Facebook Sucked Me In!?!

Today I am thankful I know my FB limit (all day)!?!

Pumpkin Shake...

This is a refreshing breakfast drink!?! A light desert!?!

There are many different things you can do with this basic recipe!?!

Different spices, ice cubes for a slushier drink, ice cream, vanilla yogurt. The possibilities are endless!?!

Ingredients

• 4 ounces chilled canned pumpkin
• 1 1/2 cups cold skim milk
• 8 teaspoons sugar ( "or" substitute sweetener)
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender.
2. Makes two servings.

Today I am thankful that I can make these amazing things in the Travelin' Abode!?!

Physiological Test!?!

Today I am thankful I am semi-normal...are you...lol?!?

I am...

Today I am glad I am who I am!?!

Don't Like Me...?!?

Today I am thankful that I don't care what some people think!?!

Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole

Exhausted from your culinary efforts on the big day?
Here’s a slow cooker recipe so you can use up those turkey leftovers.


This recipe is based on a chicken and stuffing recipe from the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook, and is a huge favorite in our house. We always travel on Thanksgiving, so I rarely get to cook a turkey dinner, let alone get to enjoy the leftovers, but even if you’re in the same boat as me, this slow cooker recipe is worth running out and buying a turkey breast to roast just so you can make it.

In fact, I tend to get a turkey breast, cook it in my slow cooker one day, and then put this recipe together in my slow cooker the next day, so I’ll add on my recipe for slow cooking turkey breast at the end of this column in case you’d like to do the same.

Warning: This recipe is NOT low-fat. In fact, with a (ahem) cup of butter in it, just consider it an extension of the Thanksgiving Day gorging and enjoy it with your leftover green bean casserole and cranberry sauce on the side!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and happy cooking!

Ingredients
2 ½ cups chicken stock
1 cup butter, melted (I use about ¾ of a cup)
½ cup chopped onions
½ cup chopped celery
4-oz can mushrooms, stems and pieces, drained
¼ cup dried parsley flakes
1 ½ tsp. dried sage
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. ground pepper
10 cups day-old bread cubes (½-inch pieces) – I cut this up the night before and let it dry out overnight in a large, uncovered bowl
2 eggs
10 ¾-oz can cream of chicken soup (I always feel bad about the cup of butter and use a low-fat cream soup to try to even it out)
4-5 cups cubed, cooked turkey

Directions
1. Combine all of the ingredients except the bread, eggs, soup and chicken in a saucepan, and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Combine the eggs and soup. Slowly whisk the mixture into the broth until smooth. Pour liquid over the bread and toss well.
3. Layer half of the stuffing mixture in the bottom of your slow cooker, followed by half of the cut turkey. Repeat the layers, pressing the top layer of cut turkey down into the moist stuffing mixture.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4.5-5 hours. Do not overcook or it will dry out!

NOTE: If you have leftover stuffing from Thanksgiving, you could use that for some (or all) of the dried bread cubes, but because this cooks in the slow cooker for several hours, you should still use the full amount of liquid from the recipe!

Bonus Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe

And now for my quick slow cooker recipe for a turkey breast:

Ingredients
1 turkey breast
1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 envelope dried onion soup mix (I sift out the actual onion pieces and just use the spice powder)
½ cup orange juice
Salt and pepper

Place the turkey breast in the slow cooker. Whisk together all of the ingredients and pour over the turkey. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, being careful to not overcook.



Today I am thankful...that I personally don't have to deal with any leftovers!?!

Happy Thanksgiving!?!

Psalm 100

1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.




Today -&- EVERYDAY ...
I am thankful for a God who has loved me with a never ending love
-&-
has never forsaken me even though I've forsake him!?!
For a family that loves me unconditionally
-&-
the best friends a person could ever ask for...my cup is overflowing!?!

Happy Birthday Charlie...

Today I am thankful that God blessed with an older brother...although we always didn't see to eye to eye -&- we still don't talk all that much - I love him more than words can express!?!

Gay Marriage!?!

Today I am thankful that I am able to be open minded!?!

10 quick steps to a better turkey...

At this late hour, you’re settled on your Thanksgiving Day turkey — or you’d better be.
Every holiday presents more options, although your grandmother’s plain, old roasted turkey satisfies most guests.
Still, doing “something unusual” may result in an improved feast.

Here are my Top 10 Plus One good ideas to update a holiday bird, gained over 35 years of roasting turkeys without life-threatening casualties:

1 Most chefs use latex gloves when touching the bird to prevent cross-contamination.

2 Use a shallow, metal roasting pan. Deep pans steam the bird. Shallow allows for browning. One-use pans made of aluminum foil can dump your turkey on the floor.

3 Place turkey on a pan rack to keep it out of the grease and ease traumatic removal to a carving surface.

4 Paint the bird with melted butter over skin to aid browning. Add poultry seasoning or herbs to butter if you wish.

5 Some chefs skip the basting routine as it can turn crispy skin soft.

6 Carefully follow the suggested cooking time on the turkey package. The best scheme is to use a meat thermometer in the breast. It’s done at 165 degrees. Plastic, pop-up thermometers that came with the bird are notoriously inaccurate. Cooking times are determined by weight of the bird. Stuffing adds 45 minutes to an hour. A 10-to-18-pound stuffed bird is done in 3 3/4 to 4 1/2 hours.

7 Roast breast-side down until the last hour to preserve moisture. Then turn over to brown the top.

8 Let the turkey “rest” for 10 to 15 minutes after roasting. Cover with foil. This makes carving easier and the meat juicer.

9 Remove stuffing, then carve, skin included, and arrange neatly on a serving platter, legs at each side and white and dark meat separated. Carve white meat thinly and dark meat in pieces.

10 If a dispute is brewing over who gets a leg, create a lottery in advance to avoid confrontations at the table.

11 Nothing is worse than a football game blaring in the background during dinner. If the Detroit Lions really fascinate you, record it.

Today I am thankful that I don't have to cook on Thanksgiving Day!?!

God's Hands

Today I am again thankful for God's amazing art work!?!

Pumpkin Pie...

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Whisk pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust.
Bake 15 minutes.
2. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.






Today I am thankful for fall because without it there would be not punkins then there would be no pumpkin pie!?!

Walter...

Today I am thankful for Walter...cuz I love him!?!

Highway Sign

Today I am thankful everyone has their own lane...LOL!?!

Chocolate Chip Pie

We were at a restaurant/buffet today that had a wide
selection of deserts...
-but-
the one that caught my eye was...
Chocolate Chip Pie



Ingredients
1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell *
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup (6 oz.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts
Sweetened whipped cream or ice cream (optional)

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 325° F.

BEAT eggs in large mixer bowl on high speed until foamy. Beat in flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat in butter. Stir in morsels and nuts. Spoon into pie shell.

BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between edge and center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm with whipped cream, if desired.





Today I am thankful for the people who own Toll House...although they may add to my weight - they are worth their product is worth its weight in gold - LOL!?!

Burnt Biscuits

SHARED FROM A FRIEND IT WAS TO MEANINGFUL NOT TO PASS ALONG
"When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my Dad did was reach for his Biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember hearing my Mom apologize to my Dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits." Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a long hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides... a burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!" You know, life is full of imperfect things... and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults and choosing to celebrate each others differences, is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. So...please pass me a biscuit. And yes, the burned one will do just fine! And please pass this along to someone who has enriched your life... I just did! Life is too short to wake up with regrets... Love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don't. ENJOY LIFE NOW IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE"


Today I am thankful for burnt biscuits!?!

Order Cancellation

RE: Order Cancellation

Dear Valued Customer,
Thank you for your recent order from our Adult Toys Mega Store!?!
You asked for our large, red vibrator featured on our wall display!?!
Please select again!?!
That is our fire extinguisher!?!
Sincerely, Management


Today I am thankful...that we can all laugh at things like this!?!

Dear Lord:

Today I am thankful that I am awake!?!

Pesto...

Recently I learned that I love Pesto...either mixed in a hot pasta dish, served in a cold salad dish or even on the side -&- used for dipping!?!
It is so fresh -&- so delicious it can compliment many meals!?!



Ingredients:

3 cups packed fresh basil leaves
4 cloves garlic
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions:

Combine basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil,
and nuts in the bowl of a food processor or blender.
Blend to a smooth paste.
Add parsley if desired.



Today I am thankful that I am giving the opportunity to go to new place -&- try new things so I can learn about things I find I then like!?!

Happy Veterans Day!?!

Today I am thankful for all the veterans alive or dead who have served this great country
-&-
kept us safe for all these years!?!

Mirror or 2-Way Glass?!?

PRIVACY ?!?

Is it a Mirror or a 2-Way Glass?

How can you tell when you are in a room, restroom, motel, etc. with a mirror or a 2-way glass?!?
Here's how: I thought it was quite interesting!?!
And I know in about 30 seconds you're going to do what I did and find the nearest mirror!?!
Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not?!?
A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars -&- techniques for businesswomen passed this on!?!
When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror...or actually a 2-way mirror?!?
It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by looking at it!?!
So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at?!?
Just conduct this simple test:
Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a GAP between your fingernail -&- the image of the nail, then it is GENUINE mirror!?!
However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE! IT IS A 2-WAY MIRROR!?!

MOTTO: "No Space, Leave the Place"

So remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test."
It doesn't cost you anything!?!

REMEMBER: "No Space, Leave the Place"
Today I am thankful that I have been kept safe during the many stupid things I've done alone in my life!?!

Limited Edition

Today I am thankful that I am Limited Edition...cuz that is the best!?!

Expecting Number 20...

Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar Expecting 20th Child

Access Hollywood – 3 hours ago

The Duggars have their 20th child on the way!

"19 Kids and Counting" stars Michelle and Jim Bob will welcome their next child in the spring, People reported.

PLAY IT NOW: How Do The Duggars Make Their Huge Family Work?

"We are so excited," the Duggar mother, 45, who is three-and-a-half months along, told the mag. "I feel good. I am past the sickness stage now."

The couple's most recent child, Josie, born on Dec. 10, 2009, is doing well after being born premature at just 25 weeks.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood Dads & Their Adorable Little Ones!

"It is a miracle. Josie is the most energetic, busy little almost-2-year-old," Michelle told the mag. "She is short, and yet she can keep up with the big girls and she thinks she is just as big as they are. We are amazed at what she can do."

According to dad Jim Bob, his wife is doing better than ever.

"Michelle is probably in better health now than she was 10 years ago," the 46-year-old said. "She has been getting on an elliptical for about an hour a day and is very careful of what she eats."

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood’s Hottest Moms & Their Loveable Little Ones

During her last pregnancy, the Duggar mother was diagnosed with preeclampsia and is now under the care of a high-risk pregnancy doctor. She is eating very healthy with plenty of protein, vegetables and skipping the caffeine - along with getting plenty of rest.

"We are just going to do the best we can," she explained. "I am taking a nap every day, and we are just taking good care."

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Celebrity Baby Bumps

Jim Bob added, "If we had lived by fear after Michelle had preeclampsia after her second delivery, we would have missed out on all our wonderful blessings. So many of her pregnancies have gone extremely well."

One aspect of their latest pregnancy that will be different is Michelle's first scheduled C-section.

"I've never had a planned C-section," Michelle told the mag. "So this one will be different."

In addition to their youngest daughter Josie, the couple is also parents to Joshua, 23 (who has two children, Mackynzie, 2 and Michael, 4 months, with wife Anna, 23), twins Jana and John-David, 21; Jill, 20; Jessa, 19; Jinger, 17; Joseph, 16; Josiah, 15; Joy-Anna, 14; twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah, 12; Jason, 11; James, 10; Justin, 8; Jackson, 7; Johanna, 6; Jennifer, 4; and Jordyn, 3.

The season finale of "19 Kids and Counting" airs tonight at 9 PM on TLC.

*This material is not my own -&- was borrowed from another website with the sole intent for informational purposes only!?!*

Today I am thankful that this is their decision to make -&- not mine!?!

How to confuse an idiot!?!

Today I am thankful for such informative videos!?!