Honoring Those Who Have Gone Before Us...

I find inner peace while visiting the cemetary...it may sound morbid but I rather enjoy pulling the weeds, wiping the stones, straightening the flowers and trinkets that others have left and putting my gifts in just the right spot...I find solace in it..I think about the person. I think about their life...and I remember how they touched mine.

NEAPOLITAN COCONUT STRIPS

Makes 160 pieces


12 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) unsalted butter
½ teaspoon coarse salt
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, pod reserved for another use
4 ounces finely shredded unsweetened coconut (1 ¼ cup)
4 ounces finely shredded sweetened coconut ( 1 ¼ cup)
1 ounce milk chocolate, melted
1 drop red gel-paste food coloring

1. Line an 8-inch square cake pan with plastic wrap, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. Combine white chocolate, condensed milk, butter, salt, and vanilla seeds in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir both types of coconut.
   
2. Divide mixture into 3 bowls. Stir milk chocolate into 1 batch and food coloring into another. Leave third plain.
   
3. Spread milk-chocolate mixture into bottom of pan. Gently dollop plain mixture over top, covering as much surface as possible. Gently spread, and then repeat with the remaining mixture. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
   
4. Unmold coconut square using the plastic overhang, and discard plastic. Trim about ¼ inch each from 2 parallel sides. Cut crosswise into ¼ inch wide slices. Cut each slice into 1 ½ inch long strips. Cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
   
   Sources: 12-ounce bowls and lids, by Bagasse, from Green Home Environmental Products. 50 bowls & lids for $9.50. http://www.greenhome.com/products/restaurant_supplies/food_service/110382/

Yes Sir! Sgt Sir! Happy Veterans' Day!

Happy Veterans' Day to all the past, present and future soldiers! Thank you for your service and your bravery!

The picture above is a picture of my baby boy.

He's done 3 duties in Iraq; two of them simultaneously because he volunteered to stay on over there so someone else he knew back home didn't have to leave his kids.

He's a medic.

He spent two weeks in New Orleans and Texas helping evacuate people after Katrina.

He was in the Air Force National Guard for 6 years, now he switched over to the Army National Guard. (The Army has a flight medic job he wants to move into down the road.)

In his civilian job he's an EMT Specialist.

Yeah, that's my baby boy; he's the bravest, most patriotic person I know... and I'm very proud of him.

Why Should You Care About Diabetes?

Because…

• Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States are living with diabetes.
• You could be one of the almost 6 million Americans who have it…and don’t even know it.
• Another American is diagnosed every 20 seconds…and that could be you or someone you love.
• Diabetes leads to heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney disease, blindness and amputation.
• Your kids or grandchildren could be the one-out-of-three born since 2000 who will develop diabetes.
• DIABETES IS DEADLY.
• The more you know the healthier you’ll be
  
  November is American Diabetes Month…learn more at www.diabetes.org
  
  Source: American Diabetes Association

Vote Today!

Vote like your life depends on it!

I read this past weekend where women got the right to vote on August 26, 1920...51 years after black men....get out there and exercise your rights!

Voting = Choice; Not Voting = Being Told

Dunkin’ Donuts has teamed up with Budget Rent A Car

Dunkin’ Donuts has teamed up with Budget Rent A Car and brewed up a delicious offer for coffee lovers.

Register now at www.budget.com/budgetWeb/misc/ddenrollment.ex . Make two qualifying rentals before December 15, 2008, and two pounds of your favorite Dunkin' Donuts Coffee will be shipped directly to you. And there's no limit--keep renting to earn more free coffee.

Take advantage of this valuable offer simply by enjoying the low rates, quality vehicles and friendly service that make Budget a great value.

Vote and Get a Tall Starbucks Coffee for Free!

"On Election Day (November 4) anyone turning in their "I have voted" sticker from an election polling place will receive a free cup of Starbucks Coffee. Starbucks rewards good citizenship.On Election Day (November 4) anyone turning in their "I have voted" sticker from an election polling place will receive a free cup of Starbucks Coffee. Starbucks rewards good citizenship." http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/ideaView?id=087500000005742AAA

On Nov. 4th, after you get your free doughnut at Krispie Kreme by wearing your sticker, you can turn it in at Starbucks and get a free tall coffee.