Chocolate Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

Photo: Debra Turner via iphoneDon't start your diet yet because the next two blog posts will feature food. Christmas may have passed, but some of us are still celebrating, right up until New Year's Day. Par for the holiday course. Accept it.This year I was a slacker when it came to baking cookies. I reasoned ... with the eggnog, chocolate candy and mulled apple cider (not to mention nuts and a few bakery cookies), did I really need to bake cookies...

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THE SAVVY SHOPPER Wishes You A Merry Christmas

Christmas images from several magnificent Southern cities:Downtown Louisville, Kentucky, named after Louis XIV, France's Sun King, whose statue stands in front of the courthouse. "Old Louisville," located just South of downtown, has more Victorian, or Queen Anne homes than anywhere else in the USA.  (Photo: free Wallpaper)Washington DC: Here is this year's National Christmas tree and behind it, The Capitol. (Photo: The Washington Post)Opryland's...

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Merry Christmas From Rockefeller Center

Always stunningly beautiful at night. Come visit during the holidays.While at Rock Plaza, turn around and look across the street (on Fifth Avenue) to see Saks' light and sound window display:Watch for Yeti, the snow monster and holiday mascot of Saks, who makes an appearance.You may also enjoy:The Twelve Days Of ChristmasHave A Merry ChristmasLet's Ease Into Christmas With Bette Midler  Chestnuts Roasting Over An Open Fire, Or In A Toaster...

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Should You Give Money As A Gift?

Photo: LiveAsAMomIs it ever okay to give cold hard cash as a gift? Heck, yeah!! These are hard times for many people. The average person lives on a budget and can certainly use it. Cash is a much better gift when you truly don't know a person's tastes or needs. Why give a family member some useless item that will only take up space until it is donated to charity or regifted? (If you're a regifter be honest.)I think the closer the relationship,...

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Twelve Stocking Stuffers For The Twelve Days Of Christmas

Good things come in small packages ... small enough to fit inside a Christmas stocking. The perfect gift should: 1) meet a need, 2) satisfy a desire or 3) put a smile on a face. When you don't know what to buy for someone, just ask, "Will this gift make him or her happy?" A gift is a token. You want family and friends to feel appreciated.With that criteria in mind, here are 12 Stocking Stuffers ... ideas for adults....

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TIME's Person Of The Year

Who is it going to be? Any guesses? Oh, I wish it were THIS easy. I like it inside this red border.TIME's Person Of the Year "profiles the person, group, idea or object" who for "better or worst" had the "greatest influence on events" in the past year. Dispite what many people think, it is a distinction, not an honor nor an award for goodness. For that reason, the distinction has gone to world leaders, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston...

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Nursing A Cold

I rarely get sick, but came down with a head cold the day after Thanksgiving. I forgot what a nuisance having a cold is. December is such a busy time of the year. It is not the ideal time to get one ... nor to rest. Work picks up, there are gifts to buy, a few Christmas gatherings to attend, and I need my full energy to get everything done. But, I am trying to spend some evenings at home in order to get rid of the unwecome virus as soon...

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One Kings Lane

One Kings Lane is a website offering inspiration and discounts on upscale home goods. Some of the merchandise may be extravagant for the average person, but if you familiarize yourself with the site and its sales, you can buy many fine pieces, marked down, for your home. The site is part information-packed magazine and part online sample sale store. It is the place to go for ideas, flair and knowledge. A few visits will help you nail down...

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A Party At Ryan's Daughter

Photo: The Drink NationIn early November, I was invited to a party to celebrate the results of a local election. It was held at a cozy bar on Manhattan's Upper East Side called Ryan's Daughter. The party was to be low key and mellow, so despite the anticipation of not knowing many faces, I decided to drop in for a drink and appetizer to say hello.Ryan's Daughter is a neighborhood bar. There is no hostess. But as I entered the small establishment,...

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A Happy Thanksgiving

Photo: FiradayHarborPhoto: SindigClick here to download. The advice may be useful this weekend.Photo: (free) Wallpaper  - Photoshopped. Real turkeys are weathered and dirty.Although I eat lots of vegetables and meatless meals, I'm still a carnivore. I can't imagine a Thanksgiving without a turkey. So lately here is how I think: I take a lesson from Native Americans. Indians ate meat too, but were mindful. They killed only what they needed, then...

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A Savvy Shopper's Guide For Holiday Gifts

The 30 language talking translator for a world travelerThe holidays are coming, and the time to start thinking about gifts is now. This year why not buy fewer, but more thoughtful presents? Quantity doesn't make people as happy as quality does. So let's begin: Peruse for ideas. Select items to put smiles on faces. Gave people gifts they need, like and will use, especially things they might not buy for themselves.Here are six smart websites offering...

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Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

Photo: Tina's Chic CornerRecently I attended an all day conference at Lincoln Center, where I ate ... I won't lie ... several squares of cinnamon streusel coffee cake (also known as crumb cake). Why do conferences always serve platters of pastry? I had to pass the sweets station to get to the morning coffee. I was not tempted by the chocolate biscotti nor the buttery croissants, but the crumb cake was very moist and delicious! And...

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Boathouse Farms Green Goodness

Looks bad, right? It's delicious!My mom tells me I was always a good eater. Our family ate lots of meat and potato dinners along with seasonal vegetables and salad. Mom only made dessert, often a cheesecake (with either a lemon or strawberry topping), on Sundays that we ate several hours after dinner while watching televison.Growing up, I remember eating lots of carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and green beans. It didn't occur to me not to like healthy...

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Hair So Silky, It Shines

Photo: ElleI spend less on hair care than on skin care. That's because hair cells are dead cells, and I don't want to go broke on hair care products.Nonetheless, if my hair doesn't look good ... I am upset. I bet every woman has cried at least once over a bad hair cut. And, I would guess some men have too! So it all begins with a flawless, percision cut. That's why I will follow Penny, who cuts my hair, wherever she goes.Since you need to fiddle...

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