IN THE KNOW WITH RO

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

TRY A NEW RECIPE TUESDAY & TASTY TIDBITS

WATERMELON-LIME COOLERS

INGREDIENTS
12 Cups Seedless Watermelon
2 Tbsp Honey
1/2 Cup Fresh Lime Juice

INSTRUCTIONS
In a blender, puree the watermelon and honey in batches, until smooth. Set a fine mesh sieve over a large bowl and strain, pressing gently to squeeze out the juice. Discard any pulp.

Transfer to a pitcher, t, then stir in the lime juice. Garnish each glass with a lime wedge, or if using straws, use a watermelon cube. Cool in the fridge, then serve over ice when you're ready.

Add a little spice by adding a cup of vodka to the pitcher. Enjoy!

DID YOU KNOW?
If you get divorced just one day short of 10 years, neither you nor your spouse will be able to collect a dime in spousal or survivor benefits when you become eligible. This can cause the loss of thousands of dollars.

PANERA GOODIES Sign up for FREE at Panera Bread and get goodies. I just signed up and scored a FREE pastry when I go to visit the store. Very easy.
https://www.panerabread.com.

RED ROBIN FREEBIE

Every year I share this info, and many still don't believe me! Sign up with Red Robin Gourmet Burgers for a Red Royalty card and on your birthday, you'll get a FREE Cheeseburger of your choice along with unlimited fries! There are 5 locations in NC, 5 in Virginia, 4 in KY, etc. Visit their website, key in your zip and find the one closest to you.
https://royalty.redrobin.com/

ICE CREAM CELEBRATION
If you live in the RTP area and love ice cream, be sure to visit Whisk, a locally owned kitchen store in Cary this weekend to experience demos, amazing tastings and giveaways.

Whisk: Waverly Place (Upper Level) 316 Colonades Way, Cary, NC
June 27 - 10:30am - 2:30pm

https://www.whiskcarolina.com/ice-cream-and-soda-shop-celebration-whisk

HOOPLA

It's not available in my neck of the woods, but over 3000 libraries throughout the country use this program to allow you to check out Hollywood hits, or hard to find movies, as well as music, ebooks and comics simply by having a library card. New titles are added weekly and you have access around the clock to find what you're looking for. This is amazing and FREE!

https://www.hoopladigital.com/home

SEPHORA MAGIC

Get a FREE makeover at Sephora or have your hair touched up with their latest products. This information isn't easy to find by just visiting their website. (sneaky-lol) If you visit www.sephora.com, click on store locator, or use the link below. Click on classes, then key in your zipcode to find a store near you, and what classes they have to offer.

http://www.sephora.com/store-locations-events

MARTHA STEWART

Every time I read her magazine or see her on television, I'm constantly amazed at the all the cool stuff Martha Stewart knows how to do. In her magazine this month, she shows how to not only make glassware slip free, but using colored rubber bands makes it fun and festive. I happened to have a huge bag of assorted rubber bands and tried this. Totally fab and simple.

Monday, June 22, 2015

PEACH, TOMATO & BASIL SALAD

Try this light, super simple salad as a quick side for dinner, or eat it for lunch. With just 5 ingredients, it's easy to make, and many of the items may already be at home.

INGREDIENTS
1 Tbsp White Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Lb Peaches (3 Medium), each pitted and cut into 6-8 wedges
1 Lb Tomatoes (3 Medium), each cored and cut into wedges

1/2 Cup Basil Leaves from the Garden, torn or roughly chopped, or use from a jar
Salt and Pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and olive oil. Arrange the peach and tomato wedges on a platter, drizzling your dressing on top. Scatter with basil, and season with salt and pepper. Serve right away.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ANIMALS?

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that the animals seem to be missing from the Animal Planet Channel?

The Last Alaskans, Alaska: The New Frontier, Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters, Treehouse Masters, Insane Pools, The Pool Master and Dirty Jobs are neat programs, but I don't get it. (lol)

Anywho - I love my furry friends, but I'm particularly partial to cats, and I'm a real fan of Persians. Many assume they are snobby, but I've always been intrigued by their loyalty and fluffy glamor. Unfortunately where I live, pets are prohibited so I live vicariously through bloggers who post really cool pics and share neat stories about their friends.

Years ago, if you wanted to vacation away from home, pets had to be boarded, or left with friends, now that's no longer the case. Businesses are realizing that pets are part of our families and should be allowed to have vacations as well. Thankfully, many hotels are now pet-friendly, allowing our 4 legged friends to join in on the fun.

There are many hotels, but this one really caught my attention because it looked so elegant and allows pets up to 25 pounds.

The Turnberry Isle

Named one of the “World’s Best” by Travel and Leisure magazine in 2009, and recommended in Forbes Travel Guide in 2015, Turnberry Isle Resort boasts 408 guest rooms and suites designed with a classic Mediterranean theme. They feature flat-screen TVs, private balconies, high-speed Internet, three dual-line telephones, work desks, marble baths, Keurig coffee makers, balcony furnishings, exclusive bath toiletries, plush bathrobes, and in-room safes for your convenience. Feel free to request dog/cat beds, bowls and treats. There is a pet fee of $125, however. Activities include two 18-hole championship golf courses, 25,000 square-foot spa, tennis center, 3-mile jogging trail, beauty salon, retail boutiques and shops, and an award-winning gourmet restaurant with its own celebrity chef. Get there special 4th of July package which includes your room, fireworks, and barbecue party for just $349 per night! Well, ok!

Turnberry Isle Resort
19999 West Country Club Drive
Miami, FL 33180
305-932-6200
www.turnberryislemiami.com

May your Sunday be soothing and stress-free.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

TOP 5 THINGS I'M HOOKED ON

Now that warmer weather has descended upon us in the states, there's a chance that you're going to be invited to a cookout, or expected to use your own dormant grill. There are many books about barbeque, and Bobby Flay, bless his cheating heart, has perfected it for fans of the Food Network or Cooking Channel.

I may be the most hated woman in America when it comes to this topic, but anything cooked on a grill is not my friend. Sorry. Even worse, I don't want any type of bbq sauce on my food. It doesn't matter if it's store bought, homemade, gourmet or sent from my boyfriends Jason Statham or Roman Reigns. Don't waste your time by telling me, "You'll love the way I make this", or trying to sneak it on a piece of oven baked chicken.(lol) If you bring barbecue from Texas, Kansas City, SC, downtown Raleigh, or any of the other well known barbecue states, something about that smoky taste is not a tasty treat to me.

However, there are other things I'm obsessed about these days.

1. I can't explain it, but Balsamic Vinegar is my new go to cooking favorite and I find reasons to put it on just about everything.

2. I'm already married, so why in the world am I glued to Say Yes to the Dress, Bride By Design and Curvy Brides? I can watch these programs in marathon form over and over again. Also, my guilty pleasure has to be the reality show, Chrisley Knows Best. Laugh out loud with this outrageously fun family from Georgia.

3. Suspense/Spy novels. I finish one and immediately jump into the next without collecting my $200.

4. Pinterest rocks! Not only have I found really neat friends, but just about anything you're interested in can be located on a board. I keyed in pink living rooms and found some really amazing decorating ideas.There are neat quotes, funny pics, great recipes and information on books.

5. Yep, if you guessed my old time fave of cheeseburgers, you go to the head of the class. When there's a program on television about them, I'm on the couch. If there's a new way to cook them at home, I'm in, and any new restaurant who brags about how good their burgers are, can expect me to call for reservations.

But what about you? Is there something new that you're hooked on that has friends scratching their heads and thinking you're nuts? Do you like barbecue?

Friday, June 19, 2015

WORLD'S LARGEST YARD SALES

If you're a yard sale junkie, get ready to grab your tennis shoes, sunscreen and cold water, because there are plenty of deals to find all throughout the country. I've found plenty of unique items and treasures at unbelievable prices.

3 01 Endless Yard Sale

Call in sick today and get your yard sale groove on for the third annual US 301 Endless Yard Sale that covers about 100 miles. There are plenty of deals, but even better, Great American Country is filming the event June 19 - 20. If you live along the stretch of highway between Kenly and Benson, Halifax, Wilson and Harnett County, go ahead and set up to make some extra cash. If you're out shopping, you've got some ground to cover. Open both days from 7am - 5pm. Click on the link above for more info.

The World’s Longest Yard Sale

The 127 Yard Sale, held this year from August 6 - 9, is often referred to as “The World's Longest Yard Sale”. At 690 miles long, it truly is the longest yard sale in the world! This humongous sale includes Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama and travels across Hwy 127. http://www.127yardsale.com/