Creative Experiments - Shoutpost Help

World's Best Cheesecake

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:04:55 -0700

Oh YUM! This recipe is so simple and easy! A pre-made crust and only one 8 oz package of cream cheese and a few other basic ingredients then topped with sour cream!

The possibilities are endless use a chocolate graham cracker crust, drizzle with chocolate, top with cherries or strawberries, etc.

Perfect for just a few people rather than the super large cheesecakes that seem to live on for days.

Creating a Vision Board - as seen on Oprah when she discussed "The Secret".
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First Love

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:32:30 -0700

Readers of this blog will know that my son (age 10) is quite a character.

He is going to summer school three days a week (Tues-Wed-Thurs).
He gets to ride in a small airconditioned bus all over town.

So towards the end of fourth grade, ...

Wishful Wednesday

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:11:59 -0700

Last night I was talking with a lady whose children were my former students.
Her children are grown and the youngest one has one semester to go in college.

She is a really wonderful lady and has undergone some unfortunate issues recently in her life leaving her and her children innocent victims. Because of this, and the expense of it all, she has lost her home and most recently, her job because the place went out of business. She has a ...

Steve and Barry's Bankruptcy Chapter 11

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:53:32 -0700

I wonder what Sarah Jessica Parker is going to do with her clothing line since this news.

Her Bitten clothing line was carried exclusively at Steve and Barry stores.

Maybe things may work out for all of them.

Steve and Barry's Files for Bankruptcy

Sad, but personal finances, ...

Alive and Kicking

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:39:50 -0700

I am still here.

The Blog Challenge (at Penny Lane) took up lots of time but for now, it is over.

We went to two family reunions which required some travelling.

I seem to be spending lots of time waiting in lines. Today I went to pay the cable bill. Why don't they have a drop off box? You have to wait in line to drop off the payment.

So there were about eight people in front of me, and twelve more b ...

$45 Yearbook

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:49:39 -0700

The high school yearbook cost $45.00 for the version we got. (Possibly more expensive other places depending on the amount of pages and covers selected.) Most of it was black and white, a few color pages at the back, pages that just had current events/styles/music/trends of their senior year that made the news.

OUCH! -- and to think we will be buying three more till our daughter graduates.

Many of the s ...

Weekend Whimsey

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 10:36:25 -0700

Just an update.
We have been busy. Last weekend we went on a day trip and gee, it was so steamy hot!
The past two weeks the children have had one field trip after another.
One field trip got cancelled due to the high temperatures. What a disappointment as my husband would have chaperoned and I would get SIX hours to myself!!! Cancelled.
High School graduations and activities this past week.
Then a few more field trips and awards ceremonies th ...

Yard Sailing

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:58:21 -0700

A little late but still a good blog entry to entertain the masses.

Last weekend my MIL had her yardsale so my husband went over to help her.
I was on my own.
I went to one neighborhood and then the Democrat Yard Sale where it was expensive and disorganized. LOL

Ok, not much -- a few books (one old time yesteryear Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka title), an 8 inch Madeline doll (25 cents!) I have no idea why I have to rescue them all!, a spice rac ...

Hmmmmmm?????

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:18:27 -0700

Ok - some happy news and a bit of a "where's the logic" vent.
Yes, it has been a few days now hasn't it?

Now regular readers know that I also blog at Penny Lane -- where I mostly do my Memes, themed writing, and Challenges. The good news -- I entered a contest there and won! I got all the ads stripped off my blog for as long I own it. Things sure are hot over the ...

Yard Sailing

Sat, 24 May 2008 17:47:43 -0700

We went to two neighborhoods and a fund raiser.
The fundraiser had so much rusty junk it was pitiful but I hope they raised the funds they needed.
There I found new Prang Watercolors (THE BEST!), and a little thatched cottage tea pot with sugar and creamer (made in Japan), just like my Mom use to have.

Again, two more books, one Fast Food Nation and another about Cows (for a f ...

Dr. Phil: Carol Wior Slimsuit Bathing Suits

Sat, 24 May 2008 17:07:38 -0700

Dr. Phil featured Carol Wior and her Slimsuit bathing suits on his show 5/23/08.

The Slimsuit comes in 85 different styles and can hide a multitude of body flaws because of the way it is made. Every audience member got one (certificate) -- too bad I was not there. LOL

Featured on the show was a woman who had belly sag and bottom issues but when she came out in the suit, WOW, she looked fabulous and you would have never gue ...

Update Notes

Sat, 17 May 2008 12:53:42 -0700

I think I am a weekend blogger here now.
Somewhat disappointing that things are not getting fixed.

Last week I did the MommyFest blog party and hopping. It was ok. Sad that so many people who participated did not have intro posts or did not have their blog opened to accept comments. More than half I visited that was the case. Then only a few came to my blog. The Ultimate Blog Party seemed to be better ...

Misheard in NH

Sat, 10 May 2008 12:31:51 -0700

It was my husband's birthday last week and we went out to eat.

While in the car, I hear my son singing "It's too late to order fries, is it too late?" He was singing the tune "It's too late to apologize." by Timbaland.

When I told him what the lyrics were, he was a bit stunned.

So the next day -- I went to have a small donut after breakfast only to find the box em ...

Yard Sailing

Sat, 10 May 2008 12:10:13 -0700

Tis the season! The Yard Sailors are out!

Today I just got a few cheap books and some "decorative apple gifts" for my neighbor who has the last name of an apple. She collects that kind of stuff and sad to say, I help her hoard it. I am an enabler to her addiction. So I will wrap it all up and give it to her for Mother's Day. I got 4 new and wrapped shaped apple candles (for her screened in porch), t ...

Dr. Phil: Amanda and Pierre

Mon, 05 May 2008 21:29:12 -0700

And Yolande . . . Pierre's overbearing, controlling and manipulating Mom.

They were back for an update although Yolande said that Amanda made her look bad on the last show.

Dr. Phil: Interfering Inlaws -- my original post (opens in a new window).

Not much has changed with the exception that Pierre (now aged 39) and Amanda have divorced to the delight of ...

MommyFest Blog Party May 12-16

Fri, 02 May 2008 11:38:52 -0700

I will be participating in this at my other blog Penny Lane.
Click on the banner to find out more if you wish to participate.

...

A Well Wisher

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:01:23 -0700

We went out to lunch Sunday with my Great Aunt who is 92, my brother and my cousin and her husband.

As we departed the establishment and were breaking up to go back to our car, my son ("Geo") said to his Great Great Aunt, "Bye. Have a great life".
She exclaimed "WHAT?" as if she heard him correctly but had to be sure.
So I told her what he said.
She laughed and told him "It is too late, mine i ...

Update Notes

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:52:37 -0700

Last week my BloggyGiveaway at Penny Lane went rather well. I think I will do this again when it comes around in July. Meanwhile, I have to plan it out, so I have plenty of time, two months.

Last week we had many nice pleasant reasonable weather days! So far yesterday, today and tomorrow lots of rain. Well, maybe it might be good for my pathetic lawn here at Windsor Upon Weeds. My nei ...

Bloggy Give Away -- Shopaholic Diva Silver Pin

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:58:07 -0700

I am participating in the Bloggy Give Away.

You can see my freebie and leave a comment with a valid email to enter to win at Penny Lane.

Congratulations to the winner: Tara of Canada!
...

Name Change

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:20:39 -0700

When my son ( cried over being a double digit age, but calls it 9 + 1) was little, I called him Pip or Peterkins.

When he was four or five, he insisted we call him "Timmy" because he liked that name.
It is also the name of one of my brothers.

So we did and after not even a day, he decided he did not like to be called Timmy and reverted.

Now, he wants us to call him "Geo", after he heard this ...

Cheering Up the Blog and Visitors

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:01:43 -0700

Well, this place needs a bit of cheering up! Why not?
Anyways, the snow is gone and now I would like to see some green! I have only seen a few daffodils around, still a bit cold and I am still wearing my winter coat and gloves.

Which reminds me of the 100 or so daffs I planted and NONE came up -- mostly because the wildlife thought I was playing hide and seek snacks with them. Sneaky squirrels and clever chipm ...

PBS Masterpiece: A Room with a View

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:35:17 -0700

A Room with a View by E.M. Forster

Yes, I was looking forward to this! I enjoyed it and was trying to figure it out and was disappointed in t ...

Hello!

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:38:23 -0700

What's new at "Windsor Upon Weeds", my castle, my home?

1. The children have had a few big projects due at school so we have been working on those.

2. Spring is coming! We still have some snow, and it is still cold, but in a few weeks, spring will be here and so will all the pesky black flies. I can't wait to go out and plant things. Not to sure about the lawn though or what we a ...

Oprah: Freegan Lifestyle

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:15:09 -0700

Or How to Consume Less

Lisa Ling investigated the Freegan Lifestyle. (Show aired 2/27/08, just found my notes)

What is/are/a freegan? They are people who live off trash findings and live a simpler life, they try to live outside of consumer society. They find their food in the trash on organized tours. Th ...

Oprah: Shlumpadinkas

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:09:34 -0700

Shlumpadinka: Oprah's word for a woman who has given up on her style.

On this show they took a neighborhood of woman and transformed them into fashion divas with stylist Lloyd Boston.

Most of the clothing was bought at Kohls, Old Navy, The Gap, J.C. Penny's, and Sears for reasonable prices. Most outfits cost under $2 ...

Show Time: The Talent Show Review

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:31:54 -0700

If you had been following along, my son (4th grade, age "9 plus 1") was anxious and excited to enter the annual school Talent Show.

He finally got to perform in front of an audience of other students, parents, teachers, and the general public. He was the last act. He wore the gray haired wig we found, a suit coat, vest, white shirt an ...

Say it ain't snow!!!

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:07:01 -0700

AGAIN! We woke up at 6 am to at least four inches of white fluff.

It is now noon and we have at least three more inches. I recall a few years ago, a super snow storm/blizzard on April 1st. Then I remembered we even had a huge snow storm/blizzard in May one year.

Just the other day, I was raking the yard and around my hydrangeas.
I am beginning to believe that Spring will no longer exist around here. LOL

I do like the Daylight Saving ...

Just for Fun

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:56:22 -0700

Made by Andrea Micheloni

...

Kelly Ripa's Mexican Wedding Cookies

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:31:38 -0700

Kelly made these easy cookies that are like shortbread.

3/4 butter at room temperature
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat 325 F
Lightly grease cooking sheet
In large bowl using a mixer or spoon:
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
Add vanilla, salt, flour and nuts and
Mix well.

1-2-3 Cookies

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:14:03 -0700
Easy and fast to make, especially in a time crunch.

1 cup peanut butter
¼ cup soft butter or margarine
1 cup granulated sugar or
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
½ cup boiling water
2 cups Bisquick

Heat oven to 400º (moderate hot).
Mix peanut butter, butter, sugar and boiling water.
Blend with rotary beater or spoon until smooth.
Stir in Bisquick.
Drop by teaspoonfu ...

Forget Me Not

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:09:00 -0700
That is what my blog here is saying to me . . . scribble some more.

Well -- an update.
First off -- no mail for us today. Good news, no junk mail to throw out although junk mail can be good source to craft with.

Second -- still a few glitches here. Very discouraging when there is no access.

Third -- I have been blog hopping and party going at Penny Lane (link on side bar since I cannot link here at the moment&nb ...

The Talent Show

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:38:58 -0800
My son came home from school with a permission slip for auditioning for the annual talent show.

He begged me to sign it so he could return it.

I asked what his talent was and he said he wanted to dress up as an old man, his character he created, "Mr. Jenkins" and tell a few jokes. He does similiar performances out on the pla ...

The Double Digit Birthday

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:01:51 -0800

Came and went. If you read a previous post, my son cried about becoming a "double digit" in age one night as he went to bed.

My son requested a yellow butter cake with fudge frosting.
He added decorations, colorful hokey pokies (jimmi ...

Update Notes

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:22:14 -0800
Sorry -- I have been having some technical difficulties here and have had to wait it out.

I have moved my Wordless Wednesday to my Penny Lane mostly meme blog so people can comment unlike here at this lonely spot of a blog. (Non-members cannot comment - period)
Yes, I also get files and categories there! I can even pre and post date posts! LOL -- very exciting! Like a make over!

It is schoo ...

False Teeth

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:15:26 -0800

Share the laughter -- found this joke and thought it was funny.
While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my four-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers, and wheelchairs.
One day, I found her staring at a pair of false t ...

The Cookie Caper and Catastrophe

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:47:04 -0800
Last night, at a small Valentine family ceremony, I gave the children their cards with some money.

And of course and naturally, for some strange reason, my daughter recalled this little tidbit about her younger brother.

Time frame: First Grade
Situation: Studen ...

Valentine's Day Fiasco

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:21:28 -0800
Tuesday night another storm, snow that turned to rain, lots of slush, then ice.

There was no school on Wednesday and my son was absolutely delighted.
He played on his Gameboy, on the computer, watched The Beverly Hillbillies.
We did his Valentines then studied for the spelling test.

Toda ...

Wordless Wednesday: Iced

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:53:00 -0800

...

Rules by Karla Kuskin

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:02:17 -0800

My son's assignment -- read the poem "Rules", then write four lines of your own with lines two and four rhyming.
His poem follows the real one.

Rules
by Karla Kuskin

Do not jump on ancient uncles.

Do not yell at average mice.

Do not wear a broom to breakfast.

Do not ask a snake's advice.

Do not bathe in chocolate ...

Ellen - Grilled Cheese - Scotto Family

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:52:17 -0800

The Scotto Family Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Mozzerella in Carrozza) as seen on Ellen 1/29/08.

Ok -- this was the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich I ever saw and I wrote down the ingredients and process as I watched the show.
Basically, this is the recipe as they presented it and a synopsis of the real recipe.
I jotted it down on the back of an envelope which, I misplaced and just found!&n ...

Happy Valentine's Share

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 12:07:52 -0800

Get the code

Image courtesy of ThatGrrl
Ok -- more snow, no school one day and a couple of delayed openings, plenty of shovelling. This interferes with my time. I was just catching up, but do you ever catch up?

Life goes on . . . two funny bits . . .

I told my son (the one who wishes not to be a double digit his next birthday) ...

Wordless Wednesday: Spanish Architecture

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:00:09 -0800

...

Spell Check

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:33:01 -0800
I had a conference at school yesterday for my son with his teachers.

Everything is going great in 4th grade so that is good news but we had a few academic issues to address.

The teacher related this story to me:

They had been preparing as a class for the school spelling bee.
The teacher explained to the class that most children feel a bit tense and nervous, and that half the students got knocked out in the first ...

Birthday Tears

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:28:56 -0800

I put my son to bed the other night.
I left and heard sniffling.

I went back and asked him what was the problem.
He cried harder and then blurted out . . .

"I don't want to be a double digit!"

His birthday is next month and he will be 10.
Poor kid, aging before his time.

I bet he has a Happy Birthday whether he is 10 or not. ...

POW Thursday

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:25:16 -0800

Post of the Week --

Over in Scott-O-Rama's blog he vented about how some people leave up Christmas lights long after Christmas (Jan 18th post).

Here is my report.
Two of my neighbors still have their outside lights up and on. I don't get tired of looking at them.

One neighbor has Christmas lights around her windows on all year long.

My MIL has a ...

Wordless Wednesday: Neighbors Out for a Walk

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:41:10 -0800

...

Update

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:17:13 -0800

Well -- as you can tell, I took a bit of blogging time off. This is my first post of the New Year.
Happy New Year!

I had lots of organizing to do.

No big news here, just a few more snow storms and another day off from school.
Two more storms on their way.

My daughter got her braces off after nearly 6 years of work. Her teeth look great!
One less thing for me to do, t ...

Happy New Year!

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:12:22 -0800

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