Can’t decide between a classic feast and a non-traditional meal for Thanksgiving this year? Let Betty Crocker help you find a holiday menu that’s perfect for your personality!
Take this quiz at the Betty Crocker website.
November 18, 2008
Find Your Perfect Thanksgiving
Pet Peeve # 00001
This is the start of a new label/subject: My Pet Peeves. As you can see, I'm allowing room for many, many more.
Here lately I've been hearing a catch phrase all over the TV, radio and on the 'net. Mostly it's been associated with sports, namely football, where the one speaking is talking about how nothing can be done about a certain worry, i.e. with the Dallas Cowboys line.
For example, someone will say "The Cowboys line isn't as dominant as we thought they would be." and some doofus will reply:
"It is what it is."
Well, sure it is what it is. If it wasn't what it was, it would be something else.
Good grief.
November 17, 2008
Fresh Feedjit Feature!
Feedjit has a new feature (yes, "new", but "fresh" is better for alliteration) that shows what readers from a particular area are reading. Since my ISP is based out of Amarillo, it shows the Amarillo hits.
Cool.
Fried Deviled Eggs
From Start Sampling:
Ingredients
1 Dozen eggs
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
1 tablespoon chopped chives
salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs beaten
1 cup panko crumbs
parsley for garnish
peanut oil for frying
Directions
Add the eggs to a large saucepan filled with cold water. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let sit in the water for 14 minutes.
Peel the eggs and slice lengthwise. Remove the yolks to a bowl. Add the mayonnaise, Dijon, Lemon zest, Chives and salt and pepper. Mash the yolks together with a wooden spoon. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. Fill the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites.
Heat oil in a deep fryer to350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, add 1 cup of flour and season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, beat the eggs, in the third bowl, add 1 cup panko.
Dip the eggs into the flour, then the eggs and finally into the panko. Gently put the eggs into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown. Remove to a paper towel lined sheet tray. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with parsley.
I never meant to start a recipe section of this blog, but some of the previous ones I've posted looked just too scrumptious to not share.
One of the reasons I'm posting this one is that deviled eggs were a family tradition. My mom made great deviled eggs and they were the one thing that was for sure to disappear from the dinner table when the family would gather together.
The other reason I'm posting this is because I've heard of all kinds of things being fried...Snickers bars, ice cream, pickles, Twinkies...we fry darn near anything here in the South, but deviled eggs?
November 16, 2008
Christmas Cards for the Wounded Troops
From the email archives:
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please
include the following:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington , D.C. 20307-5001
If you approve, please pass it on.
adduce
adduce \uh-DOOS; -DYOOS\, verb:
to offer as a reason in support of an argument;
bring up as an example; give as proof or evidence; cite
Never had heard this word used, but after years of banging my head against walls in forums, I certainly know you'd better back up your argument with facts.
November 15, 2008
frowzy
From the Word of the Day (feed in right-hand column)
frowzy \FROW-zee\, adjective:
1. dirty and untidy; slovenly
2. smelling bad; musty
I think I've found my new online nickname.
November 14, 2008
Much Marlboro Music
Go to Copper Label and sign up; after you've verified your age (and am not for sure what the process is for new members-I have participated in their contests and giveaways for years) you'll then be able to download any or all of 20 tunes in mp3 format. You can vote each day for your favorite band and each vote counts as an entry in the contest.
I want the jukebox.
The bands are relative unknowns and I've discovered that I really like country punk!
Fireflies - 500 Miles to Memphis
(the d/l song is great, sorry that the vid isn't so hot)
Originally posted 10/29
This is a "bump" because I go to the site every day to vote and get another chance in the contest and today I saw where they were featuring another song from each band/artist. More free music!
November 13, 2008
Philadelphia 7-Layer Mexican Dip
Another great recipe from StartSampling.
Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 3 hr 10 min
Makes: 32 servings, 2 Tbsp. each
Ingredients
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 Tbsp. TACO BELL HOME ORIGINALS Taco Seasoning Mix
1 cup guacamole
1 cup TACO BELL HOME ORIGINALS Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 Tbsp. sliced pitted ripe olives
Directions
MIX cream cheese and seasoning mix until well blended. Spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate or quiche dish.
LAYER remaining ingredients over cream cheese mixture; cover. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
SERVE with tortilla chips.
TACO BELL and HOME ORIGINALS are trademarks owned and licensed by Taco Bell Corp.
Man, I could live on this dip, I think.
32 servings? More like one, maybe two. -grin-
Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 3 hr 10 min
Makes: 32 servings, 2 Tbsp. each
Ingredients
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 Tbsp. TACO BELL HOME ORIGINALS Taco Seasoning Mix
1 cup guacamole
1 cup TACO BELL HOME ORIGINALS Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 Tbsp. sliced pitted ripe olives
Directions
MIX cream cheese and seasoning mix until well blended. Spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate or quiche dish.
LAYER remaining ingredients over cream cheese mixture; cover. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
SERVE with tortilla chips.
TACO BELL and HOME ORIGINALS are trademarks owned and licensed by Taco Bell Corp.
Man, I could live on this dip, I think.
32 servings? More like one, maybe two. -grin-
America the Beautiful
A neighbor of mine sent me the link to this lovely ecard at JacquieLawson.com. (and I'm sure she sent it from someone else who sent it to someone else who sent it to someone else....)
Watch the slideshow as pairs of state flowers are shown, then all come together in a beautiful bouquet at the end. (too bad the country isn't really like that)
America the Beautiful
November 12, 2008
What Board Game are You?
You Are Scrabble |
 You are incredibly clever and witty. You can talk your way out of (and into) situations easily. You are an excellent decision maker. You are good at weighing the options in front of you. You're the type of person who can make something out of nothing. You are very resourceful. You know a lot of things. Most importantly, you know when people are wrong - even when they won't admit it. |
Yeah, I'm hardscrabble.
Keep On Truckin'
I bought a rug like this in the early 70's and still have it.
I've kept on truckin' ever since.
Used to keep it in front of the door, to keep the people who kept on truckin' keep from trackin'.
Peaches 'N Cream No-Bake Cheesecake
At the StartSampling website.
Good Grief, looking at that recipe made my mouth water like one of Pavlov's dogs.
November 11, 2008
sidereal
From the Word of the Day
sidereal \sy-DEER-ee-uhl\, adjective: measured or determined by the daily motion of the stars; of or having to do with the stars or constellations
I knew this word, have known it for a long, long time thanks to a youthful fascination with sci-fi that lasted until a few years ago. I gave all my books to my nephews and have more to give away as I keep finding them tucked away in various spots.
I used to think I wanted to be an astronomer until I found out how much math was needed.
Celanese Plant Nears End
Pampa company plans to lay off 200 workers, shut down in January
After a gradual decline, the end is in sight for Pampa's Celanese plant as the company lays off the last of its workers.
"It's like driving past the old homestead," said Dietta Pope, who worked there 28 years before retiring in 2000. "I grew up out there."
The plant opened in 1952 but the Texas Workforce Commission announced Monday that Celanese will lay off about 200 employees. Mundy Contract Maintenance, which has done work for Celanese at the plant since 1989, is also laying off about 58 people.
"We anticipate shutting down production no later than Jan. 4 and removal of finished product by March 1, so it will be a bit of a phased layoff," said Travis Jacobsen, Celanese spokesman.
The plant manufactures a chemical used to make plastics, such as rayon for textiles and film for cameras, and a chemical used in the processing of a range of substances from aspirin to pharmaceutical heroin.
REST OF STORY
November 10, 2008
The Loopbox
The Loopbox: It never stops
Find a song you like out of the varied selection, click the box and the music will never stop!
Well, some of the music won't stop.
Si Señor
You Belong in Barcelona |
 When it comes to Europe, you don't want to decide between culture and fun. You want art by day and a big party by night. Barcelona is ideal for you. You can check out some Picasso, eat some tapas, take a siesta, and then dance all night! |
November 8, 2008
Unfortunate Domain Names
Several years ago I stumbled across a post in a forum, listing some unfortunate domain names. Back when I was involved in MSN Communities/Groups, I saw a promo in the main help group for a Christian social site named "Christian's Exchange". The problem with it was the URL looked like this:
"....christiansexchange.groups.com"
I did some research and found some more, plus others from the post mentioned above:
1. Who Represents is where you can find the name of the agent that represents any celebrity. Their Web site is: www.whorepresents.com
2 . Experts Exchange is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at: www.expertsexchange.com
3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at: www.penisland.net
4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at: www.therapistfinder.com
5. There's the Italian Power Generator company: www.powergenitalia.com
(NOTE: This is now "Under Construction" I can't wait to see the end results)
6. And don't forget the Mole Station Native Nursery in New South Wales: http://www.molestationnursery.com
(NOTE: All I get now is a blank page, some popups blocked and a Privacy Report alert. I think I'll stay away from this one from now on. )
7. If you're looking for IP computer software, there's always: www.ipanywhere.com .
8. (ON SECOND THOUGHT, I will take this one out. It's a bit too much for this blog. Go to the website below, figger it out yerself, 'k?)
(NOTE: someone must have finally alerted this church about this unfortunate choice. It's now www.sfumcga.com. Thank God.)
9. And the designers at Speed of Art await you at their wacky Web site: www.speedofart.com .
Free mp3s
Download.com offers up free mp3 files, DRM free without registration.
I like music and I like free. Free music, ya can't beat that.
November 7, 2008
Tequila Sunrise
One of today's StartSampling recipes is for a Tequila Sunrise. I've been told I make a fantastic Tequila Sunrise and I wanted to chime in on the comments section and tell them there are a few basic secrets for making the perfect Sunrise.
1. Always use a good tequila. That ten dollar bottle might fit your budget, but it has no place in a tasty Tequila Sunrise. You can't do wrong using Jose Quervo (I prefer white for most tequila based mixed drinks over the gold/aged, but it's a matter of taste. Cheap tequila uses food coloring. ) A few dollars can be saved by purchasing Sauza (look for the rooster on the back of the front label). Expect to pay $20-25 for a 750ml or liter of decent tequila; $50+ for premium. Patrón and Herradura are two brands I prefer in that price range, but even more expensive tequilas can cost over a hundred dollars a bottle, even two, three hundred. Spending THAT much money on booze seems obscene to me, though.
2. The recipe at StartSampling calls for one oz. of tequila and that might be the way to go if you're using cheap liquor; less nasty flavor in the mix and you won't taste it as much. OTOH, your taste buds will numb out on that rotgut, so it won't matter after a couple of swallows.
For the size glass (highball) that's illustrated, an oz. and a half of GOOD tequila would be the minimum. Good tequila is smooooooooooth. I never used a jigger anyway.
3. Don't stir. Repeat: Don't stir. The only way to have layers of color like a sunrise is to NOT STIR. Fill the glass w/ ice, pour in the tequila, then drizzle the grenadine over the ice. Some recipes call for the grenadine (which is pomegranite syrup and very good on grapefruit for breakfast or dessert) THEN the tequila, but I think it mixes better with the tequila poured first. Add orange juice to fill.(also, buy a good brand of o.j.; I prefer unsweetened because of the sweetness of the grenadine is enough)
4. They taste best when getting off of morning tour on a drilling rig, the frigid night shift behind you, wanting a drink to chase the chill out of your bones.
Then kick back and watch the beautiful Panhandle morning sky light up as you listen to The Eagles.
Yep, a couple of my Tequila Sunrises and the morning doesn't look so blue.
1. Always use a good tequila. That ten dollar bottle might fit your budget, but it has no place in a tasty Tequila Sunrise. You can't do wrong using Jose Quervo (I prefer white for most tequila based mixed drinks over the gold/aged, but it's a matter of taste. Cheap tequila uses food coloring. ) A few dollars can be saved by purchasing Sauza (look for the rooster on the back of the front label). Expect to pay $20-25 for a 750ml or liter of decent tequila; $50+ for premium. Patrón and Herradura are two brands I prefer in that price range, but even more expensive tequilas can cost over a hundred dollars a bottle, even two, three hundred. Spending THAT much money on booze seems obscene to me, though.
2. The recipe at StartSampling calls for one oz. of tequila and that might be the way to go if you're using cheap liquor; less nasty flavor in the mix and you won't taste it as much. OTOH, your taste buds will numb out on that rotgut, so it won't matter after a couple of swallows.
For the size glass (highball) that's illustrated, an oz. and a half of GOOD tequila would be the minimum. Good tequila is smooooooooooth. I never used a jigger anyway.
3. Don't stir. Repeat: Don't stir. The only way to have layers of color like a sunrise is to NOT STIR. Fill the glass w/ ice, pour in the tequila, then drizzle the grenadine over the ice. Some recipes call for the grenadine (which is pomegranite syrup and very good on grapefruit for breakfast or dessert) THEN the tequila, but I think it mixes better with the tequila poured first. Add orange juice to fill.(also, buy a good brand of o.j.; I prefer unsweetened because of the sweetness of the grenadine is enough)
4. They taste best when getting off of morning tour on a drilling rig, the frigid night shift behind you, wanting a drink to chase the chill out of your bones.
Then kick back and watch the beautiful Panhandle morning sky light up as you listen to The Eagles.
Yep, a couple of my Tequila Sunrises and the morning doesn't look so blue.
Good Doggie!
President Bush's dog bites reporter on finger.
Too bad it was only a finger.
If you'll follow the related video links in the YouTube vid, you can see it all in slow motion.
November 6, 2008
Ride of the Valkyries - Wagner
Die Walküre Act 3
At the Royal Albert Hall 2005
I sure get a kick out of watching the expression on the singer's faces.
If I ever have a daughter, I want to name her Brunnhilde.
November 5, 2008
Flutterby
I took several shots of this moth/butterfly/whatever, but it was so windy the camera wouldn't focus because the flower bush kept moving. There were all sorts of insects on the plant, some tiny wasp-looking things and some different types of little bees.
The best of a bad lot. 
November 4, 2008
I Vote for Lilac
You Should Live in a Purple State |
 Your preferences are 40% Blue, 60% Red You may not be a swing voter, but you feel comfortable around moderate people. You tend to do best in states with a red and blue mix - like Nevada and North Carolina. You are adaptable. You can converse with a church crowd as easily as with grad students. |
Like a lot of these quizzes, some of the questions are ambiguous. For example, do I believe in evolution. Well, things change, and that's evolving, so I had to say I do believe in evolution. (it's a fact that mankind has been growing taller for the last couple of centuries, mainly due to better nutrition and pre-and post natal care)
If the meaning of evolution means did we evolve from apes, well.... I know what the Bible says, but sometimes I cannot take it literally.
I don't take too much in life literally except threats and the Constitution.
November 3, 2008
addle
From Word of the Day:
addle \AD-'l\, verb:
1. to make or become muddled or confused
2. to make or become rotten or putrid
I never had known the second meaning of the word. I remember the first time I ever heard the word used; my grandparents used to come out and help in our garden and my grandmother always wore a bonnet. I asked her why and she told me she didn't want to addle her brain.
If you've ever spent any time in the Texas Panhandle, particularly in the summer months, you'll know what addle means if you don't keep your head covered.
Well, you won't know it at the TIME because you'll be addled, but you know what I mean. Well, unless you're addled right now....
Dictionary.com says more about the alternate meaning, very interesting, very disgusting:
by 1712, from addle (n.) "urine, liquid filth," from Old English adela "mud, mire, liquid manure" (cognate with Old Swedish adel "urine," Middle Low German adel, Dutch aal "puddle"). Used in noun phrase addle egg (c.1250) "egg that does not hatch, rotten egg," literally "urine egg," a loan translation of Latin ovum urinum, which is itself an erroneous loan translation of Greek ourion oon "putrid egg," literally "wind egg," from ourios "of the wind" (confused by Roman writers with ourios "of urine," from ouron "urine"). Because of this usage, the noun in English was taken as an adjective from c. 1600, meaning "putrid," and thence given a figurative extension to "empty, vain, idle," also "confused, muddled, unsound" (1706). The verb followed.
My Coveted Vote
Yeah, right.
We Can't Predict Who You Voted For |
 According to our quiz, there's a 50% chance you voted for Obama. But that means there's an 50% chance you voted for McCain. You aren't very typical. You tend to be independent, and your vote is highly coveted. While we can't predict how you voted, there's a good chance you voted for the winner! |
"a good chance" I voted for the winner?
I pray I did.
November 2, 2008
Rerun of the Future
I watched this a few days ago. At least, I think I did.
Or did I sleep through most of 2009?
270 to Win
Political widget about the Electoral votes
There's also another version available exclusively for websites and blogs.
Go Your Own Way - The Cranberries
Live In Paris - 1999
This is my second most-favorite rendition of this song; the first is the one done by Secret Smile (low quality sampling at CD Baby website; scroll down near the bottom of the page) and my third favorite is the original by Fleetwood Mac. Love 'em all, love this song. It's one of the best breakup songs ever written and ironic that Stevie Nicks sang on the Fleetwood Mac original version, especially considering that the song was written about her.
Never was a big Cranberries fan, but probably would've been if they'd done more songs like this.
The Moon Hit My Eye
Your Pizza Says: |
 You have wacky, offbeat taste in food. You're very adventurous. You're the type most likely to try food on a dare. Pizza Topping You Should Try: Squid Stay away from: Any topping combination you've had already |
Squid? They gotta be kiddin' me. I picked that pizza pic because it looked like my favorite, a combo...Super Supreme. I don't even mind a few anchovies on my pizza, just no damn pineapple. Good Grief.
November 1, 2008
October 31, 2008
But Not the Green Ones
What Your Love of M&M's Says About You |
 You are energetic and full of inspiration. You never slow down, and you're constantly leaving people and ideas behind. You are a true visionary. You are constantly thinking about the future. You love living, and you stay flexible. You're open to going wherever life takes you. |
Acme Costume Co.
A bald man with a wooden leg gets invited to a Halloween party. He doesn't know what costume to wear to hide his head and his leg so he writes to a costume company to explain his problem. A few days later, he received a parcel with the following note:
Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed a pirate's outfit. The spotted handkerchief will cover your bald head and, with your wooden leg, you will be just right as a pirate.
Very truly yours,
Acme Costume Co.
The man thinks this is terrible because they have emphasized his wooden leg and so he writes a letter of complaint. A week goes by and he receives another parcel and a note, which says:
Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed a monk's habit. The long robe will cover your wooden leg and, with your bald head, you will really look the part.
Very truly yours,
Acme Costume Co.
Now the man is really upset since they have gone from emphasizing his wooden leg to emphasizing his bald head so again he writes the company another nasty letter of complaint. The next day he gets a small parcel and a note, which reads:
Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed a bottle of molasses and a bag of crushed nuts. Pour the molasses over your bald head, pat on crushed nuts, stick your wooden leg up your ass and go as a caramel apple.
Very truly yours,
Acme Costume Co.
The Wrong Appendage
Was just listening to Talking Cowboys, the daily online talk show on the Dallas Cowboys website, and one of the hosts compared the Dallas injury woes to a cartoon character, trying to stop leaks in a dam with his fingers and toes, hands and feet.
"Sometimes you just don't have enough appendages." quipped one of the show's hosts.
Uh, that's not it. It's just that sometimes, when the leaks are just beginning, that Dallas sticks the wrong appendage in the dam.
Not the fingers or toes, either.
October 30, 2008
Horrible Tattoos
Horrible Tattoos has long been on my favorites list, even before I started this blog. The owner of the site hasn't kept up the posting pace as he did in the past, but recently has added some new pics of horrible tattoos.
Be sure and peruse the archives! (There are over 600 pics) You will alternate between horror and laughter and all the time wondering "What the hell were these people thinking?".
The Munsters Theme Song
According to Wiki, The Munsters had higher TV ratings than The Addams Family.
Al Lewis, who played Grandpa Munster, was a self-proclaimed anarchist.
The Addams Family Theme
Addams Family on Wiki
Carolyn Jones, who played Mortitica, was born in Amarillo.
3-D Tattoos
Check out the fantasic three dimensional tats at the Damn Cool Pics blog.
If profanity offends you, then I'd advise not reading the comments that follow the post.
If it doesn't, then I'm admitting they're funny as heck. Well, most of 'em. The French ones, anyway.
( online translation site)
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