Comfort Food...almost :)

I had the best intentions today.  I really did.

 I was going to take you thru the process of making one of our family favourite cookies. 

All was going well until my camera came out and then...the unthinkable happened.  

I left out a key ingredient and by the time I realised what happened, it was too late. 

The first batch was in the oven and I forgot to add the flour....ooops.

Let me start over again. We have a fantastic cookie recipe, 

'Phoebe's Fabulous Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies'.  My daughters love the TV show 'Friends'. 

So much so that one Christmas I bought them the cookbook, 'Cooking with Friends' 

and it has been a favourite recipe ever since.

This is a first for me, trying to multi-task with a camera and a counter full of baking supplies.  

All was going well up to this point.  I added my last drop of Equagold Pure Vanilla...

the Pacific Tahitian Variety from our days in New Zealand and then started thinking

 of my daughter in Christchurch. This could have been where I went off track. 

I was whipping and stirring the batter...thinking of the next step.

The secret ingredients were added.

The recipe calls for raisins but we like dried cranberries.

Another favourite is dried apricots.

I wanted to show you my Exopat Matfer baking sheet.

Everything tastes better when I cook on this....well almost.

I think this is when I lost the plot. I popped the cookie dough on the sheet

with a slight hesitation as something seemed amiss. By the time I realised that I had 

forgotten to add the flour it was to late and I just had to go with the flow.

Things looked a little promising here...

but not here!

Truth be told, they were not bad. If you like a thin cookie,

that is crispy and loaded with sugar and butter than

skip the flour in this recipe!

I managed to save the next few batches...

this is what it should look like!

As I write, each and everyone has been devoured..not by me :)

Yum Yum!!

If you are feeling in the mood for a little comfort baking. 

Try this recipe.

Just don't forget the flour!

A little Phoebe humour for you....

Phoebe:

Okay. We haven't known each other for that long a time. 

And there are three things you should know about me. 

One, my friends are the most important thing in my life. 

Two, I never lie. 

And three, I make the best oatmeal-raisin cookies in the world.

Rachel: 

Okay, Thanks Phoebs. Why haven't I tasted these before?

Phoebe:

Well. I don't make them a lot. 

Because I don't think it is fair to the other cookies.

images for above~me

More from me today....

From My Kitchen Window...here

Fashion Photography 

1940-1960...here

Sheerness

One fashionitem I'm currently really in love in are sheer blouses. Its sexy, chic, fashionable and you can combine it with lots of things. Its perfect as a top (with something under it if you don't want to stand in your bra), for over a dress and as a underlayer.






Here are some pictures of bloggers who totally rock this look. You can see there are many colours and many ways to combine this beautiful item of clothing :) I also included some designer sheer blouses, just to drool over them :)







I really want to have a black one myself. Do you guys know where I can buy one? I can think of tons of outfits already, so it really will be a good thing for my closet. So.. if you know a store in Holland who has currently black sheer blouses, comment below! I would love to have one! :)

xx Sabine

Bloggers:
http://somethingaboutmari.blogspot.com/
http://www.littlemissdressup.com/
Designers:
Browns Fashion
Nastygal

PS3 Hacker’s Home Raided By Police

It would appear as though Sony is not screwing around when it comes to going after PS3 hackers. While in the US this means gentle lawsuits and polite, in Germany, it means police raids.

Earlier this week, German hacker “graf_chokolo” was on the receiving end of a visit from police (and a representative from Sony), who had arrived to seize his computers and PlayStation 3 consoles for use as evidence in an upcoming court battle. It obviously wasn’t a NOBODY MOVE GET YOUR FACE ON THE GROUND kind of raid, but still.

It’s bad news for graf_chokolo, but also for Sony, as only half an hour after first telling the world of the raid via his blog, the hacker had managed to upload his work – aimed at cracking open the PS3 and getting Linux back up and running on the console – on the internet for countless others to toil away on.

While Sony Computer Entertainment Europe was unable to provide details on the incident, as it is a legal matter, a spokesman was able to confirm that the police visit and seizure did indeed take place.

Apple Announces New MacBook Pros

Apple today announced a refresh of its MacBook Pro line of laptops. The highlights? New, faster processors, more powerful graphics processors, an HD camera and a new port for a technology that Apple is calling Thunderbolt.

Cosmetically, the new Pros look very similar to their predecessors. There are still 13-, 15- and 17-inch models (starting at $1,199, $1,799 and $2,499, respectively), and they still have the same aluminum unibody construction and full-width glass across the display. To look at them, you wouldn't notice a whole lot that's different.

It's under the hood where things change. The new Intel processors, the Core i5 and Core i7, are dual- and quad-core chips that promise up to twice the performance of the chips in the earlier models.

One of the new features of the Intel chips is an integrated graphics processor. But in the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros, Apple doubled down on graphics by adding a discrete AMD Radeon graphics chip. Models with both chips seamlessly and automatically switch between the two processors, depending on performance needs.
There is also a new FaceTime camera, which can stream video in 720p resolution and display it in a new widescreen format.

The storm is passing over...

Today while I was at work, I was getting a drink for someone I was waiting on (I'm a waitress) and began to watch the news....well the weather news. I was more so bored and just stared up at the television to fill the boredom and boom it did.....the weather news (I know weird wording) brought me some very very very encouraging news! The beep beep beep signal came on the television to alert views that so and so counties are under a thunderstorm warning. Ah I was so excited, I love LOVE rain so much but thunderstorms are just so beautiful!  



As I was leaving work tonight, there was no sign of the weather they predicted, but then a few baby raindrops feel from the sky. I shouted YES rather loudly (: I got to my car, and sat there for a while...didn't start the car, didn't say anything, but just sat there and looked at the dark sky as the rain started to increase and pound upon my car. I sat there for some time...sat and smiled. I am so thankful for all the rainy days. But I need some good rain boots, I started thinking about this as I drove home. It rains quite often in Pittsburgh, and I seem to never be prepared, shoe wise, for the weather, despite the fact that I have lived here forever.



In other news I was in Virginia last weekend for a retreat, it was such a great retreat. The weekend was full of joy and learning...focused on God. Many memories, from the ride down, from being there, and to the ride back home. (:



Beautiful picture that my really good friend Meagan took of one of our many pit stops on our way there (: Such a fun time:

I am grateful for this group of people:

 

I am so thankful for the many friendship I have, and how strong they are and not shallow. This weekend was great and was full of many great memories and great conversations (:





I will end with this 2 Corinthians 5:14

Amazing Snow in Lahore first time Ever Lahore Climate changed

Snow in Lahore ? well its True !! there has been a Climate change in Lahore Pakistan and It really Snowed in Lahore Today for sure. Enjoy Lahore Climate Enjoy Pakistanies ;)Snow in Lahore ? well its True !! there has been a Climate change in Pakistan and It really Snowed in Lahore Today for sure. Enjoy Pakistanies ;)

Amazing Snow in Lahore first time Ever Lahore Climate changed

Snow in Lahore ? well its True !! there has been a Climate change in Lahore Pakistan and It really Snowed in Lahore Today for sure. Enjoy Lahore Climate Enjoy Pakistanies ;)Snow in Lahore ? well its True !! there has been a Climate change in Pakistan and It really Snowed in Lahore Today for sure. Enjoy Pakistanies ;)

Simple Thoughts

Simple thoughts today...

 rain outside my window

 flowers on the kitchen table

reading the weekend newspaper

letters to friends...phone calls to family

a few stitches in my needlepoint project

reading a 'Week in December' by Sebastian Faulks

a walk in the woods

Simple thoughts on a quiet afternoon

and a bit of English humour..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aAtFrWft2k

Hoping yours is going well :)

Jeanne xx

image~me

Gone Writing....with my Pen Pal

There are many times when I wish I could close the door to my office
and pop this sign on the front of it. I often wonder what it would be like to take more
than a day...matter of fact, I wonder what it would be like to spend more than an
hour to sit and write? A luxury that I will think about another day :)

Your comments to The Text Message...

I want to thank you all for commenting on my last post. I can't tell you how touched I was to receive such an outpouring of concern and support. I kept the tissue box close at hand as they rolled in. In fact, just the thought of them has me reaching for it again. I forwarded them to my daughter who sends her sincerest thanks. The latest is... that she has decided to stay in Christchurch. She feels there is much to be done and she wants to help. Although I am deeply concerned I have to say I would probably do the same. I think she has got to the point where I have to let go and let her make her own decisions. I guess at 20 that is to be expected. Perhaps sending her nearly 50 emails in one day with the latest earthquake reports etc....was a bit extreme.  It was my way of saying she should come home.  I reckon a mother's gotta do what a mother's gotta do...right? She has assured me she is fine. I have faith.

Breakfast at The Wolseley...

It is a funny world we live in, this virtual world. We leave comments back and forth and drop each other emails and as time passes you feel like you know someone as well as your closest friends. My kids tease me and call them my imaginary friends, but really, they are not. 

I met my first blogging friend last week and I am just so thrilled that I did. Pamela from The House of Edward and I met at The Wolseley in London for breakfast. I arrived early and busied myself with my notebook. I admit I was a bit nervous but not for long. Pamela swept in, a beautiful blonde, wrapped up for a cold winter's day. I looked up and my nerves dashed away. She has a glow about her. We smiled, we hugged (something I am prone to do :)) and we jumped right into conversation. So much to say!  I told my husband it was like getting together with a friend who I haven't seen for years. We just picked up from where we left off... like time had never passed.  A couple of times we finished each others sentences and laughed. Great minds think alike.

If you have not Pamela, please be sure to stop in and say hello. She is an engaging writer. She has a way of writing that sweeps you in and takes you to the most wonderful places. You could be staying for tea, baking with her in her kitchen, along side her and her fabulous dog Edward for her daily stroll or on an adventure to another place and time. She is a lovely person and it was an absolute delight to meet her. 

When you stop in, please stay a while and tell her Jeanne sent you :) You will find her here.

The gorgeous Pamela with her
faithful companion, Edward.

Just in...as only Pamela could tell it,
her thoughts on Pen Pals.
Thank you Pamela :)

Read here

On that note, I bid you adieu and best wishes 
for a wonderfully creative weekend!


Jeanne xxx

@ cashmerejeans...

here

and

B-Well for Life

here

Images:

Top~me

1~unknown, 2, 3, 

4~ Pamela @ The House of Edward

Bottom~me

Rumours answered by Facebook creator Zuckerberg

Facebook creator Marc Zuckerberg has told delegates at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that while several mobile phones centered around the social networking site will be released, a purpose built Facebook branded handset is not looking likely.

He told delegates at the conference: “A lot has been made about a single Facebook phone. But this year, you can expect to see dozens of phones with much deeper social integration than we have so far.”

The statement refers to software solutions being provided by Facebook to allow mobile phone manufacturers to be able to integrate the site into their own handsets known as Application Programming Interfaces (API’s).

Flying Thoughts

Yes! Its an outfitpost! Its been a long time so I hope you will enjoy it. Sadly.. I couldn't get a picture of the whole outfit. The ligtning in my chamber was very bad and it is difficult for me to handle the timer. So I photographed a few parts of my outfit wich you can picture together I guess...







What I'm wearing is my new zara t-shirt! I already got you a preview with my previous posts so I guess you know that my shirt has airballoons on it. I really really love it, because the ballons itself look beautiful and i really love the colours of the shirt. I'm also wearing my blue-white dotted skirt from the zara, my tights and cardigan from H&M and my white wedges from Van Haren. I think some of you might think I'm crazy because the weather in Holland is nott that great nowadays. Its really cold and I just so want the summer to come right now. But I guess I still have to wait till I can finally wear dresses and skirts without many layers to prevent that I freeze my legs off.

Here is one picture where you can see a bit of my outfit. Its the group who runs the bar from UMTC, my studentscoöperation, this year. I'm part of that group and it is really fun :) We had a gaterhing to discuss all the positive and negative points of running a bar.




What else is happening in my life? Well.. I'm really busy right now, cause I have a lot of projects for school I have to work on. This weekend will hopefully be a productive one. Problem is.. I'm addicted to How I Met Your Mother right now, so its really hard to concetrate on schoolwork... But I guess it will go all right :) For the next post.. I think I'll do an fellow lovely blogger soon again. It really has been a while. See ya soon!

xx Sabine

TERESA ARTISTA

Ecco un bel disegno della nostra figlia più grande!!

Se fossi stato un pro non avrei esitato dal far diventare questo disegno nella mia prossima grafica!

Bhe non vi nascondo che ne farò delle magliette!!!

Tips On How To Repair Slow Computers

Sometimes computers are very slow due to overloading of files and programs that leads to low hard disk space. It can also be slow because of spyware viruses and corrupt OS. There are so many solutions and steps that can be used to repair slow computer to reduce the demand of resources. There are more than ten ways that can help you solve this computer problem. You should always have a back up in your computer to make sure that your documents are safe. This is a perfect way to ensure that you do not loose documents after you engage the machinery to revive your computer.

If your computer is slow when performing tasks then it, means that you need to update your windows regularly. Automatic updates secure the computer from any threat originating from external mass storage devices like flash disks or CDs. Spyware is a small program that records information about the internet activity and relays it back to the users. By using spyware software to repair slow computer you can detect the sudden decrease in performance when there is a mar law infection and any spy wares. Viruses are small computer programs that you get mostly when downloading some of the applications and programs.

These viruses slow down your computer and most of the times it tends to crash. To prevent this you need to have a computer antivirus and it should be always updated at all times. The viruses also contribute to the slowdown and as a result, you have to be alert in case of any. The other solution to repair slow computer is the registry repair. The register is like a directory of all the computer programs and can be reorganized and cleaned up by removing all the unwanted files. This tends to increase your computer speed if it was the only cause of slowness.

You should make sure there is only one security suite by always removing one suite before installing the other. Turning off the unnecessary programs can also help to increase the speed. The security suite protects your computer and data and most of all your identity thus speeding up the computer. By use of a firewall protection to repair slow computer prevents any unauthorized data from been sent or received thus speeding the computer. The computer can also be slowed down by keeping many useless files or the programs that are not being used.

Removing the unwanted programs can increase the speed of your computer because the creation of space in the drive allows data execution to be faster. The computer can be slow with delay due to temporary and unnecessary files from your hard drive. Removing them can help in speeding up the computer. you can repair slow computer and saves time by running the disk cleanup on your computer. The disk defragmentation is the other way of speeding up the computer and preventing the data from being broken into pieces and making it harder to retrieve and update them. This makes it easy to save the documents and update them regularly

Other solutions of repairing slow computer include the system recovery, complete system restoring, free utility, removal of hardware that is old and finally checking the size of your memory. All these tips help to repair slow computer and mostly the fan and the heat sink requires regular cleaning. Turning off glitters helps speed up the computer thus reducing the consumption of charge being consumed. Avoid using shortcuts because they can have adverse effects on your computer. Consulting an expert can also be beneficial because there are faster tips that can revive your computer.

Nokia To Use Microsoft’s Cellphone Operating System

A few days ago according to various sources, Nokia is going to discard its own mobile operating system and is going to use Microsofts Windows mobile OS.
The announcement by Stephen Elop, the former Microsoft executive hired by Nokia in September as the company’s first non-Finnish chief executive, was an admission of failure by Nokia, which had helped define the mobile phone age in its infancy.
And this might be a last ditch effort to race against Apples iPhone and Googles android OS. Just a gamble to create a fight against the other smart phones.
In the past few years, Microsofts Windows OS for mobiles have received both positive and negative comments from users around the world. Sources say they are seriously considering the comments of the users. Hence forth we can expect some major changes in the OS when they enter the Nokia smartphones.

Mark Zuckerberg Allegedly Stalked On Facebook

Facebook CEO Mark Zukerberg, was allegedly stalked by a member of his own social networking site. A spokesman for Facebook confirmed to Computerworld today that Zuckerberg received a restraining order against a man allegedly stalking him.

According to court records in Santa Carla County show that the restraining order was issued on Jan 31 against Pradeep Manukonda. A hearing is scheduled on Feb 22.

The alleged stalking comes during a time of widespread media attention for Zuckerberg.

In December Mark was named the Person of the year, ahead of Julian Assange, the man behind WikiLeaks and The Tea Party Organization.

Google Faces New Complaint In Anti-trust Probe

A new complaint about Google's alleged anti-competitive behaviour has been filed by specialist French search engine 1plusV.

It follows similar complaints from price comparison site Foundem and legal search engine ejustice.fr last year.

Those triggered a European Commission probe into Google's business practices, which is ongoing.

Google said it was working with the EC, adding that there "was always room for improvement".

"We have been working closely with the European Commission to explain many different parts of our business. While we have always tried to do the right thing for our users and advertisers, we recognise that there's always room for improvement," the firm said in a statement.

How to Disable/Turn Off New Facebook Photo Viewer Mode?

Well, many of you would be viewing images on facebook in the new format ...A click on a particular photo will open a new layer with the photo in the center of your screen and a blank frame around the photo... Now while many of you would find this better than the old one but a few of you ,including me find it hard to get accustomed to the new format...How to revert to the old format you ask? Here are a few tricks:

Solution #1 : Refresh the Page

Just refresh the page when you’re in the new image mode.Once reloaded, the photo will open in the old photo viewer. Now, you can continue navigating the photos like you used to before.


Solution #2 : Remove “&theater“ from the URL

Look for “&theater” in the browser’s address bar. Delete it. Then, load the page again should display the photo in old viewer mode.

Solution #3 : Install Facebook Photo Theater Killer userscript on Browser (Firefox and Chrome ONLY) :
Simply install the Facebook Photo Theater Killer (Greasemonkey script) on Firefox (with Greasemonkey installed first) and Chrome. After installation, the Facebook Photo Theater Viewer mode will be disabled.

Solution #4 : Right click on the image and select : open in new tab/window.Image will open in old viewer.

Register here to get a free sample of Worx Energy drink

Register here to get a free sample of Worx Energy drink. Just give the info asked, and vloa you will have your free sample waiting in your doorsteps within a short time........... click here. you will be redirected to the website........

Get a free sample of Nicoderm CQ

Get a free sample of Nicoderm CQ stop smoking gum. Just register and give the needed information. With in weeks you will have a free sample waiting in your door steps...........
click here..............

3D glasses for free!!!!!!

Watch movies in full 3D with the new red and blue 3D glasses.  Just sign up and fill the form. If you are eligible you will get a brand new 3D glass free........
Click here, you will be redirected to the website...........................

Free Subscription to Ski Magazine

Do you love to hit the slopes? If so, you'll want to request this free 1-year subscription to Ski magazine from Mercury Magazines.

You can get your free subscription to Ski magazine by filling out the freebie form with your information and clicking Continue. If you qualify for the magazine you'll then be asked to fill out your mailing info. You don't need to sign up for any of the "special offers" to get this freebie.

Click here. You will be redirected to the website.......