Ingredients:
1 cup butter -1 cup vegetable oil -1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar- 1 cup white sugar- 2 eggs- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flou-r 1 teaspoon baking soda- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar -1/2 cup white sugar for decoration
Directions:
Preheat oven 350 degrees F .
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, oil, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup white sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, and stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar; stir into the creamed mixture. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and then roll the balls in remaining white sugar. Place onto ungreased cookie sheets, and flatten with a fork.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges begin to brown.
Candy Bar Fudge Recipe
1/2 c Butter or margarine
1/3 c Baking cocoa
1/4 c Packed brown sugar
1/4 c Milk
3 1/2 c Confectioners' sugar
1 ts Vanilla extract
30 Caramels
1 tb Water
2 c Salted peanuts
1/2 c Semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 c Milk chocolate chips
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, cocoa, brown sugar and milk. Microwave on high until mixture boils, about 3 minutes. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. In another microwave-safe bowl, heat caramels and water on high for 2 minutes or until melted. Stir in peanuts; spread over chocolate layer. Microwave chocolate chips on high for 1 minute or until melted; spread over caramel layer. Chill until firm
Ingredients:
1/4 cup sugar- 1 tablespoon baking cocoa -1/8 teaspoon salt -1/4 cup hot water -1 tablespoon butter or margarine- 4 cups milk -1 teaspoon maple flavoring- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract -12 large marshmallows
Directions:
In a large saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Stir in hot water and butter; bring to a boil. Add the milk, maple flavoring, vanilla and 8 marshmallows. Heat through, stirring occasionally, until marshmallows are melted. Ladle into mugs and top each with a marshmallow
Mona Lisa a man?
It's hardly a new theory. For years, historians have postulated that Leonardo da Vinci was really painting a self portrait when he created the Mona Lisa. Alas, like most tantalizing theories, there was little proof to back it up. Until now. A group of scientists are seeking permission to dig up the remains of Mr. da Vinci "to conduct carbon and DNA testing." According to a very popular article from Yahoo! News, the scientists believe that if the skull in intact, they could, in theory, compare it to the face of the Mona Lisa, by creating "a virtual and then physical reconstruction of Leonardo's face." If the skull has disintegrated, the scientists may have to move on to something a bit less glamorous, like determining if the original Lassie really posed for "Dogs Playing Poker."
Some people say they "just knew" that they were dating their future spouse. But what about the rest of us? What happens when you're not sure if he's The One? If you're considering long-term commitment or marriage, it's time to ask yourself some tough questions. Below, 10 signs that may indicate he's not for you.
1. You have a list of things he needs to stop doing/saying/wearing if he wants your relationship to work. If you're fixating on his flaws, he's either not the one you want or you're not ready for a serious relationship. Cutting him loose allows you time to grow and gives you the opportunity to meet a guy whose flaws you can embrace -- or at least accept.
2. You don't trust him. A small dose of jealousy can be healthy, but if you're hacking into his email account, and going berserk when he goes out without you, something's wrong. If there's something about him that truly warrants your distrust, then perhaps he's not the right one for you.
3. You avoid conflict at any cost. Fighting is healthy. And, when done right (in the non-accusatory, rational sort of way), it can be a great way to air grievances, fix problems in your relationship, and come to a deeper understanding of each other. Ignoring problems is not the same as having no problems at all... even if it looks that way.
4. When you're sad, you don't turn to him for comfort. When you're a giant ball of tears and snot, do you lock yourself into the bathroom so he can't see you at your worst? If you're worried about scaring him away, one of you isn't ready for total commitment. Mr. Right should make you smile through your tears and be a calming, not stressful, presence.
5. One of you is struggling with an addiction. He's sweet. He's exciting. He loves you very much. But he loves his alcohol habit or his weekly gambling fix more. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you can change him or that your relationship will be strong enough to withstand the heartache that addiction will inevitably bring. An addict may be able to change, but he'll do so on his own terms.
6. You can't really imagine him as the father of your children. Ask yourself: Would he make a great parent? Is he financially responsible? Would he be an equal partner in your future together? If you have doubts, he's probably not the one.
7. Your long-term, non-negotiable goals in life are incompatible. You want kids; he doesn't. You go to church every week; he's an atheist. He lives in the country and doesn't want to move; you can't imagine ever leaving the city. Superficial differences can be overcome, but differences in basic values are harder to smooth over. Ask yourself: "Would I be willing to compromise on this?" If the answer is absolutely not, you may not be right for each other.
8. You don't respect each other. He puts you down in front of your friends and complains about you to his parents. You roll your eyes when he talks because there's just something about him that embarrasses you. A relationship without respect can't sustain itself.
9. You're not attracted to him. Physical intimacy is a hugely important component of a romantic relationship. If he doesn't do it for you, he's probably not your best long-term match.
10. On paper he seems great, but you have this strange feeling... Don't ignore your gut. You may get along on a superficial level, but if your instincts are telling you he's not the one for you, listen. That little voice inside your head does not lie.
Make your flu shot feel less piercing by putting pressure around the area that's about to be stuck. Push down on either side of the target site with the tips of your thumb and forefinger for a few seconds as you're receiving the shot. This helps your skin's touch receptors override its pain receptors�essentially tricking your nerves. Voil�, the sharp jab feels more like a gentle poke
***********saw this in a magazine-don't know if it works***************
Ingredients:
1 cup plain popped popcorn -1 cup mini marshmallows- 1 cup salted peanuts -1 pound semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
Directions:
Coat a 12 cup mini muffin pan with cooking spray. Divide popcorn, marshmallows and peanuts evenly among the cups.
Place the chocolate into a microwave-safe container. Heat on high for 45 seconds, then continue to heat at 15 second intervals, stirring each time, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Pour into the muffin cups, filling to the top. Gently tap the pan on the counter to release any bubbles. Refrigerate until chocolate is set.
LOS ANGELES � Think the recent wild weather that hammered California was bad? Experts are imagining far worse.
As torrential rains pelted wildfire-stripped hillsides and flooded highways, a team of scientists hunkered down at the California Institute of Technology to work on a "Frankenstorm" scenario � a mother lode wintry blast that could potentially sock the Golden State.
The hypothetical but plausible storm would be similar to the 1861-1862 extreme floods that temporarily moved the state capital from Sacramento to San Francisco and forced the then-governor to attend his inauguration by rowboat.
The scenario "is much larger than anything in living memory," said project manager Dale Cox with the U.S. Geological Survey.
In the scenario, the storm system forms in the Pacific and slams into the West Coast with hurricane-force winds, hitting Southern California the hardest. After more than a week of ferocious weather, the system stalls for a few days. Another storm brews offshore and this time pummels Northern California.
Such a monster storm could unleash as much as 8 feet of rain over three weeks in some areas, said research meteorologist Martin Ralph with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who is part of the project.
It makes the latest Pacific storm system look like a drop in the bucket. A weeklong siege of storms walloped California, flooding coasts and roads, spawning tornados and forcing the evacuation of about 2,000 homes below fire-scarred mountains for fear of mudslides. The National Weather Service said the storms dumped up to a foot in the mountains northwest of Los Angeles in a week.
Weather experts say West Coast storms could get more frequent and severe with climate change. Last fall, a team of federal, state and academic experts was formed to tackle what would happen if a series of powerful storms lashed at the state for 23 days. The scenario is expected to be completed this summer and will be used in a statewide disaster drill next year.
Ironically, the team had scheduled meetings at Caltech to learn about the fictional storm's impact to dams, sewage treatment plants, transportation and the electrical grid. About a dozen canceled due to the storms.
"They had to deal with the real thing," said chief scientist Lucy Jones of the USGS.
The next step is to estimate economic damages as well as the risk of landslides and coastal erosion and impact to infrastructure and the environment.
Several scientists on storm watch were involved in the 2008 planning of a mock "Big One" on the San Andreas Fault that was incorporated into an earthquake preparedness drill.
The Great Flood of 1861-1862 was believed to be the most powerful and longest series of storms in state history, lasting a month and causing severe flooding.
The Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys were water-logged and spontaneous lakes popped up in the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles basin. Nearly a third of the young state's taxable land was destroyed.
Since there are few meteorological records available on the 1861-1862 events, scientists stitched together data from two recent storms to create "Frankenstorm."
Peanut Butter Bon Bons
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 (16-ounce) package confectioners' (powdered) sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 ounces milk chocolate coating
Line a cookie sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Set aside.
Place the butter, peanut butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract in medium mixing bowl. Using a heavy duty mixer, or a wooden spoon, mix the ingredients into a smooth dough. Using two teaspoons of dough for each, shape the dough into balls. Place on cookie sheet and refrigerate.
Melt the chocolate coating according to package directions.
Remove peanut butter balls from refrigerator. Stick a toothpick into a ball and carefully dip the ball into the chocolate coating
Place on paper-line cookie sheet, . Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.
(CNN) -- If you're looking to watch "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" on Friday night, you won't have any trouble finding it.
The two-hour, star-studded telethon is set to be one of the most widely distributed prime-time televised benefits in history, appearing simultaneously on more than 25 networks -- including CNN, where Anderson Cooper will report live from Haiti during the event.
Other networks airing "Hope for Haiti" include ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT. The show will even air on the Discovery's eco-lifestyle television network, Planet Green.
MTV is presenting the benefit, which will be helmed by Oscar-winning actor George Clooney in Los Angeles, California, and musician Wyclef Jean from New York. CNN's Anderson Cooper will report live from Haiti.
Plenty of entertainers have joined the roster to raise awareness about the earthquake in Haiti that has left tens of thousands dead and many more homeless and injured.
Some of the big name performers scheduled to appear include Beyonc�, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Rihanna and Taylor Swift.
Will Smith, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Robert Pattinson, Muhammad Ali, Meryl Streep and former president Bill Clinton are just a smattering of names of some of the other celebs who are set to make an appearance.
Proceeds from "Hope for Haiti Now" will benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme, Yele Haiti Foundation, and the Clinton Bush Haiti Foundation.
The event is not the first time the stars have come out to shine in the aftermath of a catastrophe.
Celebrities stepped up to lend their names and voices to telethons after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in South Asia. The granddaddy of them all was Live Aid, which raised millions for the continent of Africa and was broadcast around the world in 1985.
Anyone hear use facebook?I recently signed up-i would like to become a fan of lottery post but guess its not on there yet or have I just not got the hang of it yet?
Ingredients-----
1/2 cup raisins, chopped fine
1/4 cup spiced rum--1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup corn flakes
12 vanilla wafers
3/4 cup whole almond, toasted
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
Directions-----
1-Soak raisins and rum in small bowl until raisins plump, about 10 minutes.
2-In large bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until combined. Place granulated sugar in shallow dish.
3-Process cornflakes, vanilla wafers, almonds, and coconut in food processor to fine crumbs and add to confectioners' sugar mixture.
4-Mix in corn syrup, plumped raisins, and rum until mixture looks wet. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls, roll in granulated sugar, transfer to large plate, and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
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Show me some sunshine-please