When Good Stuff is used to make something very BAD ;-(

Well I grew up loving Cheerwine.  It was a special treat available only in western areas of NC and therefore we only got to have it when we went home to the mountains.  I have very fond memories of those days and was excited when it became more readily available in our area.  Just as did many of you, I also grew up going to Krispy Kreme for "hot donuts."  In fact, the best school field trip ever was our visit to the downtown Raleigh Krispy Kreme in the 3rd grade.  At the end of the tour we each got two hot donuts and milk.  How wonderful!  Try getting that past the school board these days.  Anyway, I tell you this so that you may understand I am a fan of both products mentioned.


Thus you might think that Krispy Kreme "cheerwine" donuts would be the best of both worlds.   Unfortunately, it is not.  This is a prime example of when two wonderfully good things are combined to make something awful.

I can only compare the filling flavor to the juice of jarred cherries being mixed with Krispy Kreme's regular iced filling.  Then the donut is glazed with chocolate and sprinkles are added on top.  The flavor of the filling is just an insult to your taste buds, the chocolate is ok, but then the sprinkles make for a weird texture combination.   I really wanted to love this donut.  I think this one is one for the strike out column.  On a further note, you can not even buy these donuts at the Krispy Kreme locations.  You have to get the from one of the participating grocers.  
Back to the drawing board (or should I say mixing bowl), for Krispy Kreme.  


I still love an original hot donut, best in the world!

Himalayan Salt is full of "The Good Stuff"

If you have not tried Himalayan Salt, put it on your shopping list. This salt from the Himalayas is known as "white gold." Together with pure spring water, Himalayan Crystal Salt offers all the natural elements exactly identical to the elements in your body .   It is reported to be over 250 million years old and comes in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes.  Use in cooking and you will get noticeably improved flavor.  


According to a number of sources the health benefits of Himalayan Salt include:
Regulating the water content throughout your body.
Promoting a healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells.
Promoting blood sugar health and helping to reduce the signs of aging.
Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in your body.
Absorption of food particles through your intestinal tract.
Supporting respiratory health.
Promoting sinus health.
Prevention of muscle cramps.
Promoting bone strength.
Regulating your sleep -- it naturally promotes sleep.
Supporting your libido.
Promoting vascular health.
In conjunction with water it is actually essential for the regulation of your blood pressure.

I just like the flavor it gives foods, especially when grated over meat and veggies being grilled.  Enjoy ,  Good Stuff .  

Knight and Day is Good, Good, Good stuff ;-)

Great summer movie, this is Tom Cruise doing what made us all love him.  There are a few twists and turns, great adventure and Cameron holds her own too.  Of course you will need to leave logic at the door, but there is action, romance in the best sense of the word and a lot of laughs.  This is why we pay the price of admission....GOOD STUFF.

Toy Story 3 is GOOD STUFF!

Most movie sequels are usually not as great as the original and by the time the 3rd, 4th, etc. are insufferable, but Toy Story 3 is the exception and exceptional!  Disney Pixar manages to keep all the original elements authentic while keeping the story fresh.  As in the first two, Toy Story 3 is as enjoyable for adults as it is for children.  It has a wonderful story full of opportunities for later discussion about giving to others, what makes a family, and right vs. wrong.  The beautiful thing is that they are able to do it while making you laugh and with out beating you over the head with the moral.  This is the GOOD STUFF and the summer movie to see!  Enjoy and spring for the big popcorn.

NC Aquarium @ Fort Fisher is full of GOOD STUFF!

Waters of the Cape Fear
Are not as scary as in the original or the re-make of the movie.  The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher welcomes visitors to tour the facility and take a journey down the Cape Fear River.  You will get to see the octopus, pictured above, up close and personal.  Visitors also get to meet Luna, a rare albino alligator, snakes, box turtles, moray eels, sharks, sea horses and so much more.  They are well staffed and ready to explain the habits and habitats of all the residents of the conservatory.  Holding 235,000 gallons, Cape Fear Shoals is the largest of the aquariums saltwater exhibits and is a two-story/360 degree view of a replica of an offshore reef.
Beautiful!

YUM!!! Britt's Donuts are GOOD STUFF!

They are only open certain times of the year and certain times of the day, there is only one variety of donut and bring cash!  YES, they are that good.  It is worth the drive to Carolina Beach, time and the stop at the ATM.  I have been a life long Krispy Kreme fanatic, but Britt's are in a class all their own.  Go, go now..... and bring me one.... no two!  I don't have any idea what their secret is, but they are GOOD STUFF.

The History and Legacy of Britt's Donuts Britt's Donuts: Don't ask for sprinkles, don't ask for cream filled and for goodness sakes, don't forget to eat as many as you can in the summer because Britt's is only open during the tourist season.   Some things never seem to change. I know it is all perspective, but eating a hot, delicious, handmade donut at Britt's is one of those experiences that doesn't need any embellishments. Started by the Britts and Wrights in 1939, the donut shop has long been the cornerstone of the Boardwalk area. People drive from all over just to eat one or 19 of the steaming hot - glazed delicacies.  A fellow actually consumed that many in an impromptu donut eating contest recently. The process of making the donuts is a time honored, tightly guarded secret. It is thought that the unique mix of ingredients for the glaze makes them so unbelievably good. People who don't even like donuts or sweets will gobble down six Britt's donuts in a heartbeat. Why, I myself have eaten 9 for supper before. Mr. Britt sold the shop and the secret recipe for making the donuts in 1974. Britt's long time employee Bobby Nivens purchased the shop. Since then, the Nivens family has cooked up and served hundreds of thousands of donuts to people from all over. During the summer season, you can sit on one of the stools at the counter and hear people order their favorite treat. You can tell the ones who aren't familiar with the drill. "Do you have anything besides glazed?" they say. The regulars always tell the girl behind the counter... "I'll have 1" or "Gimme a half dozen" or very often they'll say "4 dozen, please". Bobby Nivens and his family have operated Britt's Donut Shop on the Boardwalk in Carolina Beach for over 30 years. Nivens has always included his family in his business. His daughter Lynn grew up working behind the counter. Maxine, his wife, still serves up the donuts, milk and soft drinks to eager patrons all summer long and now his grand daughter helps out as well. You can bet that swimming weather, warm breezes and bare feet are soon to appear when you can smell the aroma of donuts cooking at Britt's. No Phone number! Open for 2010. Weekend operation started. Fridays - 4pm until Sat/Sun - 8:30am - 10:30pm. Normal Summer Hours of Operation 8:30am until 10:30pm 7 Days a Week From Carolina Beach, NC - Images & Icons of a Bygone Era SlapDash Publishing, LLC, 2006 Next - Ocean Plaza History

Good folks doing GOOD STUFF! Please check them out.

Have you ever thought to yourself, if we could raise money this could be cured?  Well, read how one lady heard the call and answered!  Please read about this thrift store which has managed to raise over $1 MILLION dollars for Alzheimer's Research in just 10 years!  That is just phenomenal!  All of the funds raised are designated to stay in North Carolina too.  You may wish that you could help...... YOU CAN!  Even though they are located in Fuquay-Varina they do offer some pick up services.  Go to their site at:  guardiananglethrift.org  to learn more.  Good stuff!

"Guardian Angel Thrift. located at 742 N. Main Street, Fuquay Varina, NC, is a Non Profit thrift store whose proceeds support Alzheimer's Research.  With a dedicated staff and lots of help from volunteers, we have over 26,000 square feet of thrift goods, including clothes, ornaments, collectables, books, furniture and dishes."