Life Is Good

Life Is Good

Friday, March 26, 2010

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

Thursday, March 25, 2010

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.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

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

My Family

My Family
Christmas in OH

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home
Harvest 2015