Wooo Hooo Scrabble online that doesn't freeze

I have recently discovered Words with Friends on Facebook... it's wonderful! I was playing scrabble online for a while but it keeps freezing up, or closing down... it's really annoying... THIS on the other hand only has you deal with a brief ad at the end of each turn (unless you upgrade, of course) and it's fairly easy to use. Altho... I did accidentally throw away a bunch of my letters once. I was confused as to whether we were picking the ones to Keep or the ones to Throw Away... OUCH. Anyway, its easy to get to, and oh ya... FUN!

Foods to NEVER Eat

List 4: Foods to Never Eat / Foods to Avoid at All Times

• Soda
• Processed meals
• Canned soups
• “Diet” anything

These are foods you should cut out completely. Brown found that when he drank diet soda or ate processed foods, he would crave and eat sweet and processed things more often, contributing to his weight gain. And artificial sweeteners may be to blame. Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can be addictive and put taste receptors into overdrive, causing the body to release more insulin – a hormone instrumental in storing body fat. So, instead, he stopped incorporating these foods into his diet altogether.

Eating Healthier - List 3

List 3: Foods to Eat Once a Week

• Red meat
• White starch
• Desserts
• Alcohol

These are foods you should only indulge in every once in a while. With alcohol, for instance, Brown’s motto is, “If you’re going to have one drink a week, make it count.” So choose a drink or dessert you really enjoy and savor it, rather than going for something that you might drink more of, but not like as much.

Eating Healthier - List 2

List 2: Foods to Eat Three Times a Week

• Yogurt
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Sweet potato
• Avocado
• Oily fish
• Tofu

These foods are healthy for you in moderation. For example, sardines are high in protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are very good for your heart; plus, the tiny bones contain calcium. Additionally, tofu makes a great low-calorie meat substitute that actually has more protein per calorie than ground beef. Brown frequently uses tofu in pasta sauces, tacos and stir-fry dishes. Cauliflower and broccoli are cruciferous vegetables that have been praised for their cancer-fighting properties, like antioxidants that help rid your body of toxins that might damage cells.

Eating Healthier - List 1

I found this through a link on Dr Oz's website, it was a link to an article on 5 food categories to make sure to eat if you are trying to lose weight, or even just eat healthy. Alton Brown lost and maintained 50 lbs by using this rule.

List 1: Foods to Eat Daily

• Dark leafy greens
• Nuts
• Carrots
• Green tea
• Whole grains
• Fruits

These foods should be a part of your daily diet. Whole grains, like oats, are rich in fiber so they fill you up and keep you satiated for longer. Also, soluble fiber keeps your cholesterol levels in check and lowers your risk of heart disease. And fruits, especially purple ones like blueberries, blackberries and Concord grapes are rich in antioxidants and resveratrol, known to promote longevity. To get these foods in every day, Brown freezes the berries into pre-portioned packets and either uses them in smoothies or just eats them as is. Additionally, nuts are a good source of protein and you can fit them in easily every day by eating a handful about 15 minutes before a big meal to help curb overeating.

Princess top

I started sewing a small top for one of my grand-daughters tonite. I didn't have a pattern, just another top for the other grand-daughter to trace from. I was lacking a stretchy fabric, since most of my stash is either cotton, flannel, fleece or corduroy... none of that stretches very well, so I'm feeling like I'm shooting blind as to whether it'll fit or not.

I traced the outline of the top onto the wrong side of the fabric - a Pink Princess flannel - leaving about 1/2" for seam allowance. Sewed up the sides & the top shoulder seams and hemmed the neckline. Not bad for a 20 min top... still need to hem the armholes. . ., and I might need to add some trim...

And then there is the matching headband....

While I'm driving I can think of 3 or 4 items I want to blog about. By the time I get home... they have flown out of my head! Why is that?!

Today I was sitting at Culver's and listening to a group of ladies talking about how rude people are these days when standing in a line and talking on a cell phone. I don't know where these ladies work, but they apparently wait on people who stand in a line. One lady said a girl got up to the front of the line and the lady said to her, "Can I help you".... "Miss, Can I help you?".... "Miss... " and finally the girl says to her, "JUST a minute, I'm ON the phone!" and then into her phone she says "I can't believe how rude this lady is being to me, I'll have to call you back".

The pathetic part in this is the girl. She is the one being rude, and doesn't even see it! I think all check out lines, bank lines, and any other lines, should have a sign to the effect of... If you need to be on your phone, please step out of line. Others are waiting.

I can't believe the people these days and what they consider (or don't consider) rude. What happened to Common Courtesy?! Think about it people! Please.

Time to GET UP!!

I woke this morning (at 5:15am) to the sounds of a scratching noise. I thought it was my cat doing her "I'm done with potty, lets cover it up" dance in her litter box... but it seemed too loud for that. Hmmm thinking I needed to investigate I crawled out of my nice warm bed. Tippy-toed into the dining room, then the living room to find no cat in the litter box, but instead my dachshund was between the love seat and wall digging for what she is sure is a mouse in the house.

I've been told that dachshunds were bred to go down into badger burrows and haul them out. Someone needs to tell her that a mouse is NOT a badger! LOL - While I did not take a video of this event (I was busy turning the love seat UPSIDE down for her to get under it) I did google and find this video that strongly resembles the determination displayed when they are Sure they are on the trail... it's funny but also annoying at the same time. She doesn't look vicious, does she!?

Snow Peaks

I made these wonderful new treats called Snow Peaks. They don't exactly qualify as cookies... but they are wonderful. I saw a How To on the Food Network website, so I tried it. The recipe was created by Tyler Florence and after all, I followed his footsteps and adopted his cheesecake recipe, which was wonderful, so why not try this one also!

Again, I was thrilled by his recipe. Here is a picture of the results and the recipe follows. ... But be warned, they ARE addictive! Wow!.... and you will need to set aside not only the one HOUR baking time but then cooling time and time to dip their bottoms!

Have fun!

What to make....

I had a booth at a vendor show today. It was sparsely attended and quite boring actually. During that time, I looked at other booths and the items they were selling. The ones that appealed to me were the hand crafted items. Oddly enough some of them were amazingly similar to things I have made in the past, and yet I am sitting at my table... selling plastics. Reputable plastic, but still... plastic!

One of these days, I would like to have a booth selling items I have made. I guess I just need to decide WHICH items to make and take.

Snow in Autumn

It snowed yesterday.... the slow, gentle type of snow floating down nicely, begging you to catch it on your tongue! ... it melted before it touched the ground so we have no accumulation. I love that kind of snow. The air was filled with large flat flakes, everywhere you looked! but not a speck on the ground... just wanted to record when it first snowed this year. Contrary to some beliefs, it's NOT winter yet... it's still Autumn.