What's New This Week? Every once in a while we like to share the comments from some of our readers. It makes us feel really good when our readers write and say nice things so it's only natural to want to share them with you.
Norman A. wrote: Thank you for responding to my e-mail. I was a subscriber but realized
recently that I was no longer receiving your newsletter. I can't explain this
but do wish to continue.
I really enjoy and appreciate your efforts; please keep up the good work.
This is meant to be an "atta-boy" and an "atta-girl" for you both. I am
aware of the effort , talent and dedication required to produce your weekly
RunnerDuck Review, and the fact that a positive feedback from time to time,
goes a long way.
I was also please to see that I had access to missed editions. Good on you
again.
Margee Lee writes: I'm back! I was having problems with my computer at the end of last year, and had to unsubscribe for a while. Well, the while turned into a long while, my computer died, I replaced it, it was immediately attacked by a worm . . .yada, yada, yada!! I've finally got all that horror behind me!
And so, I have once again been enjoying your beautiful newsletter. You and Ken do a wonderful job! Really!
The reason we selected these two is not just for the really nice comments but to point out that if you ever stop receiving our news letter or miss and issue you can go onto our web site and read all the past issues, all 150 some! Just go to www.runnerduck.com/rdnews.htm and get caught up any time.
Dave, a fellow woodworker wrote: Your bird feeder is a nice idea, just remember that;
1) Different species of birds prefer different "feeds" so use a certain type for certain birds or a general purpose type.
2) If you copy the kit on your own make sure the wood in the kit and what you use to make a copy is not toxic to the birds. Some woods may not be properly dried or seasoned.
3) Be careful what you use to "finish" the project. Some finishes can be toxic and never finish the insides of the feeder or birdhouse.
4) If you decide to have some birdhouses as well, remember note #1, different birds prefer different styles too, as well as different size openings. Consult your local "yellow" pages or the net to get ideas, or to find a place to buy a proper type for which birds you want to attract, (look for a custom bird house building woodworker).
Got bugs, mosquitoes? Invest in some bat houses but remember bats also prefer different houses, adult males, juveniles and new moms w/ babes. Have fun everyone.
DigiTalk
Summer travel time is coming and many people will be looking for a new digital camera to capture all of those great moments and exciting scenery. The question we get asked most often is "what camera do you recommend"?
That's a really tough question because every person has different needs. There are several things that each individual should consider. One of the biggest is what is your price range? You can spend anywhere between a couple of hundred dollars to over a thousand.
Once you have a price range start looking for features you need. Do you do a lot of outdoor shooting of things like birds? You probably want something with a good zoom. By the way, don't consider "digital zoom" into the formula. Optical zoom is what you want to look at.
Is size an issue? Find a size that fits your hands. If you have big hands you might find some of the smaller cameras difficult to use. Go to a camera store where you can actually handle different models.
Finally, the big question is resolution. Everyone talks about higher and higher mega pixels. For the average snap shooter 3 mega pixels is plenty. Remember the bigger the mega pixels the larger the file is that you have to deal with.
One last shopping tip, visit some web sites like www.steves-digicams.com and www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM to do some on line camera comparisons.
Good luck and happy picture taking.
SITE OF THE WEEK
We've all been hearing about how bad Identity Theft is. It's now rated as the number two crime in the country.
"Identity theft" refers to crimes in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data (i.e., name, date of birth, social security number, driver's license number, and your financial identity, credit card, bank account and phone-card numbers) in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain (to obtain money or goods/services).
Criminals also use identity theft to fraudulently obtain identification cards, driver licenses, birth certificates, social security numbers, travel visas and other official government papers.
The University Of Oklahoma Police Department has put together a great site with tons of information to help protect yourself against identity theft. There's some audio with this site that goes away after you get through the introduction pages. Just go to www.ou.edu/oupd/idtheft.htm and have a look around.
MARILYN'S CORNER
Fork Garden Signs
We've started some seedlings in the greenhouse already. It won't be long and we'll be transplanting them into the garden. These simple garden signs will help us remember what is planted where. Everyone has some old silverware lying around so why not put it to good use?
These are fun to have the kids help make but supervise them because the aluminum is sharp and can cut if you are not careful.
Here's what you'll need:
Forks
Aluminum cans
Permanent markers
Hammer
Nails
It's a good idea to wash out the cans with soap and hot water before starting.
Cut open the aluminum cans so that they are a flat sheet.
Cut out squares about 2 1/2" X 3 1/2" or 1/2" bigger all the way around than you want your label to be.
Fold over 1/4" all the way around to get rid of the sharp edge. I used my shop vise to clamp down the edges.
Using a Permanent marker write the label.
Now take your nail and hammer and poke holes following the outline of your letters.
For a little variety you can make different shapes or put curly eye lashes like the one in the picture.
Now just wedge them between the tines of a fork and you have some pretty cute plant signs.
HINT: To erase the permanent marker, should you make a mistake, use fingernail polish remover and a cotton ball.
We hope you enjoy Marilyn's Corner and look forward to all the fun things she brings you each week. If you have a fun project that would be suitable for our newsletter we'd love to share it with our readers. Just contact marilyn@runnerduck.com and we'll do the rest.
Remember we have all of our past projects archived on our web site at www.runnerduck.com. Just click on the Projects or Kids Only Eggs.
Kids Stuff
The Amazon Toy Stores are having a great spring sale. You won't want to miss out on these great bargains. Just click on the picture above or the link below for some really great savings.
Click Here
The Tempos
News and CD of the Week
The Tempos summer concert season is starting to get booked. This past week we picked up two events that you are invited to. They are open to the public and always a good time. The first is the Annual Early Ford Picnic at Bellevue Community College. We've been playing for this great car show for many years. It will be Sunday, June 6th in the parking lots of Bellevue Community College. We will be playing from 11:00 to 1:30 so mark your calendars now.
The second event is on July 17th in Yakima Washington. That's on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountain range. It will be at the air museum at the Yakima Airport. We will be providing ticket information, as we get closer to this event. We really hope you can make it out to see us this summer.
The Tempos big swing band is available for hire. If you have a special event that could use the wonderful music of a classic sixteen piece big band be sure to contact thetempos@runnerduck.com. We perform all over the Seattle area for all sorts of events.
Album Pick of the Week
"Winter Into Spring"
By George Winston
As we start to think more about the upcoming spring this seemed like an appropriate choice for this week's CD. George Winston's piano playing is just wonderful and this CD is no exception.
(CLICK)
Remember, we have a link on our web site, www.runnerduck.com, to our ever popular Grammy® Shopper site. If you haven't been there yet just click HERE to see all the 2003 Grammy® winners complete with links to purchase any one of them.
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Highlight the XML link (right click and drag over it), select Copy and paste it into your newsreader.
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CONSERVATION TIP
The grass is starting to grow and it won't be long and you will have to start watering it. It takes a lot of water to keep a nice green yard. One way to cut down on the amount of water is to aerate your yard and then spread sand over it to fill the holes. This helps keep the holes open so water can soak down further into the ground and keep the water from running off into the gutter.
If you have a conservation tip please send it to conservation@runnerduck.com and we'll post it in our newsletter.
The RunnerDuck web site is hosted by
If you are looking for a great web hosting service with fantastic support check out www.fastwirenetwork.com. If you mention that you heard about them from RunnerDuck you will get a "Duck Deal". Just ask about your Duck Discount when you sign up.
JOKE OF THE WEEK
JoAnne G. sent us the following;
Actual Answers to Sixth Grade History Tests
1. Ancient Egypt was inhabited by mummies and they all wrote in
hydraulics. They lived in the Sarah Dessert. The climate of the Sarah
is such that the inhabitants have to live elsewhere.
2. The Bible is full of interesting caricatures. In the first book of
the Bible, Guinessis, Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree One
of their children, Cain, asked, "Am I my brother's son?"
3. Moses led the Hebrew slaves to the Red Sea, where they made
unleavened bread, which is bread made without any ingredients. Moses
went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten commandments. He died before he
ever reached Canada.
4. Solomom had three hundred wives and seven hundred porcupines.
5. The Greeks were a highly sculptured people, and without them we
wouldn't have history. The Greeks also had myths. A myth is a female
moth.
These are just a few that she sent us. Well bring you some more in future newsletters.
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THIS WEEK'S FREE RECIPE
COLCANNON (The Skillet Pot)
A TRADITIONAL IRISH DISH
This weeks recipe was sent in by Margee Lee. She writes; "Well, I'm part Irish and St. Pat's is coming (I'm half green and half orange - just like the song by the Irish Rovers). I thought I would submit a traditional Irish recipe that is quite delicious, but hardly ever mentioned.
This is a delicious traditional Irish dish, so beloved it actually has it's own song. There are two traditional songs as well as two basic traditional versions of the potato dish. One version calls for Kale and the other for Cabbage (greens). My family always favored the Cabbage version; I'm sure there are many other family versions out there, too. In Ireland, it is more commonly associated with Halloween (a meatless day), but my American relatives eat this as the mood takes us. Yum!"
Did you ever eat 'colcannon' when 'twas made with yellow cream,
And the greens and parties blended like the picture in a dream?
Did you ever take a forkful and dip it in the lake
Of clover-flavored butter that you mother used to make?
Oh you did; yes, you did. So did he and so did I.
And the more I think about it sure the more I want to cry.
Oh God be with the happy times when troubles we had not.
And our mother made 'colcannon' in the three-legged pot.
COLCANNON (Kale Version)
- 6 Medium Potatoes, peeled
- 4 Cups Shredded Kale
- 1/4 Cup Butter
- 1 Cup Milk (adjustable amount)
- 6 Scallions, diced
- Salt & Pepper
Quarter potatoes and boil in salted water until tender. At the same time, shred kale as you would for slaw, using a really green head.
Boil uncovered until tender, 5-7 minutes; drain well.
Add half the butter and onion to the kale; return to heat for a few minutes.
When the potatoes are tender, drain well and shake pan over heat until potatoes are dry.
Mash, adding milk to make smooth and a bit thinner than you would normally serve mashed potatoes.
Add remaining butter, kale and onion mixture and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Colcannon should be served in a mound with a well of melted butter in center.
COLCANNON (Cabbage Version - from my family)
- Mashed Potatoes (your favorite recipe using 6 to 8 potatoes)
- 2 Tab Butter
- 4 Cups Cabbage, shredded
- 1 Onion, chopped
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Melt butter in skillet and sauté cabbage and onions until limp, about 10 minutes.
Stir cabbage/onion mixture into mashed potatoes until thoroughly blended.
Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Serves 4 - 6.
Family Variation: We sometimes add 1/4 lb of bacon, fried crisp and crumbled (we use the bacon drippings to fry instead of butter when adding bacon); also great when sprinkled with Paprika before serving.
Thanks a bunch Margee Lee, this should make for a great St. Patrick's Day!
Remember, if you have a recipe you'd like to share please send it to marilyn@runnerduck.com.
Every month we post a new recipe on our web page. Be sure and check out the March recipe at the RunnerDuck Kitchen Store.
We'd be happy to post your favorite recipe there or in our newsletter and give you credit. Just drop a line to marilyn@runnerduck.com.
COOKBOOK
SUGGESTION OF THE WEEK
"The Irish Heritage Cookbook"
by Margaret M. Johnson
To compliment the great dish Margee Lee sent us we found this wonder Irish recipe book just in time for St. Patrick's Day. Greg O'Brien from Bolingbrook, IL wrote; I bought this book for some ideas for St. Pat's day. Now I use it all the time.
The Irish stew tastes just like it did in a pub in Ireland. My sons love the Guinness beef stew. My co-workers have borrowed it to make some of the recipes as well. And tonight I'm making the oatmeal apple crisp. Even if you are not Irish, you'll wish you were after eating some of these delicious meals.
Click Here
Be sure and visit the
RunnerDuck Cookbook Store for other great savings on cookbooks and cooking supplies.
PROJECTS
Strawberry Planter Tree, Step 2
Last week we built the "tree" part of our strawberry planter tree, this week we'll finish the project.
Here's what you'll need:
- (8) 1" X 4" X 8' Tight Knot Cedar
- (1) 2" X 2" X 3' Cedar
- (100) 1 3/8" #8 deck screws
Depending on how accurate you were at making your cuts and assembly last week, will have a lot to do with how well the shelves will fit.
You will need a compound miter saw to make these cuts.
First we need to mark each leg for the location of the shelves. The first mark is 5" up from the corner. Make four more marks 4 1/8" apart from the first mark. You should now have five marks.
The first shelf will be 22 7/8" long. Each end will have a compound miter cut of 40.9 degrees on the ends of the face and 26.6 degree bevel on the ends. Cut four of these. Be sure to check the fit on the first piece before proceeding. You may need to adjust your angles a little bit.
Each of the four remaining shelves will be as follows:
19 3/4"
16 1/2"
13 1/8"
10"
Mount each shelf with one screw on each end into the legs.
That should pretty much rap up this project. Just fill it up with dirt, plant your strawberries, sit back and watch them grow.
We hope you liked this project. If you build it and your friends ask where you got such a clever idea, please tell them that you got it at RunnerDuck.com.
If you have a project that you would like to share please send us an email and we'll help get it published in the RunnerDuck review. We are looking for woodworking, gardening, crafts and kids projects so send us your thoughts at projects@runnerduck.com
.
If you want to talk about something just drop us a line at duckmaster@runnerduck.com any time, we like to talk about most anything. We are always looking for content for our newsletter so if you have something to add we'd love to publish it. Assuming it meets our strict family oriented requirements!
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