If you have not done it:

1. Go see The Darkest Hour. It is a great movie!
2. Read Brian Kilmead’s book about Andrew Jackson-The Miracle of New Orleans
3. Let me know what you think.

[email protected]

It is cold here today. I wish you warmth wherever YOU are, but today we had light snow, freezing rain, and fog-yes, all in one day. The good news is that the trees are covered with ice and look like the most beautiful Christmas card you have ever seen.

So, on a bad day:

1. Read a good magazine. I like Good Housekeeping or the Magnolia Journal
2. Do a crossword puzzle. I do the one in my newspaper.
3. Bake something. I am making the 2 ingredient Angel Food Cake. One can of crushed pineapple, (20 oz.) One box of Angel Food Cake mix-I use Duncan Hines. Just follow directions.
4. Light a candle, put on some music and take a bath.

Boy, I feel better already? How about YOU?

I have a little wooden sign hanging on the knob of my kitchen shelf that says “DREAM.” I love it because it reminds me daily that so many dreams actually do come true. Remember the song that says “If you ain’t got a dream, how ya gonna make a dream come true?” Well, believe it.

If you do have a dream, a goal, an ambition, or even a secret yearning you will have a pretty dry life in my opinion. If you want a pick- me- up, watch a program on HGTV on a Friday night called “My Lottery Dream Home” and enjoy the fun. Lottery winners are taken to homes they might purchase with part of their newly found $$$$ and it is a hoot. The presenter really makes the show. He is enthusiastic, fun and supportive equally for a 100K house or a 10 million dollar house and the guests get in the spirit of the task. Talk about a happy show!!

Anyway, I’m just saying-Dream a little and maybe things will look up for you.  Love, Judith

They say that beauty is only skin deep, but I say if that is the case, girl, you better take really good care of your skin!!

On that note, I recently read in Good Housekeeping Magazine that Oil of Olay is their top pick for the price in skin moisturizers. The Olay Regenerist, that is. It won over products costing up to $400, and I buy two jars for $36 at Sam’s Club.  Yes,  I actually happen really to use it and I have for so many years that my daughter calls it Oil of Old Lady. 

It works for me. I alternate once in a while so that I am not using the same thing all the time and my second favorite is the amazing avocado. Mash half an avocado with a tea spoon of mayo and spread it all over your face. If you are feeling bold, put it in your hair too! leave on for five minutes then rinse it all off in the shower.

Let me know how you like it.

There was a time when people ate more than 350 different types of plants in a year.  Now, the number is less than 50!

Markham Regional Arboretum Society

I found this in a cook book and checked it out. It is actually true. The current lack of variety in our plant based diets is attributed to several factors. Among them is the fact that there are fewer home gardens, lack of choice in grocery stores, and fewer farmer’s markets. Another factor is that there simply is not the demand for foods that are considered exotic.

Again, I found this hard to believe, but check out your grocery store produce counter: broccoli, corn, salad ingredients (Lettuce/tomatoes/ green onions) some squashes, carrots, a bunch of bagged salads, and imported fruits.

This is not a complaint, but I do wonder not only about lack of variety, but about the fact that statistics also show that many people simply do not cook anymore. What do YOU think?

Love, Judith

PS-We have many farmer’s markets around here in season and I shop/love them, but even here there is a lack of variety.

I live in a pretty cold climate. Yes, it is cold here and the wind howls up to 30 miles per hour. It is 16 degrees today. Last night I made a big mistake. I watched a program called Island Life on HGTV. A couple was looking to buy a vacation home in the Abacos Islands and everyone on the show had on a bathing suit and a lovely tan. they were splashing around in the ocean, scuba diving, and sitting outside eating fried shrimp. What a downer.

OK, so on to the next-I now vow to not let the cold get me down! I am going to go someplace every day and bundle up so as not to be defeated by mother nature. I live here and I love it so let’s MOVE ON, fellow cold weather guys!