Aren’t these just the most adorable thing ever!!

Santa Strawberries

 

By:

http://www.facebook.com/CTC2011

Type: Dessert

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Ingredients

• 1 lb large strawberries
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3-4 Tablespoons powdered sugar (or sugar substitute – to taste)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Black Sesame Seeds

Instructions

1. Rinse strawberries and cut around the top of the strawberry. Remove the top, (enough for a hat). Clean out the whole strawberry with a paring knife, if necessary (some of them are hollow already. Prep all of the strawberries and set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add cream cheese mix to a piping bag or Ziploc with the corner snipped off. Fill the strawberries with cheesecake mixture.
3. Once strawberries are filled, top with the ‘hats.’ Decorate with black sesame seeds and cream dots. (see photo for reference)
4. If not serving immediately, refrigerate until serving.

3.1.09

To my devoutly religious friends who might be easily offended, look away.

I loved Ricky Gervais long before reading this. His brand of comedy is one of my favorites. British comedy in general is something I have always had a special fondness for. Since I was a kid watching reruns of Are You Being Served? or Keeping Up Appearances on PBS, that deadpan delivery of the British dry wit amuses me almost as much as a good fart joke. Not to say I love all of Ricky’s work. Let’s just admit, he has made some movies that were hard to watch even when they aired on TV and you didn’t really have to pay attention. But his sitcoms, totally hilarious!

After reading the below article he wrote, all I could think was “THIS!! A MILLION TIMES THIS!” I usually avoid discussion of religion as a rule of thumb with anyone except the closest of friends. I think people are free to believe what they want, and it is highly unlikely anything I say will convince them otherwise, so really what’s the point? “Oh, your a Baptist/Methodist/Catholic/Jew/Muslim/Jehovah’s’ Witness/Toaist/Buddhist/Hindu, interesting… So, how about that weather?”

Not to say I don’t like religion or religious people. I actually enjoy studying the different facets of the belief systems and practices of the numerous different religious groups in the world, but my interest is from a purely educational standpoint. That being said, there certainly are aspects and practices I disagree with, but I think it is of more benefit to know the details of these so I can be certain in my opinions, rather than just ignoring them since obviously that is not going to make them go away.

My other struggle with Religious discussion is that I am generally not particularly eloquent in my explanation of exactly why I *don’t* believe in God. Ricky has assisted me greatly by explaining several of the major factors that influence my thinking. Now I just need to commit this awesome explanation to memory, so next time someone brings up religious beliefs and my lack there of, I can intelligently and tactfully fend off those uncomfortable questions.

(If at all possible, try and read this to yourself in a British accent. It really does enhance the experience.)

By Ricky Gervais

Why don’t you believe in God? I get that question all the time. I always try to give a sensitive, reasoned answer. This is usually awkward, time consuming and pointless. People who believe in God don’t need proof of his existence, and they certainly don’t want evidence to the contrary. They are happy with their belief. They even say things like “it’s true to me” and “it’s faith.” I still give my logical answer because I feel that not being honest would be patronizing and impolite. It is ironic therefore that “I don’t believe in God because there is absolutely no scientific evidence for his existence and from what I’ve heard the very definition is a logical impossibility in this known universe,” comes across as both patronizing and impolite. (continue reading…)

Yes, yes I know. I didn’t finish the Apple-palooza series. I have pictures still on my camera for two more posts. I will get to them eventually, once I am done being a lazy procrastinator (humm, oxymoron there…). I have, I want you to know, almost completely finished my Christmas shopping, which is unheard of for me. I am usually that poor slob in the mall on Christmas Eve trying to figure out what she’s going to get her roomate’s mother’s boyfriend.

Anyway, on to the drug! Speaking of (tangent warning!), I was picking up some drugs at the pharmacy yesterday and as the pharmacist was checking me out, the apparent store manager walked back behind the pharmacy counter and the pharmacist exclaimed, “Oh, when did you get her?” to the manager. To which she replied, “Oh I’ve been here since 3, just be hiding out counting the booze and cigarettes.” Before my brain was even aware I was speaking I popped out with, “Oh hanging out with the good stuff!” Both the manager and pharmacist gave me a polite laugh along with a odd look, and suddenly I felt like they were judging me. Maybe it was because I had my toddler on my hip at the time, who knows. Sometimes my brain-to-mouth filter goes on break (presumably for a smoke and a 40), obviously this was one of those times.

Ok, ok, right…we’re hear to talk about drugs. That’s right kids, those things Police and Teachers (and maybe if your lucky, your parents too) warn you about. Along with showing my child the movies Requiem for a Dream and Kids, this will be required reading once she gets old enough to start wondering about what the mysterious substances are that seem so popular with certain cultural groups (yeah, I’m talking about you, Hollywood!)

Drugs, Addiction, and Brutally Murdered Fairies

by:  Jenny Lawson aka The Bloggess

Last week my daughter came home from kindergarten wearing a large sticker proclaiming “Hugs! Not drugs”.  I asked her what the sticker meant and she explained that she’s now a member of D.A.R.E and that if people try to sell you drugs you should say “No, thank you” and hug them.   And while I appreciate the sentiment, I can’t help but thinking that snuggling with rejected drug dealers might not be the safest move for a kindergartner.  I asked my daughter if she even knew what drugs were and she admitted that she wasn’t really paying attention but she thought they were “like bears, only smaller”.  I think the point here is that the D.A.R.E. system is fundamentally flawed and that my child might need Ritalin.Regardless, it is disconcerting that the information our children get about drugs is often wrong or lacking and it leaves them ill-equipped to make rational decisions about whether or not to do drugs and so I’ve created a small outline of the most popular drugs and their effects that you can share with your children.  You’re welcome. (continue reading…)

Ever wonder what your favorite fruits or vegetables looked like inside before you hacked into them? Well wonder no longer. The site InsideInsides has a set of MRI videos showing scans of several popular foods. Warning: it does take a few seconds to load all of the animation. One they are going though, it is so cool!

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Foods

Pineapple

What a wonderful story! While I might be a little bias, being engaged to a Marine and all, I love how even in the dark and tumultuous area of a war zone, these people have not lost their heart and have gone out of there way to rescue these animals and do what they can to help them find homes on the other side of the world. There are known and proven benefits for people having interaction with animals. I am sure these soldiers are better for their contact with these cats. Just a few minutes petting a cat can provide benefits such as reduced stress, lower blood pressure and mood elevation.¹

If I wasn’t already bordering on Crazy Cat Lady territory, I would be out there trying to find out how I could help one of these sweet kitties.

Three US marine soldiers, Brian Chambers, Chris Berry and Aaron Shaw, started a mission to help bring home the kittens they have befriended while serving in Afghanistan . With generous donations from cat lovers and help from Noward Dogs animal rescue, Kiki and Keykey, two lovely ginger kitties, have successfully made it home in the US.

Read the full story here! Includes lots of adorable pics.

If anyone is moved by this great story, there is an SPCA International program called Operation Baghdad Pups that works to help bring animals like these kittens back home to the service men and women who find and befriend them. Their website can be found here. I am not going to make any pleas for you to donate, but you might at least check it out.

¹ – Health Benefits From Pet Therapy