4 to 5 servings

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 cup vodka

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil and butter over medium heat until the butter melts.
2. Add the onion and saute’ until tender but not browned, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes, cream, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
5. Add the vodka and continue cooking for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vodka evaporates slightly and the sauce thickens.

 - duffkin

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Have you ever wanted to get a taste of China but don’t have the budget for a trip to the Orient?

Then you need to head the car to The Forbidden Gardens in Katy, TX.

The gardens are an outdoor museum replicating some of China’s historic treasures.  You can wander through a scale copy of the Forbidden City, the old emperor’s palace in Beijing.

You can see the vacation getaway for Chinese royal — the Lodge of the Calming of the Heart.

They also have replicas of the famous army of terra-cotta soldiers.

www.forbidden-gardens.com

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My bad luck to sit next to the person who seems to always have a bad day at home.

Since my work is only fill in at a job in factory, I always have to spend the rest of the afternoon listening to this fella complain about how immature his wife is.  They married young, no kids are involved yet.

What polite words can I tell him that I am not interested in listening to his problems?  I don’t want to offend him since we both attend the same church here in town.

Radios unfortunately have been banned from the work site because of unfortunate mishaps in the past.  Any help anyone out there can give me?

- Otto

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Most of the time, they don’t.

Squirrels really do work hard to hide and bury nuts and each may bury thousands of them per year.

Unfortunately, their memories are about as good as this writer’s memory and they forget what they buried twenty minutes after hiding it.

The nuts they do find later on are generally not their own and are located through their excellent sense of smell.

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Mu Lan was a folk heroine of the Han Dynasty.  According to legend, she was an expert swordswoman and warrior who dressed as a boy and went to war in place of her elderly father, who was too sickly to fight.

Having no son, her father had trained her from childhood in the martial arts.

Disney’s animated film, “Mulan,” presents a version of this tale aimed at children.

The Disney Mulan, a young girl who doesn’t quite fit into her tradition-bound society, ends up saving all of China from an invading Hun army, led by a monstrous and ruthless Hun leader, Shan-Yu.

Along the way, she finds true love in the form of the courageous Captain Shang.

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Who is the first “spokes-animal” you remember?

If you are over twenty-five chances are it is Elsie the Cow, the spokes-cow for Borden Dairies.

Around before the Energizer Bunny, the Quick Bunny and even Morris the cat, Elsie was THE symbol of milk for many a generation.

You can visit the original Elsie the Cow’s grave (originally Elsie was named Lobelia) in Plainsboro, NJ.  A few miles NE of Princeton.  From Rt.  1 go east on Scudder’s Mill Road, then right at the Plainsboro Rd.  connector onto Plainsboro Rd.  After going over a small bridge, take the first right into the Walker-Gordon housing development and park in the first lot on the right.

The headstone is to the right next to the little gazebo, right down by the pond.

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I’m so glad to have a place to vent my frustration about those SLOW DRIVERS who use themselves as a PACE CAR..

(I call them “turtles”) or “Sunday drivers”.  They only do the posted speed limit, for fear of the police.  ( But, do you really want to go through life with sweaty palms?)  They will not bother you if you are driving safely.  I don’t mind that at all, or if you just wish to drive and enjoy the scenery as I also sometimes do, but when in a “no-passing” zone, they should notice the cars behind them and put their right-hand signal light on, move over a little, and let people pass them!!

This also happens on highways when two of them are side-by-side and block anyone from passing.  There are signs that say, “slower vehicles keep right”.

I usually have to sound my horn to the car in the left lane until they wake up and notice what is happening.  Usually you can see them talking (with their hands waving) to someone else in the car and are oblivious to what is going on.  Please save your conversations for when you can really communicate without being distracted by driving.  This is a scary thought, they are in their own world and could not react to a situation safely.

I don’t consider myself a fast driver, just one who is alert and wants to get where I am going…as the school bus drivers and trucks do.  People should be able to go any speed that they feel they can safely maneuver, but please, people, LET US PASS!!  and USE YOUR REAR-VIEW MIRROR to be aware of what’s happening!

Fast drivers are NOT the ones who cause accidents…reckless and unaware drivers do, and those under “the influence” of something.  Driving is a serious matter, and I consider it one of the most important JOBS that I do, especially in this overcrowded world today.

I do not drive for a living, but put it in the highest priority.  People also should NOT be talking on the phone while driving…it takes your concentration off of what you are doing.  If you have ever had an “adjustment” at the chiropractor, you will notice that he/she asks you a question just before he/she snaps your head to the right or left…that is to distract you to your answer and when you start talking, they can safely snap it without causing harm.

So please, keep your mind on driving safely, and be courteous to others and AWARE of what’s going on around you.  Also, remember to use your signal lights well before you make a turn, so that those behind you can anticipate your actions…this is how rear-end crashes happen, and DON’T ride anyone’s bumper!  If someone rides yours, just MOVE OVER and let them pass; you will be much safer!

And you Reckless Drivers out there, realize that driving is not a GAME for your amusement, you only get one life, so let’s make it safe for everyone!  Thanks for listening, this has been a long time coming, and I would like to hear other opinions on the subject.

 - Carolyn (with an excellent driving record)

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Jeanne Laisne (or possibly “Forquet”) was just a teenager when, in 1472, she joined in the defense of the French city of Beauvais, which was under attack by the troops of Charles the Bold, the Duke of Burgundy.

The city was in dire peril, as the attacking Burgundians has already started coming over the battlements.  One had even planted Charles’ flag.

Jeanne, however, ran forward and gave the enemy soldier a push and, as he tumbled into the moat, she used her hatchet to chop down the hated flag.

Her heroic action lifted the morale of the citizens and they were able to repel the attack.

Louis XI honored Jeanne (now known as “Jeanne Hachette”) with a procession (which is still held in Beauvais).

During the annual procession, women march in the front and the men follow behind.

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If you’re in the neighborhood of Spring Green, Wisconsin this holiday season, drop by The House on the Rock for it’s annual Christmas tour.  The house was built in the 1940’s by Alex Jordan who intended it to be a weekend retreat.  However people were so fascinated by the this 14-room home literally built on a 60-foot sandstone formation known as Deer Shelter Rock, that he began to charge a 50 cent admission and the house’s fame grew from there.  The House on the Rock is known for its extremes.  Not only do they have an extensive doll collection, but they also have the world’s largest carousel and the only infinity room, which extends 218 feet over a cliff, unsupported completely surrounded by glass windows.  The whole house is two and half miles long so bring your walking shoes.

The tour takes approximately two and a half hours.  Be prepared to see over 6,000 Santa dolls, firgurines, statues, and images as well as listen to holiday music and join in the holiday spirit.  You may also visit the Streets of Yesterday exhibit, the Heritage of the Sea exhibit, the Transportation Building, the Music of Yesterday and the World’s Largest Carousel.  Shopping and food are also available.

For more information see http://thehouseontherock.com/HOTR_AttractionMain.htm

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It really annoys me if one of the washers or dryers in my apartment complex is out of order & no one puts a note on the machine so other people don’t waste their money & time!

It sucks when a dryer doesn’t work and you’ve waited 30 minutes to get your clothes dry, but they are all cold & wet when you open the door.

Have some consideration for others!

 - Sylvia

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