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.

Happy Birthday Alex

Happy 13!!!!!!!!!

B and B come for a visit

Happy 2 years with us Buster!!! Happy 24 years with us Britt!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

This is the man that was the favorite to win the Nobel Peace Prize--Enough Said

Compare this to Greg Mortenson, nominated for the prize by some members of Congress, who the bookies gave 20-to-1 odds of winning. Son of a missionary, a former army Medic and mountaineer, he has made it his mission to build schools for girls in places where opium dealers and tribal warlords kill people for trying. His Central Asia Institute has built more than 130 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan — a mission which has, along the way, inspired millions of people to view the protection and education of girls as a key to peace and prosperity and progress.

By NANCY GIBBS Friday, Oct. 09, 2009

TIME MAGAZINE ONLINE

I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER THANK YOU BRITT

IDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2009

excuse me, what?

when i think of the nobel peace prize i think of martin luther king jr. or mother teresa. i was shocked when al gore won the peace prize but not as shocked as when i turned on the tv this morning to read that obama had won...
lets take a gander at past presidents who have won the nobel peace prize:

Theodore Roosevelt (1906): Negotiated an end to the Russo-Japanese War

Woodrow Wilson (1919): Leading architect of the League of Nations

Jimmy Carter (2002): Created the Carter Center which works to advance human rights and find peaceful solutions to international conflicts

and now-

Barack Obama (2009): Has given people hope for a better future...

ben and jerrys gives me hope when im upset- but i dont see them winning nobel peace prizes. im not saying dont ever give one to him, but maybe we should wait until he actually does something...

(oh, and happy friday!)

LIFE LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Join Mike Huckabee by signing the BALENCE CUT AND SAVE petition

please sign petition

join me in saving a WWI monument - please watch the video

don't tear me down

soooo good

This is another Fav of mine - will be making this week end , thanks Martha! This fig spread also is great with peanut butter on a really good whole wheat bread, on crackers or pear with a slice of parm cheese YUM!!!!!

Fig Spread (Below) 1 baguette or Italian bread 8 slices prosciutto 8 thin slices Asiago cheese 8 to 12 arugula leaves Fig Spread 1 package (10 ounces) dried Calimyrna figs, stemmed and cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1 3/4 cups) 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Make fig spread: In a medium saucepan, combine figs with sugar and 1 1/2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until most of liquid has evaporated and figs are easily pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife, about 20 minutes. Transfer mixture to a food processor; add lemon juice. Puree until smooth (add up to 1/4 cup additional water, if needed, to thin to desired consistency). Cut 1 baguette or Italian bread into four 5-to-6-inch pieces; split each piece horizontally. Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons Fig Spread on all 8 halves; layer 4 halves with 2 slices prosciutto, 2 thin slices Asiago cheese, and 2 or 3 leaves of arugula. Top with remaining bread halves. Serve. Prosciutto and Fig Spread Sandwich Serves 4 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes

dream a BIG dream

To all the dreamers - It is better to dream huge over the top dreams - and even if you only achieve some of them it is better than having only one small dream come true-Life is a journey - go find yours-

DREAMS

I dream of lots of things I dream of the stars I dream of the moon I dream of lakes I dream of lagoons I dream of friends I dream of love I dream of parrots I dream of doves I dream of peace I dream of no guns I dream of people I dream of fun My dreams are exotic creative and imaginative random and exhilarating interesting and scary I dream of myself I dream of themes But most of all I dream of my dreams Ruby KentRoyds

A glimpse into Raul's day

Fall is here and I love it

Here is a great recipe for Fall- use as a side with chicken , pork, beef even  fish like scrod or haddock-  or serve with rice as a great vegetarian meal-  I use extra virgin olive oil and  add a can of diced tomatoes with the water and fresh tom. at the end . I also  skip the corriander  and add red pepper flakes instead- fresh parsley or cilantro taste great-

Fragrant Chickpea Stew Source: © EatingWell Magazine
Active Time:  20 Minutes Total Time:  35 Minutes 4 servings, about 1 cup each	Remove Image
When time is of the essence, this hearty stew makes a quick meal. It has a complex, almost beefy flavor that develops when the onion and garlic are cooked until dark brown. Accompany with steamed rice or whole-wheat flatbreads (chapatis). Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 medium red onion, chopped (1 cup) 1 medium cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, ground (see Ingredient Note) 1 cup water 1 red potato, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch cubes 1 19-ounce or 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro, divided 1 medium tomato, cut into 1-inch cubes Ingredient Note: Coriander seeds are tiny and yellowish brown; they are produced when cilantro is allowed to seed. They smell slightly citric. Their flavor does not resemble, in any way, that of cilantro.
DIRECTIONS Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; cook cumin seeds for 10 seconds. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until dark brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add coriander; cook, stirring, for 20 seconds. Stir in water, potato, chickpeas, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon cilantro. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the potato is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Add tomato, increase heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon cilantro and serve.
Recipe reprinted by permission of © EatingWell Magazine. All rights reserved.
Nutrition Information 4 servings, about 1 cup each - Facts Per Serving: Calories: 255 Fat. Total: 6g Carbohydrates, Total: 45g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 703mg Protein: 9g Fiber: 8g % Cal. from Fat: 21% Fat, Saturated: 0g

Rain or no Rain Fenway is the Field Of Dreams

RED SOX WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

MAY WE NEVER FORGET 9-11

GOD BLESS AMERICA-GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Lets here it for Buster- Mouse Hunter Extraordinaire

brittany-
eeeek. mouser- meet kibber.
words are powerful- next time you meet a mouse tell him stay out of my house or Buster gonna get you!!!

The Skinny Chic below should go to outback and eat the ubber fatty one

Two things I hate- having to give up my jeans and boots for summer clothes- thinking about getting back into my jeans in the Fall- My Kids and hubby love the blooming onion- so many calories!!!Here is a healthy baked version- I am going to use panko bread crumbs instead of fiber one-if you make it with the Fiber one post a comment ! Thanks again Hungry Girl

	HG's Bloomin' Blossom
	Flower Power
	This swap for those notorious fried onion appetizers is slightly more complicated than our other recipes -- but it is SO, SO, SOOOO worth it! And if you share this giant thing with 3 pals (instead of 1), each serving'll have just 96 calories, <1g>POINTS® value of 1*. Rock on, Bloomin' Blossom! (Pssst... click here for an easy-to-follow printable version of this recipe.) Ingredients:  For Onion:  1 jumbo sweet onion, not peeled  1 cup Fiber One bran cereal (original), ground to a breadcrumb-like consistency in a blender or food processor 1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (likeOriginal Egg Beaters)  1/4 tsp. seasoned salt (like the one byLawry's)  1/4 tsp. garlic powder  1/8 tsp. black pepper  For Sauce:  3 tbsp. fat-free mayonnaise  2 tsp. ketchup  1/8 tsp. seasoned salt  dash chili powder  Directions:  Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine ground cereal with the seasoned salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.  Cut the top half-inch of the onion off (from the pointy side, not the flat one). Leaving the root (bottom) intact, carefully peel the outside layer off.  Next, starting from the top, carefully cut the onion down and across the middle, stopping about a half-inch from the root. Repeat to make a criss-cross, cutting the onion down the middle again and stopping a half-inch from the bottom. You should now have 4 sections still attached at the bottom. Cut each of those sections down the middle (from the top), again stopping before you get to the root.  Place the onion, cut side up, in a large bowl, and cover completely with ice water. Allow to sit for 5 - 10 minutes, or until "petals" open up. (You can use your hands to gently help pry them open once they've been soaking for several minutes.) Remove the onion, and dry both the onion and the bowl.  Once both are dry, place the onion back in the bowl, with the petals up. Pour the egg substitute evenly over it, making sure to get in between all the petals (use your hands to separate them). Swirl egg substitute around so the bottom and sides of the onion get coated. Then flip the onion over to drain excess egg substitute. The entire surface of the onion should be covered lightly with egg substitute. Transfer onion to a separate, dry bowl. (You'll likely have about half the egg substitute left in the first bowl.) Slowly sprinkle ground cereal mixture evenly over the onion, making sure to thoroughly coat each petal -- again, use your hands to separate them -- flipping the onion upside-down once you're almost done coating, so that the entire surface gets coated in crumbs. (If needed, spread a little more egg substitute on any dry spots to get the crumbs to stick.) Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray, and place the onion in it with the petals facing up.  Place dish in the oven and bake for about 40 minutes (until outside is crispy and inside is soft). Meanwhile, combine sauce ingredients. When onion is done, allow it to cool slightly. If you like, carefully cut out the center of the onion (so petals are easy to remove). Serve with sauce and enjoy! MAKES 2 SERVINGS
	Serving Size: half of recipe (including half of the sauce)  Calories: 192  Fat: 1.75g  Sodium: 700mg  Carbs: 54g  Fiber: 17g  Sugars: 13g  Protein: 7g POINTS® value 3*