"The Other Talk"

After we reach age 50, are there still some things that mom knows best? Well, as you’ll see in this funny video “The Other Talk”, the answer is a resounding YES, especially when it comes to postmenopause.

“The Other Talk” uses the premise of ‘the talk’ recognized as a cultural event in life where mothers talk with their teenage daughters about sex. “The Other Talk” expands this coming of age tradition to the next generation with a hilarious take on how that conversation unfolds some 40 years later!

“Until recently, I was unaware that many women are uncomfortable or embarrassed to discuss symptoms of postmenopause, and therefore, suffer in silence,” says Emmy-nominated actress Brenda Strong, who is known for her role on Desperate Housewives and Dallas. “That’s why I welcomed the opportunity to work with Pfizer on the “Let’s Talk About Change” campaign to help transform the way we think and talk about postmenopause and empower women to take action to find relief.”

She also encourages women to take the following steps to help manage the physical changes that happen after menopause and change their mindset about aging and postmenopause.

CHANGE YOUR AWARENESS

Both menopause and postmenopause are a normal part of aging. Menopause is what happens when a woman’s menstrual period stops for 12 months in a row, typically around the age of 51. While each woman’s experience is different, some women experience symptoms such as hot flashes, trouble sleeping, night sweats, moodiness and urinary problems. However, postmenopause also brings changes to women’s bodies. Postmenopausal vaginal atrophy (or the thinning of vaginal tissues) can occur, and without treatment, symptoms can worsen. Symptoms may include: severe vaginal itching, burning and dryness, painful intercourse, urinary urgency, and painful urination.

CHANGE THE DIALOGUE

If you’re experiencing these postmenopausal symptoms, you’re not alone! Nearly one third of women experience these symptoms after menopause. To help find relief, it’s important to speak openly and honestly with your healthcare professional as well as your partner. Find some tips for starting these conversations here: Change the Dialogue.

CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK

What else can you do to help manage the stress that can sometimes come with menopause and postmenopause? Laugh! Menopause is a normal, natural event—not a disease—so why not have a little fun with it? Check out “The Other Talk,” which features Strong to help raise awareness about the symptoms of postmenopause and encourage women to speak up and take action to find relief.



Disclosure: I am participating in a VIN campaign for Pfizer. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, I am in no way affiliated with Pfizer and do not earn a commission or percent of sales. 

It'll Be Fun!

Its been our first trip in quite a while.  Colorado bound and leaving on a Thursday was perfect.  We spent the first night in the Quad Cities Casino and didn't lose any money.  In my opinion, we were winners.  Then it was up early to start our trek West to visit the Colorado kids arriving late Friday night so as to have the weekend to visit while the grandkids were off from school.  Perfect.  It was a great visit.  Never in a million years did I think I would be that close to a bear.  Even though the sightings around here occurred in Poplar Grove, just a few miles from my home, I never saw it and always felt safe in the fenced in pool area and the confines of my four walls.  Let me explain.

Saturday morning started with a great breakfast after a much needed, wonderful night's sleep in a suite at the Steamboat Grand, thanks to our daughter-in-law!  Then it was, "Let's go to our house.  It'll be fun!"  Sure, one of the main reasons for the trip was to see their new house in Oak Creek, just outside of Steamboat.  The over-100-year-old historical cabin is the perfect dream home for this family.  It was also the perfect time for Papa Gary to give our grandson his Grandpa's .22 shotgun.

 Our adventure began on the front porch with setting up cans and plastic bottles on the fence posts to see just what this shotgun could do. There were a few "hits" and of course Lil Miss Annie Oakley wanted a turn too, along with Dad, then it was time to go explore.

"It will just be a hike around the property." They said, "It's only uphill a little ways then levels out." Sometimes we think they're trying to kill us. Length and slope are usually our main concerns when they want to take us hiking, however, this day turned into another, different kind of major concern. As we line up single file to get through the trails with our little "Ranger Erick" leading the way, we hear the description of the land.  Mushrooms abundant, beautiful trees, wildflowers, haven't seen any snakes (another major concern of Papa Gary) and the big, huge pond.  Bigger than the one right behind the house.  "Cool!" we say. We stop at a log bridge for a cute pic with the grandkids.

It was then we heard "the rest of the story". We were not only hiking to see the property, we were on a bear hunt. It was just days before a bear was sighted swimming in the big pond! Not only swimming, but it crawled out of the pond, shook itself off, and proceeded to do cartwheels! Little did I know this might be the last picture, nor did I understand why everyone else was EXCITED to see this bear! Being too late to turn around, besides I would have been all alone, we plodded onward towards the big pond which should be named "The Bear Pool", where the white bark of an Aspen was marred with claw marks.

It was about this time I realized we interrupted the creature's afternoon swim. A huffing, stomping noise was heard coming from the woods just to our right and incidentally, the bear pool was to our left, which sent me on a brisk walk to the other side of the pond.  I did not want to stand in the way of a bear wanting to swim and this was the quickest escape I could muster. "Let's just hide here and watch." They said, "It'll be really something to see!" OMG! I'm not as adventurous as these kids. I'm not as fast as these kids. I'm not able to outrun anyone in these woods, especially a bear.  That's it.  I'm the snack after his swim.

As you can see, I survived as well as everyone else. We made it back to the safety of the 100-year-old cabin and only saw the deposit the bear made on the trail. In my warped mind I'd like to think we scared the poop out of HIM. Anyway, we finished the day with a delicious elk burger dinner and watched deer gracefully walk through the yard to eat apples. Now that's the wildlife in which I don't mind sharing space. Back to the suite to see what Sunday would have in store for us.

Waking to the scenic ski runs with the background of a beautiful Colorado sky started the next day.
We met the kids in downtown Steamboat to be total tourists.  We had lunch at a great Sushi restaurant on a creek and spent the day taking in all the shops and visiting the smelly sulfur hot springs.

The kids couldn't resist a dip in the hotel's pool, where there are no bears allowed, so following a gelato break, we headed back. "Let's go to our house" they said. We brought pizza and passed on another hike! It actually got cool enough to try out the 100-year-old fireplace which provided a great fire warming us while we ate delicious apple pie and listened to our 3rd grader's very entertaining mad libs. After bedtime we enjoyed the company of the adult kids as time flew by quickly and it was time to say goodnight and goodbye. One final "business breakfast" Monday morning and we were hitting the road to Lake of the Ozarks!

End of Summer

It's almost the end of summer.  It's not official, IMHO, until Labor Day.  That means the next thing to look forward to is Hockey.  But before the puck drops, I'm going to fill you in on my summer.  We've had some milestones this year and I've been a bit too busy to blog, as indicated by my last post being in May.

June brought us the usual birthday bashes, including a niece, a daughter-in-law, 2 kids, and 2 grandkids.  A trip to Chicago was in order to celebrate with the "big kids".

Along with these yearly events, we had 3 graduations.  A granddaughter with a high school diploma, a daughter with an associates' degree, and her boyfriend with a bachelors.  Yay!  Congrats to the parents on these too!

Talk about emptying the pocketbook (which is what my grandma always referred to as her purse and writing this just popped into my head with a chuckle).  Lots of parties and celebrations.  Family fun!

July continued with the celebrations of the 4th and 3 more birthdays. Heat and sunshine occupied the days while granddaughter and I occupied the pool!  Lots of swimming.  We even had additional occupants when the girls across the street came over and some friends from school joined us after a sleep over.  That's another story! She can now do a handstand, front and back somersaults, and a "dolphin" or backflip in the water.  A real cygnet I tell you!  

This brings us to August.  Back to School!  The High School Graduate is attending Rock Valley College, the Associates Degree is going on to become a Surgical Technologist, The Bachelors Degree is job hunting, and the Cygnet is drying out while going into 2nd Grade!  The older I get, the faster time goes.  

That's it in a nutshell.  Now, as mentioned, let the puck drop!  Join me as I follow the Rockford IceHogs and the Chicago Blackhawks as a staff writer for Blackhawk Up!  Don't worry, I will still have product reviews and family stories here.  Maybe I'll even have time to get back into the kitchen and share some creations with you.  As always, thanks for stopping by the castle!  Drop in anytime, it's one place I don't have to clean.  :)

Family Secret Recipe Using Reddi-wip®

When chosen to write a review on Reddi-wip® and berries I was anxiously looking for a recipe to try.  I thought it would be fun to create a breakfast, rather than a dessert.  Then, my story was going to include how we have had Reddi-wip® to eat with fruit, brownies and cookies at family gatherings, outdoor picnics to be precise.  Inevitably this has resulted in a “who is the best shot” competition with many eager volunteers to be the target.  What could be more fun than standing there trying to catch a squirt of Reddi-wip® in your mouth?  Not much and apparently my entire family has adopted this sporting event.

You too may wish to join in some Reddi-wip® fun by entering the #BerryJoyfulSweeps Sweepstakes.  You do not have to shoot, aim or catch Reddi-wip® in your mouth or anywhere else.  Now through July 7, 2014, you can share your everyday Reddi-wip® berry-licious moments on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using the #BerryJoyfulSweeps hashtag for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2015 Watsonville Strawberry Festival, Reddi-wip® coupons or berry keepers.

Along with desserts, breakfasts and games Reddi-wip® is now being added to one of our family traditions making it easier than ever to make and share.  Before this family secret recipe for this delicious Reddi-wip® and berries creation is divulged, let me give you a bit of history.

It is a dessert tradition started by Great Grandma Anna and Grandma Inga, both from Norway, and was served at Christmastime.  The children and grandchildren have continued with this creation adding it to the Christmas cookie and dessert table.  In her broken English, Grandma Anna called it “Katalani”.  The family is not really sure how to spell it.  I’m sure she made it with freshly whipped whipping cream, baked biscuits and fresh picked lingonberries, but through the generations the recipe has been simplified.  Reddi-wip® makes it easier than ever to bring the joy of real dairy cream, never hydrogenated oils, to berry creations such as our secret family recipe here.  By the way, each serving of Original, Extra Creamy and Chocolate Reddi-wip® has only 15 calories and each serving of Fat-Fee Reddi-wip® is only five calories.

What you'll need.

  Now, for the recipe; You will need 1 cup milk, 2-3 packages of ladyfinger cookies, 1 jar of  lingonberries, one container of frozen whipped topping (thawed) and 1 can of Reddi-wip® Original, Extra Creamy or Fat Free and a decorative glass bowl, because it sure looks pretty when complete!

  The process is simple.  Dip a ladyfinger cookie (on at a time) in milk and let soak for a few seconds  until absorbed with milk yet, still stiff enough to  move easily.  Place them flat in the bottom of the   bowl and  vertically around the sides forming a layer.  

First Layer

Spread the container of thawed whipped topping over the cookies to form a second layer.  

Second Layer

Spoon ½ the jar of lingonberries over the topping forming the third layer.  Repeat with ladyfingers and lingonberries.  (*Reserve a spoonful of lingonberries for a dollop in the center of the Reddi-wip® for decoration.)  

Third Layer and Repeat

Lastly, squirt Reddi-wip® over the final layer of ladyfingers and put your reserved dollop of berries in the center.  

Ready for Reddi-Wip

Refrigerate.  You may also add a few blueberries for a “red, white and blue” holiday dessert.  Use a big spoon to dip into this delicious bowl of scrumptious Reddi-wip® and berry-licious moment.

There you have it, a family secret recipe.

If you have a family secret, or any berry joyful moments, you would like to share, go ahead and enter the #BerryJoyfulSweeps Sweepstakes.  For more creations and information visit the Reddi-wip® Website, the Reddi-wip® Facebook page and follow Reddi-wip® on Instagram (reddiwip) and Twitter (@RealReddiWip).  Want to know where to buy Reddi-wip®?  Click here for the store locator. 

I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer network campaign for Reddi-wip®.  I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own.  I am in no way affiliated with Reddi-wip® and do not earn a commission or percent of sales. Click here for #BerryJoyfulSweeps Official rules.

Our Five Forks Market Experience

The Five Forks Market is not new to Rockford but it was new to us.  I've heard good reviews, but just never made it over there, until last night.  Wow.  What have I been missing?  This is one of the finest dining experiences in the city.  We set out to celebrate our 13th Wedding Anniversary, and it was a perfect setting for this occasion.  Quaint, out of the way, yet fairly busy for a Monday evening, we enjoyed our table along the back wall with an exquisite bottle of cabernet wine from the Washington area vineyards chosen by our "cork dork".  The dining room was tastefully decorated and the lighting reflected the sparkling water bottles and glasses brought to each table.  We almost requested seats at the bar to watch the chef prepare the tapas, however, we opted for a small, secluded table to gaze into each other's eyes for the anniversary "date".  It was very romantic and did not disappoint.

Moving right along, we paired our wine with two "small" tapas being crab cakes and the risotto of the day.  I admit, I Googled "Tapas" before going.  Appetizer sized portions or small samples best describe the process.  The curry lamb meatballs came in a pair that made it easy to share while the risotto of the day came in a small glass boat in which we spooned out onto our plates.  The meatballs were fun to try but not a big hit with me, however, Mr. is a huge fan of lamb and mutton and thoroughly enjoyed them.  We shared with his portion being the meatballs and mine was the goat cheese in the sauce.  After much debate on the spices of the risotto, we had to ask the waiter.  I detected a cinnamon while the Mr. detected a hint of cherry. We were both correct.  The sauce was cherry inflicted while the duck sausage was cinnamon flavored.  Delicious on all accounts.

Next we moved on to the "medium bites" and chose the crab cakes and the gnocchi.  The crab cakes were perfect texture and served in a lemony, corn salsa type sauce. Definitely a favorite of the evening in my opinion.  The gnocchi served with butternut squash, kale and pine nuts also had a lemon cream sauce topped with Parmesan.  I would love to take credit for choosing two tapas with coordinating sauces but it was by chance.  We loved the gnocchi combination, though I felt the lemon taste in the creamy sauce was a bit overpowering.  Very good and still would get 4 stars.  I learned the bold tastes are much easier tolerated in small portions and really enjoyed this type of dining experience. Besides, we were still hungry for desert.  

Ah, yes desert.  Mr. ordered the crème brulee.  Soft, creamy, custard with the perfect burnt caramel topping and a blackberry.  As for my choice, the mascarpone cheese mixture layered fillo dough triangles sprinkled with powdered sugar was off the one to five star rating system.  A definite 10.

Five Forks Market is definitely a must visit dining destination.  Overall we rated our experience five stars and were already discussing our choices for future visits.  Happy Anniversary Mr.!  And many more.

Giuseppi & I (Part 3)

Giuseppi and I Part 3 brings us to another favorite piece.  One of which will be handed down through generations.  I figure 100 + year old barn wood should last another 100 years.  Anyway, I have a small wrought iron wine rack that holds 6 bottles of wine.  This, however, is not enough wine storage for me.  The object was to use an old barn wood fence, the larger planks of this barn wood stash, and an old window to make something I could store wine in.  As usual, Giuseppi had no fear.  We got to work.

Making the frame was easy, after we penciled out the measurements.  I had visions of slanted shelves that would hold the wine bottle "bottoms up" as they should be stored, but Giuseppi had a better idea.  He drilled holes in the shelf so that only the bottle necks would slide in and the bottle would be completely upside down thus saving the cork and eliminating the sediment.  Perfect.

It was at this resting point we remembered something very important.  It was our daughter's (Giuseppi's Mother) birthday!  Since she is a big fan of the primitive antiques style we decided to take a quick break and whip her up a barn wood shelf.  I grabbed a couple of pieces of barn wood, a star we had picked out for something because we knew we would have some use for it, showed him what I thought would be cute and no kidding, Giuseppi had this done in less than 30 minutes.  

Now back to the main project of Part 3.  The window would be the key focal point so we didn't want to mess this up.  It was heavier than we anticipated so we had to put our noggins together to come up with a hinging method and the tedious task of latching it.  We set out to the local hardware store and found some hardware, go figure... no pun intended, that matched the rustic motif.  Giuseppi had the measurements perfect and the window fit like a glove.  Once hinged and latched we thought it was complete.  Until, we opened the window and we realized it would either fall to the floor or tip the entire cabinet over if we let go.  Immediately, he thought rope.  I agreed since it would match the rest of the barn wood creations however, when in the closed position, the rope did not cooperate.  Each time we closed the window, the rope would either stick out the side or kink up in front of the window blocking the view of the "pretties" I would have inside on the shelves.  Plan B was a hook and chain.  Bingo.  The chain was heavy enough to fall down inside the window when closed.  My Giuseppi is one smart biscotto!

I knew this piece was going in the dining room and I had the perfect spot picked out for it.  Stepping inside to show Giuseppi where it was going to go, and measuring one more time just to be sure, I realized it might be a little too short.  My vision of my wine collection was much taller on the chosen wall.  We definitely would have to "lift it up".  We wanted an extra row of cubbies along the bottom, but barn wood was in short supply and we still have a few more smaller ideas we wanted to complete.  The summer and our time together was coming to an end.  Giuseppi must go to school.  I made a quick trip to my favorite "Rags to Vintage" and picked up a small table.  While thoughts of just attaching our barn wood creation to the table were good thoughts, just still not the look I was going for.  Our solution was to just use the legs of the small table.  It worked great!  We have now achieved the perfect height.   It looks awesome!

  

Incidentally, the small table served another purpose.  It now rests atop a box, which is actually an old drawer, that holds toys!  A perfectly disguised toy box!  

Waste not, want not.

Giuseppi has since gone back to school and over winter break he went skiing.  I'm hoping spring break might bring him back to finish up with the smaller pieces and a Part 4 for Giuseppi and I.

Pumpkins and Snowmen

We've had discussions and searched Pinterest for protocol and the conclusion is... To do whatever makes you happy.  Do you leave pumpkins up from your Halloween decor for Thanksgiving?  How about your snowmen, and I say "men" because mine are wearing vests and bow ties resembling menswear not dresses or skirts relative to women.  You may refer to them as “snow people” if you wish.  

What about the winter green pines?  They are beautiful and smell wonderful throughout the home.  Must they be thrown out with the Christmas tree?  Okay, some of mine are not real, but must they be packed up and put away when the tree comes down?  

This year I did keep my pumpkins through  Thanksgiving.  In fact, I kept them displayed until I unpacked my Christmas decorations.  Not the ones with the black cats or scary faces, but the wonderfully colored ones with berries and leaves depicting the beautiful fall season we have here in the Midwest.  My Thanksgiving guests seemed comfortable and with my pumpkin potpourri I must say, it was very inviting.  As the calendar turns, it brings us to Christmas.

 The house was decorated, the tree put up and lit, the food prepared, gifts wrapped and table set.  Then, in a seemingly very short time, the food was gone, the gifts unwrapped and the table cleared.  It was just the tree and the decorations.  I’m not one to keep the tree up for very long.  It does take up space and since we cut a real one down, sorry environmentalists, the needles do begin to fall more rapidly and become annoying to my vacuum cleaner.  Now thinking back to my pumpkins, I began looking around to see if I could keep some “winter” décor in my home.  My search on Pinterest instantly revealed beautiful "winter mantles".   It was the inspiration I needed to  create...

As I packed up the Nativity, angels, stars, Santas and reindeers I noticed some “let it snow” décor that clearly could be considered “winter”.  Pines are definitely cold weather plants so why replace them with sunflowers in January?  Here’s what I came up with.  Baskets and crocks filled with greens and pinecones instead of ferns or flowers and even my welcome sign adorned with a snow person, not sure of gender, holding a “blizzard” sign is certainly indicative of winters in the Midwest. 

I’m having a dinner party this January and I’m hoping my guests will find my winter décor as comfortable as the pumpkins.  The snow shoveled sidewalk leads them into a winter wonderland of delightful snowmen smiling at them as they enter and unbundle their coats.  

It will be cinnamon potpourri inviting them in to relax by the fire and the stunning winter mantle.  Pines will surround us as we dine in the warmth of the house looking at the winter beauty of snow-covered lawns.  

Yes, in our home it is Midwest winter inside and out!