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No, this isn't a typo. Despite all the doom and gloom you're hearing in the traditional media, there is another way of looking at things.
My friend, Mike Robbins, makes the case that NOW is an awesome time to be graduating college.
If you're a grad, a parent or know someone who is stepping out into the world, this is a conversation you will enjoy.
 Watch the Video
You can knock me over with a feather with this one.
Folks asking ME for recipes?
Anyone who knows me realizes this is about the most remarkable thing ever reported on DarynKagan.com!
My friends love me for many things. Cooking has never been one of them. My efforts have even been deemed dangerous. An attempt at Thanksgiving one year put a long ago boyfriend in the emergency room. You get the idea.
Still, I've been trying and slowly but surely building a few things I can create and share.
The highlight of my holiday weekend was hosting some dear friends for Sunday brunch. I lured them here with the promise of, "I'll just pick up some bagels at Einstein's," knowing they would think it safe to come over.
But, I got a bit more adventurous and spread my culinary wings a bit. Very successfully, I might add! I tweeted about the experience on Twitter (follow me here.) A lot of folks have been asking for recipes, so here you go. The biggest endorsement I can give: If I can turn out these dishes well, anyone can! 7 eggs
14 slices white bread (crust removed)
1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese
2 ½ cups milk
1 stick butter, melted
1 tsp. salt
-cube bread
-generously butter 13x9 casserole dish
-layer bread and cheese (set aside)
-in separate bowl whisk eggs and milk and salt
-pour egg mixture over bread and cheese
-pour melted butter on top of that
-cover with foil and place in fridge overnight. Take out 1 hour before baking.
-place in pre-heated 350-degree oven with foil for 30 minutes.
-remove foil; bake another 30 minutes uncovered.
That's it. So easy and cheap. It's great that you assemble the night before. Makes brunch morning much less stressful. I got this recipe from my mom who suggests you serve with one side of salsa, one side of jam. Some folks like this dish savory. Some like it sweet, like French toast.
Also, all my people know I hate cheese, so it cracks them up that I make this. I've also tried making half the casserole dish with no cheese. That works fine, too.
The other winner from Sunday was Carmel Monkey Bread. This is probably my favorite. I've seen variations of this recipe. Turns out my collegue, Scott Miller over at Oprah Radio, loves to make it, too. He posted this recipe on Oprah.com.
Soooo good and sooo bad all at the same time. You know what I mean.
Enjoy!
I just got off the phone with Lee Woodruff.
She and her husband, Bob, have quite the interesting campaign taking Twitter by storm!
You'll remember that Bob suffered a severe head injury back in 2006 when he was covering the war in Iraq for ABC News.
The Woodruffs have not forgotten for one second how lucky they are to get their lives and family back. So for them, it's now all about giving back.
They're looking to raise some big funds to support returning US servicemen and women.
$1.65 million is their target for the 1.65 members of the military who have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11.
The money goes to 36 different organizations who help vets with rehab, retraining, and re-employment.
This Memorial Day weekend they've turned their attention to Twitter. Yeah, Lee told me that like most of us when she first looked at Twitter, she went, "Huh?"
But, like many of us, hang around there long enough and you get hooked on the immediacy and the power of this social online engine.
If you don't "get" Twitter, not to worry, I'll tell you what you can do in a moment.
Meanwhile, if you do, the Woodruffs want you to tweet and share, "Who is your hero?" Make sure to include the hashmark "#tweettoremind."
They're seeing all sorts of tweets mentioning dads, grandfathers, and family members who have served in the military.
Sarah Palin even tweeted her personal hero.
Which brings up a good point. Lee stresses this campaign is not political. "You can pray for peace and support the brave heroes of our military," she told me. "They are not mutually exclusive."
So Tweets—get your heroes up there. You can follow the Woodruffs on Twitter at @LeeMWoodruff and @BobWoodruff.
And whether you tweet or not you can find more information and send your support at Tweettoremind.org.
Here's a great example of the awesome types of programs the Woodruffs support. Check out how vets soar at Sun Valley Adaptive Sports.
Oh, yeah, in case, you're not already following me, I'm @DarynKagan.
Have a great holiday weekend and here's to all the amazing veterans who have served and sacrificed for America. My friend Mike Robbins has a new book out that shows you how to figure out who you really are, what you really want, and how to go get it.
Here's a chance to see what it's like when I hang out with one of my inspiring friends.
Watch the Video
I guess there's no denying it now.
I can't take credit for all this good stuff that has happened since I left CNN.
The brilliant idea to strike out on my own and start my own website and media company? Wasn't mine.
Nope, my little sister, Kallan, made me do it.
All the big sisters out there will certainly appreciate how painful that is to admit. It's just not the natural orders of things! We big sisters of the world were put on this Earth to tell our little sisters what to do. Not the other way around.
And yet, the secret's out now. Paige Albiniak of Broadcasting & Cable Magazine interviewed me this week and got me to spill the beans.
Here you go.
(And to my Sissy: You know that's my way of saying, "Thank you!" xo YS.)
I have to say, "You guys rock!"
Our "Second Chances" Writing Contest was a huge hit last week. So many of you shared wonderful stories of getting, giving and wishing for second chances.
How good are the stories? See for yourself.
Meanwhile, I can tell you that you put guest judge Kaya McLaren in a tough spot. Her new novel On The Divinity Of Second Chances was the inspiration for asking for your stories.
The deal was supposed to be you post stories and Kaya picks a winner. Turns out that just wasn't possible. She couldn't pick! So, superstar that she is, Kaya is signing and sending copies of her book to EVERYONE who posted a story.
Here's what she writes:
All of these entries were so beautiful, and so distinct. I was often brought to tears. By the time I finished, I felt even more inspired to see the blessing in any given situation, to see the opportunity, and to have faith that I can be stronger and more courageous than I think I can be. Eileen's story resonated with me this week, as I fell off my horse a few nights ago and haven't wanted to get back on. I will though. I just need a little time out. I've figured that much out about life. The good times don't last, but the bad times don't last either. They ebb and flow, and with every change of the tides is a chance to jump in the game again.
You can see that Kaya came to find out what I've known all along: DarynKagan.com community are the best!
Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories and thanks to Kaya for her awesome book, her time, and her inspiration!
No heavy lifting here. I simply want to send you into the weekend with a smile on your face.
That's guaranteed to happen when you watch this video.
Thanks to Debra Reese, our awesome dog guru and surrogate doggie mama to Darla Louise and Tripod for sending along.
How "pawesome" is Debra? She and her dog, Jack, stay with 'Pod and Darla when I travel. When I come home, my beloved babies look at me with that expression on their face, "Oh, you're home.. What a shame."
Yeah, like when the kid likes the nanny better than Mommy. Small price to pay knowing that 'Pod and Darla Louise are in such fine, loving care.
Thanks, Debra!
By the way, the Smile video was produced to support Best Friends Animal Society, an awesome sanctuary in Utah. I've featured them a number of times here on DarynKagan.com, including telling you about the great work they are doing rehabbing the pit bulls that used to belong to Michael Vick. Check them out!
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