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December 2013 Archives

Daily Distraction

They said she was frigid

By Bob on December 31, 2013 5:45 AM | Read More

But she melted every time they kissed.

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Just Desserts

Just Desserts: Lemon Whippersnap Cookies

By Charlotte on December 29, 2013 8:49 AM | Read More

No time to bake?  You can still treat yourself and your guests to homemade cookies thanks to one of our favorite recipes from Food.com.  My friend Bev, one of the best cooks I know besides my Mom, turned me on to these speedy delights!

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Here's the Dish

Southwestern Chicken Chili

By Charlotte on December 27, 2013 1:08 AM | Read More

When the weather outside is frightful, what could be more delightful than a steaming hot bowl of chili?

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Playing Favorites

The Brian Jonestown Massacre

By Bob on December 26, 2013 4:19 AM | Read More

I have a long-standing belief that if I live long enough, everything I once thought was "Hip" will come back around - wide ties, bell bottoms, psychedelic music...my old Ford Pinto. Well, with the exception of the Pinto, I'm actually right. Old IS new, especially when you're talking music.

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Daily Distraction

Safety never takes a holiday...

By Bob on December 24, 2013 5:41 AM | Read More

...or DOES it?

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Don't Try This At Home

Needles & Pins

By Bob on December 23, 2013 5:07 AM | Read More

Hemingway once said life's most exhilarating experience was to be shot at - and MISSED. I kinda know what the famous writer was talking about with one small exception. It's also pretty damn exhilarating to be shot at and HIT. 

Lemme 'splain.

Careful where you stick that pin, pardnervoodoo dolls-600.jpg

Prostate cancer HIT me almost 10 years ago. The reason I bring this up is because in a few weeks I'll reach a major milestone in my prostate cancer battle. I'll take a blood test that'll determine if I'm a 10-year survivor **MISSED**or if there's a sign it's coming back **HIT**.

My money's on MISSED, but as we've already learned in blog class, the universe is totally f***ing random. Or as my own philosophy sums it up: Shit happens. Sometimes shit happens to you.

We covered this on the mid-term. Jeez, try and keep up.

I'm not pessimistic (although we ALL know pessimists are seldom disappointed). But, that doesn't stop me from being anxious. It also doesn't stop me from having a little fun. Quirky. Uncomfortable. Fun. You know, the stuff I do.

When I had my annual checkup last year, I reminded Dr. Lee of my our ten year anniversary. I told him I expected a gift if I got another clean report. Something small...like a BMW 7 series...Rolex Submariner...hovercraft with lasers and a bitchin' sound system...a trinket to commemorate the occasion.

 


 After rejecting the first name that popped into my head: "ASSHOLE"

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Why Weight?

5 Worst Appetizers

By Bob on December 18, 2013 3:58 AM | Read More

Charlotte and I looove appetizers (you have seen our bean dip recipe, right?). Back in the bad-old-days we'd sometimes make a meal out of our two favorites: mozzarella sticks and potato skins. These days we try and eat healthier (we still indulge sometimes) so we keep away from most appetizers.

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Daily Distraction

The OCD tree

By Bob on December 17, 2013 5:36 AM | Read More

When fall comes we have to count the leaves all over again.

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Comfort Corner

Comfort Corner: Simple, Slow-Cooker Cornbread Dressing

By Charlotte on December 14, 2013 1:12 AM | Read More

Bob, our son Cole and I love our holiday traditions. We spend Thanksgiving at the beach in Alabama where it's usually just the three of us; Christmas at home in Texas with the rest of the family. But, wherever we are, you can count on lunch at 1 p.m. starring turkey and dressing.

Since he's all about the main event, Bob takes charge of the turkey, cooking it slow and easy until we have a wonderfully moist and flavorful bird. Meanwhile, I focus on dressing, sides and desserts. I like serving a variety of vegetables and sweets so everyone can point to a favorite. Only problem is, I have to do quite a dance popping things in and out of the oven since space is limited.

That's why I was thrilled to discover this delicious dressing a few years ago. You can bake the cornbread one or two days ahead of time. Then cook this comforting creation in a large crockpot leaving the oven free for scalloped potatoes, spinach casserole, sweet potatoes and other goodies.

Thanks to the slow cooker, you get an incredibly moist-but-firm dressing accented by a yummy, lightly browned crust on the bottom and sides

Dressing Ready to Eat - 600.jpg

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Remotely Possible

DIY Tip Genius

By Bob on December 12, 2013 4:32 AM | Read More

It's a well-documented fact that I am not the handiest of handymen excuse me, I mean  handyperson). I did fall off a 12-foot ladder and there was that time I tried to change the oil in my car and...let's just forget all that nastiness with the tow truck and oil slick that even had BP executives shaking their heads and saying, "Jeez, would you look at THAT!"

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Guest Room

Incredibly Moist Banana Bread Pudding Cake

By Charlotte on December 11, 2013 6:18 AM | Read More

By Averie Sunshine, author of Peanut Butter Comfort

This cake was never supposed to happen. I was goofing around one day in the kitchen with some ripe bananas and impulsively added a packet of dry pudding mix to the batter. I didn't realize until after the cake cooled and I had a bite that I had created my favorite banana cake of all time.

This is a dense cake, similar to banana bread in cake form. The pudding and sour cream help the cake stay incredibly moist and the glaze is heaven sent--rich, buttery, intensely caramel-flavored--and takes an already stellar cake to the next level. This is one of my favorite recipes in my Peanut Butter Comfort cookbook (Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., June 2013, $17.95).

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Out of the Closet

Out of the Closet: 16 Gift-Worthy Finishing Touches under $150

By Charlotte on December 10, 2013 6:37 AM | Read More

Some say you're never completely dressed without a smile. While that's important, a girl's also gotta have a killer bag, plenty of bling and some sassy, feet-friendly shoes (5-inch heels are out when you do more than sit!).

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Daily Distraction

The chili cook-off was a real blast

By Bob on December 10, 2013 5:20 AM | Read More

Just another reason to leave the beans OUT of the chili!

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Don't Try This At Home

Talkin' Turkey

By Bob on December 9, 2013 4:46 AM | Read More

I'm the first to admit I draw light duty with the holiday cooking. Charlotte's the real chef in our house and she always does a fantastic job - from stuffing and side dishes, to wonderful desserts.

I gained 20 pounds just writing this sentence. 

I am obligated to tell you that neither Charlotte or I look like this. Also, have you ever noticed how the little girl (top left) looks like that kid in the movie The Bad Seed?Vintage Turkey-500.jpg

Me? Turkey's my game and I cook one every year.

My kitchen mantra comes (with apologies) from Jackson Browne: "Make It Easy." My dirty little secret is that about 20 years ago I perfected a way to cook a great turkey and make it so incredibly easy that even I can't screw it up.

 


 

The added flavor is a nice boost to the overall mix

of Paul Simon spices.

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Just Desserts

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Spice Bars

By Charlotte on December 6, 2013 1:07 AM | Read More

With Christmas around the corner, I've been looking for special dessert ideas.

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Playing Favorites

Keith Richards

By Bob on December 5, 2013 2:09 AM | Read More

Life by Keith Richards is an amazing tell-all by the man who saw it all, lived it all (barely) and wrote it all down. The 576-page celebrity memoir is a compelling behind-the-scenes look at Richards - his lives (he's had more than a 100 cats,) loves (ditto) and of course, The Rolling Stones.

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Daily Distraction

Old Chinese proverb says...

By Bob on December 3, 2013 5:15 AM | Read More

fork you!

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Go
Red Thong Strong: Girlfriends Little Secrets to Smoothing Lifes Panty Lines
Guest Room

Diabetes-Friendly Chicken Burrito Bowl

ChickenBurritoBowlEverydayDiabetes 600.jpg

By Laura Cipullo and Lisa Mikus, authors of Everyday Diabetes Meals
Image credit: Colin Erricson

Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.

Tips:

If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.

If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.

Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.

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Playing Favorites

Windy City

It's been almost 18 years since Alison Krauss gave us a solo album, but the wait is over with Windy City. The release (her fifth solo studio album) features ten covers of classic songs (and some bonus tracks) she picked with producer Buddy Cannon.

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