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Easy Peasy Tortellini
2008-10-26 09:00:00
Fresh pasta is really the only kind of pasta there is. I take the dried stuff only because I can't take the time to make it fresh but here's a little trick that will get you past that.Instead of making the dough yourself and rolling it painstakingly into the little sheets just buy refrigerated wonton wrappers. Use those as last minute tortellini and you can get the fun of fresh without the hassle.Now they don't taste exactly like regular tortellini because the wonton wrappers are thinner but as long as you don't over cook them they will work just fine.Mix up the filling and drop a teaspoon of it in the center of each wonton wrapper then fold the wrapper over in half diagonally to form a triangle. Seal it by dipping your finger in water and running it along the edge then pressing firmly to seal the edges. Bring the two points around and pinch them together so the pasta forms a little pointy mitre shape--kind of like the pope's hat (sorry, that's the only shape I could think ...
More About: Pasta , Easy

Karen Cole Paper Giveaway
2008-10-25 10:00:00
I always admire creativity in all its various forms and I always admire someone who can take their creativity and channel it into something profitable. Karen Bullard, mother to two and a designer living in Virginia, has taken her artistic abilities and produced Karen Cole Paper which is popping up in stores across the country.They have stationery for all the important events in your life: weddings, showers, birthdays, parties--all with beautiful prints of Karen's original pencil illustrations that are just adorable.All the cards can be personalized to meet your needs and I find myself strangely attached to the little bunny note card you see below--I can't help thinking of The Velveteen Rabbit.If you're like me after the holidays and before the kids head back to school it's time to bring out the thank you notes and teach my children some proper manners. Karen Cole's sweet designs would make any kid thrilled to tackle the task of writing thank you notes, making my job that much...

October's Ghostly Write-Away Winner
2008-10-24 10:00:00
I want to thank our sponsor, The Company Store, without whom there would be no Fabulous Prize--otherwise known as a $50 gift certificate to their site. If it were me I know I'd be stocking up on Halloween decorations! The weather is getting colder and if blankets and comforters and things to keep you warm are on your list you should check them out.Thank you also to Stephanie Precourt at Adventures in Babywearing, our guest judge who wasn't afraid to tackle this enormous project even with a beautiful newborn in the house.And last of all, thank you to our entrants. When I came up with the idea for the Write -Away Contest nearly two years ago these are the kind of submissions I hoped to receive. I know there are a lot of them but if you have time to read through you'll be well rewarded, there are all kinds of ghosts and you'll have to decide for yourself which are the hardest to face. So many brave writers have shared their stories this month.Your stories are wonderful.. . . And...
More About: Writing , Winner

Ten Alternative Activities for the D.C. Area
2008-10-23 10:00:00
Last month my father wrote a guest post about his life in India and now I've hit up my sibling for a contribution. My younger brother Luke is a third-year law student at George Mason University and is married to the most wonderful sister-in-law a woman could want: Becca, originally from Utah who now works as a statistician in Virginia.Luke lived in Japan for a couple years and not only are he and Becca avid travelers overseas but they seem to be able to find the quirky, off-the-beaten path activities in metropolitan Washington D.C.My children pretty much think Uncle Luke is the greatest guy on the planet--if he's not taking them fishing or hiking he's teaching them to build squirrel traps for the back yard (they easily caught one with some peanut butter and let me tell you, Rabid Squirrel-in-a-Box ain't pretty).You'd have to know Luke to appreciate his unique brand of genius, he's Leonardo DaVinci-meets-Grizzly Adams and Alaska's answer to the modern Renaissance man. If he...
More About: Fishing , Alternative , Activities , Area

Halloween Cupcakes That Are Tricky and Treaty
2008-10-22 10:00:00
I was feeling tricky this week so we made cupcakes. Actually it was an extremely strategic move on my part because I really love my chocolate cupcake recipe--I could eat two or three before I realized the horror of what I'd done but I'm not that big on candy.So . . . the obvious solution is to make cupcakes for the kids but to let them decorate them up with candy so that they get a treat but I am so far removed from temptation that I could sit in a room with these guys alone and never ever take a lick.Our monster bugs have coconut mixed into the green icing to give them that rough, alien look. The mouths are orange slices sliced in half, the eyes are Lifesavers with M&Ms glued in the sockets. Antennae are licorice strings.Enjoy!***Here are some other great seasonal treat links:* My Many Colored Days has cute little felt clips--in autumn colors they'd be so cute!* Finding La Dolce Vita has Bones of the Dead cookies you'll have to see.* The McIllece Spot has Pumpkin Fudge t...
More About: Crafts , Tricky , Halloween

Glamour Reel Moments--A Final Recap
2008-10-21 10:00:00
I'm afraid there are really only two events in my life right now--the remodel on the house and my recent Hollywood adventures. I'm afraid the rest is just macaroni and cheese and cleaning bathrooms so if you'll forgive me I'm going to subject you to a final recap of events from last week in L.A.--I promise it's the last I'll say about it now that my coach has turned back into a pumpkin.I've had requests for pictures so I'm going to take the chance that maybe not all of you are going to fall asleep if I bring it up again and here are a few final shots.Photo Credit: Lester Cohen/Wireimage for GlamourAbove you see us on the red carpet--or rather what it all looked like from behind the photographers. Our driver pulled up in front of the Director's Guild of America building and the crowd was partitioned off on both sides, straining to see if anyone famous was going to get out of that tinted-window vehicle. Nope, it was just some mombloggers--though the crowd didn't know that...
More About: Final , Recap , Reel , Moments

Costco: A Relationship on the Rocks
2008-10-20 10:00:00
When Costco came to Anchorage in the 1980s it was received like manna from heaven. My parents had a foreign exchange student from the Soviet Union staying with them and they told me how, when they took Zanna to Costco, she walked between the aisles staring in stupor at the mountains of goods that stood as a tribute to American consumerism.What's not to love about the place? You can get killer deals on cheese and meat, buy diapers and formula at a great discount and come Christmas time you can get half of the stuff on your shopping list from the toys they carry. Everyone I know has a membership and if you go to the warehouse at any point on a Saturday you're pretty much taking your life into your own hands because unless you're packing water and supplies you won't make it through the checkout lines before starvation and dehydration hit you--it's that long of a wait. Though now that I think about it, it's probably all part of their plan, to have you wait so long in the lines ...
More About: Money , Relationship , On the rocks , Rocks

Cardamon Apple Turnovers
2008-10-19 10:00:00
Are you interested in fixing a fabulous breakfast that will leave your family as slaves at your feet? This will do it. And with a bread machine and a can of apple pie filling at your fingertips they'll never even know how easy it was.And for all you out there wondering what cardamom is (I got that question in last week's recipe, apparently I'm on a cardamom fix here) it's a spice that can easily be found in your local grocery store spice section and is used all over the world in both its seed form and ground. This particular recipe calls for using ground cardamom and since it's related to ginger it pairs very well with other apple-pie type spices such as nutmeg, cloves or cinnamon.1 cup milk1/3 cup butter2 eggs4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/3 cup sugar1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon ground cardamom1 tablespoon fast acting yeast1 can apple (or cherry) pie filling3 cups powdered sugar1/4 cup butter, softened1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract1/4 teaspoon almond extract2-4 tablespoons of m...
More About: Apple , Bread

Personal Paper Dolls from Anklebiters
2008-10-18 10:00:00
Are you starting to think about holiday shopping yet? I'm afraid I'm a little slow and tend to mull over my ideas for a couple months before diving into my list so I'm offering you today a great idea whenever it is you start to think about holiday gift giving.Anklebiters is a fabulous little independent shop that has toys you'd never be able to find at your local toy store megalopolis. Toys that inspire creativity and are designed to last longer than the week after Christmas.Take, for example, the beautiful little personalized paper dolls. Simply send in a photo of your child, boy or girl, and they'll paint it in heavy duty water color paper, seal it and make it into a perfect little doll with a cute wardrobe that you'd never be able to find at Toys R Us.If paper dolls aren't your child's thing then maybe your little marauder would prefer their very own pirate map that is really too cute for words.It rolls up into a portable little felt roll--perfect for busy days of pill...
More About: Personal , Children , Paper , Dolls

Glamour Reel Moments: Stories about Women by Women
2008-10-17 10:00:00
Four years ago Glamour Magazine dreamed up the idea of sponsoring a film festival to promote women in film, not merely as actresses but as directors and storytellers where real women across America could have their stories told by women in Hollywood who, up until now, hadn?t had the chance to step behind the camera.Since then Glamour Reel Moments has produced 14 short films and provided the directorial debuts for such A-list actresses as Kate Hudson, Bryce Dallas-Howard, Kirsten Dunst, Jennifer Aniston, Rita Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow and now Demi Moore, Courteney Cox and screenwriter Kirsten ?Kiwi? Smith who has written the screen plays to Ella Enchanted, Ten Things I Hate about You, She?s the Man, House Bunny and Legally Blond.Each year Glamour Magazine, the largest women?s magazine in the country and reaching 1 out of every 10 women, asks its readers to submit short story ideas describing an event that changed their life?a turning point or ?Aha!? moment that reflects who they have b...
More About: Women , Stories , Celebrities

Glamour Reel Moments 2008 Report-A Set of Firsts
2008-10-16 10:00:00
Okay I hope you're not tired of hearing about my Hollywood adventures because I've got to share with somebody! Talk about your fun! In fact let's tack on another exclamation point for good measure: fun!So for this week's list I'll do a short recap of some of what we did this week and tomorrow I'll be covering the breakfast I had with Bill Wackerman, Senior Vice President of Glamour Magazine; Leslie Russo, Associate Publisher for Glamour; Kirsten Smith, screenwriter and director; and Francesca Silvestri of Freestyle Productions.But for now here's the juicy stuff, the things you REALLY want to know. Here's my list of firsts I got to experience the past four days.1. First ride with a chauffeur. Suave arranged our trip (and can I say they treated us good? For four glorious days we were queens) and when they sent me my itinerary I did a double take because they had scheduled for a driver to pick me up at my home and take me to the airport. Another took me from the airport to the ...
More About: Celebrities , Report , Reel , Moments

Ghostly Halloween T-Shirts
2008-10-15 10:00:00
Saturday was a day of painting at our place. I finished the final coats of paint on the kids? new rooms and of course as soon as I brought out the rollers Lillian and Spencer wanted in on the action.They did fine for a while the only problem was that with all that white I had a hard time seeing what had been painted and what hadn?t?we went round and round painting the same places over and over until I realized the system wasn?t working. Eventually after lunch I came across another painting idea that was a bit more productive?Halloween t-shirts.I put Spencer in charge and left him to supervise David and Lillian?s creative efforts and he thought they were having so much fun when they were done he decided to make his own.Supplies:One dark colored t-shirtFreezer paper or wax paperContact paperA permanent markerScissorsWhite fabric paintA Sponge1. Using a dark colored t-shirt place a large piece of freezer paper or wax paper inside the shirt as a protective layer to keep the paint from...
More About: Shirts , Crafts , T-Shirts , T shirts

Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills
2008-10-14 10:00:00
So here I am in Los Angeles and Sunday night after I flew in I was on the phone with my mother, talking about Monday's planned trip to Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills .Suave had arranged for us to spend the morning at this famous Hollywood salon run by celebrity stylists Luke and Rona O'Connor. Yes I said celebrity, as in Debra Messing, Lucy Liu and Julia Louis-Dreyfus."Well what are you going to do if he wants to cut your hair?" Mom asked."Oh he's not touching my hair," I said. I expected that the trip was to be more of a consultation and besides, you have to be in a certain mood to switch hair styles--you know, kind of a depressed, I-need-a-lift, pass-me-the-Ben-and-Jerry's kind of mood. With the prospect of four days away from a chaotic house to play in sunshine and glamor I'm about as far from depressed as you could get. Life and hair are good--and I had no intention of coming home with anything remotely new.Our driver (yes I said driver--he's chauffeured us around anywher...
More About: Celebrities

The Dating Game: How Young Is Too Young?
2008-10-13 10:00:00
A year ago I discovered someone had left a teenage girl on my doorstep. We?ve adopted her but it?s taken a little getting used to?having a young woman around instead of a little girl. I guess you could say we?re both getting used to each other.She?s nearly as tall as Andrew, she?s grown into her permanent teeth and she describes her surroundings using words like ?sick? (that means something?s good) and ?tight? (also meriting approval) and suddenly wants to talk about boys. Fictional boys (Edward Cullen), celebrity boys (David Archuleta), neighborhood boys (who shall remain nameless), boys at school and church and boys on the corner at the mall.With all this boy-talk we?ve been forced to confront some new issues around here: I guess you?d call them ?rules of engagement??or how we?re going to deal with this new phenomenon of adolescence. We?re hardly veterans here but here are a few of the terms we?ve come to agree upon, a few of the things we've been discussing for quite a while ...
More About: Dating , Young , Game

Spicy Almond Chicken
2008-10-12 10:00:00
I apologize for this picture--I'm not that great with a camera anyway and our daylight is fading so fast that by the time I've got dinner on the table I have no light to speak of.So you'll just have to take my word for it that this was a wonderful recipe--a definite must make that everyone loved. I modified it from a Cooking Light recipe I found recently and it was so well received that in fact the next afternoon Lillian came home from school and said with this fond emotion in her voice, "Mom, you know that chicken you fixed last night? It was SO GOOD!"Take that McDonald's!Anyway, it smells wonderful cooking and drove the workmen crazy--they kept commenting on how great the place smelled and considering that we were all choking on dust that's saying something.4-5 tablespoons olive oil6 5-inch cinnamon sticks7 bay leaves1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion2 tablespoons minced garlic2 teaspoons curry powder1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon turmeric1/4 teaspoon cardamom6 boneless, skinles...
More About: Chicken , Almond , Spicy

The Vegan Lunch Box Giveaway
2008-10-11 10:00:00
Some good books to give away today--get ready!First you don't have to be a vegan to appreciate the great stuff in The Vegan Lunch Box by Jennifer McCann. Myself? I'm not opposed to the occasional bologna sandwich (with mustard and pickles of course) but McCann's book has creative ideas for meatless menus every day of the week. Some are built around ethnic themes (Greek, Thai, Japanese, Mexican, etc.) and some around holiday themes (Halloween spiders, Valentine's Day Peanut Butter and Jelly Pop Hearts) but all are healthy and interesting--and oh so cute packed in their little bento boxes.Some of the recipes are pretty involved for a school lunch but if you were to use them as a dinner then save some for the next day's lunch it makes everything much more doable. Many of the recipes use strange things as meat substitutes (how on earth would one find non-meat deli slices for example? I'm not sure the colors and preservatives it would take to turn soy beans into salami aren't ...
More About: Children

The Little Golden Book Library
2008-10-10 10:00:00
When I was a child a salesman came to our door selling Little Golden Book s and my mother bought a set. However this wasn't just your regular set of Little Golden Books, this was a four-volume set of classics published in 1969 which quickly became a favorite in our house.The trouble is that over the years those books got loved to death until they were hanging from their bindings and when our childhood books were divvied up among the siblings and I ended up with one of the volumes it was falling apart so badly that it could hardly be read.I tried finding a new 4-volume set but they are completely out of print, no luck at all. My luck came in when my sister Carinne, who is absolutely and without dispute the Queen of Ebay, scrounged around and found a set which she gave me for Christmas a couple years ago and which I will have buried with me. I love her that she was so thoughtful--it was a wonderful gift.What makes these books so great? Well Little Golden Books, first of all, are ne...
More About: Library

Celebrities That I Wouldn't Mind Meeting
2008-10-09 10:00:00
So I've got THE SHOES.Last week I asked for your help in choosing shoes to go with my new party dress courtesy of Shabby Apple (oh how I love that store) and you came through. You gave me the direction I needed in my moment of crisis. You know, I think if President Bush had had advisers as smart as you fine people there wouldn't be any talk of economic crisis or recession or stupid stuff like that.The votes have spoken and burgundy won with an overwhelming 51% of the vote. Obama himself would love to be able to boast such popularity. Then peep toes made a strong showing with 37%.The only anomaly was the height. Seems a majority of kind commentators left words of encouragement, telling me to wear the shoes tall and be proud of it yet oddly enough mid heels nudged out very high heels when the votes were counted.So I can only assume that that means there are a lot of you out there afraid to tell a six foot woman that she needs to be realistic and forget waving to the crowd from ...
More About: Movies , Celebrities , Mind , Meeting

Cute As a Pumpkin Homemade Earrings
2008-10-08 10:00:00
What did we do before polymer clay? It's one of those inventions--like squeezable ketchup bottles and self-cleaning ovens--that really shows what technology can do to improve lives.You can do so much with the stuff and this Halloween we made these cute little clay earrings that went together in under half an hour and pleased my teen daughter to no end.I've got step-by-step instructions for making your own and the great thing about pumpkins is that they're not perfectly round or smooth so even smaller children could make tiny pumpkins that would still be pleasing to the eye. Instead of turning them into earrings you could also easily make them into a necklace.You'll need:orange polymer clay (such as Sculpey brand)green polymer claya needlegold wiregold earring hooksan ovenneedle-nosed pliers1. If you use the Sculpey brand it's already scored into four little logs of clay, break one of those logs off and pull it gently into two equal halves. If you're not using Sculpey, that'...
More About: Holidays , Cute , Earrings , Pumpkin

Bottoms Up
2008-10-07 10:00:00
This is short and sweet today because I'm painting walls. Lots and lots of walls. Two coats of primer and then the paint . . . I'm so speckled I look like I got in a fight with a tube of toothpaste. And lost.Speaking of teeth, with all of us seated around the dinner table a few nights ago we were talking about food (a natural subject for the occasion) and I mentioned that I like to eat pretty much anything.Lillian heard this and said, "But you don't like to drink alcohol, Mom. Do you? You don't like alcohol."I smiled at this because not only was I surprised that she understands that we don't drink but the word "alcohol" coming from a six year old was kind of funny."No Lily I don't drink alcohol."The conversation went on as we discussed the subject of onions when again Lillian interrupted."You don't drink coffee either Mom. You don't like to drink coffee.""Too right Lily. I don't drink coffee either."Again the conversation resumed when for a third time her little voice c...
More About: Parenting

Well At Least the Swelling Should Go Down
2008-10-06 10:00:00
I'm sure you're sick of me whining and complaining about the traumas of a massive remodel--you might recall that last Thursday I mentioned how the dry wall hangers took three days to finally arrive and do the job? Well on Thursday when they showed up to finish the job they got their come-uppence. I think we're even for all the irritation they've caused.There were two of them, one was a large, hairy, bearded, chubby, Russian guy. Though I don't actually think he was Russian, for some reason one of the kids heard him talking--probably using words that were so colorful and foreign to their vocabulary they assumed he must be Russian-- and from that point on we called him the Russian.And then there was his sidekick, Manuel. Actually, his name wasn't Manuel either it was Louis (as in the Spanish version of the name--he was Latino) and if you've ever seen Fawlty Towers on the BBC then you'll get an idea of why we called him Manuel.When I say he was a sidekick I really mean he w...
More About: Motherhood

Prosciutto and Melon Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
2008-10-05 10:00:00
I have to admit that this little experiment was a bit of a gamble--when Andrew saw what was in his sandwich he was a bit nervous but after sampling it he agreed that it was an interesting and not-unpleasant combination. Me? I'd upgrade that assessment to "delicious" because I love that savory-sweet combination.Prosciutto is just a fancy, thin (expensive) Italian ham and while I normally wouldn't advocate spending a ton of money on super model bacon a little goes a long way and it really gives the sandwiches a delicate texture and flavor.Anyway, we loved it--and it beats those old American singles grilled cheese sandwiches out the door.10 ounces sliced prosciuttohalf a cantaloupe, thinly sliced4 slices havarti cheese8 slices crusty French breadbutterDivide the prosciutto, melon and cheese among the four sandwiches then brush the outside with melted butter. Grill until golden brown--if the cheese isn't melted inside yet you can always zap it for about 20 seconds in the microwave.S...
More About: Food , Cheese , Sandwiches , Melon , Grilled

Rick Rack Attack Giveaway
2008-10-04 10:00:00
Rick Rack Attack is a store that sells vintage aprons but not just any old aprons made from vintage-style patterns and vintage-style fabric but real, honest-to-goodness aprons like the ones my Grandmother has worn for sixty years. She has no idea how chic she's become because aprons are the latest post-feminist domestic craze as women suddenly realize that kitchen fashion is too cute to miss out on.Picture the holidays wearing this cute little festive number to the right here or even an upscale hostess apron that will wow them more than the h'ors d'oeuvres.My mother had a pink gingham apron just like this one on the left, "Cotton Candy"--I wonder where that apron went? Suddenly I have a strong urge to wear it.Besides these gorgeous pieces of Americana Rick Rack Attack also sells vintage inspired aprons by Jessie Steele and I have to say "steal" is right. Starting at $15 it's a perfect item for your Christmas gift list--just check out this adorable child's "Cupcakes" Apron fo...
More About: Rick

Before I Forget . . .
2008-10-03 10:01:00
I know this may sound really weird but does anyone have acorns? You know . . . acorns?We don't have oak trees up here so my supply is what you'd call limited. Weird as it may sound I thought that maybe one of you out there would be willing to send me some--of course I'd compensate you for your troubles but if ever the blogging world had a purpose, this could be it.Maybe I can make a whole celebration out of it--I'll call it "National If-You-Give-a-Blogger-an-Acorn Day" or something. This could be big. BIG people.As for other important events (besides the fact that we do have actual walls now, walls which I will be painting this weekend with much gusto) . . . I'd like to say thank you to Riley Devoe of All Rileyed Up who was so kind as to send me a coveted ROFL Award (at least I coveted it) for my post "Go Ahead, Arrest Me--I DARE You!".To see the complete list of recipients go to Oh, The Joys!, it'll get your day started with a laugh.And if you'd like to see something amazin...
More About: Blogging

A Ghostly Write-Away Contest
2008-10-03 10:00:00
I'm excited about this month's contest for three reasons: a great topic, a great judge and a GREAT prize.First, the topic for this month is "Ghosts" and as usual you can take it many different directions (I kind of plan it that way). I suppose I came to the topic after recently remembering a short story I read eight years ago--"Ghosts" by David Beaty which was anthologized in Otto Penzler's The Best American Mystery Stories 2000 edition. But I digress . . . you'll have to look that one up for yourselves.Second, our guest judge is the lovely, the talented, the friendly Stephanie Precourt from Adventures in Babywearing. This woman is writing all over the internet so I have great confidence that she'll be an excellent judge for us. As a sidenote: I usually leave it up to the judges to decide how many Honorable Mentions they wish to award but I'm now asking that there be no more than three because I too want a piece of the action.This month I will also be awarding an Editor's...
More About: Contest , Writing , Write

Things I've Completely Let Go
2008-10-02 10:00:00
Everyone has their little quirks right? If you were to look in my closet normally you'd see my clothes hung by length and variety. Jeans then pants then short skirts then long skirts then dresses . . . (I try to refrain from insisting they be grouped by color as well).For some reason I was born with this weird condition--some would call it a disease--that requires me to have everything perfectly neat. Dirty dishes in the sink, laundry on the floor--it all leaves me with these shivers of anxiety. Must . . . put . . . socks . . . in . . . hamper . . .So with all of our tarp-covered possessions being lumped in the middle of the living room and kids sleeping on floors and sheet rock dust giving everything a nice powdery finish I'm just a ball of nerves. Or at least I was.Sad to say I've felt my apathy growing until I just don't care anymore. Gasp. Have you heard about how a mind in pain--maybe through grief or loss--goes into this defensive numbing? Well that must be what I...
More About: Motherhood , Things

Bag Yourself Some Halloween Spiders
2008-10-01 10:00:00
You know how I love my purses, over the past couple years I've made book purses, placemat purses, popsicle stick purses, orchid purses, you name it but you know I never thought I'd be making spider purses.However, my affection for these little critters has grown as Halloween approaches and I have to say . . . they're really cute! Perfect for your little witch who knows her fashion accessories--it could even make a cute trick or treating bag.You'll need:2 black shoelaces2 pieces of black 12 X 9 inch felt2 large googly eyesa scrap of yellow or red felt8 black pipe cleanersthread and a sewing machineglueI was going to go with black yarn for the handle but I couldn't find my black yarn anywhere, it's somewhere stored away until the remodel is over and has found it's way into the black hole that my house has become. Plan B was the shoelaces and they actually they worked better, just knot the ends to keep them from slipping through the stitches.I also made a little loop in the en...
More About: Holidays , Spiders

A Little Old Fashioned Gambling--When Is It Going to Snow?
2008-09-30 10:00:00
Okay you may have heard me mention once or twice that it's getting chilly up here so I thought it would be time to heat things up with a little old fashioned WAGER. Because I'm just so full of vice--with my four kids and my big fat minivan and my hot chocolate spiked with cinnamon . . .Yes, I'm trying to bring you all over to the dark side--of winter that is.According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks the average day of the first measurable snow fall in Anchorage, Alaska is October 5th. As in next week. Sigh. Time to get those snow tires on.So what I propose is a little Snow Pool (the only kind of pool you get up here). You get to pick the date when you think the first measurable snow fall will occur and if you get the date right you will . . . hmmmm . . . let me see, what will you get? It ought to be something good if you're going to all the trouble to join in the game . . .How about this? I have four cute little Plaja Pets left over from the giveaway two weeks ago th...
More About: Gambling , Old Fashioned

Red Patent Leather Peep Toe Platform Pumps? Hmmm. . . .
2008-09-29 10:00:00
I'm in desperate need of your help O Friends of the Blogging World.Next month I am going to a Class Four event. You've heard of the meteorological scale for tornadoes and hurricanes to rate power and destructive capabilities? Well the same scale works for social events where they can be ranked according to their importance, frequency and potential for Extreme Fashion Faux Pas. Observe:Class I--family picnics, ball games and shoe shoppingClass II--girlfriend lunches and nights at the symphonyClass III--high school reunions, office parties and promsClass IV-- television interviews, meeting old boyfriends that dumped you 20 years before and vice presidential nominationsClass V--Carnegie Hall debuts, Academy Awards, a Knighthood and moon landingsRight now I'm facing a Class IV because next month I've been invited to attend the 2008 Glamour Reel Moments film festival sponsored by Suave. You can click on the link for pictures and more details from last year's event but the whole th...
More About: Pumps , Patent , Platform , Leather , Peep

Tiny Apple Pies
2008-09-28 10:00:00
I adore apple pie, just adore it. Of course I adore all fruit pies but if I had to pick a favorite it would be apple--right after blackberry and peach and fresh strawberry and blueberry and cherry my favorite would definitely be apple. Right there nudging out pear and raspberry and rhubarb.I was in a baking mood a few weeks back when I caught some apples on sale so I made tiny little individual-sized apple pies. Okay so maybe they weren't so tiny. In fact if you had weighed and measured you'd have probably found each to be the equivalent of two pieces of pie but is that wrong?I think not.So make it easy on yourself and buy some refrigerated pie crusts and if you don't have an apple peeler already go get one now. Now. I'll wait.Once you have your apple peeler and dough you can go to town making all sorts of cute little mini pies--don't worry about a bottom crust, just throw the fruit in the lightly greased ramekin and form the dough over the top.Here are a couple tips at no...
More About: Food , Apple , Tiny , Pies