Thursday, December 31, 2009

Drunken Wienies - Take 2

(I should know better than to try and write down a recipe from memory. Sheesh...Sorry, here's the corrected recipe)

These have always been a favorite at our parties and are perfect for a New Year's Eve celebration.

2 Cups Bourbon (1 1/2 cup recommended)
3 Cups Ketchup
1 Cup brown sugar
1 Bottle Heinz Chili Sauce
1 Bottle Kraft Hot BBQ Sauce (If you can't find the "hot," regular will do)
1 Clove garlic minced (I use more than this, but I like garlic. It's up to you how much to use)
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 onion chopped (optional - I don't use the onion)

Ha! Learn something new everyday. The recipe says to put all ingredients into a crockpot and cook on low for 3-4 hours. THEN add the 4 lbs cocktail wienies or hot dogs cut into bite size. Cook an additional 1-2 hours.

I don't think I've ever done that. I always just throw it all in there together and cook for the afternoon while I'm getting other stuff ready. The sauce can also be used for meatballs.

Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve!!!

Peace and love to all!
Alannah

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Hump Day Humor

Yesterday, I talked about laughter helping smooth life's potholes. Well, there is nothing on TV that makes me laugh more than the Geico Pothole commercial. I thought it would be appropriate to post it today and if you've never seen it...I'm so sorry for you and we're going to remedy that right now! LOL

I hope you enjoy it!!



It cracks me up how you can see the definition of her upper lip on that "sooooo...". Oh hell, the whole commercial cracks me up!

Have a fantastic Hump Day!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Food for thought...

"Laughter is to life what shock absorbers are to automobiles. It won't take the potholes out of the road, but it sure makes the ride smoother."

Barbara Johnson
Writer

This is so true and I hope everyone finds reason to laugh. And often!!

Peace and love,
Alannah

Friday, December 11, 2009

Blog pre-empted for special announcement

I'm so excited!!!

Since Reaction Time came out a year ago, I thought it was a waste of time to do a book video at this point. But, after seeing a few others that Marly Mathews had done, I decided to go for it and see what happened.

OMG! I'm so glad I did!! (And a little plug for my son...the music is a percussion track he did over the summer. I really liked it so Marly was able to make it work as the soundtrack)



Hmmm...when I played it through the blog, it was off-centered and a few of the words were chopped off. Not sure why, but here's the link to the actual Youtube page if you want to see it there.

What do you think?

What I'm Reading...


Jacket Blurb:

Badly shaken after the loss of one of their own, the men and women of Troubleshooters Inc. go up against their most deadly opponents yet —- the clandestine organization called The Agency. Blackmail, extortion, murder: The Agency's black-ops sector will apparently stop at nothing to achieve their objective. But this time they've gone too far and hit too close to home.

Led by former Navy SEAL Lawrence Decker, a team of investigators —- from FBI agent Jules Cassidy and former CIA operative Dave Malkoff, to Troubleshooters Sophia Ghaffari, Tess Bailey, and even receptionist Tracy Shapiro —- band together to uncover the truth, and bring the killers to justice.

But the stakes are raised even higher when Decker barely escapes an attempt on his life. It soon becomes clear that the hunters have become the hunted —- and the Troubleshooters are no longer just solving a crime -— they're fighting for survival.

Only one more left to read and I'll be caught up in the series. She's currently writing Izzy's story (I LOOOOVEEE!! Izzy) and then she's taking a hiatus from the series and working on another series. That's both good news and bad news because maybe I'll finally be able to stop my obsession with these people but....but...no more Troubleshooters???!!!

Check back later today for a special preview of the new book trailer for Reaction Time. Even though it's an old release, I decided to do a video for it and I'm so glad I did. Marly Mathews did it for me (and I was able to use music that was written and performed by Son #1). Marly did an amazing job and I absolutely love it. I can't wait for you guys to see it and to hear what you think.

Have a great weekend!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Hump Day Giggle...

One of the things I love about Janet Evanovich's writing is her abilty to come up with phenomenal similes and metaphors. I can only wonder if, when she first started, she was like these high school students. LOL

Every year, English teachers from across the country can submit their collections of actual similes and metaphors found in high school essays. These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of teachers across the country. Here are last year's winners:

1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a thigh Master.

2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.

3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.

4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E.Coli, and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.

5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.

6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.

7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.

8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free
ATM machine.

9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.

10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.

11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30.

12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.

13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.

14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.

15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.

16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.

17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the East River.

18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.

19. Shots rang out, as shots are known to do.

20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.

21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.

22. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.

23. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.

24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.

25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.

I liked #19...I don't know why, probably because it's a lazy man's way of going about it!! What about you? Which were your favorites?

Have a happy Hump Day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Special Announcement




Woo-hoo!!! I've received the contract in the (e)mail, the virtual ink is dry. Therefore, I can finally let you guys in on the whole story.

Savin' Me - the first story I wrote (and rewrote a total of 3 times!) has sold to The Wild Rose Press (waves at fellow Rose, Silver). I love this story...I love Erik, the hero. He is such a tortured soul and I'm so, so glad to be able to provide him with his happy ending.

I don't have any information as far as release dates go. I don't even have the edits back from my new editor yet - although she has said I should receive them before Christmas and that it wouldn't take much to get them done.

As soon as I do get that information, you'll be among the first to know!! Until then, let's celebrate!!

Have a great rest of the day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Friday, December 4, 2009

What I'm Reading...


About the book:

When a popular Troubleshooter gets married, what was supposed to be a low-profile ceremony for family and friends snowballs into a thrill ride featuring a nosy reporter, a dashing personal assistant, and a stalker determined to claim the object of his obsession.

In All Through the Night, Brockmann delivers another passionate and electrifying classic, this time featuring an unforgettable Christmas wedding, and an insatiable, unexpected romance.


Cover Blurb: It’s Christmastime in Boston, and this year the silver bells will be wedding bells as FBI agent Jules Cassidy ties the knot with the man of his dreams, Hollywood heartthrob Robin Chadwick.

The pair plan a quiet, intimate ceremony, to be witnessed by family and close friends from the FBI, SEAL Team Sixteen, and Troubleshooters, Incorporated, including Sam Starrett and Alyssa Locke. But the holiday season brings more to the happy couple than they expect.

A waterfall coming through their kitchen ceiling, a bat colony in the attic, old family tensions…even an international incident can’t dampen their spirits. But add to that a parade of unexpected guests, including a reporter looking for a scoop, an ex-lover hell-bent on causing trouble, and a dangerous stalker, and suddenly the wedding is poised to unravel in chaos.

But nothing will stop Jules and Robin from getting their happy ending, because along with a guest list featuring the most elite counterterrorism force in the world, they have their own secret weapon - true love.

This is the one I skipped and since it's small (it's about category length) it was perfect for reading while I've been sick. I'm finished with it, and I'm also feeling pretty much back to normal, so now I can get back to writing.

I guess I should have read the comments from yesterday before I posted today's blog. Duh! I'm a little slow...sorry, Janet, not from a long night but from the cold medicine. LOL Although we did get to have supper with our oldest son while we were in Raleigh and we did all have a little bit of desert to celebrate.

We appreciate the prayers and congrats more than you guys could ever know. I truly believe that's why everything has gone so well. All the positive support, prayers, vibes and thoughts work!! Y'all rock!!!

I hope it's a fantastic weekend for everyone!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Woops!!

Guess what I forgot to do today? hehe

Hubby had an early morning appointment at Duke and I had to be ready to leave my house at 6:30 - that's criminal in my book. At some point during the morning, I realized I hadn't posted my blog for today.

While I'm waiting for the second appointment, I thought I'd post my explanation and the good news from the first appointment. This second appointment is a follow-up with the seizure specialist, just to follow-up on meds, etc. The agonizing, stressful, nail-biting appointment is already over and...The MRI shows everything is still stable and looking good!! Woo-hooo!!!

I'll be back tomorrow with what I'm reading.

Hope it's been a great day for everyone!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Random, useless information...

Here's a bunch of random, useless information. The only time I can think of when this might come in handy is if you're playing Trivial Pursuit. And I think Silver already said she was a master at that, so for her, it's absolutely, 100% useless. LOL But fun, anyway.


*****************************************************************************

The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma.

***************************************************************************

No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven (7) times. Oh go ahead...I'll wait...

****************************************************************************

Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes or shark attacks. (So, watch your Ass )

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You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television. (I love this because I'd much rather sleep than watch TV any day!!)

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The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's gum.

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The King of Hearts is the only king WITHOUT A MOUSTACHE

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American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive from each salad served in first-class.

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Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise. (Since Venus is normally associated with women, what does this tell you ? That women are going the 'right' direction...! ;)

*********************************************************************

Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning ...

************************************ ***********************************

Most dust particles in your house are made from DEAD SKIN ! ICK!!

************************************************************************ ****

The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer.

So did the first 'Marlboro Man'.

***************************************************************************

Walt Disney was afraid OF MICE! (But he didn't let it stop him! - good lesson)

**************************************************************************

PEARLS DISSOLVE IN VINEGAR !

*********************************************************************

The three most valuable brand names on earth:

Marlboro, Coca Cola, and Budweiser, in that order.

*********************************************************************

It is possible to lead a cow upstairs...but, not downstairs.

************************************************************************

A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.

************************************************************************

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.

(I keep my toothbrush in the living room now !)

***************************************************

And the best for last....Turtles can breathe through their butts. (I know some people like that, don't YOU ?)

So.....................

Remember, knowledge is everything, so pass it on...And go move your toothbrush!

Have a fantastic day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday Deals!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving and didn't overdo it on pie. If you're like my family, the turkey was turkey was turkey. Everyone was doing fine until the deserts came out. Then they gorged. LOL

Except for me!! I'm so proud of myself, I've got to brag for just a minute. I made the crustless pumpkin pie that Janelle posted on Monday and it was wonderful. I had one of them, with some fat free cool-whip for a whopping 2 points!! My hubby is still feeling bad from overeating. hehe

Then this morning, I made the foray out into the Black Friday Madness. I only had 1 destination in mind - Best Buy. My target - Microsoft Home and Student. It regularly retails for $169.99 (although Sam's Club normally has it for $125.99).

Best Buy was offering it this morning for $69.99. I decided that was worth fighting the traffic and crowd for. Although, I didn't go at 5:00, when Best Buy opened, I got there around 7:30. I parked, started walking toward the building and stopped in my tracks.

The line to get into Best Buy was wrapped around the building. Screw that! My time is worth more than the $60 I was going to save in getting it here over Sam's Club. Plus, I didn't have a coat. The temp is 43 and the wind is blowing like crazy.

Nope, I get in my car and head home. Then my gut says, "Just go to Sam's Club and get this over with." So I head my car to Sam' Club, find a parking space no problem. Walk in, go straight to the software section. Pick up the box and see that the price tag is marked out and there's no software, it's just an empty box.

I take it to the jewelry counter and she says, "Do you need to check out?"

Oh, this is sweet!! It got sweeter.

She rang it up and it was only $59.99, and three minutes later I was walking out the door with the last copy!! Woo-hoo!!

So did anyone else brave the Black Friday traffic and crowds? What sweet deals did you get? Was it worth getting up at 0'dark thirty?

Have a super Friday and a fantastic weekend!!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Hump Day Humor

My son wants one of these - the whole set-up for Christmas. LOL

Watch their reactions and facial expressions when they miss the first time. Too funny!



Happy Hump Day!!! If you're travelling for the holiday, stay alert and be safe!!

Peace and love,
Alannah

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Food For Thought...

"Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right.' Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."

Napoleon Hill
1883-1970, Author of Think and Grow Rich



I love this so much I've got it pasted over a beautiful picture of a rainbow and printed out as a picture so I can sit it on my desk. I need to remember that I can't write like a NYT bestseller because I'm not a NYT bestseller. I have to write with the knowledge that I have now, and know I'll gain more as I go.

Have a great day!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Friday, November 20, 2009

How do you pity party?

Since I'm not reading anything - other than a non-fiction for research - I thought I'd stray from the norm.

Yesterday was a shitty day. There were no major catastrophes happening in my life, I just wasn't having a good day. So I decided a good 'ole fashion pity party was called for. How do I pity party? I get a Pepsi (the non-caffeine kind since I've finally managed to break myself off of the real stuff) and a donut.

I stopped at a Sheetz convenient store and as I was walking in I thought, "Oh man, this is a terrible idea." Not the Pepsi and the donut, but my choice of stores in which to by my party supplies. I was smack dab in the middle of the university area.

Just what an overweight, middle-age woman already in the throws of a pity party needs. To see twenty something, skinny girls getting donuts and Pepsi's and burgers and fries, without fear of gaining ten more pounds on each thigh.

But you know what? Those college kids are a mess!

The guy working the register was flying solo, as the second cashier didn't show up for work today. He was having a much worse day than I was! LOL

There was a young girl, late teens or maybe early twenties, standing with her strung out boyfriend, a baby on her hip. She was wearing baggy sweats, a huge, over sized t-shirt with all kinds of stains on it and her hair was half-in, half-out of a pony tail.

Then, there was the girl who was dressed like a fashion model. I think that was the goal anyway. I couldn't get past the black rubber boots shined to a high gloss with an insanely pointed toe and a white heel. Not the whole sole, that was black like the boots. It was just the wedge heel that was white.

I left with my Pepsi and donut feeling pretty damned good about myself and thanking God that I don't have to go through THAT phase of my life again!

So how do you pity party? Next time I'm having one, I might try your ideas.

I hope it's a great weekend for everyone!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

It's rainy and nasty outside...again...so this recipe sounded wonderful.

7 Cups fat-free, less sodium chicken broth
2 Cups chopped, cooked chicken breast
2 Cups uncooked wide egg noodles
1 Cup sliced celery
1 Cup matchstick-cut carrots
1 Cup slided green onions
1/4 cup coarsley chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Have a wonderful day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Hump Day Giggle

A little known fact....

The first testicular guard "Cup" was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974.

It took 100 years for men to realize the brain is also important.

Hope it's a fantastic Wednesday for everyone!!

Peace and love,
Alannah

Friday, November 13, 2009

Once again I've managed to skip one of the stories in the series (something I didn't realize until I started posting this blog). I shall be off to B&N in the next few days to fix that!! LOL

Jacket Blurb:

Suspense doesn't burn any brighter and desire doesn't run any deeper than when Suzanne Brockmann takes the helm, opens the throttle, and takes readers along for a breathless ride as she breaks the thrill barrier -- again and again. With Into the Fire, Brockmann lights the fuse on her most explosive story yet.

Vinh Murphy -- ex-Marine and onetime operative for the elite security firm Troubleshooters Incorporated -- has been MIA ever since his wife, Angelina, was caught in a crossfire and killed during what should have been a routine bodyguard assignment. Overcome with grief, Murphy blames the neo-Nazi group known as the Freedom Network for her death. Now, years later, Freedom Network leader Tim Ebersole has been murdered -- and the FBI suspects Murphy may have pulled the trigger. To prevent further bloodshed, Murphy's friends at Troubleshooters scramble to find him and convince him to surrender peacefully.

Murphy himself can't be sure what he did or didn't do during the years he spent mourning and lost in an alcohol-induced fog. He does know he occasionally sought solace from Hannah Whitfield, a former police officer and the very friend who'd introduced him to his beloved late wife.

But Hannah, still grappling with the deafness that resulted from an injury sustained while on duty, was fighting her own battles. For years Hannah had feelings for Murphy, and one painful night their suffering brought them together in a way neither expected -- and both regretted.

But finally, Murphy is ready to rejoin the living. As always, he finds himself knocking on Hannah's door, and as always, his longtime friend welcomes him back into her home. Yet even as Murphy slowly rebuilds his splintered life, he continues to fight his growing feelings for Hannah. Then he learned of Ebersole's murder and comes to believe that the Freedom Network has targeted him -- and Hannah -- to avenge their leader's death.

Now Murphy must face the terrifying prospect of losing to violence another woman he loves.

As the Troubleshooters desperately search for him, Murphy races toward a deadly confrontation with the Freedom Network and the ultimate choice: surrender his life in the hopes that Hannah will be spared, or risk everything to salvage whatever future they may have together.

The rain has finally ended. We got a total of 10" in our rain gauge (the official amount from the weather people is 8"). Whichever, it's still a bunch of rain and I'm grateful that it's over. And, that we now have a pond full of water, rather an ugly dry hole.

I hope it's a fantastic weekend for everyone!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Breakfast Burrito

Weight Watcher's breakfast burrito

POINTS® Value: 7
Servings: 2
Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 10 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy


Bacon and scrambled eggs are rolled up in tortillas, baked and then topped with sour cream and avocado. A nice change from a bowl of oatmeal.

Ingredients

2 serving(s) butter-flavor cooking spray
3 large egg white(s)
2 large egg(s)
2 slice(s) Canadian-style bacon, finely chopped
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/8 tsp table salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
3 Tbsp salsa, drained of excess liquid before measuring
2 large burrito-size wheat flour tortilla(s)
4 Tbsp reduced-fat sour cream
1/8 medium avocado, ripe, cut into 2 wedges

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a small baking sheet with cooking spray. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-low heat.

In a large bowl, beat egg whites and eggs. Add bacon, oregano, salt, pepper and salsa; stir well.

Pour egg mixture into prepared skillet; increase heat to medium. Let eggs partially set and then scramble using a spatula. When eggs are set but still slightly glossy, remove from heat.

Spoon half of egg mixture into center of each tortilla. Roll tortilla to conceal filling, making sure to fold in ends. Place burritos, seam-side down, on prepared baking sheet. Bake until burritos are very hot, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and serve each burrito with 1 tablespoon sour cream and 1 slice avocado.

Notes
For a breakfast on the go, fill a toasted whole-wheat pita half with the scrambled egg mixture, sour cream and avocado.

I love breakfast burritos, but the ones I fix are definitely not this healthy. LOL Extra helpings of bacon (not the Canadian kind) and a pile of cheese definitely add the points. I was glad to find this recipe and can't wait to try it out.

Have a great day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

PS...I've found some work for Bubba to do around the house that doesn't even require typing. He starts tomorrow!!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Food For Thought...

"One day at a time - this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone: and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."

Ida Scott Taylor
1820-1915, Author

Peace and love,
Alannah

Friday, November 6, 2009

I'm still on the Troubleshooter series but I'm closing in on the end. Only 4 more to go (there are 5 more after this, but I started this whole thing with one of them. lol).

This is my least favorite of all of them so far, which is good because I can put it down and focus on what I need to be doing, and then read in the evenings when I'm winding down.

Here's the cover and the blurb from her website:


Jacket Blurb: Bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann blends high adventure, harrowing drama, and heart-racing passion into thrilling novels of suspense. Whether tackling danger or wrestling with desire, her elite heroes and heroines never fail to give their all, in stories that soar above and beyond expectations. Now, in her electrifying new novel, Brockmann takes us

INTO THE STORM

In a remote, frozen corner of New Hampshire, a Navy SEAL team and the elite security experts of Troubleshooters, Incorporated are going head-to-head as fierce but friendly rivals in a raid-and-rescue training exercise. Despite the frigid winter temperatures, tension smolders between veteran SEAL Petty Officer Mark “Jenk” Jenkins and former cop turned Troubleshooter Lindsey Fontaine after an impulsive night goes awry. And then, suddenly, Tracy Shapiro, the Troubleshooters’ new receptionist, vanishes while playing the role of hostage during a mock rescue operation.

Teaming up with the FBI to launch a manhunt in the treacherous wilderness, Jenk and Lindsey must put aside their feelings as a record snowstorm approaches, dramatically reducing any hope of finding Tracy alive. The trail is colder than the biting New England climate until a lucky break leads to a horrifying discovery—a brutally murdered young woman wearing the jacket Tracy wore when she disappeared. Suddenly there is a chilling certainty that Tracy has fallen prey to a serial killer—one who knows the backwoods terrain and who doesn’t play by the rules of engagement.

In a race against time, a raging blizzard, and a cunning opponent, Jenk and Lindsey are put to the ultimate test. Rising everything, they must finally come together in a desperate attempt to save Tracy—and each other.

I hope it's a great weekend for everyone!!

Sending thoughts and prayers to all of those affected by the horrific events at Fort Hood!

Alannah

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Lemon-Herb Roasted Salmon

Lemon-herb roasted salmon from Weight Watchers:


POINTS® Value: 5
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 16 min
Cooking Time: 15 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy


Give salmon fabulous flavor with fresh herbs, lemon juice and lemon zest.


Ingredients

1 spray(s) cooking spray
1 1/2 pound(s) pink salmon fillet(s), four 6-oz pieces about 1-inch-thick each (also known as humpback salmon)
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, coarsely ground, or to taste
1/4 cup(s) fresh lemon juice, divided
1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp parsley, fresh, chopped (plus extra for garnish, if desired)
1 Tbsp thyme, fresh, chopped (plus extra for garnish, if desired)
1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated (plus extra for garnish, if desired)
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp fresh oregano

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a small, shallow baking dish with cooking spray.

Season both sides of salmon with salt and pepper; place salmon in prepared baking dish and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.

In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, sugar, parsley, thyme, lemon zest, garlic and oregano; whisk until sugar dissolves and set aside.

Roast salmon until almost done, about 13 minutes; remove from oven and top with lemon-herb mixture. Return to oven and roast until salmon is fork-tender, about 2 minutes more. Garnish with fresh chopped herbs and grated zest, if desired. Yields about 4 to 5 ounces of salmon per serving.

Notes
We used pink salmon fillets because they are less fatty than some other salmon varieties like coho and sockeye salmon. If you prefer to use a different type of salmon in this recipe make to sure to account for any extra POINTS values.


I fixed this for dinner last night and it was great!! And very, very easy to make.

Have a fantastic Thursday. Only one more "get up" of the workweek. (at my house weekends don't matter, 'cause hubby works 2 out of 3, but I'm going to try to plan it so that I don't have to "get up" on Saturday or Sunday.) hehe

Peace and love,
Alannah

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Sex On Mars

The year is 2222 and Mike and Maureen land on Mars after accumulating enough frequent flier miles.

They meet a Martian couple and are talking about all sorts of things. Mike asks if Mars has a stock market, if they have laptop computers, how they make money, etc.

Finally, Maureen brings up the subject of sex.

"Just how do you guys do it?" asks Maureen.

The Martian responds, "Pretty much the way you do."

A discussion ensues and finally the couples decide to swap partners for the night and experience one another. Maureen and the male Martian go off to a bedroom where the Martian strips. He's got only a teeny, weenie weenie about half an inch long and just a quarter-inch thick.

"I don't think this is going to work," says Maureen.

"Why?" he asks. "What's the matter?"

"Well," she replies, "it's just not long enough to reach me!"

"No problem," he says, and proceeds to slap his forehead with his palm. With each slap of his forehead, his member grows until it's quite impressively long.

"Well," she says, "that's quite impressive, but it is still narrow."

"No problem," he says, and starts pulling his ears. With each pull, his member grows wider and wider until the entire measurement is extremely exciting to the woman.

"Wow!" she exclaims, as they fell into bed and made mad passionate love.

The next day the couples rejoin their other partners and go their separate ways. As they walked along, Mike asks, "Well, was it any good?"

"I hate to say it," says Maureen, "but it was wonderful. How about you?"

"It was horrible," Mike replies. "All I got was a headache. She kept slapping my forehead and pulling my ears."

Hope it's a happy day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

"Often we allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. We lose many irreplaceable hours brooding over grievances that, in a year's time, will be forgotten by us and by everybody. No, let us devote our life to worthwhile actions and feelings, to great thoughts, real affections and enduring undertakings."

Andre Maurois
1885-1967, Writer


Sheesh...I need to remember this on Sunday's when I'm watching NASCAR. I spent hours being pissed off on Sunday evening because of the outcome of the race (my guy ended up on his roof and finished way back in the field).

It's ridiculous, I know that. But I want Mark Martin to win a championship so badly, that I actually let myself get upset over the outcome. And I can't do a damn thing about any of it. Which makes it even crazier!!

Maybe I should start recording them and only watching if it has a happy ending! LOL

Have a great day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Friday, October 30, 2009

What I'm Reading...

Le sigh....LOL

Bet you know what's coming, don't ya?

I've tried to be good...and I have been for a couple of weeks. But now, I'm back into the Troubleshooter's series. This is Max and Gina's story and one that I've wanted to read for a while. Gina is so much fun. Although Suzanne Brockmann has said she was the least well-behaved character she's written. She couldn't get her to co-operate in any way, and in reading this book, I believe it!

Here's the deats:



Cover Blurb: "Uncommon valor in the line of duty and unconditional devotion in the name of love are the salient qualities of the daring men and women who risk it all in the heart-pounding thrillers of New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann. Crafted with precision and power, her characters come alive with a depth of emotion few writers have achieved. Now, with Breaking Point, Brockmann breaks even further through the pack and delivers a stunning payload.

As commander of the nation’s most elite FBI counterterrorism unit, agent Max Bhagat leads by hard-driving example: pushing himself to the limit and beyond, taking no excuses, and putting absolutely nothing ahead of his work. That includes his deep feelings for Gina Vitagliano, the woman who won his admiration and his heart with her courage under fire. But when the shocking news reaches him that Gina has been killed in a terrorist bombing, nothing can keep Max from making a full investigation—and retribution—his top priority.

At the scene of the attack, however, Max gets an even bigger shock. Gina is still very much alive—but facing a fate even worse than death. Along with Molly Anderson, a fellow overseas relief worker, Gina has fallen into the hands of a killer who is bent on using both women to bait a deadly trap. His quarry? Grady Morant, a.k.a “Jones,” a notorious ex-Special Forces operative turned smuggler who made some very deadly enemies in the jungles of Southeast Asia . . . and has been running ever since. But with Molly’s life on the line, Jones is willing to forfeit his own to save the woman he loves.

Together with Max's top agent Jules Cassidy as their only backup, the unlikely allies plunge into a global hot zone of violence and corruption to make a deal with the devil. Not even Jones knows which ghosts from his past want him dead. But there's one thing he's sure of--there's very little his bloodthirsty enemies aren't willing to do.

Count on the intense action and raw honesty that Suzanne Brockmann consistently delivers, as she goes for broke in Breaking Point--and never looks back."

I hope it's a spooktacular weekend for everyone!!!

Happy Halloween!
Alannah

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Baked Honeycrisp Apples

4 Honeycrisp Apples
1/2 C brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 C dried cranberries
1/4 C chopped walnuts
4 Tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 400. Slice off top of apples and scoop out cores, leaving a well in the center. In a bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, cranberries and walnuts until blended. Stuff each apple with 1/4 of the brown sugar mixture. Place apples in a deep baking dish, topping each with 1 Tbsp butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Fill bottom of pan with water and bake for 50-60 minutes, until apples are tender.

Hubby and I started Weight Watcher's yesterday. I think this would be really good...it's fruit, right? LOL

Have a happy day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Bill and Sam, two elderly friends, met in the park every day to feed the pigeons, watch the squirrels and discuss world problems.

One day Bill didn't show up. Sam didn't think much about it and figured maybe he had a cold or something. But after Bill hadn't shown up for a week or so, Sam really got worried. However, since the only time they ever got together was at the park, Sam didn't know where Bill lived, so he was unable to find out what had happened to him.


A month had passed, and Sam figured he had seen the last of Bill, but one day, Sam approached the park and -- lo and behold! -- there sat Bill! Sam was very excited and happy to see him and told him so. Then he said, 'For crying out loud Bill, what in the world happened to you?'

Bill replied, 'I have been in jail.'

'Jail?' cried Sam. 'What in the world for?'

'Well,' Bill said, 'you know Mary, that cute little blonde waitress at the coffee shop where I sometime go?'

'Yeah,' said Sam, 'I remember her. What about her?'

'Well, one day she filed rape charges against me; and, at 89 years old, I was so proud that when I got into court, I pled 'guilty.' The darn judge gave me 30 days for perjury.

Have a fantastic hump day!!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

"Worry a little bit every day and in a lifetime you will lose a couple of years. If something is wrong, fix it if you can. But train yourself not to worry. Worry never fixes anything."

Mary Hemingway
1908-1986, Author and Journalist


Oh boy. I need to tattoo this someplace that I can see it on a regular basis. I am the world's worst at worrying. But I'm going to try to get better. I really, really am trying!!!

Have a great day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Baked Pesto Chicken

BAKED PESTO CHICKEN
ANGEL HAIR PASTA W/HERBS
FRENCH BREAD

Baked Pesto Chicken:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
½ c basil pesto
2 plum tomatoes
shredded mozzarella cheese



Preheat oven to 400. Cover cookie sheet with foil. Put pesto and chicken in bowl. Toss until chicken is covered. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Place slices of tomato on top of chicken and sprinkle with cheese. Bake another 3-5 minutes.

Serve with a box of angel hair pasta and herbs and French bread.

Eat up!!

PS...I need to brag on my kidlet for a minute (I learn so much from my kids, especially when it comes to perseverence and tenacity!). His dad ran cross-country in high school and always talked about how much fun it was so kidlet decided he wanted to run cross-country. The first race he ran his time was around 32:00 (I think). I can't remember the exact time but I know it wasn't very good in his opinion. I was impressed that he'd finished without collapsing along the way - that would have been me.

Anyway, through out the season he managed to cut his time down to 24:15 - it's amazing that he cut so much time off from the first race. But you know how kids can be. Especially kids that you think are your friends. Especially, especially when those kids are running 2-3 minutes faster than you.

On Tuesday, 2 of his friends in particular were really ugly to him, teasing him about being the "slowest." Which isn't true, he runs about mid-pack, but it still hurt his feelings. As it would anyone. He decided he was going to cut his time down to under 23:00 minutes - they told him he couldn't do it.

When he hit the 1 mile mark yesterday his time was a little under 6:00 - off to a good start. I was excited and yelling, "You can do this. You know you can do this."

When he hit the 2 mile mark, his time was a little under 15:00 minutes. I knew better than to tell him the time so I kept up my, "You can do this. You have this PR (Personal record). YOU CAN DO THIS! - I called his dad with shaky fingers and said, "His 2 mile mark was a little under 15:00!!"

Dad's response: "What? He's normally there around 17:40, isn't he?"

Me, shaking with tears in my eyes, "I think so. OMG, I've gotta get to the finish line."

When I saw him coming down the final stretch the clock was just clicking over the 22:00 mark. Holy shit!!! And guess what? He's still ahead of one of those friends - the one who insisted he couldn't do it in under 23:00.

Finish line time: 22:49 !!! Wooo--hoooo!!!!!

This time when I called his dad, I was crying. And Grey looked like he was about to pass out. In fact, he was weaiving a little and I was really afraid he might go over. But that was okay! LOL

I'm so proud of him and, once again, he's taught me the value of determination.

OK...enough bragging. Thanks for indulging me!!


Peace and love,
Alannah

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Hump Day Humor

Today's Hump Day Humor is compliments of my kidlet. He kept telling me he had this video on You Tube he wanted me to watch, I kept putting him off. His sense of humor and mine, aren't exactly the same.

But this was great!!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!



Have a fantastic Wednesday!!!

Peace and love,
Alannah

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Food For Thought...

"When you paint success pictures in your mind, you initiate an inner process whereby your attitudes, hopes, aspirations, and enthusiasm are elevated in response to an image of a more promising future. Every person who aspires must first sell themselves hope, the promise of a better life."

U.S. Andersen
Author of The Magic In Your Mind



Have a great day!!
Wishing you much peace and love,
Alannah

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Barbecue Chicken Pizza

This recipe is from the Weight Watcher's 20 Minute Recipe Magazine. I just got the magazine so I haven't had a chance to try this recipe yet, but it sounds great and I'll probably fix it over the weekend.

1 (14 oz) Italian cheese-flavored pizza crust (such as Boboli Original)
Cooking spray
2 Cups chopped cooked chicken
2/3 Cups spicy barbecue sauce, divided
1/3 Cup slivered red onion
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 Cup (4 oz) pre-shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 450
2. Place pizza crust on an un-greased baking sheet; lightly coat crust with cooking spray.
3. Combine chicken and 1/3 cup sauce in a small bowl; stir well. Spread remaining 1/3 Cup sauce evenly over pizza crust, leaving a 1" border. Top crust evenly with chicken mixture and remaining ingredients
4. Slide pizza off pan directly onto oven rack. Bake at 450 for 10 to 12 minutes or until the crust is crisp and cheese melts. Slide pizza from oven rack back onto pan using a spatula. Remove from oven, and cut into 8 slices.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 slice)

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

If you're counting Weight Watcher's Points the point value is 6 points per slice.
Calories: 281; Fat: 6. g (Sat. fat 3.1 g); Protein: 19.5 g; Carbs: 34 g; Fiber: 1.1 g; Chol: 37 mg; Iron: 1.8 mg; Sodium: 606 mg; Calcium: 169 mg.

Enjoy!!!
Alannah

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Hump Day Humor

***WARNING - EXPLICIT LANGUAGE***

I'm sure y'all have probably seen this but if not, it's too funny to miss so I'm posting it as a "just-in-case." It cracks me up how he goes from omniscient-broadcaster-voice to ghetto in a heartbeat. Enjoy!!




Hope it's a beatiful day!!

Peace and love,
Alannah

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Food For Thought...

I've heard his story has been circulating via e-mail so some of you may have heard/read it before. I hadn't received it until recently but I first heard it years ago. Like, ten or twelve years ago. I'd forgotten about it and was glad to receive it via e-mail. Hope you enjoy.

The Cookie Thief by Valerie Cox

A woman was waiting at an airport one night
With several long hours before her flight

She hunted for a book in the airport shop
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop

She was engrossed in her book but happened to see
That the man beside her as bold as could be

Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between
Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene

She munched cookies and watched the clock
As this gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock

She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by
Thinking "If I wasn't so nice I'd blacken his eye"

With each cookie she took he took one too
And when only one was left she wondered what he'd do

With a smile on his face and a nervous laugh
He took the last cookie and broke it in half

He offered her half as he ate the other
She snatched it from him and thought "Oh brother

This guy has some nerve and he's also rude
Why he didn't even show any gratitude"

She had never known when she had been so galled
And sighed with relief when her flight was called

She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate
Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate

She boarded the plane and sank in her seat
Then sought her book which was almost complete

As she reached in her baggage she gasped with surprise
There was her bag of cookies in front of her eyes

"If mine are here" she moaned with despair
"Then the others were his and he tried to share"

Too late to apologize she realized with grief
That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Friday, October 9, 2009

What I'm Reading...

*sigh*

I'm hopeless. It's an affliction and I don't know what to do!!! As you know, I've been working my way through Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter series. I had gotten my tbr pile down to 1.

Well, I picked it up and now I can't put the damn thing down. I think this might be my favorite so far. The hero is the extremely wounded Jimmy Nash and I have a thing for wounded heroes. I like to read about them and I love to write about them.

And so, naturally, I've gotten entrenched into this book and have totally neglected my own writing. What's worse. I went to B&N today and got the next 4 in the series!!

See above comment about being hopeless.

Here's the cover and the blurb from her website:


Jimmy Nash has already lived two lives--and he can’t talk about either of them. Formerly an operative of a top secret government agency, he has found a new job with a shadowy company called Troubleshooters, Incorporated. Created by a former Navy SEAL, Troubleshooters, Inc. helps anyone in desperate need--which provides a perfect cover for its other, more perilous objective: covert special operations.

Now Nash and a quickly assembled team of expert operators have come to the earthquake-ravaged country of Kazbekistan in the guise of relief workers. There, amid the dust and death, in a land of blood red sunsets and ancient blood feuds, they must track down a missing laptop computer that may hold secrets vital to national security.

To get it done, Nash does what he does best: break every rule in the book and manipulate those who can help him get what he needs. But this time, Nash may have met his match in Tess Bailey, a Troubleshooters operative with all the right instincts--and zero field experience. The deep attraction between them is immediate... and potentially volatile, with risk at every turn.

Now these two professionals must play out their dangerous games in the world’s most dangerous place-- isolated from their own government, cutting deals with people they can’t trust, and guarding forbidden passions that threaten to compromise their crucial mission.

A full-throttle adventure teamed with heated emotion, Flashpoint proves that Suzanne Brockmann can spin suspense unlike any other author working today.

I really, really loved this book and am sure I'll go back and read it. Probably as soon as I've finished the series (if not before). It was great entertainment as a reader, but as a writer I'm fascinated by her ability to tell a story and get so deep into POV.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!

Wishing you much peace and love,
Alannah

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Tomato Sauced Pork Chops

6 boneless pork loin chops, cut 3/4" thick
1 Tablespoon cooking oil
1 envelope (1/2 of a 2 oz. package) onion soup mix
1 15 oz can Great Northern or small white beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes with basil, oregano, and garlic, undrained
2 Tablespoons dry red wine or water

1. Trim fat from chops. In a 12" skillet, brown chops in hot oil. Drain off fat. Transfer chops to a 3 1/2 or 4 quart slow cooker. Sprinkle chops with dry onion soup mix. Pour beans and undrained tomatoes over chops in slow cooker.

2. Cove and cook on low-heat setting for 7 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

3. Transfer chops to a serving platter. Stir wine into bean mixture. Using a slotted spoon, spoon beans and tomatoes over chops; discard cooking liquid.

Bon apetite!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Food For Thought...

"Individuals who are positive in their thoughts always tend to look upon the brighter side of life. With their faces turned toward the sunshine, they attempt to see the good, even in the bad. Such individuals habitually think thoughts of a positive nature and they are a blessing to the world. They are in a Positive Vibration, and therefore attract other positive personalities to them."

Bob Proctor
Author and Speaker

Also, I wanted to let you know that my prolific writing buddy and friend, Cara Carnes, has a new release out today from Loose-ID. I tried to get the guys to come back and celebrate with us again, but they're still worn out from their last visit.



Happy Tuesday!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Friday, October 2, 2009

What I'm Reading...


I'm not reading much, but occasionally I do reward myself if I've met my word count goals by reading a few pages. This is the latest in the Dead End Dating Series by Kimberly Raye.


Product Description from Amazon:

Divalicious darling of the undead Lil Marchette is this close to finding her own happily-ever-after with hunky live-in bounty hunter Ty Bonner. Unfortunately, reality is biting back in a big way. Lil’s got mounting bills to pay and clients to keep happily hooked up courtesy of Dead End Dating, the ultimate meet-and-greet for New York’s fanged, furry, and fabulous. But leave it to a drop-dead gorgeous eight-hundred-year-old warlock with a big-girl fetish to take the biggest chomp out of Lil’s happiness by kidnapping Esther Crutch, one of Lil’s plus-size clients, now stamped as Grade-A Ritual Meat.

Leaving Ty warming the bed, Lil races to rescue Esther’s curvy behind before she’s turned into a Mayan sacrifice. The trail leads to Texas–hell by any other name–and as if dust, demons, and hopelessly outdated fashion weren’t bad enough, fate gives Lil an unexpected partner: her mom, who is on a mission to meddle (as usual) and grab a little mother-daughter time. Will Lil remain calm in the face of smotherly love and save Esther–or will her client bite the dust?



What are you guys reading today?

I hope it's a fantastic and safe weekend for everyone!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Smoky Barbecued Beef Brisket

1 2-3 pound fresh beef brisket
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 Cup ketchup
1/2 Cup chili sauce
1/4 Cup packed brown sugar
2 Tablespoons vinegar
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons liquid smoke
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/3 Cup cold water
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

1. Trim fat from meat. Cut meat to fit into a 3 1/2 or 4 quart slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, celery seeds, and pepper. Sprinkle chili powder mixture evenly over meat; rub with you fingers. Place meat in slow cooker.

2. In a medium bowl, combine ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, and dry mustard. Pour over meat in a cooker.

3. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 10 to 11 hours or on high-heat setting for 5 to 5 1/2 hours.

4. Remove meat from cooker, reserving cooking juices. Skim fat off cooking juices, measure 2 1/2 Cups of the cooking juices. For sauce: In a medium saucepan, stir the cold water into flour; add the 2 1/2 Cups cooking juices. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly; cook and stir for 1 minute more. Cutting across the grain, cut the meat into thin slices. Serve sauce with meat.

Enjoy!!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Hump Day Humor

While shopping in a food store, two nuns happened to pass by the beer cooler.

One nun said to the other, "Wouldn't a nice cool beer or two taste wonderful on a hot summer evening?"

The second nun answered "Indeed it would Sister, but I wouldn't feel comfortable buying beer as I am certain that it would cause a scene at the check-out counter."

"I can handle that without a problem" she replied as she picked up a six-pack and headed for the check-out.

The cashier had a surprised look on his face when the two nuns arrived with a six-pack of beer.

"We use beer for washing our hair" the nun said, "A shampoo, of sorts, if you will."

Without blinking an eye, the cashier reached under the counter, pulled out a package of pretzel sticks and placed them in the bag with the beer. He then looked the nun straight in the eye, smiled and said, "The curlers are on the house."

UPDATE: 9,362 words on Tuesday and I was able to type "The End!" Although, now that I think about it, I didn't actually type that. I just typed the last line and hit save. LOL Thanks again for all the encouraging and supportive notes!!

Have a fantastic day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Food For Thought...

"Every achiever that I have ever met says, 'My life turned around when I began to believe in me.'"

Dr. Robert Schuller
Minister and Author

It's hard to believe in ourselves sometimes when we don't have any reason to. But this saying is so, so true!!! Do you believe in you?

Make today a fantastic day. And if you answered "no" above, make today the day you start to believe in you!!!

Book-in-a-Week update: Book in a week finished up on Sunday and I figured up my totals last night. Total words for the week - 29,318!! Woo-hoo!!! Total words for Monday, 5099. I'm a happy girl. Thanks for all the encouragement and support. Just knowing I needed to report to you guys helped me more than you can know!!

Peace and love,
Alannah

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Weekend Update

I said I'd post my totals over the weekend, to keep myself honest, so here I go.

Friday sucked. I wasn't feeling well and I think the stress of the week finally caught up to me. I was in bed, out cold, by 8:30 that night.

Friday's total: 600 words (or something ridiculous like that).

Saturday I made up a little ground: 6,056 words!

I hope to have between 5-7K today and tomorrow. Originally, I thought I could be finished with this first draft if I did those totals, but as I lay in bed last night and thought about it, I don't think that's going to happen. I think I'll probably need Tuesday too.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend and getting at least a little reading and writing done.

Peace and love,
Alannah

Friday, September 25, 2009

GRRRRRR.....

Time for me and the good folks at Embarq to have a little chat. My Internet has been sporadic all morning and just when I think I've got it fixed and I can get on here to post today's blog - poof! - it goes away again.

I'm not currently reading anything because I'm too busy writing. Honestly!! I know, I can't believe it either.

But what about you guys? What are you reading? How's those writing goals coming along?

I didn't reach my 5000 mark yesterday, I was 200 words short. But, I stopped there because it was the end of a scene, it was late, I was tired and I knew if I started on the next scene I'd just keep going.

I'm off to a really late start today but I'm still hopeful that I'll be able to reach 5K today. I'll post my totals tomorrow, just to keep myself accountable.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Beef in Red Wine Gravy

LOL...Bet you couldn't have guessed what today's post was going to be. Huh?

I fixed this on Monday night and it was fabulous! And easy too. I mixed it up in the morning, flipped on the crock pot and let it cook until time for dinner. Then all I had to do was cook the noodles to serve with it and heat up some green beans.

1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1" cubes
2 medium onions, cut up
2 beef bouillon cube or 1 envelope (1/2 of 2 oz package) onion soup mix
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
Salt
Ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups dry red wine
Hot cooked noodles (optional)

1. In a 3 1/2 or 4 quart slow cooker, combine meat and onions. Add bouillon cubes or dry onion soup mix. Sprinkle cornstarch, salt, and pepper over meat and onions. Pour red wine over mixture in cooker.

2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 10 to 12 hours or on low-heat setting for 5 or 6 hours.

3. If desired, serve over hot cooked noodles.

per serving: 211 calories, 4 g total fat (1 g sat. fat), 67 mg chol, 430 mg sodium, 8 g carb, 1 g fiber, 24 g protein.

BIAW Update: Yesterday sucked! I only got to 2311. I'm so disappointed. I tried, I really did. But it's tough to write when you're not at home for more than 10 minutes at a time and there's family drama pouring down in buckets.

I'm determined to make up that count today so you probably won't see me until later in the day.

How about you guys? Silver? How much do you have left to add before you can send that puppy off?

Liza, thanks for being a great cheerleader. I, for one, need all the help and support I can get! And Paula's right - there is no such thing as "just a reader." Without readers, writers wouldn't have a purpose.

*waves at Paula* Have you gotten any writing done this week? Even a few words?

Lu - your birthday is over, put the cake away and get busy!! *kachee*

Son #2 update - several asked about his meet so I'm gonna brag for a second. He ran the 3.1 miles (5K) in a personal best record - 24.15. Previously, his best time was 26.0. He probbly could have finished faster, but when he got to the 2 mile mark and the coach called out a time of 15 something he started to panic that he was running too fast so he forced himself to slow down. Then he got cramps and decided to speed back up again. LOL



Enjoy the recipe and have a great day, everyone!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Hump Day Humor

Hung Chow calls into work and says, "Hey, I no come work today, I really sick. Got headache, stomach ache and legs hurt, I no come work."

The boss John says, "You know something, Hung Chow, I really need you today. When I feel sick like you do, I go to my wife and tell her to give me sex. That makes everything better and I go to work. You try that."

Two hours later Hung Chow calls again. "I do what you say and I feel Great. I be at work soon..........You got nice house."


BIAW Report: Yesterday I managed 7,029 words!! Woo-hooo!!! My shoulders, back and wrists aren't happy, but I'm as happy as a pig in a puddle over the production.

Silver? Lu? Did you manage to pull yourselves away from the guys long enough to get any writing done?

And a big thank you to our wonderful cheerleader, Paula!! *V* Just writing a little every day is better than nothing so do what you can, Paula, and be proud that you've gotten something on the page. And thanks for the encouragement and support! Hugs!

I hope today is a fabulous hump day for everyone!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Friday, September 18, 2009

What I'm Reading...

Well, I've done it again. Somehow, I ended up smack dab in the middle of a series. But, as always, I figure I got the exact book I was supposed to get for whatever reason. This is the first book by Kresley Cole that I've read and so far, I'm enjoying it immensely. Here's the cover and scoop from her website:


Book 3 in the bestselling Immortals After Dark series

~ Available November 2007 ~

A brutal Highland werewolf. An exquisite young witch. Immortal enemies … forbidden temptations.

Her breathless kiss haunts him.

Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae clan was nearly destroyed when he lost the one woman meant for him. The ruthless warrior grew even colder, never taking another to his bed—until a smoldering encounter with his enemy, Mariketa the Awaited, reawakens his darkest desires. When sinister forces unite against her, the Highlander finds himself using all his strength and skill to keep her alive.

His slow, hot touch is irresistible.

Temporarily stripped of her powers, Mari is forced to take refuge with her sworn
adversary. It’s rumored that no one can tempt Bowen’s hardened heart, but soon passion burns between them. Though a future together is impossible, she fears he has no intention of letting her go.

No deed is too wicked for her seduction.

If they defeat the evil that surrounds them, can Mari deny Bowen when he demands her body and soul—or will she risk everything for her fierce protector?

Have a super weekend, everyone!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup yellow stone-ground grits
3 cups milk
1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper


DIRECTIONS
1.In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Stir in the grits, and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until silky, about 10 minutes.

2.Meanwhile, heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onions until tender, then toss in shrimp. Season with salt and pepper, and cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until shrimp turn pink. Stir shrimp mixture into grits, and continue cooking for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve hot.

I picked this recipe in honor of being in SC this week. My hubby loves shrimp and grits! Some recipe are much more complicated than others. I just found this recipe online and haven't tried it yet, but it seems simple enough that even I could do it. LOL

Have a great day!!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Hump Day Humor

Bob works hard at IBM and spends two nights each week bowling and plays golf every Saturday.

His wife thinks he's pushing himself too hard, so for his birthday she takes him to a local strip club.

The doorman at the club greets them and says, "Hey, Bob! How ya doin?"

His wife is puzzled and asks if he's been to this club before.

"Oh no," says Bob. "He's on my bowling team."

When they are seated, a waitress asks Bob if he'd like his usual and brings over a Budweiser.

His wife is becoming increasingly uncomfortable and says, "How did she know that you drink Budweiser?"

"I recognize her; she's the waitress from the golf club. I always have a Bud at the end of the 1st nine, honey."

A stripper then comes over to their table, throws her arms around Bob, starts to rub herself all over him and says, "Hi Bobby. Want your usual table dance, big boy?"

Bob's wife, now furious, grabs her purse and storms out of the club.

Bob follows and spots her getting into a cab. Before she can slam the door, he jumps in beside her.

Bob tries desperately to explain how the stripper must have mistaken him for someone else, but his wife is having none of it.

She is screaming at him at the top of her lungs, calling him every 4 letter word in the book.

The cabby turns around and says, "Geez, Bob, you picked up a real bitch this time."

Wonder when Bob will get out of the hospital.

Bad, I know, but funny. Have a great day!!

Peace and love,
Alannah

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Food For Thought...

"Whatever you want in life, other people are going to want it too. Believe in yourself enough to accept the idea that you have an equal right to it."

Diane Sawyer


Have a great day!
Peace and love,
Alannah

Thursday, September 10, 2009

A Mate's Risk by Cara Carnes

As I mentioned yesterday, today is the release of A MATE'S RISK, by Cara Carnes. Cara is a writing buddy, a phenomenal critique partner and an awesome friend. She's also a prolific writer who keeps me green with envy.

Here's the cover (isn't it cool how they put his picture in the hourglass?) and blurb:


Blurb:

Melinda Morgan is ready to shed her inhibitions. Crafting her ideal lover for an
ancient ceremony seemed ideal. She didn't expect it to actually work. When a
gorgeous man appears in the flesh to fulfill her darkest desires, she savors the
temptress he unleashes within her too much to let him go.

Djar Malaks defied laws, time and space to experience Melinda's passion. After
centuries of servitude to ungrateful gods, he's willing to risk anything to
quench his hunger. Sating his needs and awakening her fantasies can't escape the
grim reality that he must return to his time to.

Locked in a passion neither is willing to ignore, Melinda and Djar soon discover
only the time spinner can decide their fate.



OK, now that the details are out of the way, on to the good stuff. No party - at least not on my little get-away island here on the web, is complete without hunks to take care of everyone's every needs. Enjoy!!












Enjoy the party and have a fantastic weekend!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Hump Day Humor

When I tried to read this to my husband the other day, I was laughing so hard that I had to keep stopping, wipe the tears and catch my breath. I hope you guys enjoy it, even a fraction of as much as I did.


I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy.

A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis .

Then Andy explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough, reassuring and patient manner.

I nodded thoughtfully, but I didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was shrieking, quote, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000 FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'

I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a prescription for a product called 'MoviPrep,' which comes in a box large enough to hold a microwave oven.

I will discuss MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must never allow it to fall into the hands of America 's enemies.

I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous. Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began my preparation.

In accordance with my instructions, I didn't eat any solid food that day; all I had was chicken broth, which is basically water, only with less flavor.

Then, in the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of powder together in a one-liter plastic jug, then you fill it with lukewarm water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter is about 32 gallons). Then you have to drink the whole jug. This takes about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes - and here I am being kind - like a mixture of goat spit and urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon.

The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody with a great sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a loose, watery bowel movement may result'.

This is kind of like saying that after you jump off your roof, you may experience contact with the ground.

MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here, but: have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt. You spend several hours pretty much confined to the bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything. And then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can tell, your bowels travel into the future and start eliminating food that you have not even eaten yet.

After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep.

The next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very nervous. Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I had been experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do you apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers would not be enough.

At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I understood and totally agreed with whatever the heck the forms said. Then they led me to a room full of other colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little curtained space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital garments designed by sadist perverts; the kind that, when you put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are actually naked.

Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my left hand. Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very good, and I was already lying down. Eddie also told me that some people put vodka in their MoviPrep.

At first I was ticked off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I pondered what would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose Mode. You would have no choice but to burn your house.

When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the procedure room, where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist I did not see the 17,000-foot tube, but I knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere. I was seriously nervous at this point.

Andy had me roll over on my left side, and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up to the needle in my hand.

There was music playing in the room, and I realized that the song was 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA I remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that could be playing during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen' had to be the least appropriate.

"You want me to turn it up?" said Andy, from somewhere behind me.

"Ha ha," I said. And then it was time; the moment I had been dreading for more than a decade. If you are squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you, in explicit detail, exactly what it was like.

I have no idea! Really! I slept through it! One moment, ABBA was yelling,'Dancing Queen, feel the beat of the tambourine,' and the next moment, I was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood.

Andy was looking down at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent. I felt even more excellent when Andy told me that It was all over, and that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been prouder of an internal organ.

ABOUT THE WRITER
Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist for the Miami Herald.


On the subject of Colonoscopies...

Colonoscopies are no joke, but these comments during the exam were quite humorous..... A physician claimed that the following are actual comments made by his patients (predominately male) while he was performing their colonoscopies:

1. Take it easy, Doc. You're boldly going where no man has gone before!

2. Find Amelia Earhart yet?

3. Can you hear me NOW?

4. Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

5. You know, in Arkansas, we're now legally married.

6. Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?

7. You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out...

8. Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!

9. If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!

10. Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity.

11. You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?

12. God, now I know why I am not gay.

And the best one of all.

13. Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up there?

Have a marvelous day!!!
Peace and love (and no colonoscopies to you!),
Alannah

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Food For Thought...

"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."

Michelangelo Buonarroti
1474-1564, Italian Renaissance Painter and Sculptor

This is one of my all time favorite quotes. Hope it's a fantastic week for you!!

Peace and Love,
Alannah

Friday, September 4, 2009

Help Me Pick A Name

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog...

I need names for the characters of a short story I'm working on and I want you guys to help me decide.

Normally, I wouldn't show pictures because I think it takes away from the reading experience. But this bad-boy fallen angel is just too yummy not to share! (Shhh...don't tell if you recognize him as one of the character of a very popular series) I've narrowed his name down to the following:



Lazare
Lazaro
Luciano
Ludovico







The heroine is a pure as new-fallen snow angel, one of the highest of the highest, who's been sent to save him. And I honestly don't know who's going to win this battle. I've narrowed her names down to the following:


Cairistiona
Carlina
Celestyna
Clarisse
Caritta


What do you guys think? Thanks for the help!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Since I outed myself earlier this week, you now know that if it's 8:something and I'm posting my blog, that means I don't have my act together and am scrambling to come up with something. I know it's supposed to be recipe day, but I got nothin'! And I'm supposed to be "unplugged" today, so I'm just going to post an e-mail that was in my inbox this morning. Too funny!! I don't think you'll be disappointed. LOL

The Funniest Staff Meeting Ever!

The boss of a Madison Avenue advertising agency called a spontaneous
staff meeting in the middle of a particularly stressful week. (This is
one pretty sharp boss!) When everyone gathered, the boss, who understood
the benefits of having fun, told the burnt out staff the purpose of the
meeting was to have a quick contest. The theme: Viagra advertising
slogans.

The only rule was they had to use past ad slogans, originally written
for other products that captured the essence of Viagra. Slight
variations were acceptable.

About 7 minutes later, they turned in their suggestions and created a
Top 10 List. With all the laughter and camaraderie, the rest of the week
went very well for everyone! The top 10 were:

10. Viagra, Whaazzzz up!

9. Viagra, The quicker pecker picker upper.

8. Viagra, like a rock !

7. Viagra, When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.

6. Viagra , Be all that you can be.

5. Viagra, Reach out and touch someone.

4. Viagra, Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman.

3. Viagra, Home of the whopper!

2. Viagra, We bring good things to Life!

And the unanimous number one slogan:

1. This is your peepee. This is your peepee on drugs.

Have a super-fantastic day!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Food For Thought...

"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored."

Earl Nightingale
1921-1989, Author and Radio Announcer

Make it a fantastic day!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Friday, August 28, 2009

What I'm Reading...

Hi...my name is Alannah and I'm a reading addict. Specifically, I'm a Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter addict. I can't break free. No matter how hard I try, I just can't stop reading these damned books! And it's becoming quite an issue for me. I've heard of writers who have such a problem of breaking free of the internet that they have their husbands disconnect it before they leave for work (Leslie Kelly/Parrish) and another one I've heard of sends her modem to school in her son's bookbag.

I've considered sending the current book that I'm reading to work with my husband so that I can't read it. But I can't bring myself to do it. I mean, what if I have to go to the bathroom?! LOL

I'm up to the 5th book in the series - only 10 more to go! I'm doomed. Here's the cover and info from her website.



It was supposed to be a "dog and pony show" -- an elaborate demonstration of SEAL rescue techniques -- to celebrate a presidential visit to a California naval base. Professional, no-nonsense White House staffer Joan DaCosta arrives early to scope out the area. Assigned to be her SEAL liaison is Lt. (jg) Mike Muldoon, a born leader -- strong, decisive, tough and fearless.

Against her better judgment, Joan finds herself drawn to the handsome young officer. Skilled at being "one of the guys" in the mostly male world of politics, she is dismayed when Muldoon breaks through her defenses. While tension mounts between them, fueling their growing attraction, a far more sinister danger is lurking, as terrorists plot a daring attack against the president. To protect their commander in chief, Joan and Muldoon must not only risk their hearts -- but their very lives...

HERO: Lt. (jg) Mike Muldoon, U.S. Navy SEAL Team Sixteen
HEROINE: Joan DaCosta, White House Public Relations assistant
LOCATION: San Diego, California

Do you have any suggestions on how to break free of the curse? I hope it's a fantastic weekend for everyone.

Peace and love,
Alannah

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

1 can (10.75 oz) Cream of Chicken Soup
1 1/3 cups water
3/4 cup uncooked long-grai white rice
2 cups fresh or frozen vegetables
1/2 tsp. onion powder
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese

Stir soup, water, rice, vegetables and onion powder in 12" X 8" shallow baking dish.
Top with chicken. Season chicken as desired.
Cover.
Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until done.

Top with cheese. Makes 4 servings.

I found this recipe in a junk drawer I was cleaning out. I haven't tried it, so I can't vouch for it. But it sounds good so now that it's been unearthed I'm going to try it next week.

Have a great day!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Hump Day Humor

This video is hilarious! Lu questioned how much beer was involved when the concept was dreamed up. I question how much hard liquor was involved before these guys could actually get up (no pun intended) on stage and do this in front of millions of people! And watch for the girl chewing on her headband - I think she's quite engrossed!

Enjoy!!



Owww...my stomach hurts from laughing at these guys!

Have a wonderful day!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Food For Thought...

A CHILD'S VIEW OF THUNDERSTORMS

A little girl walked to and from school daily.

Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily trek to the elementary school.

As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with lightning.

The mother of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school and she feared the electrical storm might harm her child.

Full of concern, the mother quickly got into her car and drove along the route to her child's school.

As she did, she saw her little girl walking along.

At each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up, and smile.

Another and another flash of lighting followed quickly and with each, the little girl would look at the streak of light and smile.

When the mother's car drew up beside the child, she lowered the window and called to her, "What are you doing?"

The child answered, "I am trying to look pretty because God keeps taking my picture."

I hope it's a fantastic day!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

PS - Sorry I didn't get back yesterday to comment back to you guys (or to look at that gorgeous line-up again *sniff*). I was having major computer and internet problems and couldn't get back online.

Glad you carried on without me!!

Friday, August 21, 2009

What I'm Reading...

I'm still on my Troubleshooter kick and I don't seem to be able to get loose. LOL

I tried to read Leslie's Pitch Black, I started reading the prologue, and I just couldn't make myself keep reading it when I had these other Troubleshooter books laying on my nightstand. So, I've tucked it away to read when...apparently the time is right.

I'm up to the 4th in the series...Out of Control. Here's the cover and deets from her website:



Savannah von Hopf has no choice. To save her uncle's life, she goes in search of Ken "WildCard" Karmody, a guy she barely knew in college who is now a military operative. She must convince him to help her deliver a cache of ransom money into the hands of terrorists halfway around the world. What she doesn't expect is to end up in WildCard's arms before she can even ask for help.

WildCard has always had a soft spot for beautiful women. But when he discovers Savannah's hidden agenda, he is determined to end the affair. But Savannah is bound for Indonesia with or without his protection, and he can't just walk away. When her plan goes horribly wrong, they are trapped in the forsaken jungle of a hostile country, stalked by a lethal enemy. As time is running out, they scramble to escape, risking both their lives to stop a nightmare from spinning even further out of control...

HERO: Chief Ken "WildCard" Karmody, U.S. Navy SEAL Team Sixteen
HEROINE: Savannah von Hopf
LOCATION: San Diego and Indonesia

I hope it's a fantabulous weekend for everyone!!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Hump Day Humor

A filthy rich MISSISSIPPI man decided that he wanted to throw a party and invited all of his buddies and neighbors. He also invited Leroy, the only redneck in the neighborhood. He held the party around the pool in the backyard of his mansion.

Leroy was having a good time drinking, dancing, eating shrimp, oysters and BBQ and flirting with all the women. At the height of the party, the host said, "I have a 10 ft man-eating gator in my pool and I'll give a million dollars to anyone who has the nerve to jump in." The words were barely out of his mouth when there was a loud splash and everyone turned around and saw Leroy in the pool!

Leroy was fighting the gator and kicking its ass!

Leroy was jabbing the gator in the eyes with his thumbs, throwing punches, head butts and choke holds, biting the gator on the tail and flipping the gator through the air like some kind of Judo Instructor.

The water was churning and splashing everywhere. Both Leroy and the gator were screaming and raising hell.

Finally Leroy strangled the gator and let it float to the top like a dime store goldfish. Leroy then slowly climbed out of the pool. Everybody was just staring at him in disbelief.

Finally the host says, "Well, Leroy, I reckon I owe you a million dollars."

"No, that's okay. I don't want it," said Leroy.

The rich man said, "Man , I have to give you something. You won the bet How about half a million bucks then?"

"No thanks, I don't want it," answered Leroy.

The host said, "Come on, I insist on giving you something. That was amazing. How about a new Porsche and a Rolex and some stock options?"

Again Leroy said no.

Confused, the rich man asked, "Well, Leroy, then what do you want?"

Leroy said, "I want the name of the sumbitch who pushed me in the pool!"

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Food For Thought...

I got this video in an e-mail the other day and thought it would make a great "Food for Thought" topic.

I hope you enjoy the video.



Peace and Love,
Alannah