"Daddy, I don't want you to eat that ham!"

The other morning, I was making a ham steak for breakfast. I knew by the look on my daughter's face that she was pondering over a problem. I asked her, "Are you feeling alright...do you want some breakfast? She told me she wasn't hungry anymore.

Now, my girl is never NOT hungry in the mornings and she has been running around the family room since she got up, so she was not ill; So what was the problem?

I served up the breakfast and placed it on the table. I poured a bowl of cereal for my daughter, added some bananas, and brought her some rice milk. After everyone sat down, she jumped up and gave me an enormous hug.

"Daddy, I don't want you to eat that ham!" she burst out.
"Why?" I asked.

SO... I have made ham all her life or bacon or sausages, yet that morning she was upset I was going to eat ham. I knew something was wrong.

"Honey, why don't you want me to eat ham?" Before she could answer me, she ran over to the desk and grabbed a pencil and some paper. "Here, write your name down," she said. I scribbled my name on the paper and asked her again, "So why can't I eat this ham?"

She held onto my arm and handed me the paper with my name on it. She waited until I grabbed the sheet of paper from her.

"Because I don't want you to get hamnesia," she mumbled. It took all of my willpower not to break out laughing.

I looked at her as she stared at me with her sad eyes and her heartfelt concern. She was serious.

I had cereal with her, and she explained how she had watched a show where someone had amnesia and didn't remember his family.

After she was calm, and off playing in her room, I had the best chuckle.

Homemade New York Pizza

Nothing says "welcome" better than a piping hot New York pizza smothered in homemade tangy pizza sauce and oozing with fresh mozzarella; so welcome home.

For many years, families everywhere have made pizza as a staple entrée for dinner. No longer just a cultural meal, this tasty and affordable treat has become an icon in weekly food menus. Cooks can read about pizza in various books, forums on the web, and media publications. Fortunately, the many books available will specifically discuss the art of pizza making and the various ways this amazing dish represents different styles of origin. When looking into different styles of pizza, mainly two come to mind. The two most popular styles are perfect in every way. The only difference is whether the reader makes Chicago-style pizza or the New York pizza pie. Both styles are incredibly delicious, but I can only comment on what I grew up with as a child. A New York pizza pie is very hard to find that tastes authentic. Many pizzerias claim to have genuine New York pizza pie, but finding the "real deal" always creates a challenge.

As cooks search for the best New York pizza recipe, variations of a close substitute can offer the cook some nostalgic relief. This mouth-watering recipe will bring out memories of childhood in which the reader can remember the first time the Empire State Building, the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, Coney Island, and of course the New York Strip. This recipe is easy to make and very delicious. Once the reader has made this pizza pie, he or she will want to make another and tell all of their friends about the pizza. The reader's guests will not be disappointed, so roll up your sleeves, and enjoy an amazing dinner New York style.

Homemade Pizza Dough Ingredients

2 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast

1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)

1 1/4 cups ice cold water

2 tablespoons cold-pressed virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon sea salt

5 1/2 cups unbleached bread flour, save ¼ of this for rolling the dough.

Cooking spray

1. Dissolve the yeast in 1 cup of warm water in a small bowl; let stand for 5 minutes. Combine 1 1/4 cups cold water, olive oil, cane sugar, and sea salt in a small bowl; swish with a wooden spoon. Do not mix yeast or use metal utensils.
2. Lightly spoon about 5 1/4 cups bread flour into dry measuring cups. Combine the flour, yeast mixture, and cold water mixture in a bowl. Mix until dough forms a ball (approximately 6 - 8 minutes). Let the dough rest for 2 minutes in the mixing bowl. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 3 minutes); add enough of the remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands. The dough should feel sticky to prevent drying out.
3. Divide the dough in half, and place each half in a large greased freezer bag. Coating the bag with cooking spray will prevent the dough from sticking to the bag when the cook takes it out to bake. Close the bag and chill overnight. The dough may rise in the refrigerator, when pulled out to rest push down on the dough. Let the dough stand at room temperature for one hour before using.

Homemade Pizza Sauce Ingredients

1/4 cup cold water

2 tablespoons chopped basil, fresh or dried

1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons oregano, dried

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1 (14.5-ounce) can of diced tomatoes, drained slightly

1 (6-ounce) can herbed tomato paste

Sauce Directions:
Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl, and mix.
Various Pizza Topping Combinations

• Four-Cheese Pizza: Brush each round of dough with 3/4 cup pizza sauce; 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup each thinly sliced parmesan cheese; Fontina cheese, and Sharp Cheddar.
• Pepperoni and Salami: Brush each round of dough with 3/4 cup pizza sauce; 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup each thinly sliced red onion, sliced pepperoni, and sliced salami.
• Vegetable: Brush each round of dough with 1 cup of pizza sauce; 2 shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup each thinly sliced onion, sliced orange bell pepper, sliced zucchini disks, and sliced sun-dried tomato halves; and jar of drained artichoke hearts.
• Margherita: Brush each round of dough with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1 cup shredded provolone cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Bake until the top is lightly browned, approximately 10 minutes. Spread out 15 fresh basil leaves coated with 1 teaspoon olive oil over pizza; drain 8 thin tomato slices on paper towels; arrange on baked pizza. The cook should continue baking the pizza until the crust is browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes longer.
• Red Hot-Wing Chicken: Brush each round of dough with 3/4 cup pizza sauce; 1 1/2 cups sauteed and cubed or shredded chicken breast mixed with 3 to 4 tablespoons Red hot wing sauce; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 3/4 cup thinly sliced red onion; 2 to 4 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh jalapeño chilies; 1 to 2 tablespoons minced garlic; 4 ounces cooked hard salami, cut into 1/4-inch chunks; and paprika to taste.

Pizza Baking Instructions:
Bake at 500F for 10 - 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the center of the pizza is cooked. The cook should remember to avoid stacking the toppings too high, or the center will never cook before the crust overcooks. When the pizza is ready, let it rest for a few minutes before cutting into it with a pizza cutter. The pizzas are a tremendous hit for dinners or weekend parties and when family comes over to sit, the only thing left to do is Mangiare.

The Home Stager's Tools of the Trade

When preparing, the first step is to have the supplies to complete the job. The following is an itemized list of the basic supplies one needs to Home Stage like a professional. These supplies are essential for the success of one’s staging job. There are many other tools we believe you should eventually get, but these are the basics.

Stationary

Brochures
Business Cards
Thank you cards
Staging Post Cards
Redesign Postcards
Presentation folders
Quotation folders
Envelopes
Letterhead
Bumper stickers
Pens
Blank invoices
Helpful tools
Furniture moving set
Carpet Sliders
Hard floor sliders
Discount offers (Pods)
3 ft and 6-foot ladder
Uniform: pants, polo shirt, socks, comfortable shoes
Rubber gloves
Paint can key
Visual Aid tools
Consultation Guides
Staging Portfolio
Stager’s Yard Signs
Shirts to give
Working Aprons

Hammer	A 16-oz. curved-claw nail hammer is your best bet. A rubber grip handle is more comfortable to use for long periods.
Saw	A crosscut hand saw will handle most things. Some short ones will fit into the average toolbox.
Stapler	A small stapler that will also hold small brads can be very handy.
Screwdrivers	A small basic set that contains both standard flat blades and Phillips heads will tackle most jobs. Some pretty neat combination drivers include a variety of blades that all fit on one main handle.
Tape	Don't forget the incredible duct tape, which can hold anything together. Electrical tape is handy too.
Drill	Either cordless or electrical will do. You will also need a variety of bits.
Level	Even a small, inexpensive level can help your work come out straight. 24 to 36 inch
C-Clamps	These will hold lots of things you are trying to put back together.
Pliers	A good, basic pair of slip-joint pliers can tighten, loosen, and hold many things for you.
Wrench	An adjustable wrench or a "Crescent" wrench can give you lots of extra muscle to tighten and loosen a variety of nuts and bolts.
Ruler	A retracting flexible tape rule is compact, accurate, and very useful.
Utility Knife	Get one with replaceable blades.
Glue	Household cement will tackle most things.
Fasteners	Buy a couple of inexpensive variety packs and you'll probably have what you need.
Sandpaper	A basic variety pack should have what you will need for the average project.
Lubricant	WD-40 is amazing stuff.
Flashlight	A small, rechargeable flashlight is important for many emergencies.
Tool Box	A lightweight, plastic model will hold most of this stuff plus a few of your own favorites. Some nifty models have some outstanding features, like a place to sit down!
Plunger	A plumber's friend can also be your friend, especially if your toilet is overflowing!
Measuring Tape	A measuring tape 25 to 30 feet long

Feng Shui: Bagua Basic Fundamental Quiz

 1.      What does Feng Shui mean?

 

       2.      What does it promote, and where? Give four examples.
        a.
        b.
        c.
        d.

 

3.      Explain what the five elements are, and how do they reflect in Feng Shui?

 

4.      What do the five elements give you?

 

5.      Explain the eight directions and how you would use them to enrich your chi, yin/yang, and balance?
 

6.      To maximize one of your eight directions in your space, please fill in the box that you feel you need to focus on for your success in balancing and calming your chi?

            Place the eight directions in the space above

1.      Creativity                                                     5.  Self -Motivation

2.      Communication, water                             6.  Ambition, attention to detail

3.      Savings, Motherhood                                7.  Leadership, Wisdom

4.      Public Recognition, Fame                         8.  Romance, entertainment

       7.      What is an arrow or corner, and what can it do to your chi?

8.      How do you break an arrow so it is harmless?

9.      Why should you not use mirrors in your bedroom where you sleep, or should you?

10.  What are some favorable locations in your home, and how is it designed so that it can enhance the room’s potency?
 

11.  At your age and time of life (vitality), what direction should the foot of your bed point to maximize your chi and/or balance?

12.  Where should your feet never point while you are sleeping? 

13.  Why should you never have reflective items and pictures of people in your bedroom? 

14.  Give three remedies for increasing wealth and success? (Hints: Desk, Pot, Bed)

a.      ____________________________________________

b.      ____________________________________________

       c.       ____________________________________________

 

15.  Give three remedies for increasing calmness and enhancing energy in the home?

a.      _____________________________________________ 

b.      _____________________________________________

c.       _____________________________________________

(Hints: Colorful, alive, fluid) 

Good Luck!

Poetry Preview

A poem can be tricky if you don't know how to write one, and there are different poems one can learn in school. I enjoy writing poems and I always believed that my writing was good. As I was growing up, the few times my poems were evaluated, I was told they lacked the meter. I never understood what that meant, but that is because I neglected to find out what the meter had to do with poetry. I would write what I felt was understandable to me or what sounded good.

The following poems are various types Hayden (my son) experimented with during his English literature class. I am thrilled that my son studied writing poetry and that Hayden understands the process well enough to explain them to me. Though he was younger when he wrote these, he could still understand each method of poetry that he read in each of the examples below. Like my grandfather, Hayden studied poetry so he could write a poem properly.

My Grandfather Armando Figueroa would write poems during his off-time from his job as a court interpreter. He understood the many methods to make a poem complete and his notes to his family were beautiful. He was very intelligent and would read books on writing poetry. I believe that between Grandpa Figueroa, my son Hayden, and I writing is in our hearts and soul.

 Here are six examples of classic poem styles

Haiku
The rustic barked trees
Full of rich vibrant colors
Spring has come around

Tanka

Young Derek Jayden

Epic master of his craft
Ties his shoelaces
Mindset on the finish line
Eight Hundred meters begins

Lyric
There once was a big round lady
Who worked in the Navy?
Her weight made her not want to date
Because of the weight, she had to wait
And over that time of waiting,
She had lost some weight
Then she had several dates
And of those dates,
One determined her fate

Limerick
There was a dog named Susie
She was feeling a little woozy
She felt so sick
Because she ate a stick
Poor little old Susie

Free Verse

The rain comes
On the silent streets
It hits the ground
All over the city
On top of rooftops
The rain continues to splash.

Sonnet
Out of the Earth, a bud of life
Deep purple, small and delicate
Free from captivity and strife
Young buds rising intimate
Sweet morning breeze, it smells so great
So red the rose, so red and bright
A figment of beauty to grow and separate
Hypnotizing like a flash of light.
To grow for a while, only to go away
For always in my heart,
To think they won’t stay
They fall apart.
The Death of the Rose
Brings the birth of the bellows.

 

Scottish Tablet

My wife and I wish we were Scottish–and this Scottish fudge (called tablet) is made every holiday. 

It looks and smells like fudge, but has an amazing brittle, almost fine gritty texture, and it’s heavenly. Full of sugar, but it makes a wonderful complement to a cup of tea or coffee.

A dish we could make all year long, but I would never fit through the door. I am glad we only have this once a year, that way we can enjoy this treat without feeling too guilty. I hope you enjoy this as much as we do. The site where you can get other great dishes that are Scottish-influenced.

Ingredients:

1.25 cups milk
2.2 pounds of sugar
1 ounce butter
1 standard can of sweetened condensed milk
A few drops of vanilla extract

In a heavy saucepan, add the milk, sugar and butter. Stir gently over the heat until the sugar is dissolved (about 20 minutes). Add the condensed milk and boil the mixture for 25 minutes or until it is golden brown. Remove from the heat, and add the vanilla, and let it cool for a few minutes. Beat the mixture vigorously for about 10 minutes or until the mixture is thick. Pour into a well-greased glass casserole dish or a baking sheet until set, and cut it into small squares.

Recipes Hints and Tips:

Store the bite-sized pieces in an airtight container between pieces of parchment paper.

The Supreme Cobb Club Sandwich

A delicious mix of the classic Cobb salad and the Club sandwich. This is a great addition to a lunch buffet or any celebration or special occasion.

The enjoyable part of eating a Supreme Cobb Club sandwich is the flavor of the crispy bacon and the bleu cheese spread combined on toasted bread. Following this savory treat is the essence of the sweet red onion, the coolness of the ripe tomatoes, and crisp romaine lettuce. This sandwich is made for a delectable reminiscence of the Traditional Cobb salad and the Classic Club sandwich.

With any meal, it takes a little time and effort to prepare the ingredients and assemble this delicious sandwich. With these simple and fresh ingredients, the cook will want to make this sandwich as a snack or as a main course. The cook can serve this sandwich with a variety of accompanying side dishes or enjoy it on its own with a nice cold drink.

Fresh Cobb Club Ingredients

4 Large hard-boiled eggs

3/4 cup bottled bleu cheese, chunky salad dressing

12 slices whole grain white or wheat bread, toasted

12 slices crispy bacon, cooked and well-drained

2 medium Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced

1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced

4 romaine lettuce leaves, shredded

Salt and pepper

Navel Orange cut in wedges (optional)

Easy-to-Follow Directions

In a small bowl, mash hard-boiled eggs with 1/4 cup of the bleu cheese dressing.

Season to taste with salt and pepper, then set aside.

Spread eight of the toasted bread slices with salad dressing or mayonnaise.

Arrange crispy bacon on four of the toasted bread slices; top with sliced Roma tomato.

Spread the four remaining plain toasted bread slices with egg mixture; top with red onion slices and lettuce.

Place one egg-topped toast on top of each bacon-topped toast.

Top with remaining dressing-spread toast slices, spread side down.

Optional: Secure the sandwiches with wooden or plastic toothpicks; garnish the plate with an orange wedge. Cut each sandwich in half or in quarters.

Makes 4 sandwiches

This sandwich should be enjoyable in any setting, whether as an entrée or as a snack food at a party. This is an easy and delicious food to have for lunch but also it can fit in as a delightful afternoon treat or dinner in the evening if the cook is out of time to prepare a larger meal. A Cobb Club sandwich is nice when enjoyed with a delicious potato salad or chips, and a side of baked beans.

Party Tray

The party planner can double the recipe and slice the sandwich into quarter-sized finger sandwiches. Secure the quarter of a sandwich with a decorative wooden or plastic toothpick and pile them up on a service platter, making 32 portions. Garnish the platter with some fresh orange wedges or some cherry tomatoes.

As an individual meal package, the party planner could wrap half a sandwich with waxed paper, leaving a seam across the top of the sandwich. Then the party planner can assemble the package with three baby carrots tucked under the seam sticking out for a complement.