So I admit...I'm a HUGE X-Files fan. My sister and I have always loved the TV series. And we just had to see the new movie "X-Files: I Want To Believe."

I though it was great - it was just one, big episode. Same reason why I loved the Sex and the City Movie. Both TV shows didn't try to make a "film," they just stuck with what they knew.

Although, I was hoping to see a little, green alien in the movie -- you should see it. If you do, sit through all the credits. There's a little surprise at the end!

This past Saturday I went to the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.

The name speaks for itself......it is a huge convention center inside a resort-like hotel. Outside the convention center/hotel there are many up-scale shops, a waterfall and a pier with boats and a dock where you can catch a boat to take you on a ride around the Potomac River, where you can see the view of the Capitol City and it's renowned monuments and attractions.

Gaylord National will be the largest combined hotel and convention center on the Eastern Seaboard upon it's completion. It has beautiful landscaping and I couldn't help posing in front of one of the lovely statues.

My cousin, Michelle, and I didn't stay at the hotel this weekend but after going in and having a tour, we are already made plans to stay at this grand place.

Rita's Water Ice has FAT-FREE custard! Can you stand it?

I just learned this from Fox43 Traffic Reporter Ryan O. It is called the "Slenderita." I love the name.

Ryan says it tastes just the same and it's better for you! The regular vanilla custard has 385 calories. But, a regular of vanilla Slenderita has only 228 calories!

Only a few Rita's are serving this yummy treat, but the girl who was working at the Rita's on Linglestown Road told me ALL shops will have the Slenderita next year.

Yesterday, I hit the greens...the mini greens that is, along with Ryan, the morning show traffic reporter, and Kiersten. If you are not familiar with the term "hit the greens" it means we played mini golf.

Out of the 3 of us Kiersten plays the most golf. I have played golf once in my life and been to the driving range maybe twice but I have been known to play mini golf from time to time. Before I go any further, you probably should know that I am a very competitive person. I like to play sports or games for fun but I also play to win! With that said, I must say I started off very well but on the last hole I lost my concentration because Kiersten mentioned Rita's Italian Ice....Ugh!

Ryan started off pretty shaky (that's his ball in the gravel) but made a heck of a come back.

Kiersten was pretty consistent through the match.

I was just the opposite of Ryan. I started off strong but lost it right at the end!

Kiersten tallied up the scores and at the end of regulation Ryan and I tied for first.

Did you hear me?...I said tied! So, we went to the next whole for sudden death, where we tied again. Ryan beat me on the next hole but I practiced good sportsmanship. I congratulated him and he is still my favorite morning traffic reporter!

Although it was blazing hot, the three of us had a great time...especially after we took Kiersten up on her idea to cap the day off with some Italian ice from Rita's!

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? This is a question that takes me back to when I was a little girl and the question I asked this weekend.

Are you wondering why I was asking that question? Well, the reason is because I went to Sesame Place over the weekend. If you are not familiar with Sesame Place it is an amusement/water park based on the show Sesame Street.

I am a kid at heart so it was so much fun meeting and interacting with characters I grew up watching. Of course, I just had to sit on the famous Sesame Street steps!

I met big bird, Cookie monster, Bert and Ernie and I got a chance to meet and strike a pose with one of the crowd favorites and mine too.....Elmo...he is soo cute and I love his little voice!

I missed Oscar the Grouch but of course he was in my heart...so I snapped a picuture of his house!

I love to shop but I love bargains even more. And that's why I've started my Christmas shopping in August.

This is my first season doing it so hopefully I won't feel rushed right before the holidays. (I'll keep you posted.)

I just got a few gifts in the mail from my new, favorite site to browse online -- Etsy. The website says, "Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade." It's amazing. The coolest, one-of-a-kind gifts.

http://www.etsy.com/

Check it out now -- and you won't have to pay extra for priority shipping later!

Just in time for football season, we had The Barbecue Bible author, Steve Raichlen, on our show sharing his top 5 ways to have a safe and tasty BBQ.

1. Use hand-santizer before and after handling raw meat.
2. Keep meat on ice until you grill it.
3. Cut raw meat and veggies on separate cutting boards so there's no cross-contamination.
4. Grill to the safe cooking temperature of 160 degrees. Use a thermometer to make sure it's right.

And his #5 tip is a great recipe, like his Inside Out Burgers.

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 to 1-1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar or pepper Jack cheese
Coarse salt and black pepper
6 hamburger buns, split
2 cups Arugula leaves
6 tomato slices
6 thin sweet onion slices
12 sweet or dill pickle slices

Directions:
1. Combine ground beef and cheese, as desired, in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape beef into six 1/2-inch thick patties.
2. Lightly grease grill grate according to manufacturer’s directions. Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals.
Grill, uncovered, 11 to 13 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 7 to 8 minutes) to medium (160°F) doneness, until not pink in center and juices show no pink color, turning occasionally.
Season with salt and pepper, as desired.
3. Place on bun with equal amounts of arugula; top with tomato slices, onion slices, pickle slices.

The interview reminded me of when Andrew and I went to a Jimmy Buffett Buffet down at the beach. So much fun - and they had tasty cheesburgers.

Well, it is Summer and people will do what ever they can to keep cool. There is one activity that will keep you nice and frosty but many people just don't think to do it......ice skating!! When you hear the words "ice skating" you think of Winter, or maybe even Fall but definitely not Summer.

Kiersten and I discovered that ice skating in the summer is not only cheap but it's not as crowded and it's definitely a fun way to beat the heat!

It's the promise of the "Sprinkle Diet." The man behind it, Dr. Alan Hirsch, was on the show Monday morning.

After more than 20 years of study and research, Hirsch created "sprinkles" that enhance the flavor of your food. He says the better the taste and smell - your brain will think you are full faster.

So Lynette and I are going to give this whirl. Is it real??? It sounds too good to be true, but we'll let you know how - or if - it works for us.

I attended a funeral this past Friday. So, I was a little bummed out. I didn't feel like doing anything when I got back from the funeral except sleeping. On Saturday, I knew that I had to take matters into my own hands to feel better. I decided to do one of the things girls do when they want to make themselves feel better....I went shopping!!

I went to downtown Silver Spring, Maryland where they have little shops, restaurants where you can sit outside, eat and listen to a live street band. When my day out was over, I ended up with lots of goodies such as suits, tops, jeans and shoes! Shopping, eating, great weather and the fact that I got to spend time with my parents made me feel a whole lot better.

Jillian Michaels - she's a fitness trainer, wellness coach and she was on the Fox43 Morning News Show live today.

I'm addicted to her 30 Day Shred Program. Here's a picture of me doing - what I think - is the toughest exercise. It's a push-up on weights, with arm and leg raises in between. Boy oh boy...I feel it the next day.

Here's a few tips from Jillian on how to get fit:

1. Set realistic goals.
2. Recruit support from a friend, spouse, co-worker for the motivation to get healthy.
3. Start reading labels, check ingredients and serving sizes. Just because it says its health food, it doesn't mean it is.

Check out the interview here:

What comes to mind when you think of a petting zoo, games, food, rides and live entertainment....Yes, you guessed it a Fair!

Kiersten and I went to the Elizabethtown Fair and of course we had a good time because that is what happens at a fair. We hung out with the animals, played games and of course we ate some delicious food!

We also met an abundance of nice people that were very helpful and hospitable. Kiersten and I both agree that nice people rule.....
Noah and his lion's head rabbit, Daniel!

Denny graciously gave us some of the best fries kiersten and I have ever tasted!

Check out the video from the E-town Fair!

Over the weekend, my sister Juliana, packed up her life to start her senior year at college.

Here's just a sampling of what she brought.

( I did a look-through to make sure none of my clothes were "accidentally" packed.)

The back to school stories always remind me of my freshman roomie - Meg. We lived in a very small dorm at Saint Joe's in Philadelphia. We were not the cleanest - but we're still friends 8 years later!

I ask this question about twice a week. Somehow, my bright, orange tiger cat Caliente can make himself disappear.

Not too long ago I thought he had gotten outside -- which is not good because he's an inside cat. I searched for a half hour. Then I spotted him, inside the linen closet, with the door shut. I closed it without knowing he was in there! Sneaky Cali.

Here's pictures of another time I caught him lounging on the towels.

Plus, here's a picture of him hanging out with Andrew's cat Peppurr. They are BFF (best friends forever - I learned it from my sister).

It has started. Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour kicked off in Europe this weekend. And I'm seeing her stateside - in Atlantic City - this November.

I'm beyond excited. I've loved Madonna since I was little. In fact, I have so many of her hits on my ipod that when it's in shuffle mode you hear her tunes almost every third song.

Whether you hate her or love her, Madonna is an icon. She may be surrounded in controversies but she's 50, fit - and I believe - fabulous.

Yukon is my dog-cousin and this is his 10th birthday. He's an Alaskan Malamute and lives with my aunt and uncle in Durango, Colorado.

My Aunt Lisa admits she put a lot of time into Yukie's birthday but I think all pet lovers do this for the furry members of their family....right???

Handmade party hat!

Breakfast with a view!

Pool party with friends!