A lovely romance. A light teen read. I can see why it has such a following.
I will see the movie tomorrow.
I'm on a waiting list for books 2-4 to borrow them from a co-worker.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Poor Man's Turtles
Poor Man's Turtles
1 (1.7 oz.) Package Rolo Candy
8 Mini Pretzels
8 Pecan Halves
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place pretzels on a foil lined cookie sheet. Place 1 Rolo on top of each pretzel. Bake for approx. 4 minutes or until chocolate gets shiny. Remove from oven and gently press 1 pecan half into each treat. Cool for 10 minutes, then place sheet in the fridge to set. (I microwave the pretzels and rolos for 45 seconds and then press the pecan half on top...then refrigerate.)
Serves: 8 Per Serving: 42 Calories; 2g Fat (52.5% calories from fat); trace Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; WWP: 1
1 (1.7 oz.) Package Rolo Candy
8 Mini Pretzels
8 Pecan Halves
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place pretzels on a foil lined cookie sheet. Place 1 Rolo on top of each pretzel. Bake for approx. 4 minutes or until chocolate gets shiny. Remove from oven and gently press 1 pecan half into each treat. Cool for 10 minutes, then place sheet in the fridge to set. (I microwave the pretzels and rolos for 45 seconds and then press the pecan half on top...then refrigerate.)
Serves: 8 Per Serving: 42 Calories; 2g Fat (52.5% calories from fat); trace Protein; 5g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; WWP: 1
Rosettes
Rosettes
2 eggs
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine eggs, sugar, and salt; beat well. Add remaining ingredients; beat until smooth. Heat rosette iron in deep, hot oil (350 to 375 F) for two minutes. Drain excess oil from iron; dip in batter to 1/4 inch from top of iron, then immediately into hot oil. Fry rosette until golden, 10 to 30 seconds. Lift out; tip upside down to drain. With fork, push rosette off iron onto rack placed over paper towels. Reheat iron 1 minute; make next rosette. If you have two rosette irons, reheat one while using the other. Stir batter from time to time as you will get some oil in it. Sprinkle rosettes with confectioner's sugar.
2 eggs
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine eggs, sugar, and salt; beat well. Add remaining ingredients; beat until smooth. Heat rosette iron in deep, hot oil (350 to 375 F) for two minutes. Drain excess oil from iron; dip in batter to 1/4 inch from top of iron, then immediately into hot oil. Fry rosette until golden, 10 to 30 seconds. Lift out; tip upside down to drain. With fork, push rosette off iron onto rack placed over paper towels. Reheat iron 1 minute; make next rosette. If you have two rosette irons, reheat one while using the other. Stir batter from time to time as you will get some oil in it. Sprinkle rosettes with confectioner's sugar.
Fantasy Fudge
Fantasy Fudge
3 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter
2/3 c. (5 1/3 fl. oz. can) Carnation evaporated milk
1 (12 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate pieces
2 c. Kraft marshmallow creme
1 c. chopped nuts
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine sugar, butter and milk in heavy 2 1/2 quart saucepan; bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate pieces until melted. Add marshmallow creme, nuts and vanilla; beat until well blended. Pour into greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Cool at room temperature; cut into squares. Makes approximately 3 pounds.
Double recipe: Use this full 13 ounce jar of Kraft marshmallow creme, doubling all ingredients. Prepare fudge as directed, using 5-quart Dutch oven. Pour fudge into 2 greased 13 x 9 inch pans. Makes approximately 6 pounds.
3 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter
2/3 c. (5 1/3 fl. oz. can) Carnation evaporated milk
1 (12 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate pieces
2 c. Kraft marshmallow creme
1 c. chopped nuts
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine sugar, butter and milk in heavy 2 1/2 quart saucepan; bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate pieces until melted. Add marshmallow creme, nuts and vanilla; beat until well blended. Pour into greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Cool at room temperature; cut into squares. Makes approximately 3 pounds.
Double recipe: Use this full 13 ounce jar of Kraft marshmallow creme, doubling all ingredients. Prepare fudge as directed, using 5-quart Dutch oven. Pour fudge into 2 greased 13 x 9 inch pans. Makes approximately 6 pounds.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Peanut Butter Blossoms
1 c. sugar
1 c. butter
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
2 (10 oz. pkg.) Hershey Kisses
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1/4 c. milk
3 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
Mix all ingredients above except Kisses. Shape in medium size balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes, place 1 kiss on each blossom.
1 c. sugar
1 c. butter
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
2 (10 oz. pkg.) Hershey Kisses
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1/4 c. milk
3 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
Mix all ingredients above except Kisses. Shape in medium size balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes, place 1 kiss on each blossom.
Chocolate Brittle Surprise
Chocolate Brittle Surprise
35 unsalted soda crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Cover cookie sheet with foil. Spray foil with cooking oil spray.
2 Place crackers on foil in 5 x 7 inch rows.
3 Microwave butter on high for 2 minutes. Add brown sugar and stir. Microwave on high for 2 more minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
4 Pour over crackers. Bake 17 - 20 minutes (should bubble but not burn).
5 Sprinkle chocolate chips over hot crackers. Spread after 2 minutes (chips have softened). Sprinkle nuts on top.
6 Refrigerate 1 hour. Break into pieces. Can be frozen. Makes 2 dozen ( 12 servings)
35 unsalted soda crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Cover cookie sheet with foil. Spray foil with cooking oil spray.
2 Place crackers on foil in 5 x 7 inch rows.
3 Microwave butter on high for 2 minutes. Add brown sugar and stir. Microwave on high for 2 more minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
4 Pour over crackers. Bake 17 - 20 minutes (should bubble but not burn).
5 Sprinkle chocolate chips over hot crackers. Spread after 2 minutes (chips have softened). Sprinkle nuts on top.
6 Refrigerate 1 hour. Break into pieces. Can be frozen. Makes 2 dozen ( 12 servings)
Mexican Wedding Cakes/Russian Tea Cakes
Mexican Wedding Cakes/Russian Tea Cakes
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2 In a medium bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Combine the 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and flour; stir into the butter mixture until just blended. Mix in the chopped walnuts. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.3 Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When cool, roll in remaining confectioners' sugar. I also like to roll mine in the sugar a second time.
Prep Time: approx. 20 Minutes. Cook Time: approx. 12 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 35 Minutes. Makes 3 dozen (36 servings).
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2 In a medium bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Combine the 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and flour; stir into the butter mixture until just blended. Mix in the chopped walnuts. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.3 Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When cool, roll in remaining confectioners' sugar. I also like to roll mine in the sugar a second time.
Prep Time: approx. 20 Minutes. Cook Time: approx. 12 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 35 Minutes. Makes 3 dozen (36 servings).
Christmas Goodies to Bake
Ah, it is almost time to start baking again. In years past, I've allowed each family member to pick a favorite item for me to make. This has worked fairly well, until they started picking the same thing and just asking for double-batches...so, in order to get some variety, this year I will simply choose the favorites to bake.
Of course, my years of experience will allow me to pick the ones I know will be loved by all in the family...
Fudge, Peanut Blossoms, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Brittle Nut Surprise, Poor Man's Turtles, and Rosettes come to mind...
Would someone like to argue the case for some other treat as well?
Of course, my years of experience will allow me to pick the ones I know will be loved by all in the family...
Fudge, Peanut Blossoms, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Brittle Nut Surprise, Poor Man's Turtles, and Rosettes come to mind...
Would someone like to argue the case for some other treat as well?
Lyrica lives on...
Looks like I'll have to stay on the Lyrica a little while longer...at least until I get more Cymbalta in my system.
Last night I had to get back up and take the night dose of Lyrica. The aching pain was too strong. After it had 20 minutes to settle into my body, the pain receded and I slept fairly well.
Figuring out the right amounts is not an exact science. I guess I'll have to let my body guide me.
sigh.
I am very ache-y this morning as well. I did take an Aleve and that seems to be helping.
Pain, pain...go away...come back again...never.
Last night I had to get back up and take the night dose of Lyrica. The aching pain was too strong. After it had 20 minutes to settle into my body, the pain receded and I slept fairly well.
Figuring out the right amounts is not an exact science. I guess I'll have to let my body guide me.
sigh.
I am very ache-y this morning as well. I did take an Aleve and that seems to be helping.
Pain, pain...go away...come back again...never.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Vicodin works
So, in my never-ending quest to find the right balance of medications that work for me, I removed another Lyrica from the daily medications. I have been weaning off of it for several weeks now. I am now just taking the 1 Lyrica in the morning. Which is to say that I did not take 1 Lyrica last night before I went to bed.
In place of Lyrica, I am now taking Cymbalta. I am at 90 Mg of that, and I am taking it all at night. So, I figured, if I was going to do away with one of the Lyrica, the night dose would be the best one to do away with. The Cymbalta has been helping with the fibromyalgia pain and anxiety, and I have already weaned off of the Celexa (which I was taking for anxiety).
What I did not figure on was that the Cymbalta was working in concert with the Lyrica. So, removing that one Lyrica made for a very rough night.
Happily, I am also currently taking small bits of Vicodin for the pain related to my eye. And, since my eye was also throbbing in the middle of the night (as was my right arm), I decided to take 1/2 of a Vicodin at 12:30 a.m. And, it worked. Both the eye pain and the arm pain, and well, all pain in my body, went way...for a blissful few hours.
However, Vicodin is a narcotic, so I refuse to take that as an ongoing medication.
Next week I will move 30 Mg of the Cymbalta to the morning, add 30 Mg to it, and stop the Lyrica all together.
SO, I will have 60 Cymbalta at night and 60 Cymbalta in the morning...oh and the Tegretol for that partial petit-mal seizures. My hope in life is that this will work...and the fibromyalgia pain will get under control and the anxiety will stay under control and all will be well with my body.
In place of Lyrica, I am now taking Cymbalta. I am at 90 Mg of that, and I am taking it all at night. So, I figured, if I was going to do away with one of the Lyrica, the night dose would be the best one to do away with. The Cymbalta has been helping with the fibromyalgia pain and anxiety, and I have already weaned off of the Celexa (which I was taking for anxiety).
What I did not figure on was that the Cymbalta was working in concert with the Lyrica. So, removing that one Lyrica made for a very rough night.
Happily, I am also currently taking small bits of Vicodin for the pain related to my eye. And, since my eye was also throbbing in the middle of the night (as was my right arm), I decided to take 1/2 of a Vicodin at 12:30 a.m. And, it worked. Both the eye pain and the arm pain, and well, all pain in my body, went way...for a blissful few hours.
However, Vicodin is a narcotic, so I refuse to take that as an ongoing medication.
Next week I will move 30 Mg of the Cymbalta to the morning, add 30 Mg to it, and stop the Lyrica all together.
SO, I will have 60 Cymbalta at night and 60 Cymbalta in the morning...oh and the Tegretol for that partial petit-mal seizures. My hope in life is that this will work...and the fibromyalgia pain will get under control and the anxiety will stay under control and all will be well with my body.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
back to work
The surgery on Tuesday went very well. In the morning I saw the dermotologist who specializes in these sorts of things (the Mohs procedure). He was able to get the cancer out in one attempt, so that was good news. Gave Holly and I some time to go to Michael's craft store between the two appointments. We even had brunch at Perkins.
The second appointment was to get it sewn up. That went well too. A bit of a delay as the doctor ran late in his clinic, but all-in-all a quick and easy procedure.
Yesterday I spent most of the day at home on small dosage of vicodin. Today I am off of the vicodin and back at the office. I look worse today...all puffy and purple-eyed. But I feel much better!
So, yippee!
The second appointment was to get it sewn up. That went well too. A bit of a delay as the doctor ran late in his clinic, but all-in-all a quick and easy procedure.
Yesterday I spent most of the day at home on small dosage of vicodin. Today I am off of the vicodin and back at the office. I look worse today...all puffy and purple-eyed. But I feel much better!
So, yippee!
Monday, November 17, 2008
on days away from work...
Tomorrow I have my Mohs surgery. I made the mistake of reading the brochure and looking at the pictures.
Now I am experiencing anxiety.
But I tell myself these are experts who know what they are doing.
All will be well.
My big sister, Holly, will come and spend the day with me. I'm sure she will protect me from any harm...that's what big sisters do, right?
rj
Now I am experiencing anxiety.
But I tell myself these are experts who know what they are doing.
All will be well.
My big sister, Holly, will come and spend the day with me. I'm sure she will protect me from any harm...that's what big sisters do, right?
rj
Paolini, Christopher - Brisingr
I finished Brisignr yesterday evening. It was a cold, gray day yesterday so I stayed inside. I did a little cleaning and a lot of reading.
I had thought that The Inheritance was a three book trilogy. I was very saddened to come near the end of Brisignr and realize that there is another book coming. I was happy too. It means I get to spend more time with the characters who I've grown so very fond of...however, now I have to wait for Paolini to finish book four. Grr.
rj
I had thought that The Inheritance was a three book trilogy. I was very saddened to come near the end of Brisignr and realize that there is another book coming. I was happy too. It means I get to spend more time with the characters who I've grown so very fond of...however, now I have to wait for Paolini to finish book four. Grr.
rj
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
HTC Touch Pro
I got a new cell phone last week. The HTC Touch Pro. It is a beauty. It can do all sorts of wonderful things...like play music and t.v. and internet, and gps tracking, and picture taking, and weather, and e-mail, and oh...take phone calls.
Here are some pictures it captured...
Here are some pictures it captured...
Kevin
Henry
Maggie 
Cozy Now all I have to do is figure out how to do all of those fancy things...
Paolini, Christopher - Eldest
I finished book two of The Inheritance last night. I started book three this morning. I actually purchased book three for my kindle as it was less expensive (only $9.99) to do it that way.
In book one the whole story is about Eragon. Book two adds his cousin Roran as a main character. It was difficult for me to get interested in Roran's story as I was still so involved in Eragon's. I found that during the first few "encounters" with Roran I raced through the text to get back to Eragon. Anyway, Paolini tied them both together very well and the end of Eldest has them wandering off on an adventure together...book Three - Brisingr.
In book one the whole story is about Eragon. Book two adds his cousin Roran as a main character. It was difficult for me to get interested in Roran's story as I was still so involved in Eragon's. I found that during the first few "encounters" with Roran I raced through the text to get back to Eragon. Anyway, Paolini tied them both together very well and the end of Eldest has them wandering off on an adventure together...book Three - Brisingr.
Monday, November 10, 2008
the cold is leaving
Not the weather cold...which is actually coming, but the sickness cold. It settled in last Wednesday and stayed a good five days before it decided to go. Now I am in the goopy after-a-cold stage. Still a little muddle-headed, but better every hour. I napped a lot yesterday and read several hundred pages of Eldest (book two of the Paolini series).
Today I work. So far; so good.
Today I work. So far; so good.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Paolini, Christopher - Eragon
I finished Eragon yesterday afternoon. I read it once before, but it was quite some time ago, so I didn't remember all of the details. I am still amazed that the author was only 16 when he wrote it. There is so much depth of emotion and great character development...not what I normally think of for 16 year old teens.
Anyway, I'm already 100 pages into book two...
Anyway, I'm already 100 pages into book two...
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Peach Dump
Perhaps I'll make this for dessert on Saturday night. James is having some of us over for a chili feast. I agreed to bring a dessert...this one is delicious and easy. (Though I am still thinking pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting would be good too...but for that I need to find mom's recipe.)
Peach Dump
1 can large peaches
1 yellow cake
1 stick of butter
Pour peaches and juice into the bottom of cake pan. Cut up the peaches into ¾ inch chunks. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the top. Cut up butter into ½ tsp chunks. Sprinkle on top of cake mix. Bake 350 for 30-40 minutes.
Peach Dump
1 can large peaches
1 yellow cake
1 stick of butter
Pour peaches and juice into the bottom of cake pan. Cut up the peaches into ¾ inch chunks. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the top. Cut up butter into ½ tsp chunks. Sprinkle on top of cake mix. Bake 350 for 30-40 minutes.
I have voted
It took 30 minutes...after waiting 15 for the doors to open. I'm in the G-L line. Always the longest.
Anyway, it is done.
If you haven't voted, you should.
Vote early, vote often. Oh wait, um, vote once.
~If you don't vote, you can't complain later...
teeheehee.
Anyway, it is done.
If you haven't voted, you should.
Vote early, vote often. Oh wait, um, vote once.
~If you don't vote, you can't complain later...
teeheehee.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The pirate and his wench...
Jordan got 92 pieces of candy while trick-or-treating at my building. I ate two almond joys, and Tia ate 2 tootsie rolls. When he was finished counting, he had 88. We didn't correct him...So, if you ask him how many he got at Auntie Chelle's, the answer is 88...
Kellerman, Jonathan - Bones
I finished the new Kellerman book this weekend. A wonderful, quick read. I do so love Alex and Milo. They work well together and the mystery was complex enough to keep me interested, but easy enough that it didn't distract from the wonderful chemistry and story between the characters.
Definitely worth the read!
Definitely worth the read!
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