Just what I want for Christmas!

Am I the only one who finds this weird? The NEX is selling statues of Obama. At no other time can I remember stores selling merchandise of past presidents... Ok maybe George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln (the guys on Mt. Rushmore)... But they were imprdalized in stone "to represent the first 150 years of American history. These presidents were selected because of their role in preserving the Republic and expanding its territory."
But I mean coffee mugs, plates, Tshirts, coins, now statues of this guy who in this year since election has done NOTHING. I just find the "idol" level that people are holding this guy to, just WEIRD. And yeah yeah yeah... I get that he's our president... But all i'm sayin is that if McCain had won I would STILL find statues and plates and coffee mugs with his face on it just plane weird. And you know, I really wanted to give Lenox the benifit of the doubt. I would find this all less irritating if I saw they had some kind of "Presidents" line... But I searched and searched their website and found NOTHING. In all honestly, i'm just WAITING for someone to propose the gov. pay to have this guys ugly mug emordlized in stone.

Tuscan Tomato Pasta

Ingredients
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic,
1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes,
1/2 cup shredded carrot
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
1 cup Chik'n Strips
8 ounces spaghetti or fettuccine
2 tablespoons shaved Parmesan cheese

Directions
1. In large saucepan cook onion and garlic in hot oil until tender. Add mushrooms. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes or until tender.
2. Stir in undrained tomatoes, carrot, vinegar and basil. Bring to boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes or until desired thickness. Stir in Chik'n Strips. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. Toss tomato mixture with pasta. Sprinkle with cheese.

November is Military Family Month

ALMAR 039/08
R 121444z SEP 08
UNCLAS
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/MILITARY FAMILY MONTH//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. THIS NOVEMBER MARKS THE 13TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION
OF MILITARY FAMILY MONTH. SPONSORED BY THE ARMED SERVICES YMCA AND
ENDORSED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THIS ANNUAL
OBSERVANCE PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NATION TO RECOGNIZE THE
EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS AND DAILY SACRIFICES OF THE MILITARY
FAMILY.
2. THE STEADFAST DEDICATION OF OUR MARINE CORPS FAMILIES AND THEIR
UNSELFISH CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SUCCESS IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF
INSPIRATION TO ALL. HEIGHTENED OPERATIONAL TEMPO, INCREASED
DEPLOYMENTS, AND FREQUENT RELOCATIONS ARE SOME OF THE MANY
CHALLENGES OUR FAMILIES FACE ON BEHALF OF OUR COUNTRY. DESPITE
THESE CHALLENGES, THE ESPRIT DE CORPS SHOWN BY OUR FAMILIES REFLECTS
A TRUE UNDERSTANDING OF THE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT REQUIRED IN
PASSING THE LEGACY OF THE EAGLE, GLOBE, AND ANCHOR ON TO FUTURE
GENERATIONS.
3. THE FLEXIBILITY, STRENGTH, AND GRACE OF OUR MARINE CORPS
FAMILIES CONTRIBUTES TO OVERALL READINESS AND EXEMPLIFIES OUR MOTTO
- SEMPER FIDELIS.
4. COMMANDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO HONOR FAMILIES AND CELEBRATE THIS
OCCASION BY PLANNING APPROPRIATE SPECIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.
5. SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//

It was only a matter of time...

www.snuggiefordogs.com

Italian Sausage and Bean Stew with Polenta

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cans (14 1/2 oz. each) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained
2 cans (15 oz. each) cannellini beans (white kidney beans)
1 package Sausage Style Recipe Crumbles
1 package (16 oz.) prepared polenta cut into 1/4-inch slices

Directions
1. In large saucepan combine olive oil, tomatoes, beans, and MORNINGSTAR FARMS Breakfast Patties. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer.
2. Fry polenta slices in a large skillet in olive oil until golden and crusty, about 3 minutes per side. Spoon stew over polenta slices and serve immediately.