I have finally joined the masses and become a part of the ever growing Twitter family. This was not an easy decision for me because I already feel spread as thin as a piece of Saran Wrap. But I have found that it is not a big deal and takes very little time. Will it help my business? I don’t know, but it will quiet my friends and business associates who act like I live in a cave and beat messages on a rock.

OK, so I don’t have cable and my cell phone is pre-paid, blah, blah–no microwave either (blush) I have almost arrived, because I now have one of the ‘must have’ addresses on Twitter street Please visit me and offer some love and congrats at http://twitter.com/Vannie_Ryanes

Dress for Success is an awesome organization. When I worked my 9 to 5, I was able to bring things to work and meet with one of the representatives on my lunch hour. For those unfamiliar with the support group, these people accept good used clothing that can be used for business. Thousands of low-income, no-income often take courses to prepare for a job and find they have nothing suitable to wear for the job interview. That’s where Dress for Sucess comes in–they offer donated professional attire, including shoes to those in need.

So clean out of those great suits and dresses that no longer fit and pass them on to someone who can use them. Find more information at http://www.dressforsuccess.org

It’s almost summer and that means get the camera out and start snapping.  Weddings, cookouts, etc. it’s time to put your new digital camera to use and take some photos to share online with friends and family.

The site picnik.com makes sharing easy, fun and a bit crafty. You can use this site without downloading software that other sites need you to do to make their systems work with your pc. And, when your sister-in-law says, “Oh, how talented you are”, don’t tell her how easy it was add the frames and other cute editing touches to your photos, just say “thank you.”

For more information, please visit Picnik 

As always, read the find print.

To make this easy shrimp canapes recipe an easy and no-mess chore, buy a small bag of frozen, peeled medium-sized shrimp from your super market.

Ingredients

1 package (3 oz/85 g) cream cheese, softened
1 tsp/5 mL fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp/15 mL Watkins Garlic & Dill Snack & Dip Seasoning
1/8 tsp/0.6 mL Watkins Lemon Pepper*
18 plain melba rounds
18 cooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Garnish with Watkins Dill

Cooking Directions

In small bowl combine first four ingredients; mix well. Spread evenly onto melba rounds. Top each with one shrimp. Sprinkle lightly with Dill Weed.

Makes 18 appetizers, 2 per serving.

For those who watch their sodium intake, buy look for Watkins lemon pepper w/no sodium.

Visit Watkins to purchase gourmet and organic herbs, spices and flavorings. See our recipes.

If you are new to Blogging, do not be intimated, but be do be realistic. While you may not get thousands of followers, your chances of building a following increases when you take the right approach.

• Post consistently. This is common advice, but still true. If you don’t post often, people won’t come back to your site often. You don’t have to be brilliant or witty every day, but you should have something new up at least once a week. Some people blog two or three days every week.

• Listen. Pay attention to your readers—when they ask questions or make comments, respond to them promptly. This will encourage everyone to check back for updates and fresh articles.

. Know Your Subject. If you are not sure how to go about writing/talking about your subject, read blogs related to your subject to see what people respond to.

• Get your facts right, or at least try. Whenever possible show a source with a link so people can get more information. Understand that you may make mistakes, but nobody expects perfection–just correct it if necessary, and then move on.

.  Have fun with your Blog. Everyone responds to a little humor. If your Blog is about cats, post some cat humor.

It looks like VistaPrint finally has a worthy contender. I just looked at the Overnight Prints site and think we may have a winner here. The company works pretty much the same as VistaPrint does, except they offer a choice of layout for your business card. I do like that option. The card I checked out had 8 layout choices and that’s a very good thing. While I will never stop using VistaPrint I like knowing that my buying window widens without becoming more costly. I saw business card calendars at amazingly reasonable prices at Overnight Prints.

I have not yet ordered anything from these people so I don’t know anything about their service. You can make your own decision by visiting Overnight Prints. If you do order from them, please let me know your thoughts. Remember, your business card is like a handshake. It is a good indication who you are.

Get ready to go world-wide. Bob Parsons–what does that name mean to you? Most likely nothing, even to those who use his product.  Bob Parsons is the entrepreneur behind the success of Go Daddy.

Parsons is the founder and CEO of domain name registrar Go Daddy. On his site,  www.bobparsons.me.  He shares his “16 rules for success in business and life” on a poster available for purchase. Mmm, you see, he is still working and making money.

Some of those rules include:
• Get and stay out of your comfort zone.
• When you are ready to quit, you’re closer than you think.
• Be quick to decide.
• Pay attention to your competitors, but pay more attention to what you’re doing.
• Never expect life to be fair.
• Solve your own problems.
• Don’t take yourself too seriously.
• There’s always a reason to smile.

As you can see this is a list of what you already know or should know but sometimes forget. You can find the more on Parsons’ site. I should warn you, if you are one of those who insist on being called Ms instead of Miss or even if you are not, you may find the site sexist, etc. I know that I did. Keep in mind that the man is successful; he is rich in ideas and $$$’s.  Take what he offers and use it to your advantage.

Make this Greek white bean & feta salad using Watkins Lemon Pepper and Grapeseed Oil.  I love beans, any kind of bean, but white beans are among my favorite. I also love the strong ripe flavor of feta cheese. The two combined can have me boogying around the house :)  

This salad is really delicous

Ingredients

3 tbsp/45 mL Garlic & Parsley Grapeseed Oil
2 tbsp/30 mL fresh lemon juice
2 tsp/10 mL sugar
3/4 tsp/4 mL Oregano
3/4 tsp/4 mL Lemon Pepper
2 cans (16 oz/454 g each) white cannellini or navy beans
1/2 cup/125 mL halved and thinly-sliced red onion
3 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into chunks
1/4 cup/60 mL pitted Greek olives
1/2 cup/125 mL crumbled feta cheese
Torn dark green lettuce leaves

Cooking Directions

In large bowl, combine grapeseed oil, lemon juice, sugar, oregano and lemon pepper; mix well. Drain beans and rinse with cold water. Add beans, onion, tomatoes, olives and feta; toss lightly. Chill until serving time. Serve on a bed of lettuce.

Makes 6 servings

For more information about Watkins herbs, spices and recipes visit my Watkins site.