Our family attic...

Today I remember my father and his service to the country he loved

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Sun, 29 May 2011 21:42:00 +0000

Joseph V. Korzecki, 1911 - 1999, WWII Pacific Theater

Not a bear hibernatin' but a kitty cat-nappin' - see you soon dear friends...

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 03:49:00 +0000

Almost done with my summertime nap. Be back very soon. Lots of wonderful ideas, recipes and poetry to share along with summer family get-togethers and events. See you as soon as I wake up...hope you still remember me!

Remembrance - one of those special times when just reading isn't enough

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:27:00 +0000

Every now and then I read something that soothes my soul and makes me smile and gives me comfort. The following is one of those special times. I hope you enjoy Remembrance as much as I did.

Remembrance
When I am gone,
Please remember me;
as a heartfelt laugh, as a tenderness.
Hold fast to the image of me
when my soul was on fire;
the light of love shining through my eyes.
Remember me when I was singing
and seemed to know my way.
Remember always when we were together
and time stood still.
Remember most not what I did,
or who I was.
Oh, please remember me for
what I always desired to be.
A smile on the face of God.
~David Robert Brooks

Red - White - Blue 4th of July Bottle Cap Wreath - recycle, reuse, repurpose

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:27:00 +0000

Forget about tossing your bottle caps into the trash. Put a little bowl on your kitchen counter reminding friends and family to help you collect supplies for your next craft project! Too close to the 4th to gather up enough to make this wonderful wreath? Give friends and family a jingle and ask them to help your cause! If you end up with too many caps - have a party in your back yard in celebration of Independence Day - hand out the necessary supplies and make several - what a sweet idea for guests, family and friends to take home a crafting project!

YOU WILL NEED:
bottle caps
circular wooden frame or foam wreath
2 cans white gloss spray paint
1 can red gloss spray paint
1 can blue gloss spray paint
old sheet
industrial strength glue
white ribbon
nail
hammer

DIRECTIONS
1. On a section of the sheet, spray the wooden frame with white spray paint. Make sure to cover front and sides. It will require two coats allowing to dry between coats.
2. Lay out bottle caps in three piles with the the tops face down. You will need twice as many bottle caps for the white caps than red and blue ones. Spray each group twice, make sure dry between coats. Flip bottle caps over and spray again twice.
3. Glue a single layer of white bottle caps (face down) in a single layer to the frame. Let dry.
4. Alternating blue and red bottle caps (second layer) glue on top of the first layer. Let dry
5. Add several white caps (third layer) on top of red and blue layer.
6. Wrap ribbon around wreath and tie on top in a bow. Nail to door through the back of the ribbon.

Just like the pioneers that traveled across the United States or today’s cowboys, the red bandanna is an iconic symbol of the American spirit. For the Fourth of July use RED BANDANNAS AS NAPKINS (just like our forefathers) and tie with twine. Include a map of the United States and ask guests to name as many states as possible in five minutes. By adding a prize it will kick off the Fourth in a fun with lots of fun and - a little insight as to who stayed awake in American History class☺

Brave - remarkable - devoted - focused: Mothers are cut from sturdy and resilient cloth

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

A dear friend sent this video to me this morning. As I was watching it my heart began to swell with pride - and, quite frankly a little tear caught at the corner of my eye. Mothers belong to a remarkable sorority. A group of individuals who have the courage to brave possible death at the hands of giants (human beings in this case) to care for their babies. I, for one, am proud to be part of a group that counts this little hummingbird momma as one of its members.

Mothers don't have to give birth to belong to this exclusive sorority. All a female has to do is love another deeply and completely and without question and her dues are paid in full.

Thank you to all who have died for our freedom...

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Mon, 31 May 2010 12:48:00 +0000

BP - big oil - BITE ME! Rotting in hell would be too good for you

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:44:00 +0000

Coming out of my hole in the wall to vent!

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:27:00 +0000

I watched with great interest the debate about health care reform. Democrat, Republican, Independent - all of us get sick and all of us die and none of us are immune to illness or disease. My mother died as a result of her breast cancer. My sister has had cancer. My interest in this matter is keen. So, today when I read the following my blood pressure began to rise. Oh, how I wish I could take a paddle and whop the insurance industry and especially the executives who run those companies. They are evil - flat out evil, IMHO.

And, then when I was done spanking the insurance company executives, I would head for DC and round up the lobbyists, congressmen and women and senators and ask all of them to bend over, too.

You don't have to leave a comment. I know this blog post isn't all pink and sweet and cute and pretty but sometimes life isn't pretty and it gets messy and this is one of those times.

Wellpoint Lobbyists Axed Key Protections for Breast Cancer Patients From Health Care Bill

HuffingtonPost.com Federal investigators have told Reuters that WellPoint, the country's largest insurance company, is using an algorithm to identify women with breast cancer for the express purpose of dropping their coverage.

Murray Waas writes that WellPoint "specifically targeted women with breast cancer for aggressive investigation with the intent to cancel their policies":

The women all paid their premiums on time. Before they fell ill, none had any problems with their insurance. Initially, they believed their policies had been canceled by mistake.

They had no idea that WellPoint was using a computer algorithm that automatically targeted them and every other policyholder recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The software triggered an immediate fraud investigation, as the company searched for some pretext to drop their policies, according to government regulators and investigators.

Wellpoint claimed that these women had made material misrepresentations in order to justify dropping their coverage, but Waas says they were dropped "based on either erroneous or flimsy information." Last week, Waas reported that AIDS patients were being similarly targeted for recision.

The version of health care bill passed by the House of Representatives would've allowed these women to apply to an "independent external third party" for review before being dropped. It also would have required Wellpoint to keep their coverage in place until the board made its determination, and policies could only be canceled in cases with "clear and convincing evidence of fraud."

Those provisions were not included in the Senate Finance Committee bill, however, which became the basis for the final health care bill signed by the President. Reuters says that Wellpoint lobbyists "helped quash proposed provisions that would have required a third party review of its or any other insurance company's decision to cancel a customer's policy."

As Marcy Wheeler reported last year, the Senate Finance Committee bill was written by former WellPoint VP Liz Fowler, who left her position at the insurance company in February 2009 expressly for the purpose of helping the committee to draft the health care bill:
And when Max Baucus did a "victory lap" after the health care bil passed, he expressly thanked Fowler for her work:

I wish to single out one person, and that one person is sitting next to me. Her name is Liz Fowler. Liz Fowler is my chief health counsel. Liz Fowler has put my health care team together. Liz Fowler worked for me many years ago, left for the private sector, and then came back when she realized she could be there at the creation of health care reform because she wanted that to be, in a certain sense, her profession lifetime goal. She put together the White Paper last November-2008-the 87-page document which became the basis, the foundation, the blueprint from which almost all health care measures in all bills on both sides of the aisle came. She is an amazing person. She is a lawyer; she is a Ph.D. She is just so decent. She is always smiling, she is always working, always available to help any Senator, any staff. I thank Liz from the bottom of my heart. In many ways, she typifies, she represents all of the people who have worked so hard to make this bill such a great accomplishment.

Susan Bayh, wife of Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, is on the WellPoint board. Bayh threatened to join Joe Lieberman in a filibuster of the health care bill if a public option was included, something that would very much threaten WellPoint profits -- which have soared in the past year. Susan Bayh's compensation for her role on the WellPoint board includes valuable stock options.

Before the health care bill passed, Harry Reid promised Bernie Sanders that there would be a vote on the public option "in the coming months," and anonymous "hill aides" said that they were looking to use the reconciliation process, such that only 50 Senate votes were needed for passage. In exchange, Sanders offered to give up on his plans to offer a public option amendment. A public option would mean that at the very least, breast cancer and AIDS patients who were unfairly dropped from private insurance plans had some place to go for medical coverage.

But the Senate budget committee is marking up next year's budget right now, and according to the Hill, there are no plans to include reconciliation instructions for health care. Which means that for the next year, any plan to "fix it later" would require 60 votes in the Senate -- but the public option doesn't have 60 votes. Which means Reid punk'd Sanders, Jeff Merkley and other progressive Senators to secure their votes.

It's shameful that Wellpoint lobbyists were successful in keeping key protections for those with breast cancer, AIDS and other serious illnesses out of the Senate bill. But it's even more shameful that Harry Reid has no intention of keeping his promise to fix the health care bill any time soon -- and that members of the Senate with serious conflicts of interest will profit handsomely as a result.

I'm not gone

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:40:00 +0000

May the blessings of this special day fill your ♥ with joy!

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 04:03:00 +0000

Frank Schaeffer: Obama's Health Care Victory Puts His Critics to Shame

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:11:00 +0000

Frank Schaeffer: Obama's Health Care Victory Puts His Critics to Shame

St. Patrick's Day Irish Cream Chocolate Cheesecake

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:07:00 +0000

Ingredients

* 1-1/2 cups finely crushed chocolate wafers (about 18 cookies)*
* 6 tablespoons butter, melted*
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
* 1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 8-ounce package semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
* 3 eggs
* 1/2 cup Irish cream liqueur or you may substitute Irish cream Cremora
* 2 tablespoons whipping cream or milk
* 2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. For crust: In a medium bowl, combine crushed chocolate wafers, melted butter, and cinnamon; toss gently to mix. Press mixture onto the bottom and up the side of a 9- or 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.

2. For filling: In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and melted chocolate. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until smooth. Using a wooden spoon, stir in eggs just until combined. Stir in liqueur, whipping cream or milk, and vanilla.

3. Pour filling into the crust-lined pan. Place springform pan in shallow baking pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until center appears nearly set when gently shaken.

4. Cool in springform pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Using a small sharp knife, loosen from side of pan. Cool for 30 minutes more. Remove side of springform pan. Cool for 1 hour. Cover and chill for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours. Makes 16 servings.

5. *Note: If using a 10-inch springform pan, use 1-3/4 cups crushed chocolate wafers (about 21 cookies) and 7 tablespoons butter, melted, for the crust.

♥Rich, moist Orange Coffee Cake♥

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:52:00 +0000

This cake is so good, it reminds me of pastry. Sanding sugar gives this cake a crunchy top and keeps the inside moist.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup oil, plus more for the pan
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Finely grated zest of 1 orange
1 1/4th cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup white sanding sugar (can be purchased at Michael’s or your local bakery or pastry shop)
Orange segments, for serving

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush bottom and sides of an 8-inch round cake pan with olive oil. Line the bottom with a round of parchment paper and brush paper with the oil.

In a food processor process together oil, eggs, 1 cup sugar, and juice until smooth. Add cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and orange zest and process. Add flour and pulse until just combined. Pour batter into the cake pan and sprinkle top evenly with 1/3 cup sanding sugar.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around edge of cake, invert cake onto a plate, and remove the parchment paper. Gently flip cake back over onto a cooling rack. Cool completely and serve with orange segments.

♥Coconut Macaroon Bird's Nest Cookies♥

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:42:00 +0000

Moist coconut macaroons that look like little nests with an egg inside. The instructions may look a bit long, but this is an easy cookie to make.

2 egg whites, at room temperature
2 squares (2 ounces) unsweetened baking chocolate
1/3 cup hazelnuts
1/4th teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
½ cup powdered sugar
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
1 (14 ounce) bag sweetened coconut flakes. (I used Mounds)
16 to 18 white chocolate Lindt Lindor balls (2 bags)

1. Move the oven racks to the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 275 degrees. Cover two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. Separate eggs, put the egg whites in a large bowl or stand mixer bowl. Save the yolks for something else. Set aside.

3. Microwave hazelnuts on high in a small bowl two times for 30 seconds each time. Stir in between cooking times. Immediately rub together in a paper towel to remove a little of the excess skin. Leave most of the skin on. Chop coarsely and set aside.

4. Melt baking chocolate in a small bowl in the microwave on high 30 seconds at a time. Stir after each stop until melted. Set aside.

5. With a hand mixer or stand mixer beat the egg whites on high until stiff and glossy. Add the salt, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate. Beat until mixed. Stir in the coconut and hazelnuts.

6. Scoop into mounds with a small (size 24) ice-cream scoop or a 1/4th cup dry measuring cup. Place on cookie sheets and make an indent in the middle with your thumb.

7. Place both cookie sheets in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Switch the cookies to the opposite shelf halfway through baking. This will prevent overbrowning. Meanwhile unwrap the candy.

8. Immediately move cookies to a cooling rack and set a timer for exactly 5 minutes (and see notes). Working quickly, set the Lindt balls on top of the cookies. Let cool completely. The Lindt balls may drip a little so you may want to place a sheet of parchment underneath the cookies.

Notes: These cookies need to be just warm enough for the Lindt balls to stick, but if the cookies are too warm the white chocolate will melt into goo. Check and place the Lindt balls on the cookies when they are just slightly warm to the touch, but not hot.

Makes 16 to 18 large cookies.

♥When just one equals one million on Pink Saturday♥

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 06:22:00 +0000

I have been abundantly blessed the by heavens. As a young woman I gave birth to two, healthy, gorgeous sons. Those sons married lovely girls who presented me with seven of the most adorable grandchildren. Out of those seven - there is one, little girl, Rachel Elizabeth, who truly IS all sugar and spice and love and cuddles and curls.

When holidays roll by during the year, Rachel's mommy, Becky, pulls out all of the arts and crafts supplies in their home (volumes, really) and the family sits down to make cards and presents. This Valentine's Day a large, manila envelope arrived at my home with four of the sweetest Valentine's that Rachel and her three brothers had made for me, their Mimi.

With her little thumbs dipped in paint Rachel was helped to make the Valentine you see below. Now, this little card is only one in what must be millions that were sent this year from friends to friends - relatives to relatives - and sweetheart to sweetheart. But THIS ONE - THIS ONE is worth a MILLION DOLLARS and you'll not be able to convince me otherwise.

More Pink Saturday sweetness can be found at Beverly's HOW SWEET the SOUND. Each week this lovely lady takes the time to host this special event focusing on a color that sends it's participants to swooning and fainting! Go see, you won't be disappointed and when you are finished visiting the blogs you will be IN THE PINK!

Pink Saturday apology and regrets...

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:35:00 +0000

I am so sorry that I did not do my Pink Saturday post for you today. The wonderful post I had planned will be here for you next week and you will just melt it is so precious.

Most of you know that I volunteer for animal rescue and help at our shelter. Tragically, someone in animal rescue passed away as a result of her own hand yesterday and I just didn't feel like posting something all cheery and pink when my ♥ is so very sad.

Whenever we, as mere human beings, try so desperately to save lives (animal or human), it can be horribly depressing when we realize that we can't save them all. Most of us work through the depression and come out on the other side stronger and better and more determined. However, and sadly, not all of us come out on the other side alive...

Valentine cookies for my source of unconditonal l♥ve on Pink Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:03:00 +0000

Yesterday I was unsure about what I would like to share for Pink Saturday. I thought of this and I thought of that and then it hit me like a ton of kibble! Our local dog park was having a bake sale on Friday and I had promised to make some of my hand-dipped dog treats for the table. So, what would any self-respecting dog-momma make other than treats decorated and bagged for Valentine's Day. It was a no-brainer - I could make my treats and do Pink Saturday at the same time!

Normally I would have cropped the photo above a little closer but I wanted to show the cord to the left of the dipping bowl. One of the things that always frustrated me when I would dip cookies, candies, pretzels or dog treats was the fact that after a while the chocolate would begin to thicken as it cooled.

On Friday I remembered that I had just purchased a new candle warmer for the family room. The light went off in my head! I could use the little warmer to keep my white chocolate from getting thick as it cooled. I am here to tell you that it works like a charm! One of my greatest frustrations had just disappeared! Now, all I have to do is buy another candle warmer for the family room!

My little dog cookies all decorated and ready for the bake sale. Well, not 'all' of them. Scout and Freyja made me promise to keep a few bags at home for them☺

Scout and Freyja's basket of Valentine treats! Have a wonderful weekend everyone. Cuddle and kiss everyone you love - even if they do have hairy lips☺

Stop on over to Beverly's HOW SWEET the SOUND today for the list of all the blogs celebrating PINK SATURDAY today. You are in for a special treat - they are some of the sweetest bloggers in the Universe.

Don't grill cheese - grill CHOCOLATE to say 'I ♥ you' on Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:12:00 +0000

I don't think my son would want me fixing these for lunch every time I had his little boys for lunch, but every now and then you just have to throw caution to the wind - put on a happy face - sing a little song - and make a grilled sandwich that will NEVER be forgotten. These are one of those sandwiches - YUM! You will have everyone at the table eating out of the palm of your hand...

Ingredients

* 2 (0.375-oz.) good-quality Ghirardelli chocolate squares
* 2 slices French bread
* 3 teaspoons butter, melted (no margarine)
* Powdered sugar
* Garnish: raspberries, strawberries, fresh orange sections

Preparation

Place chocolate squares between 2 French bread slices; brush both sides of sandwich with 1 1/2 tsp. melted butter. Cook in a hot nonstick skillet over medium heat until chocolate is melted and bread is golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar. Garnish with raspberries, if desired.

Other good fillings to include with your chocolate would be raspberry jam, marshmallow cream, toasted pecans, peanut butter, toasted coconut and sliced bananas. All of them compliment the rich chocolate in your sandwich perfectly.
For a little fun, cut bread into heart or other desired shape before filling with chocolate and cooking. We all have great cookie cutters around the house. They're not just for cookies anymore☺

Animals slaughtered for their fur leave living legacy for wildlife babies

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:09:00 +0000

Mimi's note: Each and every day animals throughout our world are slaughtered in the most inhumane fashion for NO other reason than to feed the vanity of human beings. Now, those dear animals that have lost their lives can help orphaned wildlife babies to live. Please, do all you can to help this most worthy endeavor. I cannot think of a better way to honor the dead than to help the living.

By Andrea Cimino If you strayed into the back office of our Fur-Free Campaign, you might think you were in a fur warehouse, rather than in the headquarters of an international animal protection organization. Our staff spends hours each week packing and labeling boxes of fur for shipping—not to fur shops, but to wildlife rehabilitators who use it as bedding for orphaned and injured wildlife such as raccoons, rabbits, foxes, squirrels, and even bobcats. Wildlife rehabilitators say the fur reduces stress in their animal patients, perhaps reminding them of the comfort of snuggling up to their mothers.

Everyday Heroes Donate Fur

Presidents of PR firms, fashion editors, and Long Island homemakers are just a few of the people who made the compassionate decision to become fur-free and donate their fur to The HSUS. From Hawaii to Maine, from England to Slovenia, former fur wearers (and people who have inherited furs from relatives or friends) are proud—and often relieved—to donate their furs to The HSUS.

Each fur donor has their own story to tell. Many people who inherit fur have been long-time supporters of animal protection and would never dream of wearing fur. Yet they don't want to toss out the fur that a relative gave them, nor do they want to resell the fur, and have it be worn by somebody else. For them, donating the coat to help wildlife presents the perfect solution:

Sentimental and Squeamish: A donor from Costa Mesa, California, who sent us a mink stole told us, "I'm not comfortable wearing fur, and because it has sentimental value, I didn't want to just throw it away. Thank you for providing a great use for this fur."
Scared by a Stole: Another donor in Cary, North Carolina, parted with her grandmother's fur with a sense of humor. "Here is a scary-looking fur stole I found among my grandmother's belongings," she told us. "Hopefully the orphaned animals won't find it as disconcerting as I did."
Garish Gift: We also receive many donations from people who received fur as a gift, showing that fur is never a wise choice for a present, since so many people are upset about the animal cruelty inherent in fur garments. Not comfortable refusing the fur, and even more uncomfortable with the thought of wearing it, these people turn to the Coats for Cubs program.

Other donors tell us they purchased a fur item before they realized the extent of the cruelty behind each fur coat, trimmed garment, or accessory. Through their HSUS membership, information from a friend, or an article or video on the fur industry, these fur donators say they realize that the animals need their fur more than we do. The images of animals pacing in tiny wire cages on fur farms or caught in cruel devices such as the steel-jaw leghold trap drive home the idea that fur is cruel and unnecessary. Giving fur back to animals can be an ideal way to provide a happy ending for an item with such a sad beginning.

Fleece Is Warmer than Fox: One donor told us that she bought a pair of fox fur-lined gloves upon moving to Alaska. Shortly afterward, she saw her first arctic fox, who was walking through her backyard. It dawned on her that the fur looked better on the fox than in her gloves, and she decided to donate them to Coats for Cubs. She even sent us a picture of herself wearing fleece garments in the great Alaskan outdoors, telling us how much warmer fleece is than fur.
Rethinking Rabbit: Another donor from Castleton, New York, thanked us for "making me aware of a good use for this rabbit fur coat. I certainly wasn't thinking of the unfortunate rabbits when I purchased it for my daughter about 15 years ago. We are both much more aware now, and are very pleased to know that it may help other animals recover."
New School of Thought: A donor from Middlebury, Vermont, wrote us, "I haven't known what to do with these fur coats for the past 25 years, ever since I became aware of the fur issue. I wish I had been made aware of it in school, before I ever had a chance to buy these two coats. Thanks for coordinating this effort."

Many of the furs donated to us are in near-perfect condition, and might have earned these everyday heroes a lot of money if they resold the items. But for many people, the chance to right the wrong done to the animals killed for their fur is more important than any financial gain.

The Cubs They Saved

The payoff of Coats for Cubs is helping injured and orphaned wildlife with the donated furs. Coats for Cubs has sent donated furs to wildlife centers such as The Fund for Animals' Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Ramona, California, Larimer Humane Society in Fort Collins, Colorado, the Ohio Wildlife Center in Columbus, Ohio, the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association in Errington, British Columbia, Helping Arkansas Wild "Kritters" (HAWK) in Russellville, Arkansas, and to independent wildlife rehabilitators licensed by their state wildlife agencies.

While we send furs to wildlife rehabilitators all over North America, we've given extra to the Gulf area in recent months. Suzy Heck of Heckhaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana, thanked us for sending the furs, explaining that because the center lost everything "due to Hurricane Rita and the flood after, these furs will be much appreciated. We are getting animals in, many still storm related, and soon, the orphans will be appearing."

Anna Harvey, a rehabilitator in Osceola, Iowa, took in a litter of orphaned opossums from a woman who climbed into a dumpster to rescue them. Their mother had been hit by a car, and someone had thoughtlessly thrown the litter into the dumpster. Harvey used our donated fur to comfort the orphans, and reported that they responded well to the fur. "The woman who rescued the opossums from the dumpster is a big hero, as are the people who sent the furs to you. Opossums love the long fur. They are doing well and eating a bit on their own," she wrote to us.

Tracy Beasley, a rehabilitator in Davis, Oklahoma, told us, "my favorite thing to do with the furs is to sew them into pouches of different sizes with draw string tops. They are excellent for orphaned opossums and raccoons. It makes them feel secure and keeps them warm."

In one case, the fur from Coats for Cubs made the difference between life and death. Lynne Slater, a rehabilitator in Arkansas, received a week-old bobcat whose mother had been killed by a car. Slater tried removing the bobcat kitten from the bed at feeding time several times, but the kitten simply would not suckle a baby bottle. Then inspiration struck, and she cut a hole in a Coats for Cubs fur, stuck the baby bottle nipple through the hole, and voila, the kitten drank hungrily. This technique worked until weaning time. Slater said, "Without the Coats for Cubs program, we wouldn't have been able to help this bobcat kitten survive. Thanks so much."

What Kind of Furs do People Donate?

The boxes of fur we ship out to wildlife rehabilitators contain common types of fur like mink, fox, rabbit, and raccoon. Occasionally we receive rarer types of fur, such as lynx and seal fur. The strangest coat of all was a vintage monkey fur coat, now fortunately illegal under CITES.

The donations range from full length fur coats to accessories such as stoles, capes, hats, and handbags, and fur trimmed items such as gloves and jackets.

How Do I Donate?

The HSUS is partnering with Buffalo Exchange, a vintage clothing chain with 25 stores across the country, to collect all kinds of fur, including coats, trim, and accessories. Now through Earth Day, April 22, 2006, you can bring your fur to any Buffalo Exchange store and let the staff know it is a donation for The HSUS. Click here for a list of store locations.

How Will I Know That The HSUS Has Received My Donation?

If you want to receive a letter of thanks, please include a note inside the box stating your email address or your mailing address requesting an acknowledgment. If you've requested an acknowledgment, you will be sent a letter of thanks 2-3 weeks after the fur has arrived. Please save this letter if you want to claim a tax deduction.

What Do I Need to Do If I Want to Claim a Tax Deduction?

If you itemize deductions, you can claim the fair market value of your donation. The fair market value is the amount for which you could sell the fur today—not how much it cost to purchase the fur. This is a judgment call that you will have to make, based on the condition and type of the fur. If you value the fur at $5,000 or more, the Internal Revenue Service will require a "Qualified Appraisal." You must have this appraisal performed before you donate the fur. You may need to include the letter of receipt from The HSUS in your tax returns. If you have any questions, you may want to consult your tax attorney.

I Am a Wildlife Rehabilitator—How Can I Participate?

As more people hear about this wonderful way to aid wildlife, fur donations to The HSUS increase. We are always looking for wildlife rehabilitators who will give the fur back to the animals. If you would like to help, just send an e-mail to furfree@hsus.org, call 301–258-1490, or write to

The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
Attn: Coats for Cubs

To claim a tax deduction for your gift, please mail it directly to The HSUS. Simply pack up the fur in a sturdy box and send it to:

The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L. St. NW
Washington, DC 20037
attn: Coats for Cubs

Please make sure to include your full name and address so The HSUS can mail you a letter suitable for claiming a tax deduction. For more information on the program and claiming a tax deduction, see www.hsus.org/furdonation.

Loveable Conversation ♥Heart♥ Fudge - have some fun with the kids!

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:24:00 +0000

If your little guy tongue-tied when it comes to expressing his feelings (heck the big ones are, too☺), let this microwave fudge do the talking. The recipe's simple enough for older children to do with a little supervision from you. If you have really little dudes in the house, let the older ones make the fudge and the little guys can help decorate! There's always room for everyone when it comes to some good times in the kitchen that will leave lasting memories. Because, that's what it's all about - right - making those memories. (PS: Posted this after I took the pain meds for my back - wonder what I'll find in the morning, hehehe.)

Ingredients

DARK CHOCOLATE LAYER:
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Dash of salt

WHITE CHOCOLATE LAYER:
1 1/4 cups white chocolate chips
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Dash of salt

OTHER INGREDIENTS AND MATERIALS:
Aluminum foil
64 conversation hearts
64 red foil bonbon cups or mini muffin cups
Clear or red cellophane wrap, cut into 64 5- by 6-inch rectangles
Sparkly pipe cleaners in red, pink, or silver Instructions

Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.

In a medium-size, microwave-safe bowl, combine the dark chocolate layer ingredients. Microwave the mixture on high at 30-second intervals until the chocolate is melted (about a minute), stirring at each interval. When the mixture's smooth, use a spatula to spread it evenly into the prepared pan.

In another medium-size microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate layer ingredients. Repeat the melting process as described in step 2, but stir at 20-second intervals, as white chocolate tends to scorch easily. Spread the white chocolate evenly over the dark chocolate layer.

While the fudge is still warm, use a knife to gently score it into 1-inch squares, then put a candy heart on top of each square.

Chill the fudge uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm. Lift the foil to remove the fudge from the pan and place the whole hunk of fudge on a cutting board. Use a large knife (a parent's job) to cut apart the squares, then peel off the foil from the bottom.

Place each fudge square into a foil bonbon cup or mini muffin cup. Center the cup on a cellophane square and wrap it as shown on page 53, using 1-inch pieces of pipe cleaner to secure the ends. Makes 64 bite-size pieces. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for added firmness.

Lighter than air Espresso Cream Puffs - you're SO worth it☺

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:35:00 +0000

OK, we all want to be as slim and trim as we were at 16, but it's not going to happen in this lifetime so we might as well indulge ourselves a little every now and then. I've trimmed as many calories as possible off these light as air and rich and yummy cream puffs as humanly, or humanely possible☺Make these. Call your best friend. Put on a pot of coffee. Set the table and open the door. These are to be shared with someone you care about and laugh with and giggle with and share secrets with...go on - you are SO worth it!

Cream puffs never go out of style. I added espresso powder to give these a new flavor and a little punch. To lighten them, I decreased the butter in the puffs and used fat-free milk. I also added gelatin and whipped topping to the pastry cream for an incredibly light and creamy filling that holds up well.

Ingredients

* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup fat-free milk
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1 tablespoon instant espresso granules or 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
* 2 large eggs
* 1 large egg white
* Cooking spray

Pastry cream:

* 1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
* 1 tablespoon water
* 3/4 cup fat-free milk
* 6 tablespoons sugar
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 2 large egg yolks
* 3/4 cup frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
* Powdered sugar (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°
To prepare cream puffs, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside. Combine 1 cup milk, butter, and espresso granules in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; add flour mixture, stirring well until mixture is smooth and pulls away from sides of pan. Remove mixture from heat. Add eggs and egg white, one at a time, beating well with a wooden spoon until smooth.

Drop the dough by level tablespoons, 2 inches apart, onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°; bake an additional 10 minutes or until browned and crisp. Remove from oven; pierce the side of each cream puff with the tip of a sharp knife. Turn oven off; let cream puffs stand in partially closed oven for 20 minutes. Remove from baking sheet; cool completely on a wire rack.

To prepare pastry cream, sprinkle gelatin over water in a small bowl; set aside. Combine 3/4 cup milk and next 5 ingredients (milk through egg yolks) in a medium saucepan. Place over low heat; cook until warm, stirring constantly. Stir in gelatin mixture; cook over medium heat until thick (about 8 minutes), stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Place pan in a large ice-filled bowl; let stand 15 minutes or until room temperature (do not allow mixture to set). Remove pan from ice. Gently whisk in whipped topping. Cover and chill 4 hours or until thick.

Cut tops off cream puffs; fill each cream puff with 1 tablespoon filling. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

♥Rich, creamy chocolate truffles for your sweetheart♥

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:03:00 +0000

I just l♥ve to make goodies that are incredibly easy - yet - they dazzle and delight the taste buds. These sweetie pies are one of those fun-to-make and luscious-to-eat treats that are fun from beginning to the end! Valentine's Day is around the corner. If you've never made truffles before - well, it's about time. There's nothing all that difficult or magical about creating them - BUT there is magic in the taste - YUM☺

Ingredients

* 20 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into small pieces (or semisweet chocolate chips)
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup heavy cream

Preparation

MAKE THE FILLING: Place 8 ounces of the chocolate pieces and the butter in a large bowl. In a small saucepan over low heat, bring the cream to a simmer. Remove from heat and pour half the cream into the bowl.

As the chocolate melts, slowly whisk the mixture together until smooth. Then gradually add the remaining cream until it's completely incorporated and the ganache is thick and shiny.

FORM THE TRUFFLES: Pour the ganache into a 2-inch-deep baking pan, spread evenly, and place in the freezer for 30 minutes or until set (it should have the consistency of fudge). Using a melon baller or a small spoon, form rounds and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Let the truffles harden in the freezer for about 15 minutes. After removing from the freezer, roll truffles between your hands into marble-size spheres, squeezing slightly (try to do this quickly, otherwise they'll become too soft). You can now dust the truffles with cocoa and serve them as is, but they'll hold their shape better if you coat them with chocolate first.

MAKE THE COATING: Let the truffles rest in the freezer while you make the chocolate glaze. Place the remaining chocolate pieces in a large bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove from heat and let cool at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate starts to set at the edge of the bowl. Drop the truffles into the melted chocolate and retrieve them with a fork, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off. Garnish immediately or leave the truffles plain and proceed to step 5.

GARNISH: For a nut garnish, roll the freshly coated truffles in a shallow dish of chopped nuts. For a sugar or cocoa garnish, set the freshly coated truffles on a plate and sift the garnish over them. Turn the truffles and sift again to cover completely.

STORAGE: Place the truffles on the lined baking sheet and allow them to set in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Truffles will keep for about 2 weeks, chilled or at room temperature, when stored in a tightly sealed container.

♥Pink Saturday hearts are a'flutter in anticipation of Valentine's Day♥

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:11:00 +0000

I haven't been around much this past week due to a little back injury☺ There was an accident earlier this week where my garage door and I had a difference of opinion. I wanted it up and it wanted to be down. I think it won the first round because I felt and heard things snapping in my back that I haven't heard in along, long time! OUCH! Needless to say, I saw a few stars (on a sunshiny day) and ended up on pain meds and steroids. I have spent more time resting these past few days than I normally do when the sun is shining and I have things to do☺ I must say, though, my dogs and kitties just ♥'d the extra time spent snuggling and cuddling. Now, on to Pink Saturday and Valentine's Day preparations!

I picked up these sweet, pink lights at Walgreen's last year at the end of the holiday and have been waiting to hang them around my kitchen window since then. So, before they make their appearance and warm the evening with their sweet silhouette, I am sharing them with you today.☺

It's cold and flu season. So far, I have been so fortunate to not have needed copious amounts of tissue to clear my head but I always have them handy in all rooms. With three, little boys running around here a couple of weekends each month I know a good friend when I meet one and - tissues are a grandma's friend during cold season!

I always have so much fun during the Valentine season. I see my favorite color everywhere I go symbolized by a shape that is universal when it comes to bringing out the romantic in all of us - young, old, thick, thin, man, woman, child, married or single. I picked these darling heart-shaped marshmallows at Big Lots a day or so ago. Tomorrow I'll go by the grocery to buy some Strawberry Milk which will be warmed to PURRfection, loaded with whipped cream until it just barely flows over the edge of the mug and toped off with one of these plump, soft confections of love. My grandsons and I will sit around the kitchen table and plan on how each of us is going to jazz up our cupcakes which will be the craft of the weekend.

Close to Valentine's Day I'll have Joe, Ben and Josh spend the night so their mom and dad can get out for a romantic evening. My plans are for us to bake some cherry cupcakes and to apply some little doilies around their edge, so when they take them home as gifts to their parents the cuppy♥cakes will look like little creations of l♥ve and affection. Why don't you collect the few supplies necessary, sit down with someone you love and spend time laughing, smiling. hugging and making little treasures to share with the important people in your lives?

I realize that cupcakes have been enjoying the spotlight for awhile now, and may one day soon be replaced by a bunt cake or a pound cake but don’t you just l♥ve cupcakes? They have just as many calories (or perhaps more) than a slice of cake, we swoon over them at every opportunity. It’s a portable indulgence everyone deserves on any given day, not just on special occasions.

With that in mind and with the coming of Valentine's Day, I thought these little guys should have a make-over of sorts to elevate them even more - is that possible? - as our passionate sensation of the day☺

Buy some run-of-the-mill four inch doilies (this size fits a cuppy♥cake perfectly) and fold them in half being careful to only crease the center – not the lacy outer edge. Remove the inner circle of paper with scissors or an exacto knife. (I've used both and find I have no preference. It all depends on my mood and how close I am to the materials required.) Slip the doilie skirt up your cupcake and there you go! You can really let your imagination run wild from there adding whatever suits your fancy. Add bows, rhinestones, pearls, little candies - have fun because after all - it MUST be FUN!

These are so much fun to make and such a pleasure to give to friends, family, teachers and, of course, YOU because YOU are worth it, yes, you certainly are - each and every bite!

Be sure to stop by Beverly's HOW SWEET THE SOUND to check out all of the wonderful blogs that participate in PINK SATURDAY. If you ♥ pink it's the place to be today!

A WORD ABOUT REDUNDANT OVERKILL! There are so many participants on Pink Saturday that asking us to enter codes only to find out that you are going to moderate the comment as well is OVERKILL. Please do one or the other. Doing both serves no purpose and causes people to leave your blog frustrated about the hoops they had to jump through. I visit each and every blog - it is frustrating to say the least.

One good way to speed the process for all of us on Pink Saturday would be to remove all barriers to comments for the day only. Wouldn't that be nice?

Pink Saturday Girlie Stuff + ♥Almost homemade Black Forrest Cupcakes for your Valentine♥

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:30:00 +0000

Another Pink Saturday has rolled around that needs some PINK attention.This week I am sharing a girlie-girlie post with you. Guess I'm in the mood for spring even though it's still very cold outside and we still have a bundle of snow on the ground and can't see any grass☺ This is my cheer-me-up post. My cuddly, sweet and happy post that will warm me up and help me to realize that spring will come sooner or later and that winter will be just a memory☺

The photo above is cute but the little marabou feather and pink satin ribbon fairy laurel is much sweeter when you can touch those floofy feathers and feel the whipped cream surface of the ribbons. This little goodie will be sent to my grand-daughter for Valentine's Day, along with some other items, to make her day special. Rachel loves to play dress-up and truly believes she is a little princess (three brothers + three male cousins help her with that impression of herself☺), so I like to reinforce her knowing that she is my little lady.

For a little smile, I'm including a PhotoShopped image of my Miss Camille Suzanne. Being a fussy, little gal, her Saturday night bubble bath is a must if she is going to keep her white furs all soft, silky and touchable! This photo was featured on my kitty blog along with others when she was getting ready for a night on the town with her suitor, Dante. (We sure have a lot of fantasy fun over there☺.)

I just love these guest soaps. To wash your hands or face you peel a petal off the pink rosebud, hold it under water and there you go - luxurious, scented bubbles just for you! When done, just toss the petal into your waste basket. I bought several of these from a local artisan because I love pink and I love roses and I love to share and give gifts. In fact, I bought so many I am offering a couple of them for sale on my Etsy pages. I just ♥ feeling like a girl☺

Last, but certainly not least, is my PINK recipe of the week for you. This one is so simple and easy - perfect for whipping up for your little one to take to school or Sunday Bible studies or for you to bake at a moment's notice to take to work or share with neighbors. Moist and cute as a button - what more could you want!

♥Almost homemade Black Forrest Cupcakes for your Valentine♥

Ingredients

* 1 (18.25-ounce) box devil's food cake mix
* 1 1/3 cups black cherry soda
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil
* 3 eggs
* 1 container vanilla frosting
* 2 teaspoons cherry extract
* 1 to 2 drops pink food coloring
* 24 whole maraschino cherries with stems

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two (12-cup) muffin tins with paper liners.

In a large bowl combine cake mix, soda, vegetable oil and eggs. Using a hand mixer combine all ingredients, batter will still be somewhat lumpy. Pour batter into muffin cups. Bake 19 to 22 minutes, turning the pans halfway through baking. Remove to a rack and allow to cool completely.

In a large bowl combine frosting, extract and pink food coloring. When cupcakes are cool ice with pink cherry frosting and top each with maraschino cherry.

Be sure to stop by Beverly's HOW SWEET THE SOUND to check out all of the wonderful blogs that participate in PINK SATURDAY. If you ♥ pink it's the place to be today!

One good way to speed the process for all of us on Pink Saturday would be to remove all barriers to comments for the day only. Wouldn't that be nice?

Comforting bean and cabbage soup (grab the Bean-o☺)

noreply@blogger.com (♥Mimi♥) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:37:00 +0000

More than just bean soup. More than just cabbage soup. This soup will stick to your ribs, warm you up and make you feel good from the inside out.

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
a big pinch of sea salt
1/2 pound potatoes, skin on, cut 1/4-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
5 cups stock. Make with vegetable bouillon for ease of preparation.
1 1/2 cups white beans, precooked or canned (drained, rinsed well)
1/2 medium cabbage, cored and sliced into 1/4-inch ribbons
more good-quality extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Warm the olive oil in a large thick-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the salt and potatoes. Cover and cook until they are a bit tender and starting to brown a bit, about 5 minutes - it's o.k. to uncover to stir a couple times.

Stir in the garlic and onion and cook for another minute or two. Add the stock and the beans and bring the pot to a simmer. Stir in the cabbage and cook for a couple more minutes, until the cabbage softens up a bit.

Now adjust the seasoning - getting the seasoning right is important or your soup will taste flat and uninteresting. Taste and add more salt if needed, the amount of salt you will need to add will depend on how salty your stock is (varying widely between brands, homemade, etc). Continue to simmer until cabbage is tender. This is a judgment call - I like mine well done, others prefer a bit more firmness - you'll know☺

Serve drizzled with a bit of olive oil and a generous dusting of cheese.