My little Bichon Mitzi is so loyal and darling.  She helps me blog and keeps my lap warm. She even types a few posts for me now and then.  She is SOOO smart.

I decided to start a campaign for her and collect hugs.

We found Mitzi on Petfinder.com in a shelter listing.

Mitzi has been with us for 16 months now.  Before her rescue, she was left outside tied up with little food or water and was a groomer's nightmare. She just turned two when she arrived here.  I am fortunate that she is my dog and a great little companion.  Send her some hugs.  She loves attention.

*HUGS* TOTAL! give Mitzi more *HUGS*
Get hugs of your own

Thanks! Hugs and blessings to you too!
See Mitzi in the Chatango box on the navigation bar.

Support your local Humane Society or SPCA.

Visit PetFinder.com

Oprah recently had two shows on The Secret. 
Here are my notes on the show in case you missed it, are curious, need a refresher or need to see what all the buzz was about. 
Each link opens a new window and you will stay here.

First show -- the synopsis of the theory and how to think differently.

Second show -- the revelations and discussion of applying The Secret and what it can do for you.


Comments are welcomed, post them here since you cannot post them there due to restrictions.

It is only a roof, four walls and a door.
With luck, it has windows, a chimney and floor.
If you fill it with faith, goodness and cheer,
It spills over forever with Love most dear.
Wendy Lin

I found these charts while looking for something else about what different cultures call grandparents.

My mother's sister (my Godmother)  called her mother, "Bonjour Nanny" and her mother in law, "Peek-A-Boo Nanny".  I was extremely amused by this as a child.  I thought this was very special.

When my parents became grandparents (first time), I wanted to honor my aunt and told my mother I wanted to name her something special like Peek-A-Boo Nanny.  She said that she did not want to become "Peek-A-Boo Nanny" but "Patty-Cake" and my Dad became "Peek-A-Boo".  So the kids called them that, and they signed their cards that way or "Peeky and Patty".

My husband's parents are called "Bonjour Nana and Bonjour Grandpa".
My daughter loved Madeline and she loved the word hence the names.

Here is the chart with grandparent nicknames.

Another list to look at -- this one has some stories about the names.

Name Nerds has an interesting collection too.

Enjoy!

What did you call your grandparents? Comments welcomed. Thanks.

Ran across this site for Baby Boomers.
It is a new search engine and they feature only 4 results or so per page so the aging Boomer set will not be overwhelmed or confused by too many search results.

Cranky.com search engine

Nostalgia isn't what it use to be. ~ Peter DeVries

Here is an invitation for you to visit Scribbles, my ShoutPost blog.  I need the click -- please!  LOL

Actually, I was able to do a bit more over there than here and I like the look.
That is the default template, the one you can at present time, do the most with. There are 5 other templates that need more development at this time.  It is very different from here.  I love my tBlog.

I am going to keep my commentaries and Memes there  Maybe link each blog up, some how, whenever.

I have added a great ShoutPost FAQ there! (Basically, wrote it for myself so I won't forget things.)

Tell me what you think.

Kahlua Cake another successful pot luck treat.  Great crowd pleaser.
Here are the variations I have made with this recipe so pick one you would like to try!  They are all easy to do and require a basic box cake mix.

Recipe #1

1 chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup of Kahlua
1 container of Cool Whip
1 package of chocolate pudding
2 cups of milk
Chocolate shavings or chopped pieces of candy: Heath Bar or Skor Candy Bar

Bake cake in a 9" by 13" pan. Let cool

While in the pan, poke holes in the other layer then poor Kahlua over it.  Let it sit for one hour in the refrigerator.
Break cake up into chunks.

Make pudding as directed on package.

Assemble in a trifle bowl* or a clear glass bowl the following layers:
First layer: 1/3 of the Cool Whip
Second layer: 1/2 of cake,
Third layer: half of the pudding
Repeat layers.
Top with remaining 1/3 whipped cream. 
Sprinkle with  chocolate shavings or the Heath Bar or Skor Bar pieces, chopped.

Recipe #2:  Another method of assembly:
After cake is baked and cooled, break into pieces and put in the trifle bowl. 
Pour the Kahlua over the cake. Let it sit for an hour in the refrigerator to firm it up.
Pour all the pudding over the cake.
Put all the whipped cream on the cake.
Top with the chocolate shavings.

Recipe #3: This one is an all in one, just mix all ingredients bake and serve.
You will need a 10 inch greased and floured bundt pan.

One chocolate cake mix (18.5 oz box)
4 eggs
1 cup of sour cream
1 cup of Kahlua or coffee liqueur
1 - 6 oz package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup of vegetable oil
Cool Whip or the like
Shaved chocolate
Strawberries (optional)

Mix all ingredients except the chocolate chips in a bowl.
Combine, blend then mix on high speed for 3-5 minutes.
Add chocolate chips and mix thoroughly.
Pour into the greased and floured 10 inch bundt pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes. Test to make sure cake is done.
Let cool in pan for 30 minutes.
Remove from pan and let cool completely on a rack.
Put on a serving dish.  Refrigerate until serving time.

Slice cake and add dollop of whipped cream with a strawberry on top and chocolate shavings.

For all three cakes: refrigerate leftovers.

---

What is a trifle bowl?
It is a deep bowl that is usually clear and on a pedestal. Trifle was a common colonial dessert of layers of cake, cream and berries brought from English settlers.

Some trifle bowls are very fancy and elegant (like from Waterford, Shannon, Wexford, or Tipperary Glass) so the presentation is stunning.  Just make sure you are in good shape to carry these exquisite expensive but heavy bowls.

Less expensive bowls can be bought and are usually priced $12.00 (WalMart) to $50.00 (Macy's) depending on where you buy them. At Christmas, there are many in the stores.  Some people leave fruit in them OR for Christmas, fill them with fancy ball ornaments and leave them as a table centerpiece.

There are plenty of recipes out there to put in a trifle bowl: search Trifle recipes to find more.

 

Here is another gooey recipe to make for your darling significant other for Valentine's Day or any other love fest celebration. Very easy to whip up.

Also a hit at a potluck dinner.

3/4 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
8 oz. soften cream cheese at room temperature (Like Philadephia Cream Cheese) 
1 cup of white confectioner's sugar like (Domino 10x Confection Sugar)
1 large container frozen whipped topping thawed (like Cool Whip)
2 packages instant chocolate pudding (Royal Instant Pudding or Jello Instant Pudding: Chocolate or Dark Chocolate)
3 cups of milk
1 Hershey's Special Dark Candy Bar

Add flour and nuts to the melted butter.
Bake in 9"x13" at 350º for 25 min.
Cool.
Cream the softened cream cheese and confectioner's sugar . 
Add and mix half of the thawed frozen whipped topping to the cream cheese and sugar and put on the cooled cake
Sprinkle nuts over the top.
Mix pudding mix with milk, then spread over cream cheese.
Chill till firm.
Before serving, top with the other half of whipped topping.

Sprinkle nuts on top, shaved semi-sweet chocolate . (Use a potato peeler to the chocolate bar.)

Notes:
You can use a chocolate pudding, and a vanilla pudding.   

If you have kids -- you can tell them it is "Ecstasy in a Pan" which this recipe is also known as.

This makes 10 servings at approximately 566 calories, 46% fat per serving.
But it is very very good, save room for dessert! Or have half a serving for half the calories and fat.

Easy to make.  Just in time for Valentine's Day and your special someone!

Serve this right from the pan (9 x 13) you baked it in so make sure you have a nice "presentation" pan.

1 (18.25 oz) box cake -- Your choice, choose one: Chocolate Fudge, Devil's Food, German Chocolate, Yellow, Butter

7 oz sweetened condensed milk (basically half the can)

6 oz jar of caramel (or butterscotch) ice cream topping/sauce

3/4 cup of fudge ice cream topping/sauce

6 (1.4 oz) Heath or Skor Bars, broken up and divided (To break, put in a plastic bag and roll over them with a rolling pin to get the chunks.)

1 (8 oz) container of frozen whipped topping thawed

1. Mix cake and bake as directed in a nice 9 by 13 inch pan.  Cool slightly in pan. Do not remove from pan.  Poke holes with the handle end  of a wooden spoon every inch or so half way in the cake but don't poke to the bottom of the pan.

2. Pour over the cake in this order the chocolatetopping/sauce, the sweetened condensed milk, then the caramel topping. Let the  liquids flow into the holes of the cake.

3. Sprinkle the broken candy on the top.

4. Spread the thawed whipped topping on then sprinkle the rest of the broken candy on top of the whipped topping.  You can drizzle chocolate sauce on the top also for extra drama.

5. Eat and enjoy.  Refrigerate leftovers.

Other alternatives you can try:

1. While cake bakes, over a medium heat, combine the caramel and sweetened condensed milk and heat till blended. Pour the warm mixture over the cooled cake.

2. After step #2 above, let the cake refrigerate for 12 hours to firm it up then add the candy, whipped topping, chcocolate drizzle and the candy topping.

3. For a more gooey and sweet cake, use the whole can of sweetened condensed milk.  If you choose to do this, you need to refrigerate the cake (with the chocolate sauce, caramel, sweetened condensed milk already on the top) for 12 hours before adding the whipped topping, chocolate drizzle, and the candy topping.

4. In some markets, in some areas, check the baking aisle for toffee bits sold like chocolate chips.

5. I have substituted chocolate chips or crushed Oreo cookies for the candy.

Enjoy!

Also posted this at my ShoutPost Blog

Yesterday I showed you how to create Rainbow Text and today it is glitter text. Here are a few glitter text generators to try. They provide copy and paste HTML codes.

These codes are great to use on message boards in your member signature panel (if allowed) since they are remotely hosted, meaning not on your site, not on your storage meter.

Create your text on the choosen site, copy the code, open up the HTML box in your template or advanced editor, then paste the code and close the box.
Each graphic comes with a direct link, so you need only click on that to be taken to the site.

glitter graphics

French Script Font, font size 60
Lots of other generator texts on this site plus other goodies.

Eraser Dust Font, font size 30
GlitterMaker

(Just a note that I originally used the URL provided by the site but then the
site deleted the files and left me with a HUGE UGLY advertisment.
Save to your own puter and then upload to prevent this from happening. 5/19/07)

The two sites listed below are the easiest to use. You do need to "save picture as" and put it into a folder then upload it (PhotoBucket or ImageShack), collect the URL, and drop the URL into the photo box on your advanced editor.


Glitterizer - lots of fonts and glitters!!! Unbelieveable!

Glitter Your Way - limited selections

There are many others glitter text generators on the net but I like these the best.

Search Google (search box on my footer below): Glitter Text Writer Generator, Glitter Graphics for others.

Have fun!
Enjoy!

Your Friend,

    glitter text