Wednesday, April 30, 2008

(nearly) Wordless Wednesday

funny pictures
see more crazy cat pics

In honor of Oatmeal Cookie Day (also see below).

Happy National Oatmeal Cookie Day!

Honey Oatmeal Cookies
- Makes 6 to 7 dozen -


Ingredients
1/2 cup hot tea
1 cup raisins
2 cups flour
1-1/2 cups quick cooking rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup honey
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 to 1 cup chopped walnuts
1 package (6 oz.) chocolate chips, optional

Directions
Pour tea over raisins; let stand at least 15 minutes. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly; set aside. Cream shortening and butter; gradually add honey until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Drain raisins; reserve 1/4 cup liquid. Alternately add flour mixture and reserved raisin liquid. Stir in nuts, raisins and chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350°F about 12 minutes or until browned. Let stand one minute on cookie sheet; remove and cool on rack. Store in airtight container.



Note: Honey should not be fed to infants under one year of age. Honey is a safe and wholesome food for children and adults.

© National Honey Board
11409 Business Park Circle Ste 210, Firestone, CO 80504
Phone: (303) 776-2337 Fax: (303) 776-1177

Monday, April 28, 2008

Poetic Monday

Cherry Blossoms Adrift

Pink petals passing
Scents above so high
Painted porcelain perfection
Blossoms caress the sky

Swaying silent shroud
Suitors strolling by
Pink petals passing
Lover's gentle sigh

Pastel hues falling
Slow fluttering grace
Pink petals passing
Lining streams in lace

Pink petals passing
Smoothest transit by
Soft essence floating
In most subtle lullaby

Inducing springtime slumber
Upon a satin shore
Sailing with the current
Pink petals pass before

(1999)

Mary Fumento

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

(nearly) Wordless Wednesday


Charlie and Smokey lead happy lives at Rolling Dog Ranch, a sanctuary for disabled animals. They wobble and tumble when they walk because they were born with a neurological problem. Learn more at www.rollingdogranch.org.

Friday, April 18, 2008

A meme for Friday

funny dog pictures
see more cute dogs and puppies

Dance the night away, it's the weekend!
But before you put on your dancing shoes, try this meme:

You’re feeling: in pain but happy
To your left: the dining room
On your mind: attending - - or not - - a dinner tonight
Last meal included: rosemary and olive oil bread
You sometimes find it hard to: get moving
The weather: warm
Something you have a collection of: tiny notebooks
A smell that cheers you up: fresh coffee
A smell that can ruin your mood: SKUNK
How long since you last shaved: two days
The current state of your hair: very short
The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): a kitten
Your skill with chopsticks: when used to spear food, excellent
Which section you head for first in a bookstore: I don't head, I drift...here...there...
Something you’re craving: a hot cuppa
Your general thoughts on the presidential race: Can't we have "none of the above?"
How many times have you been hospitalized this year: 0
Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: the seashore
You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: novelist
Something that freaks you out a little: a near-hit from a bad driver
Something you’ve eaten too much of lately: homemade oatmeal cookies
You have never: become drunk
You never want to: live without pets

I found this floating around the Internet. Anyone else interested? Tag, you're it!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Booking Through Thursday

Suggested by Nithin:

I’ve always wondered what other people do when they come across a word/phrase that they’ve never heard before. I mean, do they jot it down on paper so they can look it up later, or do they stop reading to look it up on the dictionary/google it or do they just continue reading and forget about the word?

Yes to all of the above, with qualifications. First I try to figure out the word or phrase from context, then I'll jot things down to look up later. I am without a dictionary for the first time in over thirty years, so I am forced to rely on the Internet dictionaries. Sometimes I use a search engine if I find a word or phrase that's too new for a dictionary (but I never use Google). I sometimes ask an au courant friend for a definition because I am far out of touch with current slang. If all else fails I continue reading, but I don't forget about the word. It just sits in a corner of my mind waiting for an answer, the way a puzzle does.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Wordless Wednesday



Steve Smith, of www.rollingdogranch.org, co-founder of Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary, with his "minion," blind Ellie May. Ellie May adores Mr. Smith, and is happiest when she's close to him. To read more about RDR and to see a spectacular slideshow, go to http://rollingdogranch.typepad.com/rolling_dog_ranch_animal_/2008/04/aarp-writes-abo.html. The post is titled, "AARP Writes About the Ranch."

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

I love April showers!

Humorous Pictures
see more crazy cat pics
"Let the rain kiss you.
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.
Let the rain sing you a lullaby.
The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk.
The rain makes running pools in the gutter.
The rain plays a little sleep-song on our roof at night--
And I love the rain."
- Langston Hughes, April Rain Song

Sunday, April 13, 2008

"Dis...how I roll"

funny dog pictures
see more loldogs ask - i can has hotdog?
Visit http://www.etsyforanimals.com/efa_charity_of_the_month.htm. This month's animal charity is Rolling Dog Ranch, a sanctuary for disabled animals which has been mentioned on this blog several times. While you're at Etsy looking around, be sure to see the striking print of a macrophoto of tea leaves by artbysusmitha. You'll drool for it. This being TeaReads, tea is close to our hearts. It reminds me of my own visit to a tea plantation decades ago.

With items priced from $5 and up, there is something for every budget. Not only does each item make a wonderful gift, but the proceeds go to care for animals who have had very hard lives before finding a loving home at Rolling Dog Ranch.

N.B., the photo used on this blog is not from RDR. It comes from www.ihasahotdog.com. RDR does, however, have two (to my knowledge) genuine "rolling dogs" equipped like the one in this photo.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

(nearly) Wordless Wednesday


To see more pictures of wonderful animals like these, visit www.rollingdogranch.org. While you're there, make a donation to this fine sanctuary for disabled animals.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008