All Candy Expo, Chicago, IL

I recently watched a show on the Foot Network about a candy convention. Although it would be so much fun to attend a candy convention, this one is not open to the public – you have to be a candy professional to get a glimpse of the sweet treats in store for this year. How unfair of them to tease us like that! It looked like Candy Land but in reality this is serious business. Host George Duran explored the latest and greatest in candy from chocolate to gummy bears, chili powder lollipops to extreme sour gum drops.

There were lots of delicious candies and confections previewed on the show and it featured the newest crazes in the world of candy. Here are some of my favorites:

Vero Candies or Dulces Vero

Dulces Vero makes a wide variety of products: lollipops, hard candies, marshmallows, gummies, soft candies (jellies, pulps and syrups), peanuts and snacks. Constantly innovating in different candy textures (soft, hard and powders), various candy fillings (liquid, soft and powder) and coatings (chocolate, chili, powders and sprinkles) and many times incorporating a couple of these into one product.

Featured on the show were lollipops and other candies made with chili powder and chocolate.

Color-A-Cookie

You start with a delicious cookie that contains an image or picture, along with food coloring markers and your traditional cookie now has quite a fun twist! Color-A-Cookie encourages creativity through activity. According to the website, you can find these at various retailers including, but limited to the following: Target, H-E-B, Party City, Bed Bath & Beyond, Cost Plus and Toy-R-Us.

PEZ

PEZ Candy and Dispensers feature the latest popular licensed characters, seasonal dispensers featuring traditional motifs and candy, and assorted fruit and sour candy. Also available are Fisherman’s Friend cough and cold lozenges in all natural Original Extra Strong, plus Sugar-Free Mint, Low Sugar Cherry, and Sugar-Free Apple/Cinnamon. Lozenges are also Kosher approved.

I didn’t even know that I wanted a PEZ dispenser until I saw how many cute ones there are! Just what I need – another collection!

Country Fresh Foods & Confections

Country Fresh manufacturers of over 90 flavors of both regular and sugar free fudge all with no trans fat. They are now offering our spirit brands in the fudge by the pound section. These brands are fully licensed and contain no alcohol. These brands include Jim Beam, Kahlua, Malibu Rum, Sauza Tequilla, Courvoisier Cognac, and Tia Maria. Available in bulk, retail sizes ranging from two ounce individual pieces to ten ounce gift boxes, and gift basket packages in five sizes and eight colors. Private label and custom formulation available.

The most interesting sounding fudge featured was Scorned Woman Jalapeno Fudge. Despite looking on the website for this flavor, I was unable to find it to learn more about it. Hopefully, I’ll find it somewhere because I want to order some and see what it tastes like.

The Kahl’ua Mudslide fudge made from fine Belgium chocolate and Dutch cocoa also sounded yummy. The Kahl'ua Mudslide fudge perks up your palate with its Kahl'ua coffee liquor flavoring but it contains no alcohol or trans fats.

Bubble Chocolate

Since their standout debut at the Candy Expo in Chicago, Bubble Chocolate bars are fast becoming the new taste sensation spanning both coasts. These delightfully tempting bars appeared on a Today Show segment in NYC in July, and are being prominently featured in celebrity gift bags across Los Angeles.

Most noteworthy, the bars were selected as the Sweet History Timeline’s 2006 benchmark in the premiere issue of Hallmark Magazine. Described as "an inventive new candy bar featuring tiny bubbles covered in chocolate," the confection's intriguing texture heightens flavor. Two taste sensations are created - once upon first bite, and then again, as the chocolate melts across your tongue.

These looked light, airy and totally delish!!

Custom Candy Concepts

Chocolography is a patented system that enables the reproduction of full-color pictures, images and personal messages directly onto the surface of chocolate and other confectionery items. Printed products are perfect for wedding favors, birthdays, anniversaries, holiday gifts, births, graduations, Bar Mitzvahs, fund raisers, corporate promotions, and many other events and occasions.

The show features edible chocolate lollipops with pictures printed on them using a special printer. How fun would that be at your next party!

GKI Foods – Home of Granola Kitchens

GKI is a manufacturer of panned and enrobed chocolates as well as granola and mixes. They specialize in private label and co-packing, offering milk chocolate, sugar free chocolate, yogurt and carob coated items. They offer items such as chocolate raisins and malted milk balls along with fancy chocolates such as toffees and truffles. They package in bulk, tubs and bags. They also produce baked products (granolas) along with a complete line of trail mix.

Chicago Importing Company

Chicago Importing Co. is an importer of fine foods and confectionery specialties. What struck my fancy by this company was the Fondue au Chocolate (France) that goes in the microwave. Yum!! It comes in stone tumblers and comes in a variety of chocolates.

Merci and Toffifay

Merci is a brand of German chocolates manufactured by the German company August Storck KG. The chocolates are manufactured as bars of differently flavored chocolate from Europe packaged in a white box. You can buy Merci chocolates at numerous retailers, including but not limited to, Kmart, Kroger, Safeway, Target, Walgreens and Walmart.

In 1973, Storck combined the four most popular confectionery ingredients in the world and the unique result was Toffifay. Toffifay is a chewy caramel cup filled with a crunchy hazelnut, smooth chocolaty filling and a drop of rich chocolate on top.

Inside Out Junior Mints

Tootsie Roll Industries acquired Junior Mints from the Warner-Lambert Company in 1993. The product was developed by James Welch and launched into the market in 1949. Welch named the candy specifically after his favorite Broadway stage performance, Junior Miss. Junior Mints with its chocolate covered, creamy mint, center, are a popular item in theaters and at home. Tootsie Roll Industries produces over 15 million Junior Mints a day.

There is a new, limited edition of Junior Mints: Junior Mints Inside Outs! A cool classic takes a dip in a smooth refreshing white topping! Enjoy dark mint centers dipped in a smooth white coating for a real Junior Mint "Inside Out" experience. The best of both worlds!

Sour candies

There were lots and lots of sour candies featured on the program. This is a fast growing trend in candy and there are a lot of companies and stores that sell the sour treats. One store that was featured for its sour candy was hi, Sweetie located in Chicago, IL

On the show, a spokesperson from the National Confectioners Association discussed fortified candy. Fortified candy is candy that offers something else other than the sheer pleasure of candy like the following: Kick Butt Candy (amped energy balls), Jolt Caffeine Energy Gum (chew more, do more) and Nutra-Trim Gum (allegedly helps curb your appetite).

There are lots of companies, sweets, confections, etc. that I didn’t mention so, for reference, please click on the link for a list of the exhibitors from the 2006 All Candy Expo.

The 2007 All Candy Expo is in September – who knows what the candy industry will come up with next!

Age of Love - 7.16.07

Mark takes the romance to another level in this episode.

Jen, 48 (Assistant to LA Lakers Owner) - turning up the heat a bit but I still think she's too old for Mark
Jayanna, 39 (Mortgage Loan Office) – she's passionate and I think there is a good connection with Mark
Maria, 42 (Photographer) - she seems like she doesn't really feel a connection with Mark and if he sends a Cougar home I think it would be her; she even said that she wanted to go home because she doesn't think he's a good match for her

Amanda, 25 (Hockey Team Dancer) - She's getting a bit over the top in her feelings for Mark. Come on, really -- they've only known each other for a very short period of time.
Mary, 24 (Dialysis Technician) – Cry, cry, cry: does she EVER stop?!?!? Mark, PLEASE, send her home!
Megan, 21 (Student) - She was cuter this episode and I think Mark seemed to like her. I think she'll be around for another week.

First date: Mark invited 3 ladies (Mary, Maria and Megan) to go to the beach to surf. Amanda was disappointed that she didn't get invited. She's already gotten a bit extreme in her feelings and this could hurt her in the end. Mark gives a bit of extra attention to Megan and it seemed like he didn't even really acknowledge Mary was there. Mary cries because she doesn't know if she can handle it anymore. Mark should give her what she asks for -- send her home! I think Maria decided Mark was too young for her.

Second date to get "reel" - movie night: Amanda and Jayanna have a date with Mark to watch a movie. Mark invited Jayanna for a drink alone and they got along well. Mark's body language was directed more towards Jayanna while watching the movie but he was holding hands with Amanda under the blankets. He then walked Jayanna to the limo and spent some alone time with Amanda.

Third date: Jen and Mark ride motorcycles together and have a date just the two of them. When he came to deliver the leather clothes, the kittens were totally jealous. She looked mighty sexy in her little biker outfit. They also played pool and it turned a "bit naughty." I liked that when Jen asked who else he kissed he was a gentleman and told her he didn't kiss and tell.

Who went home? FINALLY - Mary went home!

Next week - the first co-ed sleep over camping trip. Should be interesting because little sleeping went on! The preview says that a jealous confrontation leads to an astonishing elimination. Can't wait to see what happens!! For a show I said I wasn't going to watch and then said I'd just watch one episode, I'm hooked!

The Next Food Network Star - Meet the Press

Bobby Flay is the guest judge for one last time. Press and publicity are huge aspects of becoming a Food Network Star. This episode each of the finalists has a full day of meetings with the media which is a big challenge to determine which one of the finalists is the most savvy with the media.

The finalists were interviewed on XM radio with Ron & Fez and they had to create a recipe with the food available at the station. Talk about a limited amount of ingredients available to be creative! I thought Amy did the best in this interview. Ron & Fez thought Amy did the best as well.

The finalists then met with the Matt, the Entertainment Director of Star Magazine, and they were interviewed and photographed for an upcoming issue. I thought, once again, Amy did the best in this interview. Matt thought that Rory was the easiest to interview and that Amy was the most poised.

The final challenge in this episode is that each finalist has 5 minutes to demonstrate his/her signature dish on an episode of Rachel Ray. Rachel advised them to just be themselves and make sure to drive home their point of view and cooking style with the best story telling. Amy did a good job at presentation but her food looked very unappetizing. Rory did a great job at presentation and her food certainly looked delicious. Jag did a good job and his food looked good as well.

After tonight's episode, there are 2 finalists left: Rory Schepisi and Joshua Adam Garcia (JAG). The finalist who went home was Amy Finley.

In a shocking revelation, JAG misrepresented certain facts about his military service and culinary training. He said that he served in Afghanistan and that he graduated from culinary school -- he did neither. He admitted in an interview with the judges that, although he was a US Marine, he didn't go to Afghanistan and he admitted he never graduated from culinary school. He took himself out of the competition and apologized. He is a talented chef and, hopefully, he will succeed.

Since JAG withdrew from the competition, Rory's new competitor for the finals: Amy Finley.

Backyard Bistro (Amy) v. Gourmet Next Door (Amy) - next week America will vote!

Big Brother 8 - Episode 7.15.07

Food competition (Name that Pie): Blue team and red team. Winner: Blue Team. This was funny because there were some really awful combinations (bacon and banana, pickle and clam and some other lovely combinations ... NOT!)

Next assignment for Eric: America wants him to try to get Jessica nominated. He tried to talk to Jen about it but she just looked stupid.

Hmmm ... Ms. Jensa Member says she's not stupid. Really, could've fooled me!

Nominations: Dick and Daniele. The POV competition should be interesting.

Big Brother 8 - First Evicted Houseguest

Danielle won the power of veto and decided not to use it to take either of the nominees off the chopping block.

Eric "performed" his first task - tell a sob story to Kail. Eric made up some ridiculous story but he definitely gets credit for completing the assignment.

Jen and her Jenism t-shirts are currently the most annoying thing in the house.

First houseguest evicted: Carol (10 to 1). Between the two nominees, I probably would have voted for Carol too.

Head of Household Competition (Majority Rules): Jen

KT Tunstall - Black Horse and the Cherry Tree and Suddenly I See

KT Tunstall is a sparkling new songwriter with Chinese blood, a Scottish heart, great legwarmers and a cool name.

Her debut album 'Eye To The Telescope' is the creative consequence of her inquiring imagination. I love the following 2 songs on the album: Black Horse and the Cherry Tree and Suddenly I See.

You can purchase the album on Amazon.

Corb Lund

Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans are a Canadian band that offers a blues-based country music. My favorite song is Expectation and the Blues from the Five Dollar Bill album. I first heard the song when Kurt Browning did a program to this music on the 2006 Ice Wars XIII.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corb_Lund

Pitter Patter Designs

Pitter Patter Designs - All designs are created by Lyndsay Green, owner and founder of Pitter Patter Designs. As the name implies, Lyndsay’s design efforts are largely focused on her passion for highlighting the truth displayed in the faces of children. She has proven, time and again, her unique ability to capture in their own homes, many of whom were from indigent families or were too ill to be moved for treatment. Lyndsay continues to regularly treat children with disabilities and has devoted a large portion of her practice to treating and rehabilitating children in foster care.

Lyndsay has always seen the innocence, truth and genuine joy in the faces of children. This vision comes across in each of her designs. She began creating designs and announcements for her favorite subject, her own son. The designs were a hit. After receiving request after request to photograph and/or create announcements for others, Pitter Patter Designs was born.Having created hundreds of custom orders, each specially tailored to the client. Lyndsay has proven that she has a unique ability to capture the essence of the subject in every photograph and card. Although her original focus was invitations and announcementsfor children, demand from clients has prompted her to extend her creative vision and talents toward designs tailored to requests across all age groups covering a wide array of special events.

Pitter Patter Designs specializes in birth announcements, invitations, holiday cards, photo collages, stationery and Mommy business cards. For more information and prices, check out the website.

The Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

The Country Playhouse is a wonderful community theater in Houston, Texas now in its 51st Season.

In early 1956 the Country Playhouse was founded by a group of hardworking individuals, all with one common interest; a love for theatre. Their first play was Personal Appearance by Lawrence Riley and was performed at memorial Drive Elementary School. Their first production made a profit of $112.

In 1958 the Playhouse relocated to the old Veteran’s Hall on Katy Road. The place was an old abandoned church in a state of disrepair, but by 1960 the Playhouse had raked in profits of $6000 - enough to build their own building on the property. The barn-like structure of The Country Playhouse continued to delight audiences with performances until they were forced to move when their property was purchased by Joe Johnson, and is now part of Memorial City Mall. In 1981, The Country Playhouse found its latest and greatest home across the street from Town & Country Mall and remains there today.

The Cerwinske Stage (named after charter members Herb & Alceste Cerwinske) holds a capacity crowd of 225 and the Black Box Lab theatre is host to many local playwrights looking for a venue for their scripts. The Playhouse holds adult and children’s acting classes under the professional eye of Barbara Lasater.

For more information on Country Playhouse, you may contact us at 713-467-4497. They are located at 12802 Queensbury, Houston, TX at I-10 and Beltway 8.

Age of Love - 7.9.07

Age of Love

Jen, 48 (Assistant to LA Lakers Owner) - I just can't see her and Mark together.

Jayanna, 39 (Mortgage Loan Office) - My favorite Cougar. I really like her!

Maria, 42 (Photographer) - I think she's sexy and she's my second favorite Cougar.

Kelli, 40 (Legal Assistant) - She seems very nice but just don't feel it with her and Mark. She's a little to Vegas for me.

Amanda, 25 (Hockey Team Dancer) - My favorite of the kittens but 4th in line after the cougars

Mary, 24 (Dialysis Technician) - CRY BABY!!!!! GO HOME!!!!!! PLEASE PUT ME OUT MY MISERY! How many times an episode does she cry?

Tessa, 23 (Surgical Sales) - I hurt my ankle, boo hoo!

Megan, 21 (Student) - Hello ... anyone home?

Yacht challenge - bike, run and surf to a yacht where Mark was waiting; Jayanna, Kelli and

Amanda won a date on the yacht. Go Cougars! Amanda got a nice kiss.

Tennis challenge - Cougars played better tennis than the Kittens but Tessa got a special date with Mark because she showed spunk by playing tennis even with her sprained ankle. I'll give her props for really trying even when she was hurt. She was more articulate than I expected.

Mark had one last chat with each lady before he had to say goodbye to one Cougar and one Kitten. Big kisses with Jayanna!!! Kisses with other women as well: Maria, Kelli, Amanda (a "kiss kiss," Jen ("she blew me away"). He didn't appear to kiss Tessa, Megan or Mary.

Mark seems like such a nice guy and he genuinely seems like he doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

Who went home? Tessa and Kelli

Next week - what started as a dating experiment has become more serious and guess what -- Mary cries (gee, really??)

The Sugar Websites

PopSugar and the nine other Sugar Network sites are joining forces with the iVillage community. Founded in April 2006, the Sugar Network is made up of ten lifestyle and entertainment sites covering topics ranging from celebrity, fashion and entertainment to food, fitness and technology. The fresh, conversational and witty editorial voices of the sites inform, connect and entertain their predominantly young female audience, offering a unique mix of editorial and user-generated content. On June 27, 2007, NBC Universal Digital Media entered into a multi-faceted strategic alliance with Sugar Publishing, publisher of the Sugar Network. As part of the agreement, the Sugar Network and iVillage, a division of NBC Universal and the number one online destination for women, will share popular entertainment content.

The Sugar Network sites are fun, entertaining and sometimes informative. Visit them today:

PopSugar - the insanely addictive

BuzzSugar - entertainment hourly
FabSugar - have, want, need
BellaSugar - you're beautiful
FitSugar - healthy happy you
YumSugar - to die for

GiggleSugar - byte-sized comedy

GeekSugar - geek is chic

DearSugar - just ask

TeamSugar - connect share enjoy

The Original Gino's East of Chicago

Gino's East of Chicago began in 1966 when two taxi drivers and a friend, frustrated with rush hour traffic, decided to open a pizzeria just off Michigan Ave. and Superior St. in Chicago. The Original Gino's East became an instant legend with local Chicagoans, national celebrities and visitors from around the world. Their famous deep-dish pizza tastes the same as it did back then.

Each pizza is made by hand and features its own unique look. Each legendary pizza is created with a secret, golden crust, fresh vine-ripened tomatoes, and loaded with your choice of fresh ingredients. Once baked to perfection these enormous pies are brought to your table in our well-seasoned pans. If your tastebuds aren't craving their famous deep dish or thin crust pizzas, Gino's East offers a delicious alternative. A full menu features homemade appetizers, pastas made with a rich and tasty marinara sauce, salads filled with an abundance of fresh vegetables and sandwiches to fill any sized appetite. In a city known as the "Pizza Capital of the World", The Original Gino's East is still the number one pizza restaurant where customers from near and far return year after year to scribble their names into the wood and stucco walls of their flagship restaurant in downtown Chicago.

The pizza is incredible and, if you are in Chicago, you shouldn't miss dining at this establishment but be prepared to wait because the line can be mighty long!

Wikipedia

Wikipedia is a multilingual, web-based, free content encyclopedia project written collaboratively by volunteers from around the world. It is a special type of website, called a wiki which makes collaboration easy. Many people are constantly improving Wikipedia, making thousands of changes an hour, all of which are recorded on article histories and recent changes. With rare exceptions, its articles can be edited by anyone with access to the Internet.

Wikipedia says that a reader should not be afraid to edit. I think Wikipedia is one of the best information sources on the Internet but the fact that anyone can edit almost any page and Wikipedia encourages readers to “ be bold!” in editing, I have to be afraid that the information I'm reading is not necessarily the must trustworthy and reliable. While there are a lot of geniuses out there, there are also a lot of idiots!

To learn more about the history of Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:About

Big Brother 8 - Episode 7.8.07

Big Brother 8 - I shouldn't watch it but I just can't help myself. I LOVE reality t.v.!!!!

It seems as if the 14 new BIG BROTHER 8 HouseGuests have followed the white rabbit down the hole and emerged into Alice's Wonderland. From gigantic furniture to hobbit-sized beds this unsuspecting troupe enters into a world of twists and turns, secrets and lies and unexpected encounters as six of them are brought face-to-face with people from their past that they'd hoped were gone for good. Why endure a summer of sycophantic schmoozing, blatant brown-nosing, back-biting, back-stabbing and bitching? For the half-million dollar prize-money and bragging rights, after all; to be the last HouseGuest standing is to be a member of an exclusive survival club.

Julie revealed the first twist to the HouseGuests. For some, she warns, this will be a summer of "sleeping with your enemy." For these people, three HouseGuests may help, or hinder, the HouseGuests' game play, but it is up to them to decide what the effect will be. Turn out it these three are an ex-BFF, an ex-boyfriend and an estranged father and daughter.

While the HouseGuests are getting to know each other, Julie lets us in on another twist: "America's Player," in which one HouseGuest will play the game for America. She then reveals that that player is Eric. In every episode this summer, America will be able to give him instructions and tasks he has to complete via text message or online at CBS.com. Eric will get $10,000 for every five tasks he completes.

• HoH: Kail
• First alliance: Mrs. Robinson and her 3 boys (Nick, Mike and Zach)
• Food competition (Butter Me Up): Blue team and red team. Winner: Red Team
• Most Stupid HouseGuest: Jessica or Jen; it's a tough decision because they are both ridiculously stupid
• Biggest Drama Queen: Jen (she cried because her wall picture wasn't pretty enough)
• Most Attractive Male: Nick (I think he's the only really cute guy)
• Most Attractive Female: Kail and Amber (per my husband)
• Nominations: Amber and Carol

The Next Food Network Star - Iron Chef Challenge

Bobby Flay and Cat Cora were the Iron Chef judges for tonight's Iron Chef Challenge at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. Alton Brown challenged each finalist as a floor reporter when they were not involved in the cooking portion of the competition. As a floor reporter, it was the competitor's job to show his/her deep encyclopedic knowledge (or not) during the commentary portion of the competition. Amy actually surprised me during the reporter portion of the challenge because she did such a good job. Paul, however, did not come across as knowledgeable or a culinary expert. Rory came across as a smart ass and bitchy and JAG did just ok as the reporter.

Paul (Party Food on a Budget) vs. Rory (Backyard Bistro) - Based on the judge's comments, I'd say Rory won this round as a cook and Amy won as a commentator.

Amy (Gourmet Next Door) vs. JAG (Latino Fusion) - Based on the judge's comments, I'd say Amy won this round as a cook and, if I absolutely HAD to pick, I'd say Rory won as a commentator but only because she was a bit more knowledgeable.

After tonight's episode, there are 3 finalists left: Amy Finley, Rory Schepisi and Joshua Adam Garcia (JAG). The finalist who went home was Paul McCollough.

Next week: Cooking with Rachel Ray!

BailiTeal Farm Retreat Center - Scrapbooking Retreat

Last week I went to BailiTeal Farm Retreat Center in Fruitvale, Texas, for a scrapbooking retreat with my stamp club. BailiTeal was a fantastic experience! The owners and hosts, Wanda and Jerry Hickman, are so friendly and have thought of everything a scrapbooker needs to have a wonderful get away. The food was INCREDIBLE! All our meals were provided and every one was delicious. The fresh fruits and vegetables were unlike anything I've ever tasted. After all these years, I guess this city girl had never really tasted a farm grown fresh tomato and it was so good! Everything was clean and I enjoyed my stay. My stamp club went last year and kept talking about it and now I see why! We can't wait to go back again next year!!

Once I got to BailiTeal, I didn't leave the property but, on the way home, I did stop by quaint store called Calico Chocolates in Grand Saline, Texas. The chocolate was great so if you are nearby don't miss a stop at this wonderful shop!

The Next Food Network Star - Season 3

I've been watching the Next Food Network Star reality TV show this season (it's Season 3). Some of the finalists were extremely annoying and I was not sorry to see them leave. With that said, frankly I'm not sure I'd watch a whole show if any of the finalists were the host but here are the 4 remaining finalists:

Paul McCollough
Amy Finley
Rory Schepisi
Joshua Adam Garcia (aka JAG)

If you are watching, do you have a favorite? Would you watch any of them for a whole hour?

For more info on the show:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_nf_vote/

The Cavers Law Firm, Houston, Texas

Shannon Cavers is an attorney in Houston, Texas whose practice areas include family law, divorce and custody cases, collaborative law, mediation, probate, estate planning and elder law. Ms. Cavers is committed to assisting her clients and their families during times of transition.

The website has numerous Services buttons to learn more about specific topics. Each service topic contains a FAQs (frequently asked questions) section to provide more information to her readers about the chosen subject. You can also view the Resources page, Links page or contact Ms. Cavers to learn more about a particular topic.

http://divorce.caverslaw.com/

Wade Robson

Genius choreographer! Wade Robson is a major creative force!

You can currently watch some of his dance routines on So You Think You Can Dance (FOX).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wade_Robson

The Algonquin Hotel, New York, NY

Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the Algonquin Hotel is a true landmark, with a tradition of elegance that began over a century ago. Superb accommodations and a gracious atmosphere make the Algonquin an oasis of polished sophistication amid the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Algonquin Hotel opened its doors in 1902, in one of New York's most fashionable areas. Nearby were the two most celebrated restaurants of the time - Sherry's and Delmonico's - and five of the city's most prestigious clubs. Soon the Hippodrome, home to the Ziegfeld Follies, opened across the street, followed by a group of theatres.

Legendary Algonquin manager (1907) and owner (1927) Frank Case enjoyed the company of actors and writers, and he was instrumental in positioning the hotel at the center of New York’s literary and theatrical life.

The hotel is best known, perhaps, for the members of the Round Table, a group of luminaries who had in common both the ability to fire blazing witticisms and to withstand being on the receiving end of them. The tone of the Algonquin Round Table set the standard for literary style and wit of the 1920s.

After World War I, Vanity Fair writers and Algonquin regulars Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley and Robert E. Sherwood began lunching at the Algonquin. In 1919 they gathered in the Rose Room with some literary friends to welcome back ascerbic critic Alexander Woollcott from his service as a war correspondent. The lunch was intended as a put-down of Woollcott’s pretensions (he had the annoying habit of beginning stories with, “From my seat in the theatre of war…”), but it proved so enjoyable that someone suggested it become a daily event. This led to the daily exchange of ideas, opinions and often-savage wit that has enriched the world’s literary life and its anecdote collections as well. George S. Kaufman, Heywood Broun and Edna Ferber were also in this august assembly, which strongly influenced writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.

Though society columns referred to them as the Algonquin Round Table, they called themselves the Vicious Circle. “By force of character,” observed drama critic Brooks Atkinson, “they changed the nature of American comedy and established the tastes of a new period in the arts and theatre.”

Contrary to myth, Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley and their fellow wits never drank at the Round Table because of Prohibition.

William Faulkner wrote his 1950 Nobel Prize speech in this Algonquin Suite. Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe wrote My Fair Lady in Lerner’s suite.

Some of the most favorite visitors included Noel Coward, Laurence Olivier, Jeremy Irons, Graham Greene, Tom Stoppard, Charles Laughton, Diana Rigg , Tallulah Bankhead, Angela Lansbury, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Simone de Beauvoi, Eudora Welty, Helen Hayes, H.L. Mencken, John Barrymore, Booth Tarkington, Orson Welles, Gertrude Stein, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Anthony Hopkins.

So You Think You Can Dance

Fresh off its sold-out, cross-country performance tour, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, last summer’s No.1 hit, begins another search for America’s favorite dancer. Entering its third season this summer on FOX, the hot series from the producers of AMERICAN IDOL and “American Bandstand” is hosted by Cat Deeley, one of the UK’s top television personalities and a correspondent for “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Good Morning America.” Once again SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE promises to keep America moving to a different beat, as dancers skilled in everything from the “street” styles of hip-hop, krumping and popping to “the best of ballroom” – salsa, quickstep, jive and more – compete to be named America’s Favorite Dancer.

The series became a phenomenon in its second season, in which Benji Schwimmer was voted America’s Favorite Dancer and received $100,000, a new car and a contract to appear in Celine Dion's “A New Day” show at The Colosseum, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

I LOVE this show!! I wish I knew how to dance. I will never be able to dance like the incredibly talented dancers on this show but the show does inspire me to want to take dance lessons. If you have any interest in dance or dancing, you should tune in to this show. The routines choreographed by Dan Karaty, Mia Michaels, Shane Sparks and Tyce Diorio are awesome! The routines choreographed by Wade Robson are INCREDIBLE!!!! Robson's routines are distinctive, mesmerizing, interesting, complicated and absolutely brilliant!

The show is on FOX and airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

FAVORITE JUDGES/CHOREOGRAPHERS:
Dan Karaty Mia Michaels
Shane Sparks

FAVORITES GIRL DANCERS:

Lacey Schwimmer Anya Garnis

FAVORITES BOY DANCERS:

Cameron Bink Neil Haskell
Hokuto "Hok" Konishi

Alli and the Cats

Alli and the Cats is a newly formed 1940s-style trio performing jazz and swing music in the Houston, Texas area. The group is made up of Dara (soprano), Lisa (mezzo/alto) and Jennifer (alto/mezzo).

On their myspace page, they list the following as influences: Andrew Sisters, Bing Crosby, Lena Horne, Judy Garland, Kitty Kallen, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller.

If you click on the following link, you can listen to some of their music:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=172370910

I think each of these ladies is individually very talented and together they sound great! Singing such tight harmonies is extremely difficult and they do it well!

You can also visit their website: http://www.alliandthecats.com/

Artist - Jennifer Hauri

Jennifer Hauri is an extremely talented artist. I recently had the honor of attending one of her shows and was impressed by her work. Jennifer has traveled to many exotic locales and is a brilliant and interesting person. Please enjoy the art and spread the word ... art frees the soul.

Netflix

Netflix, established in 1998, is the largest online DVD rental service, providing a monthly flat-fee service for the rental of DVD movies. Headquartered in Los Gatos, California, it has amassed a collection of 80,000 titles and over 6.8 million subscribers. A subscriber creates an ordered list, called a rental queue, of DVDs to rent. The DVDs are delivered individually via the United States Postal Service from an array of regional warehouses. Currently, there are 44 warehouses located throughout the United States. A subscriber can keep a rented DVD as long as desired but has a limit on the number of DVDs (determined by subscription level) that can be checked out at any one time. To rent a new DVD, the subscriber mails the previous one back to Netflix in a prepaid mailing envelope. Upon receipt of the disc, Netflix ships the next disc in the subscriber's rental queue.

The best thing about Netflix for me is that I don't have to worry about late fees. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to watch a movie. I want to see it but I just can't quite find the right time. I think I've had a Netflix movie for 6+ months before just waiting until I was ready to watch it. I love the convenience of just checking my queue online, switching up the movies I want to see and having the movies delivered right to my door. You can rate the movies and share your recommendations with friends which is fun. My husband and I have really enjoyed Netflix and recommend it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix

John Mayer

My new favorite song is "Gravity" by John Mayer.

Mayer's latest album, entitled "Continuum" was released on September 12, 2006, and was produced by Mayer himself and Steve Jordan. Mayer suggested the album was intended to combine his signature pop music with the feel, sound, groove and sensibilities of the blues. In that vein, two of the tracks from his trio release Try! — the funky "Vultures" and the blues centerpiece "Gravity" — also were included on Continuum.

http://www.lyricsondemand.com/j/johnmayerlyrics/gravitylyrics.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mayer

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0,28804,1595326_1595332_1616690,00.html

Age of Love

It's often said that love is blind... but is that really true? If given the chance to choose a woman in her 20s, or a 40-something on the prowl, will a man go for youth or maturity? More than just a dating competition, "Age of Love" is a social experiment based on the question: When it comes to falling in love, does age really matter?

Hosted by popular actor Mark Consuelos (“All My Children”), the eight episode series features a new twist on the reality dating show format.

Tune in when seven beautiful, sophisticated women in their 40's, playfully nicknamed the "Cougars," vie for the affections of 30-year-old Australian tennis superstar Mark Philippoussis, along with six fun, enthusiastic women in their 20's, coined the "Kittens."

But only one woman can win Mark's heart. Is she an attractive, experienced woman who knows what she wants and has already carved out a niche of her own? Or, is she a sexy younger woman who lacks the experience of her older counterpart, but has an enthusiasm for life that only comes with the inexperience of youth? In the end, both Mark and the viewers will discover if love is truly ageless.

My vote: Jayanna (age 39)

Elsie Flannigan - A Beautiful Mess

Elsie Flannigan inspires me! She's a gifted scrapbooker, artist and photographer. I LOVE her blog!! Elsie rocks!

Giada De Laurentiis

Host of Food Network's Everyday Italian, Giada De Laurentiis's passion for food began as a child when she learned to prepare recipes for her frequent family gatherings.Born in Rome, Giada grew up in a large Italian family where the culture of food was a staple in and of itself. As the granddaughter of film producer Dino De Laurentiis, she learned to prepare many of the family's recipes as well as other Italian specialties.Giada's passion for cooking flourished through professional training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she specialized in both cuisine and pastry. Later, she moved to Los Angeles, where her experience included positions at the prestigious Ritz Carlton Fine Dining Room and Wolfgang Puck's Spago in Beverly Hills.

Giada is a private chef and caterer, as well as founder of GDL Catering in Los Angeles. In addition to Everyday Italian, as the host of Behind the Bash, Giada takes viewers behind the scenes of six-figure weddings, high-roller Vegas soirees and Hollywood movie premieres to see what goes into creating the world's most spectacular parties. On Giada's Weekend Getaways, she heads to cities and towns that are ideal for a three-day, food-filled weekend.Giada is the author of The New York Times best-selling cookbook Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes (Potter, 2005) and Giada's Family Dinners (Potter, 2006).

I love Giada's show Everyday Italian! Giada is gorgeous and fun to watch. So far every recipe I have made has been absolutely delicious!

Furniture Fashion - Everything About Furniture and Fashionable Home Decor

The concept for the website was created by Will Maack and John Cavers. Will Maack has twenty years of experience working in the furniture industry in an assortment of positions from merchandising, sales and store manager. John Cavers has twenty years experience in general management, distribution and technology. In addition, Mr. Cavers has been a follower and collector of the arts for the last twenty years.

The blog was created with a single purpose. The purpose is to provide useful information to the general public, furniture enthusiasts, interior designers and followers of furniture decorative arts. Will Maack says, “There is such a need for more information about furniture in general. Many people do not know what to look for when shopping for furniture or redecorating their home. I have people every day ask me about what trends are popular in style, looks, fabrics and colors to make sure that they are current with popular decorating themes."

John Cavers adds, “I looked around the internet, but could not find enough information sources on furniture and fashion decorating trends. For the average consumer, furniture and interior decorating are sizable investments and this creates a high expectation level. Our intention is to provide useful articles, information and product reviews."

This is a great and informative website! Check it out: http://www.furniturestoreblog.com/

Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Banff, Canada

Banff's Secluded Jewel

Away from the ordinary Banff hotels, Buffalo Mountain Lodge lies on the gentle slopes of Tunnel Mountain, which native people called "sleeping buffalo". The Rocky Mountains have long been an area of great significance to our native peoples. The valleys were places of ceremony and celebration; the lakes and mineral springs offered rejuvenation for mind, body and spirit.

Banff is renowned the world over for its spectacular scenery, soothing hot springs and pure mountain air. It was here, in 1885, that the Canadian Government created Canada's first National Park.

The Main Lodge complements its natural setting with square timbered beam construction, and high open ceilings. Decor pays tribute to old-world craftsmanship, from custom made cherry, pine and bent-willow furnishings to copper and glass light fixtures. Simple, elegant design is a hallmark of the resort, and symbolizes the lifestyle at the Lodge. It includes a charming lounge with a huge fieldstone fireplace, dining room, conference rooms, indoor recreation area, steam room and an outdoor hot tub.

DINING AT BUFFALO MOUNTAIN LODGE

Dining at Buffalo Mountain Lodge is a delicious departure from the ordinary. They have been celebrated in the local and international media for their introduction of Rocky Mountain Cuisine. The Wine Spectator, Western Living, Bon Appetit and the Calgary press have all awarded them with fine reviews.

The combination of lavish Victorian cooking from the CPR rail cars and the hearty meals prepared by Swiss and Austrian mountain guides provide the basis for their unique cuisine. Smoked, cured or roasted wild game, fresh indigenous berries, wild fruits, vegetables, mushrooms and mixed grains are artfully assembled and professionally served.

The wine list was awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence from 1995-2002 and is the proud recipient of the Best of Award of excellence in 2003 and 2004. They feature an outstanding collection of over 500 of the world’s finest wines including Canadian VQA selections.

The Buffalo Mountain Lodge was a fantastic place to stay for a recent vacation. We went in February so it was COLD, COLD, COLD!!! We loved it!! The restaurant at the Lodge was a culinary treat! We had a fantastic experience at this Lodge and look forward to staying here again.