Karen’s Opinion

I often tease my husband because he has the ability to pick some horrible movies when choosing movies at the video store. It is like they call out to him, “pick me! pick me!” I have to say though, he redeemed himself by choosing two good movies this past Friday. Yes, two great movies! The best one was Three Days with Russell Crowe. I can’t begin to describe that movie without giving the plot away so I’ll just say, I recommend it. The other movie was The Tourist. Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie make a dynamic couple. You could feel the tension between them. I am not sure how to explain the movie but it had twists and turns that kept me trying to figure out what was happening. It was filmed in France and Italy so was especially fun to see the beautiful scenery.

During one of the scenes of The Tourist, Johnny Depp was smoking one of those electric cigarettes that are supposed to help you quit smoking. I don’t know about the success rate for them but I have read about a product that has been very successful for many people. CiGRX is a small mint-flavored lozenge that temporarily reduces the urge to light up a nasty cigarette. The great thing about cigrax is that the cigrx side effects are minimal. In fact, it contains natural dietary ingredients: yerba mate (mah-TAY) and anatabine (an-AT-a-been). Extracts of mate are found in Yerba mate’s chemical components and are similar to those found in green tea. Anatabine, an alkaloid found in tobacco is also used to make CigRX. The chemical make up of CigRX using anatabine and yerba mate make a less addictive solution to help one to stop smoking.

I do appreciate the position of movie makers who show that smoking is not a good idea instead of the producers who take money from cigarette manufacturers to fund their productions.

I just finished reading my newly received issue of Good Housekeeping. I have a love/hate relationship with the magazines I receive in the mail. I love to read them but I want to read them from back cover to front. I have to know everything that is in them. What a big chunk of time it takes to read a good magazine! Yes, I typed that correctly: I read from back cover to front. Doesn’t everyone? Is that what they call being left brained?

I found the article written about Heidi Klum particularly interesting. It sounds like she worked mighty hard to get where she is today. I find myself drawn to her because she seems to be down to earth and loyal to her family. She is goofy at times and I like to see celebrities who don’t take themselves too seriously.

One part of the article talked about how she keeps track of things. She uses different colored pens on her family organizer. What a terrific idea! With a glance, she can see what her kids have going on. If she has a conflict, she can make necessary changes and keep things running smoothly. A family calendar keeps her from missing her children’s doctor appointments and sporting events. Can you imagine juggling her schedule with Fashion Runway events, her husband’s concerts and 4 children to keep track of? With all the technology we have today, I am surprised she doesn’t get up to speed and use KitchenHub Family Organizer.

This user friendly software program would allow her to use her phone to check their busy schedule. It allows for checking the weather and one’s email. All members of the family can have access to it so everyone stays on track. What a great idea! KitchenHub Family Organizer uses color coded tabs too! This software also has the capability of storing addresses, shopping lists and important medical information. These are just a few of the helpful applications of the software. A family should not be without KitchenHub Family Organizer.

I looked in the hotel room’s nightstand drawer this weekend and was pleased to find that the Gideon group is still putting Bibles in hotel rooms.

I have read Sara’s blog, Red Pine Mountain for awhile now. If you want to read an uplifting account of caring for animals and building a life in the beautiful mountains of Vermont, her blog is for you. You might even win something by entering her giveaways. I won a fantastic cookbook, The Settlement Cookbook 1903. I started to say, new cookbook, but it is, as described on the back cover, a cooking and homemaking primer for newly arrived immigrants. It has old fashioned recipes that use the most basic recipes. This will probably become one of my favorite cookbooks! Of course, my regular readers know that it is my husband that does the cooking in our house so it might become his favorite cookbook. We shall see! Thanks Sara!

I have been wanting to make these…

Mint Julep
Large Thin Julep Glass-Dissolve one teaspoon fine sugar in water, one dash Maraschino, one glass whiskey or brandy, as preferred four or five sprigs mint held to side of glass, leaves up. Fill up with fine ice and do not bruise the mint. Trim with fruits. If prefered mint can be bruised, but above is the regular Southern julep.