Month: January 2008

Thursday Thirteen

Overheard this week…TT #4


1. “She looks like Quasimodo with that bump on her back.” (in reference to our cat, who has developed a strange knot on her spine)

2. “Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…” (our youngest has adopted this when someone carries on too long about an injustice)

3. “K, do that thing with your ‘nibbles’ like The Rock does with his.” (from my son after watching her roll her stomach, he decided he wanted her to bounce her pecs like Dwayne Johnson in “The Gameplan”)

4. “Can we make school short so I can play Monkeyball banana splits?” (again, my son…it’s a request I hear daily, to no avail. And the game is called Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz.)

5. “Do I look harp?” (asked daily by youngest once she is dressed – ‘harp’ = ‘sharp’.)

6. “What IS that smell?” (uh…K…clean the cat’s litterbox, please.)

7. “Thou shalt not kill.” (when asked what the Bible says about how we should treat our brothers and sisters)

8. “Oh my darlin, oh my darlin, oh my darrrrlin, what’s yer name?” (youngest’s version of “clementine” as sung by Huckleberry Hound)

9. “Tell me just ooooone more story and sing me just ooooone more song?” (a nightly plea from two youngest at bedtime – simply a stall tactic)

10. “Mama, your tummy is so soft like a pillow.”
“You shouldn’t tell mama that – it’s just that she eats too much and doesn’t get enough exercise.” (conversation between two youngest)

11. “Look, mama! My hope is floating!” (youngest in the tub, referring to a bar of ivory soap – ‘so pure it floats’)

12. “Mama, how come you taste the pages before you turn them?” (son, referring to my habit of licking my fingers to turn the pages)

and finally…
13. “This is a picture of an octopus. It has eight testicles and a very sharp beak.” (my eldest reading from a science book to her brother and sister)

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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humor

Perfect Score on a DUI Test? Is it possible?

HT to CrazyDaisy for this hilarious video. Watch what happens as this guy in Texas who actually passes every test administered when he is suspected of drunk driving.This skit hails from Comedy Central – thanks to Penguins and LadyBugs for the second HT of the week!

Note: I am not an advocate of drinking and driving, so don’t even go there. This video, whether real or made up, is just hilarious to me. Sorry if it offends you.
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works for me wed

wfmw – get off junk mail lists for good

The only thing I dislike more than spam is junk mail. My home mailbox is always loaded with sales flyers, job offers and keys to cars I’ll never wins. Once, I almost threw away my water bill because it had worked its way in between the pages of a thick sales flyer and on a whim, I checked the flyer out and discovered my bill. It used to cost you to your name to the Direct Marketing Association’s “Do Not Mail” list. Sad that you’d have to pay to avoid receiving mail you didn’t want, huh? But not anymore—the DMA recently made the paper-saving solution absolutely FREE. Registering for their Mail Preference Service takes only a few minutes, and they promise that within two months, your home mailbox will contain 80 percent less junk mail. (With 400 million tons of unwanted mail being produced each year, you’ll be saving more than a buck — maybe you’ll help save a few trees in the process!) ~ cited from Readymademag

This really works for me for three reasons – 1.) it’s free; 2.) it’s easy; and 3.) it’s green. Click on the image above to find more WFMW tips!

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business, children, me, photos

A Melting Pot of Bloggy Goodness

I feel the need to wrap up some loose ends, with today being the last day of the week and all. (I like to start my new weeks out fresh, you know.) I had trouble coming up with a title for this post, because it’s not just about one thing. Then I remembered when I lived in Alaska, we called it “a melting pot” because of the diverse cultures represented. This post is all about a variety of culture here. ahem.

We’ll start with the business trip we took last week. As we were getting ready to leave, we discovered a stowaway: (A note to our youngest: if you’re going to stow away, don’t do it in the driver’s seat of the van.)

It was a long ride (and would have been so much better in this) but we made it in plenty of time to check into our hotel and refresh ourselves before our first meeting. The grand ballroom was filled to capacity and we had to sit in the very back, not because we were late, but because we were required to wait on two of our business associates so we could all sit together. Anyone who knows me knows that I have issues with people who are perpetually late, and that day was no exception. Twenty minutes after we were supposed to meet, he came strolling down the corridor as if no one in the world mattered but him and his wife. Sigh. I got over it quickly, however…because let’s face it, I had a choice. I could choose to either: a.) let it fester up and seethe inside of me, thereby ruining my chances of hearing the fantastic speakers that were lined up; or b.) let it go and get all I could out of the meetings. I chose the latter. If there’s one thing I’ve learned is that we are all, as humans, fallible. I’m certainly no exception to that rule.

The next order of business I have to tend to is the matter of the bath. I was so anticipating a nice, long soak in a jacuzzi tub the entire ride down. I brought candles and bubblebath — oh yes, it was going to be an event. Then I stepped into our teeny, tiny bathroom and this is what met my eyes:Double whammy.

We did have a nice room and a beautiful view of the river, although you can’t really tell from this photo.All you can really see is my husband’s head bowing in silent prayer because I haven’t seen the bathroom yet and he knows that I’m going in there next and he hopes it doesn’t ruin his chances of “one night without the kids“, if you know what I mean.

K’s team is still undefeated in basketball. Her skills are improving quite nicely. We are taking her up to the Church a couple of times a week to shoot baskets and work on her offense/defense skills. She has a game today at 1pm and I’m taking my el cheapo camera, so if I get any good shots, (totally punintended, I assure you) I’ll post them for you.

One more thing…Monday is the start of something really huge that I’m really excited about. It is the start of Shannon’s (aka Rocks in My Dryer, aka Bloggy Giveaways) bloggy giveaway carnival!I just so happen to have something for it this time that I am excited about giving and I hope you’ll be just as excited to win!

(And it just so happens to be my busiest day of the month, because we are having a grand opening of our office that day and I will not be around much due to the fact that I’ve got to chop, peel, cut and arrange fruits and desserts on beautiful trays to feed the 150 or so guests we are expecting. Fun, fun.)But you can still pop by and comment for your chance to win! It’s going to be spectacular stupendous really cool.

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cooking/recipes

Recipe Roundup – Snackalicious Super Dishes

Well, it’s that time of the year again…Superbowl 2008 is right around the corner. And even if your favorite team didn’t make it, you can still celebrate the event and cook up some tasty food! This month’s Recipe Round Up is hosted by Pensieve. Click on the graphic to learn more about it.

I’m including two of my all time favorite snacks and a bar cookie. I have baked and tried all three of these recipes and I promise you they are delicious! The Hot Artichoke and Spinach dip is really a crowd pleaser and any time I make it, I double the recipe because if I don’t…well, pandemonium would ensue. It’s that good.

Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip
Delicious and easy – serve with breads or crackers.
INGREDIENTS:
1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
1 cup shredded parmesan-romano cheese mix
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 ounces prepared alfredo sauce
1 teaspoon minced garlic
4 ounces softened cream cheese
pepper (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
– Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
– Combine ingredients thoroughly in a bowl and spread mixture into a small baking dish – 8″ x 8″ works best.
– Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheeses are bubbling and melted.
– Serve with chips or bread and enjoy.
(if you don’t have jar alfredo sauce where you live or you want to use fresh ingredients – here is your substitute:
ALFREDO
Ingredients
4 Tb butter
1/2 C Heavy Cream
6 Tb Parmesan Cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Melt butter on low. Take off heat and add in cream, parmesan, salt, and pepper. Replace the pan and stir until the sauce is smooth, without letting it come to a boil.

Armadillo Balls
Bite-sized balls of sausage and cheese flavored dough hiding a surprise slice of jalapeno pepper.

INGREDIENTS:1 pound Cheddar cheese, grated
1 pound good quality pork sausage
2 cups baking mix (like Bisquick®)
1 jar (10 oz) jalapeno pepper slices
1 envelope Shake-n-Bake for pork (original)

DIRECTIONS:
– Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl mix together the cheese and sausage until well blended.
– You really need to use your hands to do this well. Add the baking mix and mix well.
– Remove about 50 slices of jalapeno pepper from the jar, shake off the liquid and set on paper towels to absorb excess liquid.
– To form each Armadillo Ball, take a chunk of the dough mixture about the size of a whole walnut, maybe a little bigger.
– Pat it into a flat patty. Place a slice of jalapeno pepper in it.
– Fold up the edges around the pepper and seal well. Roll into a ball between your hands, pressing firmly.
– After all the balls have been formed, pour the Shake-n-Bake into a small bowl. Roll the balls in it and place on a cookie sheet, about 1 inch apart.
– Bake at 325 for 20 – 25 minutes, until cooked through and golden brown.
– Drain on paper towels. These are good served hot, warm or room temperature.

Yield: about 50 balls.

To freeze: Freeze before baking by placing them on a cookie sheet and place the cookie sheet in the freezer until the balls are solid. Then pour into freezer bags for storage. Bake them frozen (they may take an additional 5 minutes).

Chocolate Chip Popcorn Bars
These tempting bars are like a cookie bar and a popcorn ball all rolled into one.
Makes: 36 bars

INGREDIENTS:

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® Create ‘n Bake® refrigerated chocolate chip cookies
4 Nature Valley® oats ‘n honey crunchy granola bars (2 pouches from 8.9-oz box), crushed*
Topping
3 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 bag (3.5 oz) Pop•Secret® butter-flavor microwave popcorn, popped
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 bag (10 oz) peanut butter chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
– Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir in crushed granola bars. Press evenly in bottom of ungreased 13×9-inch pan to form crust. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until puffed and edges are golden brown.
– Remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven; bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until marshmallows begin to puff.
– Remove and discard unpopped kernels from popped popcorn. In 3-quart saucepan, heat corn syrup, butter and peanut butter chips over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in popcorn (mixture will be thick). Spoon over marshmallows; spread evenly to just barely cover marshmallows. Cool 30 minutes.
– In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips on High 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted, stirring once halfway through microwaving. Pour melted chocolate into quart-size resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut off tiny bottom corner of bag; drizzle chocolate over bars. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows.
*To easily crush granola bars, do not unwrap. Use rolling pin to crush bars.

For more Snackalicious Super Dishes and to see the rest of the participants for January’s Recipe Round Up, head on over and visit Robin at Pensieve.

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