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23 December 2013

A Christmas Post: Christmas Music: Check Out This 2 Hour Jazz and Classical Mashup For Holidays


English: Fireplace made entirely of living pla...
English: Fireplace made entirely of living plants at the Centennial Park Christmas Show 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)





A Christmas Post: Christmas Music: Check Out This 2 Hour Jazz and Classical Mashup For Holidays: From Denny:  Looking for the perfect Christmas music for background during your holiday gatherings?  This music video is great for setting a comfortable and relaxed mood while everyone gathers to visit.  Listed below is the song list from the author tonyclem too.  Enjoy and Merry Christmas to All!


Joy LOVE Peace Woven Throw Pillow




Spread some happiness all during the holiday season and beyond!

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thank you to all those who are supporting this cause.  You rock!


22 December 2013

A Christmas Post: Funny Charlie Brown Christmas Flash Mob: NYC Snoopy Boogie



Snoopy hit the streets of New York in this flash mob.

A Christmas Post: Funny Charlie Brown Christmas Flash Mob: NYC Snoopy Boogie: From Denny:  Ready for some holiday fun?  Nothing like a Christmas themed flash mob to make you smile.  Dancing to the famous Peanuts comic strip tune, "It's A Charlie Brown Christmas" a flash mob entertained New York City this week, recreating the animated original.  Schroeder banged away on his famous piano.  Linus danced with his security blanket.  Snoopy was truly larger than life and danced his doggy boogie, stealing the show.  Get a grin and enjoy this cute video, guaranteed to melt away all that holiday shopping stress!



Joy LOVE Peace Journal





Spread some happiness all during the holiday season and beyond!

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thank you to all those who are supporting this cause.  You rock!




05 December 2013

A Christmas Post: Christmas Story: A Christmas Tree by Charles Dickens


English: A Christmas Tree at Home







A Christmas Post: Christmas Story: A Christmas Tree by Charles Dickens: From Denny:  Check out a Christmas story written by Charles Dickens over a century ago.  Here, in this story, the author gives us a glimpse of the age of early technology of mechanical toys and the increasing consumerism at Christmas.

Dickens recalls his own childhood Christmas time.  This memoir is an intriguing romp through the mind of a child as he perceives the Christmas magic and contemplates the holiday season.  He likes to relate a ghost story along the way too!



Victorian Fan Thank You Greeting Cards (Pk of 10)

Elegant vintage feathered fan and lady's hand updated in muted tones suitable for your best occasions: wedding, graduation, anniversary, birthday and more.  Remember to send your thank you notes for gifts received this holiday season!  More designs available; come see!

30 November 2013

Dennys Food and Recipes: Turkey Cooking Tips: How Good Is Your Holiday Roast Turkey?



U.S. President Barack Obama pardons "Popcorn" with his daughters Sasha and Malia at the White House, Nov. 27, 2013.
Dennys Food and Recipes: Turkey Cooking Tips: How Good Is Your Holiday Roast Turkey?:
From Denny:  Roasted my Thanksgiving turkey a day early.  Sure beats stressing on the Big Day.  Also, my husband, affectionately known as "Satan" misses out on trying to micro-manage the cooking, driving me absolutely crazy.  He never did learn to cook but thinks he knows how to tell you all about how to do it anyway.  Getting the Big Bird done a day early is a win-win for everyone as he was less stressed just as much as me!

Though he did try only twice this season to be ever so irritating:  once, when taste testing the fabulous gravy he made The Yuck! Face but could not keep his composure for long, laughed, and then raved about it as one of the best yet.  Later he decided he just had to tell me how to cut the French bread for sandwiches his way rather than the normal slices I was doing for hot garlic bread, his favorite.  Since I'm basically The Spatial Engineer in this house (just ask me to pack a car for travel and I am The Expert on finding every nook and cranny to fill) I explained to him how his way made no sense but cut a few slices for him anyway.  He was so disappointed to realize I was right after all.  "Satan" lost that round.  Never a dull moment at our house, that's for sure!

Hey, we should all be challenging the White House chef to a Roast Turkey Cook Off.  Bet mine is one of  The Best!  We love spices at our house and every year I create something different.  This year's wet rub spices were swimming in clarified butter:  sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smokey paprika, cumin, curry powder, marjoram leaves, lite sodium soy sauce, Moscato wine and Remy Martin cognac...

Santa Jingle Kid's All Over Print T-Shirt

Make some merry this holiday season! Jingle Jingle!


14 AWESOME COFFEE & TEA TIME DESIGNS - teapots, serving trays, cocktail plates and platters, mugs!

Inside the White House Holidays - great video and the White House Gingerbread House too!


24 November 2013

A Truth Journal: 222 News Links: 50 Years Later, President JFK Assassination. Are We Any Closer To Knowing The Truth?



Quiz: How Much Do You Know About JFK?

A Truth Journal: 222 News Links: 50 Years Later, President JFK Assassination. Are We Any Closer To Knowing The Truth?: From Denny:  It's been a long day for the entire country, revisiting the worst of American history - the killing of a President.  As the child of a CIA officer I have my own memories of that fateful day and ensuing Cover-Up Week that followed...

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  And a special thanks to those of you supporting this effort!  You rock!

12 November 2013

Holiday Appetizer: Chicken Wings With Two Sauces





From Denny:  OK, who doesn't love chicken wings as a snack or favorite party food?  They sure are a big hit at our house any time, especially when the weather turns chilly, so I'm always looking around for a different take on it or novel sauces. 

The peach sauce is a combination of peach jam, lime juice, garlic, cumin and chili flakes - plenty of heat to balance the sweet jam.  The jalapeno chili pepper sauce is comprised of jalapenos, garlic, sugar, water, vinegar and ginger - plenty of garlic and ginger to complement the chili peppers.

This recipe is so simple that all you have to do is sprinkle the chicken wings liberally with salt and pepper and pop under the broiler at about 4" to 5" and broil for about 20 minutes or so while you make the easy sauces. Both sauces are cooled to room temperature before serving.  This recipe is a slam dunk when you are in a rush and need something easy for a weekend or weekday meal, just add a salad and chips!

Santa Jingle Coin Purse

Santa Jingle Coin Purse


11 November 2013

Chef Recipe From Kingfish: BBQ Shrimp Gaufre With Sweet Potato Spread


BBQ Shrimp Gaufre with sweet potato spread

From Denny:  Ready for yet another chef inspired version of the classic BBQ Shrimp idea?  This one comes from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the Kingfish (named after Kingfish Sen. Huey Long who was definitely larger than life).
In Louisiana we love an excuse to use in any dish we can our incredible sweet potatoes grown here.  This is the first time I've seen sweet potatoes used in a BBQ Shrimp recipe!  This chef uses his sweet potatoes to create his version of a "BBQ" sauce poured over the shrimp on top of the waffle...


Angels Rejoice Snowflake Ornament

Angels Rejoice Snowflake Ornament



09 November 2013

Holiday Appetizer: Frank's Grill-Pan Curried Shrimp




07 November 2013

New Orleans Chef Holiday Appetizer: Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Rosemary and Stilton




From Denny:  This is an upscale version of the classic shrimp rolled in bacon appetizer.  New Orleans Chef Anthony Spizale of The Rib Room - in the heart of the French Quarter - has definitely kicked up the taste levels on this recipe.

This tasty version is rich with the spectacular Stilton butter coating all over the shrimp just as you finish cooking it.  Then, to gild the lily, there is the Port Wine reduction sauce for dipping.  Definitely a "wow!" recipe sure to impress during the holiday season or for that special dinner.


Santa Jingle Woven Throw Pillow


Santa Jingle Woven Throw Pillow



06 November 2013

Chef Recipe: Louisiana Crawfish or Shrimp Chowder Great For Holidays




From Denny:  Looking for an elegant soup you can pull together quickly but tastes like you worked at it for hours?  This recipe utilizes a couple of canned soups - mushroom and potato - to help speed up the process.  Be sure to purchase the best version of these canned soups that you can find.  A low sodium version would be a good idea as seafood already contains a fair amount of natural sodium.

What also makes this a rich and delectable soup is the cream cheese, butter and half & half cream.  Oh, yeah, this is easily a calorie buster so it's best to serve by the cup as an appetizer.  But hey, if you are feeling lucky try it as a main dish.

I'm no fan of canned mushrooms, especially when you can find them already sliced fresh at the grocery store, packaged up and ready to go.  I prefer to slice whole mushrooms but if you are pressed for time the sliced fresh mushrooms are a great alternative.  If they are available in your area then choose the more flavorful Cremini (baby Portabellos) mushrooms over the white button mushrooms.

If you cannot purchase crawfish in your area then consider adding more shrimp or a local fish you enjoy.  This recipe would be great with a little bit of smoked salmon and plenty of fresh salmon, a little bit of smoked trout and plenty of fresh trout.  If you choose to use a fresh mild fish - and don't want to add a smoked fish - then consider adding some chopped and crisped up bacon to help flavor the soup.

The Creole seasoning used here is to your personal taste, generally about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon for the entire recipe.  Do not double the Creole seasoning if you double the recipe as it can get too hot and overpowering for most people.

Another seasoning option is to include a mixture of rosemary, thyme and lavender - a traditional French seasoning used to your personal taste.  Start with 1/2 teaspoon, let the soup base cook a few minutes and then taste.  You may like a 1/4 teaspoon more or just keep the previous level.  Experiment with what you like and enjoy!


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Paint Dots Brights lets out your inner artist! by Louisiana artist Denny Lyon


05 November 2013

Healthy Soup: Southwestern Shrimp, Corn and Sweet Potato

English: Cobs of corn
English: Cobs of corn (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From Denny:  Healthy can be tasty - and this soup is proof!  Hope you enjoy corn as the recipe calls for both a bag of frozen corn as well as a can of creamed corn.  This is definitely one easy way to download some healthy calcium that is good for helping with weight loss.

Red onions provide color and lots of taste but you could substitute a sweet onion if you desire a milder and sweeter flavor.  Any soup tastes better when you use fresh ingredients so consider using fresh sweet potatoes as opposed to purchasing the canned ones.  And, finally, if you want to kick it up a notch, consider adding 1/4 teaspoon of mild curry powder as an option.  

You can make the soup base a day before if you like - not adding the shrimp until ready to serve.  It is an easy soup to enjoy for holidays or a quick family dinner, simple enough for a beginner cook too.


Funny Friday Enthusiasm Business Card Case

"Make each day of the week like Friday and your life will take on new enthusiasm" by Louisiana artist Denny Lyon - more products and t-shirts of all styles and sizes available in this design - come see!


04 November 2013

Louisiana Creole BBQ Shrimp


Photo provided by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing BoardBarbecued shrimp is a popular way to enjoy one of Louisiana's favorite crustaceans.






From Denny:   Looking for a super simple hot appetizer for your next party or holiday gathering?  Louisiana BBQ Shrimp is the perfect fit.  A novice cook can pull off this one to rave reviews!  

Here in Louisiana - when you want to double or triple the recipe, we place it all in a roasting pan and stick it in the oven under broil with the oven door open slightly.  You really have to watch it so nothing burns but it is a time saver. 
 
However, you could also make this recipe in several batches on top of the stove as the recipe instructs.  Either way this recipe is always a big crowd pleaser!

Fair warning:  once your guests start eating they won't stop at just an appetizer portion so you may want to plan for doubling this recipe for 12 appetizer servings.  It's been my experience that when you bring out shrimp in Louisiana most people make a meal of it!



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"I make serious coffee so strong it wakes up the neighbors!" - more products available in this fun design; come see!


10 October 2013

A Truth Journal: Daily Show Shutstorm 2013: Govt Shutdown Jokes Just Keep On Coming!



Photo


A Truth Journal: Daily Show Shutstorm 2013: Govt Shutdown Jokes Just Keep On Coming!: 5 funny Daily Show, Colbert Report videos.
From Denny:  While the  American Congress acts like fighting children, risking the world economy in this stupid government shutdown, hey, look! it's Russian President Putin looking like a global statesman.  He's busy destroying chemical weapons while holding Syria's nasty feet to the fire until that mission is accomplished.

Can the world get any weirder when Russia sets aside thuggish behavior and takes the world lead acting with the debonair class America used to display in eras past?  Kiss classy goodbye in America.  It hasn't happened in a very long time.  Maybe the country will get lucky and Texas will organize a recall election for Sen. Ted Cruz and other Tea Party guys like him...



Government Shutdown Women's All Over Print T-Shirt

Express your view of the government shutdown with the rest of frustrated America. Other sizes and styles available for men and women as well as other products like mugs and pillows.





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