Meet Sissy Slime...

Also known as Kelly, my longtime friend and partner in crime. I'd love to tell you why she is known as "Sissy Slime", but I don't know if you can handle it yet, just meeting her and all. Soon people, soon.

I met Kelly ~*gasp*~ 21 years ago. We both had itty bitty babes and had both decided on a career in the dental field. I stuck it out for 20 years and she, well, barfed at the sight of an edentulous patient, and after graduating, passed on the career altogether. Consider yourselves blessed though... she went onto a career that affects you and I directly. She makes sure all of my local shelves in a nationwide huge chain of stores are well stocked with with wine and spirits for all. I love her for that... and for the fact that she can research WHY my local store is fresh out of my favorite vino, and correct this horrendous injustice when I need her to.

Kelly has always made me laugh... seriously laugh, to the point of needing a pair of Depends to get through the moment. For a time, she took care of my little ones. Even though she lived far from me, I traveled down that highway day in and day out because I knew they were safe, well cared for, and just plain had fun over there.

And so, after one very long day, I made the trek out there to go get my itty bitty babes. I loaded them up and we said our goodbyes... this time she stayed out in the driveway as we pulled away and I noticed her laughing as we did. But laughing was normal for her, so I didn't think much of it. I just waved, and laughed back, and headed down the highway towards home. As I was driving people were passing me, laughing. I was so glad others were able to laugh during rush hour... me, I just curse people and cut them off. As we kept driving, more and more people were looking, pointing, and laughing. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why. So I just shot them dirty looks and continued on with my defensive driving.

I pulled into my driveway, got the kids out, and looked at my side of the car. Nothing. Well, it must have been someone else, someone alongside of me, that all of those drivers were laughing at. So off into the apartment we went until the whole routine was to start the next day.

As we went out to the car the next morning, there it was... a Kotex, with wings, stuck to the back of my car. I had "flown" home, compliments of Sissy Slime, blissfully ignorant to the wonders of new advances in adhesive backing's.

Stay tuned...

Spreading the cheer

Yup, that's what it's all about, sharing the love and spreading the cheer. So in honor of my "non-foodie" friends, I'm posting a recipe that even they can do, with ease... it's all about the ease, people. My SIL shared this with me many years ago, and I do believe it has a calming effect on one's guest's. Make multiple bowls...

1 large punch bowl
1 bottle Southern Comfort, ice cold
2 bottles Ginger ale
1 container Orange Sherbet

Scoop 1/2 container of Sherbet into punch bowl. Add ginger ale. Add Southern Comfort to taste... like at least 1/2 the bottle... maybe more. Go for it- you know you want it. And no, that's not my punch bowl. Nor is it my picture. It's all I could find to represent this sanity saving drink. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

People out there like me..?!

Wow, how cool is this?! Yesterday and today I have been tagged! The first was yesterday, by Jenn, over at I hate Whine, with the "Ohana Friend Award." Today was the "You've Been Tagged" by Cha Cha over at Noodleroux. I've really had so much fun figuring out stuff in this online world, and have met THE neatest people! Both of the gals that have sent me these have great blogs, and a terrific sense of humor...not a day goes by that I don't stop over to their places. Thank goodness though that neither of them have talked to my kids, who would all swear I'm not interesting enough to answer these questions... but you know, Mommy is more than just Mommy. Here goes:

1. I dated Perry Damone in 1987. His father is actor Vic Damone, and stepmother Diahann Carroll of Dynasty and Greys Anatomy fame.

2. Also in 1987 I did the voice of Bart Simpson in local radio commercials.

3. I had a ~*blush*~breast reduction 2 years ago. I kept falling forward and everytime I ate, the "girls" fell in my food, so yes, I gave up what many women have paid gajillions to have. It was a good thing...

4. I was part of an amazing group of women who came forward, to testify against a Doctor, who in the end, received a 37 year prison term for his abuse.

5. I did one, count 'em, ONE, 5k race in my life... and have no desire to do one again.

6. My great, great, great, great cousin was William Howard Taft the 27th President of the United States.

7. I worked in dentistry for 20 years.

Wow... that was some serious thinking, and a bunch of memories! Now, here are 7 people I just think are awesome! Head on over their way. Some are just getting started... others are daily fav's of mine- better than the daily newspaper!

Family, Friends and Food

The Nielsen Family

Pearls and Chocolate

Gisele Jaquenod & Birdie

A Yankee in a Southern Kitchen

A Dozen Flours

No One Puts Cupcake in a Corner

Ok,I got it done! Your turn everyone... share the love!

Gis, you are amazing!

Most amazing thanks go to Gisele Jaquenod, of Gisele Jaquenod & Birdie, for the creation of this amazing new page design! If you have not yet visited Gis & Birdie, you just run right along over there and check out her amazing things! I will add more to this post in a little bit, But I had to let you know who is responsible for this incredible page design for those who are stopping by- More later!

Thank you, nice lady...

Just like a pesky little gray hair, the wires on my Kitchen Aid whisk decided to pop out of its base today. Yup, days before Thanksgiving, just as I was getting ready to make all of my pie crusts. Of course, we all know the mental anguish this can cause before a big holiday; adding one more task to an ever growing list of things to do.

I searched every where and not a one was to be had! As I walked into my last possible store I have to admit, I was so irritated. It's not so bad to search on your own, but when you can't explain to a 2 year old why she has to get in and out of the car seat so many times... well, let's just not go there. Naturally, this store didn't have the whisk attachment on the shelves either. No biggie, I'll just go get the customer service person and see if they have extra in the back. After walking around the store 3 times and finding not one person, I was a wee bit upset. Even my kidlet was yelling, "WHERE IS EVBODEEEEEEE??!". Well, we finally ran into the kitchen departments customer service woman, and as you can imagine, I was not overly kind when asking her about the whisks, and equally not as happy when she said they just didn't have them.

She could see how upset I was... I kept thinking what the heck was I going to do?! Well, she asked me to stay put for a second, that she'd be right back. I waited, and waited, and waited... more irritated with each passing minute. When she returned, she very kindly handed me a whisk, and very sweetly said, "Merry Christmas. I can't put a price on this, it was in a returned box upstairs that we weren't able to return to the manufacturer, and it does not have a separate UPC code. I want you to have it, and not stress so much about your holiday. Please, enjoy it!" What a kind, sweet, caring woman! She saved me $25 and oodles of time. Oh, I feel like an ass!

Fondarific!!

Just when I was ready to give fondant it's walking papers, I was introduced to this. Anyone who works with fondant knows what a challenge it can be- especially to manipulate onto a cake without ripping or taking off with a life of it's own. And ya know, it just tastes like crap... sorry! Ahhhh, enter Fondarific! People, this stuff was SO good, the flavors reminded me of Mike and Ikes candies- so much so that I ate the fondant like it was candy! If you are looking for something better, Fondarific is worth your time. Be careful though, it might not end up on your cake!

Who are you spending time with?

This is a fun thing to do... if anything just to see what interests everyone out there. It's a great conversation starter! Thanks to Jenn over at I Hate Whine for this idea... Maybe she'll head up a book club next and we can all post our thoughts on the same book..? Why, Jenn, what a fabulous idea, you have time, right..? HA! Bloggers note: Sorry... this is a desperate failed attempt at humor...

The rules are : Get the book that is on your nightstand or where ever you happen to do your reading. Open to page 56 and find the fifth sentence . Post the next two to five sentences and these instructions on your blog.

Don't get your favorite book, just the one you are reading now!

The Book I am reading is called These is my Words by Nancy E. Turner. It is the diary of a young woman as she journeys across the Arizona Territories in the late nineteenth century. She writes of her early life with a caring mother , attacks by Comanche Indians while on the trail, and of her incredible love for a Calvary officer.

Page 56 of this book is actually only a paragraph long, so I will post its entirety:

cont'd: "Papa, and I said I didn't know for sure, and he asked again but I can't figure it. He got real quiet and thoughtful, and then after a while he rode off and I didn't see him until we stopped for supper that evening. I 'spose he has found a little girl to spark and there will be no prairie flowers in Texas after this winter."

Ok, your turn now! Just let me know if you do so I can see what you are reading!

Well hello, Sexy Boy...

I've missed you... I've been thinking about you all year. Your soft, supple exterior. The way you melt into my arms. Oh, how I can never forget your distinct, yet unmistakable scent. Your kiss makes everything so, so, much better... Don't worry baby, next week, it's only you, me, and the Turkey. I've already told him just how amazing your massages are...

A First For Everything...

I saw this over at I Hate Whine ... Thanks Jenn!

1. Who was your FIRST prom date? Jeff Johns. Although in Pennsylvania at the time (1981) we had Junior Prom's and Senior Semi's. I was a year older than Jeff, but I still had fun!

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? No, sadly he died in a car wreck in 1981. He was my 9th grade BF, and I had kept in touch with him even after we moved away from New York.

3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? A White Russian- ugh!

4. What was your FIRST job? A bagger at Basha's Grocery when I was 16. I met Julia Child there when she came in to purchase produce with her crew for a show she was doing here! That was a moment to remember forever!

5. What was your FIRST car? An early 70's Ford Maverick, light blue, with bath towels stuffed into the rusted out holes {{{giggle}}}.

6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today? My oldest daughter.

7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? My husband, because he wasn't home from work yet. I was worried!

8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?Ummmm... that was 1969. that would require way too much thought, and after trying to get my 2 year old into bed for a nap, my mind has just been through a Cuisinart.

9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? From Long Island, N.Y. to Phoenix, AZ. Yeah, try that one during an Arizona summer... I think my hair still has singe marks.

10. Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still friends with them? Yup! Her name is Shannon. We only speak about twice a year, usually 4 days apart, to wish each other a happy birthday and catch up on the years family gossip and high school memories.

11. What was your FIRST sport played? Hahahahahaha.... heeheeheehee.... hohohohoho!!! Oh, my sides hurt from laughing so much....

12. Where was your FIRST sleep over? At a girl named Kim Bilanski's in the 2nd grade .

13. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? My local partner in crime, Paige.

14. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? My cousin, Bonnie.

15. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Looked out the window to see if my hubby's truck was in the driveway.

16. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? Kansas

17. FIRST tattoo and/ or piercing? My ears at 9... Now, while I will say "no" to the tattoo, my sister swears that a cosmetic tattoo is the same as any old tattoo- Comments, anyone?

18. FIRST foreign country you went to? Only to Mexico.

19. What was your FIRST run in with the law? In High School, when the Police saw a group of us smoking cigarettes. I haven't had one in over 20 years- ugh!

20. When was your FIRST detention? I think in 9th grade.

21. What was the FIRST state you lived in? New York.

22. Who was the FIRST person to break your heart? My 9th grade BF... but sadly he passed away a few years later.

23. Who was your FIRST roommate? A girl named Sara.

24. Where did you go on your FIRST limo ride? To a TV interview.


Now, it's your turn everyone! Let me know where to see your answers!

New West Knifeworks giveaway!!!

Come one, come all!! You just march yourself right over to this site , scroll waaaaay down, and enter to win an amazing knife from either the Fusionwood or the Phoenix line from New West Knifeworks! Everybody NEEDS knives like these in their kitchen! They will pick 2 lucky ducks on November 30th, so hurry!!!

Yearbook Yourself

Thanks, PW, for sharing this surefire boredom cure... Yep, that's me, in "my" 1960's do! Yes, I have 4 more loads of laundry, papers to sort and organize into filing cabinets, a bedroom to rearrange, more pics to put on the wall before everyone comes for Thanksgiving... so I guess I can't really say I was bored. I just didn't want to do what I know I HAVE and SHOULD be doing. No, this is way more fun. Seriously, you try... go get yourself the 'fro you've always wanted.

Martha, Martha, Martha

I laughed my butt off at this! Martha, like you've never seen her before!

Eyes Lips Face

Eyes Lips Face
Originally uploaded by andreavaleri2000

The season is upon us! With all of the Holidays and parties that are almost here, who doesn't want to look their best?! I found out about E.L.F. a few years ago, and they are, without a doubt, the best cosmetic for the buck- and I literally mean $1.00! Most makeup items can be had for that, brushes and larger makeup items for slightly more. Sign up for their email notifications, and they'll notify you when everything's 50% off. With the economy headed to parts unknown, you will not go wrong buying your makeup from here!

Swirly, whirly, girly stuff

My poor husband. A bachelor till 40, with a house full of "he-man" stuff bermed up the sides of every wall, now has his stuff relegated to the "Man Cave" and the garage. In its place came all this- What he calls the "Frou-frou, girly, I-talian, gee ga, crap". Every time something goes up, he says "Look, another swirl, yeah". So I looked around a bit... I guess I do have a thing for the swirly, curly, stuff, huh?




















Ok, so I maybe have a thing for the iron swirls and metal tins and everything Tuscan and warm. But don't you think all this is nicer than 15 fishing poles in the living room corner and camouflage gear masquerading as carpet..?








Hey, he could have it worse. My Italian Grandma, God rest her sassy soul, had plastic on ALL of her furniture. This sure ain't no Grandmas house...

Couscous, anyone..?

I love texture, especially in my food. Mashed potatoes are ok... pudding is ok, too. But sometimes I like to bite into things and say, "Whoa, what's going on in here"?! I like flavor contrast, too. Just when you think something is going to be sweet, you get a tad bit of savory thrown in. Next thing you know, you're hanging onto your cheeks, wondering where you're headed next... Oh, I love to play with my food.

Years ago I tried Couscous, and loved it. I'm sure many of you, too, have seen the super easy Near East Brand out there. It's texture is very small, and it cooks in all of 5 minutes. Can't beat that for a quick and easy side dish! But as time went on, I became a little bored with the same old "quickie". That is, until I found this awesome variation. It's like eating pasta pearls!

So over time, and trial and error, I came up with an easy, low fat, recipe that is super on it's own for lunch, or paired with chicken or pork for dinner. Play with it a bit and adjust to suit your taste... you may find you like more of one ingredient than another. This recipe will serve between 4 to 6 people.

Let's see who gets to play together in the mixing bowl:


1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup Israeli couscous
1 Tbs butter
3/4 cup chopped Italian Flat Leaf Parsley
7 dried apricots, diced
3/4 cup Craisins (soaked in 1 cup hot water)
1 Gala apple, diced
1 Tbs minced Shallot

In a 2 quart sauce pan, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, then add couscous, butter, and cover. Let simmer 8 to 10 minutes, until broth is absorbed, and the couscous has a creamy consistency. Remove from heat and transfer to a mixing bowl to cool.

Meanwhile, drain the water soaked Craisin's, and prepare remaining ingredients. Add to cooled couscous. At this point you can taste and decide if you want to add anything else. Yum-O-lish!!

Oh yeah, if you're making this for a special someone... don't forget to check your teeth before flashing that "I want you smile"... gotta love that Italian parsley!