What's New This Week? We eased our way into September. Can you believe that it's September all ready? Besides Labor Day this month we have Grandson Camden's Birthday the 3rd, Teddy Bear Day on the 9th, Grandparents Day on the 12th, Rosh Hashanah the 16th, Autumn Equinox the 21st and Yom Kippur on the 25th. Of course we can't forget September 11th.
We have posted a new recipe on our kitchen web site at www.runnerduck.com/rdcook.htm for your dining pleasure. It is Carrot - Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, yummy! If you haven't been to our kitchen site you should check it out. We have a link to a whole bunch more recipes plus some great stores to visit.
DigiTalk
Oh Damn! Just when I told you it was safe to install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) I killed LapDancer, our laptop, while installing the upgrade. I have to believe that it was a fluke of events that hopefully won't happen to anyone else.
About two thirds of the way through the installation my battery died and the power supply shut down. While most programs should be able to recover from this sort of an event this one didn't. After removing the dead battery I was able to run it from the wall power.
I started the computer and got nothing but a black screen with a tiny white bar cursor flashing in the corner. I called Dell tech support and struggled with the technician from India for 2 1/2 hours. We were only able to get part way and then he said it was a Microsoft problem.
I called Microsoft and spent 4 hours with another technician from India. We finally got Windows XP to run again but could not get SP2 installed. I needed to call the Windows XP SP2 tech support. This time I got a gal that had a very heavy southern accent. It sounded like she was probably from Georgia. We struggled along for another 3 hours and reached a point that the computer needed about 45 minutes to do its thing. I went to bed after that, I was whipped.
The next day I called SP2 tech support again and spent another 2 1/2 hours with a really nice gal from Nova Scotia. After a total of 12 hours we finally had everything running again. All that was left to do was reinstall some programs and get the Internet working. I still don't believe it was an SP2 issue but a battery failure during the install that caused it. I did install SP2 on our desktop computer and it installed flawlessly the first time.
Good Luck with your upgrade. Let's hope it goes more like my desktop than with LapDancer!
SITE OF THE WEEK
As much as we hate to say it school has arrived for another nine months. This week's site might just come in handy for some of you who want to do some extra credit reports or for those of you who just want to have fun.
Lightness Perception and Lightness Illusions is a MIT web site that explains the phenomena of lightness perception when objects are compared against different backgrounds. The illusions are demonstrated in Flash movies and then described in text. The work is from a paper by Edward H. Adelson and really quite fascinating.
Just go to http://web.mit.edu/persci/gaz/gaz-teaching/index.html and prepare to be amazed.
MARILYN'S CORNER
Refrigerator Magnets
Everybody loves to stick stuff on their refrigerator. Sometimes it's notes, sometimes it pictures the kids drew. How about a neat way to put pictures up without tape or clunky magnets in the corners? This weeks project is simple and we think you'll love it.
Here's what you'll need:
Magnetic sheets like those that come attached to your phone book or other advertising. Pizza places and plumbers are other sources.
Pictures
Glue
Scissors
Cut your picture to match the magnet or cut the magnet to match the picture.
You can make a border around the picture to make it look like a picture frame.
Glue the picture and frame, if you made one, to the magnet.
Let the glue dry and then head for the refrigerator.
Stick the pictures on the refrigerator for all to enjoy.
Of course you can come up with lots of other ideas for these advertising magnets but maybe this project will get you started.
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
Rolling Backpacks
CLICK!
Oh my aching back! I see these poor kids walking home from school with these overloaded backpacks hanging down past their wastes and think about what their backs will be like when they get older. We think these rolling backpacks are a much better option and they have some really cool styles for the kids. If you want to do your child a favor that they won't appreciate until they get older, order them one of these rolling backpacks today!
The Tempos
News and CD of the Week
The Tempos will be cranking up their rehearsals as soon as Labor Day is over. Vacation is over and it's time to get back to work. We practice in a school music room and have to wait for the school year to begin before we can get together. We don't currently have any public events for you to attend to hear the band but we'll keep you up to date through this newsletter and The Tempos web site.
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
Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection 1974-2004
By Kansas
Few artists sustain a 30-year career in the music business. Kansas is a welcome exception. This American rock institution blazed out of the heartland -- its namesake's capital of Topeka to be exact -- and created a distinctive, one-of-a-kind style by weaving progressive rock and hard rock with often philosophical and spiritual lyrics.
The highlights of Kansas' canon are collected here on 2004's, Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection 1974-2004. This career-spanning box set includes two CD's worth of classic hits, important album cuts and fan favorites and one DVD with rare television appearances not seen for decades, traditional music videos and exciting live footage.
CLICK!
Be sure and visit the
RunnerDuck Music Store for great savings on just about anything.
NEW!!
DOWNLOADABLE & MAIL-DIRECT
WOODWORKING PLANS
Download WOOD StoreŽ woodworking plans directly to your computer and start building in just minutes! OR, we'll mail them to you, your choice!
CLICK!
JOKE OF THE WEEK
Oh, I almost hate to do this to you but by now you all know that Ken loves Groaners! Dave L. sent us this one so he has to share some of the blame ;-)
This is the story of a woodcarver who lived in a house in a forest with a rabbit and a housemaid. Among the duties of the housemaid was to dress the rabbit each morning as he was unable to dress himself.
One day, after they had their breakfast and the rabbit was dressed, the rabbit and the woodcarver went out into the forest to find wood that would be suitable for carving. They soon found what they agreed was a wonderful piece of wood just perfect for a wood sculpture. Unfortunately, they couldn't agree on what to carve.
The woodcarver wanted to carve a mother sheep feeding her lambs. The rabbit wanted to see the piece become a wooden Dutch shoe.
Finally, they agreed to let the housemaid decide, so they went back to the cottage and explained their problem. The housemaid decided to flip a coin: Heads would mean that the woodcarver would carve the sheep, tails would mean that the shoe would win.
You can imagine the suspense when she flicked up the coin, caught it and peeked.
Wood ewe or wooden shoe? Only the haredresser knew for sure.
Eee Ha... Ya gotta love it!
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CONSERVATION TIP
This falls under the heading of "Every TINY Bit Helps". When a bar of soap gets down to where it's too small to get a good lather out of what do you do? Toss it? Oh no, waste not want not! Here's what we do. Get the old bar of soap wet and let it set for a little bit.
Open a new bar of soap. Shower or wash with it and while it's still good and wet press the thin old bar of soap onto it. I like to press it down good to get the corners smooth. The next time you use the soap the pieces will have pretty much formed into one. It's not world class conservation but every little bit helps!
If you have a conservation tip please send it to conservation@runnerduck.com and we'll post it in our newsletter.
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THIS WEEK'S FREE RECIPE
Vegetable Spaghetti
Here's one for all you vegan's out there. Of course there may be a few ingredients that violate the purest of vegan's but it's close.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 Cup Zucchini Chunks
- 1 Cup Chopped Onions
- 1 Cup Celery Slices
- 1 Cup Thin Carrots
- 1 Cup Mushroom Slices
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Package Tangy Italian Spaghetti Dinner
- 1 Pound Ricotta Cheese
- 2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella
- Parmesan Cheese
Sauté vegetables in Butter.
Prepare Spaghetti and sauce as directed.
In a 11" X 8" pan, layer 1/2 of the Spaghetti, Sauce, Ricotta Cheese, Veggies and Mozzarella Cheese.
Repeat for the next layer.
Sprinkle with Parmesan and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
Let stand 5 minutes.
You can make it ahead of time by getting it ready to bake and then keeping it in the refrigerator.
Bake it at 350 degrees F for 1 hour 10 minutes and then let stand for 5 minutes.
We think you'll find this a good alternative to regular spaghetti.
Remember, if you have a recipe you'd like to share please send it to marilyn@runnerduck.com. We'd be happy to post your favorite recipe on our Kitchen site or in our newsletter and give you credit. Just drop a line to.
Every month we post a new recipe on our web page. Be sure and check out the NEW September recipe at the RunnerDuck Kitchen Store.
COOKBOOK
SUGGESTION OF THE WEEK
"A Beautiful Bowl of Soup: The Best Vegetarian Recipes"
by Paulette Mitchell and William Meppem
(CLICK)
No, there is no chicken stock in this soup. What you'll find here is page after glorious page of the loveliest, most delicious soups and stews - each and every one entirely vegetarian. Brimming with international flavors, Paulette Mitchell's easy-to-follow recipes are paired with unique accompaniments, garnishes, and toppings that add tremendous visual appeal.
Witness hearty Pumpkin Stew baked and served in a pumpkin shell; classic onion soup updated with crunchy goat cheese toasts; and Spicy Sweet Potato-Ancho Bisque swirled with bright Roasted Red Pepper Cream. From Mediterranean Saffron Stew to Greek Spinach and Orzo Soup, these colorful dishes are simple enough for every day, yet sophisticated enough for elegant dinner parties.
Instructions for making tasty vegetable stock from scratch, a selection of delicious vegan soups, and a helpful "tips" section make this gorgeous cookbook an important addition to any kitchen where good food and good health are on the menu.
PROJECTS
Simple Toy Box
We got the inspiration for this project while we were at the Evergreen State Fair. We haven't actually made this toy box but we'll give you the plans and let you have at it.
Material:
1/2" Plywood. (1) 4' X 8' plus (1) 2' X 3' Baltic Birch would be great but any smooth two sided plywood would work.
2" X 4" X 2'. Any clear wood will do.
(24) #8 - 1 1/4" deck screws.
Glue
(2) 2 1/2" hinges, optional.
Wood putty.
Paint
1" foam pad 2' X 3'.
1/4" staples.
Material to cover the foam.
1/2" rope.
Cut out two side pieces of plywood 24" X 36".
Cut out two end pieces of plywood 24" X 23 1/2".
Cut out the top piece 35 1/2" X 23 1/2". Cut this a tiny bit under to allow for the fabric.
Cut out the bottom piece 35 1/2" X 23 1/2".
Set your dado for 1/4" deep to cut a 1/4" rabbit on each outside edge of the four sides.
Corner Detail
Cut a 1/2" dado 1/4" deep 1/2" up from the bottom of each side.
Cut 45 degree corners from the 2" X 4" 22 1/2" long.
Assembly the box using glue and screws. Drill and counter sink the screw holes.
Drill two 1/2" holes on each end centered about 4" apart and about 3" down. These are for the rope handles.
You can install the lid using the two hinges in the back. The one we saw just had two fabric handles coming out from under the lid.
Upholster the top with foam and fabric. Staple the edges of the fabric onto the back of the lid. You may want to paint before you add the fabric.
Fill the screw heads with wood putty and sand flush.
Paint the toy box run colors.
Run 8" pieces of 1/2" rope through the holes and tie figure eight knots on each end.
That's it, now fill it up with toys and watch the kids play.
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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