Speaking of Word Games...

Have some fun and feed someone!
=o
=p
=)

Made Me Laugh

So, is this the door for impetuous, reckless people to enter the building?

(Saw this outside a pediatrics office at my medical building)

JUMP TO: Family Spaghetti Reunion

The original post is getting buried. Jump here to the latest comments! =D
not2bright: Family Spaghetti Reunion

Comments on the Therapeutic Word Verification Game

Remember, kids! Only game entries on the previous post. If you're not playing, but have some opinions, make your comments HERE!

Therapeutic Word Verification Game!

Channel your frustration into something good for your brain. =O

Here's how to play.

Go to the "comments" link at the bottom of this post.

Take the verification letters at the end of the box ahead of you, and make (an) intelligible, even if silly, sentence(s) out of it. (Please, keep your sentences family-friendly. And don't enter a comment unless you are actually playing.)

Then, transfer the word verification letters you have to type to enter your comment, leaving them in your comment for the next person. (See my leading entry...)

You can play as many times as you want! Just not twice in a row (keeps it honest).

On December 7, I'll put a poll here with the names of all participants, and anyone who wishes can vote for the most creative commenter! (Yours Truly will be exempt.) I'll snail-mail a $10 Starbucks card to the winner!

Eat Your Vegetables and Be Thankful!

Did you know Pumpkin is a healthy vegetable?

If you're into nutrition, that fact will ease your mind when you bake these absolutely delicious

Pumpkin Bars

1 cup vegetable oil (I use light olive oil)
2 cups pumpkin (1 small can)
3 eggs
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsps. cinnamon
2 tsps. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and blend thoroughly by hand or with a mixer. Pour into a greased and floured jelly roll pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 mins.

Cool and top with

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
7 tsps. melted butter

And you thought vegetables were boring! =D

Giving Thanks

Yvette showed up on my doorstep this afternoon with a gift from Rebecca. Before she left for Singapore, Rebecca made arrangements with her to store a few gifts, and have them delivered when appropriate.

The first one, in August, was a fired ceramic plate for my birthday. It is bright and colorful, adorned with a happy butterfly made from Caleb's footprints!

Today's delivery was a Thanksgiving plate, with Caleb's precious little hand print making a turkey... Although it won't be the same this year without them here, Thanksgiving will seem a little less lonely.

I am so thankful for my beautiful, thoughtful daughter!

Family Spaghetti Reunion

Sunday, December 30th, 2 PM

This won't be interesting to you unless you are a family member. But if you are one of the C---k/T---x clan, read on!

Sunday, December 30 at 2 PM we're all getting together (as many as can) for The Great Spaghetti "I Can't Believe I Ate The Whole Thing!" Cook-Off Challenge. It will be in R-------e, at Barbara's. We're expecting ABOUT 30 people, counting the small fries.

This is the place to post info, sign up to bring food, make suggestions, and just generally "meet" until we meet in person then.

(A word to the wise... please don't post any clearly identifying information such as last names, addresses, etc. We don't want any party crashers!)

~~~

Here's what we know, so far:

The Matriarch is making her famous sauce (I've asked her to write down the recipe as she goes, so we can all replicate it in our own kitchens) and meatballs.

Lori is challenging The Matriarch by bringing her sauce.

Not to be outdone, The Patriarch, is offering his sauce, and challenging a blind-taste test.

We are hoping Debbie brings her meatballs.

Jessica is bringing the spaghetti (pasta).

Elizabeth will bring in the grated Parmesan/Romano cheese.

I (Judi) will bring a huge green salad.

Madeline's bringing in a fruit salad, and by popular request, Uncle Frank's Sugar Cookies. I've been begging for that cookie recipe for over 20 years, but she's loyal to the W----- Clan's sworn secret.

The Patriarch has also volunteered to bring a very expensive Chianti!

Rebecca is providing a dessert. I'm sure we can use more than one!

Barbara's doing the garlic bread... mmm-mm! And Debbie's offering her home-made French bread recipe to anyone who wants to make it. I think Barbara took her up on the offer.

The Matriarch has volunteered her Little Sister (Aunt Lynn) to make a cheesecake. (Funny how bossy Big Sister's are! Right, Lori?)

Dan agrees to bring the paper goods. I think he's banking on having less dishes to do, since he's in that 3rd generation AND a guy!

Each household bring your own beverages! Easier that way; you know what you like!

~~~

There will be a Gift Game. Anyone who wants to participate should bring a WRAPPED gift, without a "to" or "from" on it. It's easy to play and a ton of fun! (VOTE in the upper left column for GAG or REAL, and amount!)

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I, for one, can't wait to see you all! ...WATCH THIS SPOT!

~~~

6 Good Reasons to Stay at a Motel 6

I've often joked that the closest I'll get to camping is staying in a Motel 6 with a Denny's next door. I am a creature of comfort and love staying in a nice Hilton or Embassy Suites.

On a recent trip to the coast (see previous post), we decided to take our aunt's advice to try a Motel 6. She said that they've revamped everything, and the rooms are new, clean and pleasant. And cheap! That caught my attention... We compared prices in San Luis Obispo where we were spending a night, and -lo and behold!- Motel 6 was a full $120 less than Embassy Suites (our favorite when we are in SLO). So, we booked!

Here are 6 reasons why we would recommend Motel 6:

1) SAVE ENERGY! Who needs a mini-refrigerator, coffeemaker or hairdryer? (If you really have to have those pesky little perks, bring an ice chest and your own appliances. Oh, and you might want to throw in a box of Kleenex, unless you don't mind blowing your nose with toilet paper.)

2) MAKE NEW FRIENDS! It's easy to chat with your neighbors through those paper thin walls. And truckers with ripped arms are comforting to have nearby.

3) GET CLOSE TO NATURE! A hike doesn't always have to be on a dirt trail, you know. You can encounter plenty of interesting sights along a long exterior concrete walkway, fully exposed to the rain, hail or snow. (If you pack a backpack instead of a suitcase, you can get the full effect!)

4) MULTI-TASK! Brush your teeth, change the TV channel, hang your clothes on the rack, all while sitting on your bed!

5) KEEP UP YOUR FITNESS ROUTINE! Well, if you're into isometrics, anyway. While standing in the vanity/bathroom, anyone 5'5" or above can easily reach the ceiling and tighten those arm muscles! And, if you're 6'4" or more, you'll be doing waistbends...

6) GET A BEAUTY TREATMENT! Where else can you find towels that double as exfoliaters? Mmmm-mmmm, love to scratch my back...

(Seriously, it wasn't all that bad!)