Signature Drink For Thanksgiving

Graphics courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Looking for a signature drink to serve at Thanksgiving this year? Why not serve some spiced apple cider? It's easy to make and everyone is sure to enjoy the tart taste of apples dusted with cinnamon sugar mixed with some cider and spiced rum.

Buy some pre-sliced apples. Place on a cookie sheet and dust with cinnamon sugar. Then place in freezer ready to use as the 'ice cubes' in your Spiced Cider.

To make your cider use 1/2 gallon of your favorite apple cider (we like Zieglers), 1 cup dark rum (we use Capt. Morgan's), 1 cup cinnamon schnapps mixed in a glass pitcher. 

Pour spiked cider into a short glass with five or six of the frozen apple slices to act as ice. Yum! What could be better! Almost like liquid apple pie! 

Signs of The Times

That I even think signs like this need to be posted is a sign of the times. Seen on sign at local baseball practice fields:

 PLEASE REMEMBER: 

 1. These are kids. 

 2. This is a game. little 

 3. The coaches volunteer. 

 4. You do not play for the Phillies. 

 City of Philadelphia 

Department of Parks and Recreation 

 Have you ever been to a kids baseball game (or football, soccer, name any sport here) and seen a parent who needs to take a look at this sign? Parents need to sit back and relax and let the kids know that this is a GAME not war. And unfortunately too often there are those few parents who turn a simple game into WWIII. So the next time you are tempted to yell at your kid's coaches or get on your kid's case for striking out...remember, IT IS A GAME. Lighten up! Have fun!

No Texting While Driving: Surprising Data

Photo from Accuform Signs

When are we going to learn not to try and text and drive at the same time? While we often hear the dangers of our teens texting while driving, statistics from a recent survey by AT&T shows that 49% of adult commuters admit to texting while driving versus 40% of teens who text and drive.

Wow! Who knew? Despite knowing the grave risks of texting while behind the wheel, adults are still texting away. They admit that 98% of them are aware of that driving and texting is a high risk activity but they still engage in it.

Six in ten adults admit to texting more now that they did three years ago. And 40% of those who admitted to texting while driving admit that it is a habit. Let's make this our habit to break this New Year's!

We can't expect our teens to not text behind the wheel if they see us doing it. While there may be fewer accidents with adults texting simply because they are more experienced drivers, there's no excuse for anyone driving and texting. So if you are one of those adults who text and drive, put the phone on silent mode and put it in the back seat so you can't reach for it when you are behind the wheel.  And don't forget, practice what you preach!

Gift That Makes You Smile

Photo courtesy of Happy Money Saver Box of Sunshine Post

 

Have you ever been looking for a gift that will just make someone smile? We all know someone who is sick or whose family is having a hard time. So if you are looking for a way to make someone feel better on down days this is just what you need! Put together this Box of Sunshine for them. This box was designed and made by Ashley at Happy Money Saver (be sure to read the rest of her blog for other great ideas.)

 

Not only that, she has made some 'box of sunshine' printables to use on your box (which makes is so much easier than designing your own). Just fill the box with anything yellow (Ashley has some great specific ideas of frugal ways to pull this together in her post if you can't think of some on your own) or pick out your own choice of yellow gifts that will make the receipient smile.

 

Sometimes when you are in the Dollar Store just pick up that 'something yellow' to add to the box and you'll have everything you need except food products ready for when you need to send one of these.  Think of small yellow foods or drinks or candy or other items

 

I love this idea for sending to someone who is in the hospital or having a hard time. My best friend used to call things like this 'warm fuzzies' because it was something small that made the recipient feel all warm and fuzzy inside just knowing someone cared. So if you have someone you want to make smile and feel a little bit better on a down day, send them their very own box of sunshine.

How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks... who doesn't have them? OK, what woman who has had kids doesn't have them? And anyone who has been overweight has too. Stretch marks occur during any sudden change in your body size like pregnancy, puberty, or other rapid weight-gain (you know, that fifty pounds you put on for the big movie role last year?) OK, OK, so most of us haven't had to gain a lot of weight for a movie but you get the idea..

We've all heard old wives tales about how to get rid of stretch marks, but a friend of mine swears by the following tip.

1. Make a paste out of coffee grinds and olive oil.
2. Massage well into the area that has stretch marks for approximately five minutes.
3. Then take a hot towel and wrap it around the area for 20-25 minutes.
4. Remove the towel and wash the paste off with warm water.
5. Apply moisturizer to the area.

The coffee grinds combined with the olive oil supposedly stimulate the area to remove the stretch marks. Do three times a week and you should see a difference in about two weeks.

Urban legend? Old wives tale? Or does it really work? You tell me. I don't drink coffee and I'm sure not going to make a paste of coffee and olive oil, I'll live with my stretch marks but for the rest of you, give it a try.

Are You Safe On SEPTA?

Are you safe riding SEPTA? Riders report that taking SEPTA is becoming more and more dangerous. SEPTA provides mass transit for the Philadelphia and Suburban Philadelphia areas. Unfortunately, due to driver disinterest and overcrowding riding the buses and trolleys is becoming more dangerous every day.

Incidents include fights due to overcrowding (with no intervention by the driver), shoving and pushing, drivers allowing the perpetrator of inappropriate conduct to get away with aggressive conduct instead of pulling over and putting them off the bus or the trolley at the next stop.

If you take SEPTA chances are you have either been the victim of violence on their vehicles or witnessed it and reported it with no change in the way drivers react to violence on their bus or trolley. Some riders bully smaller or weaker riders to take seats. Riders no longer feel safe taking the bus in certain areas, even in the safer 'burbs.

In just the last month I have heard reports of incidents on SEPTA where no action was taken and the same events happen over and over caused by the same individuals with no intervention by drivers. Buses are so crowded that passengers who want to get off when an incident escalates can't get to the door to get off.

SEPTA please make it safe to take your buses and trolleys again. Provide an inservice of handling violent passengers for your drivers, because obviously some of them missed the content of the last one. Then followup when a rider complains and ride the bus or trolley where the incident was reported to check on the safety quotient on that line.

I know there are more and more people riding today due to the increased cost of purchasing gasoline but that doesn't mean the safety quotient should decrease. And if you witness or have been the victim of violence on SEPTA please contact them and report the bus or trolley you were on and information on the time and place it took place and the driver's name. We have to be responsible for reporting violence or the SEPTA hierarchy won't know it's happening until it escalates out of control and someone is hurt.

And if you live in a different area and take mass transit be sure to be aware of and report issues on your transit system. This problem isn't just a Philadelphia problem. Be safe!

Fix Those Broken Zipper Tabs

Photo courtesy of Dealfind

 

Ever wanted to fix broken zipper tabs? Broken zipper tabs are the bane of my existence. Now there is an easy and inexpensive way to fix them (and I don't mean using a key ring or paperclip, all of which I've used in the past, they work but don't look so good.)

 

This new Easy Fix Zipper is just that--a fast and easy fix for that broken zipper on your favorite handbag, jacket or other zippers. Not only that it's only $7 from Dealfind. Give it a try and see how you like it. I just love finding those tricky little gadgets that solve the problems of my day.

Planning A Happy Transition

Photo of Jennifer Oxenford, Kate Vecchione and Nancy Vecchione

Volunteering at Alex's Lemonade Stand at Bertucci's in

Springfield, PA (Photo courtesy of Darla DeMorrow)

 

Part of being happy in your transition to living independently is making new friends and becoming involved in the community. Kate joined Jennifer Oxenford, Kelly Moran and Darla DeMorrow helping raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand and having fun at the same time.

 

 

 

Choose your favorite charity or a way to give back to your community and join in. You'll find you make new friends and expand your support group.

 

They group also raised money with other friends at the Springfield Mall earlier in the month.

 

 

How can you give back or expand your horizons?

 

• find your own favorite charity
• help coach a team
• work on improving the environment of your home town
• join a political campaign
• help with a scout troop or other group for children
• volunteer with your church
• work with the ARC in your county to improve services
• join a community theater group
• join your choir or choral group
• check out Meetups in your area for hiking groups, cooking groups, and more.
• volunteer at your food pantry
• work at the senior center
• and a variety of other choices that fit your own personality

Bertucci's Springfield Joins Alex's Lemonade Stand To Fight Cancer

 

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Where? Bertucci's Springfield PA

 

 

WHEN?

 

Saturday, September 28, 2013

 

From 2 to 6 PM

 

Join us at Bertucci's Springfield, 965 Baltimore Pike, Springfield Square, Springfield PA and support Alex's Lemonade Stand and the Million Mile Run this Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 2-6 PM where great food at a great restaurant meet a great charity, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.  Come support Alex's Lemonade Stand AND grab some great pizza or other Italian entrees. Come on, you know you want to come on out and help the support a great cause.

 

 

 

Volunteers Help Alex's Lemonade Stand and Million Mile Run (By Guest Blogger, Kate Vecchione)

 

Photo courtesy of Nichole Ann (Left to Right Randi Kobielnik, Kate Vecchione, Nichole Ann, and Heather McCurdy)

 

Springfield Mall in Springfield, Pennsylvania recently hosted an Alex's Lemonade Stand on Friday and Saturday September 20th and 21st to raise money and awareness for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation For Childhood Cancer and the Million Mile Run.

 

Volunteers Jennifer Oxenford, Melinda Babiak, Bridgette Klose, Heather McCurdy, Darla DeMorrow and Kate Vecchione raised $650 in honor of childhood cancer heros Lily and Maggie.

 

Photo of volunteers Kate Vecchione and Jennifer Oxenford

 

Build a Bear donated their signature stuffed animals to the cause. We also raffled off jewelry from Stella and Dot, a cruise on the Spirit of Philadelphia, Bertucci's gift certificates, and a candy basket. 

 

Find out how to join the Million Mile Run and help fight childhood cancer.Run or walk in a team with your friends and family to help raise money for childhood cancer research. If everyone joins together we can work toward beating this disease.

 

Look for more info on where these ladies will be raising $$$ for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

 

 

 

 

Beat Sore Feet

Photo courtesy of Amazon

 

I recently found this great product that saves you from foot pain on Amazon. It's called Friction Block by Band-Aid. It looks like a tiny stick of deodorant and is easy to pop in your bag as you head out hiking, sightseeing, or going dancing in a new pair of shoes. Don't worry about ripping your feet to shreds and mega blisters anymore, apply friction block and your feet will thank you.

 

I love this product. It is easy to apply and works like a charm. It beats new shoe pain and keeps you from limping through your entire vacation or that first week or two of wearing new shoes.

 

And if you are one of those ladies who love hitting the clearance aisle at DSW or other fabulous shoe stores, you will want to invest in a few of these (one for each purse for those nights out dancing.) Make new shoes a pleasure and never a pain.

 

Also seen on WDW(Wedding Day Weekly)Blogging for Brides.

Eating Out Gluten Free

Are you on a gluten free diet? No matter what the reason, eating gluten free when you are eating out can pose a problem. But some restaurants are taking the hmmm... out of making menu choices and are offering a gluten free menu. The Cheesecake Factory is one of the latest restaurants to offer a gluten free menu to it's guests.

The Cheesecake Factory tested their new menu choices with more than 80 dishes that are gluten free. Not just a couple of choices, but 80 delish choices for you. So far only 1 cheesecake is offered gluten free. Some are reworked existing dishes that have subbed gluten free buns and pasta. So head to the Cheesecake Factory (my closest Factory is in King of Prussia PA but check their web site for your closest restaurant.

The menu cautions: "We prepared this menu for our guests with sensitivities to gluten. While we strive to provide accurate information, our menu items are freshly prepared in our kitchens, which are not gluten-free. Cross-contact with other food items that contain gluten is possible. This is especially true for fried items, which are cooked in shared fryer oil." A good thing for anyone who needs a gluten-free meal who is eating out.

Ask the host or your server for the gluten-free menu. Cheesecake Factory managers reported that gluten free dishes are one of the top requests by guests, so these new dishes should be popular.

Other restaurants offering gluten-free menu items? Applebees, Chili's, Burger King and Olive Garden all have lists of their gluten-free offerings on their web sites so head on over and check them out!

Lemonade Without the Lemons?

Photo courtesy of Very Best Baking

 

How can you make lemonade without the lemons? Try Brazilian lemonade. Brazilian Lemonade? Hmmm... sounds promising on a hot day, so why not give it a try? The folks at NESTLÉ® offer this great recipe--the trick? American Brazilian lemonade uses common limes not  Brazilian lemons. Huh? Lemonade without the lemons? Well it seems Brazilian Lemons look and have a flavor similar to our common limes so sub our limes for Brazilian Lemons to get a similar flavor.

 

Brazilian lemonade is rich and creamy and perfect for a hot hot day. Make it and serve it right away for the very best taste. Finally a new use for your trusty blender! This recipe makes 8 servings of 1 cup each or 4 servings in a tall frosty glass.

 

4 common limes (wash carefully)

6 C water, divided

1 C granulated sugar, divided

1/2C sweetened condensed milk, divided

14 ice cube (1 tray), divided (plus more for glasses when serving)

 

Take washed limes and slice off the ends. Cut each lime into eight wedges (yes, you leave the rinds on! bizarre I know!) Put sixteen wedges, half the water, half the water, half the sugar and half the condensed milk and ice in your favorite blender. Cover, blend only 20 seconds. Do not over blend it will make your lemonade bitter.) Strain into a pitcher using a fine mesh strainer(not your pasta strainer with the wide holes). This removes remaining rind pieces. Repeat with other half of your ingredients. Now you have a large pitcher of cool and refreshing Brazilian lemonade--sure doesn't taste like that powdered stuff or even frozen concentrates!

 

If your guests are looking for a zing with their drink, add some Bacardi rum.

 

We made this for a cookout recently and it was a huge hit. So give your backyard cookout some zip and serve Brazilian lemonade.

It's National Lasagna Day!

Photo courtesy of Bertucci's

Lasagna....yum! One of my favorite Italian foods. I make it myself at home but sometimes (like in the summer) when it's really hot I don't want to heat up my house by using my oven. So what's the perfect solution? Head to your local Bertucci's (mine is on Baltimore Pike in Springfield PA) and enjoy their version. So easy! So fast! And best of all, it tastes great without heating up your house. The perfect solution in the summertime.

Not only that but Bertucci's sent me an email with a $5 off coupon--what can be better? I don't have to cook and save money! I knew there was a reason I love Bertucci's! Be sure to sign up for their email club so you too can get wonderful money saving emails and notices of new menu items.

What else do I love about Bertucci's? Their rolls. OK, yes I admit, filled with calories but so good to snack on while you wait for your entree and eat your salad. And speaking of salads, try not just their house dressing but their balsamic vinaigrette, it takes their house salad from veggies with Italian dressing to a heavenly dining experience!

I won't tell you all my favorite things at Bertucci's, I'll save that for some tweets (look for them marked #BertuccisBest #BertuccisSpringfieldPA) and of course if you follow me on Facebook you'll probably hear all about my latest trip to Bertucci's.

Now you know you want that lasagna tonight don't you? Go Bertucci's Springfield PA!

Fix A Bra Takes On Underwire Bra Breakthroughs

Photo courtesy of Fix A Bra

 

Finally a way to fix underwire bra breakthroughs. Order this simple kit (for only $9.99) and you can fix those painful underwire breakthroughs--ouch! The mother daughter team who developed this initially used moleskin but developed this product with an improved adhesive. Try Fix A Bra with improved adhesive which lasts longer so you don't have to keep buying new packages of moleskin to fix those nasty wires.

 

Video courtesy of YouTube and Fix A Bra.

Leslie Warren and her mother Denise developed this product that will make every woman who wears an underwire and who dreads those poking wires that inevitably show through your favorite bra happy to have this handy package that repairs not just underwires but other clothing mishaps that always happen to your FAVORITE clothes! Fix A Bra comes in an easy to use and easy to carry pack so you can toss it in your purse or suitcase to carry with you everywhere.

 

Buy this bra that defeats those nasty poking wires online. Also this product is MADE,PACKED AND SHIPPED IN THE USA! Way to go ladies! Love to buy products from companies that try to keep manufacturing in the country. You can buy it here.

 

This product may not defeat squirrels but it sure beats the bra blues!

Battle Zone: Your Local Hospital

Clipart from Clip Art Heaven

Hospital stays, never pleasant, but lately they've become battle zones. In the last month I've been in the hospital, my daughter has been in the hospital, and my youngest daughter was in a car accident. My son-in-law was in the accident with my daughter and he's been in for surgery. Other extended family have also been in the hospital.

We've all come to the conclusion that the hospital is NOT a good place to be. It's also not a healthy place to be. And complaints are rarely acted upon in a positive way. Here are a few instances of what we experienced at local hospitals:

1. blood drawn without gloves
2. pic line cared for without gloves
3. rooms not cleaned (floor had debris on it for three days before the patient crawled under the bed and picked it up)(in another instance the bathroom was not cleaned for the entire stay.)
4. ceiling tiles had dust bunnies hanging from them so when the heat or air was on you could see them moving with the air circulation, not cleaned for entire stay.
5. nurse's aid wore heavy perfume causing patient to vomit, when a replacement was asked for politely, the nurses did not come in for the rest of the shift.
6. drugs were not given on time or at all in some cases. It was scanned into the computer as given but never administered.
7. waits of over 25 minutes after pushing call button for nursing staff.
8. food served that was against what nutrition staff said was what the patient needed.
9. some staff were actively hostile when asked for assistance.
10. Patient discharged early, hospital blaming it on the insurance company, but when the insurance company was contacted they said they would have approved it.
11. Commodes left to fill up to the brim.
12. Commodes with no cover.

OK, so maybe some of those things seem like small things to you, but believe me, no one wants to pick up a hospital borne infection just because someone was too lazy to put on gloves, or didn't do a full job cleaning hospital rooms. And we certainly don't want drugs to be scanned into the computer without being given. We don't want a patient to experience additional bleeding because no one has bothered to check the dietary needs as set forth by the nutritionist. And so on, and so on and so on.

So before your next hospital stay, find out who you need to contact if something is wrong. Know who to call and where to call them. We're looking at possible transfer of a patient at this point, not something we want to do, but...

Birdfeeders vs Squirrels--A New Option To Fight Off The Critters

Photo courtesy of FunnyPica

Do you fight the battle of the squirrels on your home bird feeder? If so you might want to try this trick that a woman from Tampa, Florida uses. She fills and old nylon stocking with ten mothballs and hangs them near her feeding station. The scent discourages squirrels. She replaces mothballs as they loose their oomph! For some reason the mothballs dont repel birds but the squirrels hate them. Worth giving a try, it has two things going for it, it's cheap and easy to make--and I do love projects with those two criteria.  Let me know if it works for you.

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Winner! Sister Act Tickets

The winner is Kathryn! She won two tickets for the Tuesday night show of Sister Act at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Congratulations Kathryn! You'll enjoy a night out in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music with one other guest of your choice. Have fun!

**Tickets were provided free of charge to the blogger.

Win Sister Act Tickets in Philadelphia

 

 

Coming to the Academy of Music in Philadelphia April 2 to April 7 is the Broadway hit Sister Act. Based on the movie of the same name, this rockin' fun musical is enough to put a spring in your step as you step into Spring.

 

The show features Alan Menken's original music and the book tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a nightclub singer who has witnessed a crime. The police look for a place to stash her until the trial and decide the least likely place anyone would look for her the convent. Yes, I said convent. Come and see Deloris and Mother Superior and the rest of the nuns, as Deloris brings a new kind of music to their convent.

 

This is a story of friendship that trumps all obstacles.

 

But best of all, you can win two tickets for opening night by entering below. You will pick up your tickets at the box office. So be sure to enter.

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**The writer has been provided with tickets as compensation for writing a blog post and hosting a giveaway. The writer's opinion has not been effected by said compensation.

Priscilla, Queen of The Desert Comes To Philly!

 

Link for Special Promo code for 35% off tickets for Priscilla, Queen of the Desert!

 

What more could you ask? Broadway comes to Philadelphia one more time at the Academy of Music with Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, February 26-March 3, 2013 . Filled with memorable songs like Girls Just Want To Have Fun and Material Girl and more, this show rocks the house down!

 

Can't imagine anyone having more fun than the audience at this show! A bit different from your usual touring show, PQotD will have you wanting to dance in your seat and sing along with the cast! See you there!

You Tube Video Courtesy of Priscilla Queen of The Desert as performed on The View

Tickets may have been provided for promoting this show. The opinion is the writer's own and has not been influenced by any tickets provided.