Baileys® Truffles

Description:

These are soooooooooooooo delicious, but be prepared to get messy when you make them. :)

Ingredients:

Truffle:

1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons sugar
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (8 squares)
1/4 cup Baileys®

Coatings:

Chocolate wafer crumbs, grated chocolate, finely chopped nuts, flaked coconut, chocolate sprinkles, coloured sprinkles, cocoa, icing sugar.

Directions:

1. Combine cream, butter and sugar in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat.

2. Add chocolate, stirring until completely melted. Stir in Baileys. Chill mixture until firm, about 4 hours or overnight.

3. Shape mixture into balls and roll in coatings of your choice, to cover thoroughly. Chill. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Makes 5 dozens.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Marble Brownies

Description:

I can guarantee you that these are to DIE for and once you've eaten one, you have to eat another, they are quite addictive. I have a friend who made these when she discovered this recipe and her and her hubby HAD to eat the WHOLE thing in 1 or 2 days, I forget now....lol. I promise you, they are the most decadent brownies you've ever had. :)

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1-1/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1-1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup peanut butter baking chips
1/2 cup Hershey® low fat cocoa
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Cream butter, sugars, eggs and milk together on medium speed of electric mixer until blended.

2. Add flour and baking powder, mixing until smooth.

3. Divide batter in half. Stir peanut butter and peanut butter chips into one half. Stir cocoa and chocolate chips into other half.

4. In greased 13 x 9 inches pan, alternate spoonfuls of batter in checkerboard pattern, using about 8 spoonfuls of each. Swirl through batter to create a marble effect.

5. Bake at 350°F for 30 - 35 minutes or until set.

6. Cool completely then cut into squares.

NOTE

Top with a chocolate frosting if desired. You may freeze these for later consumption. IF you've got ANY leftovers, might be a good idea to make these ahead for Christmas time.

Yields: 36 squares

Cranberry-Almond Shortbread Cookies

Description:

Cranberries are great all year, but really steal the show during the Christmas holidays. I personally guarantee that these cookies are to die for.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup / 125 mL unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup / 125 mL granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
1 cup / 250 mL all-purpose flour
2 tsp. / 10 mL grated lemon zest
1/4 tsp. / 1 mL each baking powder and salt
1/3 cup / 75 mL chopped blanched almonds
1/2 cup / 125 mL dried cranberries

Directions:

Using electric mixer, beat together butter and sugar until well combined. Beat in yolk. In separate bowl, combine flour, lemon zest, baking powder and salt; using wooden spoon, gradually stir into butter mixture. Stir in almonds and cranberries.

Transfer mixture to lightly floured work surface. With lightly floured hands, shape dough into 2-6" x 1 1/2" (15cm x 4cm) rectangles. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 2 hours up to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C)

Slice each rectangle into 1/4" (5mm) thick slices; place on parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Bake in centre of oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden. Cool on pan on racks. (Cookies can be stored in airtight container for up to 5 days).

Makes 25 cookies.

TIPS:

For a special presentation, dip half of each cookie into melted dark or white chocolate. You can also roll them in very fine sugar while still warm.

Serving: 25 cookies

Source: Homemakers magazine December/January 2007 issue

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pinwheel Cookies

 Description:

For the peanut butter and chocolate lover!

A fantabulous tasting recipe :)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
2 tbsp. Water
2 cups All-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. Baking powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
8 tbsp. Unsalted butter, softened
1 cup Firmly packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup Creamy peanut butter
1 large egg

Directions:

Put the chocolate and water in a double boiler. Stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted; remove from the hot water and set aside to cool. Or you can do it in the microwave, at no more than 50% power for about 20-30 seconds at a time, it won't take long.

In a bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder and salt; stir well to mix. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and the brown sugar together on medium speed until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in the peanut butter and the egg, beating smooth after each addition. Remove the bowl from the mixer and stir in the flour mixture. Remove a little more than half the dough from the bowl and set it aside. Add the cooled chocolate mixture to the dough left in the bowl and stir it in thoroughly.

On a floured piece of wax paper, pat each piece of dough into an 8-inch square, If the dough is extremely soft and sticky, slide the paper onto a cookie sheet and chill briefly. (What I did was use latex gloves, like the kinds used in hospitals, this way nothing sticks to your hands.)

Use a pastry brush to paint the square of chocolate dough with water. Top it with the square of plain dough. Starting anywhere, roll up the two doughs as you would a jelly roll, keeping the roll straight and even. Roll the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap and chill. (You may leave the dough chilled for several days or even freeze it at this point.)

To bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the roll about every 3/16 inch and arrange each cookie on your baking sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake for about 14-17 minutes, until the cookies are firm and very lightly colored. Cool on the pans on racks.

Interesting facts

FACTS YOU MAY NOT KNOW:

It takes glass one million years to decompose, which means it never wears out and can be recycled an infinite amount of times!

Gold is the only metal that doesn't rust, even if it's buried in the ground for thousands of years.

Your tongue is the only muscle in your body that is attached at only one end.

If you stop getting thirsty, you need to drink more water. When a human body is dehydrated, its thirst mechanism shuts off.

Each year 2,000,000 smokers either quit smoking or die of tobacco-related diseases.

Zero is the only number that cannot be represented by Roman numerals.

Kites were used in the American Civil War to deliver letters and newspapers.

The song, Auld Lang Syne, is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year.

Drinking water after eating reduces the acid in your mouth by 61 percent.

Peanut oil is used for cooking in submarines because it doesn't smoke unless it's heated above 450F.

The roar that we hear when we place a seashell next to our ear is not the ocean, but rather the sound of blood surging through the veins in the ear.

Nine out of every 10 living things live in the ocean.

The banana cannot reproduce itself. It can be propagated only by the hand of man.

Airports at higher altitudes require a longer airstrip due to lower air density.

The University of Alaska spans four time zones.

The tooth is the only part of the human body that cannot heal itself.

In ancient Greece, tossing an apple to a girl was a traditional proposal of marriage - catching it meant she accepted.

Warner Communications paid $28 million for the copyright to the song Happy Birthday.

Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

A comet's tail always points away from the sun.

The Swine Flu vaccine in 1976 caused more death and illness than the disease it was intended to prevent.

Caffeine increases the power of aspirin and other painkillers, that is why it's found in some medicines.

The military salute is a motion that evolved from medieval times, when knights in armor raised their visors to reveal their identity.

If you get into the bottom of a well or a tall chimney and look up, you can see stars, even in the middle of the day.

When a person dies, hearing is the last sense to go. The first sense lost is sight.

In ancient times strangers shook hands to show that they were unarmed.

Strawberries are the only fruits whose seeds grow on the outside.

Avocados have the highest calories of any fruit at 167 calories per hundred grams.

The moon moves about two inches away from the Earth each year.

The Earth gets 100 tons heavier every day due to falling space dust.

Due to earth's gravity it is impossible for mountains to be higher than 15,000 meters  (49,212.6 feet)

Mickey Mouse is known as "Topolino" in Italy.

Soldiers do not march in step when going across bridges because they could set up a vibration which could be sufficient to knock the bridge down.

Everything weighs one percent less at the equator.

For every extra kilogram (2.20462 pounds) carried on a space flight, 530 kg (1168.45 pounds or 7,933.7755 gallons) of excess fuel are needed at lift-off.

The letter J does not appear anywhere on the periodic table of the elements.

And last but not least:

This is called 'money bags'. So share this with your friends and money will arrive in 5 days. Based on Chinese Feng Shui, the one who does not pass this on will have money troubles for the rest of the year.

Of course I don't believe in this, but still is an interesting read and your friends might enjoy it too.

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

Description:

Why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!
ENJOY!!!!

Ingredients:

1 Coffee Mug (straight sides)
4 tablespoons flour (that's plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) - see tip below
Small splash of vanilla

Directions:

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well . Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. (mine is 1200 watts, I cooked it for 2-1/2 minutes and it was fine). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate and enjoy!

Depending on your appetite, this can serve 1 (little piggy) to 4 people (very reasonable person)........lol

TIP: if using chocolate chips (I did) put them in a small baggie and add a little bit of flour and mix it up to coat the chips lightly) this will ensure the chips do not sink to the bottom.

Servings:

1 to 4 - depending on how piggy you feel :)

Tip to get rid of flies the safe way

Came across a great tip on Facebook today, thought I'd share it here for all to see. Pretty ingenious I thought.

We went with friends to a restaurant on Sunday for lunch and sat in the patio section beside the store. We happened to notice zip lock baggies pinned to a post and a wall. The bags were half filled with ...water, each contained 4 pennies, and they were zipped shut. Naturally we were curious! The owner told us that these baggies kept the flies away! So naturally we were even more curious! We actually watched some flies come in the open window, stand around on the window sill, and then fly out again. And there were no flies in the eating area! This morning I checked this out on Google.

Below are comments on this fly control idea. I'm now a believer!

Zip-lock water bags: 

#1 Says: I tried the zip lock bag and pennies this weekend. I have a horse trailer. The flies were bad while I was camping. I put the baggies with pennies above the door of the LQ. NOT ONE FLY came in the trailer.The horse trailer part had many. Not sure why it works but it does!

#2 Says:: Fill a zip lock bag with water and 5 or 6 pennies and hang it in the problem area. In my case it was a particular window in my home. It had a slight passage way for insects. Every since I have done that, it has kept flies and wasps away. Some say that wasps and flies mistake the bag for some other insect nest and are threatened.

#3 Says:: I swear by the plastic bag of water trick. I have them on porch and basement. We saw these in Northeast Mo. at an Amish grocery store& have used them since. They say it works because a fly sees a reflection& won't come around.

#4 Says: :Regarding the science behind zip log bags of water? My research found that the millions of molecules of water presents its own prism effect and given that flies have a lot of eyes, to them it's like a zillion disco balls reflecting light, colors and movement in a dizzying manner. When you figure that flies are prey for many other bugs, animals, birds, etc., they simply won't take the risk of being around that much perceived action. I moved to a rural area and thought these "hillbillies" were just yanking my city boy chain but I tried it and it worked immediately! We went from hundreds of flies to seeing the occasional one, but he didn't hang around long.

Only problem for me is that in Canada we no longer have pennies and I don't have any around anymore  

Cappuccino brownies

Description:

Just like popular cappuccino coffee topped with foamed milk, these fudge chocolate brownies are crowned with a creamy white frosting and dusting of cinnamon.
Originally published by Chatelaine on 1/1/1995

I made these over the week-end but forgot to take a picture. I took them to a pot-puck we were invited to and they were a hit. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

* 4 squares (4 oz or about 113 g) unsweetened chocolate
* 1/2 cup ( 125 mL) butter
* 2 tsp ( 10 mL) instant coffee powder or granules (not ground coffee)
* 1 cup ( 250 mL) granulated sugar
* 3 eggs, beaten
* 1-1/2 tsp ( 7 mL) vanilla
* 1/4 tsp ( 1 mL) salt
* 3/4 cup ( 175 mL) all-purpose flour
* 1 cup ( 250 mL) milk chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips
* 1 cup ( 250 mL) chopped hazelnuts, pecans or walnuts, preferably toasted (optional)
* 125 g pkg cream cheese, about 1/2 cup, at room temperature
* 2 cups ( 500 mL) sifted icing sugar
* 2 tsp ( 10 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice
* 1 tsp ( 5 mL) vanilla
* 1/4 tsp ( 1 mL) cinnamon


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 F (160 C). Grease an 8x8-inch (2-L) pan or coat with cooking spray. Coarsely chop unsweetened chocolate. Combine with butter in a small saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring often, until chocolate is melted, about 10 minutes. Then, pour into a large bowl. Or, combine chocolate and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave on medium, uncovered, for 2 to 3 minutes or until almost completely melted. Then, stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in instant coffee powder.

2. Cool chocolate until lukewarm, then stir in granulated sugar, followed by beaten eggs, vanilla and salt. Gradually stir flour into chocolate mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if using. Spread mixture evenly in pan.

3. Bake in centre of 325 F (160 C) oven just until centre is slightly puffed and brownies start to come away from sides of pan, about 40 minutes. Do not overbake. Place pan on a rack to cool completely before icing.

4. To make icing: place cream cheese in a small mixing bowl. Beat with a wooden spoon or electric mixer until smooth. Gradually beat in 1 cup icing sugar, stirring until mixed. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Gradually stir in remaining 1 cup icing sugar, beating until smooth. Spread overtop of cooled brownies, swirling slightly. Using your fingers, dust pinches of cinnamon overtop. Tightly wrapped, brownies will keep well in the refrigerator for at least 3 days and can also be frozen.

Servings: 20

Black & White Chocolate Cake

Description:

Start with a plain vanilla cake mix and end up with a luscious layered cake of vanilla and chocolate with white and dark chocolate chips. This cake mix is beefed up with an extra egg, buttermilk instead of water, and butter instead of oil. The instructions are for 9 x 13-inch sheet cake, but may be adapted for use as bundt cake or traditional layer cake. Easy to make and impressive on the table.
This cake is absolutely DELISH!!!!!!

Ingredients:

* 1 (18.25 ounces) package vanilla cake mix with real vanilla beans
* 1-1/4 cups buttermilk or sour milk (see Note)
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
* 4 eggs at room temperature
* 1 cup white chocolate chips, divided use
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided use

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with non-stick foil or grease with butter liberally.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, buttermilk, softened butter, and eggs. Beat on low speed only until combined. Some small lumps may remain. Pour half of cake batter into a separate bowl and set aside.

To one half of the cake batter, fold in 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, reserving the remaining 1/2 cup for later use.

To the other half of the cake batter, add the cocoa powder, mixing until combined. Fold in 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, reserving the remaining 1 cup for later use.

Pour the dark chocolate batter into the prepared pan and smooth to even it out.

Carefully spoon the vanilla cake batter on top of the dark chocolate layer. Gently spread to an even layer without disturbing bottom layer.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Spread reserved 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips on top of warm cake. Wait 5 minutes, then use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate on the top as a frosting. Let cool to room temperature. Sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup white chocolate chips on top of chocolate frosting and gently press into the frosting.

Cut and serve at room temperature.

Notes:

If you don't have buttermilk or sour milk on hand, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1-1/4 cups whole milk. Let rest 10 minutes to thicken before using.

The cake may also be made in a bundt pan or traditional round layers. Adjust the baking time up to about 50 minutes for a bundt cake and down to about 25 minutes for round layers. Test for doneness.

24 to 36 servings, depending on cut size

Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 (6 1/2 ounce) packages chocolate kisses (I couldn't find Hershey's kisses in the store where I went, so I bought chocolate chunks, and used 2 per cookies)

Directions:

Cream sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter.

Beat in egg, milk and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Stir into egg mixture.

Shape into balls and roll in additional granulated sugar.

Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes .

VERY IMPORTANT
Immediately press kisses into cookies.

Makes 7 dozens.

Simply Sensational Truffles

 

Description:

Very simple recipe from Kraft. I started on these last night, but I messed up, I didn't read the recipe properly, and instead of dipping the Truffles in melted chocolate I decorated them, but this morning I dipped the already decorated Truffles in chocolate, but only a few, I ran out of chocolate.......lol.

Ingredients:

2-1/2 pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
1 pkg. (250 g) PHILADELPHIA Brick Cream Cheese, softened


Directions:

MELT 8 chocolate squares as directed on package. Beat cream cheese in medium bowl with mixer until creamy. Blend in melted chocolate. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

COVER baking sheet with waxed paper. Shape chocolate mixture into 36 balls, using about 2 tsp. for each. Place in single layer on prepared baking sheet.
MELT remaining chocolate. Use toothpicks to dip truffles in chocolate; return to tray. Decorate as desired. Refrigerate 1 hour or until chocolate is firm. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

TIPS

Special Extra

Dipped truffles can also be decorated with chopped nuts, crushed peppermint candies or coloured sprinkles.

Special Extra

Add 1 to 2 tsp. of your favourite extract, such as peppermint, rum or almond, to the chocolate mixture before shaping into balls. Or add 1/4 cup of your favourite liqueur, such as orange or raspberry, to the chocolate mixture before shaping into balls.

Servings:    3 doz. or 18 servings, 2 truffles (33 g) each

 

Snickerdoodles

 

 

Description:

Made these today, they are really good, though I made way more than they say, because I made some larger ones and some small ones. You really need to cut down on the cinnamon used in dipping, 2 tablespoons is way too much, I cut it down by more than half.

Ingredients:
1 cup soft shortening (margarine)
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoons salt (optional)

Directions:
Combine shortening (margarine), sugar and eggs.

Sift together and stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt (optional).

Then chill dough for about 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Roll dough into balls the size of small walnuts. Roll into mixture of 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. (See my note above about the quantities)

Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet (you can also use aluminum foil). Place in preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. In my oven, they're best at 8 minutes, otherwise they come out too dry, FYI

Serving: 5 dozens 2 inch cookies

Highway 109

A drunk man in an Oldsmobile

They said had run the light

That caused the six-car pileup

On 109 that night.

When broken bodies lay about

And blood was everywhere,

The sirens screamed out eulogies,

For death was in the air.

A mother, trapped inside her car,

Was heard above the noise;

Her plaintive plea near split the air:

"Oh, God, please spare my boys!"

She fought to loose her pinioned hands;

She struggled to get free,

But mangled metal held her fast

In grim captivity.

Her frightened eyes then focused

On where the back seat once had been,

But all she saw was broken glass and

Two children's seats crushed in.

Her twins were nowhere to be seen;

She did not hear them cry,

And then she prayed they'd been thrown free,

"Oh, God, don't let them die!"

The firemen came and cut her loose,

But when they searched the back,

They found therein no little boys,

But the seat belts were intact.

They thought the woman had gone mad

And was traveling alone,

But when they turned to question her,

They discovered she was gone.

Policemen saw her running wild

And screaming above the noise

In beseeching supplication,

"Please help me find my boys!

They're four years old and wearing blue shirts;

Their jeans are blue to match."

One cop spoke up, "They're in my car,

And they don't have a scratch.

They said their daddy put them there

And gave them each a cone,

Then told them both to wait for Mom

To come and take them home.

I've searched the area high and low,

But I can't find their dad.

He must have fled the scene,

I guess, and that is very bad."

The 7 Second Prayer,

Just repeat this phrase and see how God moves.

"Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless my family, my home, my friends, and me. Amen."

Pass this message to 7 people

You will receive a miracle tomorrow.

He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare.

This morning when the Lord opened a window to Heaven, He saw me, and He asked: "My child, what is your greatest wish for today?" I responded: "Lord please, take care of the person who is reading this message, their family and their special friends. They deserve it and I love them very much.

The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginning, but not its end.

ANGELS EXIST but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS.

Pass this on to your true friends.

All about friendship

The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.



When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.



Share this message with those who mean something to you, to those who have touched your life in one way or another, to those who make you smile when you really need it, to those that make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down, to those whom you want to let them know that you appreciate their friendship. And if you don't, don't worry, nothing bad will happen to you, you will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten someone's day with this message...

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

I think it is possibly one of the saddest thing I have read - whether it is true or not, and I cannot verify the validity, but it is possible!

 

A few weeks ago a woman was killed in an auto accident. She was very well liked, so the office shut down for her funeral and it was on the news and so on.

On the day the workers came back to work, they found this poem in their e-mail that the deceased woman had sent on Friday before she left for home.

"If tomorrow starts without me,

And I'm not there to see,

If the sun should rise and find your eyes

all filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry

the way you did today,

While thinking of the many things,

We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

And each time that you think of me,

I know you'll miss me too;



But when tomorrow starts without me,

Please try to understand,

that an angel came and called my name,

And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,

In heaven far above,

And that I'd have to leave behind

all those I dearly love.



But as I turned to walk away,

A tear fell from my eye,

For all my life, I'd always thought,

I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,

So much left yet to do,

it seemed almost impossible,

that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays ,

The good ones and the bad,

I thought of all that we shared,

And all the fun we had.



If I could relive yesterday,

Just even for a while,

I'd say good-bye and kiss you

and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,

That this could never be,

For emptiness and memories,

would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,

I might miss some tomorrow,

I thought of you, and when I did,

My heart was filled with sorrow.



But when I walked through heaven's gates,

I felt so much at home.

When God looked down and smiled at me,

From His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity,

And all I've promised you."

Today your life on earth is past,

but here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,

But today will always last,

and since each day is the same way,

There's no longing for the past.



So when tomorrow starts without me,

don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I'm right here, in your heart

May God watch over you and your family now and always.

There is no right time to do the wrong thing....

there is no wrong time to tell someone you care.

Food for thought!

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.

You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

~anonymous~

 

DIY Natural Room Scents

Throw out all those canned room sprays and make your own natural and safe room scents using simmering waters infused with spices, herbs & fruit.

Fragrant items for naturally scenting your home:

Citrus - I've tried other fruits. Some of them smell good initially, but they don't hold up for more than one use. Citrus is sturdier, longer-lasting, and gives these scent recipes freshness. Lemons and oranges are particularly fragrant and have the best staying power in these scented waters.

Herbs - Any herb can be used for making a room scent, but the ones that are sturdier and on woody twigs hold up the best. My favorites for room scents are rosemary and thyme.

Pine or Cedar Twigs/Needles -- There may be other fragrant trees that will work, too; pine and cedar are the two I've tried for their appealing, fresh fragrance.

Extracts -- A touch of vanilla or almond extract improves most room fragrance mixtures. Mint extract has a nice fresh scent.

Spices - You can use ground or whole sweet spices. The whole spices look prettier, if your scented water will be in a location where it will be seen. I have found that cinnamon sticks and whole cloves have the most scent staying power. Cinnamon sticks can be rinsed off and reused several times.

Home made mosquito repellent

HOME MADE MOSQUITO REPELLENT (ALSO FOR ANTS & FLEAS)
(And free from chemicals that poison the body)

 

Ingredients:

1/2 litre of alcohol

100 gram of whole cloves

100 ml of baby oil or similar (almond, sesame, chamomile, lavender, fennel etc)

Preparation:

Leave cloves to marinate in alcohol four days
Stir every morning and evening
After 4 days add the oil
It's now ready to use.

How to use:

Gently rub a few drops into the skin of the arms and legs.
Observe the mosquitoes fleeing the room.
Repels fleas on pets too.

Homemade Italian Fries

 

An excellent recipe originating in Italy, these oven-baked fries are tossed in olive oil, grated cheese, and a medley of dried herbs. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper while they're still hot, and serve immediately.

You can purchase the book this recipe is from by clicking here:
http://amzn.to/OCf3xh

 

Ingredients:
6 or 7 Idaho potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/3-inch-thick French fry-style strips, soaked in cold water
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs or some combo of dried oregano, thyme, marjoram, and basil
2 cups freshly grated Romano cheese
1/4 cup parsley leaves, finely chopped
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) salted butter, cut into 6 cubes
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Drain the potatoes and pat dry with paper towels. Spread 1 tablespoon of the olive oil on each of 2 rimmed baking sheets and spread out the potatoes. Overlapping is fine.
3. Sprinkle the dried herbs evenly over the potatoes. Liberally spread the cheese and parsley on top. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the cheese. Scatter the cubed butter around the pans.
4. Bake until the potatoes are golden brown, rotating the pans after 30 minutes, for 45 to 50 minutes total. Use a spatula to lift off the potatoes with all the crusty cheese adhered to them. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

 

 

Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell Dancing 1940

Do you remember the golden era of film, watching Fred Astaire dance, with the many partners he had? I used to love to watch those movies and wished I could dance like that. Well here is one video showing Fred Astaire with Eleonore Powell, dance to the tune of "Begin the Beguine", from the movie "Broadway Melody of 1940". There is a short introduction by Frank Sinatra as well. Enjoy the show! But give it a chance to load, it takes a few seconds.