The Big Thaw With Two Crazy Dogs & A Ball

My Daughter In Law Cheryl, who is an award winning photographer & journalist, took this video of their Black Lab "Paris" and Springer Spaniel "Millie"...Enjoy



If I Didn't Have A Dog:

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.
All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.
When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.
When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through
fuzzy bodies who beat me there.
I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into
consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.
I would have money .and no guilt to go on a real vacation.
I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their
yet unborn grand kids through college.
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come,
no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.
My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.
I would not talk 'baby talk'. 'Eat your din din'. 'Yummy
yummy for the tummy'..
My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.
My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra
leash.
I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L, F-R-I-S-B-E- E,
W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, B-I-K-E, G-O, R-I-D-E
I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.
I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties
them down too much.
I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading
'mud' season.
I would not have to answer the question 'Why do you have so many
animals?' from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing
they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever
get.
How EMPTY my life would be!!!
"Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains
unawakened"
How True!

I LOVE JESUS BUT I DRINK A LITTLE!

Five Miles Down That Road Again!!!

Weigh In Tuesday! (That isn't me on the scales)...My was I surprised to find I had lost 5 more pounds...Just never expected that...Went out with daughters 2 times last week to eat and ate at a Mexican place on Sunday night...Now that place doesn't know the meaning of low fat or healthy food....I started this trip "Down The Road Again" on January 4th and so far I have lost over 21 pounds.....Now is when it will slow down for me....I know this from the past weight loss....I have type 2 diabetes so I really watch my carbs and that helps so much....I will only have 1/2 of a potato one time a week and have found out I can do just fine without them....Use to think you had to have potatoes at every dinner...They filled you up, but guess what, they go away real quick...much better to have a veggie that is high in fiber that will take your body to do some work, to digest it....

"Eat for the body you want, not for the body you have".

Bran Buds Muffin:

Here's a pretty good muffin recipe that is loaded with fiber and actually suppresses the appetite.
3 cups of bran buds
3 cups of water
3 tablespoons of baking powder
let sit until the buds get mushy (about 20 minutes_
add any muffin recipe package (I like Quaker Low Fat Bran)... you can also add low fat brownie mix...
You will have to add more water... about a cup... add enough water until the mixture is moist
put cupcake liners into your muffin tins... spray with cooking spray (make sure you spray or they will stick)... and bake as directed
These muffins are 1 point on weight watchers... I make them because they are a great snack that is low in fat and high in fiber. You can also add any type of nuts, dried fruit (cranberries work well)...Just remember to add on the points for the extras... get creative and make them tasty for you... the bran buds are the important ingredient.

Avocado Citrus Salad:

I found this recipe in an issue of Weight Watchers magazine. I love it
Ingredients:
1/3 cup fresh grapefruit juice
2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 tsp olive oil
3/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 peeled and sectioned grapefruit
1 Hass avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
2 hearts romaine lettuce, separated into leaves
To make the dressing, whisk together the grapefruit juice, chives, oil, sugar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl:
Add the grapefruit sections and avocado-
Toss gently to coat-
Arrange the lettuce leaves on a large platter (I just show one serving worth here). Spoon the avocado mixture onto the lettuce. Drizzle with any remaining dressing.

Per Serving (1 cup): 106 calories, 5 g fat, 1 g sat fat, 0 g trans fat, 0 mg chol, 109 mg sodium, 16 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 3 g protein, 58 mg calcium.
Serves: 6
Points per serving: 2

Grapefruit is the best lung cancer fighter and a grapefruit a day in addition to your regular meals can speed weight loss....The fruit's acidity slows digestion, helping you feel full longer...it also lowers cholesterol and decrease risk of stroke,and heart disease..

WARM GRAPEFRUIT DESSERT:

1 large grapefruit
1 teaspoon Splenda
1 teaspoon cinnamon or to taste

Preheat oven to 400%F.
Cut the grapefruit in half through the middle...with a serrated citrus knife, loosen the segments, being careful not to cut through the peel. Place the halves, side by side, with the sections facing up, on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 20 minutes, or until warmed through and starting to brown on top....Let stand for 5 minutes to cool slightly before serving.....1 WW Point...

Lets talk about setting up your environment so it reinforces the new and healthy habits you are trying to incorporate into your life. For instance- consider everything on your counter tops in your kitchen. Are the things within reach helping you, or hindering your progress? Are your measuring spoons, scale and grilling pans within easy reach? Or do you have to reach around a cookie jar and deep fryer to get to them? Same with your pantry - the prime eye level and front shelf space should contain your healthy items, and the indulgent snacks should be hidden and out of reach/out of sight. It's common sense or you might think it's even silly nonsense; but something as simple as rearranging your things is completely within your control will help your efforts tremendously.I have even posted a picture of me on my fridge door and since I believe in asking God to help me I have 3 prayers posted on my cupboard doors and everyday I say one of them...I also pray while I am exercising....
See you next week on this trip......

Doctor, Should I!!!!!

Just Had To Share This With You All
I found this over at Cat Nap Inn Primitives; and since we are all watching what we eat,just had to share it with you'll. I sooo agree!! And I have always said I am in shape because ROUND is a shape! LOL

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! .... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the bestfeel good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have hadabout food and diets.

AND.....For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health.It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wineand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lotsof sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacksthan Americans.
CONCLUSION; Eat and drink what you like.Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Be Careful Around Old People!

A tour bus driver is driving with a bus load of seniors down a highway when he is tapped on his shoulder by a little old lady.
She offers him a handful of peanuts, which he gratefully munches up.
After about 15 minutes, she taps him on his shoulder again and she hands him another handful of peanuts.
She repeats this gesture about five more times.
When she is about to hand him another batch again he asks the little old lady, "Why don't you eat the peanuts yourselves?".
"We can't chew them because we have no teeth", she replied.
The puzzled driver asks, "Why do you buy them then?"
The old lady replied, "We just love the chocolate covering."
It pays to be careful around old people!

Employee --"Rich Hall computer assistance; May I help you?"
Customer--" Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect ."
Employee --"What sort of trouble?"
Customer --" Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."
Employee -- "Went away?
Customer --" They disappeared."
Employee --"Hmmm. So what does your screen look like now?
Customer--" Nothing."
Employee --"Nothing?"
Customer --" It's a blank; it won' t accept anything when I type."
Employee --"Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?"
Customer --" How do I tell?"
Employee --"Can you see the 'C:' prompt on the screen?"
Customer--" What is a sea prompt?"
Employee --"Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen? "
Customer--" There isn't any cursor; I told you, it won't accept anything I type."
Employee --"Does your monitor have a power indicator?"
Customer --" What's a monitor?"
Employee --"It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV.
Does it have little light that tells you when it's on?"
Customer --" I don't know."
Employee --"Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that?"
Customer --" Yes, I think so."
Employee --"Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall."
Customer --" Yes, it is."
Employee --"When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one?"
Customer--" No."
Employee --"Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable.”
Customer--" Okay, here it is."
Employee --"Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer. "
Customer--" I can't reach.”
Employee --"Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is?"
Customer--" No."
Employee --"Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?"
Customer--" Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle it's because it's dark."
Employee --"Dark?"
Customer --" Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window."
Employee --"Well, turn on the office light then."
Customer --" I can't."
Employee --" No? Why not?"
Customer --" Because there's a power failure."
Employee --"A power.......a power failure?.... Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in?"
Customer --" Well, yes, I keep them in the closet."
Employee --"Good.. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from."
Customer--" Really? Is it that bad?"
Employee --"Yes, I'm afraid it is."
Customer --" Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?"
Employee --"Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer!

EVER WONDER!!

.... Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

PARCHED CORN:

This item is always sold out in the better known Primitive Shops....Take a small, grocery store paper bag, put your finished corn in it, then wrap it in dirty cheesecloth and sell it for around $6, or make a canvas pouch to hold it...I like it with the brown bag and grungy cheese cloth...Just put some in a wood bowl and then set the bag on top to the side...

Parched Corn Recipe

Native Americans and the Early Pioneers knew how to make an easy nutritious snack. Parched corn was a staple of early Americans:
Things You'll Need:
Corn
Cast Iorn Skillet
lard
Spoon
Paper towel
Cloth or paper bags
2 tbsp. lard
2 ears dried corn, shelled
1 lg. skillet
Dry the corn ( I buy the squirrel cobs already dried). The primary ingredient of parched corn is dried corn. To dry fresh corn on the cob, hang it in a dry area of your home and allow it to dry out naturally. Frozen corn can be dried in a dehydrator or spread on a cookie sheet and placed in an oven set at 150 degrees. Leave the oven door open a little. This method can take a few hours and the corn should be turned occasionally to prevent burning.
Oil the skillet. Add a small amount of lard to a skillet. Heat the oil on a low temperature. Wipe the frying pan with paper towel to remove any excess oil. Only a thin coating should remain on the bottom of the pan.
Pour the corn in the skillet. Add enough dry corn to the skillet to just about cover the bottom. The actual amount will depend on the size of the skillet.
Cook the corn. Allow the corn to cook slowly. Stir the dried corn constantly to prevent burning. The parched corn is done when the kernels have swollen, and turned a medium brown. A few of the kernels may explode, just like popcorn.
Drain the corn. Pour the parched corn onto some paper towel and allow to thoroughly drain and cool. Turn the corn a couple of times to ensure that all excess oil is absorbed. Store the parched corn.
Here are the goodies I got at the Thrift Store yesterday...all for $18...

There are 4 decks of old playing cards, a children's card game, mix matched jewelry, a candle carrier, red handled potato masher, 2 small ovenex pans, 8 crocheted cups & saucers, a clock & recipe holder from the 50's, a sliver jewelry holder, shaped like a heart and a Family recipe holder...Below I picked up 3 old books from the 30's & 40's, 2 bingo games for ACT cards, napkin rings (for pin cushions) and an old bucket....


I will put it all up for sale in my store on ebay and etsy....

Not Trash, Just TREASURE!

Does the economy have you on your heels?
Are you searching for loose change in your couch cushions?
Do you still have a couch? Or in need of one?
Then check out ReUseIt.org.
What is ReUseIt?
The ReUseIt Network is an on-line forum that serves as a tool to make connections between community members who want to help each other, themselves, and their environment. In a disposable society where many items are discarded long before they have actually outlived their use, The ReUseIt Network helps get things from people who have them but don't want them, to people who want them but don't have them...
This is a really good place to get rid of things, you no longer want and you don't want to bother with a garage sale...Children go through toys like crazy, so why not give them away or exchange them...You can also request items you need and want....
Another site is Freecycle.org
The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,675 groups with 6,386,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free.
What a great way to recycle and keep perfectly good items out of our landfills..
We can also give to Goodwill, Salvation Army, nonprofit thrift stores and our local churches....Check them out...Just click on the names to go to their sites...
Today my daughter and I drove to Kenyon MN about 14 miles away to a thrift shop called "Third World Thrift Shope" and what a lovely place it is...so neat, organized and clean...I came home with 2 bags of goodies for only $18....Will take pictures, and show what I got tomorrow....
I must say I got so warm today that I had to take my coat off...Man that felt so good for a change...It was above freezing the first time in weeks and weeks....I even bought some seeds today...Spring is coming down that track....ENJOY!



Oh yes I won the weight challenge over on Primitive Lifestyles...I will get a dollar from the other gals in the challenge and I also won the book "Eat This...Not That"...I would be doing the happy dance if I could get these olde bones to move like that again....See you'll tomorrow