Gretchen Wilson, Sony Music Nashville go their separate ways at Tune In Music City

News came through Tuesday that country voice Gretchen Wilson has officially parted ways with her label Sony Music Nashville, in what was described in an Associated Press report as a “mutual decision.”

The AP recounts a statement from Sony noting that “while Wilson will no longer record for the label as a solo artist, both parties look forward to working together on catalog projects.”

The biz split likely comes as little surprise to fans who’ve been waiting for Wilson’s now-long-delayed fourth LP, I Got Your Country Right Here. After numerous delays, Wilson told fans at this June’s CMA Music Festival that the set would be out soon, though a specific release date still hadn’t been announced prior to the Sony/Wilson split news coming to light.

A single from that set, “If I Could Do It All Again,” however, is already available.

Fish Missing

Just noticed one of my fish is missing out of my pond. Yikes! Got it almost two years ago on my birthday :(
Now that I think about it I cannot exactly recall the last time I saw it there. Have my hand in there at least once a day and I am just noticing now?! What's up with that.
Going to check the bottom and make sure it is not dead somewhere but water is super clear and not looking like it.
That leaves gone as in physically not there. Pretty sure it didn't get out and walk away so that pretty much leaves a predator.
Red tailed hawk? Raccoon? Stray cat?? Hmmm...

White Tea: A Flat Tummy’s Best Friend

For the longest time Green Tea took center stage boasting its appetite suppressing properties, but now White Tea is stealing some of the limelight. While tea has always stolen our hearts, with its promise of potent calorie-free, health-boosting antioxidants, not all tea is created equal. So what’s the difference? Unlike green and black teas, White Tea is minimally processed and contains the highest concentration of antioxidants. Let’s face it; we could all use a little extra oomph when it comes to our well being. And if fighting the little evil-doers inside our bodies wasn’t enough, White Tea has recently made a name for itself with its ability to zap fat cells.
If you’re itching to add White Tea to your daily regimen, you’ll be happy to know brewing a cup is easy as pie. Simply place two grams of Tea in water that’s about 185°F and allow it to steep for 4 minutes. Avoid boiling water, which destroys antioxidants, but if the water is too cool, it will extract the bitter flavors overpowering the natural goodness of White Tea.

Weekend Project: Make Granita!

Weekend Project: Make Granita!

No ice cream maker? No problem. Make granita instead! All you need is a little freezer space and a mound of the freshest fruit you can find. Here's how!

What is Granita?

Granita is an Italian frozen dessert very similar to sorbet, except that it's made by hand instead of in a machine. Because of this, the texture of granita is coarser and flakier - like eating snow! It's briefly crunchy at the first spoonful and then melts deliciously in your mouth.

You can make granita in a whole range of flavors from coffee to traditional Italian bitter almond, but during the summer, we go for whatever fruit is in season. Rhubarb, peach, strawberry, blackberry - whatever looks the best!

Making the Base

The exact recipe for the granita base can vary depending on how ripe your fruit is, how sweet or sour it is, and how much liquid it holds. Here's the basic formula we follow:

1 lb fresh fruit, peeled and sliced into chunks
1/4 - 1 cup water
1/4 - 3/4 cup granular sugar

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all the fruit has broken down into mush (15-20 minutes).

Alternatively, you run the fruit in a food processor until it is pureed. Cook the sugar and water on the stove until the sugar is dissolved and then stir it into the fruit puree.

Either way, the end goal is a slightly thickened liquid with a consistency somewhere between orange juice and applesauce. The water helps to break the fruit down and thin it out. Start with 1/4 cup of water and add more if the pot looks like it's too dry or to thin it out a little at the end. Ditto with the sugar - start with 1/4 cup, taste the mash toward the end of cooking, and add more to taste.

Off the heat, add in any extra flavorings. We like to add a squeeze of lemon, a teaspoon of vanilla, and a pinch of salt. You can also add wine or other liquor, spices, or fresh herbs.

Making the Granita

Let the base cool to room temperature. If the fruit had a lot of seeds or was particularly pulpy, you can press the mixture through a strainer. We actually like the extra texture, so unless the seeds are inedible, we often leave it as is!

Pour the base into a shallow baking dish. The more thinly spread the base is, the quicker it will freeze. Put the pan into the freezer.

After 1/2 hour, take the pan out of the freezer and rake or stir the granita with a fork. Put it back in the freezer. Continue doing this every half hour or so until the granita is completely frozen and resembles fresh snow. Depending on how often and how vigorously you stir the granita, the texture can be flakier (less stirring) or finer (more stirring).

At this stage, you can either serve it up in individual bowls or lightly pack it into an air-tight container for later.

Enjoy Your Granita!

That's really all there is to it. We like to serve granita with a little cookie or thin tuile. In Italy, granita is often served with a brioche and eaten for breakfast!

Instructables - Make, How To, and DIY

The most varied, awesome website I've found on the web.. Where else could you learn to make your own fireworks or bowling ball fountain??

Instructables - Make, How To, and DIY

Vita’s Ricotta Doughnuts (Gale's Recipes)

Seriously wanting to make these:

Vita’s Ricotta Fritters

Like zeppoli's ... mmm...

Five Eyeshadows To Compliment Your Summer Tan |Musings of a Muse

Great list of :

Five Eyeshadows To Compliment Your Summer Tan |Musings of a Muse

I also think you can't go wrong with a pop of color, such as turquoise!