I can have my Carrot Cake in a bite size cookies - it is the little things in life that make me happy - LOL!?!

Somewhere it really is HOT!?!

~I was going to complain about how hot it is...then I realized that at least:

1.) It isn't 119 degrees!?!

2.) I'm not 5,700 miles from home!?!

3.) I'm not dressed in a full BDU uniform -&- helmet -&- carrying 70+ lbs.

4.) There is very little chance that anyone will shoot at me or that I might drive over a bomb in the road today!?!

Thanks to all who serve!?!

Today I am thankful for all the Service Men -&- Women who are doing something that I can't do...they have a strength about them that is amazing beyond words!?!

Wendy's - Berry Almond Chicken Salad

Today we stopped at Wendy's for dinner -&- I decided to try the new
Berry Almond Chicken Salad
It was made with Iceberg, Romaine -&- Spring Mix, Asiago Cheese, Blueberries, Strawberries, Almonds -&- Chicken Fillet (Served Warm) ... Served with
Fat Free Raspberry Vinaigrette!?!
And, I must say I was quite impressed!?!

Here is the Wendy's advertisement:

This is actually as good as the advertisement said it is...-&-...as far as nutrition it isn't to bad considering it makes for one VERY complete meal!?!

Nutritional Facts - Large Salad
Calories 900
Total Fat 33.0
Carbohydrates 85
Protein 75

Here is the actual salad - pre Almonds -&- dressing are placed on it - mmmm, still looks yummy!?!


Today I am thankful for some new, albeit seasonal, menu choices at Wendy's!?!

I Love The Way You Lie

These songs are both amazing -&- they both hit home - they remind me of someone...they know who they are!?!









Today I am thankful that I can at least still "lie" to myself - may not be a good idea -but- it is what I need to do for "me" sometimes!?!

Shampoo Alert!?!

Shampoo Alert!?!

Shampoo Alert!?!
As I was conditioning my hair in the shower this morning, I took time to read my shampoo bottle!?!
I am in shock!?!
The shampoo I use in the shower that runs down my entire body says...
"for extra volume and body"!?!
Seriously, why have I not noticed this before?!?
Now I understand why I am so "full-figured"!?!
Tomorrow I am going to start using "Dawn" dish soap...
it says right on the label...
"dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove!?!"
It pays to read the warning labels, my friends!?!


Today I am thankful for having a pretty decent sense of humor!?!

Pink Lemonade Cake!?!

My husband is on a lemonade craze at the moment -&- when I found this recipe I had to find some for him...we did - it was delicious -&- know I am begging you to try this for yourselves...you won't regret it!?!

Ingredients

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more, for coating pans
* 1 (18 1/4-ounce) box white cake mix
* 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 3 tablespoons sweetened pink lemonade drink powder
* 1 pound confectioners' sugar
* 5 tablespoons frozen pink lemonade concentrate
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest


Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper or waxed paper.

Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions. To the batter, stir in the lemon zest, vanilla, and pink lemonade powder. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Carefully turn the cakes out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting by beating together the confectioners' sugar and remaining 1 cup butter until fluffy. Beat in the remaining frosting ingredients until combined.

Transfer one cake to a cake stand or large platter. Using an offset spatula, spread the top of the cake with a layer of frosting. Place the second cake on top of the first. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of both layers.




Today I am thankful for the creativity of those around me - who come up with amazing ideas like this....MMMMMM!?!

Top 10 Casey Anthony Lies...

Whether you believe Casey Anthony is guilty or innocent there is no doubt that she has told A LOT of lies...click below to view ABC's list of her
Top 10 Lies:

CASEY ANTHONY'S TOP 10 LIES



Today I am thankful that Caylee is with Jesus where I know she
is being cared for!?!

Fly with Angels - Chance!?!

Almost a year ago a shared with a blog I wrote in 2008 entitled...

Chance Tobin Rodgers

It was about an amazing young man I learned about on a trucking radio site on XM radio who had cancer...his grandfather Papa Jim was a fellow truck driver -&- he was telling us of Chance's story!?!
And, then we were given a place to go to follow Chance's story -&- send notes of encouragement...which I did!?!
Chance luckily went into remission for awhile -&- even after all he went through was having a pretty great life!?!
But we all know that Cancer is a beast -&- earlier this year it reappeared with a vengeance!?!
And, Chance finally sum came to the disease early Saturday morning!?!

He touched so many lives -&- will be missed by A LOT of people!?!

Click here to read what his Grandma Annie posted about his last few months!?!

Although I'd been following his mother Jenny's post on Caring Bridge -&- knew the end was near...I never knew it would hit me so hard when I read these words
"Chance passed peacefully in his sleep this morning around 3:30.
He is no longer in pain, but is in Heaven with his God."

So, when you are saying your prayers can you please say an extra prayer for all of
Chance's family -&- friends...I am sure they could really use them now!?!

"I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love." Leo Buscaglia
Today I am thankful for the power of prayer -&- that even though we may not notice it right away...it does have the power to heal!?!