tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151301722210222832012-02-16T22:44:29.204-05:00Delivering all things sweet that life has to offer!Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.comBlogger841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-75383230471220502152011-05-08T23:49:00.003-04:002011-05-09T00:13:35.259-04:00

Spring has taken it's sweet time getting here. Last year, Spring had sprung in March/April. It's mid-may and now everything is finally blooming. We finally got a few sunny days and 60-70 degree temperatures so we got to planting our garden! I was pretty happy to find out that we had a few perennials--which means I didn't have to buy them again this year and it could go to something else fun

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-45244671259044182662011-03-16T22:07:00.000-04:002011-03-27T22:24:21.631-04:00

A year ago today... Secret Agent Man was hit by a truck...while on a bike...a mountain bike--not his motorcycle. So just thought I would update with his progress and how grateful I am that he's still here and doing relatively well.He's completed his physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Physical therapy was to help him basically get back to walking, bending, and lifting.

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-8817761473527589642011-03-15T01:10:00.002-04:002011-03-15T01:16:24.341-04:00

Here's my green eggs:(Love Araucana/Americana chickens! They lay these tinted eggs that come out in blues and greens!)Fresh eggs result in such high, strong proteins. Check out this egg!Here's my ham:Well, Canadian bacon counts as ham, right? Check out the color of the yolk on the left sandwich--it's just as orange as the sharp cheddar chesse slices! I used my garlic aioli with these babies!

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-9259870425831028972011-03-12T00:44:00.000-05:002011-03-15T01:10:44.868-04:00

I love Mayo. There, I've said it. I love Mayo and I don't care who knows it. I used to make mayo sandwiches--best on the white uber-processed wonderbread. I got excited when I saw Bobby Flay use mayo instead of butter to make a grilled cheese sandwich. As a side note--butter is better for this purpose; the mayo burns too quickly. If you grew up in Hawaii, it's likely that you love mayo too.

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-10464008573678093082011-03-08T00:58:00.002-05:002011-03-13T01:10:12.239-05:00

This winter has been really warm. Few snow days and lots of days in the 30s and 40s. We even got a few 60-70 degree days in there. It was lovely. I even took a picture of the first green sprouts I saw. It made me excited to think that Spring was here!But then out of nowhere, we got the biggest snowfall of the season when we least expected it. All the forecasts warned of flooding and heavy

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-50731805658164513732011-03-08T00:16:00.000-05:002011-03-15T00:18:28.241-04:00

How awesome are my friends? I {heart} fresh eggs and if you know me, you know how obsessed I am with wanting my own chickens so they can give me beautiful eggs like these. Chickens and apples....oh and goats. I totally want a goat--they're just humorous! I would love a mule too...*sigh* in a parallel life I would have this fantasy. But for now, I have these eggs! Coming up...Green eggs and

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-24601130315787254682011-02-02T00:45:00.000-05:002011-03-13T00:58:13.147-05:00

It's been a pretty warm winter. We didn't get snowfall well into January this year. No white Christmas for us. We did experience our first ice storm, though. I didn't know what that meant and why that seemed to alarm people more than a snow storm but we soon found out. When there's an ice storm, globs of ice form on anything and everything. It forms on trees branches, weighing them down and

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-92075335750047935402011-01-31T00:38:00.002-05:002011-03-13T00:45:07.905-05:00

We can sometimes get our unruly dogs to do tricks. They were much more obedient when we would walk them and play with them or for the most part pay any attention to them. So the only way we can get them to do anything we want is if there's a treat involved (and sometimes not even then). Secret Agent Man, patient as he is, taught them a new trick.Now, it doesn't look like much but we taught

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-21062606030394642742011-01-10T22:27:00.001-05:002011-03-11T23:06:59.163-05:00

Remember Secret Agent Man's aversion to the web and big brother and all that? With our newest sugar mule addition, we'll be creating a new blog: Mars On The Move. I'll be closing access to that blog to invitees only so I can post cute pictures and videos. The good news is that it shouldn't be a problem to gain access...just let me know and I'll shoot ya an email invite. You might need a gmail

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-14181914703338477772011-01-01T10:48:00.000-05:002011-01-03T10:56:51.039-05:00

It's been so long since I've last posted anything here. I have many excuses but none that'll sound good enough (except that I couldn't post food pictures since they wanted to make me barf for a good 6 months last year). So 2010 was full of:-shingles-traumatic car injury (Secret Agent Man getting hit by a truck)-lots of therapy-lots of doctor appointments-and to top it off, a tick bite. but it

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-65089209338542616342010-07-08T18:35:00.001-04:002010-07-27T18:55:52.076-04:00

I've officially been here one full year. It's been a crazy year at that but I can absolutely say that I've survived all four seasons! Last year at this time...*Secret Agent Man was still packing up our house with tons of help from his parents and a few friends. Who knew we had so much STUFF? *I just completed my dissertation and hoped and prayed they wouldn't take my diploma away.*I said

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-29824037595099966282010-06-18T23:48:00.003-04:002010-06-19T00:11:12.529-04:00

Well, the best you can buy. I've been suffering for a year without my favorite salad dressing. I won't lie to you but I first tried this dressing because of the low calorie count and the fact that sugar wasn't the first ingredient. But after one bite, I was sold forever. Saved me when I was doing Weight Watchers. I've been searching all the local stores for this dressing but it really was

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-83633880816268332082010-06-17T23:01:00.000-04:002010-06-18T23:48:13.086-04:00

Even with all the eating out of hand and two pies, I still had enough strawberries to make jam. I can have fresh strawberry flavor all year long!So I cleaned and sliced up a few pounds of strawberries. You'll need a packet of pectin which can be found at any grocery store near their canning supplies. Look specifically for the low or no-sugar freezer jam packet and buy two. You can follow the

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-14483773214729362082010-06-15T21:42:00.001-04:002010-06-19T00:14:35.707-04:00

So what to do with all the lovely strawberries we gathered for my birthday? I hate super sugary strawberry pies but I sure do love pie. I saw some rhubarb at the farmers' market and thought that it would go beautifully with fresh, sweet, strawberries. So, pie it is!Start by washing the rhubarb.Slice the rhubarb diagonally in half inch pieces to expose the most surface area.Add 1/2 cup brown

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-20338810611538305362010-06-13T20:44:00.000-04:002010-06-18T21:42:24.280-04:00

The first CSA delivery of the season came today!Lots of greens in this delivery-including some garlic scapes.Can't wait to see what this season brings.Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-78311574324033425602010-06-12T00:44:00.002-04:002010-06-13T01:18:26.199-04:00

I Love Strawberries! I can't get enough of these jewels when they are in season. I could easily eat a pound or two in one sitting. So, we went to a local farm to get some fresh berries. We could buy a quart of strawberries for $4.50 OR we could pick our own for $1.50 a pound. Considering that I would eat that quart in two seconds flat, we went out into the fields. Here's our yield!I went for the

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-81306407722788232442010-06-11T00:27:00.000-04:002010-06-13T00:44:39.487-04:00

This is the image I saw one day coming home from work:Don't worry, he was just starting it up and not actually riding it but it was a funny sight seeing Secret Agent Man on a motorcycle with a back brace. He's doing really well and almost fully recovered from the accident. All of his bones have healed 100% and he's back to normal everyday living. His only restrictions are to keep using his

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-2940058623365374222010-06-10T00:11:00.000-04:002010-06-13T00:27:23.898-04:00

Finally, summer is upon us and the volatile spring weather has gone. So we got to planting our vegetable garden! Without fail, within 24 hours of planting our vegetables, this happened:Blasted rabbit. I spotted a wild rabbit or two when we first moved in but thought nothing of it when we planted our garden--except that we shouldn't plant strawberries since it'll be a waste of time since the

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-73390138747396772812010-06-06T01:41:00.003-04:002010-06-06T01:56:15.806-04:00

So, I know we're limited in our ethnic food choices here in our small town. I came here with my eyes wide open to that possibility but I didn't expect to miss Mexican food sooooo much. I'm talking simple stuff like rice & beans, tacos, salsa.Secret Agent Man and I decided to try a Mexican restaurant in town--it's a chain that will remain nameless. The food itself was pretty good as haole

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-11004657302631933932010-06-06T01:29:00.003-04:002010-06-06T01:37:49.564-04:00

You know when you're sitting on a plane waiting for take off and that harried passenger runs up on the plane within two minutes of take off? And all you can think is "man, that person should get it together!" Yeah, that was me...I arrived at the airport TEN MINUTES before take off. Who does that?? We underestimated how long it would take to get to the airport from home--it seems like it's only 10

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-42475241911043337672010-04-05T23:42:00.002-04:002010-04-05T23:59:20.859-04:00

Just wanted to share some of the spring growth in these parts...let me tell you, it was a welcome sight to see!Daffodils are now my favorite flower, it's the first to greet Spring! It was my mom's favorite flower and now I see why. It's just so bright and sunny and happy.Here's a tulip growing. I can't wait to see what this one looks like. These are my sister's favorite flowers.All these

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-15030586014003311922010-04-05T23:08:00.002-04:002010-04-05T23:38:48.619-04:00

So, apparently I'm not the only one to get excited about the first sunny day over 50 degrees. The day after I wrote how I was so excited about temperatures reaching into the 60s, Secret Agent Man decided he couldn't wait any longer and went for a bike ride. Now, most of you who read this blog probably know all the details of this fateful day already but here's a few more details for fun.1. Secret

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-49276846044077184392010-04-04T11:02:00.000-04:002010-04-05T23:07:33.542-04:00

Just hopping by to wish you all....

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-61524584523745938262010-03-11T16:12:00.003-05:002010-03-11T16:19:46.075-05:00

Hallelujah! It was 63 degrees today with beautiful sunshine--not that I was able to enjoy it sitting in my dark office with no windows--but it actually got up into the 60s!! I think the last of the snow finally melted off the ground with just a few splotches here and there.Sorry there's no pictures to share with you. I'm just too excited about the temperature and I figured I would post about it

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-60424182950575848952010-02-16T20:22:00.003-05:002010-02-16T20:59:22.378-05:00

A year ago today, I was in Sweden. It was actually quite a fortuitous time to have been there because a storm had just passed through and covered the countryside in beautiful snow. Not much unlike here, our current home. However, the real reason it was great to have been in Sweden on Fat Tuesday, or I believe it's more commonly known as Shrove Tuesday there, is because I got to be introduced

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-39219176668420637452010-02-09T22:44:00.002-05:002010-02-09T22:59:54.544-05:00

Secret Agent Man has been waiting--literally--for the past 14 years (I think since 1996) for an el nino winter in California. The last el nino brought crazy snow fall in the local mountains all the way through April and he remembered going snowboarding and enjoying the sweetest rides that season. So, of course, the ONE YEAR I move him AWAY from California is the ONE YEAR that el nino shows up.

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-38303338085939999252010-02-09T22:21:00.002-05:002010-02-09T22:41:37.903-05:00

Snow might be novel for us and we probably enjoy it a little more than the average northerner might during this point in the winter but our enjoyment is NOTHING compared to what the dogs must be thinking. They are elated!Here's Radar dying to play outside.Here's Taylor trying to find her "spot." Note how high the snow is.Taaayloooorr!!!As you can imagine, manuvering through snow that deep is a

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-52219142685746576852010-02-09T21:59:00.003-05:002010-02-09T22:19:53.707-05:00

We thought the big snow storm was back during Christmas. Since then it had been gray and brown with some rain and really frigid temperatures. Some of you may have heard about the huge storm to hit Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD areas that shut down the cities. That same storm hit here and dumped at least 18" of pristine, fluffy, dry, sandy, fine snow.And now you know why Innuits have 40

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-8406600508977259612010-02-03T22:58:00.004-05:002010-02-03T23:39:14.206-05:00

I like to think of myself as a pragmatist. I don't make hard and fast rules about food because I think it'll just set myself up for failure or contradiction. For example, remember my craving for nachos? Well, I typically don't buy processed food and I typically don't "allow" chips in the house because I end up eating the bag between two breaths but I figured it's better that I make the nachos

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-21239910387630821752010-01-31T01:55:00.004-05:002010-01-31T02:23:57.343-05:00

...degrees. It's 11.1 degrees outside and dropping. That's not the coldest it's been this winter but it's still pretty darn cold. It hasn't gotten over 28 degrees for the past few days. Secret Agent Man has shingles and although everyone says he's not contagious, I'm sure pre-chicken pox kids, pregnant women, and senior citizens would be happy he's not walking the streets. Seeing as the

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-88712763179055399292010-01-20T23:40:00.001-05:002010-01-27T23:58:01.673-05:00

This is my lunch a few times a week: Bread and Water. Well, Cheese too. I found a local baker who makes such wonderful fresh baked bread that I'm really learning to enjoy the simplest things in life. Look at the lovely crust and airy, chewy crumb. The flavor is like a really ripe sourdough. One day I will make a bread like this. The cheese is from our local dairy. It's called Longhorn--I assume

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-35806397365128405842010-01-15T23:14:00.000-05:002010-01-27T23:39:00.223-05:00

People would ask me, incredulously, if it were true that girls in Hawaii walk around topless and wear grass skirts and if we live in huts. Seriously. As naive as that sounds, I now know what it is like to be on the other side, thinking the stupid question. So winter entails cold, snow, blankets of white...but what I didn't realize is that the snow comes and goes. For example, this is the day

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-53143068178585045592010-01-12T23:23:00.000-05:002010-01-26T23:25:11.471-05:00

Or as Big Islanders say: "Ice Shave!"Sweets for my sweets.Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-55622465971139763352010-01-10T21:03:00.004-05:002010-02-03T23:50:18.508-05:00

Frosting gives you the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to baked goods. Frosting can turn an ordinary boxed cake into an extraordinary celebration cake. Unless you are serving true foodies, most people will be so impressed with the frosting that they won't pay any attention to the cake--hence, don't waste time on making a fussy cake when you can make this easy frosting!There are several

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-49958752896459586852010-01-01T14:28:00.000-05:002010-01-02T14:43:49.140-05:00

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous 2010! A new year's posting would not be such without a note on resolutions. Here are my resolutions for 2010:1. The requisite-Exercise more.2. Buy and Eat Local. This will be a great challenge but with my CSA and a local grass-fed farm, I think I have fresh food covered. It'll just be difficult to make any ethnic food. I don't think they grow rice in

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-57191696839971448192009-12-25T00:01:00.001-05:002009-12-25T00:01:07.701-05:00

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-71636725903760262812009-12-21T13:19:00.002-05:002009-12-21T13:28:22.367-05:00

I have waited for this day and am soooo happy it has finally arrived: Winter Solstice. Now I know why the Mayans and Aztecs and other aboriginals in different parts of the world celebrate this day--it's the mark of longer days to come!The snow doesn't bother me. It's not so bitter cold here. In fact, I think it's just lovely--although, I'm not the one shoveling the drive way (hee hee). But the

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-28960249221938606702009-12-14T21:04:00.002-05:002009-12-14T23:15:04.409-05:00

This Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake is responsible for the aquisition of my mixer. It is the cheesecake that convinced Secret Agent Man of all the wonders my magic mixer will bring him. The irony here is that *anyone* can make cheesecake--with or without a mixer.This recipe is made up by me but if you have a favorite cheesecake recipe, you can use that recipe with these techniques. An easy

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-51167160309941646812009-12-09T19:55:00.000-05:002009-12-14T20:08:32.795-05:00

...that Secret Agent Man loves me. He services my mixer--easily one of my most prized possessions.How he knows I love him? There was nothing wrong with the mixer and I still let him open my baby up....and I didn't say a word (except here). Show someone you love them!Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-39373161724360603962009-12-07T19:34:00.000-05:002009-12-14T19:54:34.806-05:00

Here are a few more pictures of the lovely snow around these parts. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...That cow is a lot bigger in real life than in this picture.As if this wasn't enough snow, here's Secret Agent Man making his own snow using a water sprayer. He actually got it to work at some point but then it would clog up because it was too cold.Stay Warm!Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-60126095097085248792009-12-06T17:28:00.002-05:002009-12-06T17:36:40.983-05:00

We went to sleep on a chilly Friday night and woke up to this on Saturday morning *ahem* uhh...afternoon. No judging, people.I was just thinking how I needed it to feel more Christmassy so with the snow, our tree, and the Christmas radio station, we're all set to start baking, making, and sending gifts!Stay Warm!Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-40575854111601837042009-12-03T18:21:00.005-05:002009-12-03T19:06:44.453-05:00

We typically don't get a Christmas tree. Secret Agent Man feels that it's ecologically wrong (besides being a waste of money). But THIS year, we decided to support the local farm around here and purchase a Christmas tree. Besides, I need to feel a little Christmas-ey.So, we went a-huntin' for our tree.Look at all these different trees! We chose a Frasier Fir and harvested it ourselves.And

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-61042317042751860652009-12-01T22:21:00.005-05:002009-12-01T23:40:07.337-05:00

This is the cheater version of an Apple Pie and definitely a little less heart breaking than this. You can also use the blueberry bar recipe for an excellent Apple Pie Bar!Apple Pie #2 is fast and will be an easy party pleaser (or sneak downstairs in the middle of the night and stuff your face pleaser).Apple Pie #2Ingredients:6-8 Apples1/4 c. Brown Sugar (not packed)2 Tbsp. Cornstarch1 Tbsp.

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-86403873459329105332009-11-29T23:14:00.005-05:002009-11-29T23:41:10.636-05:00

So the most enjoyable treats of fall are all the baking of pumpkins and apples and turkeys and breads. With the coming of the holiday season, now is the perfect time to warm up your mittens and whip out your whisks. What better way to get excited about baking than to bake an apple pie?If you've ever baked an apple pie from scratch, you know what an ordeal it is. Not only do you have to deal

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-20630034701779774282009-11-23T21:02:00.005-05:002009-11-23T22:24:07.072-05:00

Seriously, this is a dangerous dip to have around. Oh so addicting and oh so bad for you. Do not be put off by the ingredients. Just trust me. This came about a couple of Thanksgivings ago when a friend was rummaging through my pantry looking for something to eat while waiting for the turkey. She remembered a dip she had at an office party but required a special raspberry dressing (which I'm

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-25679493835928424362009-11-20T21:59:00.005-05:002009-11-21T00:03:12.035-05:00

Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? I LOVE Thanksgiving! Someone once said, "Thanksgiving is just like Christmas but without the pressure or stress of presents!" I must agree with that!If the turkey is the king of the Thanksgiving table then cranberry sauce is the crowning jewel. The brightness of the color and flavor of cranberry just makes things more cheery. There will be two

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-18559589875378648622009-11-14T23:24:00.000-05:002009-11-20T23:27:39.815-05:00

How sweet is this face?Everyone, meet Cody. He's the softest, sweetest, golden retriever you'll ever meet!Have a sweet day!Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-78464626797448937192009-11-13T23:06:00.000-05:002009-11-20T23:23:49.887-05:00

Secret Agent Man and I traveled to Sacramento for one of my childhood friend's wedding.We drove 90 miles to the nearest international airport and this was the beginning of our daylong trip:Now this airplane may seem small but believe it or not, if we flew out of our local airport, we would have flown in a smaller propeller plane. Just to give you an idea of how small our plane was, the seats

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-36883450260192368432009-11-09T22:48:00.000-05:002009-11-20T23:06:00.342-05:00

We went all the way to Philadelphia and DIDN'T get a Philly Cheesesteak.And get this...we went to the Reading Terminal which is a neat collection of markets, kinda like a daily farmers' market. When we first entered there was this really looong line of tourists waiting at a Philly Cheesesteak stand. Then we overheard one of the workers talking at another market stand (specializing in fresh

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-56078282690844105162009-11-04T13:48:00.003-05:002009-11-04T13:55:00.642-05:00

I joined a holiday ornament swap! It's great because you get 8-10 different *handmade* ornaments sent to you by the first week of December. It feels like Christmas arrived early and it's a great way to really get into the holiday spirit. The only catch is that it is a swap so you have to make 8-10 ornaments (all the same) to send to different people. So this might be a source of stress if you

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-17633701322326723122009-10-31T17:58:00.003-04:002009-10-31T18:07:20.686-04:00

It's a beautiful fall evening and we're waiting for the kiddies to arrive.Enjoy the start of the seasons!Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-20097011015492087512009-10-28T23:53:00.004-04:002009-10-29T00:05:28.175-04:00

Cheekie and I baked and decorated nearly 12 dozen cupcakes for a friend's wedding. The best part was all the food and chatting we did during the weekend! While frosting cupcakes, Cheekie and I discovered that our tastebuds are alike in that we LOVE mayo. More importantly, one of the BEST combination of flavors is avocado and mayo. It's just magical. So, she made me a sandwich! Wow, it was

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-74206308529359179982009-10-28T23:46:00.002-04:002009-10-28T23:53:01.746-04:00

Well, my new long distance love...Meet Gyatso! Isn't his eyes captivating? He's one of FOUR children belonging to my friend, Cheekie. Now, all of her kids were wonderful but Gyatso loved me most and he has the most peculiar habit: he sucks his paws, much like a child sucking their thumb. It's the cutest thing ever!Shhh...don't tell my kids.Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-72730781761747715062009-10-28T23:40:00.003-04:002009-10-28T23:45:53.670-04:00

The freak storm has passed and fall has returned. Here is a picture from a week ago...Here is today:It's hard to see all the leaves and how bright the colors are but in the next week or so we'll really see those leaves piled up and maybe I'll get to fulfil my lifelong dream of jumping into a huge pile of leaves!Oh, bonus, look what I found in the forest behind our house:Acorns!Cute.Sugar*Mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-11274430689735555782009-10-17T22:08:00.002-04:002009-10-28T23:46:45.713-04:00

Thursday and Friday had some pretty unbelievable heavy snowfall. Secret Agent Man had to shovel the driveway and I had to push all this snow off the car so I could get to work. Schools closed for a snow day. Lucky bums.The snow is lovely to look at, isn't it?This was such a pretty view from our porch.We had enough snow to make our own snowmen! But by Saturday night, all the snow had melted

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-31361270262866025052009-10-15T23:00:00.000-04:002009-10-16T00:37:54.571-04:00

Seriously. This was yesterday:This is today:This was this morning:This was this afternoon:I feel robbed. There was no real fall. The leaves are still on the trees and they are still GREEN!Doesn't this look like the mid-west?I dunno about this, people. We may not last through the real winter. Apparently, we broke a record for earliest snow fall ever in this area. I'm freezing already.Stay

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-28663876017676949082009-10-14T23:37:00.002-04:002009-10-16T00:29:58.959-04:00

It's fall! The leaves are starting to turn!!!A month ago, there was a hint of red.These shrubs are bright, florescent magenta!I keep forgetting to grab my camera when we leave the house. The mix of golds, reds, oranges, and greens is just amazing. Whoo hoo, my first fall! AND I get to go to a fall festival at the farm this weekend and I'm gonna get me some apples! Oooh, and pumpkins!Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-38845687077902640992009-09-27T16:28:00.002-04:002009-09-27T17:11:47.968-04:00

Can anyone tell me if this is poison ivy?Because there's a bunch of it under my pear tree and I'm itching to touch it--just to see if it really is... Yes, I just might have self-control issues. See? Leaves of three..but is it really poison ivy?Just wondering...Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-60376084858944683592009-09-20T22:38:00.001-04:002009-09-23T23:23:53.900-04:00

What do you do when you have an abundance of potatoes? Especially, beautiful purple potatoes delivered to your door?You can make the BEST and PRETTIEST potato chips ever. This was inspired by our fair food affair.Start with a pot of vegetable oil.Most people would use a skillet but I like to use a smaller pot and do more batches because you use less oil to deep fry. Or at least I think you do.

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-92140325681942693622009-09-19T22:32:00.001-04:002009-09-23T22:38:04.271-04:00

I will be sad when our last CSA delivery arrives next week. But THIS week brought some lovelies!What to make with these??Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-68336743051440297492009-09-18T22:04:00.001-04:002009-09-23T22:31:15.447-04:00

I've never had a basement before. I've always wanted one because...it's a basement! As a kid you could hide down there and come up with all kinds of cool things to imagine like a tornado is coming and you're Dorothy and the wicked witch is coming to get you. *ahem* Right. As I said, as a kid you could do those things. As an adult, you could store your wine without one of those fussy wine

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-80905275734507571002009-09-13T23:30:00.000-04:002009-09-23T23:33:19.130-04:00

Fall is on it's way!This is a dogwood tree outside our home.It's starting to show hints of fall at it's edges.This is a picture from our porch. It's green now...but wait a week or two. I'll post updates.

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-22774255257306417452009-09-11T20:14:00.007-04:002009-09-11T21:30:51.474-04:00

Let me introduce...Sweet-T.Despite her batty ears and her miniature pony size, she's the biggest, sweetest, scared-ey cat there is. Let me name a few...She's so scared of thunder that she trembles and cries. Secret Agent Man had to even sleep downstairs with her when a thunderstorm rolled in. He couldn't even sleep on the couch because a little rumble and she jumped onto the couch (a no-no in our

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-53342767466539920242009-09-09T21:11:00.002-04:002009-09-09T23:02:04.128-04:00

As summer closes to an end, the last of the summer bounty needs to be sopped up and enjoyed...every last glistening, juicy, bite.This recipe is not really a sugary treat but it's pretty sweet! It's also easy, low-calorie, and totally flexible to changes in the recipe to fit with whatever summer bounty you have on hand or whatever floats your fancy.Ahhh...summer...the tomato--the jewels of summer.

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-43082252914887853102009-09-09T00:17:00.003-04:002009-09-09T00:25:28.286-04:00

So, Secret Agent Man drove from the West coast. He left his beloved Pacific Ocean. The only ocean either of us have ever really known. We made it all the way to the East Coast. The Atlantic Coast. Our new ocean. It really is disorienting now that the ocean is to the "right" instead of the "left".Also, incase you ever wondered what a "turnpike" is, well it's this:It's a toll road. Who knew?

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-42990407968157997152009-09-08T23:52:00.003-04:002009-09-09T00:17:23.348-04:00

I got my first delivery of goods! I participate in something called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Most CSAs ask individuals to invest in a farm at the beginning of the season by paying for a "share" in the farm. By doing so, you get "returns". Basically you get a share of what that farm produces throughout the season. Since I entered mid-season, I had to find one in the area that

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-91733209335892057712009-09-08T23:49:00.003-04:002009-09-08T23:52:10.542-04:00

This is how you know we've been lost to the country side....TRACTOR PULL, PEOPLE! Yeeee Haaawww!and equal opportunity, ladies!It was muddy and fun watching!Sugar*mama

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-86991883646121591212009-09-03T23:28:00.000-04:002009-09-08T23:48:59.371-04:00

Another fair to share!This is the Centre County Fair. This one had all the county fair requisites: the rides, the games, and of course the food.Better yet, this fair had it's own...flavor.The big thing here is that people will camp in the middle of the campgrounds for the entire week. For those Harry Potter fans, it's kinda how you would imagine the camp grounds at the international quiddich

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-26666252725258505192009-09-02T21:57:00.002-04:002009-09-09T00:31:43.147-04:00

There are some really great fairs during the summer here in the middle of no where. One is called ag progress days and it's hosted by Penn State. You've already seen some of the treasures this fair had to offer. But I just had to show you a couple more.This sight may have freaked out some who think horses are big and scary. These horses were just majestic and totally out of a fantasy world.

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-65948083885771425182009-09-01T22:31:00.004-04:002009-09-01T23:55:47.083-04:00

Zucchini Muffins are the be-all end-all of ubiquitous summer squash recipes. This recipe is even better because you really can't mess this one up. I like those kind of recipes....hmmm, I should start a ranking system to let y'all know what to expect. I'm getting distracted again.Anyhoot..THIS recipe is a piece of cake.Ingredients:1 really big zucchini (or a couple of small ones--about a 1 lb)2

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-17413361775511257952009-08-20T17:20:00.004-04:002009-08-20T17:40:20.542-04:00

Anyone who knows me, should know that I have certain...weaknesses. Fried potatoes in any form...good coffee...chewy brownies...certain libations.But the one thing that always takes the cake is...Cotton Candy. I will eat myself sick with boatloads of cotton candy. I voted the Planet Hollywood Hotel (formerly The Aladdin Hotel) in Vegas, the BEST buffet EVER because they offer all-you-can-eat

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-25305402081056562932009-08-13T20:40:00.002-04:002009-08-13T21:17:57.931-04:00

Finally...Sugar. Here's a pretty old-fashioned recipe that's pretty hard to mess up. Trust me on this point. You can even substitute the blueberries with other fruits that are in season like: cherries, peaches, apples, raspberries, blackberries, apricots,etc. I wouldn't suggest things like watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries (although strawberries might work well mixed with other berries or with

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-56097818149959075362009-08-12T20:28:00.001-04:002009-08-13T20:38:10.943-04:00

Here's our local dairy!We get our eggs, milk, cheese, and ice cream here. I'm telling you, milk from a glass bottle just tastes better than a plastic jug or paper carton. The cows and chickens are behind the facility. Secret Agent Man went to find them but they must have been in the barn.We go here on friday nights for our "dates". We get a darn good burger and shake for cheap. I know the

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-49251893745044651042009-08-12T20:15:00.000-04:002009-08-13T20:21:58.391-04:00

Maybe I should take pictures of all the things I can get for under $2. I've already posted how ridiculous Cilantro prices are.Here's something I totally thought I COULD live without, at least until Secret Agent Man showed up with the rest of our belongings. Can you believe that Cilantro costs more than this??? Worse, there was one for $.96 but decided against it because it cut into my

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-59520705314621863882009-08-11T20:22:00.001-04:002009-08-13T20:28:09.211-04:00

As soon as people hear that I'm an island girl, they all tell me about this "beach" they have here in CENTRAL Pennsylvania. It's a dam they built with a recreation area. I thought, how bad could it be?? Waikiki is a man-made beach (how many of y'all knew THAT??).So I dragged Secret Agent Man out to check out this "beach." This is what we saw:You have GOT to be kidding me. Granted this is the

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-63482407029317003792009-08-11T20:08:00.001-04:002009-08-13T20:15:25.564-04:00

I know this is really hard to see but at least you get a shot of my backyard. In the middle of the picture you'll see a streak of light. At dusk, it's just amazing! All the fireflies light up and it looks like magic pixie dust glittering everywhere. I think Secret Agent Man had the same reaction I did. They don't stay lit! The fireflies actually look like sparks off a wood fire. I know I

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-88539992583080077662009-08-10T19:54:00.000-04:002009-08-13T20:07:27.699-04:00

Let me introduce you to our new home...Before:And then these innocent looking boxes arrived. By-the-way, if you ever have to move with a tight budget, ABF u-pack is awesome. It was pretty hard to find good cross-country moving companies but ABF had the best customer service from the reps on the phone, to the dispatchers, to the drivers. And moving cars--Golden Key Express. Same thing.

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-66687611677476280832009-08-09T19:30:00.000-04:002009-08-13T19:53:46.502-04:00

Thought you would enjoy some pics of the flight across the country. It was quite disconcerting how low we flew the whole way but at least you got some pretty decent pictures. Starts here in the brown deserts of southern california...My first trip to the Grand Canyon!Then, I slacked off. There wasn't all that much to see in the middle of the flight (sorry Kansas).But here's central Pennsylvania!

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-68483971771420236322009-08-08T00:15:00.001-04:002009-08-13T00:24:07.172-04:00

....finally.

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-84796143758888458672009-07-30T22:26:00.003-04:002009-07-30T22:31:36.384-04:00

CilantroI had to look up how to spell Ludicrous....but it really is. Cilantro, people, at $1.99 a bunch.and no, a bunch is not that basket you see there. A bunch is equal to the very same one you can get for $0.20 at a regular super market in california. The very same one you can get for free in someone's yard.$1.99....sheesh....and Secret Agent Man's explanation for this? They don't like that

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-12439433428314664252009-07-29T18:57:00.003-04:002009-07-30T09:19:49.045-04:00

I'm easily swayed. I have a friend....let's call her...."M"...she's kinda crazy in that she enjoys the pain of running marathons. Lot's of people like physical exercise, it's supposed to be healthy for you and all, but the part that makes M crazy is that she a) does it for the pain and b) does it so she can eat more. Frankly, I can do the eat more part and be perfectly fine without the running

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-84259786454230909882009-07-28T19:08:00.002-04:002009-07-28T19:10:33.551-04:00

...and not of the lactose-intolerant kind. When Secret Agent Man and I decided to move, we may have chose it without thinking clearly, maybe had a little too much to drink, maybe even got caught up in the *idea* and stepped outside of who we are (we really are safe, rule-abiding, conflict-avoiding peeps) but it's too late now and all we can do is backwards justify how this was the best decision

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-72311701732808405062009-07-28T18:37:00.003-04:002009-07-28T18:53:29.625-04:00

hmmm....no, not "dry state" as in HOT, DROUGHT, DESERT state....oh, noooo. "Dry state" as in no easily attainable alcohol. As in, no going to the grocery store to pick up some beer. No stopping at Trader Joe's for a two-buck Chuck on the way to a dinner party. No gin and tonic. The sacrilege!Okay, I'm being a *little* overly dramatic since there are specific "wine and spirits" shops around town

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915130172221022283.post-23505517299075696462009-07-28T18:22:00.003-04:002009-07-28T18:37:18.521-04:00

Hi friends,I finally got online and a moment to breathe....and to say hello. Sugar*mama here ---obviously an alias because my hubby, let's call him Secret Agent Man (aka. Sugar*daddy) insists on anonymity and living as far off the grid as the Internet can take us (yeah, you figure that one out)---I digress...where was I?Oh yeah, Sugar*mama here and sugar muling is what I do. I'll try my best to

Sugar*Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01169396588870770806noreply@blogger.com0