Start with Yourself

Dream.
Inspire...Encourage one person at a time, starting with yourself!

Unwritten.....Release your inhibitions!

I love this song!!!!
(to turn off blog music to to the bottom of the blog)






"Unwritten"




I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined

I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned



Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty window

Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find



Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten



Oh, oh, oh



I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines

We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way



Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty window

Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find



Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins



Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten



Staring at the blank page before you

Open up the dirty window

Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find



Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions



Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins



Feel the rain on your skin

No one else can feel it for you

Only you can let it in

No one else, no one else

Can speak the words on your lips

Drench yourself in words unspoken

Live your life with arms wide open

Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

The rest is still unwritten

The rest is still unwritten

Brown Chicken Brown Cow

This video is toooo funny! I love Trace Adkins songs  :-D
(pssst...to turn off the blog music, go to the bottom of blog)

Today is Macaron Day!!

Yes, I said macaron not macaroon! Today, in France and in New York City, is Macaron Day.

"Jour du Macaron" is an annual celebration of the meringue-based "cookies" that come in a rainbow of colors and fillings.

Pierre Hermé began this event in 2005. He offers free macarons in his Paris stores, as do other participating members of the Relais Desserts association, which represents the top pastry chefs in the world.
The event supports  Autour des Williams, a charity that funds research into rare diseases and provides assistance to those afflicted by Williams-Beuren syndrome. Donations to the charity are accepted in each participating shop.

In 2010, François Payard, chef and owner of François Chocolate Bar and François Payard Bakery in New York, organized the first annual Macaron Day in NYC.

What, exactly, is a Macaron???

According to Wiki:

"A macaron is a sweet confectionery made with egg whites, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food coloring. The macaron is commonly filled with buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two cookies.

Its name is derived from an Italian word "maccarone" or "maccherone". This word is itself derived from ammaccare, meaning crush or beat, used here in reference to the almond past which is the principal ingredient.

It is meringue-based: made from a mixture of egg whites, almond flour, and both granulated and confectionery sugar.

The confectionery is characterized by its smooth, domed top, ruffled circumference (referred to as the "foot"), flat base, mildly moist and easily melted into mouths.

Macarons can be found in a wide variety of flavors that range from the traditional (raspberry, chocolate) to the new (truffle, green matcha tea). The fillings can range from jams, ganache, or buttercream.

Since the English word macaroon can also refer to the Coconut macaroon, many have adopted the French spelling of macaron to distinguish the two items in the English language. However, this has caused confusion over the correct spelling of the cookie/biscuit. Some recipes exclude the use of macaroon to refer to this French confection while others think that they are synonyms."

The following links are some of my favorite places to read about macarons and find macaron recipes. And no I haven't made any at home....yet! Making macarons takes preparation....I'm still working on it  :-P

http://mactweets.blogspot.com/

http://macaron-fetish.blogspot.com/

http://ladymacaron20ten.blogspot.com/

http://madaboutmacarons.com/leblog

http://www.colourlovers.com/blog/2008/01/21/whet-your-palate-colorful-french-macarons/

http://www.mercotte.fr/2008/03/20/desperatly-seeking-macarons/

http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/2008/08/lots-of-macarons.html

http://macarondaynyc.com/

Parisian Macaroons

recipe found at http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/parisian-macaroons

Makes about 16 filled macaroons

1 cup (4 ounces) finely ground sliced, blanched almonds

6 tablespoons fresh egg whites (from about 3 extra-large eggs)

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Macaroon Filling

Directions

1.To make the macaroons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar and ground almonds. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites with salt on medium speed until foamy. Increase speed to high and gradually add granulated sugar. Continue to whip until stiff glossy peaks form. With a rubber spatula, gently fold in the confectioners' sugar mixture until completely incorporated.

2.Line baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Fit a pastry bag with a 3/8-inch #4 round tip, and fill with batter. Pipe 1-inch disks onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between cookies. The batter will spread a little. Let stand at room temperature until dry, and a soft skin forms on the tops of the macaroons and the shiny surface turns dull, about 15 minutes.

3.Bake, with the door of the oven slightly ajar, until the surface of the macaroons is completely dry, about 15 minutes. Remove baking sheet to a wire rack and let the macaroons cool completely on the baking sheet. Gently peel off the parchment. Their tops are easily crushed, so take care when removing the macaroons from the parchment. Use immediately or store in an airtight container, refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

4.To fill the macaroons: Fill a pastry bag with the filling. Turn macaroons so their flat bottoms face up. On half of them, pipe about 1 teaspoon filling. Sandwich these with the remaining macaroons, flat-side down, pressing slightly to spread the filling to the edges. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

5.Variations: To make coffee-flavored macaroons: In step 1, add 2 drops brown food coloring to the egg whites after they are whipped. In step 4, blend 1/2 cup macaroon filling with 1 1/2 teaspoons espresso powder dissolved in 1/2 teaspoon warm water for the filling. To make cassis-flavored macaroons: In step 1, add 2 drops purple food coloring to the egg whites after they are whipped. In step 4, use 1/3 cup good-quality cassis jam for the filling. To make pistachio-flavored macaroons: In step 1, add 2 drops green food coloring to the egg whites after they are whipped. In step 4, combine 1/2 cup macaroon filling with 1 tablespoon pistachio paste for the filling.

.



 

Wednesday March 9, 2011 is World Read Aloud Day!

So go out there, or stay in, and read with someone. Reading to children is wonderful but there are others out there of all ages that would like to be read to!
For more info check out my Storytelling Sub Blog post for WRAD...
Now go and read your favorite book to someone!

Winnie the Pooh, Dr. Suess, Pride and Prejudice....anything at all...just READ!!!!

Spunky Old Broads Month!!

OMGosh!! I almost missed it!
February is (almost was) Spunky Old Broads Month!
What is a Spunky Old Broad?
Basically a SOB (oooo... I wonder if they did that on purpose???) is woman 50 and over who is living life to the fullest. Age does not define her.

So all of you Spunky Old Broads out there.....stand up and be counted!

Shout out loud..."I'm an SOB and I'm proud!!" (hmmm...maybe not)

Warning - When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple

with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired

and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

and run my stick along the public railings

and make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

and pick the flowers in other people's gardens

and learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

and eat three pounds of sausages at a go

or only bread and pickles for a week

and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

and pay our rent and not swear in the street

and set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

By Jenny Joseph

(personally, I've decided to wear tie dye and lots of orange!)

Just a few of my Favorite Love Songs....Happy Valentine's Day!!

In no particular order...(I'm sure that there are many that I have forgotten)

Alright y'all let's just....Try A Little Tenderness with Otis Redding.....hmm might even work with men


Miss Etta James singing the haunting At Last...


Uh, uh, uh.....the Jackson 5 singing I'll Be There....a classic!


No one sings it like Stevie....I Just Called to Say I Love You, I just called to say how much I care...if only


I just love this song... I Hate You then I Love You.... waaay too many relationships are like that...


Lovin' You...is easy 'cause you're beautiful.....the great Minnie Ripperton


Some maynot think this is a love song but it is about love.....Queen singing Somebody to Love


OMG! Unchained Melody used in the movie Ghost....am I the only one that just wants to cry when they see this????


Sing it Percy! When a Man Loves a Woman.... what you say???


What a wonderful performance....Joe Crocker, Patti Labelle and Billy Preston...You Are So Beautiful


A great scene and a greater song....I Will Always Love You sung by Dolly Parton (I probably would have stayed)


Whitney did a pretty good job too....


Like Paul says you'd think that people would have had enough of Silly Love Songs....

Happy New Year 2011 - Auld Lang Syne ( lyrics)

Merry Christmas!!!....vintage Frosty The Snowman

Happy National Coffee Day!!

Dang! I can't believe I almost missed this!
Yep, today is the day to celebrate the joys of drinking coffee.

I personally celebrate coffee everyday but today I've been drinking my favorite chicory coffee. I made it so strong that I swear it's starting to fight back.

In celebration of the day, why not read up on the history of coffee or check out the National Coffee Day info on Facebook.

National Nanny Recognition Week 2010 ......September 19 - 25

 

 Happy National Nanny Recognition Week! I received this via email today. I love their description of a Nanny! Read it carefully.......

 

To all the wonderful nannies out there who are so much more than "just a nanny".

 

 All the best during this wonderful week of National Nanny Recognition!

PROUD TO BE A NANNY!!!

Nanny (nah-nee) n. childcare provider, activities director, teacher, dresser, beautician, nutritionist, chef, hygienist, janitor, nurse, dramatic reader, performer, entertainer, costume-maker, arts-and-crafts instructor, dance partner, chauffeur and stroller pusher, personal shopper, secretary, historian, detective, confidant, companion, counselor, coach, body-guard, self-defense instructor, tutor, cheerleader, appreciative audience, hugger, boo-boo kisser, potty trainer, learner, listener, helper, arbiter, peace-keeper, honorary extended-family member, life-long influence, shaper of the future. 

 

From,

The Central Florida Nannies Support Group

 

 

 If you need any ideas, here are a few.....

Ways to Appreciate Your Nanny

♥ Say Thank You ♥ Tell your friends good things about her knowing she will hear them back ♥ a surprise day off ♥ Have the children say Thank You ♥ Treat your nanny to breakfast or dinner made by the family ♥ a card and framed photo of the family ♥ Membership fees to a local nanny support group or other Professional Organization ♥ Pay for conference fees to Nannypalooza or INA with paid professional days to attend the event ♥ Tuition for college courses ♥ CPR Training ♥ Pay for dinner out with friends ♥ a raise ♥ an IRA ♥ gift basket of favorite treats ♥ gift certificates to favorite stores ♥ movie tickets ♥ gift certificate for manicure/pedicure or massage ♥ gym membership ♥ handmade card or gift from the child/children ♥ frequent flier miles to travel home ♥ 

 

 

 

Another Book List

There are lots of lists on the internet.
Many of them are supposed to be the top 100 books that we should read. I've looked at quite a few of those book lists and usually have read about 25 to 40 of the books but never all of them. Many of the books I agree with... meaning that I agree that more people should read them. But some of the books held no interest for me and I suspect not a lot of interests for other folks either.
I also think a lot of the lists cheat by counting an entire series of books...like the Harry Potter series or Phillip Pullman's Dark series... as one book. One list has the entire works of Shakespeare as one item. Totally not fair!

I like the list I've decided to put up here because it's made up entirely of free books you can find online. I love it! Books that are easily accessible to everyone. Many of the books are free because they are classics and in public domain. Some of the books, I have no idea where they are from and why they are free but hey, who am I to complain?
I've marked the books I've read completely with orange writing and the ones I've read partially with red writing.
Hmmm....interesting, I don't seem to have read any of the books in the finance, business or economics sections....surprising??? I think not ;-P

BTW, I found this list at the blog for BestCollegesOnline.com


****************************************************Classics
The Internet can be a great place to find some of the most important works of literature from the past few hundred years. Here are just a few works that have made must-read lists that you can access for free.

1. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer: Pilgrimages were a major part of medieval life and you can enjoy several different perspectives as Chaucer’s characters travel to Canterbury Cathedral.
2. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain: This well-loved novel follows the hi jinks of young Tom Sawyer, full of humor, adventure and fun.
3. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert: French bourgeois life in all of its soul-crushing triviality is explored through the character of Emma Bovary in this novel.
4. Moby Dick by Herman Melville: Follow along with this book as Captain Ahab tracks down his arch-nemesis the legendary white whale.
5. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo: Full of tragic characters, this novel explores life from its beauty to its horror.
6. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky: Is murder ever justified? This novel explores through its main character the student Raskolnikov.
7. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne: This sci-fi novel is full of adventure as a group of sailors try to track down a deadly sea monster.
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: This story explores the many difficulties associated with marriage and morality in 18th century England.
9. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: Jane Eyre follows Jane, an orphan, throughout her life providing readers with a compelling story full of love, social criticisms and many elements characteristic of the Gothic novel.
10. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: Get a more personalized tale of life during the French Revolution as the monarchy is replaced by a regime responsible for terror and numerous executions.
11. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy: Many know little of this novel other than that its long, but the story takes readers through the impact of the Napoleonic invasion of Russia through a vast and varied cast of characters.
12. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: Treachery and lost love form the basis for this novel by Three Musketeers author Dumas.
13. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad: This novella takes readers to the depths of the Congo to find the mysterious Kurtz, along the way exploring ideas of imperialism.
14. Ulysses by James Joyce: The classical Modernist novel, Ulysses follows the story of the Odyssey through stream of consciousness writing that’s been called everything from brilliant to obscene.
15. Siddhartha by Herman Hesse: This novel parallels the life of the Buddha, employing Eastern philosophy in a beautiful and poignant tale of a quest for enlightenment.
16. This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Set in the years following WWI, this book explores the life of Princeton student Amory Blaine as he struggles with greed, morality, status and more.
17. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells: When the Victorian scientist at the center of this story propels himself forward in time he discovers a world that may not be all that it’s cracked up to be.
18. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe: This abolitionist novel helped fuel the movement towards the end of slavery in the United States.
19. Little Women by Louise May Alcott: Follow along with the young women in this novel who come of age in this 19th century setting.
20. Don Quixote by Cervantes: This famous Spanish novel follows the often absurd travels of Don Quixote and his faithful squire Sancho Panza.
21. The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce: Originally published in a magazine, this collection of definitions is entertaining, enlightening and controversial.
22. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson: Readers will be familiar with the title character in this novel who leads a double life as the unpredictable Mr. Hyde.
23. Dracula by Bram Stoker: With all the hubbub about vampires these days why not read the classic vampire novel about the most famous vampire of them all?
24. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James: This psychological short story will have readers questioning their own judgment about what’s real and what’s imagined.
25. Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka: The Metamorphosis is one of Kafka’s most famous short stories, transforming traveling salesman Gregor into a horrifying cockroach.

Philosophy and Religion
These famous works will help you get a better understanding of religious and philosophical theories from around the world and through many different periods of time.

26. Voltaire’s Philosophical Dictionary: This series of essays is highly critical of French life during the 19th century and takes aim at the government, society and religious institutions.
27. Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes: This 17th century book on social contract theory explores the nature of legitimate government and the structure of society.
28. Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche: This book deals with ideas such as the "eternal recurrence of the same", the "death of God", and the "prophecy" of the Overman, themes expanded on from earlier writings.
29. Beyond Good and Evil by Freidrich Neitszche: This work expands on Thus Spoke Zarathustra, attempting to move beyond traditional definitions of good and evil and tries to gain a better sense of the nature of knowledge and the condition of modern man.
30. Discourse of a Method by Renee Descartes: This philosophical and mathematical work is essential to understanding modern science and thought.
31. The Tao Te Ching by Laozi: Written in the 6th century, this text is fundamental to the Taoist school of Chinese thought and has had influence throughout the centuries since its creation.
32. The Bible: Even if you’re not a Christian, the Bible will help inform your understanding of numerous aspects of Western society from great art to historical motivations.
33. Martin Luther’s 95 Theses: Breaking with the corrupt and indulgent Catholic Church of the Baroque era, this work marks the beginnings of Protestantism.
34. The Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant: Regarded as the most important work by this German philosopher, The Critique of Pure Reason investigates the limitations reason itself.
35. The Sayings of Confucius: With lessons on morality, social relationships, justice and society at large, these teachings form the foundation of Confucianism.
36. The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell: This book is an attempt to create a more accessible guide to the issues of philosophy.
37. Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome by E.M. Berens: The mythology of ancient Greece and Rome is a part of any complete reading of Western history.
38. The Golden Bough by Sir James George Frazer: This study of mythology and religion takes a logical approach to understanding the place of these in modern society.

Politics, Economics and History
Check out these free books to learn more about some important political and economic ideas.

39. The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels: Even if you don’t agree with the tenets of socialism you can’t argue about the importance of this work that’s essential to understanding political and philosophical thought in the 19th and 20th centuries.
40. Common Sense by Thomas Paine: Those looking to learn more about American history will appreciate this work that encouraged colonists to pursue freedom from British rule.
41. The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith: Scottish economist Adam Smith’s well-known work explores the intricacies of the economics at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
42. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli: While today Machiavelli’s name bring negative connotations, this Italian work is essential reading for those interested in politics and the maintenance of political entities.
43. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair: The burgeoning industries of the U.S. brought about many positive changes but some pretty negative ones as well, and this novel was one of the first to expose the seamy underbelly of turn of the century factory work.

Plays and Poems
While novels are a great source of learning, plays and poems shouldn’t be neglected if you want to be well-rounded in your knowledge of literature. These free selections can be a great place to start.

44. Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson: Get a good background in the works of a great American poet though this free collection.
45. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: With this complete collection of works, you’ll be able to pick and choose the plays and poems you find most interesting.
46. The Complete Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley: Learn more about the works of this Romantic poet through this large collection of his works.
47. Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw: While many people may have seen the film adaptation of this play in My Fair Lady, the written version is just as full of wit and charm.
48. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri: Explore the depths of hell through this highly important work of Italian literature.
49. Paradise Lost by John Milton: This epic poem follows the fall of Lucifer and his subsequent seduction into sin of the human race.
50. The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe: One of the most well-known poems ever written, this work by Poe is essential to any reading list.
51. Hedda Gabler by Heinrich Ibsen: In this play, a bored housewife dabbles in the lives of others with disastrous results.
52. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde: With plot twists and turns about mistaken identities, love triangles and romantic affairs this play is an entertaining way to spend an afternoon.
53. The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth: The works of this English Romantic poet helped bring about a new style and approach to literature in 18th century England.
54. The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot: This influential modernist work deals with death, grieving and coming to terms with loss.

Ancient Writings
Go old school with your reading by taking a look at these important texts. You’ll find ideas and stories that have influenced people in the thousand-plus years since they were written.

55. The Iliad by Homer: This epic poem about the Trojan War is one of, if not the oldest, work of literature in the Greek language.
56. The Odyssey by Homer: Homer’s other epic poem, the Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus and his long, problematic journey home.
57. The Art of War by Sun Tzu: The Art of War was written in the 6th century and contains explanations about military strategy and tactics that can still be useful today in any competitive field.
58. The Works of Aristotle: Aristotle’s writings influence writers in the centuries following his life and are still part of philosophy and liberal arts educations today.
59. Symposium by Plato: These speeches by Plato explore love and passion.
60. Apology, Crito, and Phaedo of Socrates by Plato: Socrates was executed for his supposed corruption of young minds, and Plato expands upon the ideas of this great thinker through this series of writings.
61. Aesop’s Fables: From simple morality to classic tales you’ve likely heard before, this collection of fables is full of humor, wit and insight into human nature.
62. Beowulf: This ancient epic work is full of manly fights, hideous, bloodthirsty monsters, revenge, action and adventure that is at your fingertips after you learn to get past the Old English writing.
63. The Aeneid by Virgil: This epic poem tells the story of Aeneas, ancestor to the Romans, and his travels from Troy to Italy.
64. Poetics by Aristotle: Aristotle’s theory of poetry is a classic work that lays out terms you may already be familiar with from catharsis to mimesis.

Technology and Business
Learn more about the basics of business online and off with these free online texts.

65. How to Speak and Write Correctly by Joseph Devlin: Learn how to improve your communication skills from this book, helping you go further in many aspects of life.
66. Professional Customer Service: If you own a business the customer is the real boss, so learn how to provide efficient, high-quality customer service from this ebook.
67. Fail As Fast As You Can and Other Contrarian Business Secrets: Don’t want to run your business into the ground? Check out this online book to learn how to avoid that fate.
68. Beginners Guide to the Internet: Whether you’re trying to get your business on the web or just want to learn to navigate it a little better, this text can give you the information you need.
69. Web Marketing Success: Web marketing is an essential for most businesses today and you’ll get the basics from this ebook.
70. Art and Science of Obtaining Venture or Angel Investor Capital: Need some capital to get your business off the ground? This text can help you find great investors in your business.

Finances
With an economy on the decline, you should be aware of where every cent you have is going. These free texts can help you make sound financial decisions even in tough times.

71. What Women Need to Know About Retirement: This text is a great read for women who want to make sure they’re well-prepared for their golden years.
72. ID Theft: What It’s All About: Worried you might have your identity stolen? This short book will help you understand what happens in ID theft and what you can do to prevent and recover from it.
73. Estate Planning: Make sure your loved ones are well-provided for even if you’re not around with some careful estate planning. Check out this book for tips and advice.
74. Savings Fitness: A Guide to Your Money and Your Financial Future: You worry about getting your body in shape why not your finances too? In this book you’ll find some ways to pump up your savings and investments.
75. Get the Facts on Saving and Investing: This book will give you the basics on saving and investing for newbies in the financial field.
76. Building a Better Credit Report: From getting the free credit report to which you’re entitled to helping improve your credit score, you’ll find loads of helpful advice in this government produced text.
77. Consumer Action Handbook: If you feel like you’ve gotten ripped off you may be able to take action against the perpetrator. Find out more by reading this ebook from this government consumer action group.
78. Taking Control of Your Finances: Feel like you’re going in financial down spin? This text can help you get a handle on your spending, increase saving and deal with a variety of other financial issues.
79. Banking Basics: Learn how to use your bank the right way from this ebook.
80. Know Before You Go: To Get a Mortgage: If you’re thinking of buying a new home this guide can help you make sure you don’t make any big blunders.

Not Just for Kids
While many of these books are today considered children’s literature, their enjoyment is hardly limited to the youthful.

81. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll: Take a tumble down the rabbit hole into the topsy-turvy world of this classic book.
82. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams: The stuffed rabbit at the center of this story wants nothing more than to become real through the love of his owner.
83. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie: The iconic character of Peter Pan saw his beginnings in this well-received story.
84. Grimm’s Fairy Tales: With evil witches, beautiful princes, enchantment, adventure and more, these stories will keep adults and children engaged for hours.
85. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell: Anyone who’s ever really loved an animal will appreciate this simple, touching story of the life of a horse.
86. Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame: The collection of animal characters that form the cast of this book wander about on the river, ultimately pursuing storylines that provide valuable moral lessons.
87. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson: From swashbuckling on the high seas to hidden treasures, this novel explores themes often uncommon in children’s literature like the ambiguity of morality making it a work that holds up for adult readers as well.
88. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum: While many are familiar with the film version of this classic, the original book is well worth a read at any age.
89. Beatrix Potter Collected Works: Beatrix Potter wrote and illustrated many well-loved children’s stories that appeal to adults and children alike in their simplicity and charm.
90. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift: From the diminutive Lilliputians to the giants of Brobdingnag this book provides plenty of adventure with a little satire on human nature as well.

Miscellaneous
From great biographies to essential historical writings, these varied books are well-worth your time to check out.

91. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: One of the best loved founding fathers, this story tells about the life of Franklin in his own words.
92. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: Here you’ll find an epic success story of the child of slaves who grew to be a great intellectual and public figure.
93. The Education of Henry Adams: This book records the experiences of Henry Adams as he comes to terms with the changing and modernizing world in his old age.
94. The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci: Explore the mind of one of the greatest artists and thinkers through his many notebooks.
95. Concerning the Spiritual in Art by Wassily Kandinsky: This modernist painter explores how painting affects the viewer in this theoretical work.
96. Lives of the Artists by Giorgio Vasari: Often regarded as the earliest art historian, Vasari writes about the lives of the artists that play an important role in the Renaissance and the years leading up to it.
97. On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin: While it may not make for the most exciting reading, this book is essential for those who want to understand the origins of modern biology.
98. Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson: From advocating the rights of women to speaking about the joys of nature, this collection of essays is great non-fiction reading.
99. Walden by Henry David Thoreau: Get some inspiration on moving closer to nature in this classic work.
100. The Kama Sutra by Vatsyayana: Keep your relationships spicy by checking out this ancient text full of advice on the art of lovemaking.

Today is the 90th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

What is the 19th amendment?

The Nineteenth Amendment stated that no state can deny the right to vote based on gender. Controversy came up about the 14th amendment and whether or not it should apply to women as well. The time in which women fought for their rights was called Women's Suffrage. On January 9, 1918, the president at the time, Woodrow Wilson, announced his support of the amendment. It was proposed on June 4, 1919 and ratified on August 18, 1920.

(information found at Wikihistoria )

I've found numerous places on the net that can tell you all about the 19th amendment and those who fought for it.

Washington Post's article on 19th Amendment Anniversary

Actual copy of the 19th Amendment with information


Women's History/Suffrage at About.com

But my fave piece of educational material is the School House Rock video from their America Rock series. Check out Sufferin' 'til Suffrage at the end of this blog.

A Relationship???

“A relationship, I think, is like a shark, you know? It has to constantly move forward or it dies. And I think what we got on our hands is a dead shark.”

 

Woody Allen from "Annie Hall"

August is National Panini Month!

 Soooo....some folks might be saying to themselves, "what is a Panini? "

A panini is basically a grilled sandwich made on Italian bread.
A traditional panini is made with two slices of dense bread filled with meat, cheese and vegetables. The outsides of the bread are usually  brushed with extra virgin olive oil to give it a crispier texture and then the sandwich is grilled on a two sided panini/sandwich grill. Paninis are usually made with a Panini Press but if you don't have one, you can get around it.
You can place the sandwich in a pan and cook it like you would any "grilled" cheese sandwich, using a spatula to press down on the sandwich , of course you won't get those lovely grilled lines, but the sandwich will still be good.
Both  How to Make a Panini without a Panini Press from eHow  and,  PaniniHappy.com  have good suggestions on making paninis without a press.

Types of bread that work well for paninis: foccacia, ciabatta, sourdough also thick cut italian or  french

All types of meats are good on a panini but they have to be cooked before you put them in the sandwich.

Feel free to experiment with your cheeses...try mozzarella, asiago, provolone, brie, goat cheese, cheddar, etc.

And don't forget the veggies! Roasted peppers, tomatoes, basil, spinach, red onions, eggplant....whatever comes to mind. Oh, you can also try fruit...some sliced apples, pears or strawberries might be delicious.

Oooooo.....I almost forgot the absolutely fabulous dessert panini. A Chocolate Strawberry Panini made with pound cake for bread and using nutella as the chocolate....yummy! The video on how to make this treat is at the end of the blog.

For some interesting ideas for paninis, check out this Page A Day Recipe Calendar that Sargento cheese put out in 2009 to honor August as Panini Month. It's packed with 31 yummy recipes.


Okay, I am soooooo hungry! I guess I'll go make something to eat.......hmmm I wonder what??


This is a fab video from Food Network. Giada makes a couple of delicious looking Paninis.



And here is Giada's yummy Chocolate Strawberry Panini.