Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Touch'd on Tuesday 1
I began speaking with some women and men who already had blogs, websites, groups, radio shows, and had this online venture down to a Tee. Not wanting to sound ignorant I was very reluctant to ask questions. In the real world I am "question queen", I want to know it all! These ladies and gents were talking about things that sounded like another language to me. I couldn't imagine ever getting through this.
I finally got up enough nerve to ask a question, and to my surprise I received more responses than I knew what to do with. There were people who seemed to like me for what I wrote and were truly interested in what I was doing. They took me under their wing, they spent time explaining terms and showed me how to be successful.
Before entering the online world, I heard about "mommy bloggers". The buzz "in the real world" was these women were home with their children and had nothing better to do than play on the computer. Let me tell you, this is so far from the truth... it's a joke. These woman are so intelligent and amazing, they can work circles around your CEOs of top corporations. Their blogs/websites are successful businesses. I don't know any CEO who can run a profitable company by himself, take care of the children at the same time, and oh yeah don't forget about cleaning and cooking. These women are powerhouses. They stick by one another and help each other to overcome any obstacles. They've got each others' backs... They are united!
I am a very sentimental person and one reason I picked Touch'd as the name of my business is because I love to help people and I feel we touch people's lives everyday, sometimes not knowing it. I want to recognize the incredible women and men who have "Touch'd" my life and helped me to get this far. I strongly recommend to go to each of their links and get to know these Incredible women and men.
I'd like to present the "You have Touch'd a life" award to the following women and men (in no order). You have all been an influence in my success of Life! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! May be a little wordy but trust me, you have to read about these peeps!
Christy aka ShaketheSalt owner Shake The Salt
Christy was the first person on Twitter to talk to me and to give me guidance, we exchanged email addy's and have been friends ever since! Without her, I would have left and never come back!
Carissa Rogers aka Carissa_MomIF co-founder of Mom It Forward
This is the lady who I can contact at 1:00 am for help and she will stay up until 2 or even 3 am to make sure I have completed what needed to be done. She has also become one of my best Ofriends. ofriends=online friend. We talk practically everyday. Carissa has coached me along to make sure I'm successful! She was also one of my roomies at Blissdom09! Join the Party every Tuesday night at 6 pst, 9est at twitter.com
Jyl aka Jyl_MomIF co-founder of Mom It Forward
I met Jyl through the GNO (Girl's Night Out) parties on twitter. She was the first one to really ask me exactly what it was I did before Twitter and Touch'd. She boosted my confidence by telling me she wanted me a part of GNO. Jyl grabs a hold of those around her and pulls them up with her. She was roomie #2 at Blissdom09. I know she's a true friend, as she didn't kick my ass out of our room when I snored.
Sugar Jones aka SugarJones radio personality on Classy Closet and catch her in the raw at SugarJones.TV
Sugar is my long lost soul sista. We met on twitter and never looked back. I feel like I've known her my whole life. She knew I was kinda shy (go figure), and was the first to help me overcome my fear of speaking on the radio and also was the first one to actually interview me. I was shakin in my heels. We talk everyday and she truly wants to help people succeed. Without her I would not be here. She Rocks!!
Michael Guerin aka MichaelGuerin owner of Automated Merchant Processing and co-owner of
Best Web Presence
I met Michael a couple years ago, he was referred to me when I needed to start accepting credit cards for my business. At the time I was in a bad situation with my former web guy. Michael lended a guiding hand and helped me step by step with my website...FOR FREE, putting aside the credit card plans. "Let's fix this first, before we go forward", Michael said. We got everything straightened out and Michael then set Touch'd up to accept credit cards (yay!) Once this was done I decided I NEEDED to hire this man for my website. He is working very hard and we will see a completed Touchd.net very soon. Michael has become one of those friends you vent to! He also MADE ME join Twitter! So thanks to him I have made lots of new friends!!!
Cookie Ferrucci aka Cferrucci owner of Can you feel it, my heart beating through my chest
I have known Cookie her whole life. She brought me joy every day from the minute I brought her home. She is my life and my world. She is also my Biggest Fan! From day one, when I started Touch'd, I was able to ask for her opinions, editting skills, hugs on bad days, excitement on great days, and yes, she is also my product tester. This little ball of fire has shown me how to stick with my beliefs and not worry about what others think. She was/is my role model of staying True to yourself- no matter what! She is one of the strongest women I know. Whatever path she takes, she will leave a trail for others to follow. I am so proud that she is my daughter. I love you hunny!!!
Erin Pyle aka erinjeany owner of From Son Up To Son Down
Erin has dropped everything to help me with techie stuff. She had to break it down in a way that I would understand and wrote so much that she was able to use it as a post...lol. She hates to talk on the phone yet she broke that rule for me, because I need to be walked through certain things. She offered continued help which normally she gets paid big money for. Yes, I feel special! It's rare if I go a couple days without talking to Erin. She is a friend I cherrish! Without her I wouldn't be where I am today!
Chris Perrin aka Blogwelldone owner of Blog Well Done and now intoducing Start being Productive
Where do I start with Chris. The first time I referred to him I said, "she". He still gave me a chance. We talk every night til 2-3 in the morning. He knows when I'm getting tired, because the stupidity factor comes into play. This is usually when he says, "Night". Chris and I started talking about recipes, then I found out he too had technie knowledge.....you guessed...he now has questions coming at him like bullets. Chris is now "a cousin", and he'll be creating recipes for Touch'd! This is going to be so cool. He is also helping me be more productive. (check out his new site). He is one of my closest friends...I can even say fart to him!
Phylis aka Babyswags owner of Baby Swags
Phylis and I met on twitter, there was a situation that I needed to speak with her about so we exchanged emails. That led to exchanging phone numbers. The first time we talked on the phone it must have been for an hour. We could have probably talked for another 8 hours. We shared ideas and dreams and came up with at least 10 businesses we wanted to partner up on. We did, however, start the Wii Twit Fit club. We can go without talking for weeks and start again right where we left off. Phylis is my celebrity friend..lol. She is always thinking of others and I'm glad she's one of my best Ofriends.
There are so many others who deserve this award, but I don't want people to not read about them because there's too much. I decided to start a series "Touch'd on Tuesday". If you feel you should be here- you probably will be. I did not pick anyone in any order. Just as you love all your children the same...you love your friends the same too. Those who know me should have realized I only had one of my daughters listed. As I said I started a series.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Creme Brulee and Amaretto
After a hard day of work, I take a long bath with Foaming Salt Soak in my favorite scent of the week. Holiday Memories is this week’s choice. This totally relaxes me, soothing my mind, body, and soul.
After my bath, I’ll slip into my fuzzy PJ’s, grab some creme brulee, coffee with homemade amaretto, and a great book. Then is it time to curl up on the couch and have some “me time”.
In today’s world we all wear many hats, our jobs are never done, and we usually neglect ourselves. My philosophy is, “If I can’t make myself happy for an hour or two, how can I possibly know how to make others happy”.
So with that said, I’m keeping this short. I’m sharing my two favorite recipes with you, but if you have something else in mind…go get it! Now it’s YOUR TURN to go ahead and make creme brulee and amaretto, go dig out that book you’ve been meaning to read, and have some “me time”.
Be Sexy, Be Beautiful, Get Touch’d!
Creme Brulee

2 1/2 cups half and half or 2 cups heavy cream
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 whole eggs
3 egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup sugar in the raw
small blow torch (this you may need to raid the hubby's tools) or you can purchase a kitchen/cooking torch for around $20.00
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Heat half and half, milk, and sugar in a heavy saucepan to almost boiling on medium heat.
3. In a separate bowl, beat whole eggs and extra yolks together well
4.Gradually whisk the heated mixture into the eggs, then return mixture to the saucepan. Cook over moderate heat; stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard coats the back of the spoon, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.
5. Pour custard into individual custard dishes (6) or into one shallow baking dish, about 9 inches in diameter ( I also use a 5X7 glass baking dish)
6. Set dish or dishes in an oven pan filled with water that is level with the custard. TIP: Start with a small amount of water in the pan as not to have it overflow when you place the smaller dish in it
7. Bake at 325 degrees F for 45-50 minutes, until center of custard is set. When done, remove custard from water bath. Cool. Cover and chill.
8. Just before serving, sprinkle raw sugar covering the top of the custard. Start your torch (VERY CAREFULLY USE THIS) and
melt sugar until golden brown.NOTE: If you have never used a kitchen or small torch, please ask for help.
NEVER touch or place your hands on or near the tip. Do not start your torch
near flammable materials or cabinets.
Garnish with oranges, raspberries, or fruit of your choice


Amaretto

3 3/4 cups of water
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1/5 vodka
1 oz. almond extract
Combine water and sugars. Boil at a low simmering boil for 20 minutes (no longer).
Let cool, add vodka and almond extract. Drink and enjoy.
This also makes great gifts. I bought fancy bottles with corks at Pier 1 ($4-$6), filled with amaretto, made a homemade gift tag, punched a hole in the gift tag, looped raffia through hole and tied around bottle. This was a huge hit!!
Thanks to aunt Paula for this one!
Enjoy!!!
Feel Sexy, Feel Beautiful, Get Touchd!