Friday, December 8, 2017

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.



51 comments:

  1. Well Trump is president, shows that nobody needs job experience or qualifications anymore lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You always have such a way with words Adam! (lol) Hugs and happy Monday!

      Delete
  2. Now that is some impressive gall that woman has.

    I think I send out about 80 Christmas cards still, but I know what you mean about people doing it less and less. And hey, I'm doing Anna's recipe exchange, too.

    That mushroom dish looks fantastic. Might have to give it a go soon.

    I love Dr. Pepper. Neat to get its history. When you mentioned the St. Louis World Fair, it reminded me of one of my favorite childhood musicals with Judy Garland in Meet Me In St. Louis.

    Have a great weekend, Radiant Ro! :)

    Cute cattitude calendar.

    Yay for Brownie day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sent off my cards last week for the 2 people I had. I would have been shocked to have received your name and so happy! 80 cards is a good number! I love those old musicals from back in the day, and still watch them when I can. I stopped drinking soda, but to get that carbonated feel, I drink La Croix or Pellegrino water instead. Hope you're having a great weekend! Hugs...RO

      Delete
  3. I love brownies, but they do not like me. For some reason I get heartburn from them. That crazy lady in Florida is scary.Sadly, I don't send cards anymore. It hurts my hands to write and by the third card you can't even read what I have written. Have a wonderful weekend Ro! {{hugs}}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so horrible about the brownies, Kim! I wonder what causes that. I was so upset when I heard about what she had done on the news.
      That just seemed like such a cruel thing to do. So sorry about the card thing, so better to remain card free and not send them. Hope your weekend has been fabulous! Hugs...RO

      Delete
  4. Blessings, sadly the perpetrator of sign language it's about attention and for some people any kind attention to validate their existence, to validate their being and affirm their worthiness is worth the risk. It's a sad state of things as it seems many are turning to social media to get attention to be affirmed and acknowledged it's a sad state of the world we in today

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree Rhapsody, that this person was seeking attention for all the wrong reasons, and is clearly quite intelligent. But hurting others for personal gain is horrible and so sad. Hugs...RO

      Delete
  5. Hello RO, I’m astounded by the woman who pretended to use sign language. Did she think nobody would notice? I feel as shocked as you do.
    I still send out Christmas cards every year, but I don’t know how much longer I will go on. I don’t mind the cost of the cards or the writing of them, but the postage is extortionate. I don’t know when the postal services will wake up and realise they are killing their own businesses.
    I do love your blog posts it’s just like getting a news letter from a friend, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Every time I think of what that person did, I get angry all over again, because it just seemed like such a cruel thing to do. I'm with you, and wonder why she didn't think someone would be paying attention. Like you, I hate the cost of postage, and Elizabeth just mentioned that it's going up again in January! That's the pits. Thanks so much for the kind words on the blog posts. You're the best! Hugs...RO

      Delete
  6. Honestly I do not even check those ecards, they are boring :/ I love real ones.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you, and just really enjoy looking at and reading Christmas cards. I still save the ones I've received over the years. Hugs...RO

      Delete
  7. Why would someone pretend to use sign language. She had to know she would be caught. I love mushrooms and thankfully so does ken.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought that was such a cruel thing to do, Mary. Someone called the news station and that's how it all came out. I'm told that mushrooms are super healthy, so it's great that both you guys really love them! Hugs...RO

      Delete
  8. I am the only mushroom eater in this house. My partner rejects funghi. Thanks for the recipe.
    Sigh (and hiss and spit) on the scammer. I detect mental health issues. Not a scam she could ever have got away with.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you for staying on point with the healthy foods. I need to be more like you and eat more of them for their fat burning properties. I'm telling you EC, I was absolutely horrified that this woman did that, and agree there are health issues at play here. But she's been doing things like this for years, and clearly must have no conscious of the hurts she is or has caused. Someone called the news station to give the scoop on her antics, stating that it was 'gibberish'. So sad. Hugs...RO

      Delete
  9. I have a brother with severe hearing loss, so to see someone scam and make a mockery of that profession really makes my blood boil.

    As far as cards go, I think social media is probably the biggest reason for their decline. I remember getting cards with updates to family and friends' lives. Now we can just check facebook to see what people are up to each day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you Ethan. I was so angry that someone would do something like this when others depend on that accurate information.

      You may be right about that. People know they can go to Social Media with the touch of a button to check in these days, therefore possibly making the Christmas card extinct. So thrilled that you stopped by to say hello! Hugs...RO

      Delete
  10. Wow audacious people just astound me, I can't believe she just walked in and was hired either. Sad
    Ah the fated Christmas card I used to send out hundreds now I send out 4 1 to each of my children the end. Its too expensive and we have to watch our spending
    I actually did know about Dr. Pepper and its one of our favorite pops.
    I love mushroom dishes and I'm not a vegetarian so thank you
    I tip my brownie to you RO Great post!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so shocking to me, Debbie, and quite cruel on her part. I'm one of those people who used to get cards at 75% - 90% off AFTER Christmas which was the only way I could afford it. Then I get a lot of them by being at the store the day after when some stores start to actually throw them away!!! I literally have hundreds of cards, and try to think of ways to send or give them to people with not much luck. (lol) Hope you had some yummy brownies this weekend! Hugs...RO

      Delete
  11. I have not sent or receive physical Christmas cards in a long time. I can't believe the nerve of that woman pretending to use sign language.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was horrified that she did that too, Nadene! I still love my Christmas Cards. Was there a conscious decision to stop, or did it happen gradually? Hope your weekend has been fabulous! Hugs...RO

      Delete
  12. I can't wait to try the mushroom recipe! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would definitely add some brussel sprouts or broccoli to this as a side for sure, along with a cheeseburger for my protein Angela. (lol) I'm trying to think of everything possible to get my veggies in. Hugs and stay warm this Saturday! RO

      Delete
  13. Not sure where to begin, but I guess I'll start with Christmas cards. I've never been a big card maker, probably because I don't have any family. The people I send cards to you can count on one hand. I DO, on the other hand, make tip-ins, which are pages you can add to your altered book. This is my 15th year making them. I started when I was the administrator of one of those now defunct yahoo groups and before I had ever heard the word blog. In 2005, I got a blog and now I won't go back to yahoo. Over the years, I still have about six of the people I send to who have received all 15 tip-ins and the rest are new art friends. But now many of my friends live overseas, and the postage cost is outrageous, especially if I send a little gift with the tip-in.

    I like Dr. Pepper, but don't drink soft drinks much, so haven't had one in eons. I didn't know about the recipe, but I read that Coke used to contain cocaine when it was first put out.

    I don't get it with the sign language lady, either. Frauds will find their way in regardless. She reminds me of mothers who suffer from Münchhausen disease.

    As much as I love brownies, I'm saving my calories for a nice cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay to Hot Chocolate, and adding whipped cream sounds even better Elizabeth! I'm a brownie person, but definitely can't eat a ton of them. Like you, I tend to stay away from the soft drinks too. I like the idea of those tip-ins, and that's unusual and cool. Most of my family is spread out across many states, so I'm pretty much alone here too, and know how you feel. I was so angry when I heard about that lady. How cruel can one person be? Hugs...and hope your weekend has been great and sending some HUGE Hugs your way! RO

      Delete
  14. BTW, did you know the U.S. first class postage rate is going up again on January 1?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no! I didn't know that Elizabeth. Thanks for the update, and that tells me I need to get my stamps right now! (lol) Hugs...and stay warm.

      Delete
  15. Soooo....you're into magical mushrooms, Rockin Ro. Ha! Just pickin'. I appreciate you including a veggie dish. Actually the ingredients are very similar to my daughter's mushroom pate, which was excellent.
    You've got 2 more Christmas cards than I do. And you've got me curious, was the starter's initials NR? CC?.....
    I seriously dislike Dr. Pepper but as a kid I loved it. Hmm, do taste buds change after puberty?
    YOU, have a holly, jolly weekend, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your sense of humor is always right on point, Super Sandra, and makes me laugh. I need to be eating way more vegetables, so I grabbed a few cookbooks to find different ways to prepare them in the hopes that I would eat some one day soon. (lol) Now that my palate is used to Lacroix or Pellegrino, I have a hard time drinking any type of soda, but Coke was my poison at one time.Dr. Pepper does have an unusual taste so I totally get your dislike. Shhh... on that author and her helpers for the moment, but I can say that her Business Facebook Page has close to 100,000 Likes! I should be so lucky.(lol) I do think taste buds change because there are a few things I really liked as a kid that are not fun as an adult. Did you experience some snow in your area? We saw a few flurries late this afternoon. Stay warm and safe. Hugs...

      Delete
    2. We got snow, but it's melting now...or trying to:)

      Delete
  16. I have noticed that Christmas cards seems to be a dying thing. Kind of too bad. And interesting about the World's Fair! I love little historical snippets like that! Funny that the hamburger, hot dogs and ice cream were popularized at that same fair.

    I do like mushrooms at times, depending on what food they're with and all that. Right now they sound kinda good!

    Mmm brownies. My aunt makes the best ones and now I hope she has them at Christmas. :)

    Have a super weekend Ro!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! That's one of the reasons I started this blog, Greg - to share useless trivia. Kudos to your aunt having the baking gene. I'll bet that comes in handy for lots of holidays! Hugs...and Happy Monday! RO

      Delete
  17. OMG, pretending to use sign language! Can you imagine the reaction to folks trying to follow what she was saying? How weird is that and how does she manage to stay out of jail?
    YOU, have a purrfectly wonderful week, Rockin Ro.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was really upset by this situation for sure. Apparently, it's not illegal to do something like that, and is considered more an ethical matter. So sad! Hugs...RO

      Delete
    2. Isn't it interesting what we put folks in jail for....and what we don't?
      Hugs

      Delete
    3. It's sad that this lady is clearly brilliant, yet using all those skills and knowledge to do the wrong thing and hurt others. I think (and I could be wrong as always-lol) that she needs psychiatric help inside a facility, and not necessarily jail. However, I've heard that narcissists or sociopaths are almost impossible to help because of the denial of accountability for their actions. Cold out today, just like I love! Hugs and Wacky Wednesday to you, Super Sandra!

      Delete
  18. I think we should have a National Brownie Week......
    Hope your day is glorious.
    Hugs,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree with you! Chocolate rules! Hugs...

      Delete
  19. Just in from the mailbox and wanted you to know I got your card. Haven't had a chance to open it, because I wanted you to know it was here. Thank you in advance, dear Ro.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank goodness you received it Elizabeth! I heard on the news that all kinds of mail deliveries are being very much delayed, so I feared it may not show up until 12/26. (lol) Hope your day is as wonderful as you are! Hugs...RO

      Delete
  20. That last picture is too precious.
    Have a purrfect day, Rockin Ro.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi RO :)) I'm making brownies today! Your blog post just clinched it lol...I used to love Dr. Pepper, I can't drink soft drinks anymore though, they mess up my stomach.

    You are right about Christmas cards, birthday cards...letters, remember those lol? When I was working, my penmanship got so bad, that my hands hurt when I had to actually physically write something. I write a lot more now and I send out real cards at Christmas. I can't stand those E-crappy-cards!!! It just feels so lazy to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay for brownies and more reasons for chocolate, Rain! Like you I stay away from sodas these days and stick with sparkling water when possible. I've heard many people suffered from that and stopped writing. I'm glad you're more able to write and send out cards again. Something about physical cards is so special. Hugs...RO

      Delete
  22. My Christmas card number hovers around 20 some. There's something worse than getting no card, that's getting an ugly card. We received a black Christmas card with one white snowflake on the front. It was almost the equivalent of being sent a lump of coal. I want beautiful Christmas cards, is that too much to ask for once a year?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! What in the heck was up with that card? (lol) I totally agree and want something lovely and meaningful. The last lump of coal I got was back as a kid when I was naughty as a gag gift from my mom. I've seen a ton of cards over the years, and I have to admit that what you received is a first! Happy Sunday and Hugs...RO

      Delete
  23. Oh the calendar is cute. Lordy some people are just crazy. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thought that calendar was so cool and creative. What that lady did, truly made me upset. I mean on LIVE television with that nonsense!

      Delete

  24. Hello, my name is RITA CARMEN and I have been trying to get pregnant for over 12 years. i have been looking for ways online for so long, I first did Depo Provera Shot which i consecutively took every three months in order to get pregnant or fertile, but there was no way from it. I did Depo shot for 3 years constantly until my Doctors in Australia told me to try IVF because I had Endometriosis stage 4 and I resulted to try IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). For months after my IVF no progressed and my situation became worse that my husband had already had plans or getting married to another woman because I was barren. I read a testimony about Prophet Abulele how he had helped so many women with pregnancy problems and also how he usually casts return spells to bring back partner and make one fertile. Of all options tried, I gave Prophet Abulele a try. I am now a mother of a baby boy. For over 13 years of my marriage I received my help from this spell caster. I want to impact on someone's life and make the person get help from a good spell caster. Prophet Abulele's email is:- prophetabulelehealingtemple@gmail.com and his WhatsApp is +2349022406159 once you contact him, he will help you fast.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I was diagnosed as HEPATITIS B carrier in 2013 with fibrosis of the
    liver already present. I started on antiviral medications which
    reduced the viral load initially. After a couple of years the virus
    became resistant. I started on HEPATITIS B Herbal treatment from
    ULTIMATE LIFE CLINIC (www.ultimatelifeclinic.com) in March, 2020. Their
    treatment totally reversed the virus. I did another blood test after
    the 6 months long treatment and tested negative to the virus. Amazing
    treatment! This treatment is a breakthrough for all HBV carriers.

    ReplyDelete

We love comments, feedback and YOU! Hugs...