email about NJ driving - tickets

Hi all - Courtenay sent this today - not surprising so be warned:

Starting today, New Jersey will launch a 30 day speeding ticket frenzy. The state estimates that 9 million dollars will be generated in speeding tickets. 1 million will go to pay state troopers' overtime. There will be 50 state troopers on duty at all times patrolling the 9 main intersections and highways.
They are the following:
> I-295 north and south>
1-95 (Jersey Turnpike) north and south
1-80 east and west
I-287 north > and south
I-78 east and west>
1-195 east and west>
1-280 east and west>
Rt. 130 north and south>
Garden State Parkway north and south
5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket and every state trooper is supposed to pull a car over and w rite a ticket every 10 to 20 minutes. They have issued 30 brand new unmarked Crown Victoria cruisers and are bringing in all of their part timers on full time. If you work in NJ, NY, DE or CT you will probably take one of these highways. It's up to you how fast you are going when they clock you.
101.5 FM confirmed all of this.
So be safe and don't forget speeding tickets are on you.
Driving Ticket fine increase in NJ: Starting on August 15th, the price of a ticket for violation of NJ Law39:3-29 (failure to show your driver's license, registration, or insurance card at the time you are stopped) is going from $44.00 to $173.00.
Please make sure your vehicles have the proper documents in them. If you jump in the car to run to the store and forget your wallet with your license in it and you are stopped.... Oh well... you just spent $173. And the fine for not having all three documents is $519!!!
Forward to people in NJ, and let them know of this change. And be careful, the fine for hand held cell phone use while driving will be going up to $180.00.

What are your favorite websites?

I just sat down to check my email and my usual websites when I started wondering what everyone else likes to look at on the web. I thought it might be fun to compile a list of some of the stuff we all like to check out so I can spend even MORE time on the computer. I am omitting the usual suspects like amazon and gap and such because we all know what they have. Here are just a few of my favorites:

whateverradio.com for alexis stewarts blog(she is martha's daughter)

marthastewart.com for martha's blog

cooksillustrated.com for recipes ( i am a member and it is worth the $20 a year. See Christopher Kimball entry from November 27th)

fabric.com for amy butler fabric

dauphinepress.com beause the stationery is so pretty

weddingpaperdivas.com because this is actually affordable (we just ordered invites for my mom's 60th from here)

romanticflowers.com for beautiful handmade papers

jamaligarden.com for party and holiday stuff

nashvillewraps.com for wrapping stuff

purlsoho.com for fabric

That is all I can think of off the top of my head but I will add more as they come to me. Looking forward to hearing back from you all.

Cheddar-Cauliflower Soup

While I am at it, I thought I'd post another recipe from Williams Sonoma. I have tried this one and love it! Great on a cold, winter day - and easy too!

If you haven't checked it out, Williams Sonoma has great recipes on their website. (In the recipe below, instead of an immerson blender, I scope out the cauliflower and onions throw it into a food processor and then add it back into the broth. This works great!)

Ingredients:
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 head cauliflower, about 2 1/2 lb., cut into florets
5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups heavy cream* (I use whole milk instead*)
2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
8 oz. white cheddar cheese, shredded
Toasted crusty bread for serving

Directions:
In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the cauliflower and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the broth, cream, the 2 tsp. salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the cauliflower is easily pierced with a fork, about 10 minutes. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup to a fine puree, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until melted and well combined with the soup. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into individual bowls and serve immediately with toasted bread. Serves 6 to 8.

Roasted Garlic & Herb Dip

Here is a vegetarian suggestion for game day. I just got this dip recipe from Williams Sonoma. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds wonderful!

Roasted Garlic and Herb Dip
Ingredients:
4 heads garlic
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 fresh rosemary sprig
1 fresh thyme sprig
1 1/2 cups sour cream
6 Tbs. mayonnaise
1 1/2 Tbs. chopped fresh rosemary
1 1/2 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme
3 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Potato chips for serving (see related recipe at left)
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 400°F. Cut off the tops of the garlic heads and rub the cut surface with the olive oil. Put the garlic in a garlic roaster or on a baking sheet. Arrange the rosemary and thyme sprigs on or around the garlic. Cover the garlic roaster with the lid or the baking sheet with aluminum foil. Roast until the garlic cloves are soft and lightly browned, about 1 1/4 hours. Let cool completely. Squeeze the pulp from the garlic cloves into the container of an immersion blender or into a deep bowl. Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped rosemary, thyme and parsley, the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Using an immersion blender, blend until well combined. Cover the dip with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve the dip with potato chips. Makes about 3 cups.
Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.

So not a vegan appetizer but so good :)

Hey guys. I know that Superbowl is coming and I thought I would throw out an app that Chris is very proud and it is such a sporty app that he makes all the time and honestly it is so good (sorry Meg) but, it is so simple and tastes like a lot of work.
Sausage Dip
1 Jimmy Dean Regular Sausage
1 8 oz of cream cheese
1 can of Rotel (diced tomatoes and chili peppers- drained)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Brown the sausage and strain the fat, lower heat and add block of cream cheese and can of Rotel.
Mix evenly and pour into an 8x8 baking dish or low pie dish and bake for 30-40 minutes. It should be bubbling on top. Serve with tortilla chips or if you want to really be bad he serves with frito lays sometimes. :)

Have fun whatever you all are doing!!

I need some help in the kitchen!

Hi Gang. Patrick and I are trying on a new lifestyle (we're swingers). No I am kidding. We are not swingers but we have not been eating meat or dairy for the past month as per the Skinny Bitches- a must read bytheway. For the past few weeks I have been cooking for us in a completely different way- using lots of foods I have never used before. I have made a couple of things that have gone straight into the trash (or at least should have but we were starving) and I have made some really delicious food too. Tara has been immensely helpful in telling me what to buy and try and what is gross and not worth it. It occurred to me that maybe more of you have some good recipes and/or tips and recommendations in your repertoire so I thought I would ask. I am looking for any useful ideas for quick evening recipes or some tasty meat and cheese alternatives. I am appreciative of any feedback you all may have.

The Magic Bullet

OK, get your minds out of the gutter. I recently bought the Magic Bullet BLENDER from Costco and I think everyone needs one. I have always been curious about it and I'll admit i've been mesmorized by the commercial and watched the whole thing a few times. But I was talking to my step-brothers girl friend and she has one and said it is as good as they say. So I bought it and it really is! I cracked 2 eggs right into the little cup and threw in some milk and broccoli and whipped it up and then threw it into a pan and made an omellete. Then i threw in fresh fruit, ice, wheatgerm and broccoli and made a smoothie. It is ridiculously fast and easy. And it takes up no space, you can leave it out on the counter. I have space issues so trust me. I have a real blender, mini chop cuisinart, hand stick blender...but this is my fave by far. And it comes with a juicer which I havent yet tried. And the cookbook that comes with has all sorts of other ideas that I have yet to try...anyway, next time you're at Costco check it out! The price is the same as the website and the commercial. when they tell you its two for one, it really isnt. costco is 49.99. buythebullet.com is two for one at 99.99.

Seton Ann Iglay...isn't she gorgeous!!!

A NEW BABY GIRL!!!

Hi All - Tara had a baby girl this morning!!! She and the baby are well...shockingly the baby looks just like Dean and Curran. All are well. Ta sounds awesome!!!

By the way...

Did Tara have that baby yet??!!1

Going to be seeing a whole lot less of me!!

I am new to the blog but wanted to share my good news with the masses. As of Feb.11th you are going to be seeing a whole lot less of me!! I am finally having the breast reduction I have been waiting for my entire life. I figured everyone is going to know anyway and i am too excited not to tell. If anyone has any good advice, gossip magazines (for recovery), books to trade/borrow (i just finished kite runner and a thousand splendid suns if anyone hasn't read yet), or just a call if its nice and you go to the park..maybe i can get someone to pick up the girls and meet you!! I am really anxious for the back relief and the overall results but worried about the recovery and how it will affect the kids..julie..i love this blog..sorry if took a whole post but I am so excited to share my news!

Yoga... and booger-sucking

Where is the new yoga studio in Avon? I go to Brielle Sports Club and although I like the gym, they do not have a great yoga class schedule. I'm looking for a good place for myself... it would be a perk if they had baby classes too so Maddux could come! Also, any suggestions on classes or playgroups for infants??

On a different note, does anyone have suggestions for using the nasal aspirator. Maddux is so congested and is having trouble eating... using that thing is so awful though. Any hints?

Movies

The Green Mile was a great movie also!

Loving the new scene picture!

could someone organize a housewifes convention in bora bora?

Good Movies

What was the name of the movie w/ Jack Nicholson and Diane Keating came out a few years ago? It was also a great movie. The best part of the movie was that Er and I saw it with our Dad and there was an explicit sex scene in the beginning that never stopped! I think it was one of the most awkward moments of my life! Like watching Knocked Up w/ your 13 y.o. niece!! Er and I were cracking up! It was so weird!

Scary article on NJ Vaccine Mandates

Deirdre Imus Calls for Public to Get Involved on New Jersey Vaccine Mandates Children’s health advocate says mercury-containing vaccines should not be forced on our children.
New York, NY, December 24, 2007 – In an appearance on the "Imus in the Morning Show" (12/14/07), children’s health advocate, best-selling author and civic leader Deirdre Imus urged the audience to contact New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine to encourage him to stop newly recommended vaccine mandates approved on December 10th by the Public Health Council.
“The Governor’s Public Health Council, made a very, very bad mistake by mandating these vaccines,” said Mrs. Imus. “New Jersey will be the first state in the entire world to require annual flu shots for children in preschool and day care facilities. Ninety percent of the influenza vaccine supply still contains thimerosal, a potent developmental neurotoxin.”
NJ Health Commissioner Fred Jacobs approved the Council’s recommendation on Friday, December 15. The new mandates would also require a pneumococcal vaccine for preschoolers, a whooping cough booster shot for sixth-graders, and the meningitis vaccines for school children as young as 11. Sanofi’s Menactra meningococcal vaccine is thimerosal-free and currently recommended for children between 11-12 years old. However, the FDA and the CDC are investigating cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) among adolescents who received this vaccine. A larger study led by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare is expected to take approximately two years. According to the CDC, “The study period is necessary to accumulate cases and attain sufficient statistical power.”(http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/acip/downloads/mtg-slides-feb07/07-izsafety-1-davis.pdf) The recommended acceptable alternative is Sanofi’s Menomune, which contains 25 micrograms of thimerosal, thus adding to the overall body burden of one of the most toxic metals on earth.
Link to full article (think you have to copy and paste into a new browser): http://www.dienviro.com/index1.aspx?BD=18699

Happy New Year & a few good MOVIES!

Okay...Here's a movie list. Please add to it. There are so many great ones! I hope this triggers some great memories and hopefully, we'll all get to see a few that we missed. Here they are in no special order:

As Good As it Gets
Walk the Line
Good Will Hunting
A Beautiful Mind
Caddyshack
Almost Famous
Forrest Gump
Million Dollar Baby
Terms of Endearment - Torture, but a great movie.
ALL The Godfather Movies
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Happy Gilmore - Early Adam Sandler. He reminds me so much of my brother, Pat. This one had to do with golf & hockey. I loved it. Don't really remember why, but it is good. Also, I just watched I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, and that was funny, too.
Dreamgirls
An Officer and a Gentleman - My Mom loved this movie.
Pretty Woman
Blues Brothers
Animal House
The Aviator
Chocolat
The Departed
Erin Brockovich
Ray
The American President
FastTimes at Ridgemont High
A Year Without a Santa Claus
A Christmas Story
It's a Wonderful Life
Shakespeare in Love - Ta & I went to see this right after Curran & John were born. It was a riot.....not the movie, but we sat in the back and nursed the two of them, and it was so much fun.
The Good Girl
The Breakfast Club
Monty Python & the Holy Grail
Dead Man Walking
Pulp Fiction
Thelma & Louise
Kramer vs. Kramer
The Graduate
Tootsie
Lord of the Rings
Shawshank Redemption
Silence of the Lambs
The Shining - The last two are so scary, but great movies.
Mystic River
Saturday Night Fever - I just LOVE 70s music. The cheesier the better. I Love it!
Knocked Up - Funniest thing about this movie was that I watched it with my 13 year old niece...enough said.
When Harry Met Sally
Mary Poppins - One of my Dad's favorites.
Grease
Inherit the Wind - probably not a crowd favorite, but I use to teach this subject and it was turned into a movie and a Broadway show...both of which I liked.
The Way We Were
Wedding Crashers
Rain Man - Anyone who really knows my Dad, knows why I love this movie.
Jaws - This was so scary, but Johno was an extra and if you look at the scene shot in Martha's Vineyard, he's the little kid standing on the jetty with his family with white gauze wrapped around his head. It's a long story...but there he is, and it's still a great movie.

Oldies, but goodies. Here's a few that I remember liking as a kid:
Airplane
Gumball Rally
E.T.
The Champ

Here's a few my kids love:
Madagascar - probably the all time favorite for them
Star Wars- John is really liking this lately
Madeleine & the Bad Hat
Anything with Scooby-Dooby-Doo and/or Dora
High School Musical...I think today's version of Grease
Oh yeah... don't forget Spongebob.

Please add to the list!!! I know this was pretty random, but winter is here, and it's a great time to catch up on books and/or movies that we may have missed. Not sure how well I did, but it was fun reminiscing.

Pot-luck blog

So I tried to take that cute baby picture where they're lying on their back with their feet up in the air in their hands...then Brutus joined the photo shoot and all hell broke less. After this episode Christian sat back on his legs and peed on Brutus and my nice soft blanket. I have that picture to. Oh well.

But this is still on of my favorite pictures and I figure I can share it for a few more years before embarassing anyone. The beauty is in the detail :)

Anyway, hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years...Erin and I were talking about the book list and thought we would put a movies list on here. But I am pretty bad with movies. I never saw E.T. so I need Erin to take the lead. Erin, by the way, is an author. If your husbands (or you) read Esquire mag then check out the infomercial (or whatever the name of it is in print) right around page 39 (Johnny Depp is on the cover). Erin wrote it! and got paid! and went to a swanky party. And never left her house while working or had to get a sitter. Now that is a cool job for stay at home moms...

Anywho, one good movie that isnt realy well known is Sliding Doors...probably not real well known because it really isnt that great but totally worth seeing. A chick flick about a chick (Gwyneth Paltrow) who just misses her 'tube' (based in London) and then what happens to her life both when she missed and what if she didnt...kind of cool, fate. i like that stuff.

Christian woke me up early (both Christians actually - one going to the gym and one pooped, know which one was which one? - and Chloe is still sleeping, hence this blog hodge-podge...

Happy Sunday!