SOME STUFF TO PONDER & A MINI RANT

Let's be honest because we're all among friends here, right?  Have you ever given a fruitcake to anyone as a gift either before or after Christmas?  I've seen the same fruitcake given as a gift to three different people one year when I was a kid, but I never told either of my friends.  But you can imagine how much I laughed every time it showed up. (lol)

I've never given one, but in my lifetime, I've received 2 3. The first was years and years ago, and not very tasty, and the second was was from a place called Southern Supreme in NC https://www.southernsupreme.com/Fruitcake/products/1001/ and I loved it. The third one is pictured below that I just received a few days ago, and at 2 lbs. I can use that dang thing as a weight. (lol) Did you know a fruitcake that's stored at the right temp can last for an entire month, and even longer(up to 6 months) in your freezer?

This is a fruit cake from Carlie C's that I just received as a gift.(lol)

More and more people have stopped eating meat for various reasons, and sometimes you just need a quick snack versus an entire meal.  So several restaurant or fast food chains are offering up meatless burgers and include  Sheetz, Burger King, Cheesecake Factory, TGI Fridays, Red Robin(one of my fave burger joints), White Castle and  Hardee's.  But is that burger really all veggie?  

Vegetarians have the right to expect  meatless meals as advertised, which includes not having their food cooked on the same grill as the beef is, and that's why Burger King is being sued. Is it truly vegetarian when food is cooked in the same beefy grease or oil? Stay tuned.

Do you have a favorite dog?  Every year the American Kennel Club shares their list of the most popular breeds based on the annual registration stats. Here are their picks for 2018.  You may be surprised to know that the Labrador Retriever is at the top of the list, and has been since 1991.  Here's where everyone else stands.

1.  Labrador Retriever
2.  German Shepherd
3.  Golden Retriever
4.  French Bulldog
5.  Bulldog

Lynn's Sick Brownie Bites( Friend of Valerie Bertinelli from the Food Network 2012)

Ingredients

• Cooking spray, for coating the baking pan
• 1 2/3 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2/3 cup shredded coconut
• 2/3 cup chopped walnuts
• One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• Big pinch kosher salt
• Confectioners' sugar, for rolling

Directions
Heat oven to 375 degrees, then coat 8" square baking pan with cooking spray.  In a medium bowl, stir together the crumbs, coconut, walnuts, condensed milk, chocolate chips and salt.  With a spatula, press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan.  Bake until the chocolate melts, and the top is golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.

With a spoon, stir the hot mixture in the pan until all the chocolate is incorporated, the press the mixture back out to the edges.  Set aside on rack until it's cool enough to handle.

Spread confectioner's sugar on a late, then scoop out the brownie mixture by the tablespoonful, and with your hands, shape into balls.  While still warm, gently roll each ball in sugar to coat.  These can be stored in a covered container for up to 2 days.

At approximately 5400 feet deep, Lake Baikal in Russia is considered the deepest freshwater lake and also the oldest in the world. 

The pure and clear water make this beautiful lake safe enough to swim in, and if you're a fisherman/woman, you'll love it because there are lots of fish there that can't be found anywhere else in the world. Even though it's located in the southern portion of Siberia, which is slightly warmer, bring your mittens, thermals and earmuffs because the average temperature is about -6 degrees F!

Times sure have changed. In 1960, there were 4.3 million births and 1.7 million deaths.  Fast forward to 2018 where there 3.8 million births and 2.8 million deaths!Almanac 2020

The top three states in the US with the highest percentage of divorce and annulments as of 2017 are 

1. Nevada - 4.5%
2. Oklahoma - 4.1%
3 Wyoming - 4%

So now you might be wondering which place has the lowest rate, and that would be Illinois and Louisiana who tie at 1.9%. 

Ironically, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Nevada are also at the top of the list for male on female violent crimes.

Have you ever watched Let's Make A Deal?  The first show came on in 1963 with Monty Hall, and the final show aired in 1976.  The fun started again when Wayne Brady took over in 2009, with the added bonus of winning extra cash by following the show on Twitter.  It's so fun to see the different costumes and prize wins. By the way, just in case you didn't know, Brady is the most recent winner of one of my favorite shows - The Masked Singer.  

Wayne Brady disguised as The Fox

It was cool to win this award from my good buddy Lissa of https://thememoryofrain.blogspot.com/ , and it's true that occasionally I forget to blog because I start working on other projects. (lol)  She's one of the sweetest people I know. Thanks Lissa!

Thanks and plenty of hugs to Sophia from http://delightedreader.com/review-blitzed-by-alexa-martin/ ,Elizabeth from http://alteredbooklover.blogspot.com/ , Adria from https://adriasromancereviews.blogspot.com/ , Angela from https://simplyangelarenee.blogspot.com/ and Sandra from http://sandracox.blogspot.com/   These ladies are proof that blogging brings about real life beautiful friendships and fun, and I thank them so much for their gifts, laughter and support over the years. 

Thanks Adria - knows I love my planners!

Thanks Elizabeth - knows I love handmade cards and McDonald's! Isn't her tree great?!

Thanks Angela -knows I love chocolate, handmade cards and books!

Thanks Elizabeth - knows I love Martha Stewart!

Thanks Sophia - knows I can never have enough Washi Tape

Thanks Elizabeth - yay to more Martha Stewart!

Thanks Sandra - a personally signed western love story is so awesome!

Wanna earn some extra cash, and start a new life?  Grab your stuff and head to Topeka Kansas, where they're offering up $10,000 to renters and $15,000 for home buyers who move there. 

Act fast, because the Choose Topeka Program is only offering this deal to 40-60 people as they try to boost economic development in that city.  

You can also save money on that person who has everything by buying gift cards at a discount.  Use www.cardpool.com, cardcash.com, giftcards.com, raise.com, www.plasticjungle.com and giftcardgranny.com.

If you're like me and have been eating a few too many goodies this season, British researchers say we can burn calories by relaxing for an hour in a warm bath, burning as many calories as we would on a fast paced walk. Why does this work? Apparently, sitting in that tub raises our body temp with passive heating. The optimum heat should be consistently at least 104 degrees while bathing, but you'll still see some results with lower water temperatures.

 Also, according researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, adding just 30 grams of fiber to your diet and changing nothing else, can cause you to lose weight.Well that's a BIG yes for me!

Technology is great and we continue to grow which I can appreciate, but I can't help but wish we still had old school options.  There are still plenty of people around in the world who don't feel comfortable using computers, and would prefer to fill out an application the old-fashioned way - you know, on paper with a pen.  Some prefer to use cash instead of a debit or credit card.  Without computer skills, many people are frustrated because they miss out on benefits, jobs and deals, and no one has the patience to help them. Does everything have to be computerized?  Can we still have the old fashioned stuff available for those who don't want to use technology?  Have we gone too far to turn back just a little? Here's to you, Cher.

STUFF YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO KNOW

I think if you buy a computer, the store should just throw in an extra just in case the first one dies.  Don't you? (lol) Then all Bloggers can have backup computers so we can still - you know...blog(lol)  For those who didn't know, that's why I've been missing in action for a while.  But I'm back...sort of, because there are still lots of Christmas movies to watch.

Also last month I had to get a colonoscopy, and all went well, but the preparation is the pits!(lol)  But before they knocked me out with propofol (yep, the same medication that  Michael Jackson used), I asked the nurses and doctors in the room what in the world made them want to check people's butts?  After they all got done laughing, the anesthesiologists threw their hands up and said "hey we only pay attention to you from the neck up", which made me giggle.  But the handsome surgeon smiled and said the thing we should probably say is that we're committed to finding cancer early and saving lives. I was pretty cool with that. 

Why in the world is everyone starting to use the word 'sibling'?  According to the dictionary "two or more children or offspring having one or both parents in common. A brother or sister" is considered a sibling.   So when did we stop calling them brothers and sisters? Aren't these the same people we fought with, laughed with or ate dinner with as kids?  I hear this word way more than I should on tv programs, how-to shows,  talk shows on the radio, entertainment news, and lately in normal conversations. Is it just me?

Are you looking for the perfect bridesmaid that won't bring any drama to your wedding?  Why not hire one from https://bridesmaidforhire.com/ to walk down the aisle or provide the perfect reception speech? 

Get paid for taking all those amazing photos you've been putting on Instagram by visiting this site.  FineArtAmerica

One of my Planners

Did you know that Sean Connery played James Bond in 7 films between 1962 and 1983, and that he wore a hairpiece in every one?  Roger Moore also played in 7. There have been a total of 12 Bonds over the years going all the way back to 1954, but some turned down the famed role.  They would be Hugh Jackman, Cary Grant, Liam Neeson, Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood.  Someone who didn't turn down the role is the new 007, Lashana Lynch, who will be James Bond's successor in the new movie No Time to Die scheduled for release in April 2020.  Who was your favorite Bond?

Arizona is second to California in lemon production, so of course lemon pie is their most popular pie.  I love the flavor of lemo too.

YIKES!  Have you heard that there are 200+ viruses that can cause the cold?  Also, those that sleep less than 7 hours a night are more likely to get a cold, so sleep in when you can.

If you're really, really thirsty when flying and trying to watch calories, you may want to pass on Diet Coke.  Those bubbles take so long to go down while pouring that flight attendants pull out their hair in frustration.  They can  actually fill a total of 3 drinks in the time it takes to pour 1 Diet Coke, wasting valuable time for you and them. A study done by the Illinois State University agrees that Diet Coke has high levels of carbon dioxide which makes it a whole lot more fizzy.


According to a recent poll, 13% of people have done this at least once in their life.  If you guessed purchasing something, wearing it once, then returning it, you go to the head of the class.  How about you? 72% say they've never done it.

Sometimes medical emergencies happen in unfamiliar locations, so you may not know the best place to seek medical attention.  Loading this app will not only provide directions to the closest hospital, but it also tells you how to provide CPR, help with broken bones and lots more until you get there..  Even better, the First Aid American Red Cross app is FREE.   https://apps.apple.com/us/app/first-aid-american-red- cross/id529160691  or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cube.arc.fa

If you're with someone who may seem a little iffy, or in an area that you don't feel safe, and not sue if you need to dial 911, press the alert button on the Noonlight app here Android and iOS .  If you release the button and don't add your personal 4 digit PIN, the police will come to your area immediately. Also, if you're unable to speak, you can text to operators who are available 24 hours a day.  There are FREE and paid versions available.

Are you guilty of 'zombie eating'?  According to a survey of about 2000 people in the US, 88% of people admit that they are staring at televisions, tablets, or their phones while eating.  Wow!

There's a way that you can take in the fabulous views of  Central Park and more in New York City, but it won't be cheap. You also can't be afraid of heights because it's 59 floors up.  The Manhattan Sky Suite at the Park Hyatt gets you 3200 square feet of luxury and lots of pampering which include helicopter rides, a butler, personal chef, spa treatments and lots more.  In order to enjoy all those goodies, you'll have to camp out there for a minimum of 7 days at a whopping $50,000 a night!

SPARKLING FALL PUNCH
In a pitcher, stir together one 32 oz container , 2 cups Spiced Rum, 1 cup fresh Lemon Juice and 1 Tbsp Bitters. Stir in 12 oz bottles Ginger Beer.  Line glasses with very thinly sliced pears.  Pour in the punch and you're set. 




 Every Sunday on CNN, This is Life with Lisa Ling comes on, where she gets the scoop on various groups of people.  As an investigative journalist, she's talked to those addicted to opiods, female Marines, members of the gang MS-13, twins, divorced dads, phone addicts, militia members and lots more.  This past weekend she hooked up with a group of people I've heard about, but never actually met - Swingers.

Nope, I'm not talking about these kind of swingers

If you check the Internet, the definition for a Swinger is this: 

1. a lively and fashionable person who goes to a lot of social events.

   "one of the oldest swingers in town"
2. 
   

   a person who engages in group sex or the swapping of sexual partners.

   "a twilight world of swingers and wife-swapping"

 During the show Lisa Ling visited the couple above who have been swinging for years in Texas, and actually teach others.  Then she visited Naughty in N'awlins, which is the largest Swinger Convention in the world where more than 1000 couples hang out all over Bourbon Street, and pretty much takes over a very large hotel in the French Quarter.  These people don't believe in monogamy.

One of things I found interesting were the amount of older couples there who had been married for 30, 40 and 50 years, and most say that they are looking for something exciting to do.  But there's more than just sex going and include plenty of seminars from specialists and a huge parade.

For those who think this is a massive free for all where anyone can show up, that's not the case. The convention is restricted to couples only, and street clothing is not allowed.  So Lisa Ling had the choice to go naked, or in pajamas only.(lol)  Cameras weren't allowed, but we did get to see pajama clad Ling hiding her mini camera so we could hear some of the naughty that was going on. 

Uh... I don't judge anyone who chooses to live this lifestyle because it is consensual, but it's not for Lisa Ling or me.  It's already hard enough to keep up with one partner, let alone 2, 3 or 4 (lol), nd I do believe in monogamy. But how about you?  Is this lifestyle for you?

If you missed this event, feel free to sign up for others.