Carmen Electra always looks pretty. She is about 36 and still pretty free of wrinkles. It could be good genetics or it could be the help of some injectables. A lot her fans wonders about how she maintains her nice body figures and skin, I also ask myself, Is she taking a pills for skin enhancer? She is really pretty and very much sexy in her red dress. I hope she will make another film for us this year.

Miss America 2008 is Miss Kristen Haglund

The 10 Finalists for Miss America 2008


Miss Michigan, Kirsten Haglund (Winner)
Miss Iowa, Diana Reed
Miss North Carolina, Jessica Marie Jacobs (Runner Up)
Miss California, Melissa Chaty
Miss Indiana, Nicole Elizabeth Rash (Runner Up)
Miss Georgia, Leah Massee
Miss Washington, Elyse Umemoto (Runner Up)
Miss Virginia, Hannah Martine Kiefer (Runner Up)
Miss Texas, Molly Leah Hazlett
Miss Wisconsin, Christina Anna Thompson
Crowd favorite Miss Utah, Sgt. Jill Stevens, an Army combat medic veteran from Afghanistan, finished in the Top 16 Finalists.
The judges for the pageant were Trace Ayala, Sarah Ivens, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Jason La Padura, Kim Lyons, Robin Meade, James Arthur Ray.

Chocolate Decorating Ideas

Feather cake by drawing the point of a skewer from center circle to outer edge.

Feathering

Ice the cake with dark icing and use light icing or melted chocolate to create a striking marbled effect. Place the melted chocolate or light icing in a paper piping bag and pipe concentric circles onto the icing. Draw the point on a knife or skewer from the center circle to the outside edge. Clean skewer and repeat, working around the cake in wedges to produce a feathering effect.

LATTICE CIRCLES AND SILHOUETTES

Mark a sheet of baking paper with small circles, using a 3 cm. cutter as a guide. Alternatively, mark squares, rectangles or triangles with a pencil. Melt about 150 g. chocolate and place in a paper piping bag.

Applying a light pressure, pipe an outline of chocolate around the shape and fill in with squiggly lines. Other shapes can also be most effective; try stars or flowers. Refrigerate until set. Use a flat bladed knife to remove the decorations carefully from the baking paper, and place them on cake.

Chocolate Cut- outs

The kids can make these!!! Cover the base of a shallow, 30x20 cm oblong tin with foil. Spread 250g. melted chocolate evenly over the base. Refrigerate until semi-set. Use small, sharp cutters to mark different shapes.

Chocolate Curls

Chocolate curls: These take a little time , practice and patience to master. Spread 250g. melted chocolate onto a marble or laminex board to a depth of 1 cm. smoothing the surface lightly. Allow to cool until almost set. Use a sharp, flat-bladed knife; hold it horizontally. Applying constant pressure to the blade with both hands, pull the knife towards you. Varying the pressure on the blade will determine how thick or thin the curls will be.

Using a vegetable peeler, shave curls of chocolate from flat side of block.

Pour melted chocolate onto a marble board; let set. Shave off chocolate.

The New Pepperoni Bites

Try to prepare for yourself by making the best snacks in the blogosphere.

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
1/2 cup pizza sauce
2 packages (10 each)refrigerated biscuits
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For filling, in a bowl combine mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce. Set aside.
Separate biscuits. Flatten biscuits to 3-inch circles. Place about 1 rounded tablespoon filling in the center of each circle. Bring edges of dough together. Pinch to seal. Place, seam side down, on greased baking sheets. Brush with milk. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in a 350 degrees oven for 12 to 15 minutes or till golden. Serve warm. Makes 20

My Cooking Techniques

My Cooking tips and techniques

Understanding some basic cooking techniques is essential to preparing successful recipes. Mastering these techniques will make your cooking easier and more enjoyable, too.

1. Simmering Heat liquids over low heat till bubbles from slowly and burst below the surface.
2. Boiling Heat liquids till bubbles form and rise in a steady pattern, breaking on the surface.
3. Poaching Cook food partially or completely submerged in simmering liquid.
4. Steaming Cook food in the steam given off by boiling water. Place the food in a perforated metal basket, a bamboo steamer, or on a wire set just above, but not touching, boiling water. Cover the pan and steam till the food is done.
5. Stir-frying Cook food quickly over high heat in a lightly oiled wok or skillet, lifting and turning the food constantly.
6. Deep fat-frying Cook food in enough melted shortening or cooking oil to cover. The fat should be hot enough (365 or 375 degrees0 so that the food cooks without absorbing excess grease, but not so hot that the fat smokes or food burns.
7. Baking Cook food in the indirect, dry heat of an oven. The food may be covered or uncovered.
8. Broiling Cook food a measured distance from the direct, dry heat source. A broiler also is used to brown or toast foods or melt cheese.

Shopping Tips

Take a few minutes to apply these shopping tips and you'll find that your trips through the grocery store aisles are quicker and cheaper.

Making a List

A grocery list speeds your shopping, ensures that you buy everything you need, and limits impulse buying. Here's how to put a list together.

• Make your list as you plan your weekly menus. Be sure to include how much of each food you need as well as the can and package sizes.


• Hang a tablet or small notebook in your kitchen for keeping an ongoing shopping list. Jot down items as you use them up and ask the rest of your family to do the same.


• If you're running low on any staples, add them to your list.


• Check newspaper food ads. You may be able to plan several meals around the weekly specials.


• Divide your shopping list into categories, arranging the categories in the order that they appear in your store, include categories such as produce, dairy products, meat, canned foods, frozen foods, breads and cereals, beverages, baking products, paper products, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, and miscellany.


• Besides foods and amounts needed, list advertised specials (note the prices and brands of the specials).


• Mark any items for which you have coupons ready before you go to the store. When you get to the store, however, compare prices to see if the specials or the coupon Brand is really the best buy.


• Once you're in the store, stick to your shopping list and avoid impulse purchases. But keep your eyes open for unadvertised specials. Plan to buy fruits and vegetables in season and other needed items on sale at lower-than-usual prices.