New Year's Eve...Ideas, Tips -&- Recipes!?!

Here are some tips, ideas -&- recipes to help with your
New Years Eve cocktail party!?!

When you host a cocktail party it is a very entertaining way to have so great time with your family and friends. But when you serve alcohol your guest are sure to appreciate a few bites of food. As you are thinking about what to serve you should also think about how many people so you can have an idea on how much food you will need. As a rule of thumb, estimate six bites per person for every hour. However depending on the guests I would calculate a bit more then that.

Finger foods are good for cocktail parties. They can be prepared prior to the cocktail party and they require little clean up.

It is a wise choice to have some napkins or paper plates also. Your guests will have an opportunity to walk around and talk while they snack. Little clean up will be involved.



Appetizers as a rule are small in portion usually bite size. Sausage rolls, mini cheesecakes, chocolate dipped strawberries are all awesome ideas for cocktail party food. Pair up smoked salmon or caviar with martinis. Or you may choose to go simply with cheese trays paired with wine.

You need to enjoy yourself so be sure that the cocktail party food that you choose is simple and will not require a lot of running back and forth from the kitchen. If the host can be no wheres to be found then some of the guests may begin to feel a bit uncomfortable. Make sure that you have chosen a food that you are familiar with, and a food that can be made ahead of time. The last thing that you need to be doing is slave in the kitchen when there is a fabulous cocktail party going on right on the other side of kitchen door.


Crock Pot Party Dips

Party dips are fast and easy to make in a small crock pot. Here are a few recipe ideas for your next party. Use a smaller crock pot for these recipes such as a 1 1/2 qt. or a 3 1/2 qt. crock pot. The dip can be served right in the crock pot to keep it warm.

Bacon Cheese Dip

What You Need:

16 slices bacon, diced, fried and drained
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened and cubed
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup half-and-half
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash hot sauce

How To Make It:
Put all the ingredients except bacon in a small crock pot and cook on low, stirring occasionally until cheese melts, about 1 hour. Taste and adjust seasonings, add bacon, and keep on low to serve.

Artichoke and Mozzarella Dip

What You Need:

1 lb. shredded Mozzarella
1 c. grated Parmesan
1 c. (8 oz. jar) mayonnaise
1 c. (8 1/2 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
minced onions

How To Make It:
Combine ingredients in a lightly buttered 3 1/2 quart crock pot on high for about 1 hour. Serve with broken up French bread or wheat crackers.

Broccoli Cheese Dip

What You Need:

2 (10 oz.) boxes of frozen chopped broccoli
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1/4 c. sour cream
1/2 lb. Mexican Velveeta cheese
1/2 lb. reg. Velveeta cheese
1 tbsp. garlic salt

How To Make It:
Cook the broccoli as per package instructions and drain. Put the cubes of cheese in a small crock pot and heat to melt. Mix soups, sour cream, broccoli and garlic salt into melted cheese. Serve as dip with tortilla chips.

Chili Cheese Taco Dip

What You Need:

1 lb. hamburger
1 can chili (no beans)
1 lb. mild Mexican Velveeta cheese, cubed or shredded

How To Make It:
Cook hamburger in a skillet, drain well and place in a small crock pot. Add chili and cheese; cover and cook on low until cheese is melted, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally to blend ingredients. Serve warm with taco or tortilla chips.

Chili Dip

What You Need:

1 lg. jar (16oz) picante sauce, mild
2 cans refried beans
8 ounces sour cream
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
8 oz. Cheddar cheese, shredded
several jalapenos or mild chili, chopped finely, to taste

How To Make It:
Cook ground beef in a skillet with chopped onion; drain well. Combine everything together in crock pot and cook slowly until cheese is melted. Serve with favorite vegetables or chips.


Today I am thankful that I'll probably be asleep when 2012 comes a knocking!?!

...2011...

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN
2011 when...

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family... of three.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your mobile phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom
of the screen.
8. Leaving the house without your mobile phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60!) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
10. You get up in the morning and go online before getting
your coffee.
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )
12 You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice there was no 9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't
a 9 on this list.
16. You steal from peoples walls on a daily basis and no one bats an eyelid or tells you off or reports you to the police.

Today I am thankful that I survived 2011!?!

More FB Friends!?!

Last night I was able to spend a little bit of time catching up with some of my FB friends...they are both truck drivers (go figure) -but- pretty great guys all in all!?! We shared a lot of great laughs -&- some pretty hilarious stories!?!
It was really nice to hang out with you guys!?!

(Stephen Strong, Michele Knight White -&- Aaron Brown 12/28/2011)

Today I am thankful for the internet - it has allowed me the
opportunity to meet some very interesting people online -&- even sometimes in person!?!

Full Figured

When you’re plus size woman, people like to say “yeah, she’s cute in the face”, as if being full figured is such a disgrace.
Honey, I’m cute in the face, and I’m thick in the waist.
I look good whether I’m in cotton, leather, or lace. I’m beautiful, vibrant and above all, smart! And there’s more to me than my weight, I also have a heart.
Yes my clothes may be a bigger size, that just means
you have access to a bigger prize.
So don’t think your small frame gives you more pull.
I’m a hot, sexy, curvy woman with a figure that’s full.

Today I am thankful that people accept me for who I am full figured -&- all!?!

Snowman Troubles...

Today I am thankful that I am not a snowman...lol!?!

Leftover Ideas - Jen Malik

What to Do with Christmas Dinner Leftovers
Guest Post by Jen Malik

It’s fun (well, for most of us…I think!) to have the entire family together for a Christmas dinner. You share good food and good times on that special day of the year. But, what happens to the food once the meal is over? Well, I’ve got 8 ideas for you and hope they’ll come in handy.

Make soup. Soup is a very comforting and warming dish when the temperature begins to dip. Using chicken or beef broth, you can use your leftovers to make some chicken noodle soup, turkey noodle soup or even beef stew. Of course, this can be prepared in the crock pot as in this recipe: Turkey Vegetable Soup with Herb Dumplings

Freeze them. Freezing means that you can enjoy your Christmas fare at anytime. If you use plastic storage bags, make sure that they are freezer bags and write the date of freezing on the outside. When you divide food into portion sizes then you can thaw out only what you need and not the entire lot.

Send guests home with food. Why keep all the bounty to yourself? Load up on reusable food containers (in festive colors) so that each guest can take home some food for later.

Make a salad. Green salads can be so boring sometimes. Add a slice or two of turkey, beef, chicken or ham to spice it up. Leftover meats make great salad toppers.

Breakfast additions. Omelets are fun to make. Even more fun than making them is adding different items to them to see what kind of combinations you can come up with. Use leftover Christmas dinner fare to decorate your omelet. Ham can be diced to use as an omelet add-in. Leftover vegetables can also be cut up to sprinkle inside an omelet.

Go eastern. Did you have steak for Christmas dinner? Cut the leftovers into thin strips. With a few stir-fry vegetables you have created a new dinner meal. If stir fry is not your cup of tea, you can make lo mien, fried rice and other Asian dishes that include steak. Or if you had the traditional turkey, go wild with turkey chow mein.

Casseroles are always a hit. Who doesn’t love a good casserole? With Christmas dinner leftovers, you can whip up a casserole for any meal. With breakfast, combine ham, veggies and shredded cheese with egg for an after Christmas treat. For lunch, use some turkey, rice, cream soup and vegetables for a midday meal. For dinner, try chicken, vegetables, noodles and cream of chicken soup for an easy all-in-one meal that takes less than an hour to cook.

Create a pie. This is not the sweet treat but a dinner pie. Turkey or chicken and even beef can be placed inside a crust with tons of delicious veggies to make a pot pie your family will love.

I know it can be overwhelming when faced with all that leftover food, but hopefully these ideas can make sure nothing goes to waste.

Today I am thankful that I didn't have to deal with the hustle -&- bustle of Christmas cooking!?!

Merry Christmas

One of best memories of growing up -&- Christmas morning at home was the reading of the "Christmas Story":

Luke 2

¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Today I am thankful for the birth of Jesus Christ - so that I may know life eternal!?!

My Christmas Gift to YOU!?!

Today I am thankful for all of you!?!

Snow...

Today I am thankful I am not dealing with any snow - at the moment!?!

Drummer Cake

Awesome cake - easy to repeat...be the hit of any party!?!

2 JET-PUFFED Marshmallows
1 package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese
1 jar maraschino cherries
11 NILLA Wafers
1/2 teaspoon milk
1 strip peelable red licorice
4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1 package (2 layer size) chocolate cake mix
2 pretzel rods
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons divided powdered sugar
1 package JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding
1 frozen tub divided COOL WHIP Whipped Topping


1. Refrigerate 1/3 of the cool whip. Return remaining cool whip to freezer.
Prepare cake batter; blend in dry pudding mix. Bake as directed on package for 2 (9-inch) round layers.
Cool cakes in pans 10 min.; invert onto wire racks.
Cool completely.
2. Meanwhile, mix 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar and milk. Brush onto wafers. Microwave frozen cool whip and chopped chocolate on high 1-1/2 min. or until chocolate is melted, stirring after 1 min. Cool 15 min. to thicken.
3. Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar with whisk until well blended.
Stir in cherries and thawed cool whip.
Stack cake layers on plate, filling with cream cheese mixture.
Frost with chocolate mixture. Decorate with wafers and remaining ingredients to resemble a drum and sticks.
Refrigerate leftovers.

Today I am thankful for creative people who make awesome ideas that are easy to repeat!?!

Dog Bark

We can't forget our furry four legged family members during this holiday season - so when you are making treats for the family here is another recipe you need to whip up!?!

This treat will make your dog sit up -&- beg for more!?! Make the bark by melting carob chips -&- peanut butter then top with your dog’s favorite ingredients bacon -&- cheese!?! BOW WOW!?!

5 slices bacon
2 slices Cheddar cheese (3/4 oz each)
2 cups carob chips
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter

1. Line cookie sheet with foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
2. In 12-inch skillet, cook bacon over low heat 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Coarsely chop bacon; set aside.
3. Using 1 1/4-inch small dog bone cookie cutter, cut 15 dog bone shapes out of cheese slices. Set aside.
4. In medium bowl, microwave carob chips uncovered on High 30 seconds; stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer. Stir in peanut butter.
5. Spread carob mixture on foil to 1/4-inch thickness, about a 9-inch square. Immediately sprinkle with bacon and cheese; press lightly into carob mixture. Chill until set, about 15 minutes in freezer, or 30 minutes in refrigerator.
Remove from foil; break into 18 pieces. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for 5 days.

Today I am thankful for all the furry friends I've love -&- have loved!?!

Don't You Wanna Stay

Awesome Song




[Jason Aldean]
I really hate to let this moment go
Touching your skin, and your hair falling slow
When a goodbye kiss, feels like this

[Chorus] (Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean)
Don't you wanna stay here a little while?
Don't you wanna hold each other tight?
Don't you wanna fall asleep with me tonight?
Don't you wanna stay here a little while?
We can make forever feel this way
Don't you wanna stay?

[Kelly Clarkson]
Let's take it slow, I don't wanna move too fast
I don't wanna just make love, I wanna make love last
When you're on this high, it's a sad goodbye

[Chorus] (Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean)
Don't you wanna stay here a little while?
Don't you wanna hold each other tight?
Don't you wanna fall asleep with me tonight?
Don't you wanna stay here a little while?
We can make forever feel this way
Don't you wanna stay?

[Kelly Clarkson]
Oh yeeah

[Jason Aldean]
Oh, you feel so perfect, baby

[Kelly Clarkson]
That it feels so perfect, baby

[Chorus] (Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean)
Don't you wanna stay here a little while?
Don't you wanna stay here a little while?
Don't you wanna hold each other tight?
Don't you wanna fall asleep with me tonight?
Don't you wanna stay here a little while?
We can make forever feel this way
Don't you wanna stay?

[Kelly Clarkson]
Don't you wanna stay

(Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean)
Yeah! (6 times)

Today I am thankful for the ability to stay!?!

Shooter

Watched this movie the other - pretty dang good!?!

A marksman living in exile is coaxed back into action after learning of a plot to kill the president. Ultimately double-crossed and framed for the attempt, he goes on the run to track the real killer and find out who exactly set him up, and why.

Bob Lee Swagger, one of the world's great marksmen and the son of a Congressional Medal of Honoree, is a loner living in the Rockies. He's left the military, having been hung out to dry in a secret Ethiopian mission a few years before, when he's recruited by a lisping colonel to help find a way that the President of the US might be assassinated in one of three cities in the next two weeks. He does his work, but the shot is fired notwithstanding and Bob Lee is quickly the fall guy: wounded and hunted by thousands, he goes to ground and, aided by two unlikely allies, searches for the truth and for those who double-crossed him. All roads lead back to Ethiopia.

Cast:
Mark Wahlberg
Danny Glover
Ned Beatty
Michael Peña
Tate Donovan
Kate Mara
Elias Koteas
Rade Šerbedžija
Rhona Mitra

Today I am thankful for a wide variety of interest in entertainment!?!

Stripped Desert

Looking for a great holiday desert or something that you can serve year round with just a little variation...here is a great recipe!?!
And, it is kid friendly -&- approved!?!


2 boxes (4-serving size each) cherry flavor gelatin
2 1/2 cups hot water
7 oz (half 14-oz can) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 cup hot water
Whipped cream, if desired
4 crushed peppermints, if desired

1. In large bowl, mix cherry gelatin and 2 1/2 cups hot water until well combined. Cool to room temperature.
2. Pour 1/4 cup cherry gelatin into each of 4 (1-cup) glass containers. Place glasses on small tray; refrigerate about 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix condensed milk, unflavored gelatin and 1 cup hot water until well combined.
4. When cherry layer is set, slowly pour 1/4 cup milk mixture on top of cherry layer in each glass. Refrigerate about 20 minutes.
5. When milk layer is set, slowly pour 1/4 cup cherry gelatin on top of milk layer in each glass. Refrigerate about 20 minutes.
6. To serve, garnish with whipped cream and crushed peppermints.

To determine if the layer is ready, gently press your fingertip to the layer. If it’s tacky and leaves an imprint, then it’s ready for an additional layer.
You can use any vessel to layer your dessert. Wine glasses and champagne glasses make a very festive presentation as well.
If you’d like to unmold your dessert, simply spray containers lightly with cooking spray prior to layering.
Dessert can be made the day before and refrigerated overnight.

Today I am thankful that life is so colorful!?!

Remember the troops...

Today -&- everyday I am thankful for everyone alive -&- dead who has ever served this great country of ours!?!

Bacon Candy Canes

Trying to find the gift for that someone that has everything - look no further...

BACON CANDY CANES
What could say I love you more than a processed pork flavored product!?!

To order go HERE

The winter holidays are almost here. While Halloween brings visions of candy, the winter holidays are not without their candies. Let's see: there's fruit cake and gelt and bacon and candy canes and those things with the sauce and feathers. Ok, so that last one is turkey, and doesn't really count. So, we threw on our Dr. Frankenstein goggles and flipped some switches. And once the fire was put out, we realized we created the ultimate holiday candy...

Today I am thankful for P-O-R-K!?!

Creamed Spinach

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk, at room temperature
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 pounds spinach, tough stems removed
1 large egg plus 2 egg yolks
Freshly ground pepper

Directions

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth; cook, stirring, until the mixture lightens, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat; whisk in the milk, 2 teaspoons salt and the nutmeg. Return to medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking. Remove from the heat again; stir to cool slightly.

Heat a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach and 1 teaspoon salt; cover and cook about 3 minutes. Toss with tongs, then continue to wilt, uncovered, about 2 more minutes. Drain and cool slightly, then squeeze the spinach until dry. Coarsely chop.

Gently reheat the sauce, then whisk in the whole egg and yolks; cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens. Stir in the spinach; heat through. Season with salt and pepper.

Today I am thankful for people whom make me try new things - like Creamed Spinach otherwise I'd have never known that I'd like it!?!

Sled Cookies

The most adorable treat I've ever seen - wouldn't your kids be a hit bringing these to their school Christmas party!?!

1/3 cup ready-to-use white frosting
1 bag each NESTLÉ® & WONKA® assorted holiday candy
1 tube edible white glitter
20 individual candy canes (5 1/4 inch) WONKA® SweeTart Candy Canes
1 package NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Dough


1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Grease or foil-line a large baking sheet.
2. Place whole bar of dough on prepared baking sheet. Allow to soften for 5 to 10 minutes. Using fingertips, pat dough gently to form an 11 x 8-inch rectangle.
3. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely. Gently slide cookie onto cutting board. Trim edges of rectangle as needed.
4. Cut cookie into 4 x 2-inch rectangles, or to about the length of the candy canes you will be using. (Cut in half lengthwise and you should have 2 long rectangles that are 4 inches wide. Cut each long rectangle into 5 pieces. This should give you ten 4 x 2-inch rectangles.) Use about 1 teaspoon frosting on backside of cookies to attach candy canes (1 teaspoon per candy cane should do). Let stand for 30 minutes or until set. Once set, turn the sled over so the candy canes are on the bottom.
5. Sprinkle sled with glitter (to look like snow), if desired. Fill sled with candies.
Here's a good idea:
You can make mini-sleds by using mini candy canes and cutting cookies into smaller rectangles. Also, if you would like to personalize the sleds with your child's initial, pipe it on. Here's how: Add frosting to small plastic food storage bag, snip off tiny corner from bag and pipe initial onto cookie. Be sure to let it dry before adding any candy cargo!

Today I am thankful that I haven't need to use a sled to move yet this year!?!

Truckers Christmas Poem

Trucker’s Christmas Poem:

It was the night before Christmas, all through the truck stop,
Truckers were wishing their load they could drop
They were all snug and sound and asleep in their racks,
Most of em were snoring cuz they slept on their backs.
Their engines were off and their stacks all set high,
In hope that St. Nicholas would soon be by.
They were wanting St. Nick to bring them a load home tomorrow,
To offset their loneliness and ease all their sorrow.
Through snow and sleet and all sorts of stuff
A trucker does truck and they have to be tough,
They're gone all the time and they're hardly at home
Across this great country they all have to roam
So St. Nicholas please keep the truckers in mind
So that on Christmas day, their families they find.

Today I am very thankful for all of the truckers in my life!?!

Easy Peppermint Cookies

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1/4 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 container (12 oz) Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white frosting
1 easpoon peppermint extract
Betty Crocker® red decorating sugar

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, egg and flour until dough forms. Roll dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with bottom of glass.
2. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
3. In small bowl, mix frosting and peppermint extract.
Spread each cookie with frosting. Using small spoon, sprinkle red sugar onto cookies in spiral design to look like peppermint candies.


Today I am thankful for the holidays -&- for the reason to share love with homemade goodness!?!

Politically Correct Chirstmas Hymns

Today I am thankful that in America we don't have to be "politically correct" we have to choose to be that way!?!

Christmas on Facebook

Today I am thankful that Santa can't see my Facebook page - LMAO!?!

Bacon Scalion Pesto Pizza

Looking for a delicious appetizer for your holiday party here is a great suggestion that will make you look like a world famous chef - try it for yourself first -then share it with your favorite friends!?!

Ingredients

4 thick strips bacon, thinly sliced
1 large white onion, thinly sliced
Pinch of sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper
6 scallions, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon capers
1/2 cup fresh parsley
Grated zest of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
1 pound frozen pizza dough, thawed
All-purpose flour, for dusting

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring from time to time, until browned and crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain; keep warm. Add the onion slices to the drippings in the skillet; sprinkle with the sugar and season with salt and pepper. Cook until light brown and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Taste for seasoning.

Combine the scallions, capers and parsley in a food processor. Add salt and pepper to taste and half of the lemon zest; pulse gently to chop and blend. Turn the processor on and add the olive oil through the top in a steady stream. Transfer the scallion pesto to a bowl; set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk the creme fraiche and the remaining lemon zest until smooth. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.

Roll the pizza dough into an 8-by-14-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough around the rolling pin and unroll it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the center of the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown.

Spread the creme fraeche mixture on the crust. Dot with the onions and some of the bacon drippings from the pan; sprinkle with the bacon. Slice into pieces and drizzle with scallion pesto.


Today I am thankful for amazing tasting, easy to follow recipes!?!

The Shooter

Was able to catch a pretty good flick while holed up in hotel waiting on a load this past weekend!?!



A marksman living in exile is coaxed back into action after learning of a plot to kill the president. Ultimately double-crossed and framed for the attempt, he goes on the run to track the real killer and find out who exactly set him up, and why.

Bob Lee Swagger, one of the world's great marksmen and the son of a Congressional Medal of Honoree, is a loner living in the Rockies. He's left the military, having been hung out to dry in a secret Ethiopian mission a few years before, when he's recruited by a lisping colonel to help find a way that the President of the US might be assassinated in one of three cities in the next two weeks. He does his work, but the shot is fired notwithstanding and Bob Lee is quickly the fall guy: wounded and hunted by thousands, he goes to ground and, aided by two unlikely allies, searches for the truth and for those who double-crossed him. All roads lead back to Ethiopia.

Cast:
Mark Wahlberg
Danny Glover
Ned Beatty
Michael Peña
Tate Donovan
Kate Mara
Elias Koteas
Rade Šerbedžija
Rhona Mitra


Today I am thankful that I have never had to deal with people
ever shooting at me!?!

Kitty Christmas

This makes me think of my kitty Tigger Jo - even from the first year he was good about the tree -but- I can't say the same things about some of the other cats we had - I could tell you STORIES about them!?!



Today I am thankful that when I had a cat that this never (for some reason) caused a problem!?!