The Best Cookie Book Ever!

I have used lots of cookbooks over the years. Betty Crocker, my families recipe cards, Holiday Cookie Books, you name it. This one tops them all! The ingredient lists are perfect and easy to read,the directions easy to follow,from Novice to Master, you couldn’t ask for more! There is a great section in the beginning about ingredients, and each section opens with methods to make those type of cookies. The color photo inserts are a real added bonus, just beautiful. There is a section for problems,such as if your cookies are too dry,along with solutions. There is a supply section and even the index is pristine. I would recommend this book for bakers of all ages, and I know it will become the most treasured resource in your library!

Word List of the Day – Soil

Soil – The upper stratum of the earth; the mold, or that compound substance which furnishes nutriment to plants, or which is particularly adapted to support and nourish them.

From: GNU Webster’s

Also, and here comes the word list:

earth

sand

material

land

dust

rock

surface

clay

This is just for fun, I was studying the porosity of rocks and got off on a tangent!

Latinos Outnumber Whites in the Valley: Report

This has got to be one of the stupidest articles ever published.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Latinos-Outnumber-Whites-in-the-Valley-80812897.html

If you live in the San Fernando Valley you can already tell, just listen to the conversations around you, mainly they are in Spanish.  You cannot get a job unless you speak Spanish, even though you are suppossedly in the United States, and as for any type of public assistance, well that’s pretty much gone as well.  No one is going to do anything about it though, in this era of political correctness there’s no need.  If anyone stands up for their right to be heard, unless they are a Latino they might just get shot, or sued.  If I was to go and visit any of the home Countries, mainly Mexico, I would certainly need to learn the language, and if I wanted a job there or to live there, I would have to emigrate legally or face time in a prison down there.

Tell me when this sounds fair…..

Who Moved My Cheese Metal?

A couple of the latest blogs, just too much fun to miss:
Pain. Real Pain…

http://cheesemetal.com/?p=735

and, Stalker Pop, Part 2: Into the ’60s

http://cheesemetal.com/?p=709

Enjoy!

Red Shirts

Red  Shirts

If the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man.

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.

After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who’d been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?

No.  I’m escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now.  He was killed in Iraq , I’m taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn’t know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier’s family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign.”

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here’s a public! Thank Y ou to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the “silent majority.”  We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday — and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that … Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women a far, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, & TV — let’s make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once “silent” majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked “What can we do to make things better for you?” is. “We need your support and your prayers.” Let’s get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

Notes and Observation from the CMA Awards 11 November, 2009

Okay, growing up in Los Angeles I was alone with my Country Music, quite often, but I never lost my love for it.  What you see below are notes I took while watching the awards, just something to read, maybe enjoy, maybe argue with even.  The opinions below and observations are solely mine.

- Taylor Swift, what am I missing?  I really don’t care all that much for her vocals.

- Unlike most things today – you can actually thank God for things at the CMA Awards

- Miranda Lambert singing “White Liar” I really like her voice alot

- The set for the Zac Brown Band when the did “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” was incredible.  It was a fun rendition, I really enjoyed the fiddle player and am wondering if he is classically trained.

- Loved Carrie Underwood and “Cowboy Casanova” the costuming was awesome, the choreography was first rate, wuite the production

- New Artist of the Year – Darius Rucker – What a great acceptance speech.  Notice that at this particular awards show, they don’t go over their acceptable time limit!

- Daughtry and Vince Gill “Tennessee Line” Really like Daughtry a lot plus I love the song

- Loved the Kanye West/Taylor Swift references throughout the show, way too much fun!

- Keith Urban – love his vocals, haunting, simple, just really nice to listen to

- Tim McGraw “Southern Voice” what a fun song

-Sugarland – absolutely love them, their songs are so very believable

-Taylor Swift “Fearless” I do like this song and I loved her dress!

- Brooks and Dunn and ZZ Top – I’m blessed to have seen them play live at a County fair in Oregon (without ZZ Top of course)  It wasn’t as much of a stretch as I imagined it would be, it really worked well

- Jamey Johnson & Kid Rock, really liked Jamey Johnson, the look, the sound, the honesty, just great to see.  It worked well with Kid Rock too, very clever arrangement.

- A highpoint, the look at the Camero signed by the NASCAR Drivers and the Country Music Stars.  Julianne Huff and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. now that’s something you don’t see everyday

- Taylor Swift “Fifteen” Really didn’t like her vocals but the lyrics were really nice and watching the crowd of people all ages who were enthralled by it was fun

- Jason Aldean singing “Big Green Tractor” was fun.  It’s a fun song, not sure rather I like him or not yet though

- Billy Currington singing “People Are Crazy”  I love the song, his vocals and the lyrics.  They touch something in me, it’s nice to hear a story in a song, just a favorite of mine

- Taylor Swift wins Female Vocalist of the Year – it was worth it to hear her acceptance speech. (referring to the Kanye West incident again) and watching her when she got to hug Kris Kristofferson

- Dave Matthews and Kenny Chesney, what an interesting pairing.  They complimented each other well.  Best of the night so far and I enjoyed it immensely

- Faith Hill in my opinion looks like a fashion model

- Entertainer of the Year Taylor Swift.  She did it, I’m not sure I agree with the choice but based on the reactions she deserved it.  I loved how she recognized her band, at that point she made my night.

Until next time, I hope you enjoy this and will leave comments and share this with your friends.

 

Thoughts on the Race at Texas Motor Speedway 11/8/2009

-The helicopter drop off of the Pace Car, now that was cool

- The flyover, a B52, there aren’t words to describe

- On Kyle Busch, I don’t like the guy but man can he drive
It would be kind of cool to see history made by winning all three races
even if it is done by him

- Lap 3, Jimmy Johnson, unreal, I feel bad for him and the team

*Note: gotta love NASCAR, other teams, including Stewart’s
helping JOnson’s Team get his car back on the track

-Lap 87 – Hornish has flats

-regarding track bar adjustments, why not take fewer swings
instead of possibly going way too far on adjustments
and having to dial back at a later time?

–love the Pace Car by the way

-Johnson back on the track, good to see,
have to admit the car looks good with the black hood
(I’m sure the sponsors don’t think much of it)

–Montoya’s Paint job, is this supposed to resemble a pinata?

- Tear off’s.  How many are there typically?

- Lap 166 – Caution – Fans should be shot and hog tied for throwing things on the track

- Lap 175 – Montoya finally gets his due?  Karma?
Unfortunately he takes some other too.
(Gordon, & Edwards.
Could Montoya have done anything differently?
In my opinion he just got loose

- after Montoya’s interview while in the garage, I still think he’s an ass
(It’s Carl’s Fault he got loose?
What did I miss?

- Lap 207 – Caution – Sorenson takes himself out/off

- What is the wave around?
Why did 7 cars get it?
Why is this in place when they have the “Lucky Dog”?

- 68 Laps to go – the Robby Gordon stop
with Marc “Hollywood” Armstron’s helemt shot
Great shot of the glowing brak ritors.

- Question: wouldn’t it be better to pit
when you’re just inside of the fuel window to finish,
rather that wait until 10-15 laps to go in hopes of a caution
at tracks where you have long green flag runs?

- 4 laps to go – gotta feel bad for Dale Jr.
If he didn’t have bad luck he’d have no luck at all

- 3 laps to go – awful for Kyle Busch
I mean that
would have loved to see that record set

Kurt Busch – great win, real nice
loved the backward victory lap
nice tribute to the fans

Final – interesting race with the Lap 3 incident
and so many running out of fuel at the very end

Regarding the Madeleine Brand Article against “The Giving Tree”

I have to admit it. I never looked at The Giving Tree as offensive or gender biased, not until she brought it up. To me it is a heart-warming book that teaches Children of all ages the joy of sharing and giving without expectation of recompense. You have to have a pretty twisted mind to call this book gender biased or offensive in my opinion

NASCAR – Tallaedega 11/01/2009

1) I really don’t like the new rule
about the corners
I suppose later in the race it might be better
and I understand it’s safer
but it just doesn’t sit well (Lap 23)

Another thought, they have worked so hard
to get people interested in racing
and now it seems to have become
exactly what people used to complain about
a bunch of guys following each other along the track (Lap 51)

Finally, it looks more like a race (Lap 63)
I should consider blogging this, really
it is still very irritating though
since this is one of my two favorite tracks

So far, I think the best part of the race
has been the driver chatter and the non-races off Pit Row (Lap 81)

Okay, it finally looks almost like a race (Lap 111)

Looks more and more like Talladega
I don’t want a big wreck, but good racing would be great right now (Lap127)

Whoa, okay, not what I expected
I love what Newman said though
pretty much what everyone I’ve talked to has been saying
and what I’ve been thinking
I’m glad he’s okay (Lap 187)

Okay…Green…White….Yellow,
now that sounds like Talladega to me
Felt bad for Ku Busch, Harvick, Stewart,
and especially Mark Martin
What a race

Directions

I didn’t know until recently where I wanted to take this particular blog, while it will still wander, I have chosen a direction as of today. I am an occasional poet, not destined to do great works or even memorable ones. My writing is based on observations taken while I travel or what I see while walking around….I hope you’ll enjoy, comment, criticize gently and find some humor or wisdom here