An Internet Marketing Tutorial for the rest of us

Anniversaries Galore!
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Wedding
Good afternoon, my faithful readers! So glad you joined me, whether from an internet search, Blog Explosion, or an autosurf! Today is my 3rd wedding anniversary, and while that may not seem like a long time, the travails we have been through over the past 3 years would have broken up many couples.



I won't bore you with the details...suffice it to say things haven't been nearly as entertaining as a night with Tony from Fugetaboutit. Please visit him for a good laugh. Also, if you have an anniversary or wedding coming up, please visit either our sponsors in this post or The Perfect Wedding.



Instead of doing something extravagant as we have in the past, instead we went to a marriage seminar at church. It began with a formal dinner at a country club Friday, followed by a half-day of inspirational seminars at church on Saturday. We had a really wonderful time!



CIAO for now,
Randy

The New Prayer Room
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Wedding
For our Christian readers, we want to announce our new prayer room! Please feel free to post your prayers and petitions so our global prayer team can join you in making your requests known to God. We also have a Gospel store with quality Christian items at reasonable prices. Proceeds benefit global missions.

CIAO for now,
Randy

Butternut Squash Recipe
Mood:  party time!
Topic: Wedding



Butternut Squash is delicious and a wonderful addition to our holiday dinners. Courtesy of the Food Network and Todd English, here is a delicious recipe for "Tortellini of Butternut Squash with Brown Butter." I have altered certain portions of the original recipe to reflect my personal tastes. Additional kitchen utensils you will need for this recipe are a food processor with a metal blade and a pasta machine (for the tortellini).

Butternut Squash Filling

* 2 TBSP butter
* 1 large or 2 small butternut squash, peeled and diced
* 1/2 CUP ground amaretto cookies
* 1/2 CUP bread crumbs
* 1/4 CUP grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/4 TSP ground nutmeg
* 1 1/2 TSP salt
* 1/4 TSP black pepper
* Filtered water

The Dough

* 2-2 1/2 CUPS flour
* 1 TSP salt
* 2 large eggs
* 3 large egg yolks

The Brown Butter

* 2 sticks butter
* 1 TBSP chopped sage leaves
* 1 TSP salt
* 1/2 TSP black pepper

Prepare the Butternut Squash Filling

Melt the butter over medium heat and add the butternut squash. Cook about 10 minutes, or until the squash is golden grown. Cover the squash with water and cook for 20 minutes, until squash is tender. Drain and put the squash in a food processor with the rest of the Butternut Squash Filling ingredients and blend until smooth.

Prepare the Dough and Tortellini

Flour a large cutting board. Put 2 CUPS of flour and the salt in the center of the board and make a wide well with it. Drop the eggs and egg yolks into the well. With a fork, follow the perimeter of the well and bring small amounts of the flour in until most of the flour is absorbed. Add up to 1/2 CUP of the remaining flour as needed. Divide the dough into 2 pieces and then put it into the pasta machine. Fold the dough into halves and reinsert 15-20 times to knead it, continuing until the dough is paper-thin. Lay out the sheets of dough and cut into 4-inch squares. There should be about 40-42 squares. Place 1 heaping TBSP of the Butternut Squash Filling on one corner of ea. square. Fold the squares and press down around the filling. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the tortellini and cook for 3 minutes or until tender.

Prepare the Brown Butter and Serve

Melt the butter in a large skillet and cook 4 min. Add sage, salt, and pepper. Cook 3 minutes. Toss the tortellini with the brown butter and parmesan. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Just reading the recipe makes me drool! Hope you enjoy it as well!

CIAO for now,
Randy

Nokia 1100 Style and performance that fits on the palm of your hand.

Mood:  d'oh
Topic: Wedding
Now, the WIFE says "OOH, Honey, happy 35 mo-versary of our first date!" Arrgghhh!! as Charlie Brown used to say. Can't wait to get out on the TRAIL...maybe I can talk WIFE into tomorrow afternoon after church.