A NEW TWIST ON CINNAMON
For years I've been using cinnamon when I bake cookies, cakes, baked apples, or when I make my wonderful apple crisp. I never knew it could also be used for medicinal purposes

Recently I've been reading about how cinnamon can help to stave off a cold, fight bad breath, aid digestion, help treat diarrhea and solve other problems of the digestive system.

It may help lower blood sugar and can also be used to treat a toothache. Oh and I just remembered, it can also help your memory! I'll really have to find out more about that!!

One of my favorite old-fashioned ways of using cinnamon is this recipe:

CINNAMON TWISTS


Photo by stevendepolo, on Flickr

1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Mix the sugar and cinnamon together until well blended. Empty the mixture on a flat plate and set aside.

3 extra large eggs
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 oil
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 cups flour

Place eggs, brown sugar and oil in bowl, mix until blended. Add baking powder and flour, mix well.

Refrigerate dough for a short time. Using about 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie, roll between palms to form a pencil shaped roll. OR you could shape into rings, crescents or any shape you prefer.

Roll dough in the sugar-cinnamon mixture.

Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake in a preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until nicely browned.

Makes about three dozen cookies.

That's one of the ways I have used cinnamon in the past.

Now I'd like to learn how to use cinnamon with a new twist, not just for baking.

If cinnamon does help with all those "problems I'd like to know how to use it!

Someone suggested putting cinnamon in my coffee. I tried it but that didn't work for me.

Anyone have any ideas?

posted by Unknown @ 4:49 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 8 comments

 
THIS AND THAT - MAY
WEATHER

When I left Florida in April it was getting really hot, now I understand that some days are in the 90's. I wouldn't like that!

Here in New England it's been cold and rainy most days.



What surprises me is that I really don't mind it. I'm still wearing my turtlenecks, vests and jackets, and that's okay with me.

MOVIES, TV MOVIES and HBO SERIES

Since I'm been home I've only seen one movie. I've seen a few movies on TV and one series on HBO that I want to rate.

While I was in Florida I used an Orange Rating System.

Since it's baseball season I'm going to use a Baseball Rating System

A Single | A Double | A Triple | A Home Run

---

MOVIE - Water for Elephants A Double





It's about a veterinary student who abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet. What I enjoyed most about this film was it was set in the depression era. When the circus came to town they would parade through the streets and than pitch the tents where all the action took place.

I remember sitting on those backless boards and watching the performers. That was pretty exciting!

---

TV Movie - Bugsy - Made in 1991 A Triple





Movie starred Warren Beatty and Annette Bening - What a sensational pair of actors, perfect for the roles of hot tempered Bugsy Siegel and his wife Virginia.

It's the story of how Bugsy started building in Las Vegas when there was nothing there.

---

TV Movie - Eddy Duchin Story - Made in 1956 A HOME RUN





Tyrone Power plays the role of the famous pianist and band leader of the 1930s and 1040s.

I forgot how handsome Tyrone Power was way back "when", not only that, he was a great actor. He was 41 years old when the movie was being made and had to portray Eddy as a young energetic fellow. He was amazing!!

---

HBO Series Mildred Pierce A HOME RUN





This series was playing on TV this winter while I was in Florida where I do not have access to HBO.

Once I got home I was able to get it "on demand." Kate Winslet took the role that Joan Crawford played in the 1945 movie.

I was so hooked on the story I watched the whole series in one sitting.

The heroine has to support herself and her girls during the depression era. Fortunately she makes a mean pie, becomes very successful but life is not a bed of roses for her.

What a story!!

Is there such a thing as a Double Home Run?

I love the movies but there hasn't been anything worthwhile. Am I missing something?

posted by millie garfield @ 7:10 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 5 comments

 
BLOGGING, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND ME
What is a blog?
That's the question I asked my son about seven years ago. After he explained what it was, he asked me if I would like him to set one up for me. About two weeks later I had my own blog and have been blogging ever since.


Millie Garfield featured on ABC World News with Charlie Gibson

Blogging
When I started, blogging was in it's infancy and unique for someone in their seventies! What did I know?

It took a while for me to have a following and to find blogs I was interested in reading. Then I found Ronni Bennett's blog "Time Goes By."

Ronni helped me find a community that I could relate to, share ideas with, and develop virtual friendships.

Blogging is a two-way street where the blogger writes and the reader comments!


Chris Brogan and Millie Garfield

In those days I don't think there was a term like "Social Media" but that's what we were participating in.

Social Media
Social media can be many things - blogging, video, facebook, podcasts, flicker, twitter, YouTube and more!

Video Blogs
I love doing videos, especially the ones about "I Can't Open It."

Last year on my way home from Florida, I elected to have a bag of Stauffer's Animal Crackers which I decided not to have during the flight. I tried to open the package when I got home.

Steve and I made a video of that opening, "I Can't Open It: Stauffer's Animal Crackers from JetBlue."



Well a funny thing happened ONE YEAR later!

I received an e-mail from Stauffer's telling me that while they were in the process of making a new video for the crackers on YouTube, they found my "I Can't Open It video", and wanted to send me some animal crackers, in a container that would be easier to open, in appreciation for the plug!

The company uses their videos as an advertisement, and then they get feedback from their viewers.

Here's the video we did upon receipt of those delicious crackers!



When I think back about what Social Media was seven years ago, it seems to me that it was in it's infancy, and now it's a teenager.

What do you think?

posted by millie garfield @ 7:01 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 6 comments

 
A GREAT MISTAKE
A LITTLE BACKTRACKING

When I arrived at the airport from Florida, Steve picked me up and since it was time for dinner we headed for a new restaurant, which had opened up while I was away. I had heard good things about it and was eager to try it.

A friend of mine had eaten there and had nothing but praise for the place - it is located right across the street from where I live so it certainly was a convenient place to get to. She said it was a very attractive place and even though it was a storefront restaurant she said the interior looked like what you would encounter in "The Big City."

She did say it was on the pricey side but what the heck, you only live once!

When we arrived at the mall we saw the restaurant and upon entering, my impression was, "this place is attractive but it doesn't look like what my friend had described to me."

It turns out we were in another restaurant that had opened up while I was away. It's called "Aikia Steakhouse: Japanese Asian Restaurant & Bar" and was right next door to the restaurant that we were supposed to be in, "City Bar & Grill."



Two restaurants had opened while I was away! I didn't know that!

Well to make a long story long, we had the greatest time!

There are cooking stations where a large number of guests watch the chef prepare their food. Tables for small parties are also available.

Surprise - there are also private booths which have rice paper doors! That's where the waitress seated us!


Image: Private booth with rice paper doors

Reminded me of some movies that I have seen where the lovers have a secret rendezvous.

The food we had was great!


Image: Sliced Filet with a Flower


Image: Salmon Sushi

On our way out we stopped and watched the chef as he put on a fantastic cooking show!!

What a great mistake we made!

Update:



posted by millie garfield @ 3:28 AM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 11 comments

 
I WAS LIVING IN A DUMP BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IT!
I've been home for about a week and a half now and am just starting to get my feet on the ground.

Going away for the winter doesn't get any easier, as a matter of fact as time goes by, it gets harder.

The good thing about getting home is that Steve picks me up at the airport, we bring my travel bag and laptop up to my condo, take a look around and see that everything is ship-shape and then go to the supermarket for the staples.

My Plant is Gorgeous

Image: Mom's New Plant

What a surprise he had for me!

For many years now he and Carol have been the caretakers of a large plant that needed looking after while I am gone.

Before I left for Florida they took a sickly looking plant home with them. We all wondered if it was going to survive. They both have "a green thumb" but sometimes no matter what you do, the time comes and you just can't save it.

Well, that time came and what do you know, he brought me the most gorgeous plant, bigger and better than the old one ever was!!

I was living in a dump but didn't know it!

Image: Mom's Home!

When I opened the door to my place and looked around, every room looked terrific, I exclaimed to Steve, "I was living in a dump but didn't know it!" He said, "Ma that would make a great post, write that down so you'll remember just what you said."

So that's what prompted this post.

My rental in Florida is comfortable, but the furnishings are from a past era. The development is one of the oldest around. It's not Boca!

The condo is located near family and friends, near the movies, restaurants, community center, library - you name it, it's all there for me!

Goes to show you, looks aren't everything, it's what you do with what you have that counts!!

posted by millie garfield @ 7:21 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 9 comments