Oh, the power of CHEESE!

Food - No matter what it is - it's heavenly! Food that is. I recently babysat my sister's 3 children and after we walked to the park, hung out for a while, it was time to feed the starving children (no, they're not starving, it just sounded more dramatic).

To make this "play date" that I was having with them more fun we headed off to the grocery store where they could pick out something they would like to eat. Now I know this sounds dangerous to many of you, but it was quite enjoyable! WE made a deal as we entered the store that they could each pick out a treat of their own (I'm not their parent, remember?) if they promised not to ask for everything in the store.....and to my surprise, and maybe theirs, it went brilliantly (we did manage to slip a movie in the cart for the little rascals)!

Upon returning home, it was time to take "short orders" (pun intended) from my darling niece and nephews. What does everyone want to eat? And to my surprise, the orders were consistent - a resounding Macaroni & Cheese! Now, I know what you are all thinking, but don't you worry your pretty little noodle - they had protein and veggies to accompany the Mac & Cheese.

Oh, the power of cheese! I found out that it's not just a saying - it's true. This Mac & Cheese had the power to conjure up memories of yesteryear. What fond, happy memories bubbled back to me as I slowly stirred the boiling noodles. Drain, add cheese pack and milk and - it's magic!

This is one of those "Comfort Foods" that even if it is not homemade and happens to come out of box that costs maybe all of 1.50 - is purely heaven! It was...just like old home week at the stove, so to speak, your childhood suddenly flashes before your eyes and you are reminded of how great it was to be a kid.

I must confess it had been sometime since I have had to feed young children, and let's face it, the dinner I cooked was far short of gourmet, but nonetheless, it's like riding a bike you never forget how.!

You really should indulge, today!

Dish - Luck favors a prepared mind, and I was prepared, for a road trip that is!

A friend asked me to go to Kansas for a long weekend to visit a friend and attend the Symphony in the Flint Hills. I had never heard of this event before, but I am not one to turn down a trip ANYWHERE, so we went.

Traci and Nick, our hosts, were kind enough to drag us along to the outdoor festivities and we had an absolute blast! It was an amazing concert put on by the Kansas City Symphony and featured a guest performer by the name of Lyle Lovett. The setting was in the middle of a prairie in the Flint Hills of Kansas, with breathtaking views all around.

Thank you Traci & Nick!

Take a peek for yourself and plan on attending next year ~ you won't be disappointed.

* warning - if you plan on going the tickets sell out fast, like now, so get a move on it.

http://www.symphonyintheflinthills.org/index.php



Embellish - "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

The Great Minnesota "Get Together"

Food - Heaven, I'm in heaven....at the Minnesota State Fair, that is!

I don't know of any time, or place, were there are two of my favorite activities in one place than "The Great Minnesota State Fair!" There is an over abundance of food (I didn't say it's good for you) and tons of people watching to do -- my two favorite things!

I think it is the only place where you can get a "kitchen pass" to try an array of new food offerings that you wouldn't otherwise eat. Deep fried candy bars, cheese curds, aligator, turkey legs, milkshakes, pronto pups, chocolate covered bacon, warm cookies and milk, mini donuts, sausages, brats, Spam, tators on a stick; to name a few.

It is also the one time that you feel thin enough to eat it all. What? Let me explain before you jump on the scale. (This is where the people watching part comes into play.). All you have to do is take a look around and compare yourself to those walking by, and suddenly you feel thin.

Dish - OMG - there is an obesity eppidemic going on! Holy cheese curds; walk away from the deep fried candy bars, please.


Dish - Now for more on the people watching. I, in no way, profess to be the most stylish (or that I have any style,) or the most attractive (or that I am even attractive,) but I think it is safe for me to say I am of average looks and have acquired an average sense of style. Having said that, one has to wonder where do so many different looks come from?

--There are grown men with pony tails and they are even braided to boot. And then there are women who, well, could need to braid their hair, or atleast put a brush through it.

--There are women, and men, dressed as though they need a few more stiches of clothing on. Really, we don't want a sneak peak at the blubber. Just as some things are better left unsaid, the same could be said here: somethings are better unseen.

And various people who look like they haven't hit a mall for new clothes since, I don't know when.

Now I Know this all sounds harsh when put to paper, but it is what it is. No sugar coating here. We all think it, I just say it.

Embellish - Love the one your with!

Put some "spark" in your life!

Food - Going to a Fourth Of July celebration and don't have a dish to share? Here are some websites that can help you out.

Appetizer ideas:
http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blappindex.htm

Main dish ideas:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/collections/healthy_4th_recipes.html#main

Dessert ideas:
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/Entertaining/Desserts/DessertsCenterLanding.aspx?cm_mmc=Srch-_-Google-_-Summer-_-july%204th%20desserts

Drink ideas:
http://www.idrink.com/independence.html

Enjoy the 4Th of July, but please, remember: If you must drink, DON"T drive!

Dish - Put some "spark" into your life! Here are some websites that list the top places for firework displays - boom!

Booms with a view!
http://www.digitalcity.com/2009/06/26/booms-with-a-view-top-20-july-4th-fireworks-in-the-u-s/

4Th of July celebrations:
http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/holidays/a/Fourthofjuly.htm

History of Fourth of July, Independence Day:
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence_Day.shtml

Population on this 4Th of July:
http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html

Fun facts about the 4Th of July:
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/011920.html

Embellish - After you've seen it all, you won't remember the windows and doors, but who passed through.

Food, Festivities and Independence!

Food- there will be plenty! As a nation, we celebrate everything with food. Foods that color cordinate to the event in which we are celebrating (a woman, no doubt planned this.).

Fourth of July, Independence Day, is no different. But, the fun part of celebrating this holiday is that the colors are strictly red, white and blue. Colors that are not only fun to create things to eat, but also remind us of what were are celebrating -- our freedom, our independence!

Take some time this holiday and cherrish our freedom!

Happy Independence Day!

Dish - "They" say things come in three. Ed McMann, Farrah Fawcet, and Micheal Jackson.

These are the public deaths, that we somehow feel as though we know them personally. But looking at the local obituaries this morning shows they come in far greater numbers then three, and at a far younger age than they used to.

What's going on? I cannot believe the number of deaths to people under the age of 50. Something that when I was growing up, was unheard of, even shocking! Now it is happening at a far greater amount.

To the surviving family members that are grappling with the devastation felt at their loss: our hearts and prayers are with you.

Embellish - Live for today!

Buckle up for safety....

Food - A friend of mine made this Carmel corn and it was simply great!

Simply great Carmel corn (makes 14 cups.)

Ingredients: 12 cups popped corn; 1 cup mini pretzels; 1 cup salted cashews; 1 stick of unsalted butter; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/4 cup light corn syrup; 1/2 tsp. salt; 1/2 tsp. baking soda; 1 large brown paper grocery bag.

Directions: Place the popped corn, pretzels and cashews in the paper bag. Shake to combine. Melt butter in a large microwave-safe bowl, 1 minute. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Microwave for 2 minutes. Mixture will boil. Carefully stir and microwave for additional 2 minutes.

Stir baking soda into sugar mixture. It will foam up. Carefully pour over popcorn mixture. Fold top of bag over and shake to coat popcorn.

Place bag in microwave; cook 1 1/2 minutes. (watch carefully as higher wattage ovens may cook faster. Alternatively, transfer mixture to a greased sheet pan; bake at 250 for 1 hour, stirring.) Remove bag and shake. Microwave an additional 1 minute. Pour onto large cookie sheets to cool.

Dish - New seat belt law goes into effect in MN, Tuesday, June 9, 2009.

I have traveled into other states that have signs that read "Click it or ticket it," but you will not find them in Minnesota. However, chances are they will be coming soon to a street you drive on in the state of Minnesota. Minnesota has now passed a law that will permit police officers to stop and ticket any driver or unbuckled passenger failing to buckle up. Really guys, it's true. The violation for the driver and unbuckled passengers carries a $25 fine.

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S967030.shtml?cat=1

Just how much control do we want the government to have?

This newly passed law raises some hairs on my head (I don't have a hairy neck, sorry). It is not just this law, rather it is the accumulation of these small, and sometimes, trivial laws that raise the hair and I feel as though my hair is in need of some gel, or something.

Undoubtedly, this law will save lives. Many studies have shown wearing seat belts do save lives and I wear a seat belt EVERY TIME I ride in a car, I just don't like the fact that there is now a law telling me I have to wear one. I am not a rebel, nor am I defiant, or contumacious, I simply like making decisions for myself. If I ride in a car without a seat belt and I get in an accident and I am either seriously injured; that is my fault and a consequence I have to live with.

I will not argue with the fact that in cases where there are children, the elderly, or people with mental disabilities who cannot make sound decisions on their own there defiantly needs to be some laws in place to protect them.

I will agree that most of the time, "Without rules there is chaos," I just don't think this is one of those times.

I ask that you entertain me for just one moment. What law will they pass next? I am going to blow this way-out of proportion now. The government starts out with small laws that seem harmless and well intended, for our own safety and those around us they tell us. And we accept that rational, even applaud it, but these laws eventually lead to much larger issues and before you know it, the government will be involved in issues where we won't want them to be.

Now, if they want to "govern," I can think of other things they should focus on protecting us from, such as: cell phone companies that gouge us, bank fees, or how about.....the rising gas prices just in time for summer!

Will gas hit $3.00 this year?
http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topstocks/archive/2009/06/08/will-gas-hit-3-this-year.aspx
Don't they know we expected this? Anytime a holiday, weekend, or summer rolls around coincidentally the gas prices jump.

Embellish - Drop a habit that has kept you from reaching your full potential.

Reading to a child; how sweet it is!

Food - It's spring, soon to be summer, and I am craving fresh fruit, crisp lettuce, and some lean protein, but this girl still gets a sweet tooth now and then. So while I was out and about, I happened upon La Patisserie, a bakery in St. Paul, MN.

I have been to this bakery before; however, I was not too impressed the first time. Let's just say, I was fooled. When you walk in the door, the first thing you notice is that it is not your typical bakery with cases filled full of baked goodies (you really find that to be true once you take a bite.) They have some bars, some rolls, and maybe a torte or cake. Like I said, nothing impressive. But after a few minutes of talking with the owner, Deb, you soon find out just what a delicious bakery this truly is. The secret ingredient to this bakery is that all of their cakes or desserts are made fresh-to-order (she doesn't believe in freezing anything) using ingredients such as: real butter, imported chocolate, and fresh cream.

I munched on her Carmel bars (you won't find any like these anywhere else) that have a butter crust, a layer of her special Carmel, sprinkled with chocolate chips and topped with crumbs of the butter crust. I also had to taste (okay, I bought a piece and ate the whole thing,) of the Chocolate Raspberry Torte that is better than, not sex, but certainly is a contender.

Did I mention the prices are really reasonable? They are. If you get a chance, I suggest you visit La Patisserie @ 1570 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105.

* If there's a bakery you think we should try, let us know, we will gladly sharpen our sweet tooth.

Dish - You've Got Mail! This movie happens to be my all time favorite movie, with my favorite actress and actor, I might add. I have watched a 1,000 times and I will probably watch it a 1,000 times more. I just can't help myself!

I love the following quote from the movie, it speaks volumes about how important reading is in a child's life. I knew there was a reason I have never wanted to grow up - I love to read.
"When you read a book as a child it becomes part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your life does. " — Kathleen Kelly (You've Got Mail)

Here is proof that there are happy endings. (Get a Kleenex.)



Embellish - Read to a child today.

Food.Dish.Embellish is starting June with a menu of BINGS & BANGS

Food - Looking for a good summer read that involves romance, suspense and thrills? This following list of 36 nonfiction books, put together by The Hennepin County Library, about eating, cooking and restaurants will certainly give you food for thought and endless summer hours of fun - chow!
http://www.hclib.org/pub/bookspace/BooklistAction.cfm?list_num=195&Genre=Nonfiction

Dish -
Stocks start June with a BANG!http://money.cnn.com/2009/06/01/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm?postversion=2009060114
It's always nice to start a new month with a bang!

Bada bing, Bada bang...June is starting off with a BING! Microsoft unveils BING, check it out ~
http://www.bing.com/?FORM=MFEHPG&PUBL=Google&CREA=userid1743e38d78bf6f0002cad834a6349227d594

Undecided as to who you will use?
PC World does the research for you; Bing vs. Google vs. Yahoo: Feature Smackdown
http://www.pcworld.com/article/165749/bing_vs_google_vs_yahoo_feature_smackdown.html
We compare top features of three search engines-Bing, Google, and Yahoo--in the ultimate search engine battle royale.

-- Oh boy, I can hardly wait until July...maybe it will start off with a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Remember, the best is yet to come; keep the faith.

Octuplets' mom plans to write book, signs TV deal
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/01/octuplet.mom.book.tv/index.html
Gee, who didn't see this coming?

W.H. won't say what Obama's N.Y. date cost (Could this be why the stock market starts June with a bang?)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-05-30-obama-date_N.htm
Do we really have a right to know? The Democrats probally haven't asked, simply don't care or will make an excuse as to why it's good for the Obamas, but the Republicans...well they will notice and will mind a lot! Especially with the current state of the economy and with General Motors, another iconic American company prepares to file for bankruptcy.
Do we care? Do we have a right to care? Are the Obama's just practicing what they preach by stimulating the economy? I suppose the answer lies in: who's paying the bill? What do you think?

Embellish - Dream it. Expect it. Live it.