A10CalGal

So glad I posted this recipe here since I don't have it anywhere else apparently.  Made this tonight & cut the milk in half - more my taste.  Oh, and tripled the cayanne and curry

Wow Abbie! Great fricking review. I'll tell ya, I had to take a break in the middle to pee, get a snack & fill up my wine glass. But seriously, I feel like I just took a mini-vaca! I totally want to go there now...but I'd really just like to go on vacation with you and Doug, in a totally non-weird way. I would get my own room! LOL!

Oooh, and I love all the good vibes and love you dumped all over the place for MarieSam & Jacilyn - you are so cute.

Way to save the day on this one Debs...I was getting a little disappointed about the low to no usage of the shamWOW product. I tend to think I would use a shamWOW a lot, especially with car washing and spill sopping. I always pour too much water in two tropical plants I have, and they leak onto the floor every single time...I think that would be a main use for me.

This is a gorgeous dress! I loved every thing about it!

Fiber: Pure silk

Color: Natural - lovely color. It made my skin glow!

Size: 10.

Pics on the model:

Alterations: I had the bodice taken in and elastic banding sewn in to the sides to ensure a problem free experience. The hem was taken up only slightly to even it out. I am 5'9", so the length should work for most anyone. I also had the dress bustled with a simple 2 point bustling system.

Condition: I have NOT cleaned the dress. The hemline is filthy...I had a beach wedding. My understanding is this is not a big deal and will clean well. The rest of the dress is spot free.

$$$$: I paid $3,400 for this dress new. I am asking $1,000.

Contact: post to this thread or email me [email protected]

Pic on me:

Yay, I'm glad you like it

I received an email entitled "Getting Through It" from my mom recently, and I think it's a good compilation of advice about taking care of you, especially in difficult times.

1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It

is the ultimate antidepressant.

2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a clock if you

have to.

3.) Always pray and make time to exercise.

4.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.

5.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat fewer foods

that are manufactured.

6.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

7.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.

8.) Clear your clutter from your house, car, desk, and let new and

flowing energy into your life.

9.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past,

negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your

energy in the positive present moment.

10.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems

are simply part of the curriculum, that appear and fade away like

algebra class ......but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

11.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a

college kid with a maxed out charge card.

12.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

13.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

14.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

16.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

17.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no Idea what their

journey is all about.

18.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented Candles, use the

600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear fancy lingerie now.

Stop waiting for a special occasion. Every day is special.

19.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

20.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years,

will this matter?'

21.) Forgive everyone for everything.

22.) What other people think of you is none of your business.

23.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!

24.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

25.) Your job won't take care of you when you are Sick. Your friends

will. Stay in touch with them.

26.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

27.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God

provides, remember?!

28.) The best is yet to come.

29.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

30.) Do the right thing!

31.) Call your family often.

32.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:

'I am thankful for __________.'

Today I accomplished _________.

33.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

34.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you

certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so

make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE'S A PRESENT . . . UNWRAP IT!

Seriously...wow!

Wow Amy, that is amazing!! Your pics are so gorgeous.

I love all the decorations! I have absolutely no Christmas cheer at my house. I feel like I should do something now, you guys got me in the mood! I was kind of shunning the holidays in general. Hmmm...I wonder where the Xmas decoration box is

Oh, I just read the comment from the owners - they took the pups to the vet and for some outdoor romping!

Dude, they are totally playing now! Purple woke them all up...then went & took a pee. Now it's full fledged puppy play fest.

Oh lord, I am just now seeing this. They were sleeping & dreaming & twitching at first. Oooh, now they are stretching & scratching & repositioning. Really thinking of getting up....man one of them really has an itch.

Oooh, oh, never mind. I thought Brown was going to get up, but he just went to cuddle with Pink & Blue.

OMG, where do you find this stuff Morgan!!??

Haha!! Well, cruise on by. I have like 6 quarts of this soup in the fridge!

OK, this is a fantastic soup! I've made it twice this year & am about to make it again. I think what makes it creamy w/o cream is the celeriac (celery root). So simple and so good. I think it's actually better tasting after it sits for a day or two. Also, if you are bloated, this makes you pee your brains out!

Ingredients

1 head celery, washed, trimmed of strings, and coarsely chopped (include some leaves)

1 knob celeriac (celery root) or 2 sm. potatoes, peeled and diced

3 med. onions, peeled and diced

1 qt. chicken stock

3/4 tsp. celery salt

1/2 tsp. celery seed

Freshly ground pepper

Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish

Simmer the vegetables, covered in the chicken stock in a large saucepan until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the vegetables, reserving the cooking liquid. Puree the vegetables, adding a little liquid as needed. Stir the puree into the reserved cooking liquid and add the seasonings. Serve hot or cold. (Also freezes well).

**Celery root is difficult to peel but it adds a full earthy flavor. After peeling, use immediately or drop in cold water with lemon juice or vinegar to prevent it from turning brown.

Serves 6-8.

I have a ton of winter squash from my CSA and started researching recipes this weekend.

Well, I also have a pumpkin and decided to make this Spicy Pumpkin Soup. I started last night by cutting up the pumkin and roasting it: 350 - 375 degree oven, lightly drizzle with olive oil, flesh side down, approx 45 minutes or until fork tender.

Now, I like spicy stuff. I decided to follow the recipe exactly, and it was not spicy enough for me, so I added additional cayenne & crushed red pepper. I think you could do this soup with a lot less milk as well. I had my first bowl with a sprinkle of feta cheese...VERY TASTY!!

Spicy Pumpkin Soup

INGREDIENTS

4 Tbsp unsalted butter

2 medium yellow onions, chopped

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 teaspoons curry powder

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

Pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)

3 (15 oz) cans 100 percent pumpkin or 6 cups of chopped roasted pumpkin*

5 cups of chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)

2 cups of milk

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

METHOD

1 Melt butter in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add spices and stir for a minute more.

2 Add pumpkin and 5 cups of chicken broth; blend well. Bring to a boil and reduce heat, simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

3 Transfer soup, in batches, to a blender or food processor. Cover tightly and blend until smooth. Return soup to saucepan.

4 With the soup on low heat, add brown sugar and mix. Slowly add milk while stirring to incorporate. Add cream. Adjust seasonings to taste. If a little too spicy, add more cream to cool it down. You might want to add a teaspoon of salt.

Serve in individual bowls. Sprinkle the top of each with toasted pumpkin seeds.

Serves 8.

Wow! That is an interesting ingredient set. I've never cooked food with lavendar! So, was it tasty?

Oh Melissa, I just saw the show today. You are such a beautiful family! Your husband is the sweetest man in the world for putting your dream wedding together.

And I must say, in contrast with the other wedding they profiled on the same show...you win in the real romantic department

HOLY CRAP MARTHA!! I'm glad he's ok...but whoa!

OMG Jaq - GORGEOUS girly!!!!

Yep, totally understand what you are talking about. Low dose Xanax works wonders for me...you might ask your doc about it & definitely try it so you know how you'll react. For me, if I'm really having an anxiety attack, then it just makes me feel normal, not drugged up.

That is really great news! The universe operates in mysterious ways