Blog Posts by ShiningLight

Most of the time I use frosting from a can. Hey, I'm a busy person. But sometimes I run out and need to make it from scratch. This is the recipe I go to. It tastes great!

Chocolate Frosting

4 tablespoons of butter

4 - 1 oz. squares of unsweetened chocolate

1/3 cup warm milk

3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

Melt the butter and chocolate in the microwave. Start at 1 minute and then check and stir in 30 second increments. In a separate bowl, stir warm milk into powdered sugar. Add vanilla, salt, and chocolate mixture. Beat until smooth, around 3 minutes.

You might also like:

Yummy Chocolate Fudge

Chocolate Fondue

Homemade Peppermint Patties

Pudding Shots

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Life gets no better than Batter Blaster - pancakes in a can. No more dragging out the flour container, eggs, mixing bowl ... Just grab your can of pancake batter and griddle and soon you will be enjoying hot flapjacks with butter and maple syrup dripping down the sides... It's USDA Organic, too!

Sean O'Connor, creator of this new gimmick is certainly making money in this recession.

According to CNN's Money website,

"In 2008 Batter Blaster's annual revenues hit $15 million. O'Connor expects the total for 2009 to surpass $19.5 million."

"It sells incredibly well. It's a convenience item and great for the elderly, who make single servings, along with parents, single people and campers," says Jeff Mejia, director of perishables for DPI Specialty Foods, which distributes the product to Albertsons, Bristol Farms and Jensen's stores. The product retails for $4.99 a can. "

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Your

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I was so moved hearing about ex-Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney , carrying on his deceased wife's wishes for a vegetarian world, call for The European Parliment to have Meat Free Mondays. It made me re-think my meal planning. This Monday, my family is having for dinner no-meat Pasta Pinwheels.

Pasta Pinwheels

You will need the following:

• 1 box of lasagna noodles
• 1 - 10 ounce pkg. of frozen spinach, thawed & drained
• 3/4 cup of ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella ( or 1 cup of cheddar and 1 cup of mozzarella is good too)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• approx. 2 cups of spaghetti sauce

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1. Cook and drain noodles.
2. Mix spinach, cheeses, and spices together in a medium bowl.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. Lay noodles flat and spread on spinach-cheese mixture.
5. Roll up pinwheel style.
6. Place rolls, seam side down, in a 13

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Google backed YouTube is now in the movie rental business. The beta version is offering five movies from the 2009 and 2010 Sundance Film Festival. The service began Friday, January 22nd and will run through January 31st. Movie prices are a steal at $3.99 each.

According to the YouTube blog:

"Independent filmmakers have been critical contributors to our platform ever since we launched our site, almost five years ago. In that time, we've increasingly come to understand some of the challenges facing these filmmakers: technology has made it easier and cheaper than ever to produce films; more films have led to more competition for audiences; more competition for audiences has led to more films needing massive marketing budgets to cut through the clutter. And these high costs have made it difficult for independent films to compete, leaving too many films going unseen."

YouTube is offering the following movies:

2009 Sundance Festival : The Cove, One Too Many Mornings,

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Nestle Tollhouse Refrigerated Cookie Dough has tested postive again for dangerous e-coli bacteria. Nestle is advising people to not eat raw cookie dough and to bake dough prior to eating.

In June 2009, Nestle USA had the same problem with their cookie dough. Since that time, ingredients and each batch of the cookie dough are tested for the e-coli 0157:H7 bacteria prior to shipping. The cookie dough is manufactured in the Danville, Virginia facility.

Nestle Tollhouse Refrigerated Cookie Dough tests positive for e-coli

According to the Nestle, USA website :

"On January 11, 2010 we informed the FDA that two samples of Nestlé Toll House refrigerated cookie dough manufactured at our Danville, Virginia facility did not pass this rigorous protocol, and had tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Consistent with our quality assurance protocol, the finished product involved never left our factory or entered the supply chain, and none was shipped to customers. Product currently

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A crackling fireplace. A dog or cat laying at your feet. A warm comforting bowl of soup. This winter has everyone slowing down a bit. Who wants to leave the comforts of home? Make yourself a bowl of this delicious and easy Beef Barley soup and yes afterward, it's okay to take a nap.

Beef Barley Soup

You will need the following ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef or turkey
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 3 cups of water
• 2 cans - 14 ounces each - beef broth ( you can also use beef broth made from boullion cubes)
• 1 cup quick cooking barley
• 2 cans - 14 ounces each - diced tomatoes with onion/garlic - do not drain
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

1. In a large pot, cook beef, onions, and celery. Drain fat.
2. Stir in water and beef broth and bring to a boil.
3. Add barley and simmer on low for 15 minutes.
4. Add rest of ingredients and heat until

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I came across this article and thought it was cool - expensive, but cool. I did the pound to dollar conversion and the pieces are about $745.00. Too much money for me!

Jewelry with live plants



Talk about going green!!!

I have to admit I played a fair amount of video games in my day. My kids, not so much. Yes, my son had a color Game Boy, and yes my daughter plays Nintendogs on her DSI. Neither are interested in Wii. The arcade games that came out way back then were so cool. It was a new thing. I lived to play.

I was searching around the internet for my all time favorite game - Rastan. My future husband and I sunk a lot of money playing Rastan in college back in the 80's. We even got to the end of the game. Can you imagine how much money that took? Well, I found some free games on-line to take you back. Challenge your kids - they might laugh at the graphics, but have new respect for your gaming abilities. I bet they aren't as good as you were!

Space Invaders

Galaga or if you prefer Galaxian

Frogger

Centipede

Donkey Kong

Qbert

Dig Dug which was similiar to Mr. Do.

Pac-man

I found Rastan, but you have to pay for it. I think I have spent enough money on

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