Buster we miss you- but happy you are back where you belong

I Love Christmas but.....

I love everything about Christmas- I am one of those people who gets that it's Jesus's Birthday and can still enjoy with the right spirit other things that come along with the season. Even though I have been told repeatedly over the years(and you know who you are!!!) that the Christmas tree is a pagan ritual- I love Christmas trees,wreaths, bows ,popcorn balls- anything chocolate wrapped in red- gold- silver and green. I believe that Jesus would love all my trees with their white lights a glow each ornament telling a story from my past as Christmas music and the scent of pine fill my house- and yes I said trees- but the one thing I hate are those big blow up things on peoples lawns- My lovely daughter sent a pic of one I have never seen- I don't think it is as loathsome as the giant globe that lights up and has snow falling inside on santa and an actual moving Polar express- but it's up there! No offence to anyone who likes these monstrosities. In the spirit of the season please do a random act of kindness for someone this Holiday Season- Jesus did say whatever you do unto others- it's as if you are doing it to and for him. I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and good things for the New Year!!!!!

LET FREEDOM RING

Thanks Self magazine

30 healthy picks

Great snacks with less than 200 calories

By Wendy Giman

From the November 2006 Issue

Craving salty?

• 5 olives (any kind) (45 calories)
• 1 small Martin's pretzel (50 calories)
• 2 oz Applegate Honey and Maple Turkey Breast wrapped around 2 bread-and-butter pickles (80 calories)
• 1/4 cup hummus, 3 carrot sticks (80 calories)
• 1 Laughing Cow Light Swiss Original wedge, 3 pieces Kavli Crispy Thin (85 calories)
• One 1-oz package tuna jerky (90 calories)
• 1 oz buffalo mozzarella, 1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes (94 calories)
• 1 bag Baked! Cheetos 100 Calorie Mini Bites (100 calories)
• 15 Eden's Nori Maki Crackers rice crackers (110 calories)
• 1 cup unshelled edamame (120 calories)
• 50 Eden's Vegetable Chips (130 calories)
• One 1-oz package of Planters NUT-trition almonds (130 calories)
• 1/4 cup Trader Joe's Chili con Queso, 18 baked tortilla chips (140 calories)
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds in shell (143 calories)
• 2 pieces (30 grams) prosciutto, 4 dried figs (154 calories)
• 1 Subway Turkey Breast Wrap (190 calories)

Craving sweet?

• 1 package Original Apple Nature Valley Fruit Crisps (50 calories)
• 1 packet O'Coco's Mocha cookies (90 calories)
• 1 Jelly Belly 100-calorie pack (100 calories)
• One 100-calorie pack Trader Joe's Chocolate Graham Toucan Cookies (100 calories)
• One 100-calorie Balance Bar (100 calories)
• 1 Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino bar (120 calories)
• 1 package Back to Nature Honey Graham Sticks (120 calories)
• 1/2 banana rolled in 1 tbsp frozen semisweet chocolate chips (123 calories)
• 2 tbsp Better 'n Peanut Butter, 4 stalks celery (124 calories)
• 1 bag Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop Butter Mini Bags topped with a spritz of butter spray and 1 tsp sugar (126 calories)
• 24 Annie's Chocolate Chip Bunny Graham cookies (140 calories)
• Half of a 1.08-oz container of M&M's Minis mixed with 1/3 cup lowfat granola (145 calories)
• 1 McDonald's Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait (160 calories)
• 1 container Fage Greek Total 2% fat yogurt, 2 tsp honey (173 calories)

VOTE

MAKE SURE YOU VOTE- and if you are not registered please do so before the next election !!! Remember your vote counts and you only earn the right to complain if you vote-

To Bada- you were robbed- I know you registered!!!!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Buster was the big hit this Halloween- besides the kids who live on the street yelling a shout out to the Baber (his street name) Everyone wanted to see the pretty white cat- Buster waited at the door until it was was opened to hand out the candy - then he jumped to his window seat and talked to the kids through the window . Quite a few people said they had never seen an all white cat before. If you know Buster you would have not believed him tonight !! He Rocked as the halloween host with the most! Buster your Mom would have been proud of your skills!

'

COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE SOOOOO GOOD

Even though I have eaten more cake than a human should in the past week - I came across this recipe and it reminded me of a cake my daughter was talking about on her too short of a visit. *****and yes we not only eat cake we talk about it too!!!*****

Now i have to find a reason to make it!!

Mississippi Chocolate & Coffee Cake Source: Close-up on Cakes
Active Time: 15 Minutes Total Time: 1 Hour 50 Minutes Serves 10
INGREDIENTS For the Cake: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda Pinch salt 1 3/4 cups strong brewed coffee 1/4 cup bourbon 5 oz unsweetened chocolate 1 cup butter 2 cups sugar 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For the Chocolate Icing: 6 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate 4 1/2 tablespoons butter
DIRECTIONS FOR THE CAKE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil a 9-inch round cake pan. Line pan with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In the top of a double boiler set over simmering water, heat the coffee, bourbon, chocolate, and butter, stirring until the chocolate and butter are melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the sugar. Let the mixture cool for 3 minutes and transfer to an electric mixer. Add the flour mixture to the chocolate mixture, half a cup at a time, and beat medium speed for 1 minute. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 1 1/2 hours, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan. When cooled, turn out onto a serving plate. FOR CHOCOLATE ICING: Combine the chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler and stir over low heat until they are melted and combined. Cool slightly and then ice cake.