FRIDAY STUFF & MORE STUFF

THIS SOUNDS UNBELIEVABLE
I don't get it.  What would possess a woman to go on LIVE television in a police news press conference and PRETEND to use sign language?  We depend on these ASL interpreters to share news and other pertinent information to those who may be hearing impaired, so when I heard this happened in Tampa Florida, I was shocked.  Apparently, she just asked to do the job and was hired immediately!

Even worse, Derlyn Roberts defrauded a private school from 2004 to 2009 of close to $350,000 for her own personal use, and was just released from prison on that charge in 2016.  After careful study, it was determined that Ms. Roberts (she actually had a whopping 41 aliases!)  has had problems with the law and various other charges for close to 24 years, so it's a mystery of why she would actually walk into police headquarters to offer her services.  Psychiatrists say she may have been seeking credibility as a way to get new jobs or to work on other potential scams.

These are the two cards I've received so far

WHERE ARE ALL THE CHRISTMAS CARDS?
From 2009 - 2012 I distributed and received close to 380 Christmas cards per year which was a compilation of family & friends, romance authors and book reviewers.  This was during the time when there were lots of groups on Yahoo which have pretty much disbanded, and not many active blogs.

I almost felt like a celebrity when people would ooh and ahh over all the cards on display at my house during the holidays. (lol) From 2013 - 2015 I wasn't able to send any cards, and in 2016, I think I may have sent out about 7 or 8.

This year, another blogger did a holiday recipe exchange (Waving at Anna) and suggested that cards be included, so I thought this was the perfect time to get back on board with mailing out Christmas cards once again.  

It quickly became clear that no one sends out physical Christmas cards anymore!(lol)  Maybe it's because technology has taken over, and people send notes via email, or holiday wishes are just made via blog. Perhaps it's also a safety issue as well.  I also think that postage is just too dang expensive, right?  Have you noticed that stores don't even seem to stock as many cards to choose from?

So now my list  this year is composed of 52 whole people.  This includes family & friends, and a few bloggers.  By the way, that very first Christmas Card Exchange which started in 2009 was massive and initiated by a super, super famous New York Times best selling romance author.  So this year the group is down to just 34 people, and the list was distributed once again. Out of the 34 people who are still left,  I recognized 6 of  the original members from back in 2009 who wanted to exchange cards.  Wow, times sure have changed.

By the way, tomorrow, December 9 is National Christmas Card Day! (lol)

WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO BE A PEPPER TOO?
Dr. Pepper was developed by a pharmacist who worked at The Old Corner Store in Waco Texas in 1885, but it didn't become a household name until it was served at the St. Louis World Fair in 1904. Another interesting fact about that fair is it also popularized the hamburger, the ice-cream cone and the  hotdog.  

Even today, the ingredients remain secret, and rumors indicate that the recipe is kept in 2 different safes located in Dallas TX.  Snapple (which I do drink) is also part of this group. Another interesting fact about the St. louis World Fair is that is also popularized the hamburger, ice cream cone and hotdog.

CAT LOVE
Do you like cats and haven't picked up your 2018 calendar yet? 

Visit  https://www.papersource.com then do a search for catitude and you'll find all kinds of goodies like this really neat planner.

MAGICAL MUSHROOM MEDLEY

I have to be honest and tell you that I'm no fan of mushrooms, (I should be because they are fat burners-lol), but since a good portion of my blogger friends are veggie tarians,(yes that's a ROism-heh) I decided to sneak in this super simple recipe which takes about 20 minutes to prepare.  For those who have room for a little more, feel free to add meat, green beans or broccoli as desired.

INGREDIENTS
4 Tbsp Butter
2 Large Shallots, finely chopped
1 Lb. White Mushrooms, trimmed and quartered
 Oz. Shiitake Mushrooms, stems removed, cut into 1-in thick slices
 Oz. Oyster Mushrooms, cut in half
2 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped
1 Tsp Fresh Thyme Leaves, plus sprigs for garnish

DIRECTIONS
In deep 12-in skillet, heat butter or medium high.  Add shallots, cooking and stirring for 1 minute.  Stir in the mushrooms, garlic, thyme 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.  If you like some heat add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.  Cook 12 - 15 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender and brown and the liquid has evaporated, stirring frequently.  If you serve it just like this, there are about 85 calories and 7 carbs.

BROWNIES EVERYWHERE
You saved so many calories with that mushroom dish, now you can splurge on the really important stuff like chocolate - brownies to be exact because today is National Brownie Day!!!! 

Eat a brownie, give a brownie, share a brownie, bake a brownie.