Potatoes

I bought a new kind of potatoes. I didn't even realize it. The bag just looked good on the store shelf, so I bought them. They are Green Giant brand called Klondike Rose.

These potatoes have a thin red skin and are very tasty. The texture is nice. The first time we tried them I just put them in the crock pot with a roast. They didn't seem to get as mushy as regular potatoes. Then we prepared them on the grill along side a steak. Thick slices of potato brushed with butter. The taste and texture was better than potatoes I have used in the past. Mostly I have purchased Idaho white potatoes.

I like trying new things and this "accidental" trial turned out to be good. Funny how I knew this was a new product: I found a coupon on the kitchen table. I guess it fell out of the potato bag and my husband found the coupon on the floor and put it up on the table. The coupon mentions a contest so I thought my husband wanted to enter the contest. He hardly ever enters contests, so I thought it was strange. He thought I dropped the coupon and wanted to enter the contest. Not strange, since I enter contests and usually think I will win. I did win a doodle book when I was 8.

Saving for College

Another good segment on a morning news show. This time it was about saving for your child's college education. There are lots of avenues to do this, but state programs called, 529 plans, were discussed on this particular show. The recommended website is http://www.savingforcollege.com.

Saving and investing money is considered a sensible thing to do. Money is also one of those topics that can lead to disagreements in families, even ones with sensible people. I think the solution is planning. Just do it, and then stick to the plan. If you can agree to save $100 a month and put it in a regular savings account to accumulate for your child, that is better than nothing.

Deborah Tannen

I just saw an interview on TV. Deborah Tannen was being interviewed. I thought her name sounded familiar so I googled. Yes familiar, she wrote the book, You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation. The book helps men and women understand differences in communication.

Her new book is You're Wearing That?: Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation. I think mothers and daughters probably understand each other better than men and women, but the book sounds interesting.

I used to say that the book, Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, should be part of the required reading for junior high schoolers. I think understanding communication differences is as basic as understanding math or science.

So choose the author you prefer, Deborah Tannen or John Gray, and start reading.

Book Review

The Skin Type Solution is a new book by Dr. Baumann . Since I have a business selling skin care, I thought I should read the book. I read it and took the "skin type test." I didn't learn anything new about my skin. Like most people, I already have my skin type figured out. Skin type isn't the problem. The problem is that too many products don't produce the results that they say they will.

I suggest you find the book at the library, read a bit of the front material and then proceed to the test. At that point, you just read the chapter that applies to your skin type. Then the suggestions get a bit complicated as the author tries to cover every situation. Save yourself the cost of the book and use the library copy to satisfy your curiosity. I think the book is too complicated for most people to use.

The author recommends the "skin patch test" and trying samples in an effort to hone in on what is best for each individual. The book provides a list of products to test and sample. Too bad most of the products are not available as samples. The author wanted the book to help people stop buying products that don't work but she proceeds to create new list of possibilities.

Police Imposters

In the news this morning, an article in People magazine talks about criminals who pose as police and stop cars or gain access to homes. Here is an exerpt from a tip from Road and Travel Magazine.

Keep the doors locked and open the window only enough to communicate, but not enough so they can reach inside. Request the officer's photo identification and be sure to examine it carefully.

I would add, that now that we have cell phones, call 911 and confirm the officer's identification before allowing anyone to enter your home.

Quick Meal

My husband and I fixed a great, easy meal this weekend. You might want to try it. Shrimp Alfredo Pasta.

Thaw 12 frozen shrimp. An easy way is to put them in a bowl of cold water for about 15 minutes.

Put some water in a large pot. Add a drop of olive oil or vegetable oil. Did you know that the oil will deter the water from boiling over? Boil the water. Add a package of penne pasta. Boil until al dente, usually 9 minutes. Test by taking one penne out of the water and biting it. It should be firm.

While the pasta is cooking, saute the shrimp in olive oil and a little garlic. Heat some alfredo sauce. You know, the kind you buy in a jar. We used Bertolli with mushrooms, but any brand is fine. Add the cooked shrimp to the sauce.

Drain the pasta. Put a serving of pasta on two plates and cover with sauce.

I find that one jar of alfredo is about enough for 2 people. If you end up with leftover pasta, put it in a dish, add some frozen peas, cover with Italian salad dressing and refrigerate overnight. It makes an easy pasta salad.

All you need to accompany this is salad and bread. For salad, take the easy way out and buy the bagged lettuce. For bread, get a loaf of french bread. Slice. Spread butter on both sides. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on one side. Grill in a George Forman. Yummy.

Please let me know if you try this and like it. Share your own recipes!

Choose to be positive

Saw a good sermon on TV this morning. I catch this one woman preacher every so often in the morning when I am getting ready for the day. Morning is the perfect time for reflection.

The message was simple: Choose to think positive thoughts.

Of course, I am at a place in life where most of the stress and responsibility is settled down so it is easier now to be positive. But I know lots of people who just don't realize that they can make choices about little things that will affect their lives forever. When I am around someone who is positive, it makes me positive. When I am around someone negative, I sometimes try to help them choose to think positive. But sometimes I just sink down with them. I need to remember that I have the choice.

I have been involved in a project over the last week. I am working with a woman who has had a lot of health problems. She is very positive and a joy to be around. She could choose to wallow in self-pity and no one would blame her. She has been a real inspiration to me.

I hope you all choose a positive day and inspire those around you.