The crispy-chrunchy.

baked wheat snack !
1 pkg Crab Delights Flakes
1 (8oz) pkg Cream Cheese, softened
1 (8oz) jar Seafood Cocktail Sauce
1 (4oz) pkg shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Kroger Original Wheat Crisps Snack Crackers
Spread cream cheese on wheat Crisps Snack Crackers top with cocktail sauce.
Crab Delights and mozzarella cheese, OR- Spread cream cheese across the bottom of a 8"x8" pan. Layer with Crab Delights, cocktail sauce and mozzarella cheese Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with Crackers Refrigerate left overs.

1 (8oz) pkg Cream Cheese softened
1 (8oz ) container Sour Cream
1 pkt of (dry) Ranch Dressing
1 pkt of (dry) Italian Dressing
Kroger Original Wheat Crisps Snack Crackers
In a small mixing bwl blend all ingredients together, cover and chill at least 1 hour before serving

coffee bars

chicago; intelligentsia coffee & tea - Low-key Intelligentsia is one of the most respected coffee roasters in the country. Coffee buyer Geoff Watts, a pioneer in direct-trade coffee movement when Intelligenysia launched in 1995, was among the first to seek individual growers, cutting out middlemen. Intelligentsia now has four outposts, the newest is in Los Angeles, 3123 N Broadway St - intelligentsiacoffee.com

SanFrancisco -BLUE BOTTLE CAFE -At Blue Bottle Coffee Company's new spot is just off Mint Plaza. owner, James Freeman brews coffee with a custom-siphon system using freshly roasted beans - his claim to fame for the past six years. The cafe also serves simple food, such as perfectly poached eggs on toast. 66 Mint St - bluebottlecoffee.net

Boutique Wine Tours Consider it the ultimate one-on-one guide to Napa: Monica Collins, founder of the new concierge service. All Access Napa Valley, arranges itineraries that might include visits to the custom crush facilities of supersmall producers like Cavus and Relic, as well as a personal tasting with star winemaker Robert Foley. - allaccessnapavalley.com

enduring

According to--------------
An unplanned catch damaged a Texas fishing boat and left the captain with an amazing story about a 375 - pound shark that didn't get away.
Jason Kresse told the Associated Press it was "unreal" to seean 8-foot mako shark jump into his 25-foot boat and flop around for hours before dying.
A forklift was used to unload the shark Monday when the boat docked at Freeport, 55 miles south of Houston.
Kresse and two crewmen were fishing for red-snapper, 50 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. He says fish guts were dumped into the water and the shark apparently went into a frenzy, launching itself into the boat.
Nobody was hurt.
The shark will be displayed at a seaport company.

energy rebates

The 2011 ENERGY STAR sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. (after idnight) on Saturday May 28, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday May 30 (Memorial Day)
The products qualifying for the exemption are:
Air conditioners priced at $6,000. or less
Refrigerators priced at $2,000. or less
Ceiling fans
Incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs
Clothes washers*
Dishwashers
Dehumidifiers
Programable thermostats**
*Because most dryers use similar amounts of energy, ENERGY STAR does not label clothes dryers.
**ENERGY STAR specification of programmable thermostats was suspended on December 31, 2009; however, any existing stock of ENERGY STAR labeled programmable thermostats offered for sale by retailers is still eligible for the exemption.
----------There is no limit on the number of qualifying items one can purchase during this sales tax holiday, and an exemption certificate is not required.

What the critics say. . . . . . . .

Motor Trend The Fisher Karma is a "genuinely unique proposition" - a plug-in-rechargeable-gas-electric hybrid with a "jaw-slackening design manifesto" It can travel 50 miles as an electric vehicle and another 260 miles on gasoline, and a solar-cell roof extends its annual cost-free range up to 200 miles. Weighing a hefty 4,100 pounds it doesn't have much "sizzle" in fuel-saving Stealth mode, but in Sprot mode this EV "gets genuinally frisky" - and still delivers an estimated 67 mpg.
Car and Driver The Karma delivers "sexy design stirred with a heap of sustainability" Two rear-axe;-mounted electric generators provide propulsion, supplemented by a 260-hp gas engine sourced by General Motors. The four-door exterior is stunning, and the four-seat interior is "elegantly tailored" with "lovely custom touches" By any standard this is " a beautiful luxurious machine." 2012 Fisher Karma Price $95,900
You should count it as a bonus that the Fisher Karma also "goes easy on the guilt."

a dictionary

Dumbwaiter - One who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.
Verbal - able to whine in words.
Show off - a child who is more talented than yours.
Independent - How we want our children to be as long as they do everything we say.
Family Planning - The art of spacing your children the proper distance apart to keep you on the edge of financial disaster.
Full name - What you call your child when you're mad at him.
Feedback - The inevitable result when your baby doesn't appreciated the strained carrots.
For syrup, in a small saucepan combine the cream 1/4 c (whipping) brown sugar 3 TBS, butter 2TBS, cherries 1TBS dried cherries, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes> Remove from heat - stir in vanilla 1/4 tsp. serve with cherry granola french toast.

storage guide

FOOD
Fresh Fruit: Sort to remove injured fruit before storing. Refrigerate ripe tomatoes, apples, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, limes, kumquats, tanerines, peaches, apricots, cherries, grapes, pears, plums, and rhubarb in a loosely covered container or perforated moisture-vaporproof bag to reduce wilting and drying. Store bananas, melons, avacados, and pineapple at cool room temperature. Store berries dry in the refrigerator, wash before serving.
To ripen fruit place in a well-ventilated area at room temperature, avoid direct sunlight. Tomatoes, peaches, bananas, avacados, pears, and plums can be ripened. Refrigerate ripened fruit, except bananas, till ready to use.
Dried fruit, nuts: Store dried fruit in tightly closed container at room temperature. Nuts, will keep longer if refrigerate in tightly covered containers. Unshelled and unsalted nuts stay fresher.

Did you know..........

K rations During the Second World War, the army relied on K rationsfor their emergency nutritional field rations. The K stood for the man who invented the portable meals, biologist Ancel Keys.
Girls' names Those thinking of giving their baby girl a name that starts with T might want to consider "Tabitha" from the Greek meaning gazella. Another possibility is "Trixie" from the Latin, it's a variation of Beatrix meaning "she who makes others happy"
Night Vision Their very large pupils make it possible for owls to have good night vision. The zebra is another creature with night vision that matches an owl's.
Interesting word: Here's an interesting word: fogdog. It's that shaft of light that shines through a break in the fog.
---lighter side ----All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

6 ?

Can You Believe ----An anti-smoking group in Minnesota became so militant 3 state lawmakes resigned from their board. One lawmaker suggested the group should give gants to restaurants and bar owners for ventilation systems instead of funding groups with a tobacco vendetta.
A lawmaker with a since of justice how refreshing.
Visit Smokerswelcome.com - 1-800 74-DORAL

How to enter

The only criteria is that your talent is not currently your main source of income.
Best Artist
Sculpture, sketching, painting or photography - we'd love to see examples of yoyr art. Send
us a good-quality photos of up to three pieces and describe the inspiration behind them.
Judges will ask to see shortlisted work. Win ! An introduction to a leading gallert (lemonstreetgallert.co.uk) and 100 of vouchers for Windsor & Newton art materials
(winsornewton.com)
All Category Winners will receive a Blackberry Torch
Closing date 3 June 2011.
Kitchen Table Talent of the year
Download the entry form at allaboutyou.com/talent.
COUNTRY LIVING April 2011

Know thy screen

Find out if your phone's screen features a soil-resistant coating. If so, use a dry clean cloth to clean. Otherwise, use " a slightly dampened microfiber or lens-cleaning cloth." Avoid soaps and cleansers.
-Get in the crevices. Treat handhelds as you would a computer keyboard. Remove dirt using either a can of compressed air or a small brush "like a baby's toothbrush" If keys remain sticky, try a remoistened electronics-cleaning wipe and work into crevices with a fingernail or a toothpick.

Can You Belive ?!?

Vini and the Demons a blues band, refused to play at the Jacksonville, Florida Blues Festival Because they couldn't smoke on stage. OK smokers, let's give the Demons their due - - if adult smokers don't start speaking out for their rights, we'll all be smokeless and singing the blues.
Visit SmokersWelcome.com or call toll free at 1-800-74-DORAL to find out ore about Smokers Rights *Calls offers and website restricted to legal age smokers

say day

2 store bought "Keeblers applesauce raisin oatmeal cookies"
1 1/2 tsp peter pan peanut butter
1 tsp smuckers fruit preserves strawbery
no cooking required - enjoy
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1 flour tortilla (6-8") lightly toasted or slightly warmed to ready
2 to 4 tbs fresh hot salsa - or Pace medium Salsa
2oz shredded cheddar cheese
2oz cheese mozzarella -monterey - provolone -parmesean - your choice - mix or blend
sausage or peperoni or poultry or ground beef / olives / jalepenio /mushrooms/
hot oven til its perfectly melted - careful it's hoy to start - leftovers
zap in microwave 10-15secs
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fresh strawberries eashed and sliced sprinkled with sugar chilled
a huge slice of chocolate pound cake - line bowl with Redi-Whip and cake
add strawberries top and cover completely with redi-whip top with strawberries
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Sugar

Sugar - this term refers to beet or cane granulayed white sugar.
Confectioners' or powdered sugar is granulated sugar crushed and screened to desired fineness. Often used in frostings.
Brown sugar is refined less than granulated sugar. The darker the color the more molasses remaining on the sugar crystals and the stroner flavor.
Granulated brown sugar is measured like white sugar. Adjust recipes when substituting for moist brown sugar.

Tea and Receptions

One of the most delightful traditions in entertaining is the afternoon tea or reception. When the tea is small, the beverage and simple foods may be placed on a tray or small table. Arrange a teapot, hot water pot, sugar and creamer to the right of the hostess for easy serving. Cups and saucers, stacked plates, silverware and napkins are placed to her left.
A formal tea or reception usually is given in honor of a person or a special occasiion. It is customary to serve two beverages at a large tea or reception. The tea service sits on one end of a large table. The other beverage, coffee or a light punch, is at the other end. Set cups and saucers on the left, teaspoons and napkins on the right, and food platters in easy reach along the length of the table.

Centerpieces

For a centerpiece, let your mood and resoucres be your guide. There's no end to the list of materials that lend themselves to creative, imaginative centerpieces - flowers, plants, fruits, vegetables, branches of trees and shrubbery, candles, driftwood. Special containers are not necessary. Take a fresh look at your miscellaneous possessions. You might use cream pitchers, low dishes, wicker baskets, or even bottles.
As the focal point, the centerpice shoukd be in harmony with the rest of the table. It can echo the lines of your flatware and glassware or pick up the colors of your china. A centerpiece with table linen colors gives a unifying effect.
For variety, place decorations at the end or on one side of the table. This also gives the table a more balanced look when serving an odd number of guests.
Candles, especially the highly decorated ones, often used more for decorations than for light. Candles used after dark should be lit.
Flowers are a natural favorite for table decorations. Always place formal arrangements for sit-down meals in the center so they wikl look good in all directions. Keep height below 14 inches. Taller ones may be used on buffet tables. Set potted plants in saucers or leakproof containers.