5 QUESTION FRIDAY

Holiday Season Edition
What's your favorite holiday ...HALLOWEEN

Song? O HOLY NIGHT

Movie or TV special?WHITE CHRISTMAS

Memory?WATCHING WHITE CHRISTMAS WITH MY CARD PLAYING FRIENDS

Baked good or desert?HOMEMADE COOKIES


Each year, what's the one moment that lets you know it's officially the holiday season? WHEN I HEAR CHRISTMAS CAROLS ANY WHERE
CANNOLI

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I am thankful this week for daughter #1, I have given you the bad about her but now I will give you the good. Tonight, we are privileged to watch her being inducted into the National Honor Soc*iety. Yes, that means she has brains....(where she gets them from and how she uses them is another question)(LOL)

She is one of about 40 juniors in here class to be so honored. She is in top of her class of almost 500 students...who knew I had such a smart daughter...The top 2 percent....I am so proud of her and what she does...

Daughter #1 is very civil minded she volunteers to teach Irish dance, rides in tour DE cure for diabetes, and plus she does good volunteers with the Sunday school and this past summer (how can we forget) and she plays 2 instruments a flute, and a viola. She has a beautiful singing voice, draws beautifully.

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU......

LOVE, MOM
CANNOLI

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

CANNOLI

RECIPE TUESDAY

MUMMY DOGS






INGREDIENTS
1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations™ refrigerated flaky dough sheet
2 1/2 slices American cheese, quartered (2.5 oz)
10 large hot dogs
Cooking spray
Mustard or ketchup, if desired


Witch Finger Cookies

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough; separate at perforations, creating 4 rectangles. Press perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut into 4 rectangles.
3. With knife or kitchen scissors, cut each rectangle lengthwise into 10 pieces, making a total of 40 pieces of dough. Slice cheese slices into quarters (1/2 slice cheese, cut in half).
4. Wrap 4 pieces of dough around each hot dog and 1/4 slice of cheese to look like "bandages," stretching dough slightly to completely cover hot dog. About 1/2 inch from one end of each hot dog, separate "bandages" so hot dog shows through for "face." On ungreased large cookie sheet, place wrapped hot dogs (cheese side down); spray dough lightly with cooking spray.
5. Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until dough is light golden brown and hot dogs are hot. With mustard, draw features on "face."
Ingredients
1 cup butter softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg lightly beaten
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 cup whole blanched almonds
Cooking Instructions
Add butter and powdered sugar into a mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Beat in egg and lemon juice. Sift together flour baking soda and salt and stir into mixture until combined. Cover and chill for 1 hour.


Preheat oven to 325F. Spray baking sheets with light coat of nonstick cooking spray.


Form fingers from 1 tablespoon of dough by rolling dough with clean hands. Use a knife to score lines for the finger’s knuckle. Press an almond firmly into the dough for a fingernail.


Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes until golden brown. Cool for five minutes and place cookies on a rack to cool completely. Arrange on a spooky platter and serve.


CANNOLI

SLEEPING WITH MY NEW BUDDY

Okay, okay I know that you are waiting to find out how I did with my new buddy and let me tell you.....I can't do it...

On Friday and Saturday, I watched tv with it for about an hour...I could handle that but it was still tough going. Its the pressure, you can't talk with it on your face...

Sunday night, I get into bed and I set myself up with the mask and everything....I go to sleep and its about 1:30 in the morning and I can't stand it on my face and the pressure....

So, I took it off and was hoping that I would put it back on during the middle of the night...but did that happen???????

No, let's hope tonight goes better...the medical company will be back on Wednesday and I hope to be at least 6 hours......

CANNOLI

SPENDING TIME WITH PRINCESS #2

I know that it was coming....what you may ask....the question every young girl started asking her parents...and no its not can I have a ipod, or whatever is at their whim....it was the Hig*h schoo*l musica*l question.

I was able to hold her off on Friday, but once Saturday evening hit it was war......you never spend time with me, you do everything for my sister, you said so....please take me everyone is seeing it...and Daughter #1 is having a fit, please don't go then they start arguing....but in the end next thing I know, I am looking for the time and location, location, location....


We arrive before about 20 minutes before the start and I kept waiting for all of the young girls to become maybe cause it was later in the evening that did not happen. After paying the 15.00 and some change, we order our drinks and of course popcorn( for you watching my weight, no extra butter first time in a long time). There was only about twenty people in the theatre...

Then the movie started and let me tell you.....I LOVED IT.....I loved the music, the story line, the dancing...I want this movie!!!!!!!

After the movie ended (for you keeping track) it was around 11:30, I came home and started downloading the music(for my personal use only) and this morning I started listening to it....and no you can't borrow it yet, I'm still learning the music...lol

As they say "we are all in this together", alright I will quit singing and leave you alone...
CANNOLI

SATURDAY WEIGH IN

Today was weigh in day and I did lose another 2 pounds....yeah me....I am up to 22 pounds with weigh*t watch*ers. Before I joined I had lost 5 pounds so I am up to a total of 27 pounds....

I have been with them for 18 weeks, at 16 weeks they give you a charm and I just couldn't say it out loud....I wanted it to be more....every week I listen and I think that this was not good enough....

Some one was taking about their struggle and in two and half years they had lost 75 pounds...and not that this a competition I just wanted more. I wanted to be at 10 percent weight lose at 16 weeks....so I finally said it out loud....with tears and they understood what I was trying to say...

This is hard, I know it is a change of life, it is not quick and it is not a diet...I will probably always struggle with my weight but I need to do this..

I just wish it was faster and more(like everyone else)....but they said realistically use should lose 1/2pound to a 1 pound a week and I am doing that....it is hard not to sit and eat and eat and eat....

At the end of the meeting, they had a drawing for a free book(inspiration on weight lose) and the leader said that she hoped that I would win(me too). Of course, I didn't win, but the person who won brought the book over to me and offered it to me. I took it and hope that I am inspired to keep the weight lose going...

CANNOLI

My new friend

I have a new friend.....wait, wait, its something that will help me sleep better and feel better....here it is....


\

I have a very mild case of sleep apnea but really what I went to the doctor for was that my feet are swollen so the next thing I know is that I went to a sleep study and they felt I had a few symptons of this condition. We have been going back and forth with the insurance company and finally it came today.

So here is some info on the condition:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition in which a patients breathing passage seals during sleep, causing the patient to stop breathing. Apnea is Greek for “without breath”. The body responds to this lack of oxygen by arousing, or waking from sleep. This cycle leads to the patient being unable to get the needed quantity of restful sleep and results in:


Constant Fatigue
Difficulty Focusing
Irritability
Untreated Sleep Apnea is potentially fatal and frequently results in the following serious health problems:


Heart Attacks
Strokes
High Blood Pressure
Diabetes

And here is some info on the machine:
The SleepStyle 238 also incorporates Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's patented Ambient Tracking® PLUS auto-adjusting humidification technology. Quieter operation Two kinds of noise can annoy you and your sleeping partner. There is the noise of the CPAP system and the gurgling noise (rainout) that results from condensation forming in the airtube. The SleepStyle 238 addresses both issues. It operates very quietly and, with Ambient Tracking® Plus, it automatically adjusts the level of humidification to minimize rainout noise from condensation while maximizing comfort

So now I am off to wear this beautiful thing for about an hour tonight and tomorrow and then Sunday night we will be sleeping buddies....but this is a health change and I need to do this...

Well pleasant dreams...

CANNOLI

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

Well, these questions are becoming harder and harder to come up with....let's see what I can come up with.....

1. Favorite color???
RED

2. Slippers or socks???
SOCKS

3. Glasses or contacts???
CONTACTS

4. Casual or dress???
DRESS

5. Guilty Pleasure???
Bread

Have a great Friday....enjoy the moment....

CANNOLI

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I am thankful for a lot of things again this week, and again it is about my family. On Sunday my brother, his wife, my niece, my sister and her husband, and my other sister and my family got together to watch a little football, have a drink or two and eat a little fried turkey, potato salad, a few appitzers and did I say have a drink or two(lol). It was nice to spend time with them that day and enjoy each others company. It was a beautiful fall day and really made me appreciate what I love about each and everyone of them....

CANNOLI

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

CANNOLI

RECIPE TUESDAY

Scalloped Potatoes

Ingredients

6 medium potatoes (2-1/2 to 3 lbs.)
2 medium onions, sliced
1/4 cup (50 mL) butter or margarine
2 tbsp. (30 mL) all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) chicken broth (homemade or canned)
salt and black pepper to taste
2 cups (500 mL) fresh bread crumbs (coarse)

Cooking Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33-cm) rectangular baking dish.
Scrub potatoes well and slice them very thinly (1/8 inch or 0.25 cm thick). It is not necessary to peel the potatoes, unless you prefer to do so. Place them in a bowl of cold water and set aside.
In a medium skillet, sauté sliced onions in 2 tbsp. (30 mL) of butter or margarine over low heat until evenly golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt together the remaining 2 tbsp. (30 mL) of the butter or margarine and the flour over medium heat. Whisk in chicken broth, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and bubbles. Continue to simmer for a minute or two, then remove from heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Drain potatoes completely and layer them as follows: 1/3 of the potatoes, 1/2 of the onions, salt and pepper; 1/3 of the potatoes, remaining onions, salt and pepper; and finally all the remaining potatoes. Pour the sauce evenly over the potatoes and cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with bread crumbs and continue baking for an additional 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender and crumbs are crisp and browned.

Servings: 6 to 8

Roasted Apple Butter

Ingredients

8 medium McIntosh apples (2 3/4 pounds), peeled, cored and quartered
2 cups unsweetened apple juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Arrange apples in a large roasting pan. Pour apple juice over the apples. Bake until tender and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Using a fork or potato masher, thoroughly mash the apples in the roasting pan.

2. Reduce oven temperature to 350°. Bake the apple puree, stirring occasionally, until very thick and deeply browned, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. Scrape into a bowl and let cool.



CANNOLI

I Believe...

Birth Certificate shows that we were born,

A Death Certificate shows that we died,

Pictures show that we lived!


I Believe...

That just because two people argue,

it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
it doesn't mean they do love each other.



I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends

if we understand that friends change.



I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is,

they're going to hurt you every once in a while

and you must forgive them for that.



I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow,

even over the longest distance.

Same goes for true love.



I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant

that will give you heartache for life.



I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time

to become the person I want to be.



I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones

with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.



I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.



I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do,

no matter how we feel.



I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.



I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.



I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.



I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect

to kick you when you're down,

will be the ones to help you get back up.



I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry

I have the right to be angry,

but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.



I Believe...
That maturity has more to do

with what types of experiences you've had

and what you've learned from them

and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.



I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.

sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.



I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken

the world doesn't stop for your grief.



I Believe...
That our background and circumstances

may have influenced who we are,

but, we are responsible for who we become.



I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager

to find out a secret.

It could change your life Forever.



I Believe...
Two people can look at

the exact same thing

and see something totally different.



I Believe...
That your life can be changed

in a matter of seconds

by people who don't even know you.



I Believe...
That even when you think

you have no more to give,

when a friend cries out to you -

you will find the strength to help.



I Believe...
That credentials on the wall

do not make you a decent human being.



I Believe...
That the people you care about most

in life are taken from you too soon.



I Believe...

CANNOLI

WHY NOT TO VOTE FOR SENATOR MCCAIN

Sen. McCain has voted against measures that would support pregnant women and families that need it most:


McCain voted against extending Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and infants up to one year of age with incomes below the Federal poverty line.

Senator McCain voted twice against the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), one of the largest support programs for pregnant women and poor children, which would have provided health care to an additional 3.2 million children and continuing coverage for the more than 6 million children already dependent on the care.

Senator McCain has opposed increases in funding to nutritional support program for pregnant women and infants (WIC) that has proven to be one of the most effective programs in supporting women to carry their pregnancies to term.

McCain voted against increased funding for child care and does not have a plan to help families make child care affordable.

Sen. McCain has voted to increase taxes on local small business nurseries and childcare providers.

He has voted against minimum wage increases at least 19 times and voted to completely repeal the minimum wage in 45 states.

CANNOLI

WEIGH IN SATURDAY

This morning was weigh in and I know that I haven't been commenting on the situation...it was the 17 weigh in and I had lost a total of 20 pounds. I know, I know it is something , but at this point I wanted to be at 27 pounds so I guess I really cant complain. My goal is still in site before the class reunion so I probably should go and walk about about twenty miles lol.......

Here are a couple of pictures of 20lbs of things to keep me going....

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

What cool thing on the web have you found today?
CannolibyMail.com is now delivering fresh cannoli, anywhere in the United States! Let us help you preserve YOUR Italian heritage and share this special dessert treat with your loved ones today!



What are you not looking forward to?
High School Musical Senior Year.....princess #2 is sooooooo loooking forward to this....lol


Kohl's or Macy's??
Kohl's......

Martha Stewart or Martha Washington???
Martha Stewart.....

Snow or Leaves?????
Leaves.....

Have a great day....


CANNOLI

THANKFUL THURSDAY

Well after this past week, I have to say I am very thankful that I did get to spend time with my aunt before she passed away. We were the last one's outside of her immediate family who did get to talk to her...

Today was the funeral and afterwards I talked to my cousin, who let me know how much that it meant to my aunt that we had come to see her. I am so glad that I did that...it will be a memory to last a lifetime.

I have decided to start spending time with my aunts and uncles before they go, no matter what. So, in a few weeks I am having my aunt and uncle over for dinner.

I am also thankful that I did get to spend time with all of my family today during this difficult time. It was nice sitting around talking, laughing and even a few tears were expressed. It made me appreciate my family here and far and hope that GOD BLESSES US DURING THIS TIME.


CANNOLI

WHOM EVER YOU ARE

If you are from Gdansk, Pomorskie please leave me a message I would like to send you something from America, as you are the person furtherest away reading my blog....


CANNOLI

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

CANNOLI

Why did the chicken cross the road?

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?

BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for change! The chicken wanted CHANGE!
JOHN MCCAIN: My friends, the chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.
HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.
GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road or not. The chicken is either against us or for us. There is no middle ground here.
DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?
COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken! What is your definition of chicken?
AL GORE: I invented the chicken.
JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.
DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.
OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
ANDERSON COOPER: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
MARTH STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
Dr. SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.
GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file yur important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never reboot.
ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?
CANNOLI

A SAD TIME......

My aunt's death notice....I still can't believe it.....

Myrna Nelson

68, of Coraopolis, Findlay Twp., died Monday, October 13, 2008, in her home. She was born April 9, 1940, in Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter of the late Louis and Betty Zabarsky. Mrs. Nelson was a homemaker. Surviving are her husband of 45 years, Michael C. Nelson; daughter, Michelle L. Nelson and son, Michael C. Nelson, Jr., both of Imperial; granddaughter, Bonni Pavlik; great-granddaughter, Alexis M. Nelson; 3 brothers and 5 sisters. Friends will be received 2-8pm Wednesday in the THOMAS - LITTLE FUNERAL SERVICE, INC., 305 Main Street, Imperial (724-695-2800) where funeral service will be held at 9:30am Thursday. Interment will follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation, 707 Grant St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219

May god bless your family during this time.....I love you and will miss you....

your b******,
(my family nickname)
CANNOLI

RECIPE TUESDAY

These were my aunts favorite treat from Cleveland so in honor of her....here is the recipe of Chocolate Coconut Bars.

Chocolate Coconut Bars



6 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons water
2 large eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups sweetened flake coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk


Preheat oven to 325°F. Line the bottom of an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a heavy saucepan combine semisweet chocolate, sugar, butter and water. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Transfer to a large mixing bowl; cool slightly. Whisk in eggs then stir in flour until smooth. Pour batter into pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 15 minutes.
In a medium bowl combine coconut, pecans and chocolate chips. Pour in condensed milk and stir well. Spoon over partially baked chocolate, spreading in an even layer out to edges. Return to oven and bake until set, about 20 minutes. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into small squares and transfer with spatula to serving tray or tin.

Makes 24 bars.

ENJOY!!!!

CANNOLI

THE FINAL STEP

I finally get home and tell my parents what the situation is again. On Sunday, my father drives to Pennsylvania and she has already slipped into a coma. I can not repeat again how happy I am that I went....NO REGRETS

My cousin said she had been sleeping 24 hours and the Hospice nurse came and she got washed up and new nightgown on. During this time, my cousin was supporting her head as she needed to have her head up and then she passed away.

Today, we lost a memeber of our family at 11:00 am. GOD BLESS YOU AUNT MYRNA AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME...I LOVE YOU AND WILL MISS YOU....

CANNOLI

THE MIDDLE PART OF THE STORY

I need to continue my story of the trip to Pennsylvania. Well during the wedding, I am bawling as the bride looks so beautiful....my uncle walked her down the isle and when the minister asks who gives her away, he responds "Her mother and her grandmother" he didn't say himself....(LOL)

After the wedding, I start talking to my cousin, who tells me his mom doesn't have much time left.....I want to see her as this was the reason for the trip.

My aunt that I drove down with is in condition to see her, so my uncle offers to take me to see her...My cousins that are from Cleveland...want to see her also so I decided to go with them...

On the way, I call my parents to give them an update. My sister gives them the message.

After a stop at a store where my cousin future husband is saying stuff about those Steelers, we finally make it there in one picece(thank goodness)....

I am nervous as we walk in the house. My cousin tells me her mom has been sleeping and is very medicated. I am that is okay as long as I can see her and give her a kiss. She said that's fine.

I walk in the bedroom and she starts waking up... She like you came to see me...I try straighting her pillows and she is still in pain. My cousin brings in the chocolate coconut bars that I had brought for her.

So, I go to the kitchen to put them on a plate for her and when I get back to the bedroom she has decided she wants to go the dinning room table. After a few minutes she is wheeled into the room.

Well I start rambling about different things and we talk. It was very nice. My cousins by the way are also there. My aunt keeps saying why don't you go, then she has a bite of the chocloate bars and that was it.

I ask to take her picture and she's like no I look horrible. I finally talk her into them and she and I take pictures of us feeding each other the cake. My cousins get their pictures taken also.

I can tell my aunt is getting tired and I say that to her. She replys that it is harder to hide that from people.

She wants us to spend the night and I'm like we have to go back to the reception to see your granddaughter. I tell her how much she has meant to me and how much I love her and we leave.

My cousins and I are crying all the way back to the reception. I have enough time to make a little small talk, eat a little dinner and we are on our way home.


CANNOLI

MUSINGS

Well, I have a lot to say and I really don't know how to say it but here goes....

On Saturday, I went to Pennsylvania to attend a wedding for my second cousin. Her grandma which is my aunt has been ill with emphysema and was in the hospital about 3 weeks ago in critical condition. I had decided then I would see her before she got worse and that I was going to be attending this wedding to do it...

Well my mother was suppose to go to the wedding with me but that was before her surgery (which she is still recovering by the way)....so I had called another aunt to see if she wanted to go to the wedding. When I called she said she was having surgery the day before but not to worry. She would try to go on drugs along with my uncle who would drive us...(Please remember my relatives are getting in there 70 and 80's)

So the day of the wedding comes, I'm ready and meet them in a Mc*Donalds parking lot. We drive for almost almost 3 hours...during the ride those stupid map quest directions aren't working, we pull out the GPS systems and have a little issue on that....

My aunt who is suffering with pain has her drugs and her ice packs.....had to stop to get her something to try to settle her stomach(which didn't happen)...we pull up to the church...which was a small church quite cute.....

We walk in the church, I notice my uncle(remember married to my aunt that I wanted to see) and I see his son and you can tell they are in pain....I don't want to ask ...so I find a few more relatives and we decide to sit in the back of the church in support of my aunt who had surgery the day before and is nauseous...

Well we are waiting for the beginning of the service...I find out that my aunt is just to ill that she can't attend her granddaughters wedding and her daughter who is the mother of the bride is not there either as she is taking care of her mom....

I still have a lot more to go so will make another post....

CANNOLI

'IN GOD WE TRUST' IS GONE!!!

I received this from an email....

Please help do this.. Refuse to accept these when they are handed to you.


I received one from the Post Office as change and I asked for a dollar bill instead.
The lady just smiled and said 'way to go' , so she had read this e -mail.
Please help out...our world is in enough trouble without this too!!!!!


U.S.Government to Release New Dollar Coins

You guessed it
'IN GOD WE TRUST' IS GONE!!!
If ever there was a reason to boycott something, THIS IS IT!!!!

DO NOT ACCEPT THE NEW DOLLAR COINS AS CHANGE

Together we can force them out of circulation



CANNOLI

A LOT GOING ON

Please keep my extended family and myself in prayers.....will update later....

thanks

CANNOLI

Join the Movement

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Help us eradicate breast cancer once and for all. Join the Army of Women today

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CANNOLI

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

My favorite day of the week, 5 question Friday

1 OBAMA OR MCCAIN????? OBAMA


2 COKE OR PEPSI?????? COKE

3 CAKE OR PIE????? CAKE

4 BEER OR WINE????? WINE

5 SPRING OR FALL????? FALL


HAVE A GREAT FRIDAY....

CANNOLI

THANKFUL THURSDAY

Today, I am grateful that I am a Jew. Today is the Day of Atonement.
It is one of the most important religious holidays in a Jew's life...I am thankful that I can participate in this holiday, here is a little recap of this holiday, so that my non Jewish friends can understand what I am going thru....


On Yom Kippur we do not wear leather shoes, so put on your canvas or plastic sneakers or sandals!

Fasting
All girls over 12 years old and boys over 13 old must fast. If you are not 12 or 13 yet, you are not obligated to fast, but you should refrain from eating sweets and goodies, as Yom Kippur is a very serious day.hat I have my health so that I can participate in this holiday....

Pray!
Yom Kippur means the Day of Atonement, because it is the day on which we atone for all of our sins.

Yom Kippur is a day of prayer. Go to the synagogue, find yourself a quiet spot, and pray and meditate. Think about the past year, think of all the good things you did and of the not so good things, feel bad about them? Okay, now decide that you will never do those things again. And ask G-d to forgive you for anything inappropriate you may have done.

At the end of the day, the whole congregation recites the Shema and a few other verses out loud together, then the shofar is sounded for one long blast. After that we say: "Next Year in Jerusalem." We then recite the evening services and the fast is over.

And let me say, this day reminds me about how people in American feel with no breakfast in their bellies or a little snack before bed because I am hungry and it will be a long day.....I am thankful for every thing I have.....

CANNOLI

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

CANNOLI

TUESDAY RECIPE

Today 17 years ago I gave birth to daughter#1 and let me say I love her very much....I can not believe where the time has gone.....she is so grown up....

In honor of her birthday, I am giving you the recipe for her favorite frosting and her favorite dinner....so enjoy


BUTTER CREAM FROSTING

1 c milk
1/4 c flour
1 c butter at room temperature
1 c granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla

Combine milk and flour in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Cream the butter and sugar until very fluffy. Add the vanilla and cooled flour mixture. Continue to beat at medium speed until frosting is very fluffy and sugar is completely dissolved. (If you take a little of the frosting and rub it between your thumb and pointer finger, you'll be able to tell if the sugar has completely dissolved. If it hasn't, just keep beating.)

If butter cream is to be used for tube work (borders, etc.) the flour and milk mixture should be rubbed through a wire strainer before it is added to the creamed butter and sugar. Makes 3 cups - enough to frost, fill, and border a 9" cake.




Greek Flavored Chicken Pizza

-small package of chicken tenders, marinated in Greek or Caesar salad dressing, and grilled or fried until cooked through.
- small sliced onion
-Greek olives, pitted and chopped
-roasted red pepper, sliced
-crumbled feta cheese


(Note- To make pizza preparation a lot easier, it's good to start with pre-baked pizza crusts (such as a Boboli) found in any supermarket. Other varieties of pizza crust can be prepared to your liking, but the pre-baked crusts work just fine.)

So enjoy!!!!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY.......

CANNOLI

UPDATE ON MY MOM

Hey just wanted to say thanks for the prayers....my mom came out of surgery much better then we hoped for....it turned out to be an infection that covered her spine....so they removed and sent some off to be tested...to see what it was...but much better then the worse we thought that was going to happen....

Hopefully, she will be home in a few days....and we can get back to our normal life......again thanks....

CANNOLI`

FINISHED THE SERIES

All I can say is I love the Twlights series....I just finished the last of them this weekend and can I say I love, LOVE. LOVE them....I think I read the whole series in less then a month....

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE AND THE NEXT BOOK.....

CANNOLI

SUNDAY THINKING

Daughter #2 had a soccer party for the end of year party this evening, it was held at a apple farm where we had hot dogs, chips, cider and coffee along with marshmallows and a bonfire along with a hay ride. This picture was taken by my brother on his iPhone. We had a great time,,,,,,,I have to say I love fall....

CANNOLI

IDEAS FOR THE WINTER BILLS

Turn down the thermostat. "The rule of thumb is that you can save about 3% on your heating bill for every degree that you set back your thermostat" full time, says Bill Prindle, deputy director for the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Turn down the thermostat 10 degrees when you go to work, and again when you go to bed -- a total of 16 hours a day -- and you can save about 14% on your heating bill, says Prindle.

Use fans wisely. In just one hour, a hard-working bathroom or kitchen fan can expel a houseful of warm air, according to the Department of Energy. Turn them off as soon as they've done their job.

Keep the fireplace damper closed. Heat rises, and an open damper is like a hole in the roof. Also, limit use of the fireplace, since fires actually suck heat from a room, says Harvey Sachs, director of ACEEE's buildings program. Close off seldom-used rooms. And shut the vents inside.

Turn down the water heater. Lowering the temperature of water in the water heater to 115-120 degrees reduces power use often without a noticeable difference to the user, says Prindle.

Keep heating vents clear. Vents blocked by rugs and furniture prevent heated air from circulating efficiently.

Use curtains. Opening curtains and shades on south-facing windows during the day allows solar radiation to warm a living space; closing all curtains at night helps retard the escape of that heat


Swaddle water heater and pipes. Unless you've got a newer water heater that already has built-in insulation, covering your water heater with an insulated "jacket" ($17-$20) will keep costs down, especially if your heater is in an unheated place like a garage. Also, wrap water pipes ($1-$5 per 5-foot section) when possible, especially when they run through uninsulated areas.

Winterize windows. If you can't afford storm windows, put plastic film on those windows ($6 covers three windows) where a clear view isn't crucial, which will curb drafts and keep windows from rattling.

Buy a low-flow shower head. A water-efficient shower head (often less than $20) can use 25% to 50% less hot water, saving both on water and power bills, with little to no reduction in user satisfaction, says Prindle.

Buy a smart thermostat. If you're the kind of person who forgets to turn the temperature down at night and before work, but who doesn't mind programming things like the TV remote control, a "smart" thermostat ($50-$100) can be set to change the temperature for you.

Keep your furnace in shape. "It's amazing how often a heating or air conditioning unit stops working because a $3 or $15 air filter is clogged," says Sachs. Replace the air filter ($4-$16) according to manufacturer's directions and your heating system will operate more efficiently. Oil-fired boilers should be cleaned and tuned annually, and gas systems, every two years($100-$125). By maintaining your heating unit, you can save between 3% and 10% on heating bills, says ACEEE.

Look for other insulation opportunities. Some well-placed insulation, especially in the attic of older homes, can save a bundle ($7-$16, in rolls from 22-32 feet, depending on insulation value).

CANNOLI

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

Here it is 5 question Friday and lets see what I can come up with.....


1. What is your favorite Halloween candy?
I would have to say anything but candies with coconut in them....

2. What is your favorite thing about Autumn"
That's easy Halloweem.....lol

3. What is are you looking forward to this weekend????
Anything, that keeps me away from work.....lol

4. Your favorite thing that you did in the past week?
That is easy, I went to Prarie Peddler which is a craft show with homemade items such as candles, fudge and such....

5. The last thing you ate?????
That would be the bacon and chesse bagels for dinner last night....

CANNOLI

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I am again so Thankful for my mother this week. We have our moments and we are not as close as I would hope and want to be....but that is another story. I think she forgets that I am married, the mother of two children and in my forties....I AM GROWN UP believe it or not..


She married my dad when she was 17 years old and then had me at age 19, the first of 4 children. She didn't finish school, but is very smart especially in the math area...They raised the 4 of us and we survived with out going to jail, doing drugs and being good people,,,,,

My mom and dad did the best for us and I think even better for the grandchildren....lol


My mom has asthma, a heart mummer, rheumatory arthritis , and also has emphysema's. (She was diagnosed about 14 years ago) She has a port in her chest to help with treatments that she receives monthly to help build up her immune system to keep her healthy....to say she is healthy is not true.....

On Monday, she will be having surgery to remove on her back a mass that covers 5 of her vertebrae on her spine . The room has been reserved in her name for 5 and a half hours....please say a prayer for her and our family during this time....

MOM I LOVE YOU AND WISH I COULD BE THERE*****...I will be holding my breath until you are out of the surgery and hear that you are okay. I LOVE YOU

CANNOLI

*****UPDATE: I am trying to be there in the morning or afternoon...not sure which one but am trying......

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

CANNOLI