MY FAVORITE NEW SHOWS.............

SONS OF ANARCHY

MERCY

THE GOOD WIFE

EASTWICK

IT'S MY 200TH POST---LETS CELEBRATE WITH A GIVE AWAY

I am so excited this is my 200th post. It went by so quickly. So in celebration I am doing my first ever giveaway. I am giving away a hardback copy of "Puttin on the G.R.I.T.S A Guide to Southern Entertaining". Enter to win by posting a comment at the end of this post. I will draw a winner on Oct.30.

From the heartfelt love in Grandma’s dumplings at a family gathering to the stomping good fun at a hoedown, Puttin’ on the Grits teaches us how to be a gracious, warm,and entertaining host—the Southern way. Whether you’re organizing the pot luck for a last-minute Super Bowl party, planning a Thanksgiving family feast, or just need an excuse to get together with your girlfriends, Puttin’ on the Grits has tips and ideas to help with everything from the grocery list and decorating tips, to getting that stubborn last guest out the door with a smile. Whether popping a cork or cracking open a six-pack, every hostess can now be the belle of the ball.

AMBER BEER FRENCH ONION SOUP RECIPES

Onion Soup With Beer

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter

4 cups thinly sliced onions

1 teaspoon sugar

3/4 cup amber beer

4 cups brown beef or veal stock

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

6 rounds toasted or stale French bread

2/3 cup slivered Gruyere cheese

Preparation

1. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the onions and sugar, cover and cook over low heat until the onions wilt, about 10 minutes.

2. Increase heat to medium and continue to cook, covered, stirring the onions from time to time, until they are golden. Stir in the beer and cook five minutes longer.

3. Add the stock and simmer the soup, covered, over medium heat for about 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

4. Divide the soup among four crocks or ovenproof bowls, top each with a crouton and some cheese and broil just until the cheese melts.

Serve at once.

YIELD 4 servings

************************************************************

Amber Beer Onion soup
Soup Ingredients:

22 ounce bottle of Amber (We used Alaskan Amber)

2 quarts beef broth (use good broth, not cheap canned stuff)

2 XL sweet onions, chopped to your size preference

1 red onion, chopped to your size preference

1 tbsp olive oil

½ shallot, coarsely chopped

1 large clove of garlic, chopped

1 tsp rosemary

½ tsp thyme

2 tbsp onion powder

Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste

Topping Ingredients:

1 baguette (any kind—you choose)

Olive Oil

Garlic powder

Cheese

In large stock pot, heat olive oil on medium heat. Add onions, shallots, and garlic. Lightly sauté for 2 minutes. Add beer. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add broth, rosemary, thyme, and onion powder. Bring to a boil on high. Cover and boil for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium/medium low (maintain simmer). Cook for about 1 hour, until onions droop over sides of ladle when stirred. Taste, and then add as much salt and pepper as you feel it needs. Also consider adding more onion powder, depending on your preference.

To make the bread/crouton topping:Slice your baguette into 1 inch thick slices. Arrange lying flat on cookie sheet. Lightly drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder (and pepper if you wish). Heat under broiler until toasted. Don’t walk away or they will burn. You’ve been warned. Drop crouton into soup, top with cheese of your choice.

Cooks Note:

I always use grueyere, but some people use swiss cheese

Secret Diary of a Desperate Housewife- Is Dying your hair a sign of mental illness

IS DYING YOUR HAIR A SIGN OF MENTAL ILLNESS?

Back in High School there were the girls who dyed and bleached their hair. They generally were not the nice girls. When ever someone is described as a Bleached Blonde... what ever follows is not going to be flattering.

So I have always had an aversion to doing unnatural things to my hair or body.
At 40 I had 4 little white not even gray hairs that began spouting on the front left side of my head. During serious bouts of stress I could actually feel them growing. It doesn't help when those closest people to you point them out. Gradually it wears on you, it was this little nag at my self esteem. Til finally I just snapped. I went to the store and picked out some hair dye.
I figured if am going to do this I am going to go Red! Yes Flaming Red! Don't just flirt with it, Go all the way. The Dark Auburn I choose ended up matching my my Chili Pepper red swim suit and cover up. It really wasn't all that bad.

Bad is when it begins to fade and wash out and you no longer have a natural hair color. It becomes a vicious cycle. You have to keep dying it, or its this faded mousy haystack.

It made me think about why I dyed my hair and why most people do. I did it because my self esteem felt low, I wanted to change something in my life but everything else was out of my control, and even though dying my hair was out of character for me its what I chose to do because at that point. I wanted to be someone else, I wanted my life to be different..
Perhaps dying hair is not a certifiable mental illness, but its definitely a symptom of a larger problem. There are things I want to change and maybe I don't know how, maybe you don't know how.
Changing for the better makes me a better person. Accepting myself makes me a better person.
I guess my point here is that change happens. We can fight it,or We can flow with it. Always be true to yourself. Be who you want to be deep down in your spirit.

If having Scarlett hair makes you happy or being a Raven Haired beauty is what makes you feel your best than do it. Just do it for the right reasons, the only reason is "For Yourself".

Secret Diary of a Desperate Housewife-What is a cougar?

WHAT IS A COUGAR?

I kept hearing the term "Cougar"

being thrown around,

so I looked it up on-line.

It said a Cougar was a woman 40 plus

who sought younger men as lovers.
I thought cougar was an old lady,

I was shocked .Oh my God,

I am Forty!

Am I old? Am I a Cougar?

Am I old?

Well I am going with the old saying

"You are only as old as you feel" ,

I still feel pretty firm,

no laugh lines or crows feet

so I am not old!

Am I a Cougar?

Well thats a no too!

I have lived my entire life under

the misguided notion that age equals maturity.

Well in most things thats probably true,

but not when it comes to men.

Irregardless call me Anna Nicole Smith

cause I like older men.

There is just something about those AARP Benefits,

Senior Discounts and Hefty Insurance policies.

Maybe Cougar-ness is something you grow into.

A few weeks ago I was visiting a friend

and her 20-ish year old, son came into the room.

He walked over greeted me

with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

It made me a bit uncomfortable.

I am still not certain how it made me feel.

I do recall thinking if I was a Cougar,

I would be eating the attention up.

Growing up my Grandmother

had a friend named Candy.

She was from Italy and had a strong Italian accent.

She was very short and not a pretty lady

but she could talk the talk and then some.

At 70 she had a face lift,

and would still flash old men her cleavage.

Her favorite line was

come over to my house I have a jacuzzi,

or you look to skinny I make you some meatballs.

She feigned bad eye sight

when reaching to shake a mans hand

and usually groped him.
I used to joke

I am going to be just like Candy

when I grow up.

HOUSE PARTY. COM

GO TO HOUSEPARTY.COM AND SIGN UP..

What is a House Party™?
House Party™ lets people who really love something host a special event featuring a fun, free, exclusive experience sponsored by the world's leading brands.
Cool people sharing cool stuff. A House Party™ is thousands of parties happening across the country on a single day, hosted by people just like you. Each event is sponsored by a leading brand and focuses on something cool–like a new product, hit TV show, or great cause–that the sponsor wants its best fans to experience firsthand and share with their friends. (Check out some of our recent events.)
You host. Everyone wins. House Party lets you share the stuff you like with the people you like, through a fantastic, free party experience. What's the catch? There is none: Our partners understand that if they share something good with the right people in a fun way, we'll all help spread the word.
What's inside the party packs?
Each event has a unique Party Pack filled with all kinds of free stuff to make your party a success. We've thrown all kinds of events: TV Viewing, Wine & Chocolate Pairing, Kid-centric, you name it.
Hosts of some of our recent events have received:*
Advanced copies of TV Shows
Sneak Previews of Movies
Board Games
Action-figures
Gourmet Chocolate
Gourmet Coffee Samples
Coffee Maker
Coupons
Special Offers
Party Favors
Party Decorations
Stickers
T-Shirt Transfers
Window Clings
Health & Beauty Products
Baby Products
and much more...
* not all in the same pack

Better Bake Sale House Party

Better Bake Sale House Party

I am so excited Iwas chosen to host a I can't Believe its not Butter Bake Sale Party.

The company will be sending me loads of wonderful things.

For the host:* (1) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® apron*

(1) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® butter dish*

(1) DVD featuring two delicious I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® baking recipes with instruction from Southern Chefs, Bobby and Jamie Deen*

(1) Table top sign for your Better Bake Sale*

(5) Coupons for free I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Cooking and Baking SticksFor the Guests:*

(15) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® eco-friendly tote bags*

(15) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® magnetic shopping list for the fridge*

(15) Recipe booklets featuring 7 exclusive I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® recipes and a Better Bake Sale Checklist* (15 sets of 5) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® coupons for the guest

As part of the Galveston's Ike Anniversary "Revival and Reflections" I will use my bake sale to raise money for the replanting of Galveston's trees.

TAO OF BUBBA

I treasure all of the experiences I’ve had in my life.
Each experience in your life was absolutely necessary in order to have gotten you to the next place, and the next, up until this very moment.

Quote of the day:

'Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.

OH YES ,SNUGGIES CAN BE GLAMOROUS!

Proving there's nothing the Snuggie can't do, nowhere the Snuggie can't go, and no fashion barrier the Snuggie can't break, the blanket with sleeves is having its very own fashion show this Fashion Week. Our invite reads:

Amid the glitz and glamour of New York Fashion Week, Snuggie™ will host a runway show of its own, taking center stage to showcase the latest colors, fabrics and patterns. Celebrity host Ross “The Intern” Mathews will dish about the sexiest looks in blanket-wear and adult, kid and even canine models will hit the runway.

ONCE IN A MILLINIUM

THE STORM

The Storm

They were together in the House. Just the two of them.

It was a cold, dark, stormy night.
The storm had come quickly

and each time the thunder boomed he watched her jump.

She looked across the room and admired his strong appearance...

and wished that he would take her in his arms,

comfort her and protect her from the storm. Suddenly, with a pop, the power went out...

She screamed... He raced to the sofa where she was cowering.

He didn't hesitate to pull her into his arms.

He knew this was a forbidden union and
expected her to pull back.

He was surprised when she didn't resist
but instead clung to him. The storm raged on...

They knew it was wrong....Their families would never understand...
So consumed were
they in their FEAR that they heard no opening of doors...
just the faint click of a camera......

Now that you have smiled today, won't you please help someone else?

AMERICAN PRAYER AND PRIDE 9/11

9/11

This week, We celebrate Galveston’s incredible resiliency and progress just one year after Hurricane Ike, a series of “Revival and Reflections” .....

Remembances and Prayers for all those who were lost on this day 9/11/01

Congratulations... You are a Better Bake Sale House Party host!!

Congratulations... You are a Better Bake Sale House Party host!!

I am so excited I have just been chosen to host a I can't Believe its not Butter Bake Sale Party.

The company will be sending me loads of wonderful things.

For the host:* (1) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® apron* (1) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® butter dish* (1) DVD featuring two delicious I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® baking recipes with instruction from Southern Chefs, Bobby and Jamie Deen* (1) Table top sign for your Better Bake Sale* (5) Coupons for free I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® Cooking and Baking Sticks

For the Guests:* (15) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® eco-friendly tote bags* (15) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® magnetic shopping list for the fridge* (15) Recipe booklets featuring 7 exclusive I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® recipes and a Better Bake Sale Checklist* (15 sets of 5) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® coupons for the guest and their

As part of the Galveston's Ike Anniversary "Revival and Reflections" I will use my bake sale to raise money for the replanting of Galveston's trees.

Wonderful Fall Recipes I will use at my party:

Pumpkin Cobbler presented by The Kingsley House Bed & Breakfast

1 large can pure pumpkin (or two small cans)

12 oz can evaporated milk

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1 large box yellow cake mix

1 cup chopped pecans (may omit)

3/4 cup melted butter (I can't believe its not butter)
Mix first 8 ingreedients and pour into well-greased 9x13. Sprinkle cake mix on top, then pecans. Drizzle with butter and bake 50 minutes at 350 until set in middle. Spoon into ramekin or dessert dishes and top with a dollup of whipped cream.

Pumpkin Nut Bread presented by The Grandison at Maney Park

Ingredients:
3 1/3 cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

3 cups sugar

1 tsp nutmeg

2 tsps soda

1 tsp salt
Mix these six ingredients. Make a well in the mixture, then add:
2 cups pumpkin 2/3 cup water 4 eggs 1 cup nuts1 cup cooking oil1 tsp vanilla
Stir carefully, just enough to dampen all the dry ingredients. Pour into three pans, about 7 3/4" by 3 1/2" by 2 3/4".

* Neat Idea !You may use 3 one pound coffee cans to bake the bread. Then you use the plastic lids on the coffee cans to freeze the bread.
Bake at 350 degrees for about one hour, until done.

POUTINE ON THE RITZ

Poutine on the Ritz
This Canadian diner staple is popping up all over
Photo: Kevin Hunter Marple
It's official: America has been poutine-ized--and poutine has been Americanized.
This Canadian comfort food--a Quebecois staple since the 1950s--began its slow migration into the United States a couple of years ago via NYC. Now, it's showing up in every corner of the country.
In its most traditional form, poutine consists of chubby french fries covered in gravy and dotted with fluffy cheese curds. But, like all classic dishes appropriated by American eaters, it's been upgraded, updated and subjected to more than a few chef-tweaked interpretations. Here are four favorites:
Dallas Bijoux chef Scott Golich's Bleu Benedictin Poutine (pictured), which features Canadian blue cheese, duck-fat-poached fries and duck-confit gravy, is served as a cheese course in his tasting menus.
Los Angeles At the meat-lover's playhouse Animal, chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo top their version with rich oxtail gravy and white cheddar.
New York City The recently opened T Poutine has gained a following for its no-frills service and DIY approach: Poutine purists can mix and match different types of fries (including shoestring), cheese, gravy and meat.
Philadelphia The "snack" of choice at the new gastropub Blockley Pourhouse is fries covered in caramelized-onion gravy, slices of short ribs and heaping chunks of industrial-orange "squeaky" cheese, a cousin to the city's beloved Velveeta.

FROM THE TASTING TABLE

***EVER SINCE MY HONEYMOON IN MONTREAL I HAVE ADORED POUTINE. I WILL DEFINITELY HAVE TO TRY THESE GOURMET VARIATIONS.

TUMBLEWEED TINY HOUSES

Awhile back I saw these adorable little houses.

I have visions of building one of these with my husband

and us taking little trips, or using it as a cute booth for craft fairs.

Ofourse my husband thinks I am crazy...lol

BLUEBERRY BUTTERMILK CUPCAKES RECIPE

Blueberry Buttermilk Cake/ Cupcakes Recipe


ingredients:
2 cup Bisquick

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large egg
1 cup well-shaken buttermilk
1 cup fresh blueberries (about 7 ounces)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
Whisk together bisquick, butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in vanilla. Add eggs and beat well.
At low speed, mix in flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, and mixing until just combined.
Spoon batter into cake pan, smoothing top. Scatter blueberries evenly over top and sprinkle with remaining 3 tablespoons sugar.
Bake until cake is golden and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool to warm, 10 to 15 minutes more. Invert onto a plate.

**For Cupcakes bake 18 minutes

Makes 18 cupcakes

*Oh my God these are fantastic! Had to share with the neighbors.

Kathy's Rigatoni with Butternut Squash Sauce Recipe

Kathy's Rigatoni with Butternut Squash Sauce

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 medium sized butternut squash

1 head of garlic, halved crosswise

1 medium onion, diced

pinch of sugar

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

1 tsp nutmeg
1 slices bacon (crumbled)

extra virgin olive oil

1 stick butter

1 lb rigatoni or other favorite pasta, cooked al dente

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Slice squash lengthwise and brush with olive oil. Drizzle the garlic halves with olive oil and wrap loosely in foil. Place squash and garlic on a baking sheet and roast until tender, about 45 minutes for the squash and 30 minutes for the garlic. Cool enough to remove skin. While squash and garlic are roasting, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and a pinch of sugar, and cook until caramelized, about 10 minutes.In a food processor, pulse the peeled squash, peeled roasted garlic, Parmesan cheese and caramelized onions until smooth.In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the nutmeg and simmer until fragrant and butter just begins to brown. Stir into the squash mixture. Thin with pasta water and/or milk until desired consistency. Stir in cooked pasta, and bacon and top with more Parmesan cheese.

**This is just wonderful! It tastes like fall.

*** May also garnish with a few Tablespoons of Blue Cheese

THE TAO OF BUBBA

IT WAS CHINESE PHILOSOPHER CONFUCIUS WHO MADE THE FOLLOWING SAGE OBSERVATION:

"CHOOSE A JOB YOU LOVE, AND YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE."

MY GARDEN MADE ME SMILE TODAY..POEM

MY GARDEN MADE ME SMILE TODAY

MY PERIWINKLE PLUMBAGO

MY BLOOD RED ROSES

AND CORAL PETALED TEACUPS

THE BEAUTY OF THEM BRING PEACE TO MY SPIRIT.

A JOY TO MY DAY

NATURES GIFT-- HEAVEN SENT.

MY GARDEN MADE ME SMILE TODAY

KATHY

SEPT 5 ,2009

SEASON'S OF BLISS DAYBOOK

MY 2010 SEASON'S OF BLISS DAY BOOK CAME TODAY. I LOVE IT. I DEFINITELY NEED IT FOR ALL THE CLIENTS AND APPTS I HOPE TO HAVE IN THE NEXT YEAR.

FOLLOW YOUR BLISS

-JOSEPH CAMPBELL