My Two blogs have been merged....

Please visit http://www.shinylittlepeople.blogspot.com/

I will be deleting this blog shortly with all the same content plus more.
Thanks for visiting!
Adira

Ben Stein... One of my favourite people in the Universe

AMEN AND AMEN!!!!

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.Are you laughing?Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards.

Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

I think I have Twitter Brain...

Ok... so my life is a little nutty and I think Twitter has just confused it a bit more. 


I have a very busy work life, family life and home life, in which a lot of people rely on me.  I have two busy busy Bulldogs, a husband who does so much (cooks, does dishes and his own laundry! Thank goodness!) my mother, my sister, our business and our 8 staff. The new marketing position I'm assigned to that I work on 2-3 days a week from home, on top of my 40-60 hr work week. (I'm not complaining). My 2 little nephews whom I don't see enough. They live 10 doors away. Yes I said 10 doors away! I know! ... this is what I'm talking about! There's ... trying to get healthy and fit and stay that way. Keeping up on lessons and workouts and food choices for the fitness/nutrition program I'm paying money every month for....& I really want to win the 10 grand.
 The email and Facebook (which since Twitter... I rarely use anymore)...  texting and telephones and ipods. You get the idea. So, then what do I do? I start Twittering... or Tweeting.... whatever you want to call it. We all know the more followers and the more tweets.... the more confusing it gets! You're trying to keep up with all the stuff everyone is saying, asking, wondering about and wanting you to read. My head spins. I tweet everything in my head even when I'm not tweeting! I need to walk away...... and look at a tree or something.
(I almost put a smiley face there)


You can see how we can get so consumed... not just with Twitter.... but technology. Don't get me wrong. I like Twitter... a lot! I've met some great, talented, creative people from all over the world who've picked my brain, made me think of things I haven't thought about in a while... or ever! And have.. well.. just made me laugh!


It's just... well... I guess it all goes back to moderation. Focus. Goals. Real life. The need to make money to pay the housekeeper, the groceries and the bills.  To keep a clear idea in your head of what is important.... like your husband, your doggies, your parents.... and remembering to call your Gramma. To take your six and ten year old nephews bowling because you've never done that together and they really want you too.


 I'm not on Twitter 24-7 or even hours a day at a time. But... it is amazing how all that crazy  information can cloud your mind. Your regular thought process can get skewed. It can confuse the heck out of you if you don't stay real and ground yourself to what is going on in YOUR life. Because everything we do... affects us... and affects those around us. I know there has been a moment or two when my husband is cooking dinner and I'm sitting across from him with a glass of wine toggling back and forth between email, fitness lessons, blogger and Twitter... and he's wondering "Is she ever going to talk to me again?"


So, if you see me Tweeting... tell me something about yourself, throw me a link to your blog or make me laugh! and I'll try to do the same. But when I'm gone... I won't really be gone... I'll probably just... be looking at a tree or something.


I'm @shinylilpeople 
but in real life...I'm Adria.
I think I'm going to go read a book now.

Pablo Picasso

October 25th is the birthday of one of the most famous  modern  artists, Pablo Picasso (or to give him his real name – Pablo Diego JoseFrancisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Maria de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santisima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso).  Most people called him Picasso... and no wonder!" read more...
http://echostains.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/happy-birthday-dear-pablo-picasso/ 



http://www.biographyonline.net/artists/pablo-picasso.html ... more...

Delicious Baked Baby Artichokes

This turned out amazing!

    You will need: 

12-15 baby artichokes

Several tbsps Olive Oil 

Lemon

2 tbsp butter

8 fresh sage leaves

parmesan cheese

1 tspn minced garlic

1/8 cup chicken stock 

or water

salt & pepper

cayenne (optional)

Italian seasoned or plain bread crumbs 

If seasoning your own bread crumbs, you will also need:

                                                                                       garlic powder

                                                                                       parsley flakes

                                                                                       cayenne (optional)

    

Ahhh.... I Love Jamie Oliver! I wasn't looking forward to explaining how to prepare Artichokes for cooking... (smile) He kept it simple & to the point click below...
  www.jamieoliver.com/foodwise/article-view.php?id=131  This is where you'll use the lemon..

So after you have prepared the artichokes for cooking. Preheat oven to 350. On the stove top bring to a boil, enough water to just cover the artichokes. (They'll actually float) Simmer 8-10 minutes. Drain & place in a shallow baking dish. I didn't do this, this time but wish I had. If you are using larger artichokes follow Jamie's instructions on removing the choke & prickly inner leaves. http://www.jamieoliver.com/foodwise/article-view.php?id=131The artichokes I used were just a little bigger than the nice baby ones that don't have to be gutted. Add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the dish and add equal parts water. Bake for about 20 minutes and then turn them over. Raise heat to 400 and cook another 20 minutes. If there is water left after the 20 minutes. Drain the majority of it off and sprinkle the whole thing with the bread crumb mixture. Evenly place the fresh sage leaves and butter on top and put back into the oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. You may need to add a splash of chicken stock so the bottom doesn't burn. When it is done you can test one for prickly leaves by cutting one in in half before eating. But if you are using baby artichokes and you boiled them first they should be perfect for eating as is.

In a bowl add the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese & spices to taste if you are not using pre-seasoned bread crumbs. Also add the the raw minced garlic to the bread crumbs.

 

Awesome Pizza Recipe!

  

As you will see Pizza is one of my favourite things!

Best Ever Pizza Dough Recipe

Ingredients
1 pkg. regular rise yeast
½ cup beer
2/3 cup warm water
2 tbsp honey
2 ½ - 3 cups flour
1 tsp salt

In a bowl ( I use a glass *measuring cup) put the warm (almost hot) water, honey, beer and yeast.
Stir and let sit until foam gets thick on top.

Tip: Put the yeast mixture bowl (or *measuring cup) into another bowl filled with very warm  tap water. (Just enough to come up to the same level of the yeast mixture.) This will keep the yeast warm enough to get active and foam (Hot water should be hot enough that you can just stand putting your finger in it but not hotter otherwise yeast could may not activate (foam).

Meanwhile, whisk flour (start with 2 ½ cups) and salt in another bowl. (or Kitchen Aid mixer (bowl) ~ much easier!).

When ready (when foam thickens on yeast mixture) mix all ingredients together & mix in mixer or nead for about 3-5 minutets. Add more flour if needed to be able to handle without sticking to hands.

Roll into ball, rub with oil & let rest to rise in oven (*no heat) with separate bowl of hot water to keep warm & moist until risen twice in size.

Tip: Preheat oven to 100 (just to warm) & turn off before putting dough in. This will help kick start the dough.

Once dough has risen, take both bowls out of oven & preheat oven to 425 & at the same time put your pizza stone in.

Lightly flour counter surface. Take dough punch down, need (for 30-120 seconds) roll out into desired shape & size.

When toppings are ready to be put on pizza take out hot pizza stone sprinkle lightly with corn meal ( so pizza doesn’t stick) lay out your dough and add toppings.

Cook about 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bottom of pizza is golden brown.

This is our puppy....

Rosie.  She's a crazy little girl! Love her!Her kennel name is Cracklin' Rosie for a reason! Look up the song.

Lucy is next. Our big sweet almond eye girl! xoxo