My friend's new book

I'm blatantly promoting my friend's new book "My Orange Duffel Bag." If you've got an older teen this is a great book to help them realize their dreams and goals. From a parent's perspective I like this book because it helps my own 15 year old understand that her life (and her parents) is pretty darn good compared to the life Sam had growing up.

I highly recommend this book. It's a great book too for all teens but it's a homerun for the teen who isn't a reader. The book is graphically beautiful. Your teen will want to make this their own--it's almost a journaling experience.

Anyway, check it out

Book Description:
In this graphic mini-memoir combined with transformational self-help, Sam Bracken shares his harrowing story of growing up in a family best described as a whacked-out version of The Brady Bunch.
Despite being abandoned at age 15 and suffering unspeakable abuse, Sam triumphed over the odds and offers a message of hope, love and forgiveness.

See Sam's interview on

Monetizing my blog

I am no expert  but everybody seems to be doing it so here goes. Plug in a product name and you'll be linked directly to Amazon. I am a big time Amazon user and it's almost as indispensable to me as Google. I use Amazon mostly for books and audios but I'm moving my life to the Frugal Zone what with Obama-care looming in our future. (Now you know my politics but I can't help feeling like we're going to hell in a handbasket and we're going there fast.)

Oh and another kick I'm on. I experimented with my Mrs. Fields cookie recipe last night and substitued half of the butter with blueberry and spinach puree, added a scoop of flax, and mix my flour with half whole wheat and half white.  I also made only a half recipe.

MRS. FIELDS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

2 c. butter (half blueberry/spinach puree) 2 c. brown sugar 2 c. white sugar 4 eggs 1 tbsp. vanilla 3 c. oat bran (I used oatmeal) 5 c. flour (less 1 scoop and I added 1 scoop ground flax) 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. baking powder Add last: 2 (12 oz.) pkg. milk chocolate chips Cream first 5 ingredients until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients. Mix until all ingredients are blended. Bake at 400 degrees for 6-12 minutes. Do not overbake.

Phil and Daysa were gone last night so I tested them on the neighbor kids and I got RAVE reviews. They all said they loved them and I should make more. Try it and tell me what you think.

P.S. The cookies do have a green tint to them.

March 5, 2010 THE GOOD, THE BAD. AND THE UGLY

The Good: Where I Live

This is looking out my window as I sit at the computer.

The Bad: Yesterday's Weather

Backyard shot

The Ugly: Driving to Work in it


Out the front door