Time To Start Planning All The Year End Dinner

Have you started planning where you are going for the holidays and who is cooking those all important family dinners?  Whose house are you going to for the big New Year's Eve party?

I haven't had a New Year's party or been to one in years.  I used to try to have them at my house but getting people to come and stay over has been harder and harder every year.  Most no one wants to drive home afterwards because of the people drinking and driving and most people don't want to just stay over for the night.  

I love to cook and plan and have fun.  I should open a party planning business or be a wedding planner.  I really enjoy putting things together and seeing it all come out right.  

As you can see, the Thanksgiving book is gone now and the new Holiday Cookbook and Dinner Planner is up on the blog for the next few weeks.  You will be amazed at the things that are in this book.

• Kosher Salt Encrusted Prime Rib, 
• Red Garlic Mashed Potatoes, 
• Fudge, 
• Divinity,
• Hoppin' Johns (Black Eyed Peas),
• Collard Greens,
• Roasted Brussels sprouts with Baon (best I've ever had)
• Sugar Cookies, 
• and so much more 

All the recipes you will need to cover you for those all important family gatherings.  The book is a direct download to your computer so you will have it in minutes.  Following payment, you will be directed to a download link to download the best dinner plans to carry you through the end of the year.

Get your copy today for $9.97.  I hope you will enjoy these recipes as much as I have.

Charlene S Reed, Author

"Holiday Cookbook and Dinner Planner"

Thanksgiving is Tomorrow ! Are you prepared?

Thanksgiving is tomorrow -- what are you preparing for your Thanksgiving feast?  Are you having turkey or ham or both? 

What side dishes are you serving with your meal?  "The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book" has over 20 recipes for all types of dishes including Sweet Potato Casserole, Homemade Applesauce, Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans with Bacon and Onion, and pies, cheesecake and a great pumpkin dessert.

You can have yours today in a matter of minutes from a direct download immediately following payment.  So many fabulous dishes to enjoy and a planning guide to make your Thanksgiving stress free and enjoyable.

What are you waiting for?  Get yours now before they are gone.  This book will come down after Thanksgiving and be replaced with a new book and may not come back next year or could be changed drastically so don't wait.  They are only $9.97 and still available.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving !!

Charlene S Reed, Author

Last Minute Table Decorations

Are you looking for something to do for table decorations that would be easy and not cost an arm and a leg?  How about doing something that is festive and looks good on your table?

You should have glass vases of all shapes and sizes in your house or ones that you could borrow from someone.  Vases or hurricane lamps are easy to change to match any decor and any holiday.  Sometimes you can pick them up at discount stores or dollar stores for a fairly reasonable prices and you can re-use them for many occasions.

If you have two that are the same shape in different sizes, you can put one inside the other and decorate in the larger one with out fear of the candle catching things on fire.  You could use items such as unpopped popcorn, fresh cranberries, mixed nuts, small pumpkins or gourds, flowers or any other items that you want to use for the mood you are wanting to set at your table or buffet.

Several candles set up in various size vases or candle holders would be a fun and easy way to decorate.  You could also use a pumpkin or two hollowed out with flowers added. 

Are you all ready for Thanksgiving?  Do you have all the recipes and food that you need to make your dinner a hit?  We still have the book available for immediate download if you are looking for something delicious and easy.  Following your payment, you will be given a download link where you can download the book and have it in a matter of minutes.

I have had several of my friends buy the book and try the recipes for early Thanksgiving dinners and they are raving about them.  The turkey is amazing and the ham is wonderful.  The side dishes and desserts are great too.

Get your copy today.  

Charlene S Reed, Author

"The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book"

How About a Slice of Pie?

This time next week, people will be out on Black Friday and will have all but forgotten about the day before when they had family and friends gathered around and were thankful for all the little things in their lives.

A week from today, stores and people will be crazy shopping for deals, spending money and trying to get all they can on sale.  I have never been a Black Friday shopper -- I don't like the crowds and people grabbing and the rudeness.  I prefer to shop at midnight for groceries and have a little peace of mind in doing so.

Hopefully, you will have some leftovers for dinner and hopefully you have some pie leftovers too.  I like to bake pies but am really not a dessert fan (although, I like to bake for others to enjoy).  I prefer the turkey and stuffing and potatoes and all the sides.  When I make turkey, if my family and friends know I'm baking, they show up to eat.  It is good -- juicy and the breast is not dry at all!  Delicious ! !

Today let's make pie -- this one is easy and really tasty -- and you can lighten it up if you want to by using a lighter cream or whipping your own without sugar.

Layered Lemon Pie

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/2 c sugar

1 (15 3/4 oz) can lemon pie filling, divided

1 carton (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (9 inch) graham cracker crust

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Whip in half of the pie filling and fold in the whipped topping.

Spread the remaining pie filling over the cream cheese layer.  Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving.

I hope you are enjoying these recipes and will try them out soon.  I am also hoping that you are enjoying them enough to order my book.  Only $9.97 and it is a direct download to your computer immediately following payment.

Get yours today ! !

Thank you !

Charlene S Reed, Author

"The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book"

Turkey ! Turkey !! Turkey !!! ONE WEEK Till Turkey !

I don't know, maybe I'm crazy -- but I love turkey -- everything from the smell of it roasting to eating it to having leftovers.

I usually bake several turkeys for Thanksgiving so that I make sure I have leftovers.  Cold turkey sandwiches and leftover stuffing - yum.  I love it !  Usually there are between 10 and 30 people who eat at our house for Thanksgiving -- this year, it will just be the two of us -- don't worry, it's my choice but I will still bake turkey and some of the side dishes.

This year, we decided it will be dinner for two and we decided to share all of the recipes that I normally make for all of my family and friends with you in "The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book".  

This book has over 20 recipes including 2 breakfast casseroles that you can prepare the night before and just pop in the oven the next morning for overnight guests or guests who arrive early in the day.  These casseroles are wonderful and easy to put together.

The turkey recipe that I have used for the last 10 plus years is also included and is great!  So moist and delicious -- even the white meat is juicy and succulent and cuts with a fork.  OK - now I'm hungry for turkey today :).

What will you do with all of the leftovers at your house or will there be any?  I know my leftovers won't last long.  How about a good turkey recipe for leftover turkey?

Southwestern Turkey Casserole

1  10.75 oz can of cream of chicken soup

1  10.75 oz can of cream of mushroom soup

1 7 oz can diced green chili peppers, drained (I like fire roasted)

1 cup sour cream

16  6 or 6 inch corn tortillas (I like the white corn but either works)

10 oz cooked turkey, diced

12 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken soup, mushroom soup, chili peppers and sour cream.  (If you really like your cheese, you could mix some extra cheese into the mix as well.)

Spray non stick cooking spray in a 9 x 13 baking pan.  Line the bottom of the pan with the corn tortillas.  Sprinkle about 1/2 of the turkey over the tortillas.  Follow with the soup mixture over the turkey and sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheese.  Repeat the layers again and top with remaining cheddar cheese.

Bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until the cheese is browned and nice and bubbly.   Enjoy !

For the best turkey and a bunch of other great recipes, get your copy of the book today.  On the right hand side of this blog at the top, you can get your copy and have it on your computer in minutes!  Direct download immediately following payment.  

You have one more week to get your copy and then it is gone for this year -- possible forever.  Get yours today.

Thank you,

Charlene S Reed, Author

"The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book"

One Week ! ! ! Thanksgiving will be here in 1 week!

Does it seem like Thanksgiving just came a little early this year?  Or is it just me?  :)  Maybe I have just been so busy that I didn't pay attention to the days going by.  Either way, it will be here in 1 week from tomorrow!

I can't believe that even though I was busy putting together "The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book" and didn't realize it was upon us this quickly.

Have you gotten your shopping list narrowed down to the things that have to be bought at the last few days such as celery, onions, potatoes and other fresh produce?  Have you gotten confirmations from everyone attending your dinner?

This book also includes a planning guide so that you make sure you get the things done that need to be done prior to the last minute.  There are over 20 recipes for everything you will want to serve at your feast and more including 2 breakfast casseroles.

You can have the book, planning guide and all recipes plus a page to add your favorite recipes and a shopping list page in a matter of minutes.  Once you pay for the book, you will be re-directed to a secure page where you can do a direct download to your computer.  

The book is just $9.97 (plus sales tax if you live in AZ of $1.05 for a total of $11.02) and is available on this page on the top right hand side.  

Get your copy today and get your Thanksgiving planned now !  This book will not be available past Thanksgiving Day -- next up will be the Holiday Planning Guide and Recipe Book.  Come back for the next in a series of planning guides and recipes.

Enjoy !

For your Thanksgiving decorations, you could try decorating your napkins with fall items such as pine cones, stalks of wheat, miniature pumpkins or other gourds tied with fall colors of ribbons.

For the center of the table or the buffet counter, you could get a large glass vase and fill it with small gourds, pumpkins and pine cones or other fall items such as colorful fall leaves and then tie some raffia or ribbon around the top of the vase.

Look around your house or the local craft store for simple decorating ideas and make your table festive for your dinner.  Make sure you find a nice fall colored table cloth for your dinner guests and have fun !

Charlene S Reed, Author

"The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book"

Looking for a Recipe for Thanksgiving? Look No Further!

I have put together "The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book".  It has over 20 recipes including the most requested recipe in my kitchen for the best turkey.  It also includes the planning guide to get you ready for the holiday and a page for a shopping list.  

My grandmother's 2 crust apple pie is in there along with 3 other pie recipes, a great festive cheesecake recipe, a great pumpkin dessert with a streusel topping and all the sides.  Get your copy today.  The book is a direct download immediately following payment.  You pay for the book and you have it within minutes to start planning your Thanksgiving feast!!  For only $9.97 (plus sales tax if you live in Arizona of $1.05 - total $11.02) you will have it on your computer for easy archiving for next year.  Get your copy today - you will enjoy it and so will your guests.

Today I want to share a recipe for Pumpkin Dip.  This is great to serve while guests are arriving and waiting for the turkey, ham, potatoes, stuffing and all the other things baking and they are starving.  It is great for Thanksgiving or anytime you want to serve pumpkin.  I hope you enjoy it!

Pumpkin Pie Dip 

1 8oz package cream cheese, softened 

2 cups confectioners’ sugar 

1 15oz can solid pack pumpkin 

1 T. ground cinnamon 

1 T. pumpkin pie spice 

1 t. frozen orange juice concentrate 

1. In a medium size bowl, mix cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. 
2. Gradually mix in the pumpkin. Stir in the cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and orange juice until smooth and well blended. 
3. Chill until serving time. 
4. Serve with ginger snaps, shortbread cookies, vanilla wafers or other cookies. 

Makes about 4 cups of dip.

Have a great Monday !

Charlene S Reed, Author

"The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book"

Thanksgiving is Less Than 2 Weeks Away

OK guys -- Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away and you need to make sure you have all of your plans in place.  Don't worry, I've got your back !!  I have put together "The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book" to help you with every step of your planning and cooking.

This book will help you plan your Thanksgiving and it includes recipes for everything you will need:

• Turkey (the BEST you will ever have - people who have this at my house always want the recipe before they leave),
• Ham (people ask for this recipe all the time),
• Homemade Macaroni and Cheese,
• Homemade dinner rolls,
• 3 different homemade pies including my grandmothers apple pie recipe,
• A great, festive cheesecake recipe,
• Bread stuffing recipe that is my own -- people love this one,
• Cornbread dressing,
• Homemade cranberry sauce -- have you ever made fresh cranberry sauce? It is great!
• From scratch applesauce,
• A fabulous streusel topped sweet potato recipe that people love,
• and so much more including tips for keeping your potatoes warm without drying them out and other great ideas.

You really need to get your copy today!!  I have had people offer me $20 just to tell them how to make the turkey -- now you can have that same turkey recipe and all the others plus a planner and a place to add your shopping list for less than half that amount.

On another note, writing is something that I really enjoy doing and I really want to have other books just like this in the next few weeks for year end events and parties -- all with great ideas and recipes.  Continue to read this blog and watch for them.  Help support my dream of being a great writer and sharing my recipes with people who share my other passion -- cooking!

This book is only going to be available for a limited time.  Once it comes down from this site, it is gone -- possibly forever so get your copy today ! !

Thank you !

Charlene S. Reed, Author

"The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book"

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman

It's a Great Day to be Alive !

The sun is shining and we have each other !!  Come on - let's move forward.  Look to the future and make it great!  You still have a choice -- you can be happy or choose to be miserable.  I choose to be happy in whatever situation I am in.  My situation is bleak right now but I see light at the end of the tunnel. 

I am ready to market this book and my other coming books and make a living writing, something I love to do - write.  The first of many books, "The Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book", has everything in it that you would need to make your entire day a great, never ending feast from breakfast casseroles all the way through dessert - pies, pumpkin dessert and cheesecake.

If you want to have recipes for Thanksgiving that your family  will enjoy and request year after year, these recipes are what you are looking for.  

Come on, join me in having the best Thanksgiving feast ever.  Let's start with a great spinach salad recipe for today.  This is not included in the book but an extra.  the 'Buy it Now" is on the top of this blog on the right side.  Get yours today!!

Spinach Salad with Dried Cranberries, Walnuts and Pomegranate Vinaigrette 

1/2 cup pomegranate juice 

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil 

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Salt and ground black pepper 

6 cups baby spinach leaves 

1/3 cup dried cranberries 

1/3 cup walnut pieces 

In a small container with a lid, combine the pomegranate juice, vinegar, oil, and Dijon mustard. Seal and shake to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Place spinach on a serving platter and top with dried cranberries and walnuts. Pour vinaigrette over spinach and serve.  Yield:  4 servings

Hope you enjoy this recipe and go buy the book, please -- you will love it !!

Thank you !

Charlene Reed, Author

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." - T.S. Eliot

I am the one who is going to see what is out there and how far I can go!  Today I am releasing the much anticipated "Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book".  

The book is chock full of great recipes for Thanksgiving including 2 breakfast casseroles that you can make the night before and just pop in the oven in the morning for a quick and easy breakfast for guests.

You will also find the planning guide for getting ready for all of your family and friends who are showing up for dinner on Thanksgiving.  I have included recipes for a feast - turkey (the best you've ever had), ham (you won't believe how good it is), casseroles, homemade cranberry sauce, applesauce, pies and so much more.  

Included on the last page is a convenient shopping list so you can jot down the items you will need to purchase to make your Thanksgiving feast.

Remember all those recipes that you have requested over the years and I always told you they were a secret?  NOT anymore!!  They are all included in this book - over 20 recipes that I serve every year in my home to all of my friends and family.  

Get your copy today so that you can start planning your Thanksgiving feast and tell your friends so that they can get their copy too.  This also makes a great gift for people who have never hosted Thanksgiving before, people who want to try something new or anyone who just wants to have great recipes to impress their family and friends.  

These recipes are so good and yet make cooking fun and easy. Once you try turkey this way, you won't want to go back to any other way.  It is absolutely amazing how moist and tasty it is.

On the top, right side of this blog is the buy it now button for a direct download.  Make your Thanksgiving memorable and amazing !!

Join me on this blog between now and Thanksgiving for even more tips and decorating ideas.  

Have a great day !!

Charlene S Reed, Author

"Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Guide and Recipe Book"

To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it. ~ Confucius

People tend to remember everything that you said or did bad rather than the good.  People have the tendency to take things that are said in several ways and will pick what you say apart.  Why do people do this?  It is human nature and when you let human nature into your life, this is how you act.  You will find fault in everything around you but will not just let things go and move on.

Human nature is in all of us and we can not let it rule over our lives.  We must move past it and move forward and not keep going back to wrongs or assumed wrongs done to us bu others.  This creates hard feelings and bitterness.  Is this how you want to live your life?

I would rather live my life without all the stress and one-upping all the time.  If people choose to continue on in bitterness and arguing, I choose to not be a part of this in my life.  I don't want to live with strife and arguing all the time.  This is not the way Christians behave in life.  We are to be an example to others.  Today, move on past what ever it is that you are holding on to -- what ever YOU have made into a mountain in your life and be happy.

Enjoy -- the week is almost over.

Charlene


Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes 
INGREDIENTS:
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 (20 ounce) cans sliced pineapple
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
12 maraschino cherries, halved

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and butter; mix well. Spoon into 24 greased muffin cups. Drain pineapple, reserving the juice. Trim pineapple to fit the muffin cups; place one ring in each cup.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, oils and 1-1/4 cups of the reserved pineapple juice; mix well. Spoon over pineapple, filling each cup two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
3. Immediately invert onto wire racks to cool. Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple ring.

The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!

And don't be jealous that they don't talk to you : )  . . .  I really don't have any voices in my head except my own.  It all started from something that was said yesterday when someone couldn't remember paranoid and said schizophrenic instead.  It was classic and we laughed a lot about it.  Some people may read that statement and think it fits me because I always have some idea in my head and coming out of my mouth -- but it is not any one's voice but my own : )  I think. . .

Today, it is getting back on track again, lining up all the cars and going forward.  This past week, has been hectic and I have gotten caught up in doing too many things and have missed all of you.  Hopefully, this week will be better and a little calmer.  I could use a quiet week once in a while.

What are your plans for summer?  Are you going some where special with your family?  Or by yourself?  I'm not sure what we are doing yet this year??  It will be our 30th anniversary this August so I'm sure we will do something.  I wanted to take a cruise to Alaska but now I'm not so sure if that will happen or not.  Work is slow so not a lot of extra money to travel far but we will see.  I would love to spend a few weeks in Alaska just photographing the scenes and wildlife.  I don't want to be eaten by a polar bear or anything for that one million dollar photo but I would love to see some.  I know I don't want to be like this ant that was in our house along with a few hundred of his buddies a while back -- working all summer without a break : )

It's time for cool classic summer recipes.  Barbecue and a good pasta or green salad is perfect in the summertime - especially in Phoenix, AZ where it will be 100+ for the next 5 or 6 months.  Plan something fun this week and this summer.

Enjoy,

Charlene

Macaroni Salad 
INGREDIENTS:
16 oz uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup white sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1/4 cup grated carrot (optional)
1 tsp garlic powder
3 Tablespoons pickle relish

DIRECTIONS:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in the onion, celery, green pepper, carrot, pimentos and macaroni. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving, but preferably overnight.

Families are like fudge... mostly sweet with a few nuts. ~ Author Unknown.

How true this is !   I don't think any of us are exempt from the family nuts.  I know my family has them and we enjoy them too : ).  We all very much miss one, my brother Lee passed away 13 1/2 years ago from cancer :`(  -- early detection is key.  He was a lot of fun.  Every Saturday he would watch wrestling and The Three Stooges.  Even if we had seen them 50 times, we'd watch them again.  They are classic - no one can really replace The Three Stooges.  Curly was always the favorite -- the C-2-8 was always a favorite too.  If you have watched the Stooges, you know what that is : ).

Today is our day set aside for worship of our Lord.  We are headed of shortly to church to learn more about what He did for this world.  Yesterday, we visited with some very special people that we have known for over 19 years and we love them dearly.  Her birthday was yesterday so we met them for lunch.  Had a lot of fun.

Get out today and enjoy your family -- better yet, go to church with them.  Bake some brownies and make some coffee and enjoy time with them.  Lee loved brownies and I think he would have loved these.

Enjoy your Sunday !

Charlene


Frosted Fudgy Brownies 
INGREDIENTS:
8 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1 cup butter
5 eggs
3 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped walnuts 
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1 cup heavy cream
5 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 13x9-inch baking pan. Place 8 ounces of baking chocolate with 1 cup of butter in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on High until the chocolate is soft and the butter has melted, about 2 minutes. Stir to mix.
2. Place the eggs, 3 cups of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract in a large bowl, and beat with an electric mixer on high speed for 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low, and beat in the melted butter-chocolate mixture. Beat in the flour until just combined (do not over mix), and stir in the chopped walnuts. Spread the batter in the prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with fudgy crumbs, about 35 minutes. Cool in the pan before frosting.
4. To make frosting, combine 1 1/4 cup of sugar with the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat, and stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer for 7 minutes without stirring.
5. Remove the cream mixture from the heat, and stir in 5 ounces of baking chocolate and 1/2 cup butter, stirring to melt and blend the chocolate. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; whisk until smooth. Place the frosting in the refrigerator and stir every few minutes until the frosting is chilled and thick, about 30 minutes. Frost the cooled brownies, and cut into squares.

His mercies are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:23

Every day I get up and think on my way to where ever I'm going for the day and I think about all the things around me that show God's mercies in my life.  He gives me safe travels and lets me see the things around me that have been here all along that I have failed to see in HIS magnificent creation.  He is faithful to His own and that faithfulness is GREAT ! !  I have to remind myself of this several times a day.  Whenever I think things are not going well, I have to stop and remember that His will is going to be done and I need to stop and accept that what is happening is His will and I may not always like it but it is what is best for me.

This morning, I had an appointment with a sunflower and saw lots of amazing things while out photographing that sunflower.  I saw a bee whose legs were so full of pollen that he could hardly fly.  I am allergic to bees but find them fascinating somehow.  They buzz around and collect pollen from all the places they go.  I have lots of pictures of bees from flowers all over.  Here is one of the sunflower pics from this morning.  I have several more that are really good and close up and personal.  : )

I think my favorite things to photograph are babies, wedding, bees, butterflies, flowers and little critters like chipmunks, squirrels, ducks and other small 4 legged friends.  Friday we are taking a trip to Lake Pleasant for my husband's birthday and will take our cameras with us to catch wildlife and birds there by the lake.  It should be lots of fun and again, we will see more of God's creation.

Have a great Wednesday !

Charlene




Stuffed Pecan Pie French Toast
Ingredients1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 loaf (16 ounces) Cinnamon Swirl Bread (16 slices)
1 cup milk
2 egg
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
confectioners’ sugar
DirectionsHeat the oven to 350°F.
Heat the butter and brown sugar in a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat to a boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the pecans.
Lightly grease a baking sheet with additional butter. Place the bread slices onto the baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes or until the bread slices are lightly toasted on both sides.
Beat the milk, eggs, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in a medium bowl with a fork or whisk. Dip 8 bread
slices into the milk mixture and place onto a baking sheet. Spread about 1 tablespoon pecan mixture onto each dipped bread slice. Dip the remaining bread slices into the milk mixture and place over the pecan mixture to form sandwiches.
Bake for 20 minutes or until the sandwiches are lightly browned. Sprinkle with the confectioners’ sugar.
Tip: When cooking a sugar mixture on top of the stove, use a heavy-bottomed saucepan. The thicker the bottom, the less readily the sugar will burn.

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. ~ Leviticus 19:18 KJV

This goes back to the treat others like you want to be treated.  Don't talk about people, don't lie to people or about them, don't say hurtful things -- you know what you would or wouldn't do to yourself.  That is how you need to be to others.  I know sometimes it is very hard to do but this is one of the 10 commandments. 

Other people around you will see how you treat others and will know that you are a good person.  If you are constantly blaming others for your inadequacies or talking bad about others, they all know you will do the same to them.  Stop it ! !  Don't you remember the Disney movie "Bambi" (one of my favorites) where Bambi's mother told him that if he couldn't say something nice to not say anything at all??  These are good words to live by in all of our lives.  It is better to say nothing than to run someone else down for any reason.  It is very unnecessary.

We could all stand to learn something from Bambi's mother in this movie -- sweet and nurturing and always looking out for others best interest.  This is hard to find in people anymore.  People are so cynical anymore about everything and it seems to get worse with every generation.  Either that or I'm getting senile -- which I guess is always a possibility but I don't remember people being this hateful when I was in high school (GO Grenadiers ! ! ).  You know you always have your rough kids who are mean and hateful but anymore I see a large population leaning this way.  It is sad.  A lot of people out there need a lot of Jesus in their lives and maybe they would be nicer.

It's Saturday, get out and enjoy the weather wherever you are.  I could go for some snow today.  Phoenix is going to be in the upper 80's all weekend but I would love some rain or snow : ).  This is beautiful weather but here in a few months every one will be wishing for rain or snow in Phoenix when it is over 100 degrees all day and most of the night.

Have a great weekend and enjoy it with others,

Charlene


Watergate Salad 
INGREDIENTS:
1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 (20 ounce) can DOLE Crushed
Pineapple, in juice, undrained
1 cup JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans
1 1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix dry pudding mix, pineapple, marshmallows and pecans in large bowl until well blended.
2. Add whipped topping; stir gently until well blended. Cover.
3. Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to serve.

From Jello's recipes : )  I also add maraschino cherries sometimes to mine.  Enjoy!

“If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.” ~ Marcus Aurelius

Some people could learn a lot from this saying  : ) along with the 'do unto others'.  Why do people feel a need to do or say things that are not true?  Or exaggerate the truth to their advantage.  Why do people feel the need to have to put people in a position of being less than what they themselves are?  I think I have figured this one out -- people don't like seeing in themselves what they don't like and wish they could change so rather than change, they just push the attention off to someone else who is doing or being something that they are not to draw people's attention away from their faults.

I find this is especially true of people who can't take responsibility for their own actions or who fail to make wise choices in their life or business or family.  People who find it necessary to degrade other people are no one's friend. If they are talking about others to you, they are talking about you to others when you are not around.  You do not need people like this in your life and neither do I.  I have chosen to cut all of these types of people from my life and move on.  If they can prove that they are changed and will admit the error of their ways, we can move on.  Though most people will not do this, some will.  Those who will not have their own personal issues that they need to overcome and will always find a scape goat for their failures.

My prayer today is that people will see themselves for who and what they really are and will accept this and move on.  My heart tells me that not all will be able to admit their faults and failures.  A few days ago, I mentioned a mental diet in one of my posts.  It is harder than you think to carry this out.  Try to go for seen days with out thinking or saying anything bad about anyone.  If you fail and do think or say something bad, you must start over.  Try it and see how long you can go on without thinking or saying anything negative about anyone.  And most of all, be honest with yourself.

Hope everyone has a great weekend ! !

Charlene


Creme Brulee French Toast 

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
6 French bread
5 eggs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon brandy-based orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier®)
1/4 teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS:
1. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix in brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Remove crusts from bread, and arrange in the baking dish in a single layer. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla extract, orange brandy, and salt. Pour over the bread. Cover, and chill at least 8 hours, or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove the dish from the refrigerator, and bring to room temperature.
4. Bake uncovered 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until puffed and lightly browned.

"Unless you're willing to have a go, fail miserably, and have another go, success won't happen." ~ Phillip Adams

So here goes another round of trying to get books published and websites full of pictures up for sale.  I have some awesome pictures that I have gathered into a folder on my computer for sale and I have 2 completed books that I need to promote.  I must get organized again and make another run at it.

I am in the process of starting to read the book The Total Money Makeover and can't really seem to just get started on it.  I'm needing a big push today to just get back on track after yesterday.  My little puppy is not feeling well.  I say puppy but she is 7 years old but she is so tiny and spoiled rotten.  : )

I'm off today to try to reach a few other goals that I have and then I'll be back tomorrow to get myself organized.  I guess that's why the quote so fits me today.  I know I can make it, I just need to get that second wind after failing miserably the first time. 

Today, it is "forward" for me -- I must keep going forward.

Happy Thursday -- Almost the weekend !

Charlene


White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake 

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs
3 tablespoons white sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water 2 cups white chocolate chips
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese,
softened
1/2 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a medium bowl, mix together cookie crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan.
2. In a saucepan, combine raspberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to boil, and continue boiling 5 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt white chocolate chips with half-and-half, stirring occasionally until smooth.
4. In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in vanilla and melted white chocolate. Pour half of batter over crust. Spoon 3 tablespoons raspberry sauce over batter. Pour remaining cheesecake batter into pan, and again spoon 3 tablespoons raspberry sauce over the top. Swirl batter with the tip of a knife to create a marbled effect.
5. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 8 hours before removing from pan. Serve with remaining raspberry sauce.

Do what we can, summer will have its flies. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Summer is here and in Phoenix, that means heat.  Time for pools and lemonade by the pool.  I love the days of summer where it cools off at night enough so that you can keep the windows open and there is a cool breeze.  It's time to dig out the summer clothes and pack away the sweaters and blankets. 

In Phoenix, you learn not to heat the house up by cooking  inside.  Summertime means most everything gets barbecued or baked in a roasting pan outdoors.  (Yes you can bake in your roaster outside if you have electrical outlets outside.  I just put mine on the patio and plug it in on the table and set the temperature and go about my business until it's done.  I bake cake, meat and everything else in the roaster.  It's great - try it sometime.

How about barbecue today?  Here is an easy sauce for barbecue.  If you live in Phoenix or any area that is warm, you can cook this outside on the side burner of your bbq grill.

Enjoy your Monday !

Charlene


Barbecue Sauce 
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
¼ whole Onion, Diced
2 cloves Garlic, Minced
1 cup Ketchup
¼ cups Packed Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons (additional) Brown Sugar
4 Tablespoons Distilled Vinegar (less To Taste)
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
⅓ cups Molasses
4 Tablespoons Chipotle Adobo Sauce (the Adobo Sauce Chipotle Peppers Are Packed In)
Dash Of Salt

Instructions
Heat canola oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook for five minutes, stirring, being careful not to burn them.
Reduce heat to low. Add all remaining ingredients and stir. Allow to simmer. Taste after simmering and add whatever ingredient it needs (more spice, more sugar, etc.)

Everybody mocks my happiness.

I am generally a very happy person.  I like having fun and laughing (see yesterday's post).  I don't like being unhappy - I really enjoy my happiness - even if it is only in my head!  Today I thought I would share with you some of the things that make me very unhappy:

Liars, drama queens, cheaters, two-faced people, leeches and snooty people : )  See it was a short list. :-)  I choose who to have in my life and I choose who I will not associate with.  Life could be soooooo simple if people would just say to your face what they are saying behind your back.  Life would be more fun if all the high school drama would stop.  If someone thinks they are bringing drama to my world -- see how fast I walk away from you.  Please don't call yourself my 'friend' and stab me in the back to others -- that is not a friend.  Here is the definition of friend in case there is any question:

friend   

–noun
1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.
3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?
4. a member of the same nation, party, etc.
5. ( initial capital letter ) a member of the Religious Society of friends; a Quaker.
–verb (used with object)
6. Rare . to befriend.
—Idiom
7. make friends with, to enter into friendly relations with; become a friend to.

On the other hand, treat me right and I will be completely loyal to you -- most times to a fault.  Are you being a friend to someone or do you fit in the other category?  If you fit in the other category, fix it -- make it right.  Stop being hateful and start yourself on a drama free life diet.  You may laugh but try it sometime.  Here are the rules:

You cannot say or think a negative thought about someone for a week.  If you do either, you must start over and the clock goes back to zero and you now have seven days in front of you.  See how far you can make it through those 7 days.  See how many times you have to re-start you week long no negative living.  Some people will not accomplish this before New Years (DF) and others will probably figure it out in a month or two.  I am now on month 2 and week 3 of trying.  It's harder than you think it is.

Today, try it and start new not thinking bad of people.  Keep your word to others and be happy -- life is too short to not have fun and laugh.

Happy Saturday ! !

Charlene


Greek Salad

Ingredients
12 leaves iceberg lettuce
2 tomatoes, cut into eighths
1 large green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
8 slices red onion
4 radishes, sliced
1 cup canned chick-peas, drained
12 pitted black olives
1/2 cup feta cheese
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation
Wash, dry and tear lettuce into bite-size pieces. Toss with tomatoes, green pepper, onion, radishes, chick-peas and olives. Crumble feta cheese on top.
For dressing: Whisk lemon juice and mustard together until smooth. Whisk in oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour over salad and toss.

When you photograph people in colour you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in B&W, you photograph their souls! ~ Ted Grant

I never quite thought about it but I do love B & W Photography.  It seems to have a certain sense of times gone by - of a time when things were simpler and being with family and friends meant something more than just 'hanging out'.

While I love my new Canon DSLR, the B&W pictures from the DSLR are different than those shot with the older film cameras.  I still love to take my 35mm camera out with B&W film and shoot pictures of things.  There is a much different look and feel to them.  You notice so many more details in B&W than you do in color.

It seems that color is natural to the eye but B&W seems to make you look deeper into the picture itself.  Look at the B&W photo above.   It is a rose with a lady bug on it.  This was taken at a park with a lot of roses out front and the day we were there, there were lady bugs everywhere.  It was great.

This morning, I was out before 7 looking for our little hummingbird again but he was a no show for a few hours so I came in to finish this blog.  It's Friday, let's have some fun!  I'm actually looking to expand my portfolio with some newer and fresher images.  In the next few days, I will make a really cool offer for someone.  A really good deal for a few interested and quick people.  Stay tuned. . . .

Right now, I could use a nice cold drink - non-alcoholic of course.  Have you ever made homemade slushies?  Watermelon and strawberry are my favorites.  Today, try the watermelon one and maybe sometime again, we can share the strawberry one.

Happy Friday!

Charlene


Watermelon Cooler Slushy  

Ingredients:
4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
10 ice cubes
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup white sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions:
1. Place watermelon and ice into a blender. Pour in lime juice, sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth.
I love my blender stick -- it works great and you can use it right in the glass or pitcher : )  Easy clean up too.