Prave1956's Pad

It's incredible the vast number of foods that come on a stick. Today we're celebrating putting things on a stick with some of our favorite recipes.

Food on a stick has great advantages: less cleaning because you eat right from the stick, attractive to kids (because what kid doesn't want to hold a stick?) and popular in almost every culture. You're bound to find something you'll love. We'll start with savory stick recipes and work our way up to sweet treats.

1. Caprese stick recipe We're loving how this caprese stick recipe puts a twist on the classic by using sun-dried tomatoes instead of fresh for a burst of flavor.

2. Melon, mozzarella and prosciutto skewers recipe There is seriously nothing more refreshing than these melon, mozzarella and prosciutto skewers.

3. Ecuadorian beef skewers recipe Ecuadorian beef skewers are seasoned and grilled or seared — hands down the best and most flavorful beef skewers you'll ever have.

4. BLT on a stick recipe BLT on a stick is the best way to get your kids to eat tomatoes and lettuce. These would be perfect for a luncheon or afternoon snack with friends.

5. Grilled shisito peppers on a stick recipe Oh my, how amazing do these grilled shisito peppers on a stick look? We love ordering them at restaurants, but this technique of serving them on a stick is ingenious.

6. Pizza skewers with garlic butter dipping sauce recipe If you're a pizza lover, why not stick them on a skewer like in this recipe for pizza skewers with garlic butter dipping sauce? You might not want to share with the kids.

7. Shrimp scampi skewers recipe Serve up these shrimp scampi skewers alongside a big bowl of freshly cooked pasta for a quick and easy dinner that still looks impressive.

8. Tuna, salmon and swordfish skewers recipe Head to your local store, and buy the freshest fish for these tuna, salmon and swordfish skewers.

9. Pancakes on a stick recipe These pancakes on a stick are amazing — seriously. What's better than a breakfast sausage wrapped in bacon and then dipped in pancake batter and fried? Nothing.

10. Honey soy-glazed salmon and pineapple pops recipe These honey soy-glazed salmon and pineapple pops are a delicious way to add more fruit to your meals — in a savory dish.

Angelina Jolie's decision to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes as a cancer preventative measure made headlines earlier this week. And now Kelly Osbourne is showing her support for the actress while revealing a health scare of her own.

During a recent appearance on The Talk, Osbourne emotionally revealed that she has tested positive for the deadly BRCA1 gene, which puts her at high risk for both ovarian and breast cancer, just like her mother, Sharon Osbourne.

"I actually do have the cancer gene," Kelly said. "My mum made all of us go and get tested after she found out she had it and got her double mastectomy."

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p> The topic then shifted to Jolie's decision to get her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, and since finding out that she has the gene, too, the former Fashion Police host has been considering preventative surgery of her own.

"I agree with this 100 percent. I know one day I will eventually have to do it, too, because if I have children, I want to be there to bring them up. I want to be there to support them in every way I can," Osbourne confessed.

"I have been the child of a cancer survivor, so being on that end as well is really, really hard to deal with, so I'm so lucky to have the brave mother I have that has taught me so much," she gushed of Sharon.

Jolie's decision to have preventative surgery has created awareness of the dangers of the BRCA1 gene, something that Osbourne applauds the Maleficent actress for doing.

"It's something I applaud Angelina for because she's bringing attention to this," Osbourne added. "People are now going to go out and get tested for it."

Being a teenager is hard. Being a teenager who is different in any way is almost impossible. That's why this video is so inspiring. Tom, a 13-year-old who until recently had been known to his school friends as Mia, reads a heartfelt and open speech to his friends and family, announcing his true identity.

"All of sixth grade I struggled with my gender identity, and I am now embracing my truth," Tom says. "I went through a series of horrible breakdowns, and I would stand under the water in the shower, crying.

"For some of you, this may come to you as a shock," he says. "I am no longer Mia. I never really was, and now I stand before you in my true and authentic gender identity as Tom. I stand before you as a 13-year-old boy.

"I really hope that you will support my decision to embark on a harder route in life as the boy I really am. Any form of support is received with much gratitude."

What Tom has done is incredibly brave, and I am glad to see such a positive story about a transgender teen. Too many are stories like that of Leelah Alcorn, a person who clearly touched and inspired Tom. I hope this is the beginning of a different story for transgender individuals, one in which teens can share their stories with support and encouragement, and not rejection.

Lena Dunham and Allison Williams are getting up close and personal with each other, but no, they're not filming a scene for the hilarious — and sometimes raunchy — hit HBO series Girls; this time they're smooching for charity.

Dunham took to Instagram on Wednesday morning to post a video of herself and Williams as they take the Twizzler Challenge for autism.

"We are here to take the Twizzler Challenge for autism in honor of our dear friend Natasha," Dunham explains.

"New York Collaborates for Autism, we love you," Williams adds, referring to the nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families with autism.

Dunham then whips out a red Twizzler and she and Williams have a moment that is straight out of Lady and the Tramp (although not quite as romantic, and filled with laughter).

The pair then return, having changed clothes and swapped sides to nominate the people that they would like to see "make out, ya'll" in honor of the Twizzler Challenge, and they are: Larry David, Rita Wilson, Ilana Glazer, Abbi Jacobson, Guillermo Díaz and Katie Lowes.

It's always wonderful to see celebrities using their stardom to raise awareness for good causes and we applaud Dunham and Allison for this video — that, and it also made us laugh.

Jill Duggar recently posted an update on her baby bump at 38 weeks and five days, and it looks like things will get real really soon. She has been posting the photos during her entire pregnancy, and this update was captioned very appropriately, "We are getting so close!!!"

Jill's baby bump is growing so much that she almost can't get her arms around her husband's tall neck.

Jill told People magazine last month that husband Derick has been putting in the time and waiting on her during these latter pregnancy days.

The couple also posted a photo from the family's recent vacation to Texas and fans have been quick to point out they think Baby Dilly is dropping and that the reality TV star should get ready for the big day any day.

Ugh! Poor Jimmy Kimmel! During a SxSW panel, Kimmel let it slip that his ahem little Kimmel had to be operated on two times. Later, a reporter from E! made the whole thing even more awkward...

No, hearing about Kimmel's urethra closing up wasn't exactly something we ever thought we'd write or talk about (SheKnows editors Gchatted about this for a while). Yes, the whole thing is a little painful to even hear about. However, we're not sure E!'s on-camera reporter was very sympathetic or kind when he told Kimmel that his penis surgeries sounded "disgusting." Torturous? Uh, yes. Gut-wrenching? Certainly. But, we aren't disgusted to learn about Kimmel's penis pain, we're just a little baffled as to how the subject came up. And, more importantly, slightly concerned about the current state of his "sausage."

According to Kimmel, there isn't a name or proper diagnosis for what happened with his manhood. "It just kind of closed up on its own," Kimmel told the prying reporter. "I don't know why it happened. I still don't know why."

It's possible that if Kimmel had any previous injuries to his, uh, unit, scar tissue could have grown in and caused the clog. Either way, it took two surgeries to correct his unfortunate penis problem. And, while we're certainly squirming in awkward uncomfortableness and cringing at the thought of that pain, it's important to remember poor Kimmel is the one who had to go through the surgeries.

"It's a horrible process by the way — a horrible horrible process," said the late-night host.

Hopefully everything is in working order, again, for Kimmel and his poor package. Check out the video to see the full, truly awkward interview.

The Louis Vuitton show was held within three giant silver geometric globe structures at the Fondation Louis Vuitton just outside of Paris. The structures were an elaborate nod to the brand’s most important asset: handbags. This season the silver trunk bags resembling vintage makeup travel cases were the highlight. Some had the same geometric pattern as the venue, and others came with varying monogramming options. As for the clothes, there was plenty of luxurious snow white furs. To wit: Freja Beha Erichsen opened the show in a giant fluffy coat, and model Fernanda Hin Lin Ly‘s bubblegum pink locks contrasted against a long white fur coat worn over a blue ribbed dress was an Instagram darling. Amid items like Louis Vuitton-logoed shirts worn with silver satin pant suits (sigh), were some pieces that had a cool Nicolas Ghèsquiere quality to them, like the dresses with slight Victorian gigot sleeves. One came in shimmery silver and gold and another that closed the show on Liya Kebede came in a black and white pattern. We imagine these dresses, along with those fur coats and shiny trunks, will be the items that get the attention of the fashion-conscious flock. The logo T-shirts, however, might excite a very different kind of LV clientele.

Rihanna is officially the newest Dior Girl, but her prestigious position as the brand's newest face is bigger than just her sizable paycheck.

The singer is the first black woman to ever become a Dior Girl. It's surprising that it's taken the brand this long to diversify, but better late than never. Hopefully, this is just the brand's first step to incorporating ladies of all different styles and backgrounds.

According to the Huffington Post, Rihanna will be featured in the fourth "Secret Garden" commercial from Dior. The other three have featured stunning models running around the palace of Versailles in gorgeous dresses with flawless hair and makeup.

No doubt Rihanna's commercial will follow suit, and we can't wait to see what the pop star will wear. She will reportedly also appear in a print campaign, to be shot by Steven Klein, as will the commercial. And Dior isn't wasting any time. You can expect all of this to debut later this spring, according to a statement made by a Dior spokesperson this morning.

Though this is Rihanna's first time in the official role of a face for Dior, she's been rocking the brand for years. She's also no stranger to representing a product. Last fall, Rihanna collaborated with Mac to introduce her second Viva Glam collection. She also has her own fragrances, Rogue and Rogue Love, and she was a spokesmodel for CoverGirl.

Two Marysville banks and Marysville Lions Club announced major gifts at the kickoff mixer of Marysville Community Foundation March 4 at Landoll Lanes.

Citizens State Bank and United Bank & Trust each pledged $10,000 for each of the next five years to the community’s new foundation during the event.

“That deserves a yippee skippy,” said foundation board president Jeff Crist as he spoke to more than 100 people at the mixer.

Marysville Lions Club made a $10,000 donation, and Lions president Bill Phillipi challenged other local service clubs to also help the foundation get up and running as a philanthropic organization.

“This is going to be an exciting opportunity to give back to the community,” said Lynn Mayer, Citizens State Bank president.

Leonard Wolfe, United Bank & Trust president, said the bank donates to foundations in its other communities and is pleased to now do so in Marysville.

“It’s a good way to be a good corporate community citizen,” Wolfe said.

The foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity and will accept donations that will be invested to generate funds for a variety of projects, activities and scholarships. Gifts can also be designated for a sole purpose in the community.

“It’s a tool for you to reach your charitable goals,” said Lori Huber, executive director of the Washington County Community Foundation.

Huber was at the mixer to lend support to Marysville’s new foundation. Washington County’s foundation has raised $536,000 in its first five years, she said.

The gifts have been invested through the Greater Salina Community Foundation, and Huber said the earnings have resulted in grants for local playground equipment, fire safety equipment, backstops, summer reading materials, songbooks and CDs for nursing homes and many other local needs.

Marysville’s new organization was established as an affiliate of the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.

Vern Henricks, executive director of the Manhattan foundation, told the crowd that he and his staff want to help Marysville’s foundation get on its feet.

Once established, he said, the local organization can decide whether to administer the program locally.

“What this is all about is your community,” Henricks said. “We’re here to help you grow and become prosperous.”

Crist said Marysville’s foundation will pay 1 percent of its annual funds to the Manhattan foundation to administer assets and help with marketing. Crist noted that other small community foundations had advised Marysville’s board the rate was well worth it.

As Marysville Community Foundation launches, the board has established a Founders Fund. Those who give $1,000 for five consecutive years will be named in foundation brochures as founding members.

Efforts to publicize the foundation have begun, and board members are available to speak with local service clubs and anyone with questions.

Crist noted that all board members have made personal donations to the foundation to help it start. Board members are Crist, president; Ryan Smith, vice president; Dennis Kramer, treasurer; Sarah Kessinger, secretary; Bette Lammerding, contact person; Cindy Mason, Lynn Mayer, Bill Phillipi and Candace Wright. The board meets monthly at Marysville Public Library.

Trustees helping to publicize and advise the foundation are Randy Brown, Gary Howland and Don Landoll. - See more at: http://www.marysvilleonline.net/articles/2015/03/11/news/doc55009f4d450ad737770137.txt#sthash.hFTeg4Wz.dpuf