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Lee Dewyze is our season nine American Idol. I predicted that Crystal would win last night, but I knew from DialIdol.com's prediction process that Lee was almost certainly going to win. Last season Kris held a tiny advantage over Adam on DI, and won by less than one percent. Lee had a commanding lead on DI, so he most likely won going away. I don't know the actual voting totals but I would guess that Lee received over sixty percent of the vote.
The show hasn't started yet. Before I get to the show, here is a short recap of the season:
Idol went to Boston (Siobhan, Ashley, Katie, Tyler from the semis and Andrew the future serial killer), Orlando (Skiboski, Guitar Girl and Larry Platt, along with our favorite hick chick Vanessa Wolfe. Jermaine, Paige, Aaron, Janelle, Michelle and Big Mike from the semis), Chicago (both Lee and Crystal, along with John Park and Katelyn from the semis; they started the show with "Welcome to Chicago, F U"), Los Angeles (Andrew, Didi, Joe Munoz), Dallas (Todrick, Lacey, Alex, Tim), and Denver (Casey, Haeley, Lilly).
The first round of Hollywood featured command performances from Didi (Terrified), Lilly (Lullaby of Birdland), Andrew (Straight Up) and Crystal (Natural Woman). We lost early faves Mallory, Justin and hick chick Vanessa. Group night saw the demise of early personal favorites Leah, Kelsey (the little red haired girl) and Kimberly Kerbow and gave us our first glimpse of Siobhan as part of Todrick Hall's "Bad Romance" group. The final Hollywood round featured commanding performances from Todrick, Soibhan, Crystal and the (later) ousted Thaddeus Johnson.
The semis started off with a couple of surprise ousters in Ashley and Janelle, then the second show was fairly predictable. The final semi show was a bloodbath for some early frontrunners and momentum building dark horses as Lilly, Alex, Todrick and Katelyn all got the boot. Lacey and Paige left in the next two weeks, respectively, as the show pared down to the top ten, and set the roster for the Idol Tour. Siobhan, in particular, was spectacular in this period with four consecutive strong performances capped off with her "Paint it Black" moment. Andrew fell out of his early front running position, while Crystal established herself as the one to beat with a couple of moment-worthy performances.
Top 10– Didi was bounced, while Lee gave a command performance and made his way up the power rankings. Siobhan had a disastrous week, singing out of key and getting trashed by Simon. Crystal played the piano.
Top 9– Mike finished last, but got the save. Crystal (Come Together) was terrific, and Casey (Jealous Guy) had his moment.
Top 9/8– Andrew and Katie were tossed, and nobody sang all that amazingly. Casey was probably the best of the night with a cool re-arrangement of Lawdy Miss Clawdy, but none of the judges knew the song so they hammered him. Siobhan sang beautifully, but the arrangement of her "Suspicious Minds" was horrible.
Top 7– Tim Urban finally got the boot despite singing very well (for him, anyway). Lee had a signature moment with "The Boxer", and Crystal was fantastic on "Get Ready". Siobhan sang well, but got hammered for wearing clothes, or something. By then she was so sideways with Simon that her moments in front of the judges were getting really uncomfortable.
Top 6– Siobhan was bounced despite the judges giving her the positive reviews (that she should have gotten several weeks before), and didn't really earn with her horrible performance of "Any Man of Mine". Crystal, for the first time, wasn't brilliant. Casey was praised for a turkey of a song, after getting hammered two weeks before after pulling off a brilliant song.
Top 5– Aaron Kelly was bounced, and nobody sang very well. Lee was praised to the rafters despite a sloppy performance.
Top 4– Mike was bounced after a technically perfect but emotionally bankrupt performance. Crystal brought life to an amazing but dated song (I'm Alright) and absolutely killed her duet with Lee (Falling Slowly). Casey had a very good week, with "Mrs. Robinson" and his half of the duet with Mike. Lee was fine, but he didn't stand out.
Top 3– Casey was bounced despite a terrific performance night. Crystal and Lee were both brilliant in their second performances, after mediocre openers. Apparently none of the judges, or Mike Slezak and his crew, have ever heard of Shinedown.
And now we get to the finale. From here I am going forward in blog format:
The Finale-
8:04– What in the heck is Crystal wearing? That looks like a Catholic Schoolgirl uniform. Lee looks like he is about to broadcast the 1972 Super Bowl along with Frank Gifford and How.word.Co.Sell. Where the hell is Bob Eucker and his ape suit when we need him?
8:05– Ok, now I get it. Alice Cooper!!! All of the finalists came out for "School's Out", in those wonky/creepy school outfits. Crystal and Lee obviously didn't get time to rehearse the dance moves, as they just moved around in the middle. Casey got to do the introduction. Orianthi, the chick with the guitar, was on Idol earlier in the season and is the opening act for Adam/Allie's summer tour. Siobhan and Didi, in particular, were really animated for the song and dance.
8:11– Kris Allen with "The Truth". This is his latest single. If his pop career fizzles, he could have a future in country music as a pop/country crossover type. I'll be honest; this style of music generally bores me. I love acoustic guitars, or driving guitar licks. I love harmony vocals, powerful melodies and massive dynamic changes. This song, and this style, just seems to be in the middle, with no edges or dynamic power. It's just a-ight. I think I owe Randy 6 cents now.
8:16– Simon is leaving after the show, as everyone knows. This first tribute segment was sort of a roasting, pointing out some of Simon's less than flattering moments. It was a reach, to get 2 minutes of this.
I am serious about this. To pick just one thing would take a week of weeding out the lesser evils, and setting up a 256 moment tournament of bile, manipulation, inconsistency, ignorance coupled with arrogance, and outright nastiness and spite. Hell, I am not even sure that his attempt to dismiss Kelly Clarkson in Hollywood during season one would make the tournament. He wasn't nasty enough about it. Paula wouldn't let him.
8:18– Siobhan and Aaron. This is probably it. I have been looking forward to Sha-Von's last performance for weeks. Bee Gees!!!! Siobhan and Aaron sang beautifully together, and I am impressed with Aaron's harmony singing. Hell, I love it when I get to hear any real singer sing harmony. It's the most beautiful part of music, to me.
It sucks to see the Bee Gees without Maurice, who passed away in 2003. I was a huge Bee Gees fan growing up, and I always wanted Barry Gibb's hair and his voice. For you musicians out there, try something: take any one of their songs, and play it just with an acoustic guitar. Yep. Amazing, isn't it? My only regret here is that they didn't do one of their early, pre-disco songs. How cool would it have been for them to do "Run to Me"? Note to self: Go find a good youtube version of that song…
8:26- Big Mike and the Doobies. Ok, Michael McDonald, but that's fine. Mac doesn't have the huge power that he used to have, but man does he have great hair. When I hear the term "blue eyed soul", I always think of McDonald first. He looks like my own Dad did late in his life, doesn't he? I'll be thrilled to age that gracefully.
8:28– Wow, that was a short song, wasn't it? More Simon. Dane Cook singing a song full of Simon's critiques. This was really funny, and Simon took it all gracefully. My favorite:
"Simon, you have the all honesty of Abe Lincoln, and all the charm of the guy that shot him"
They brought out a few of the more outrageous bad auditioners. I recognized Tatiana, Normund Gentle and the girl who thought that she was going to win because she won on the Idol video game.
Let me be Simon for a second, and give my take on that song. "It started out brilliantly, but the last part was TERRible. Your performance was fine, I guess, but the song choice was horrific, and I am not sure that I am going to be seeing you next week. Sorry. (rolls eyes and takes a drink from his coke glass)"
8:34– Lacey started off Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful", and the rest of the female finalists joined in. Crystal got most of the glory notes, as she should. Siobhan admitted, in her exit interview with Slezak, that she wasn't allowed to wear heels on stage because she kept stumbling in them. Idol actually made a rule about it. She is wearing some ridiculous heels tonight, they have to be at least 3 inches. She almost fell on her butt going down the stairs beside the judges' table, so that rule was probably a good idea.
The girls came back up on stage and Siobhan, Katie and Paige took a turn on Christina's "Stronger". Paige in particular sounded terrific on this, as did Katie. Siobhan was Siobhan, and they were all very animated. It was terrific, and I rewound it to listen again. Christina came up late in the song, and then the lights dimmed for Christina's next song. It was "You Lost Me".
Christina was, when she came out, compared to Britany Spears. That's a ridiculous comparison in hindsight, but that's how it works. She went through a musical "slut" stage, pushing the envelope and getting a lot of flack and jokes told about her. She has come out of that and I think that she has established herself as the new Mariah, not that the old Mariah is gathering dust. She is a consummate performer, a brilliant songwriter and a force on the stage. She wouldn't be the worst choice to replace Simon as a judge.
As long as Idol can get the true superstars like Christina to show up for their little talent show, they should be ok. It was beyond pleasing to see the energy and passion that the Idol contestants gave to this performance. While some of us can get jaded at times, this is one of those little things that makes Idol special. This is the local talent getting to sing with the superstar, and both of them are happy to be there. It's Pygmalion winning the lottery. It's the best, most accomplished artists of our culture mixing with kids from towns that don't even have a 7-11. In America, anything is possible. That was what I was taught in school. Idol represents a form of that, with the added spice of instant gratification that allows us all to be interested in the process.
8:42– Rickey Gervais took a moment to give Simon some grief by satellite, as if he was in England, but the shoot was actually taken from less than a mile away. I'm not kidding. You could see the Nokia Theater over his shoulder, in the background.
8:47– It's the men's turn to take the stage, singing some Hall and Oats. Surprisingly, Tim Urban sounded the best of all of them. Lee got to introduce the guys, and Casey got a few glory notes. We should see him again later, I hope, with his own stage turn.
I was hoping for "Rich Girl", but "You Make My Dreams Come True" is fine. I grew up in H&O's heyday of the late 1970's and early 1980's. I had 45's of "Rich Girl", "She's Gone", "Sara Smile", and "You Lost That Loving Feeling". Bill Frizzell and I sang that last one at Karaoke together for years and years. I was Hall, he was Oates. Oates looks like a dark haired Ron Cey, with one of the more famous disco mustaches of the era. They didn't sound great tonight, but who cares? They look good, and they had plenty of energy for a couple of guys who have to be at least pushing 60. Screw current. Idol IS current, by crossing every generation in search of musical beauty and greatness. To understand the future, it's helpful to understand the past. Right? RIGHT?? Ok, I'm reaching, I know it….
8:52– Hey, a Janelle Wheeler sighting!!! Janelle is reporting from Toledo, Chrystal's hometown. I just found out tonight that Janelle used to date Tim Tebow. I'm not sure which one I should be high fiving. Their kids would go for big bucks on the open market, I'll tell you that.
8:53-Crystal sang a verse of "Ironic", and then introduced Alanis Morrisette!!! They dueted "You Oughta Know". They changed the words on the racier passages, so the censors can relax. I leaked some, it was soooo good…..Crystal was commanding, and Alanis was great as she always is. "Jagged Little Pill" has to be on the shelf of any serious collector of the seminal albums of rock and roll, doesn't it?
Idol is a beautiful thing. People like me get to say whatever we want to say about it. Youtube is full of bile and vitriol about the show; how dumb it is, how stupid the producers and the judges are, and how bad the singers are. People with no other qualification than a modem get to tell millions of people in various forums that the show stinks, and that it should be canceled, and that they PERSONALLY want so and so shot. This is all fine, and very American, very human. Not everyone kills the show. Some are positive, and even the most angry of them will say something nice once in awhile.
Then, tonight, Alanis Morrisette, Christina Aguilera, Alice Cooper, Hall and Oats, the Bee Gees and several others to come take time out of their own lives to show up and sing with these amateurs. Everyone from the top of the business to the bottom of the food chain are involved in the process. The show isn't about the superstars so much as it's about the contestants and the hometown supporters. The naysayers and the bloggers have their own role, whether they appreciate the platform or not. With 9 seasons in the tank, Idol has a history, and an illustrious alumni. It has a cache in the business of TV, the business of music, and the business of theater. It has a cache on youtube, facebook and it is followed by literally millions of internet gadflies.
In a bad year it was the number one show on TV, with just under 24 million watchers per show. It's a simple talent show, but its talent base is an entire country, 300 million people. There are literally billions of others available as interested parties, with satellite/cable TV and internet access. Sitcoms get tired because they run out of ideas. Idol is a show that sells current events, more in line with "Meet the Press" or "SNL" or "The Today Show".
It's interactive, and it's always current because the script is always written live with no cue cards for the true main characters (the contestants), who change every season. The audience gets to judge along with the show's judges, by going on the internet. There is some talk about the show losing its mojo, jumping the shark, but I don't see why this should happen. The show is a renewable resource. There is no real reason why it should end.
9:01– Carrie Underwood, singing her latest single. Vintage Carrie, her style completely. I've heard it before, it's a terrific song. A couple of things that I noticed: ONE: Carrie has a backup singer that looks just like Carrie did when she was on Idol. That got me to noticing TWO: Carrie, over the years, has gone through a transformation physically almost as remarkable as she has vocally. On Idol she was a little bit chubby and mousy. Once she got going with her career she got so skinny that I was expecting her to end up in rehab for an eating disorder. She had no butt at all, her legs were pipe cleaners, and she was just a stick. Now, she looks healthy as you can look. She even seems to have grown a couple of inches, but that's probably an illusion, from some serious heels. Also, I have to go find Carrie's "Last Name" from last season's Idol. It was amazing live, with so much female attitude and head bobbing that I could feel her channeling everyone from Tammy Wynette to Aretha Franklin. I'll try to find and send that one on later.
That song was a co-write between Carrie and Kara. I don't know about you, but I love that kind of thing. How cool is that? Kara also wrote "Terrified", so can we all give her a pass for "No Boundaries"? No? Ok…. That was pretty bad….
9:05– Ford video finale, when they present the finalists with their own cars. The editing was horrible, to misquote Simon. They both were probably going nuts, but they edited that out and left them looking almost like it was no big deal. I looked harder, between the lines, and I could see the beginnings and the endings of their excitement. Why would they edit that out? I don't get it. If it's me, I want to film the screaming and the jumping up and down. I did love the song, and they showed Siobhan with her fangs one more time. Crystal's harmony was tuning fork. She won't win the title, but she has certainly won a lot of important fans with her musicianship. She sure as hell won me.
9:07– Casey James, singing "Every Rose has its Thorn", with an acoustic guitar in his hands and an electric guitar strapped to his back. Halfway through the verse someone else came in with another acoustic, way out of rhythm with Casey. Casey grimaced, but he kept on going and everything came back in rhythm eventually, right before Brett Michaels walked up to him on the stage. Brett told Casey "sorry man, it's hard to hear up here" and Casey laughed and said "it's the game, man, right?" I was trying to read lips there so that ain't a quote, but I'm pretty sure that I got it close to right.
I've been there. Dale Sampson used to get so mad at me when I made him play my original songs. He'd say "Dammit Terry, I don't know that chord. I'm a singer, not a frigging guitar player". I wouldn't tell him that I made the chord up. I'm not a guitar player either.
Brett Michaels has had an eventful month, to say the least. Brett suffered a brain hemorrhage April 22, just ten days after having an emergency appendectomy. He came back just a few days ago to Celebrity Apprentice, and won the title.
Casey switched to his electric and played lead when Brett joined him. I don't know about you, but it's just cool to see a guy who is like me and my own peer group playing along with a star like Brett Michaels. Casey held his own, playing some cool licks on the guitar. I kind of wish that he'd sung some harmony, but that's just me being greedy.
9:14– Lee and the band Chicago. Terry Kath has been dead for over 30 years, and Peter Cetera left in 1985. Their amazing drummer Danny Seraphine left in 1990. While they still have most of their original horn section and their original keyboardist Bob Lamm, this is not really "Chicago" to me. I was, and am, one of Chicago's biggest fans and I'll enjoy this, but no exclamation points. Terry Kath and Peter Cetera were to Chicago like Lennon and McCartney were to the Beatles.
Chicago remains a formidable band, but without a formidable lead singer. Like Queen when they propositioned Adam last year, Chicago might be trolling for a leader from the Idol pool. You know who would fit them very well? Clay Aiken. I am not kidding. He can be Cetera. There is only one Terry Kath, though.
9:18– More Simon. Paula came back to poke some fun, and Simon took some time to film some footage, poking fun at himself.
9:21– General Larry Platt with his "Pants on the Ground". William Hung (famous bad auditioner, sang Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" and became a cult hero there for awhile) joined him later, and the whole thing was a mess, but I couldn't get over how cool Larry was, this 62 year old guy busting move after move. He was all over the place. As far as the song itself, the best version was the first one, just Larry on the stage at the auditions in Orlando. It was reported back then that Larry wasn't getting any money for his song. I hope that this has been rectified, and that this very cool man is getting paid for his contribution to our culture, no matter how cheesy it was. The guy who invented the pet rock got paid. William freaking Hung got paid. Larry should get paid.
9:28– Simon, the journey. This segment was long, emotional, and it summed up 10 years of Idol history. I am going to just table my take for now, and move on. I'll write about it as one article. Simon deserves his own article. To throw a couple of paragraphs at the Simon Cowell dictatorship (oops) era would be an injustice.
9:44– Siobhan!! I can't let the finale go by without naming my favorites of the season. Obviously Siobhan was my personal favorite of the season, and I've written several thousand words about her so I won't go into that. Just a few favorite moments, from the pre-semifinal portion of the season:
– Didi singing "Hey Jude" at her audition
– Leah Laurenti singing "Blue Skies" at her audition
– Christian Spear at her audition, recovering from Leukemia
– Vanessa Wolfe jumping off of bridges and getting to ride in an Aero-plane and eat some pea-nuts
– Andrew Garcia channeling his inner Stevie Wonder at his audition, even if he never could do it again
– Lee Dewyze humming the guitar part in between the vocals at his audition
– The contrast between Soibhan's geeky look with the granny glasses and her singing when she did "Living For the City" at the end of Hollywood Week
– The Little Red Haired Girl (Kelsey Madsen) finally getting some airtime and singing beautifully on group night
– Lilly's "Lullabye of Birdland"
– Janelle Wheeler in Hollywood, her one perfect song
– Ashley Rodriguez, Charity Vance and Michelle Delamore on group night, with perfect harmonies
-Shelby almost making it to the semis with "Carry on Wayward Son" (Simon wanted her in). She had nerve damage that made one side of her mouth droop. I especially loved her for cussing in her audition when she screwed up her words, then grabbing her mouth and saying "oh my God, I'm SO sorry!!!"…
– -Thaddeus Johnson just destroying "Man in the Mirror", in the final Hollywood Round, after the band started out with the wrong song. It was better than all but a few final performances. He was probably tossed because he is fat as a cow and his mother was obnoxious as hell. The kid can sing, though; better than Casey, who finished third.
– I am probably missing a couple of dozen, but it's getting late.
9:44– Is that Janet Jackson????? Wow…..
Janet Jackson is fascinating. She is everything that she isn't. She isn't anything like who she is. She is everything that nobody knows, and nothing that everybody knows. She screams softly, and she growls sweetly. She is a tiny girl, with an almost vulgarly curvy body. She is shy and demure, yet she changed the rules of a major network by brazenly showing off her breast in front of several hundred million people. She has been one of the top 30-40 papparazzi targets for 30 years, yet she kept her marriage secret for almost a decade. Only the fact that her own brother was so famous and so polarizing kept her from having her secrets revealed in bright lights. I almost think that she planned it that way. Is there anyone in pop culture today who is more of an enigma than Janet Jackson?
Oh, and she is an amazing performer. She is a better dancer than even her hand picked troupe, and she is able to whisper with more power than anyone this side of Adam can scream. She has had 34 number ones singles, the most in rock history. The Beatles had 20, Elvis 17, her brother 16. Madonna is the defining star of her generation, but Janet has been the better hitmaker. Nobody knows, though. Janet probably wants it that way.
She was the best of the night, on a night of amazing performances, and she made it look easy. How hard does this girl work? That body, that performance, and everything is just perfect, tightly produced, and powerful. Idol hopefuls should be paying attention. This is how it's done, if you want to be the BEST. Only Fergie can compete with her, in my mind, and Fergie is well below her level. Fergie would be, to Janet, like Lee would be to Jon Bon Jovi or Crystal to Joni Mitchell. Grasshoppah, meet your master.
9:51– Crystal and Lee together, "With a Little Help from My Friends". Oh, with a little help from Joe Cocker!!!!! Crystal was all over it, enthusiastic and animated. Lee was into it too, but something happened to his mic so we couldn't hear him. Joe is getting old, but he is still the master of the almost orgasmic turn of a note that nobody can identify without forensic tools. Woodstock was 41 years ago, and ole' Joe can't really hit the notes anymore, but the man can still preen, can't he?
10:02– Lee is the next AMERICAN IDOL!!!!!!! Crystal knew, I think, like I did when I saw the DI result. She was congratulating Lee before Ryan even opened the envelope, laughing and slapping him on the back while Lee looked terrified. I don't think that he was actually terrified, he was just thinking about having to sing that mess of a U-2 song that he picked for his single and worried juuuuuust a little that the voting would go the other way. Crystal was deserving and she had to know it. Adam handled his loss gracefully last season, and Crystal handled her loss gracefully this season.
Lee is a good guy, and he can sing with that tree trunk of a voice. He might not have the career of David Cook, but he'll handle himself with class like David always has. Crystal didn't get her confetti shower, but she will get her fame and fortune. It's ironic that the best singer of the season ended up being the only one who didn't get to sing herself off at the end of her run.
Note to Crystal:
I won't forget that song last night, girl, or all of the amazing performances that you shared with us. You were, like Adam last season, the standout. Winning isn't everything. Being great is a nice consolation prize, and we will be enjoying you and your music for many years. Watch the ole' blood sugar, ok?
Previous Final Two Performance Night
Next Season Nine Recap


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Kiernan Shipka Cast as Sabrina Spellman in Netflix's 'Riverdale' Spinoff
By Emily Longeretta
Kiernan Shipka arrives at FX's "Feud: Bette And Joan" at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre on April 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Michael Tran/FilmMagic
Meet the new Sabrina Spellman! Kiernan Shipka, who most recently starred as B.D. in Feud: Bette and Joan, will take on the lead role as Sabrina in the upcoming drama based on Archie Comics' The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Netflix announced on Friday, January 5. However, it won't be the Sabrina audiences may expect — a.k.a. this isn't Melissa Joan Hart's version.
Fictional TV Hometowns
"An empowered young woman, half-human, half-witch, Sabrina is just beginning her dark education as a sorceress, even as she tries to maintain a normal life as a sophomore at Baxter High," Netflix said in the press release. "She is smart, compassionate and brave and helps keep the darkness out of the every day world. The network also revealed that this show will be "in the vein of Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist."
Dream come true! Dream #Sabrina! So excited to make magic with this lady! pic.twitter.com/Lb6bpwTfuk
— RobertoAguirreSacasa (@WriterRAS) January 5, 2018
"We're all such huge fans of Kiernan's work that when we started talking about who this new incarnation of Sabrina could be, her name was on everyone's wish list," executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said. "This is a darker, more macabre version of Sabrina, and we're incredibly excited for people to see Kiernan make this iconic character her own."
Currently, Aguirre-Sacasa is producing The CW's Riverdale, which is also part of the Archie Comics' universe. Sabrina's hometown is just a few towns over from that of Riverdale and the producer has teased that it's possible a crossover will happen.
Melissa Joan Hart, who played the lead in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch 14 years ago, admitted that this show will be completely separate from the more lighthearted sitcom she starred on.
Best TV Couples of All Time
"I think our show was about magic and family, and I think the new one — it sounds like, I have no idea — but the new one is going to be more about witchcraft, dark stuff," she said at a reunion panel in October. "I think it sounds more Buffy the Vampire Slayer than it does Sabrina, so I think it will appeal to a different kind of audience and be a totally different show."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Спарта () је личност из грчке митологије, по којој је Спарта добила име.

Митологија
Била је нимфа Најада са потока, извора или фонтана Спарте у Лакедемонији. Била је кћерка речног бога Еурота и супруга епонимног хероја те земље, Лакедемона. Са њим је имала децу Амикла и Еуридику.

Извори

Нимфе

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Umma (közösség) (muszlim közösség)
 Umma (település)
 Umma (ékírás), sumer írásjel


One of the most beautiful parts of the world is the Aegean Sea and The Mediterranean. This area is just so amazing, different, tranquil with an amazing Turkish, Greek life style. Especially The Aegean Sea is some place that everyone should experience at least once. Than you will keep coming back. Turkish Turquoise Coastline combined with close by Greek Islands is nowhere else to find. Everyday more and more people discover the pleasures of Blue cruise -ie. Blue Voyage.
One of the best ways to visit this area is by doing a Blue-cruise instead of a land, hotel based vacation. Blue Cruising means; very basically going on lovely gulets and sailing along the gorgeous Turquoise Coastline of Turkey and some close by Greek Islands if wanted. Yes this is it! You have your cabin to sleep, and you have a gorgeous yacht with crew to serve you. Best of all worlds.
Many people think blue cruise is for the riches and sophisticated. It is true to a point, but there is a Gulet for every budget just like there is a class of hotel for every budget. So you can experience a blue cruise within your budget. Blue cruises are priced according to the Gulet/yacht of your choice. If you find the Gulet that is affordable for you, you are done. You don't pay for the bays, coves, beaches. You just pay for the Gulet, unless you would like to take some paid excursions while on land. We recommend a Gulet charter company called www.marmarisguletcharter.net if you would like to see what your Gulet and cost options are. They have an extensive filotilla of Gulets for most budgets.
Blue cruises must be booked either at least for one week, two weeks or more. So they are booked on a weekly basis and priced on a weekly basis. Most people first book for a week and see how they like it. Because they fall in love with it they keep coming back. Blue Voyages are so popular that during the months of July and August all gulets are 100% booked.
If you have never been on a blue cruise we recommend you try it once. GET A TASTE and FEE OF IT! If you are not sure about the requirement of booking for at least one week, www.marmarisguletcharter.net might have a solution for you. They can arrange a day, a few days or any duration less than a week for you, permitted they have available gulets. This will be hard during the months of July, August but is possible anytime besides those months.
Gulets come in many different sizes, types, number of cabins, level of luxury etc. and prices vary based on these qualities. Prices will range from $500.00/ day to 250,000.000/ day.
Here we will just show you some pictures to give you an idea of what "Blue Cruise" or "Blue Voyage" is all about.
Previous What is a Gulet?
Next What is Blue Cruise?


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Gooseberry Patch
Attn: Cookbook Dept.
2500 Farmers Dr., #110
Columbus, OH 43235

Don't forget to include the number of servings your recipe makes, plus your name, address, phone number and email address. If we select your recipe, your name will appear right along with it...and you'll receive a FREE copy of the cookbook!

# Crispy Taco Chicken

Makes 4 servings

3/4 c. dry bread crumbs

1-1/4 oz. pkg. taco seasoning mix

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 c. mayonnaise

Combine bread crumbs and taco seasoning; set aside. Spread chicken with mayonnaise; coat with bread crumb mixture. Arrange on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet; bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes, or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork.

Flatten chicken between wax paper using a rolling pin and a little muscle...just toss the paper and there's no mess!

# Quick-as-Lightning Enchiladas

Makes 4 servings

16-oz. jar chunky salsa

3/4 c. mayonnaise

4 c. cooked chicken, diced

8 to 10 8-inch flour tortillas

16-oz. pkg. shredded Colby-Jack cheese, divided

Mix together salsa and mayonnaise; stir in chicken. Spoon about 1/2 cup chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla; sprinkle each with 1/4 cup cheese and roll up. Place tortillas seam-side down in a greased 13"x9" baking pan. Spoon remaining chicken mixture evenly over top of tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

To spice up familiar casserole recipes, use various cheeses like smoked hot pepper or Pepper Jack. Cayenne pepper, chopped pickled jalapeños or fresh jalapeño peppers will also turn up the heat!

# Instant Chicken Parmesan

Makes 4 to 6 servings

28-oz. jar spaghetti sauce

4 to 6 frozen breaded chicken patties

4 to 6 slices provolone cheese

1 to 2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

Optional: cooked thin spaghetti

Spread sauce in an ungreased 13"x9" baking pan; arrange frozen chicken patties on top. Place a slice of provolone on top of each patty; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly. Serve over cooked spaghetti, if desired.

Set a regular theme for each night of the week...Italian Night, Soup & Salad Night, Mexican Night or Casserole Night, based on your family's favorites. Meal planning is a snap!

# Sweet & Tangy Pork

Makes 4 servings

1 T. oil

4 boneless pork steaks

10-3/4 oz. can tomato soup

2 T. vinegar

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 T. brown sugar, packed

8-oz. can pineapple tidbits, drained and 1/4 c. juice reserved

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add steaks and cook until golden on both sides; drain. Stir in soup, vinegar, sauce, brown sugar, pineapple and reserved juice. Cover and simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until pork is cooked through.

If a recipe calls for stewed tomatoes, take advantage of Mexican or Italian-style. They already have the seasonings added, so there are fewer ingredients for you to buy and measure!

# Orange-Pork Stir-Fry

Makes 4 servings

1-oz. pkg. Italian salad dressing mix

1/4 c. orange juice

1/4 c. oil

2 T. soy sauce

1 lb. pork loin, cut into strips

16-oz. pkg. frozen Oriental vegetable blend, thawed

2-1/2 c. cooked rice

Mix together dressing mix, juice, oil and soy sauce. Combine one tablespoon of dressing mixture and pork strips in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir for 4 to 5 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink. Add vegetables and remaining dressing mixture; cook and stir until vegetables are crisp-tender. Serve over cooked rice.

It's a snap to slice uncooked meat...pop it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes first.

# Oodles of Noodles Chili Bake

Makes 4 servings

1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained

15-oz. can chili

1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

14-1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes

15-oz. can corn, drained

12-oz. pkg. egg noodles, cooked

Mix beef, chili, 3/4 cup cheese, tomatoes, corn and noodles together in a lightly greased 13"x9" baking pan; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until heated through, about 20 minutes.

A smiling face is half the meal.

– Latvian Proverb

# Quick Pizza Casserole

Makes 6 servings

1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained

14-oz. jar pizza sauce

8-oz. pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese

3/4 c. biscuit baking mix

1-1/2 c. milk

2 eggs

Place beef in an ungreased 8"x8" baking pan; top with pizza sauce and cheese. Combine baking mix, milk and eggs in a mixing bowl; stir well until smooth. Pour over cheese; bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden on top.

Keep browned ground beef on hand for easy meal prep. Crumble several pounds of beef onto a baking pan and bake at 350 degrees until browned through, stirring often. Drain well and pack recipe portions in freezer bags.

# Smothered Chicken

Makes 4 servings

1 T. oil

1/4 c. onion, finely chopped

1/4 c. green pepper, finely chopped

1/4 c. celery, finely chopped

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

3/4-oz. pkg. mushroom gravy mix

12-oz. can evaporated milk

Heat oil in a skillet. Sauté vegetables over medium-high heat for 2 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Add chicken; cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden. Blend together gravy mix and milk; stir into skillet. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, until chicken juices run clear. To serve, spoon gravy from pan over chicken.

Mmm...mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. Simmer potatoes in chicken broth instead of water for delicious flavor.

# Chicken & Stuffing Bake

1/2 c. water

1 T. margarine

4 c. herb-flavored stuffing mix

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved

1/8 t. paprika

10-3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom soup

1/3 c. milk

1 t. dried parsley

Bring water and margarine to a boil in a large saucepan; remove from heat. Stir in stuffing mix. Spoon mixture across center of a lightly greased 3-quart casserole dish. Arrange chicken on each side of stuffing. Sprinkle with paprika; set aside. Combine soup, milk and parsley; pour over chicken. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Uncover; bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Try a new topping on casserole dishes...sprinkle on shredded cheese, fresh bread crumbs or crushed chow mein noodles. And to keep the topping crisp, don't cover the casserole dish during baking.

# Italian Bean & Sausage Pasta

Makes 4 servings

6-oz. pkg. smoked turkey sausage, halved and sliced

14-1/2 oz. can Italian stewed tomatoes

14-1/2 oz. can Italian green beans, drained

2 c. cooked rotini pasta

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Add tomatoes and beans; bring to a boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in pasta and heat through; sprinkle with cheese.

There's no need to be formal with one-pot meals...set the pot in the center of the dinner table and let everyone help themselves!

# Tender Pork Chops & Rice

Makes 4 to 6 servings

4 to 6 pork chops

1 T. oil

10-3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom soup

4-oz. can sliced mushrooms, drained and liquid reserved

2 c. long-cooking rice, uncooked

Brown pork chops lightly in oil in a skillet; drain and set aside. Combine soup, reserved liquid from mushrooms and enough water to equal 3 cups; mix well and pour into skillet. Stir in mushrooms and rice; top with pork chops. Cover and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, or until rice is tender.

A speedy side...sauté frozen green beans until crisp-tender and toss with a jar of roasted red peppers.

# Easy Cheesy Lasagna

Makes 4 to 6 servings

1/2 lb. ground beef

26-oz. jar spaghetti sauce

8-oz. pkg. wide egg noodles, cooked

8-oz. pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese

1 c. cottage cheese

1 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Brown ground beef in a saucepan; drain. Stir sauce into beef; simmer for 5 minutes. Add noodles, mozzarella cheese and cottage cheese; stir together and place in a greased 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Make this lasagna the night before and store in the fridge for an even speedier dinner. Just add 10 minutes to the cooking time...so easy!

# Swiss Steak Dinner

Makes 4 servings

1 T. olive oil

2 lbs. beef cube steaks

29-oz. can tomato sauce

14-3/4 oz. can beef gravy

28-oz. pkg. frozen diced potatoes with green pepper and onion, thawed

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; brown steaks. Drain; place in a large stockpot. Add tomato sauce, gravy and potatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer for 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Frozen packages of chopped onion, cut-up green peppers, and stir-fry vegetables can take minutes off mealtime preparations...no chopping, mincing or dicing! It's already done for you.

# Quick & Easy Beef Stew

Makes 4 servings

1 T. oil

1 lb. boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes

10-3/4 oz. can French onion soup

10-3/4 oz. can tomato soup

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

24-oz. pkg. frozen stew vegetables

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add beef. Cook and stir until browned and juices have evaporated. Add soups, sauce and vegetables; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until vegetables are tender.

Hollow out round crusty loaves for bread bowls...they make soup even tastier!

# Simple Tuna One-Dish

Makes 7 to 9 servings

2 T. butter

1/2 c. onion, diced

2 T. all-purpose flour

1 c. milk

2 6-oz. cans tuna, drained

15-oz. can peas, drained

3/4 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

8-oz. tube refrigerated biscuits

Melt butter over medium heat in a 1-1/2 quart heat-resistant baking dish. Sauté onion until tender. Add flour and milk; stir well over low heat until smooth and thickened. Add tuna, peas, salt and pepper; mix well. Top with biscuits; bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, or until biscuits are golden.

A simple crockery bowl filled to the brim with ripe pears, apples and other fresh fruit makes an oh-so-simple centerpiece... it's a great way to encourage healthy snacking too!

# Tuna Pasta Primavera

Makes 4 to 6 servings

8-oz. pkg. rotini pasta, uncooked

2 heads broccoli, cut into flowerets

4 carrots, peeled and chopped

12-oz. can tuna, drained

1/2 c. mayonnaise

1/4 c. milk

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 t. garlic powder

1/2 t. dried basil

1/4 t. pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding broccoli and carrots to cooking water during last 5 minutes of cooking. Drain and return to pan; keep warm. Mix remaining ingredients together and add to pasta; toss to coat.

Pick up a bundle of fresh flowers when you shop for groceries. Tucked into a pitcher or glass jar, even humble daisies are charming and cheerful for a centerpiece.

# Zucchini & Sausage Casserole

1 lb. ground pork sausage

1-1/2 c. instant rice, uncooked

2 c. zucchini, diced

1/2 c. onion, thinly sliced

16-oz. can stewed tomatoes

1 c. hot water

1 t. mustard

1 t. garlic salt

1/8 t. pepper

1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese

Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Return sausage to skillet; add rice, zucchini and onion. Cook and stir until zucchini and onion are tender. Add remaining ingredients except cheese; bring to a boil. Cover; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Top with cheese; cover again until cheese is melted.

Zucchini and other summer squash make tasty main dishes and are easily swapped out in recipes. Try substituting yellow crookneck or pattypan for zucchini in any favorite recipe.

# Stir-Fry Vegetables

Makes 4 to 6 servings

3/4 c. pineapple juice

1 T. sugar

1 T. lemon juice

1-1/2 t. cornstarch

1 t. soy sauce

4 t. oil

1 c. broccoli flowerets

1 c. carrot, peeled and sliced

1 c. cauliflower flowerets

1 c. celery, sliced

1 c. red or green pepper, cut into bite-size pieces

1 c. sugar peas, stemmed

Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl; mix well and set aside. Heat oil in a skillet; add broccoli, carrot, cauliflower and celery. Cook and stir for 2 minutes over medium-high heat. Add pepper and sugar peas; cook and stir an additional 2 minutes. Add pineapple juice mixture. Cover and bring to a boil; continue boiling for one minute.

It's easy to freshen up yesterday's crusty rolls or loaf of bread. Simply sprinkle with water and bake at 400 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes.

# Salmon Patties

Makes 5 to 6 servings

15-1/2 oz. can salmon, drained and flaked

1/2 c. round buttery crackers, crushed

1/2 T. dried parsley

1/2 t. lemon zest

1 T. lemon juice

2 green onions, sliced

1 egg, beaten

2 T. oil

5 to 6 English muffins, split and toasted

Combine first 7 ingredients; form into 5 to 6 patties. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook patties 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until golden. Serve on English muffins topped with Cucumber Sauce.

Cucumber Sauce:

1/3 c. cucumber, chopped

1/4 c. plain yogurt

1/4 c. mayonnaise

1/4 t. dried tarragon

Combine all ingredients; chill until ready to serve.

Pick up some paper plates and cups in seasonal designs...they'll make dinner fun when you're in a hurry and clean-up will be a breeze.

# Oven-Baked Chicken Fingers

Makes 6 servings

1 c. dry Italian bread crumbs

2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 c. oil

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Shake bread crumbs and cheese together in a plastic zipping bag; set aside. Combine garlic and oil in a small bowl; set aside. Flatten chicken to 1/2-inch thickness; cut into one-inch wide strips. Dip strips in oil mixture; coat with crumb mixture. Arrange on a greased baking sheet; bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, turning after 10 minutes.

Make a delicious honey-mustard dip for chicken nuggets with 2/3 cup honey and 1/3 cup mustard. Try different kinds of honey and mustard to create flavor variations.

# Lemon-Pepper Fish Dinner

Makes 4 servings

1 lb. frozen cod, thawed

16-oz. pkg. frozen stir-fry vegetables

salt to taste

1 t. lemon-pepper seasoning

1 t. dried rosemary

1 c. tomato juice

2-1/2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

Line a 13"x9" baking dish with aluminum foil. Place cod in dish and cover with vegetables. Sprinkle with salt, lemon-pepper seasoning and rosemary. Pour tomato juice over all; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, or until fish flakes and vegetables are tender.

Ripe red tomatoes and sweet onions from the farmers' market are such a treat in summer! Serve them simply, with just a dash of oil & vinegar and a sprinkle of fresh basil.

# Chinese Fried Rice

Makes 4 to 6 servings

3 T. oil

1 c. cooked chicken, pork or shrimp, chopped

2 eggs, beaten

3/4 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

3 c. cooked rice, chilled

2 T. soy sauce

Garnish: 2 green onions, snipped

Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add meat and cook for one minute. Add eggs, salt and pepper; cook, stirring constantly, until eggs are set. Add rice and soy sauce; cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, until rice is heated through. Garnish with green onions.

Cook a double batch of rice, then freeze half in a plastic freezer bag for another meal. When you're ready to use the frozen rice, just microwave on high for one minute per cup to thaw, 2 to 3 minutes per cup to warm it through. Fluff with a fork...ready to use!

# Spicy Sausage & Rice

Makes 4 servings

1 lb. hot ground pork sausage

1 onion, diced

Optional: 1 green pepper, diced

6.9-oz. pkg. chicken-flavored rice vermicelli mix

2-1/2 c. water

Cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until it begins to brown; add onion and pepper, if using. Continue to cook until sausage is done and onion is tender; drain. Add seasoning packet from rice mix; stir well. Add rest of mix; sauté 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add water and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat; simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until rice is tender.

Save time on kitchen clean-up...always use a spatter screen when frying in a skillet or Dutch oven.

# Salisbury Steak

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 to 3/4 c. saltine crackers, crushed

1 egg, beaten

1/4 c. onion, chopped

1/2 t. salt

pepper to taste

1/2 c. water

10-1/2 oz. can brown gravy

Combine ground beef, cracker crumbs, egg, onion, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Form into 6 to 8 patties; set aside. Combine water and gravy; pour into a large skillet over medium heat. Add patties. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway through.

Keep a can of non-stick vegetable spray near the stove...quickly spritz on a casserole dish or skillet for easy clean-up later.

# Speedy Beef Stroganoff

Makes 4 servings

1 lb. beef round steak

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

3 T. oil

2/3 c. water

4-oz. can sliced mushrooms

1-1/2 oz. pkg. onion soup mix

1 c. sour cream

cooked egg noodles, tossed with butter

Slice meat into thin strips diagonally across the grain; coat with flour. Heat oil in a skillet and brown the beef; drain as needed. Add water, mushrooms and their liquid to skillet; stir in soup mix and heat just to boiling. Blend in sour cream. Serve over buttered noodles.

Bouillon granules are quick-dissolving for use in any recipe...keep a jar in your pantry!

# Ham & Noodle Skillet

Makes 4 servings

2 c. cooked ham, cubed

1/4 c. onion, chopped

2 T. margarine

1/8 t. pepper

1/8 t. paprika

1 t. Worcestershire sauce

1 c. water

4-oz. can mushrooms, drained and 1/4 c. liquid reserved

4-oz. pkg. medium egg noodles, uncooked

1 c. sour cream

Sauté ham and onion in margarine; stir in pepper, paprika and Worcestershire sauce. Add water, reserved mushroom liquid and noodles; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Stir in mushrooms; heat for 5 minutes. Add sour cream; heat through without boiling.

No cooked, cubed ham on hand? Chop up some slices of cooked deli ham to use instead. Deli turkey, chicken and even roast beef can be used in place of cooked meats in recipes...what a timesaver!

# Simply Scrumptious Frittata

Makes 4 servings

1 T. oil

1/2 c. onion, chopped

1/2 c. green pepper, chopped

1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced

4 potatoes, peeled, cubed and cooked

3/4 c. cooked ham, cubed

8 eggs, beaten

salt and pepper to taste

3/4 c. shredded Cheddar cheese

Heat oil in a heavy oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Add onion and green pepper; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic; cook for an additional minute. Stir in potatoes and ham; cook until heated through. Reduce heat to medium-low; add eggs, salt and pepper. Cook until eggs are firm on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Top with cheese; place in oven at 350 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese melts. Cut into wedges.

Crispy potato pancakes are a great way to use extra mashed potatoes. Stir an egg yolk and some minced onion into 2 cups potatoes. Form into patties and fry in butter until golden. Delicious with grilled sausage!

# Chicken Pot Pie

Makes 6 servings

2 c. cooked chicken, chopped

15-oz. can mixed vegetables, drained

2 10-3/4 oz. cans cream of chicken soup

1 c. milk

10-oz. tube refrigerated biscuits

Combine first 4 ingredients together; place in an ungreased 3-quart casserole dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. While baking, slice biscuits into quarters; set aside. Remove dish from oven and stir. Arrange biscuit pieces on top of hot chicken mixture; bake until golden, 10 to 15 minutes.

A mini photo album is just right for keeping tried & true recipes handy on the kitchen counter. Slide in a few snapshots of happy family mealtimes too!

# Chili-Cheese Dog Casserole

Makes 8 servings

8-oz. tube refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

1/2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese

8 hot dogs

15-oz. can chili with beans

Flatten each biscuit into a 6-inch round; sprinkle with cheese. Place a hot dog near the edge of each round; roll up. Place seam-side down in a greased 13"x9" baking pan; bake at 375 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes. Top with chili; bake for an additional 5 minutes, until heated through.

Freezing cheese causes it to turn crumbly, and while that isn't good for a recipe using fresh cheese, it's ideal in baked casserole dishes! Just thaw cheese in the refrigerator and use within a few days.

# Penne Rustica

Makes 6 servings

1/4 c. olive oil

1-1/2 T. garlic, minced

1/2 c. onion, diced

3 c. broccoli flowerets, cut into bite-size pieces

1 c. chicken broth

16-oz. pkg. penne pasta, cooked

1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add garlic, onion and broccoli. Cook for 7 minutes, or until broccoli is tender. Add broth; simmer for 2 minutes. Place pasta in a large bowl; add broccoli mixture, cheese, salt and pepper. Toss to coat.

Ah! There is nothing
like staying at home
for real comfort.

– Jane Austen

# Saucy BBQ Chicken

Makes 3 to 4 servings

1-1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 c. hot or mild salsa

1/4 c. catsup

1 T. onion soup mix

1 T. soy sauce

1/2 t. paprika

1/8 t. cayenne pepper

Arrange chicken in a microwave-safe dish and set aside. Combine remaining ingredients and spread over chicken to cover, using all of the mixture. Cover dish with a lid or with microwave-safe plastic wrap. Microwave on high setting for 5 minutes. Rearrange chicken pieces and cover again. Microwave on high an additional 3 to 6 minutes, until chicken juices run clear when pierced.

For a side dish that practically cooks itself, fill aluminum foil packets with sliced fresh veggies. Top with seasoning salt and 2 ice cubes, seal and bake at 450 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Delicious!

# Ham & Broccoli Baked Potatoes

Makes 2 servings

2 baking potatoes

1/2 c. cooked ham, chopped

1/2 c. broccoli, cooked and chopped

2 slices American cheese

Garnish: 2 t. green onion, chopped

Pierce potatoes with a fork; microwave for 6 to 8 minutes on high setting until tender. Cut lengthwise and crosswise; press open. Top each potato with 1/4 cup each of ham and broccoli. Top each with American cheese. Microwave an additional minute, or until cheese is melted; garnish with green onion.

Set out all the fixin's for a spud-tacular potato bar for dinner tonight! Let the kids choose their favorite toppers...a fun way to personalize your potato.

# Grilled Salami Pizza Sandwiches

Makes 4 servings

2/3 c. pizza sauce

8 slices bread

4 slices deli salami

4 slices American cheese

garlic salt to taste

butter, softened

Spread pizza sauce on one side of 4 bread slices. Top each bread slice with one salami slice and one cheese slice; sprinkle with garlic salt. Top with remaining bread slices. Generously butter top and bottom of sandwiches. Heat a skillet over medium heat; add sandwiches and cook on both sides until bread is toasted and cheese is melted.

If family members will be dining at different times, fix sandwiches ahead of time, wrap in aluminum foil and refrigerate. Pop them into a toaster oven or under a broiler to heat...fresh, tasty and ready when you are!

# Italian Bean Soup

Makes 4 to 6 servings

1 lb. ground pork sausage

1 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

28-oz. can diced tomatoes

15-oz. can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

14-1/2 oz. can beef broth

15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

15-oz. can navy beans, drained and rinsed

2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

1 t. dried basil

Brown together sausage, onion and garlic in a stockpot over medium heat; drain. Add remaining ingredients; simmer until soup comes to a boil.

Make veggie or bean soups thick & creamy...simply puree a cup or so of the soup in a blender, then stir it back into the soup pot.

# Poor-Boy Sandwiches

Makes 2 to 3 servings

1 loaf French bread, sliced in half lengthwise

1/2 c. mayonnaise

1 c. shredded lettuce

1/2 lb. deli roast beef, thinly sliced

1/2 c. beef gravy, warmed

2 tomatoes, sliced

Warm bread in the oven. Remove from oven; spread bottom half with mayonnaise. Layer with lettuce and roast beef; spoon gravy over meat. Top with tomatoes; replace top half of bread. Cut into 2 or 3 slices; serve warm.

Spice up frozen French fries! Simply spritz with olive oil and sprinkle with chili powder before popping them in the oven.

# Busy-Day Vegetable Soup

Makes 6 servings

1 lb. ground beef, browned

2 28-oz. cans whole tomatoes, chopped

2 15-oz. cans mixed vegetables

3 bay leaves

1 onion, sliced

Combine ingredients in a large stockpot; stir to mix well. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Discard bay leaves before serving.

Cook up a big pot of vegetable soup. Save odds & ends of leftover veggies in a freezer bag. Thaw and place in a slow cooker along with 2 cans broth and 1/2 cup quick-cooking barley. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. So satisfying!

# Fast Flavorful Tortilla Soup

Makes 6 servings

2 14-oz. cans chicken broth

10-oz. can chicken, drained

15-oz. can corn, drained

15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

10-oz. can tomatoes with chiles, drained

13-1/2 oz. pkg. tortilla chips

Garnish: shredded Cheddar cheese

Combine all ingredients except chips and cheese in a large stockpot over medium heat; simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes. Serve over tortilla chips and garnish with cheese.

Keep a permanent marker handy in the kitchen to write the purchase date on food cans and boxes...you'll always know how fresh they are.

# Best-Ever Cornbread

Makes 4 servings

7-oz. pkg. cornbread mix

2 eggs

1/4 c. oil

1 c. sour cream

1 c. creamed corn

Optional: diced jalapenos to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl. Pour into a lightly greased 8" round baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes, or until golden. Serves 6 to 8.

For a quick & tasty side, slice fresh tomatoes in half and sprinkle with minced garlic, Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan cheese. Broil until tomatoes are tender, about 5 minutes...scrumptious!

# Sassy Salsa Rice

Makes 6 servings

3 T. butter

2 c. long-cooking rice, uncooked

14-oz. can chicken broth

24-oz. jar salsa

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; add rice and sauté until golden. Add broth and salsa; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Make clean-up a snap! Before dinner even starts, fill the sink with hot, soapy water. Put dishes right in when cooking's finished and, by the time dinner and dessert are eaten, they'll be a breeze to wash clean.

# Savory Succotash

Makes 4 to 6 servings

16-oz. pkg. frozen succotash

3/4 c. water

1/4 c. butter

1 onion, chopped

1 T. dried parsley

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

Combine succotash and water in a saucepan; set aside. In a small skillet, melt butter and sauté onion over medium heat until transparent. Add onion to succotash along with remaining ingredients. Simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes, until tender.

Take it easy and have a leftovers night once a week. Set out leftovers so everyone can choose their favorite. End with ice cream for dessert...what could be simpler?

# Upside-Down Baked Potatoes

Makes 4 to 6 servings

4 T. margarine, melted

2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

4 to 6 potatoes, cut in half lengthwise

Coat bottom of a 13"x9" baking pan with margarine; sprinkle cheese on top. Place potatoes cut-side down in pan; bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, until tender.

Serving up baked potatoes with dinner? Rub the skins with butter and salt before baking...so delicious!

# Orange-Glazed Carrots

Makes 4 to 6 servings

16-oz. pkg. baby carrots

1/2 c. orange juice

5 T. brown sugar, packed

2 T. butter

1/8 t. salt

Place carrots in a medium saucepan. Cover with water and boil until tender; drain and return to saucepan. Add orange juice to saucepan; simmer over low heat until juice is nearly evaporated. Stir in remaining ingredients; heat until butter is melted and mixture is well blended.

Fresh veggies don't need to be fussy. A simple raw vegetable antipasto means forgetting about plates and forks with a tasty pick-up-and-munch snack.

# Lemon-Rice Pilaf

Makes 4 servings

2 T. butter

1/2 c. long-grain rice, uncooked

1/2 c. vermicelli, uncooked and broken into 1-inch pieces

1-3/4 c. chicken broth

1 T. lemon zest

1 t. dried parsley

Melt butter in a saucepan; add rice and vermicelli. Cook over medium heat until golden; add broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover; simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in lemon zest and parsley.

Oh-so-easy iced tea...fill a 2-quart pitcher with water and drop in 6 to 8 teabags. Refrigerate overnight. Discard teabags and add ice cubes and sugar to taste. Cool and refreshing!

# Company Creamed Spinach

Makes 4 servings

10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach

1 T. dried, minced onion

1-1/2 T. bacon bits

1/2 to 3/4 c. sour cream

Prepare spinach according to package directions; add onion and bacon bits to cooking water halfway through cooking time. Drain well; stir in sour cream to desired consistency.

Is dinner taking just a little longer than planned? Set out bowls of unshelled walnuts or peanuts for a quick appetizer that will keep tummies from rumbling.

# Creamy Macaroni & Cheese

Makes 4 servings

2 c. elbow macaroni, uncooked

1/4 lb. pasteurized process cheese spread, diced

salt and pepper to taste

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and return to pan. Stir in cheese until melted; add salt and pepper to taste.

Keep a pair of kitchen scissors nearby for chopping bacon, snipping green onions and opening packages...you'll wonder what you ever did without them!

# Dijon Dressing

Makes about 1-1/4 cups

3/4 c. olive oil

3 T. sherry wine vinegar

3 T. lemon juice

1 T. Dijon mustard

Whisk together all ingredients and refrigerate. Shake well before serving.

# Garlic Vinaigrette

Makes 1-3/4 cups

1-1/4 c. oil

1/2 c. wine vinegar

2 T. sugar

2 T. salt

1/4 t. pepper

6 cloves garlic, pressed

Blend together all ingredients and refrigerate. Stir or shake well before serving.

Whip up a yummy salad in seconds! Purchase a bag of mixed salad greens and toss in fruit, nuts and grated cheese. Top off the salad with a drizzle of vinaigrette and toss.

# Summertime Pasta Salad

Makes 4 servings

8-oz. pkg. tri-color rotini, cooked

1 cucumber, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

6 to 8 baby carrots, chopped

8-oz. bottle Italian salad dressing

Rinse pasta in cold water; drain and pour into a serving bowl. Add remaining ingredients; toss to coat. Chill before serving.

No muss, no fuss...toss salad fixings and dressing in a plastic zipping bag, spoon out the salad, then toss the bag!

# Onion French Bread

Makes 6 to 8 servings

1 loaf French bread, sliced in half lengthwise

1 c. mayonnaise

1/2 c. onion, chopped

1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish: paprika

Place bread on an ungreased baking sheet and set aside. Mix mayonnaise, onion and cheese; spread over cut side of bread. Sprinkle with paprika; broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden. Slice and serve warm.

Homemade savory crackers are a special touch for soup. Spread saltines with softened butter, then sprinkle with garlic powder, thyme, paprika or another favorite seasoning. Pop into a 350-degree oven just until golden, 3 to 6 minutes.

# Shoepeg Corn Salad

2 11-oz. cans shoepeg corn, drained

2 stalks celery, diced

1/4 c. onion, chopped

1 green or red pepper, diced

8-oz. container sour cream

1/2 c. Caesar salad dressing

salt and pepper to taste

Garnish: paprika

Mix the first 6 ingredients together. Add salt and pepper to taste; garnish with paprika. Chill.

Bags of salad mix are real timesavers. Keep opened bags of greens crispy by storing in airtight containers or plastic zipping bags...just be sure to squeeze out all the air before refrigerating.

# Escalloped Apples

Makes 8 to 10 servings

10 c. tart apples, cored, peeled and sliced

1/3 c. sugar

2 T. cornstarch

1 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. nutmeg

2 T. chilled butter, sliced

Place apples in a 2-1/2 quart microwave-safe bowl; set aside. Combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg; sprinkle over apples. Toss gently to coat; dot with butter. Cover and microwave on high until apples are tender, about 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.

Mmm...warm apple pie filling makes an oh-so-easy dessert when spooned over vanilla ice cream!

# Frosty Fruit Salad

Makes 32 servings

16-oz. pkg. frozen sliced strawberries, partially thawed

12-oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate, partially thawed

2 15-oz. cans fruit cocktail in syrup

20-oz. can crushed pineapple in juice

3 bananas, diced

Mix together all ingredients, including juices from fruit. Pour into a 13"x9" plastic freezer container; cover and freeze. To serve, let stand at room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes. Scoop out portions with a small ice cream scoop.

Serve up fruit salads in old-fashioned glass compotes to let all the colors show through.

# Lazy Day Bars

Makes 2 dozen

18-1/2 oz. pkg. German chocolate cake mix

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 c. water

1/4 c. brown sugar, packed

1/4 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. chopped nuts

12-oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Blend together dry cake mix, eggs, water, sugar and butter; spread in a greased 13"x9" baking pan. Sprinkle nuts and chips on top; bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes; cut into bars.

Forget about anything fussy...enjoy dessert outside and let the crumbs fall where they may!

# Easy Lemon-Coconut Bars

Makes 1-1/2 dozen

18-1/4 oz. pkg. angel food cake mix

2/3 c. sweetened flaked coconut

14-1/2 oz. can lemon pie filling

Garnish: powdered sugar

In a medium bowl, stir dry cake mix, coconut and pie filling just until blended. Pour into an ungreased 15"x10" jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, or until center is firm. Sprinkle with powdered sugar; cut into squares.

Line your brownie dish with aluminum foil...be sure to grease. After brownies are baked and cooled, they lift right out. And best of all, clean-up is a breeze!

# Mother's No-Bake Cookies

Makes 6 to 7 dozen

4 c. sugar

1 c. margarine, softened

1 c. milk

6 T. baking cocoa

1 c. crunchy peanut butter

6 c. quick-cooking oats, uncooked

Optional: 1 c. walnuts, 1 c. sweetened flaked coconut

Combine sugar, margarine, milk and cocoa in a medium saucepan; mix well. Bring to a boil over low heat; boil for one minute. Add peanut butter, stirring until melted. Add oats and, if desired, nuts or coconut. Mix well; drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Chill until set.

Resist the urge to nibble on broken cookies...they make tasty toppings sprinkled on a dish of ice cream!

# No-Flour Peanut Butter Cookies

Makes 2 dozen

1 egg, beaten

1 c. sugar

1 t. baking soda

1 c. crunchy peanut butter

1 t. vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients; roll into 24 balls. Bake at 350 degrees on a lightly greased baking sheet for 10 to 12 minutes.

Make your cookies all the same size! Use a mini ice cream scoop to drop dough onto baking sheets, or roll dough into a log, chill and slice.

# Caramel Apple Cake

Makes 4 to 6 servings

1-1/2 c. biscuit baking mix

2/3 c. sugar

1/2 c. milk

2 c. apples, cored, peeled and sliced

1 T. lemon juice

3/4 c. brown sugar, packed

1/4 t. cinnamon

1 c. boiling water

Garnish: whipped topping

Combine baking mix and sugar; stir in milk. Pour into a greased 9"x9" baking pan; top with apples. Sprinkle with lemon juice; set aside. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over apples. Pour water over top; bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to one hour. Serve with whipped topping.

An easy way to core apples and peaches...slice fruit in half and then use a melon baller to scoop out the core.

# Peaches & Cream Dessert

Makes 8 to 10 servings

18-1/2 oz. pkg. yellow cake mix

1/2 c. butter, softened

14-1/2 oz. can peach pie filling

15-oz. can sliced peaches, drained

1/2 c. sugar

1 t. cinnamon

1 c. sour cream

1 egg, beaten

Combine dry cake mix with butter until crumbly; pat into an ungreased 13"x9" baking pan. Spread pie filling over top; lay peaches on pie filling. Set aside. Mix sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over peaches. Blend sour cream and egg together; spread over sugar mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes, until edges are golden.

Layer fresh berries with creamy vanilla pudding in stemmed glasses for a festive dessert, quick as a wink!

# Golden Bread Pudding

Makes 4 to 6 servings

3 c. white bread, cubed

3 eggs, beaten

3 c. warm water

14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk

2 T. margarine, melted

1 T. vanilla extract

1/2 t. salt

Garnish: cinnamon-sugar

Place bread cubes in a buttered 9"x9" baking pan; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine all remaining ingredients except cinnamon-sugar; pour evenly over bread. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes. Serve warm.

Day-old bread is fine for bread pudding and stuffing. It keeps its texture better than very fresh bread...it's thrifty too!

# Fast Fruit & Cake Dessert

Makes 8 to 10 servings

1/4 c. oil

18-1/4 oz. pkg. yellow cake mix

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 c. water

21-oz. can cherry or blueberry pie filling

Pour oil into a 13"x9" baking pan; tilt to coat the bottom. Pour dry cake mix, eggs and water into pan. Stir with a fork until well blended, about 2 minutes. Spoon pie filling over batter and bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes.

Keep the cupboard stocked with a selection of colored jimmies, chocolate bits and chopped peanuts for quick ice cream toppings.

# No-Bake Banana Cream Pie

Makes 8 servings

1 c. milk

3.4-oz. pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix

1/2 t. vanilla extract

12-oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed and divided

9-inch vanilla wafer crumb crust

4 bananas, sliced

Combine milk and pudding mix in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 2 minutes. Blend in vanilla. Fold in 3 cups whipped topping. Spread one cup of pudding mixture in pie crust; layer with sliced bananas. Repeat layering with another cup of pudding and remaining bananas, ending with remaining pudding. Top with remaining whipped topping. Chill before serving.

It's easy to make your own crumb crust. Mix 1-1/2 cups fine crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 cup melted butter; press into a pie plate. Chill for 20 minutes or bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. For the crumbs, use vanilla wafers or graham crackers, of course...try fruit-flavored cereal, gingersnaps or even pretzels too!

# Best-Ever Banana Bars

Makes 2 dozen

2 c. all-purpose flour

1-1/3 c. sugar

2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

2 very ripe bananas, mashed

3/4 c. shortening, melted

4 eggs, beaten

2 t. vanilla extract

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in large mixing bowl; set aside. Mix bananas, shortening, eggs and vanilla in another mixing bowl; blend well. Add banana mixture to flour mixture; stir until just moistened. Pour into a greased 15"x10" jelly-roll pan; bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until center springs back when touched. Cut into bars.

Use a pastry blender to slice or mash bananas to desired consistency...so quick & easy!

# Cheap & Easy
Shopping List

Here's a handy shopping list! Stock up on these groceries when they're on sale...you'll be prepared for cheap & easy dinners and desserts anytime.

Pantry Foods

Canned Goods

___ soup & chili beans

___ diced tomatoes

___ mixed vegetables

___ cream soup

___ chicken broth

___ fruit pie filling

Boxed Goods

___ pasta & macaroni

___ rice & rice mix

___ biscuit baking mix

___ corn muffin mix

___ cake mix

___ crumb pie crusts

___ instant pudding mix

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods

Butcher's Counter

___ ground beef

___ beef chuck roast

___ boneless chicken breasts & thighs

___ pork chops

Frozen Foods

___ frozen vegetables

___ frozen hashbrown potatoes

___ frozen whipped topping

Refrigerator Case

___ shredded cheese

___ refrigerated biscuits, rolls, bread sticks

___ refrigerated pie crusts

# Index

BEEF

Busy-Day Vegetable Soup

Chili-Cheese Dog Casserole

Easy Cheesy Lasagna

Grilled Salami Pizza Sandwiches

Oodles of Noodles Chili Bake

Poor-Boy Sandwiches

Quick & Easy Beef Stew

Quick Pizza Casserole

Salisbury Steak

Speedy Beef Stroganoff

Swiss Steak Dinner

CHICKEN

Chicken & Stuffing Bake

Chicken Pot Pie

Chinese Fried Rice

Crispy Taco Chicken

Fast Flavorful Tortilla Soup

Instant Chicken Parmesan

Oven-Baked Chicken Fingers

Quick-as-Lightning Enchiladas

Saucy BBQ Chicken

Smothered Chicken

MEATLESS & FISH

Lemon-Pepper Fish Dinner

Penne Rustica

Salmon Patties

Simple Tuna One-Dish

Stir-Fry Vegetables

Tuna Pasta Primavera

PORK

Ham & Broccoli Baked Potatoes

Ham & Noodle Skillet

Italian Bean & Sausage Pasta

Italian Bean Soup

Orange-Pork Stir-Fry

Simply Scrumptious Frittata

Spicy Sausage & Rice

Sweet & Tangy Pork

Tender Pork Chops & Rice

Zucchini & Sausage Casserole

DESSERTS

Best-Ever Banana Bars

Caramel Apple Cake

Easy Lemon-Coconut Bars

Fast Fruit & Cake Dessert

Golden Bread Pudding

Lazy Day Bars

Mother's No-Bake Cookies

No-Bake Banana Cream Pie

No-Flour Peanut Butter Cookies

Peaches & Cream Dessert

SIDES & SALADS

Best-Ever Cornbread

Company Creamed Spinach

Creamy Macaroni & Cheese

Dijon Dressing

Escalloped Apples

Frosty Fruit Salad

Garlic Vinaigrette

Lemon-Rice Pilaf

Onion French Bread

Orange-Glazed Carrots

Sassy Salsa Rice

Savory Succotash

Shoepeg Corn Salad

Summertime Pasta Salad

Upside-Down Baked Potatoes

# Our Story

Back in 1984, we were next-door neighbors raising our families in the little town of Delaware, Ohio. Two moms with small children, we were looking for a way to do what we loved and stay home with the kids too. We had always shared a love of home cooking and making memories with family & friends and so, after many a conversation over the backyard fence, Gooseberry Patch was born.

We put together our first catalog at our kitchen tables, enlisting the help of our loved ones wherever we could. From that very first mailing, we found an immediate connection with many of our customers and it wasn't long before we began receiving letters, photos and recipes from these new friends. In 1992, we put together our very first cookbook, compiled from hundreds of these recipes and, the rest, as they say, is history.

Hard to believe it's been over 25 years since those kitchen-table days! From that original little Gooseberry Patch family, we've grown to include an amazing group of creative folks who love cooking, decorating and creating as much as we do. Today, we're best known for our homestyle, family-friendly cookbooks, now recognized as national bestsellers.

One thing's for sure, we couldn't have done it without our friends all across the country. Each year, we're honored to turn thousands of your recipes into our collectible cookbooks. Our hope is that each book captures the stories and heart of all of you who have shared with us. Whether you've been with us since the beginning or are just discovering us, welcome to the Gooseberry Patch family!

# Join Our Circle of Friends

Since 1992, we've been publishing country cookbooks for every kitchen and for every meal of the day! Each has hundreds of budget-friendly recipes, using ingredients you already have on hand. Their lay-flat binding makes them easy to use and each is filled with hand-drawn artwork and plenty of personality.

Have a taste for more?

Call us toll-free at

1-800-854-6673

Find us here too!

Join our Email Club and discover free recipes & crafts, plus giveaways & more! Find all your favorite Gooseberry Patch cookbooks through our Store Locator. Visit our website or blog to get even more goodies, watch our recipe & how-to videos on YouTube and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest too.

www.gooseberrypatch.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaBook


text:
Call Governor Greg Abbott to keep Texas open to refugees
January 20, 2020Written by Sher
Governor Abbott has announced that Texas will opt out of accepting refugees. Since then, a court has blocked the decision, thankfully, but we still need to make it loud and clear that Texas welcomes refugees.
NUMBER TO CALL
SUGGESTED SCRIPT
"Hi, I'm a Texan and constituent of Governor Greg Abbott, and I was appalled to hear that he hopes to block refugees from resettling in Texas. Texas is a large and wealthy state that has been only made stronger by the refugee families who have resettled here. I'd also like to remind the Governor that Texas is a friendly state, and he will face a tough reelection in 2022 if he continues to push hateful policies that hurt people. My zip code is _____."
Push back against ICE activity in Texas
Get out the vote for January 28 runoff elections


text:
Home > News > Clinical Eye Care > How to best treat pregnant and breastfeeding patients
Clinical Eye Care
How to best treat pregnant and breastfeeding patients
Excerpted from the May edition of AOA Focus, page 46.
It's an optometrist's responsibility to warn pregnant and breastfeeding patients about the risks of using any ocular medications, including dilation drops. Even though the patient may choose to forego dilation or treatment, sometimes not using a drop or medication can put the patient at risk for ocular problems.
Jill Autry, O.D., is helping to put an end to the confusion by sharing her knowledge about safe treatments for pregnant and breastfeeding patients. Dr. Autry, who also has a pharmacy degree, often lectures on which topical and oral treatments are safe for this patient subgroup.
"Obstetricians have patients who need all types of pharmaceutical care during pregnancy," she says. "They have seen it all. So when we call them and ask about putting a drop in the eye one time to dilate a six-months-pregnant patient, they're looking at us like, 'What?' They are going to get more exposure to toxins when they eat something at a restaurant that's been prepackaged than they are ever going to get in that drop in the eye."
FDA changes
Recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changed its coding system for medicines to be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, which, until last year, was set up in a category system of A, B, C, D and X. Now the FDA provides three detailed subsections that describe the risks of treating pregnant and breastfeeding women.
"It puts more onus on the physician to weed through the information and see what they think based on the information given," Dr. Autry says. "I think there's good and bad in that."
Doctors of optometry are wise to understand what drugs MDs commonly prescribe for their pregnant patients, which likely means they are safe for optometric use as well. For example, "There aren't a lot of glaucoma drugs labeled category B," Dr. Autry says. "The most common one is brimonidine and once you've used that one, what are you going to use for your second choice? Although beta blockers are historically category C, I know MDs use beta blockers all the time when women have trouble keeping their blood pressure down. To me, that would be my next logical choice."
Different options
Dr. Autry notes that some drugs aren't used in pregnancy out of a potentially overabundance of caution. For instance, because prostaglandins are used on the cervix to initiate labor, U.S. doctors of optometry don't use them to treat glaucoma in pregnant patients, though doctors in other countries do.
However, use of brimonidine around delivery and in newborns has been shown to cause apnea, says Dr. Autry. "I would remove brimonidine at month 8 or 9 and wouldn't use it in breastfeeding patients. At that point, I would use a prostaglandin or nothing until after the baby is born and then start the prostaglandin."
In a course at the 2016 Optometry's Meeting®, Dr. Autry will run through ocular issues—such as viral conjunctivitis, corneal abrasions, preseptal cellulitis, iritis, herpes virus in the eye, glaucoma and bacterial keratitis—and discuss how to treat them in pregnant and breastfeeding patients.
"My goal is to educate other optometrists, give them some options, make them feel more comfortable, and, therefore, make patients feel more comfortable with options for treating ocular disease during their pregnancy," Dr. Autry says.
Attend continuing education course at Optometry's Meeting
Optometry's Meeting attendees can attend "Treating the Pregnant Patient," presented by Jill Autry, O.D., at 3 p.m. on June 30, during the 2016 Optometry's Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Click here to register to attend and learn more.
AOA News Homepage
Inside Optometry
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AOA uncovering, fighting back against plans' abuses
#2020EyeExam: AOA turning a moment into a movement
Paraoptometric certification can boost a career


HELSINKI -- Four thousand members of the Wood and Allied Workers' Union reportedly began a strike Friday, October 1, after rejecting a mediation proposal mainly over pay and seniority bonuses.
The work stoppage impacted approximately 40 workplaces, according to YLE. If a settlement is not reach soon, YLE reported that the strike could spread to all sawmills and plywood mills in Finland affiliated with Finnish Forest Industries.


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text:
Congregational Prayer
Can a woman say "Ameen" out loud when she is praying with her husband at home?
Do women say "Ameen" quietly in salaah at home with their husbands and in the masjid? What about with other women?.
Firstly:
Saying "Ameen" is Sunnah for every worshipper when he finishes reciting al-Faatihah.
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Majmoo', 3/371:
Saying "Ameen" is Sunnah for every worshipper after al-Faatihah, whether he is leading the prayer or is following an imam, or praying alone, for men, women and children, whether they are praying standing up, sitting down or lying down (i.e., if they have an excuse), whether they are praying an obligatory prayer or a naafil prayer, whether the prayer is one in which Qur'aan is recited silently or out loud. There is no difference of opinion concerning this among any of our companions.
Secondly:
Women are not permitted to raise their voices when they are present with men who are not their mahrams. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade women to say "Subhaan-Allaah" during prayer if they want to alert the imam to something; rather they should alert him by clapping.
It was narrated from Sahl ibn Sa'd al-Saa'idi that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went to Bani 'Amr ibn 'Awf to reconcile between them. (In the meantime) the time for prayer came, and the muezzin came to Abu Bakr and said, "Will you lead the people in prayer, and should I say the iqaamah?" He said, "Yes." So Abu Bakr started to lead the prayer. Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came when the people were still praying, and he passed through the rows until he stood in the first row. The people clapped but Abu Bakr used not to glance sideways whilst he was praying. When the people's clapping continued, he turned and saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gestured to him to stay where he was, so Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) raised his hands and praised Allaah for what the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had told him to do. Then Abu Bakr stepped back until he was level with the row and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came forward and led the rest of the prayer. When he finished he said, "O Abu Bakr, what kept you from staying put when I told you to?" Abu Bakr said, "It was not right for the son of Abu Quhaafah [referring to himself] to lead the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in prayer." The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, " Why did you clap so much? If something happens to anyone during his prayer, let him say Subhaan Allaah, for if he says Subhaan Allaah, people will take notice. Clapping is only for women."
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 652; Muslim, 421)
Ibn Hajar said:
He did not let women say Subhaan Allaah because they are commanded to lower their voices in prayer in all circumstances, because of the fear that their voices may cause fitnah (temptation). He forbade men to clap because this is something for women.
Fath al-Baari, 3/77
This prohibition applies if there are non-mahram men present. But if she is with a group of women or with men who are her mahrams, there is nothing wrong with her reciting and saying "Ameen" out loud.
Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni (3/38):
A woman may recite out loud in prayers where Qur'aan is recited out loud, but if there are men present, she should not recite out loud, unless they are her mahrams, in which case she may do that.
Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo' (3/390):
With regard to women, most of our companions said that if she is praying on her own, or in the presence of other women or men who are her mahrams, she may recite out loud, whether she is leading other women in prayer or praying alone. But if she is praying in the presence of non-mahram men she should recite silently… This is our opinion… al-Qaadi Abu al-Tayyib said: The ruling on saying Allaahu akbar in prayers where Qur'aan is recited out loud and prayers where it is recited silently is the same as the ruling on reciting Qur'aan.
The ruling on saying Ameen in prayers where Qur'aan is recited out loud and prayers where it is recited silently is the same as the ruling on reciting Qur'aan.
Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni (2/162):
It is Sunnah for the imam and the members of the congregation to say it (Ameen) out loud when Qur'aan is recited out loud, and to say it silently in prayers where Qur'aan is recited silently.
Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo', 3/371:
If the prayer is one in which Qur'aan is recited silently, then the imam and others should say Ameen silently, following the manner of recitation. If it is a prayer in which Qur'aan is recited out loud, it is mustahabb for the members of the congregation to say Ameen out loud. There is no difference of opinion on this point.
It is permissible for a woman to recite Qur'aan and say Ameen out loud in prayer, unless she is praying in the presence of a non-mahram man, in which case she should say it silently.
And Allaah knows best.
Source: Islam Q&A


If you're like most people, you're psyched to embrace everything the fall has to bring. You have sweaters to buy and PSLs to drink, football parties to host, and pumpkins to carve. For adults, it might not be back to school season, but it can still feel like an exciting time for fresh starts and positive vibes.
It's not all cozy autumn flavors and snuggly outfits, though. Along with fall comes a slew of seasonal-specific health issues and concerns. Here's what to look out for, as well as expert advice on how to stay healthy.
1. Iffy Indoor Air Quality: Spring is often considered the trickiest season for allergy sufferers, but the less-than-optimal air quality of many indoor spaces means that fall can be just as challenging for your nose, ears, eyes, and throat. "Cold weather pushes people indoors for extended periods of time, with greater use of fireplaces, gas heaters, and other fuel-burning appliances, which can increase the levels of indoor air contaminants like carbon monoxide and wood smoke," the experts at air quality engineering company Molekule note. You can improve the air quality in your home during the fall months by staying on top of dust buildup on your floors, using a dehumidifier, cracking windows, using exhaust fans, and avoiding synthetic fragrances in the cleaning supplies you buy.
2. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Triggered by changes in the seasons, SAD is a type of depression that tends to affect more women than men, per doctor, author, stress management expert, and Nutritional Magnesium Association medical director Carolyn Dean. The disorder can make you feel moody and anxious, make it difficult to get up in the morning, negatively impact your ability to concentrate, and cause cravings for less-than-healthy foods. Unfortunately, most of us get less vitamin D when the weather turns colder, which is responsible for changes in hormone levels that can cause SAD. Vitamin D and magnesium supplements can help re-balance those hormones.
3. Colds: With people spending more time inside as temperatures drop — especially with the windows closed — cold germs are prone to spreading more furiously than they did in the spring and summer. Margot White, health educator and founder of healthy beauty and wellness boutique The Choosy Chick, advises regular hand washing and a good hand sanitizer to stop those germs in their tracks. Hand sanitizers produced without harsh chemicals can also help guard against dry skin, an issue that also flares up in the drier fall climate.
4. Itchy Skin: A lack of vitamin D absorption can also show in your skin, according to dermatologist and RealSelf contributor Dr. Joel Schlessinger. Combined with reduced moisture in the air, this can result in chronically dry, itchy skin. Fight this discomfort by using a humidifier, taking lukewarm showers, avoiding rough fabrics, and using cream or liquid foundations, rather than powder. Taking a vitamin D supplement can help as well.
5. The Flu: You might feel like you can put off flu precautions until fall turns to winter, but you'd be mistaken. According to Dr. Tony Yuan, associate medical director at Doctor on Demand, the flu can start spreading much sooner than expected, even as early as October. Getting a flu shot now is a great way to get ahead of the illness ASAP. "My best advice to prepare for the flu season is just being aware," Yuan tells us. "This means… being aware of your surroundings and conscious of areas that pose a high risk for infection." Don't be afraid to politely decline a hug or handshake from someone who's recently had the flu. You can owe them one later!
What health issues are you most concerned about with the new season? Tweet us @BritandCo!


text:
#include "third_party/blink/public/web/web_array_buffer.h"

#include "third_party/blink/renderer/core/typed_arrays/dom_array_buffer.h"

namespace blink {

WebArrayBuffer WebArrayBuffer::Create(unsigned num_elements,
                                      unsigned element_byte_size) {
  return WebArrayBuffer(
      DOMArrayBuffer::Create(num_elements, element_byte_size));
}

void WebArrayBuffer::Reset() {
  private_.Reset();
}

void WebArrayBuffer::Assign(const WebArrayBuffer& other) {
  private_ = other.private_;
}

void* WebArrayBuffer::Data() const {
  if (!IsNull())
    return const_cast<void*>(private_->Data());
  return nullptr;
}

size_t WebArrayBuffer::ByteLengthAsSizeT() const {
  if (!IsNull())
    return private_->ByteLengthAsSizeT();
  return 0;
}

WebArrayBuffer::WebArrayBuffer(DOMArrayBuffer* buffer) : private_(buffer) {}

WebArrayBuffer& WebArrayBuffer::operator=(DOMArrayBuffer* buffer) {
  private_ = buffer;
  return *this;
}

WebArrayBuffer::operator DOMArrayBuffer*() const {
  return private_.Get();
}

}  // namespace blink

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Greenville County is growing rapidly, with more than 160,000 new residents projected by 2040. What's more, we are consuming land at an unprecedented rate. If we continue on our current land use trajectory, nearly 206,000 acres of land in Greenville County will be converted from farms, forests, and open space to strip malls, parking lots, and low-density subdivisions by 2040. And that pattern of growth will be exorbitantly expensive to serve with the revenues generated by new development unlikely to cover half of the costs to serve it.
The community is facing other urgent issues as well, including an affordable housing crisis. Our public transportation system is under-utilized and under-funded and cannot operate efficiently due to low-density development. And the land use policies we currently have in place often perpetuate these issues by continuing to encourage sprawling development patterns.
Too often, local planning and policy-making occurs without effective community engagement, resulting in a blueprint for future growth representing developers and special interest groups alone.
Upstate Forever is working to educate citizens about the impacts of growth choices and empower them to engage in community planning discussions. At the same time, we are working with elected leaders to help them understand the importance of proactive growth management and equip them with the tools they need to address community issues through meaningful land use policy.
Join this dedicated mailing list to receive updates and alerts for all Greenville-based comp plans.


Cookbook which performs a very basic installation of MSSQL Server 2014 Express using the BoxStarter Cookbook and MsSqlServer2014Express Chocolatey package.
This cookbook is useful as an example of how to install and configure MSSQL in a test-kitchen compatible manner and is also used by the test_kitchen_mssql_template.
Matt Wrock's Boxstarter.org is used by this cookbook to automatically create a scheduled task to install the MsSqlServer2014Express Chocolatey package.
Without BoxStarter (i.e. installing the package in the context of a WinRM session) the MSSQL package would not install.
Chocolatey.org is a package management system for Windows which this cookbook uses to install MSSQL 2014.


text:
LeVar Burton Will Co-Executive-Produce the Roots Reboot
Burton played Kinta Kinte in the original miniseries
Jessica Roy April 30, 2015, 4:15 p.m. PT
Roots is getting back to its, uh, roots, by naming original cast member LeVar Burton as a co-executive producer for the new televised miniseries, according to TVLine.
The new version of Roots will take more material from Alex Haley's 1976 novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family, on which the iconic 1977 series was based. Haley won a Pulitzer prize for his work.
The History Channel acquires rights to remake Roots
In the original televised series, Burton played a young Kunta Kinte, a man born in Gambia in 1750 who was kidnapped in 1767 and then enslaved in America.
"My career began with Roots and I am proud to be a part of this new adaptation," Burton said in a statement. "There is a huge audience of contemporary young Americans who do not know the story of Roots or its importance. I believe now is the right time to tell this story so that we can all be reminded of its impact on our culture and identity."
Will Packer was also named as a co-executive producer. Packer has produced a number of successful Hollywood films with black casts, including Stomp the Yard and the upcoming biopic Straight Outta Compton.
The Roots novel and original miniseries told the story of a black American family in the mid-20th century tracing their lineage -- based on Haley's own ancestry -- back to Kunta Kinte's childhood in Gambia and passage to America on a slave ship. From there, subsequent generations experience unique challenges of being black in America during significant historical periods including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the end of slavery after the the Emancipation Proclamation.
The new version will tell the same story, with "carefully researched new scholarship."
The new miniseries will premiere in 2016 and be simultaneously broadcast on the History Channel, A&E, and Lifetime.
TODAY'S VIDEO: Relive all your favorite MerDer moments from Grey's Anatomy