What's New? It's a jungle out there and we're not talking about the corporate world. With the weather we've been having this spring things have grown at an astounding rate. We have rain, then sun, more rain and more sun. Most of the pine trees around our house have grown well over a foot this year.
The weeds especially like this weather. Marilyn has been chasing them back and forth across the yard for a couple of months. The algae in our pond has thrived to a point where it's getting harder to see the fish.
For the pond we are going to try something new, Green Clean. It's an algaecide that is not supposed to harm the other plants and fish. You sprinkle it on the pond and all the algae turns brown and floats to the surface. Then you just scoop it off the surface and throw it away. It almost sounds too good to be true but we'll let you know next month how it worked. One concern is what it will do to our bio filter. They say it won't hurt it but again we'll have to wait and see.
Of course on the up side, beyond all the weeds and algae, are the flowers that bloom early have been spectacular. Our Rhododendron's were so full and heavy with blossoms that it almost broke the branches. There's a lot to be said for living here in the great Northwest.
DigiTalk
Oh boy, new toy! I (Ken) got a new toy this past month, it's a Palm Treo 650. If you are not familiar with them it's a PDA (personal data assistant) and cell phone. It looks like a Palm Pilot with a QWERT keyboard near the bottom. It has all the features of a Palm but it's also a cell phone. I've been using it a lot, especially with all the traveling I've been doing and it works great.
I've been able to write and check email and surf the web while sitting in the airports waiting for my next flight. The web surfing isn't great because of the small screen but it does function. I'm not much of a gamer but there are a lot of games available for it. I'm waiting for Tiger Woods Golf to come out for it, then I'll do some gaming.
One really nice feature is that it syncs up with outlook on my desktop computer. This allows me to have all my appointments available complete with alarms to notify me when something is due and my address book is right there also. I can open up a name in my address book and just click on the phone number and it will call that number. If the name has an email address associated with it I can click on that and send an email, very cool!
Besides all that it also has a built in camera that will take 640 X 480 pixel pictures and 320 X 240 pixel videos. The quality isn't too bad for just taking snap shots but I would not use it for really good pictures you want to keep.
Oh yeah, it also plays MP3 files. I copied a bunch of my CD's before I left for New Jersey and listened to them on the plane. It sure made the trip more enjoyable. I also got a pair of Sennheiser noise canceling head phones and they pretty much wipe out the background noise on the airplane so listening to music is much more enjoyable.
All in all I'm pretty darn happy with my Treo and should get many years of good use out of it.
SITE OF THE MONTH
This week's site suggestion comes from our friend Betty in Virginia. If you've ever been curious about the growth of our Nation the this site will answer a lot of those questions. Growth of a Nation is a free, ten minute movie which depicts the geographic history of the United States from the beginning of the nation to fifty states.
Geographic elements are interactive, as is the time line. The narrative along with the movie describes the Nation's growth along with many interesting facts. You can click on any state to find a brief history including the date it was admitted and the largest cities.
To view this video go to Animated Atlas at www.animatedatlas.com/index.html and follow the instructions. We think you'll find this quite interesting.
Thanks Betty for sharing this neat site. Remember, if you have a web site that you'd like to share just drop us a line and we'll check it out.
MARILYN'S CORNER
Campfire Starter
The camping season is upon us and what's more fun when camping than a nice campfire. It keeps you warm, makes neat sounds and provides a perfect place to cook hot dogs or roast marshmallows for smores! The only problem is getting the campfire started. Sometimes the wood is a little wet or you don't have a good supply of kindling. This fire starter will get your fire going fast.
Here's what you'll need:
- Cardboard
- Candle Wax
- Tuna Can
- Candle Wick
Cut a strip of cardboard a little taller than the can.
Roll up the cardboard to fit tightly in the can.
Insert a wick in the center of the cardboard that goes all the way to the bottom.
Melt and pour wax all over the cardboard filling the tin most of the way to the top.
You can use it two different ways, put the can in the center of the fire and light the wick. You'll have to remove the can after the fire has gone out and through it in the trash.
The other way is to warm the can and remove the cardboard center, place it in the center of the fire and light. You can reuse the can as many times as you like.
Make a bunch of them an go camping!
We hope you enjoy Marilyn's Corner and look forward to all the fun things she brings you each month. 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 at 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
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Check out our great deals on Little Tikes, My Little Pony, Melissa & Doug, Thomas & Friends, Air Hogs, Magnetix, and more outdoor toys in our Today's Deals Store. Plus, you'll find savings of up to 60% as well as free shipping on select items in our Toys Outlet.
The Tempos
News and CD of the Week
The Tempos big swing band will be performing at the Early Ford Picnic and Car Show this Sunday from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. The car show is a great venue for the band and you can see many wonderful classic cars as well as listen to one of the Northwest's best big swing bands. It will be held in the parking lot of the Bellevue Community College in Bellevue, Washington.
Just go on line for directions to Bellevue Community College. We hope to see you there. By the way Ken's the drummer so stop by and say hi!
If you haven't done so yet check out The Tempos music from our "Swing Set" CD on line! That's right, you can listen to The Tempos anytime just by going to their web site.
The music files are MP3's and some are as large as 9 MEG but we think they are well worth the download. If you like traditional old swing music then you will probably enjoy our CD. Just go to www.runnerduck.com/tempos_cd.htm and click on any song title.
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
"New Orleans Rhythm Kings and Jelly Roll Morton"
I guess I'm in sort of a Dixieland mood this month and went looking for something special for you. This is what I found and I think you'll really enjoy it. Not only is the band wonderful it has the added bonus of Jelly Roll Morton playing piano on a few songs.
Peter Acebal of Christiansburg, VA wrote: "I first had these recordings on LP some twenty-five (!) years ago so this CD came as a revelation to me - The New Orleans Rhythm Kings (NORK) were a direct descendant of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band as the next most significant white jazz band and as such they directly influenced Bix Beiderbecke and the Wolverines two years later who in turn influenced scores of white jazz men;
but the NORK had a firmer command of the African-American Creole passion for polyphony and syncopation and in cornetist Paul Mares and trombonist George Brunies there are two first-rate jazz stylists; the inclusion here of their records with Jelly Roll Morton only emphasizes how far the NORK transcended the color lines. This set is a critical purchase,...no serious jazz lover should do without this excellently presented set. Jazz Lovers dig in and Enjoy!"
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JOKE OF THE MONTH
We've really had a slow month for jokes. Obviously you all are not doing your job of sending us all the great jokes that you receive each day in your email. We did get the following from Ken's brother Ron and it's one of the better definition list's we've see. Thanks Bro!
1. ARBITRATOR:
A cook that leaves Arby's to work at McDonald's.
2. AVOIDABLE:
What a bullfighter tried to do.
3. BERNADETTE:
The act of torching a mortgage.
4. BURGLARIZE:
What a crook sees with.
5. CONTROL:
A short, ugly inmate.
6. COUNTERFEITERS:
Workers who put together kitchen cabinets.
7. ECLIPSE:
What an English barber does for a living.
8. EYEDROPPER:
A clumsy ophthalmologist.
9. HEROES:
What a guy in a boat does.
10. LEFTBANK:
What the robber did when his bag was full of money.
11. MISTY:
How golfers create divots.
12. PARADOX:
Two physicians.
13. PARASITES:
What you see from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
14. PHARMACIST:
A helper on the farm.
15. POLARIZE:
What penguins see with.
16. PRIMATE:
Removing your spouse from in front of the TV.
17. RELIEF:
What trees do in the spring.
18. RUBBERNECK:
What you do to relax your wife.
19. SELFISH:
What the owner of a seafood store does.
20. SUDAFED:
Brought litigation against a government official.
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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!
CONSERVATION TIP
While we've been getting a lot of rain over the past couple of months it has not made up for the short fall from last winter. We still need to conserve water and the way you maintain your lawn is one good way to conserve.
One of the biggest wastes of water is watering your lawn too often and too long. Even during really long hot dry spells you only need to water about once every three or four days. This is especially true if you mulch when you mow instead of picking up the grass clippings. The mulch helps keep the water from evaporating as fast.
Another good thing to do in the summer is mow your grass to a longer length. This again helps keep the sun off the dirt and reduces the amount of evaporation.
Lastly water very early in the morning and give the yard a good soaking. Placing a tuna can in the path of the sprinkler will give you a good indication of how much water you are actually putting on the yard. One inch of water is a good amount. Also don't use a misting type of sprinkler. A lot of that water evaporates before it ever gets into the ground. A good soaker works best.
If you have a conservation tip please send it to kennyb at runnerduck.com and we'll post it in our newsletter.
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THIS WEEK'S FREE RECIPE
Ham and Swiss Sandwich Puff
(Monte Cristo)
Father's Day is coming and many people will be having dad over for a picnic. This sandwich would really be great for that special occasion.
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups Cooked Ham (ground)
- 2 Cups Swiss Cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Mustard
- 6 Eggs
- 12 Slices White Bread (toasted)
- 2 1/4 Cup Milk
- Jelly
- Powdered Sugar
Combine Ham, Cheese, Mayonnaise and Mustard.
Spread on toast to make sandwiches.
Cut diagonally into quarters.
Stand up with the crust edge down in a greased dish.
Beat Eggs with Milk.
Pour over the sandwiches, cover and chill for four hours or over night.
Bake at 325 degrees F for 35 minutes.
Serve with Jelly and Powdered Sugar.
Remember, if you have a recipe you'd like to share please send it to marilyn at runnerduck.com. We'd be happy to post your favorite recipe on our Kitchen site or in our newsletter and give you credit.
Every month we post a new recipe on our web page. Be sure and check out the New recipe at the RunnerDuck Kitchen Store.
COOKBOOK
SUGGESTION OF THE MONTH
"Nancy Silverton's Sandwich Book"
by Nancy Silverton
(CLICK)
While our sandwich this month is really good this recipe book has a bunch more that are great also. Pablo Hauszler "Lillian Fujii" from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic reviewed this cookbook and wrote: "I love cooking, in a real serious aficionado kind of way. A few months ago, I became obsessed with sandwiches and I bought this book . At first when I got it, I started reading it and became a little "are you out of your mind" but then decided to give it a chance.
I made the Fried oyster sandwiches, the Monte Cristo, the remoulade sauce and bagna cauda (relatively easy recipes) and WOW, I was hooked. I guess my problem at first was that I supposed I was buying a Subway or Quizons do it at home book but was I wrong.
These sandwiches are top of the notch gourmet food for a refined and balanced eating experience. Attention to detail is essential and most of the recipes require a lot of pre preparation beforehand for the final assembly (culprit to my initial drawback).
The desserts are dazzling (I tried the Not Nutterbutter cookies and the Blums Crunch cake) and I hold this book now amongst my most treasured ones. If you love fine food, don't mind slaving a little for a worth while dazzling finale, buy this book, it will change your outlook on sandwiches forever."
WOOD PROJECT PLANS
DOWNLOADABLE & MAIL-DIRECT
WOODWORKING PLANS
Download WOOD Store® woodworking plans directly to your computer and start building in just minutes! OR, we'll mail them to you, your choice!
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PROJECTS
Treasure Chest
Sometimes you bite off a little bit more than you can chew and that's the case with this months project. With spring here and being very busy with the yard and our place at Port Susan I didn't quite get this project done. The good news is that I did get enough done to get you started and enough information for you to finish your treasure chest.
Marilyn bought me a wonderful book on treasure chests called Treasure Chests by Taunton.
(CLICK)
I guess it inspired me to try and tackle my own treasure chest. I've had a large chest for many years that was patented September 3, 1887. I think it was build shortly after that. It's in pretty bad shape but still functions as blanket storage. I really wonder what tales it must have to tell.
The design of my chest uses the lines of the old chest. Mine is only 12" X 7" X 8 1/2". I used a vacuum form mold to make the curved top and dove tails for the joinery. I hope you take the time to make this nice little chest and also check out the Treasure Chest book, you'll love them both.
Here's a list of materials you'll need to buy.
8" X 1/2" X 60" Maple.
4" X 3/4" X 12" Ash
24" X 24" Maple Vainer
(2) 1" X 1/2" Hinges
Glue
Finish
I started out by making two rectangular boxes, one for the bottom and one for the top. The bottom is 12" Wide X 7" Deep X 6" High. The top is 12" Wide X 7" Deep X 2 1/2". Dove tail the corners for the top a bottom. I used my handy Rockler Dove Tail jig.
I made six molds for the top from 3/4" MDF. They are 2 1/2" high and 6" wide. I cut and shaped a 6" radius on top of one of them. I traced that shape onto the other five molds and cut just shy of the mark using my band saw.
Then I double back taped one piece onto the mold and routed the radius using a Pattern Flush Trim router bit.
I used the same mold piece to mark and trim the cover end pieces. First I traced the radius onto the end pieces and cut just shy of the mark.
Then I double back taped the end pieces to the mold and routed them flush.
That's all I have room for in this newsletter but you can get the whole project at www.runnerduck.com/treasure_chest.htm as soon as I post it. Please give me a week or so to finish it and get it posted, thanks.
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.
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