Rosewitch, England was definitely one of my favorite places I have ever visited. My folks took me there when I was 14, and I remember bits and pieces the Crown jewels, walking amongst the Stonehenge stones (roped off now, vandalism), Stratford upon Avon. Time for me to take my own 14YO. Im trying to think how I can get over there for a whole summer, LOL. Dlynn, I could have worked so much more. I didnt really look at night time stuff and there was loads to do. Greece: cant help you, but shoot Yasou a line, she went a few years ago. LOL Annie! Teresa, well go together. I wanted to explore more cooking and food shops/stores but didnt get to. Terri, here is more a link to Pictures of England, a website pointed out to me by Denise. I started it on Bourton on the Water, where we stayed for a few days. Thanks Sharon, I was actually thinking how can I even come close to posting her quality of travel guides, I dont do the pictures she does LOL. We might have sat at the same table in the Cheshire Cheeses dining room! Sawdust still there, but we didnt make it to the cellar. I missed a lot of the British Museum. It has changed.check out the new atrium. I couldnt keep up with DH and DS16. Afternoons, when I planned museums, I crashed. Next time! Pam, lots of people did more than we did per day! Theater every night, more attractions, I cant imagine. Gina heh heh yeah I need another vacation like a hole in my head. Speaking of whichDH has another week off in August. Nooooooooo! Kathleen, DH says he took an average of 200 pictures a day. Yup. Me, I just buy the post cards or Google the images, same thing (DARFC from the photo bugs here) Cathy, thanks for giving me the War and Peace moniker heh heh. Next time I go with CF friends! LindaC, I know. Im still exhausted. Speaking of the V&A, did you know there was a Dale Chihuly chandelier in the entrance room?

Hello all, The one and only auto-pay I have set up is thru my old credit union account. I have auto-deposit there for my checks. The CC with the auto-pay is also issued with/through them. (So, I'm not concerned about THAT one, since they already are "connected" - so to speak.) Also, that CC is the one I use for general purposes with a very low balance. I've not had a problem with that, nor any concerns, BECAUSE it is always a low balance - or paid off. It started out (while I was working) - I could opt a specific amount deducted fm paycheck every WEEK (remember the good old days when you got paid weekly?!!! lol), and automatic pymts to pay for my "one and only new car I ever bot". I LOVED it! (The car was also funded thru my credit union). I'd like auto-pay for TWO other cc's, but I don't want the cc's to have direct access to my cr. union acct. I also have a regular bank account which I've had for a very long time, (checking only - I dumped my savings due to their ridiculous monthly fees), and I use this to pay bills. I HATE this bank, but I've had my acc't for about 30 years - so don't want to close the account. What I've been doing for several years is writing a ck fm Cr. Union to deposit into my "regular bank scct" - but only enough to cover bills that I am paying (plus a small "buffer"), so that they make minimal $ on MY $. My balance is always VERY LOW in this account. (I REALLY hate this bank!) I considered setting up CR Union to make auto-deposits to my regular bank. (BUT, then again, I hate to "connect" the two.) And then set up auto-pay on cc's thru THAT account. PLUS, IF I did that, it would be under what I pay out each month,-(utilities, etc.), So...I would STILL have to write another check and go to ATM to make additional deposit every month. Sounds messy, huh? lol! Well, it is! I don't want to close out my regular bank acc't. Too old - and good for FICO??? I WON'T close out my Credit Union - also, too old. (plus I get lot's of benefits.) I've always been against the "online" pay method - Due to various reasons which I will spare you deatils! haha (In general - don't want to RELY on computer do to "crashes". afraid of change, many phishings, and just don't really understand how it works, etc...PLUS, I do NOT want emails to remind/inform me of this or that - I prefer paper coming thru regular mail.) BUT...hubby and son DO pay some bills online. I talked to hubby last night about how it works. I've decided to try it. (Slowly at first - & with a watchful eye) Check out Cr union online options first. See what I can/cannot do online. Sign up for that bank I hate - see what's available - what I can/cannot do - and if there are any FEES. Do an EFT fm Cr union to that bank. See how that works out. If all OK, check into CC's, see what. Try to make pymts online. (I'll start with one specific one first - see how it goes.) As long as I still get my paper statements in the regular mail each month with it all itemized... Hubby DID warn me that when I do the EFT - could take 3-5 days for it to go thru...(but then, it takes that time for regular mail also - for paying bills, that is.) I'll just have to do any bank TRFs a few days ahead. So, I have a lot to check into in next several days. Wish me luck! LOL!

logic wrote: "dreamgarden, great article....brings a whole new meaning to "what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive".... And there you have it in a nutshell. However, I can see why it is more comforting for all too many to simply blame the lowly homebuyer....as one can then continue to remain in denial that of the fact that in essence, our entire finance system is one HUGE scam. Thanks. The more I read about the subprime mess, the more I realize what a "shell game" the bigger interests are playing with everyone's money. Even UK chancellor Alistair Darling has joined growing calls for a probe into the role that credit agencies have played in the world financial crisis. Darling censures rating agencies news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/6995699.stm Its too bad the U.S. didn't follow Canada's example for insuring mortgages. "All high-ratio mortgages in Canada Ñ those with less than 20 per cent down Ñ must be secured by mortgage insurance, through, for example, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. In addition, Canadian financial institutions do not finance more than 100 per cent of a home's purchase price, and that value must be verified with a separate appraisal." marys1000 wrote: "Is there going to be a run on banks? Are banks going to fail? All my mother's money is in one bank." If you have all of your money in ONE bank, that could be a problem. I don't know if there is going to be a run on banks in the U.S. or not, but DH and I are NOT waiting to find out. We have already moved some of our investments into T-bills and CD's. The last time we talked to our banker, he told us we didn't have any sub-prime investments and tried to convince us to keep everything in the market. When I asked him to tell us which part of our portfolio was FDIC insured (or if he would be willing to support us if the market drops), he was silent. Never suggested T-bills or CD's either. I guess he is only interested in our "welfare" as long as he (and his employer) stand to gain. Now I understand why the Russians stuffed money under their mattresses after their banks failed so many times. Time-The Last Sacrifice- Dec. 22, 1947 The Soviets had spiraled into economic trouble similar in some ways to capitalist inflationary difficulties. The ruble, officially valued at 20 U.S. cents, was worth no more than three in actual buying power. Illegal speculation by bureaucrats, collective-farm bosses, store and factory managers and others had become a lively menace to state planning. Peasants, and some city dwellers, had also accumulated hoards of rubles largely because too few of the things they needed, or wanted to buy, were available. Never knowing when deposits might be frozen, they distrusted banks, kept their hoarded money at home. Rationing controls could not be lifted until this money was destroyed, and its destruction was Zhdanov's principal aim.

Posted by foodonastump (My Page) on Thu, Mar 8, 12 at 7:57 I tried out this Pork Lo Mein recipe in an effort to find a good base for the Lo Mein for ARgirl wanted. I don't think this is what she was looking for, but it was really good nonetheless. Serves 4. Published September 1, 2008. From Cook's Illustrated. Ingredients 3tablespoons soy sauce 2tablespoons oyster sauce 2tablespoons hoisin sauce (see note) 1tablespoon toasted sesame oil 1/4teaspoon five-spice powder 1pound boneless country-style pork ribs , trimmed of surface fat and excess gristle and sliced crosswise into 1/8-inch pieces 1/4teaspoon liquid smoke (optional) 1/2cup low-sodium chicken broth 1teaspoon cornstarch 2medium garlic cloves , minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 2 teaspoons) 2teaspoons grated fresh ginger 4 1/2teaspoons vegetable oil 4tablespoons Chinese rice cooking wine (Shao-Xing) or dry sherry 1/2pound shiitake mushrooms , stems trimmed, caps cut in halves or thirds (about 3 cups) 2bunches scallions , whites thinly sliced and greens cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups) 1small head Napa or Chinese cabbage , halved, cored, and sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch strips (about 4 cups) 12ounces Chinese egg noodles (fresh) or 8 ounces dried linguine 1tablespon Asian chile garlic sauce Instructions 1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven over high heat. 2. Whisk soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and five-spice powder together in medium bowl. Place 3 tablespoons soy sauce mixture in large zipper-lock bag; add pork and liquid smoke, if using. Press out as much air as possible and seal bag, making sure that all pieces are coated with marinade. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour. Whisk broth and cornstarch into remaining soy sauce mixture in medium bowl. In separate small bowl, mix garlic and ginger with 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil; set aside. 3. Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in 12-inch cast-iron or nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add half of pork in single layer, breaking up clumps with wooden spoon. Cook, without stirring, 1 minute. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons wine to skillet; cook, stirring constantly, until liquid is reduced and pork is well coated, 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer pork to medium bowl and repeat with remaining pork, 1 teaspoon oil, and remaining 2 tablespoons wine. Wipe skillet clean with paper towels. 4. Return skillet to high heat, add 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, and heat until just smoking. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Add scallions and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until scallions are wilted, 2 to 3 minutes longer; transfer vegetables to bowl with pork. 5. Add remaining teaspoon vegetable oil and cabbage to now-empty skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until spotty brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Clear center of skillet; add garlic-ginger mixture and cook, mashing mixture with spoon, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir garlic mixture into cabbage; return pork-vegetable mixture and chicken broth-soy mixture to skillet; simmer until thickened and ingredients are well incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. 6. While cabbage is cooking, stir noodles into boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender, 3 to 4 minutes for fresh Chinese noodles or 10 minutes for dried linguine. Drain noodles and transfer back to Dutch oven; add cooked stir-fry mixture and garlic-chili sauce, tossing noodles constantly, until sauce coats noodles. Serve immediately. o RE: Cookalong #42 ---------- PORK clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by jude31 (My Page) on Thu, Mar 8, 12 at 16:30 I tried this recipe, recently, from "Savoring Time in the Kitchen". It is so good and again I couldn't print the picture. I am so sorry, because it looked mouth-watering good. I just have to learn what I'm not doing or doing wrong. jude Pork Schnitzel with Lemon Caper Butter This is a very tasty recipe that I found in our local newspaper. It had achieved the recognition of being one of the top 25 recipes that the newspaper had tested and reviewed in 2011. It's an adaptation of a recipe from the Gourmet Today cookbook. Since pork tenderloin is our favorite cut of pork, I'm always looking for new ways to serve it. This was...delicious! The salty flavor of the capers pairs so well with the breaded schnitzel. It was also a fairly easy dinner to put together and the cooking time is quick. I served it with a simple salad on the side. Enjoy! Pork Schnitzel with Lemon Caper Butter Adapted from Gourmet Today Printable Recipe Note: I cut the recipe in half and only used 1 egg Makes 4 servings 1 ½ pounds pork tenderloin, slice into 1-inch-thick rounds 6 tablespoons cup unsalted butter (divided in half) 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided) 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and patted dry 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 eggs 1 ½ cups fine dry bread crumbs 6 tablespoons vegetable oil (about) (divided) Garnish: 1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley Lemon wedges Line 1 baking sheet with waxed paper and another baking sheet with paper toweling. Pound pork tenderloin rounds between two sheets of plastic wrap to ¼-inch thickness. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. In a small saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Stir in capers, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Remove from heat and cover loosely to keep warm. Pat pork rounds dry and season with salt and pepper. In a shallow bowl or pie plate, beat eggs with ¼ teaspoon salt. Put bread crumbs in another pie plate or shallow bowl. Dip pork rounds in egg mixture, one at a time, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge in bread crumbs and place on wax-paper-lined baking sheet. In a non-stick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil with 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat until foam subsides. Add 2 to 3 pieces of pork, without crowding meat, and cook, turning once, until golden and just cooked through, about 1 minute per side. Transfer cooked rounds to paper-towel-lined baking sheet and keep warm in preheated oven. Cook remaining pork pieces in the same way, adding 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter for each batch. Serve pork drizzled with caper butter and sprinkled with parsley and lemon wedges on the side. o RE: Cookalong #42 ---------- PORK clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by chase (My Page) on Fri, Mar 9, 12 at 15:31 FOAS, Pork Lo Mein recipe reminded me of this one. It makes a great meat dish for a Chinese style meal. Serve with rice, steamed broccoli with almonds or vegetable Lo Mein. Sweet and Sour Pork 1/2 cup salad oil 1 clove garlic 2 green peppers, quartered 1 1/2 to 2 lbs pork tenderloin, cubed 2 eggs 3 TBSP flour 1 tsp salt pinch pepper 1 cup chicken broth 1 can pineapple chunks, drained 1 TBSP corn starch 3 tsp soya sauce 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup white vinegar 1 TBSP molasses Parboil peppers for 5 minutes. Saute garlic in oil. In separate bowl, beat flour, eggs and seasonings. Dip the pork in the mixture and brown in the oil. Pour off excess oil add broth, pineapple and peppers. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Blend remaining ingredients. Add to pork. Stir until thick. o RE: Cookalong #42 ---------- PORK clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Sat, Mar 10, 12 at 9:36 Here's one I forgot to post. You can brown sliced onions along with the pork if you want a lower sodium alternative but I like the flavor of the onion soup mix. CITY CHICKEN 1 1/2 lbs. pork cubes 1/2 cup flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1/4 tsp. pepper 2 Tbs. butter 2 tbs. vegetable oil 1 envelope dried onion soup mix 2 cups chicken broth or water, or 1 cup of each Thread pork on small wooden skewers. Combine flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder; roll kabobs in flour mixture until coated. In large skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Brown kabobs, turning frequently; drain excess oil. Sprinkle with soup mix. Add broth and/or water. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1 hour or until tender. If desired, thicken pan juices. Photobucket o RE: Cookalong #42 ---------- PORK clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Mar 12, 12 at 13:01 Many good recipes on this thread with pork and they really show how versatile pork is. Ruthanna's City Chicken is calling my name...along with all the other recipes. I agree with Chase...pork is my favorite meat. I just drew a name..... your turn ****************** Annie1992 ******************* The next Cookalong subject is your choice. Just post it here and I will set up the next thread. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #42 ---------- PORK clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Mon, Mar 12, 12 at 17:18 Well, we now know the next Cookalong ingredient won't be Jell-O. LOL o RE: Cookalong #42 ---------- PORK clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Mon, Mar 12, 12 at 17:38 Nope, and not olives either, or veal! (grin) I'm thinking, I'll get back to you as soon as I check the other cookalong threads and see which ingredients we've already used. Annie o I'm back..... clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Mon, Mar 12, 12 at 17:56 OK, I've decided. My ingredient is cheap, 19 cents a pound at the local grocery right now. It's readily available and I think terribly under utilized and I like it. So, my choice is cabbage! Cooked, raw, in cole slaw, with corned beef for St. Patrick's Day, baked, sauteed, cabbage soup, stuffed cabbage, you name it. Ready? Set? Discuss. Annie o RE: Cookalong #42 ---------- PORK clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Mar 12, 12 at 18:10 Cabbage it is! Thanks to all who contributed to the pork Cookalong. Other pork recipes can be added to this thread.. Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: Cookalong #43 ----- CABBAGE! o RE: Cookalong #42 ---------- PORK clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by foodonastump (My Page) on Mon, Mar 12, 12 at 18:26 Just coming back to give a thumbs up and thanks to Sharon for the Sweet and Sour Pork. We liked! o RE: Cookalong #42 ---------- PORK clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by chase (My Page) on Mon, Mar 12, 12 at 18:45 Glad you enjoyed FOAS.....good with shrimp too! Cabbage.....thud! Does sauerkraut count?