Marie's Blog

I was excited to hear the news today that Governor Corzine approved a plan to preserve the shore line of the Highlands in New Jersey from further development. It was great to know the New Jersey governor is thinking about our future and taking measures to protect our land to ensure our water and air are cleaner. This plan will help protect our water. I read that environmentalists are concerned that the ungoing development by areas surrounding lakes and reservoirs is decreasing the amount water that is needed by neighboring communites. 

marie @ 15:26 | comments(0) | Permanent link

I could not believe all the talk I was hearing about Bristol Palin, the seventeen year old pregnant daughter of Sarah Palin, John McCain's running mate. It does not make sense to me in the year 2008 that a pregnent seventeen year old can shake a political campaign. There are far more important issues to be focusing on that effect America and the rest of the world. One million teenagers get pregnant everyday! Nothing new here.

Family matters should be kept quiet. There is no reason why the whole world needs to know about this teenager's business because she is not causing any harm to anyone. I hate when people make judgments or comment on someone that they do not know at all. This girl is just like every other pregnant teenager. People should look to her as someone with strength for choosing to have her baby and raise it so young. Sarah Palin should be viewed as a very realistic and supportive mother who is celebrating her daughter's decision.

marie @ 19:56 | comments(1) | Permanent link

Our plant finally produced its first zucchini. I can not believe how big it grew! It was not hard to grow at all either. We were glad to see that it produced only one at a time.

It grew almost a foot long and about ten inches thick! I guess we have some rich soil :) I also like the leaves on this plant. They are very thick and rich in color. Because this vegetable is so big I had to figure out how to use it. I love grilled zucchini but you can get bored having that everyday. I also love zucchini bread which is really easy to make and is a crowd pleaser as well. Here is the recipe:

Shopping List:
1 1/3 cup of sugar
2 tsp of baking soda
2 tsp of vanilla
2 eggs
3 cups of grated zucchini (fresher the better)
1 cup of olive oil
1/2 tsp of nutmeg
2 tsp of cinnamon
splash of salt
paprika (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. First mix sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Add the oil and grated zucchini. Next, add the baking soda and salt to the mix. Then add the flour slowly while stirring. Lastly, add the cinnamon and nutmeg to the mix.

This recipe should give you enough for two 5x9 loaf pans. Grease pans with butter or oil before you fill them with the batter. Cook for about an hour and test to see if ready by sticking a fork or toothpick in the thickest part of the bread. It is ready when they come out clean. Sprinkle paprika to garnish if you like :)

marie @ 10:33 | comments(0) | Permanent link

I have not posted in awhile because I have been very busy between work, friends, and family events. I can not believe it is going to be the end of August already. Were did the summer go? It seems the older I get the more time just flies by.

I was in California last week and came back early Friday morning. The time change messed me up but I still made it to see Bob Weir with Rat Dog and The Allman Brothers. I have been waiting all summer to see them and the day finally came! They were great. Everyone was dancing around having a great time and the weather could not have been more perfect. Bob Weir is still rockin' and has the arms of a twenty year old. Nothing like those blues guitar rifts. They played some classic Greatful Dead songs too. The Allman Brothers did a great cover of Led Zeppelin's "Dazed and Confused" too.

The venue we saw the concert at was Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ right on the waterfront. We had lawn seats and got a gorgeous view of the Ben Franklin Bridge. The concert started right around sunset which made it just a perfect time.

marie @ 18:56 | comments(1) | Permanent link

I made a baked ziti veggie dish tonight that came out pretty tasty so I decided to share it. This recipe also happens to be quite healthy for you too.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of whole wheat ziti.
Small Italian eggplant sliced thin a cut in half
Small zucchini sliced thin and cut in half
4 large bella mushrooms sliced
12 oz no-salt tomato sauce
1 tbls no-salt of tomato paste
1 garlic clove minced
1 tbls of olive oil
1/2 tbls of each: oregano, basil, marjoram, parsley
1/2 tsp of red pepper
salt and pepper to taste
splash of balsamic vinaigrette
splash of red wine
1 cup of shredded part-skim mozzarella

Directions:
Preheat oven 325 degrees. Boil ziti 8-10 minutes. In a saucepan heat oil and saute garlic. Then add zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms. Add a splash of balsamic vinaigrette and saute on medium heat until veggies are soft. Then mix the tomato sauce, tomato paste, herbs, and red pepper. Add a splash of red wine. Reduce heat to low and stir occasionally for 5-10 minutes.

When ziti is cooked drain the water and put the ziti in a baking pan. Add your veggie sauce and mix thoroughly. On top, add mozzarella. Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with parsely and serve.

This recipe can serve 2-3 people. Enjoy!

marie @ 20:22 | comments(1) | Permanent link

marie @ 20:47 | comments(1) | Permanent link

I heard today that Obama stated in a speech given in Missouri that if we all took action to make sure our tires have an accurate amount of air in them, that we can save as much as drilling for more oil of out coasts. Here is a video I found of him trying to persuade the issue:






I understand that he is trying to focus on alternative ways to drilling but come on, if you are going to make that kind of statement you need to explain a little more in detail how inflating your tires will save you that much. I hate when political speakers don't back up there statements with facts or explain visually (for all us visual learners) what the dramatic differences are.

marie @ 09:58 | comments(1) | Permanent link

My hubby and I saw The Dark Knight last night. The movie was very long but you would have never realized how much time was passing besides the fact that our backsides were going numb ;) Heath Ledger did an amazing job playing the psychotic joker. He gave a great performance in scaring you or making you feel uneasy and staying comical at the same time.

Aaron Eckhart did very well playing the character of Harvey Dent. The transformation he played into become Two-Face was terrifying. He did a great job portraying what a loss of the most important person in your world can do to your mind.

Of course Christian Bale gave a great performance again playing Batman. Batman is always a head of the game and in this movie someone else saves his life! The twists in the story keep you at the edge of your seat. The Batpod was very cool to watch him ride the streets in. I want one!

marie @ 19:42 | comments(0) | Permanent link