SHE'S CRAFTY... YARN BALLOON EGGS

 

Materials

• Thin cotton yarn
• Balloons
• Craft glue
• Newspaper

• Waxed paper
• Clothespin
• Clothes hanger

Instructions

For each egg, cut twenty 3-foot-long strands of cotton yarn and blow up a balloon to a 6- to 8-inch diameter. Mix equal parts of glue and water in a shallow disposable container.

Cover work area with newspaper and a sheet of waxed paper. Hold a strand of yarn by one end, dip it into the glue mixture, then wrap it around the balloon. Repeat with the other strands, randomly overlapping them and tucking in loose ends, until the balloon is evenly covered.Using the clothespin, suspend the balloon from the clothes hanger and let it dry overnight. (Cover the area below it with newspaper to catch drips.) Once the egg is completely dry, carefully poke a hole in the balloon, then pull it away from the string as it deflates. Hang your finished egg with ribbon or yarn.

THE ART OF AFTERNOON TEA

 Marion Pellicano Ambrose

It was Merry Monarch, Charles II who made tea drinking popular after his Portuguese bride arrived in London with a large chest of tea as part of her dowry. It quickly became the fashion at court and then, as now, what was the rage with the royals became widely popular throughout the nation.

 It wasn’t, however, until 1840 that having a cup of tea became a full-blown ceremony involving cakes and treats, prompted by ‘that sinking feeling’ so often experienced by so many in the middle of the afternoon, when lunch was long ago and dinner is still distant. When this afflicted Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, all those years ago, she broke with convention and asked her staff to bring not just tea to her boudoir, but some bread, butter and cake with it. Understandably, this became a hard habit to break, so she introduced it to her society friends, and before long her idea became an institution.

 And so it remains to this day. It may not involve all the items considered correct for an Edwardian afternoon tea – bread and butter, five kinds of sandwich, oyster vol au vents, chicken cutlets, two creams, four jellies, an ice, and a claret cup – but formal afternoon tea is still a lavish treat, and much Edwardian etiquette remains.

Many of London’s finest establishments observe proper protocol and serve afternoon tea in the traditional manner, and there are no signs of its popularity waning. The Ritz advises booking 12 weeks ahead, and offers perhaps the best sense of Edwardian London, serving 17 types of tea, delicate sandwiches and delectable cakes in the ornate surroundings of The Palm Court.

 As usual, Americans find something wonderful and make it even better! In the US you can enjoy traditional afternoon tea, but it can be themed, served in many designs of tea pots and tea sets, and the assortment of sweets and savories are endless. Still, to have a proper afternoon tea, there should be scones, finger sandwiches, cakes and finger sized tarts and cakes. Clotted cream, lemon curd and jam should be served as well. I enjoy adding mini quiche to my tea menu.

Presenting and enjoying afternoon tea is truly an art, and is a custom I believe everyone should adopt.

“Another novelty is the tea-party, an extraordinary meal in that, being offered to persons that have already dined well, it supposes neither appetite nor thirst, and has no object but distraction, no basis but delicate enjoyment.” ~Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, The Physiology of Taste

THE EATERY IS OPEN: Backyard BBQ Beef Sandwiches

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Here in Florida, where I live, Spring has sprung! This time year I start to get that “eat outdoors” kind of feeling. Then I thought about all my friends and family up North who are still shoveling snow and came up with an “outdoors, indoors” Spring meal to make! It’s easy, delicious, and will bring that Spring feeling to you even if there’s still a chill in the air!

BBQ Beef Sandwiches

 Ingredients:

3 pounds boneless chuck roast

1 1/2  cups ketchup

¼ cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup red wine vinegar

2 tbs. Grey Poupon Mustard

2 tbs Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp liquid smoke

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

¼ tsp garlic powder

Sandwich buns

Place chuck roast in slow cooker. In a large bowl combine remaining ingredients and stir well. Pour over roast. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours (or on high for 4-5 hours). Remove roast from pot and shred meat with a fork. Return shredded meat to pot and mix well with sauce. Spoon onto sandwich buns and spoon extra sauce on top. Makes 8 servings.

MEGAMILLIONS MANIA

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

 People in 42 states plus the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands are all rushing out to by MegaMillions tickets tonight. The jackpot stands at a record $540 million for Friday night's drawing and is likely to soar even higher in the final hours.

You can actually look at the person at the next table at Starbucks, sitting across from you on the subway, or even the coworker at the desk by yours and see them gazing off into space, dreaming of what they would do with half a billion dollars! Of course, you may not have noticed them because you’re off in your own MegaMillions dream world.

 But seriously, let’s think of what it would be like. You’ve won the largest MegaMillions Jackpot in history, and it’s announced on TV, in the papers, on the radio etc. Your name and picture appear to millions of people who wanted to win that money themselves. All of a sudden, every relative you did and did not know you had appears on your doorstep. Every charity, every con man, every scam artist and everyone who thinks you owe them something wants you to give them some of your money. You have to worry about your children being kidnapped, your house being robbed, your life being turned upside down. All this goes along with winning those millions.

 I think I’ve found a solution though. I would wait to cash in my winning ticket until I hired a reputable lawyer and financial advisor. I’d have them tie up most of the money in trusts, CD’s and other safe investments that would insure my husband and I wouldn’t blow it all in a few years like so many people do. I’d make sure my children were taken care of, but they wouldn’t get tons of money at once. They would have to reach milestones, like graduating college, graduate school, starting a job, getting married, having kids etc. This way I wouldn’t be robbing them of the chance to experience the feeling of earning what you work for. I’d secretly pay off mortgages of friends and family, pay tuition for lots of people, donate to my favorite charities, ( if the Center For Great Apes suddenly builds several new habitats, you’ll know I won!) and take my friends and family on  Hawaiian and European Disney cruises staying in the best suites! (of course they’ll know it was me for the cruises!)

 Anyway, even if I don’t beat the something like 1 in 176 million odds of winning, I’m having a great time daydreaming in MegaMillion La La Land! How about you?

THE SNUGGLE FACTOR

Revised by: Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Snuggling is one of the most enjoyable things any couple can do. It brings you two very close, and tells you a great deal about the relationship. In this day of rushing into intimacy, it seems to have become a lost art. I say, let’s revive the snuggling factor!

First and foremost, you have to try to be a good snuggler. It should come naturally to you. If you've ever been held by your mother or father, or anyone for that matter, you should have the basic idea how to snuggle.

This method is for the girls.

Sit on the same couch/sofa/love seat. You can't snuggle long distances, so get close.

Move your hand closer to his. Holding hands is a great way to start snuggling.

Nuzzle your way closer to your interest. Throughout the movie/TV show get a little bit closer. Have your shoulder press against your potential snugglee. Let them know you are not only okay with touching, but you want him/her to.

Hopefully they've caught on a bit. Move your shoulder on top of his. This lets his arm pass behind your back so he can put his arm around you.

If he is still not catching on, put your head on his shoulder. This is slightly less affectionate, but lets him feel more like the "man." Hopefully he'll put his hand on your back, or side. Snuggle away.

This method is for guys.

Get a duvet or a large blanket big enough for two, wrap it around yourself and sit in the corner of the sofa.

Hold the corners of the duvet/blanket and open your arm as if asking for a hug.

Most girlfriends will gladly jump next to you and snuggle.

Wrap the duvet/blanket around you both for extra comfort.

This is fantastic contact for any couple!

Snuggling is something that happens a few dates into the relationship. Perhaps on the 1st or 2nd or even the 3rd, you might want to stick with holding his hand.

Snuggling is not gender role-defined. Either member can initiate the snuggling.

Little things you can do, to tease or just to add a little something extra to your snuggling. You may not be able to do some of these. It depends on how you've ended up snuggling. Maybe his head is on your lap, maybe you are both sitting with his arm around you. Not all of these will work for every position. Try them out and see what works for you:

Play with his/her hair.

Kiss him/her.

Run your hands down his/her neck.

Rub his back. Give her a little massage. Light circles also are fun.

Pull each other closer. Give each other a little squeeze.

If his arm is at his side, slide your arm under his and hold his forearm or hand.

Simply leaning is a great way to start snuggling. Lay your head on his shoulder if he can hold the weight comfortably.

Enjoy the moment--don't rush through it.

If you're at a scary movie with your guy, act scared. (He'll most likely want to hold you and protect you to make you feel more safe.)

It's okay to drape one leg over his if your relationship is solid enough that you expect his attention.

Even if you aren't sure about putting your legs on his try to play footsies and see if he is receptive to that.

If you are lying down together, rest your head on his/her chest, or put your arms around him/her,

If you don't think you're ready to try all (or some) of this, don't worry. Wait until you're ready - then you can really enjoy it all.

Don't push your way in there. Snuggling requires you to have already broken the touch barrier. If you can't hold hands, snuggling is probably not going to happen.

Don't hurt the guy. And don't let him hurt you. Everyone has their squeeze limit. Know your limits. Snuggling is very intimate and often leads to other more physical things. Don't let him push you to where you aren't comfortable, and don't push him to where he isn't comfortable.

Only apply this to a guy or girl you actually like. NEVER play with a guy's feelings, especially if it's because you want to make someone else jealous. It never ends well.

Relax and enjoy the old fashioned pleasure of just snuggling! It’s a warm, wonderful feeling that nurtures a relationship and helps it to grow.

EATERY IS OPEN - CHICKEN FRICASSEE WITH MEATBALLS...aka Fricken' Chicken'

20 chicken wings (cut at joints) or drumettes
2 pounds chopped meat
2 onions, chopped
2 eggs
pepper
salt (optional)
1/3 cup matzoh meal (you can use bread crumbs if you want to)
garlic powder
ketchup
paprika

Brown the giblets and wings with onions in a big pot with a little bit of oil, add some salt and pepper.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped meat, eggs, matzoh meal, some ketchup, a little water, a little garlic powder and pepper. Make little teeny, tiny meatballs. Add them to the pot on top of the browned wings, one layer at a time, so they don't get squished. Add some ketchup, some paprika and garlic powder to sauce. Simmer for a few hours. Check the sauce to see if it needs more ketchup, garlic, pepper or salt.

My notes: It’s all approximate. I use a regular package of chopped meat, probably about a 1/3 to a 1/2 bottle of ketchup. We like Heinz. The regular size bottle, not the humongous size. Probably a couple teaspoons of garlic powder, about a teaspoon or two of paprika, I throw some salt in, but not too much, plenty of pepper. Use as many or as little wings as you want. You can use chicken parts, too, just cut in small pieces. My grandmother used to add bay leaves. If you want, throw in about two bay leaves.

WHAT MATTERS...

Barbara Ward-Finneran

Knowing that things don't matter but people do.

Gratitude for your blessings.  

Understanding that love, not blood, makes a family.

Laughing uncontrollably. 

Deciding when to let go and when to hold on.

Choosing to be happy.

Having loved enough to have been heartbroken.

Keeping the promises that you make to yourself!

MOVE OVER MARTHA STEWART!

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Whether you’re looking to pinch pennies or just to find an interesting activity that your great grandmother probably enjoyed, you should discover the wonders of making your own laundry and dish washing soap! It’s really quite easy and the savings are just amazing! The ingredients can be found in the laundry section of the supermarket or are available on line. Take a step back in time and see how it was done “way back when”.

Homemade Dish Washing Soap

2 cups Borax
2 cups Baking Soda
4 Packs of Lemonade Kool-Aid (powder packs without sugar)
1 cup cheap dish washing powder

Mix all together and store in an airtight container.
Place about 2 Tbsp. of bleach in the dispenser.  Add about 2 Tbsp. of the powder mixture with the bleach.
For the rinse place vinegar instead of Finish or other rinses.

Benefits: One recipe makes enough for many more washes than store-bought dish washing soap. The cost is significantly less and I find that it’s better at cutting through grease than the average store brand.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap (old fashioned bar soap found in laundry section of the supermarket. Substitute 1 whole bar Ivory soap if desired.)
½ cup washing soda (Not baking soda! Washing soda is in laundry section or available on line at Amazon.com. Arm and Hammer is the best brand.)

½ cup Borax Powder (Best brand is 20 Mule Team and comes in a 76 oz. box. Should be near washing soda or available on line.)

Small Bucket (about 2 gallon size)

Grate the soap and put in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat until soap is melted. Add washing soda and borax. Stir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups HOT water into the bucket. Add soap mixture and stir. Add 1 gallon plus 6 cups room temperature water and stir. (*) Let mixture set for 24 hours. It will gel. Store in covered bucket of pour into containers. The finished soap will be like egg drop soup; partially gelled. It is low sudsing but cleans well without suds! It is HE compatible.

*If you wish to add scent, add 1 oz. essential oil (such as Orange or Eucalyptus)

Use ½ cup per load of laundry.

Benefits: MUCH less expensive than store brands. The cost is about 1cent per load! Each batch makes about 2 gallons (64 half cup portions). Compare that to the price of what you use now!

Another benefit is that you can scent it to suit your own tastes. I prefer Eucalyptus because the scent is soothing, especially on my sheets!

Finally, somehow the act of making my own detergents is somehow therapeutic! I find it fulfilling, like making a batch of homemade chicken soup! I feel I’m doing something special for my family and saving money for more important things.

Would I have done this when I was working full time, absolutely not! But now that I’m home with time on my hands, I really enjoy being Martha Stewart, Suzie Homemaker, Mrs. Cleaver, and Ma Ingalls all rolled into one!  (And you have to be 40 something to know who all those women are!)

HE SAID.... Ladies I have one word for you...

FART!
Tony Walker

I'm a guy. I fart. I fart a lot. I fart all the time.
What's wrong with that??
I can understand not liking the smell. But sometimes there is no smell & almost every time the smell is gone in 2 seconds!
How the hell do you women hold those damn things in? How have you not exploded by now??? There must be some crazy noises going on in the ladies room!!
But here's my thing.... it's a natural function. I do it, you do it, he does it, she does it, even dogs do it. So what?
I admit I am like a 5 year old when it comes to farting. I laugh hysterically at all the crazy noises our asses make. It never gets old either. I've had farting fests with my friends!
Personally I admire a woman who can fart in front of us guys. That means she is comfortable enough around us to do it.
It's symbolic of our close friendship!!
So what's the big deal about farting???

DOWNTON ABBEY

  Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Everywhere I went I heard people talking about "Downton Abbey" and I had no idea what it was. I finally deduced it was something on TV, but still didn't quite get it. I received an offer to have Netflix free for a month on my computer so I tried it and the first thing to pop up was Downton Abbey. I thought I'd watch one episode, just to see what all the fuss was about. I stayed up all night and watched the whole first season. The second wasn't available to rent so I got on Amazon and ordered season 2 that morning. I can't tell you how wrapped up I became in the lives of this family and their servants! Now I have a long and painful wait for season 3 to begin. Here's a little bit about Downton Abbey to get you interested!

Downton Abbey -- a sprawling, lavish Edwardian mansion nestled in the Yorkshire landscape -- needs an heir. Dame Maggy Smith stars as Violet, the stubborn Dowager Countess of Grantham matriarch of Downton. Hugh Bonneville stars as her son, the stoic, unflappable Lord Crawley. Elizabeth McGovern is his far-sighted American wife, Cora. From Academy Award-winner Julian Fellowes

In Season one, Lord Crawley sees his family heritage, especially the grand country home Downton Abbey, as his mission in life. The death of his heir aboard the Titanic means distant cousin Matthew Crawley, a Manchester lawyer, suddenly is next in line and accepts moving onto the vast estate with his even more modernist, socially engaged mother, who clashes with his lordship's domineering, conservative ma the dowager. Marrying off the daughters is another concern. Meanwhile the butler presides over a staff which serves the family but also lead most of their entire lives in the servants quarters, with intrigues of their own.

Season two picks up two years on from the first series in 1916, in the middle of World War 1. Downton Abbey has been converted into a convalescent home for injured servicemen and the action covers the period from the Battle of the Somme up to the end of the war. As in the first series, topical events of the period, political, economic and military are covered.

The wartime scenario and the convalescent home setting provide an excellent background for some interesting story lines. The combination of excellent plot lines, great acting and the superb setting display all that is best in TV period drama. This time round we have eight more episodes to add to the seven in the first series. As befits wartime, the costumes are not as flamboyant as in the first series but they are thoroughly researched and appropriate to the period.

In both seasons, I have to say that Maggie Smith steals the show as Lady Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham. She's fiesty, bossy, aristocratic and marvelous!
Like me, I believe you'll be hooked after viewing one episode, but at least you'll knkow what everyone is talking about! 

POLITICALLY CORRECT OR OVER DOING IT??

Dawn Boyle

Did I hear that right this morning?? Sometimes I don't know whether they are joking with each other on the morning "news" or not, but I am 99% sure I just heard that schools or maybe it was school test providers are omitting the words DINOSAUR, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and HALLOWEEN from all future tests.

The reporter went on to say the removal of these words will ensure students to stay focused on the exam....REALLY??????

I wouldn't want anyone to fail a test due to a possible connection or flashback to fossil fuel or inhumane treatment of pre-historic animals.....IS THIS SERIOUS?????

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS MARCH 25

ARETHA FRANKLIN
Born March 25, 1942: American singer.

AVERY JOHNSON
Born March 25, 1965: American basketball player and coach.

BOB SURA
Born March 25, 1973: American basketball player.

BONNIE BEDELIA
Born March 25, 1948: American actress

BONNIE GUITAR
Born March 25, 1923: American singer.

BRENDA STRONG
Born March 25, 1960: American actress.

CAMMI GRANATO
Born March 25, 1971: American ice hockey player.

CECIL TAYLOR
Born March 25, 1929: American jazz pianist.

DALE DAVIS
Born March 25, 1969: American basketball player.

DANICA PATRICK
Born March 25, 1982: American race car driver.