The secret WOW flavour in shortbread is: cardamom. I cannot express how much personality this spice adds to shortbread! NUMMERS!
And a cordless gluegun is your best friend when you are wrapping gifts...fyi: the glue will hold the paper in place, but when you want to remove the glue from shiny boxes, it just pops off leaving no marks! EASY-PEASEY!
If you have any favorite Holiday Hint you'd like to share, feel free to comment or post on Facebook!
So excited for Pierce Brosnan's new two-night movie event: BAG OF BONES! Nova Scotia is impossibly beautiful (yeah, I'm biased!) and I just know it will become a character itself within the film. Our province has locales that are CREATED for creepy, lurking, beautiful and mysterious movie moments! (Or TV, ie: HAVEN)
The cast is stellar and accomplished and to be honest, I have HEARTED Mr.Brosnan since 'Remington Steele'...so, it will be worth being creeped out and too afraid to sleep!!!
As you are aware by now, the remains of missing teen Amber Kirwan have been found. Now, the family can finally lay their darling daughter to rest and hopefully, we will all learn the true story behind her death.
Whenever a story of a missing person makes news, especially a young woman, I am catapulted back to the mysterious disappearance of Kimberly McAndrew. In grade 12, Kimberly's locker was just down the hall from mine. I distinctly remember that Kimberly was petite, pretty and very shy. As pretty as she was, she was not one to garner a bunch of attention as she appeared to prefer to hang in the background. Or at least, that was always my impression of her.
A year after graduation, I was working in a sports equipment store in Penhorn Mall when this handsome young guy my age comes into the store. He held up a photo of a pretty girl and asked if I had seen her. I said no. He said she had been seen in that mall (Penhorn) and asked again if I was sure I hadn't seen her. I felt terrible telling him no. The stress on his face was heartbreaking.
It wasn't until later that I realized that the girl in the photo was Kimberly McAndrew. Her hair was much longer than I remembered and I hadn't even known her last name before that time, given that there were around 400 students in my graduating class. Naturally, I was shocked that the sweet, shy girl I remembered was in fact this missing person.
Ever since, whenever there has been an update or look back in the media of the Kimberly McAndrew case, I am always interested to know more. And whenever any missing person case breaks in the media, I immediately think of Kimberly and her family. It deeply saddens me, that after all this time there is still no closure for the McAndrew family and friends.
While a confirmation of death is not a happy resolution for families of missing persons, surely a lifetime of no answers is not a better alternative.
This Remembrance Day, a bunch of us from highschool are getting together (long overdue) and undoubtedly, there will be talk of Kimberly McAndrew...because we are all still touched by the disappearance of our classmate.
God rest, Amber Kirwan....and Kimberly McAndrew wherever she may be.
Could BEYONCE be faking her pregnancy? These photos taken during an interview on an Australian TV show are odd.There is speculation that 'B' has been hiding her true age all these years and maybe chose to trade the risk with using a surrogate. And IF she did use a surrogate and felt she had to hide it, that would be such a shame. I hope this is not the case, because if it were true just think of how Beyonce could have helped many couples with her surrogacy story.
As well...found this 'organization' which seems super-creepy...I say seems because I only skimmed a few pages as I have NO TIME to read what is tantamount to tomes of material on preternatural phenomena....but if you cannot get enough of such ilk...HAVE AT 'ER!
My mom makes the best stuffing....I know: EVERYONE says that!
With that acknowledgement, it is seriously awesome stuffing. You will notice there is no potato in her stuffing, but you won't miss it at all. Moist and savoury...to die for! AAANNNNDDD, it is even better when you dish up left-overs the next day.
Ann Bellefontaine's Decadent & Simple Stuffing!
1& 1/2 Loaves of BREAD diced
1& 1/2 ONIONS finely chopped
1/4 cup SUMMER SAVOURY
1/2 cup BUTTER (margarine) melted
6-8 EGGS whipped
Toss together bread cubes, onions and Summer Savoury.
Drizzle melted butter over the mixture and toss lightly.
Then add eggs, gently mixing til thoroughly coated.
Press into 9x13 greased pan.
Cover with aluminum foil which the underside has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
Baked in preheated oven 350 degrees for 40-45 mins....last 5 minutes uncover to make golden. (Whereas each oven varies in temperature, be sure to check to prevent burning.)
Slice into squares and serve...
WARNING: you have to exert control to keep from chowing down on these handy square-shaped stuffing treats! NUMMMMMY!!!!
Along with the usually decent weather, the 'harvest-y' vibe and autumn leaf colour-change, another aspect of this time of year which I absolutely heart is the flux of new paranormal and creep-tastic shows! Some that I am enjoying/looking forward to include.....
So, SO excited: PAN AM finally takes flight 8 o'clock tonight on CTV!
And over on Fox, it's Season Premieres for The Simpsons, Family Guy, The Cleveland Show and American Dad.
Then tomorrow night: two more super-special premieres...
(squeal) 'Being Erica' on CBC and (bigger squeal) 'Mike & Molly' on CTV!
Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown's daugther Bobbi-Kristina covers Adele....given all the stuff the girl has been wrapped up in, not bad actually...(she's got mighty big vocal chords to fill)
Surprise! One of the most WORLD'S most exciting new sparkling whites is NOT from the Champagne region of France...but the GASPEREAU VALLEY in Nova Scotia!
Great article on this wine and the attention it's getting....read the article here!
The Air Force and Navy are getting the ROYALtreatment!
Dr. Dre just ensured his children, their children, their children's children's children will never have to work a day in their lives! Rich, much?!
Kids whining that there is nothing on TV? (Remember when all we had was Sat morning cartoons on two channels?!) Well, yet another ALTERNATIVE to keep the little rug-rats happy!
If you are lamenting the current crop of Summer TV shows...remember 'Haven' ! This NS-filmed series for SyFy(US) & Showcase(Canada) has enough twists and turns to keep even my ADHD-addled mind from being bored.
Plus, this year guest stars like Jason Priestly will be added to help muddy the already mirky and quirky depths of 'HAVEN'...the town plagued by 'the troubles'!!!
'HAVEN' airs Monday nights on Showcase...
For more info AND for full episodes and interviews hit SHOWCASE.
Several years ago, my friend Angela and I were on the first season of X-Weighted. Viewers saw us sweat, complain, cry and laugh...and lose weight. After the show ended Angela continued to lose weight (and the old fiance), married a new love, renovated a couple of homes and has essentially found a level of personal peace that she greatly deserves. I am immensely proud of my gal Ang!
Unfortunately, just like Trainer Paul predicted, I gained the weight back eventually. And after starting a business with my partner John, I gained even more weight!
After several attempts to lose weight since, I reached the point psychologically that weight loss was just not possible. I can hold down a radio job, start a business from scratch, do freelance work, be a full-time step-parent and more...but lose weight? Nope! Losing weight was the one thing that just wasn't happening, just was not possible.
Along with the escalating weight, I was unable to sleep through the night, I was obssessively hungry, cranky, impatient and felt a fatigue that was at times crippling....I blamed all of it on a life that is more than I could manage.
Then...early this Spring, my vision was blurring and I became thirsty. I don't mean, 'Gee, I'm a little dry'...I mean 'HOLY CRAP, I'M FREAKIN' THIRSTY!!!' Upto 6 litres of fluids a day!
I know what you are thinking: DIABETES! Correct, my friend!
And being diagnosed has been second biggest medical blessing of my life (being diagnosed ADHD was the first!). What I knew about Type 2 Diabetes was appallingly little. So, since diagnosis on May 25th, I have been on a HUGE and empowering learning curve. Through medication and shifting to a low glycemic index diet I have dropped three sizes and over 40 pounds AND my sugar levels have dropped from a shocking 23 to a more moderate 9 (and I am really working on lowering that # as well). My vision is back to normal and I no longer drink swimming pools of water daily.
Along with feeling better than I have in 8,9 maybe even 10 years...I have hope! I now know that I can lose weight.
But I share this with you not to brag or slap myself on the back...I share for one reason: you need to know that you could be pre-diabetic and THAT could be why you have struggled with weight.
Denial is both self-serving and self-sabotaging. I am the poster child for that! I also know what it is like to feel despair when you cannot control your relationship with food. We live in a culture that is so very unforgiving of the obese. Being obese is a medical condition, not a moral one.
It's my hope that you will shift from blaming yourself for having a lack of willpower and instead look closely at your body and what it is really trying to tell you!!!
Below are a pair of photos and signs/symptoms that I would like for your to read carefully without prejudice.
Take care of yourself and feel free to comment or email me.
Nicolle PWD Type 2
December 2010
July 2011
From Wikipedia...
' Prediabetes typically has no signs or symptoms. Patients should monitor for signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus. These include the following:[9]
These are associated with insulin resistance and are risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Those in this stratum (IGT or IFG) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Of the two, impaired glucose tolerance better predicts cardiovascular disease and mortality.[11][12][13] In a way, prediabetes is a misnomer since it is an early stage of diabetes. It is now known that the health complications associated with type 2 diabetes often occur before the medical diagnosis of diabetes is made.[14]"
Its Monday...soooo....i'm keeping todays post purely random...or is it?
If you have ever worried about your child fitting in and being treated with the respect, you will probably want to see THIS MOVIE as much as I do. Plus, John C. Reilly is probably the finest actor of his generation! (no release dates for Canada, yet!)
What will be the SUMMER ANTHEM for 2011? In our world of radio, that is always a delicious question to ponder....currently my favs for this honour are:
'The Edge of Glory' Lady Gaga
'Hot Mess' from Canadian band Chromeo
'Don't Wanna Go Home' Jason Derulo
And as I mentioned in an earlier post, I am COUNTING THE HOURS til 'Haven' returns to Showcase July 17th and in the meantime the new series 'Outcast' is fraught with tension and intrigue...only two episodes in and you can catch uphere...
Plus, click HERE for a preview of Summer TV highlights as CNN sees it!
At this point, I'm rooting for the SECOND day of Summer!!! So, I'm all about watching videos that make me feel good. Especially in the middle of the work week, right? Got a mitt-full of those below....
But before we tumble into the videos, here's a story that has me perplexed: Actor Doug Hutchison 51 yr old has married 16 yr old Courtney Alexis Stodden.
Doug (51) & Alexis (16) from gossip.whyfame.com
And according to THIS article, her parents heartily approve. These parents ALMOST seem 'normal' until her mom says 'She has real breasts, real lips, she is not plastic." Uh...okay. And her real lips & breasts are relevant how?
Call me jaded, but I see this union going bust before the groom reaches 'Freedom 55' in four years!!!! Yikes!
So, here are my favorite Tuesday Time-waster Videos!
A few months ago, I posted the Lady Gaga lip-sync/dance by Trevor at The Apple Store. CNN covers this new phenomenon in this piece...
Now, to watch my FAV Apple Store dance by young Trevor...
A breakdancing Gorilla at a Calgary Zoo?
Plus, further animal oddities: two otters at a Vancouver zoo really appear to be lovingly holding each others paws....sweetness
Happy Monday! In today's blog....random bits of fun and irreverance.
Like, a Chihuahua that has mad Flamenco skills! Adorable!!!!!
How about this: The New Miss America is a 'GEEK'?!
By Valerie Macon, AFP/Getty Images
Alyssa Campanella of Los Angeles apparently reads history books for fun, considers herself a 'science geek', is in favor of marijuana for medicine and believes in the Big Bang Theory. Yes, she actually believes in EVOLUTION. With that, I'd say that there is hope for the evolution of the Miss America Pageant...maybe.
And some will deep fry ANYthing!
photo from abcnews.com
'Deep Fried Kool Aid Balls'...watch the video HERE . As a newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic, I'll be passing on this particular, ah, recipe. But if YOU try it, please let me know if it's actually tasty.
And finally, the randomness ends in a mushy puddle of cuteness....
From one of my bookmarked sites that brings a guaranteed smile EVERYtime I hit it: cuteoverload.com .
WHERE HAS ALL THE GOOD TV GONE?!!!! It's still out there, you just have to sift through a bunch of re-runs to find the new, undiscovered gems. Below is my list of proven returning 'goodies' and promising 'newbies'. Many of which you can watch online while you kick back poolside...
This list MUST begin with one of favorite shows of 2010! Finally, after what feels like forever....HAVENreturns! Filmed in Nova Scotia, this show is based on the Stephen King novel 'The Colorado Kid'. I am so bonkers about being a Maritimer, while watching this series, it just tickles me endlessly to see familiar buildings/sights and such. As well, the Nova Scotia backdrop lends a delicious blend of melancholic beauty and dark tension. The show airs in countries around the world, boasts a talented American and Canadian cast and features a fantastically appropriate soundtrack. 'Haven'returns to Showcase July 18th. Yay!!!!!!!
Us gals sure like our murder mysteries/crime/legal dramas and one of my favs has just returned with new episodes! Catch up quickly with the new season of the A&E hit'The Glades'.
"Expedition Impossible" looks like it will be action-packed visual treat! Hit the link and watch the first 15 minutes of the premiere episode.
Arguably the biggest dance competition in our little country of greatness is 'So, You Think You Can Dance, Canada'. This hit show returns to Canada tomorrow! (June 20th)
While I can't personally vouch for it as it hasn't debuted yet, the promos look promising for Combat Hospital.
If you like mystery and intrique...then hitch your wagon to the CBS hit 'CHAOS' with familiar faces: Freddy Rodriguez, Eric Close & Kurtwood Smith.
If you've ever had fantasies of living on another planet (you know, EVERY Monday), then the new SciFi drama 'Outcasts' might just be your Summer Intergalactic love affair!
And finally, I must be honest: my sense of humour straddles both the absurd and foolish. (blame it on a family obsessed with Monty Python. If you think that sounds just like you, then allow me to suggest 'Single White Spenny' and 'Almost Heroes', two quirky new shows on Showcase....you can catch up their inaugural few episodes by hitting: Showcase Video Player
If you have any suggestions for SUMMER TV VIEWING, please enter the conversation and drop me a comment.
Wow...ah...my first post. Alot of pressure. Here's a snapshot of my life right now: C100 personality, free-lance voice talent, entrepreneur, part-time teacher, mom and partner.
So, like most gals, I attempt to cram ALOT into each 24hr period. And also, like most gals, I like to find ideas/experiences that I have in common with other women. Hopefully, you will some of that here on all of our C100 blogs!
So, to start with....a great little read on how DAD can strive to be a better dad!
