What's New? Last month we told you that Ken got a new PT Cruiser. It now has 1,000 miles on it and he's lovin' it.
A couple of weeks ago we went with the Puget Sound Cruisers car club on a tour to Leavenworth, Washington. It's a Bavarian town in the Cascade Mountains that is exceptionally pretty this time of year.
The fall colors were all out and it was a perfect day. There were ten PT Cruisers on the tour that were everything from plain Jane like ours to very custom. We haven't joined the club yet because we want to check out a couple of other Cruiser clubs in the area.
There are a large number of add-on's for the Cruisers that make them look pretty neat. We have started ordering some and will be showing you pictures as we customize it. The first thing to go in is a better radio. Again we got the bare bones car which came with a radio that has a tape player, boo!
Our new Pioneer player just arrived and Ken will be installing it this weekend. The first "glue on" parts that are coming are chrome scratch guards that go under the door handles on the outside. They are to protect the paint from fingernails but we're getting them because they look cool. Stay tuned for future updates.
DigiTalk
Have you noticed an increase in "phishing" lately? What's phishing you ask. Well it's all those goofy emails that you get telling you that your bank account has a problem or your PayPal account needs to be updated. If you follow their instructions then you probably are now or soon to have your identity stolen. These people are fishing for account numbers, credit card numbers, bank account numbers and anything else they can get their hands on to steel your money and identity.
We got one the other day that looked extremely real and we almost fell for it. We discovered that all the links lead to the same place on the Internet. The way we knew this was by looking at the URL in the status bar at the bottom of our email program.
A URL is the web address that you'll be taken to if you click on the link. The email we got had several links that would normally take you to different places such as "account information", "security tips", "login", etc. Every one of these should have had a different web page but when we checked the URL everyone was the same. That was a real clue that this was a hoax looking for information.
If you want to check URL's before you click on them just hover over the link with your mouse and look at the status box at the bottom of the screen or some email programs will show the information right at your mouse. Unfortunately Outlook 2002 does not have this feature.
Don't be fooled by these "phishing" emails. Clicking on these links and answering the questions they ask could be one of the most costly mistakes you'll ever make.
SITE OF THE MONTH
The 1950's were a special time for many people. The war had ended and the country was prospering. The cars of that era were really something.
Our site this week focuses on the fifties with EphemeraNow.com. It is a family-friendly Web site dedicated to the commercial art of mid-century America. Although it's more like a museum than a store, they do provide illustrations to corporate as well as nonprofit clients for print, promotional, educational and Web use.
If you want to take a little trip down memory lane then just go to www.EphemeraNow.com and enjoy the not so distant past.
MARILYN'S CORNER
Thanksgiving Pickle Forks
Thanksgiving is coming and it's time to start thinking about the feast and ways to make it look special. These pickle forks fit the ticket just right. They are simple to make and will really surprise your guests. They also make great gifts for the hostess of that big holiday party you plan to go to.
Here's what you'll need:
- Some old pickle forks
- Miniature Indian corn on the cob
- Household glue or epoxy
- Plastic miniature pumpkin
- Decoupage
- Clear gloss acrylic spray
Using a hack saw cut off the end of the handle on the fork leaving about 1 to 2 inches.
Drill a hole in the large end of the cob using a bit that's a tiny bit smaller than the handle of the fork.
Apply some glue or epoxy and carefully push the remaining handle of the fork into the hole in the cob. Be careful to keep the glue inside the cob and not all over the fork.
For an extra festive look cut off the small tip of the corn cob and glue a miniature pumpkin onto it.
Apply decoupage to the corn to help preserve it and keep the kernels from falling off.
Spray with clear gloss acrylic. Be careful not to get paint on the fork end.
Sit them around the pickle tray and listen to your guest's comments of praise.
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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It's our biggest sale of the year with over $2,200 in savings on your favorite toys. Plus, get free shipping on select toy orders of $49 or more--just look for toys with the blue free shipping icon on their product detail pages. Check out all these Big Toy Book deals.
The Tempos
News and CD of the Week
We were hoping to have all the details nailed down for the upcoming Katrina benefit dance but the venues we've been working on have not worked out. It still looks like there will be six to eight big swing bands putting on a dance in the Seattle area but we just don't have all the details yet. If you are interested in going to a big band dance with the largest gathering of Seattle big bands then keep an eye on our web site. We'll post the latest updates there.
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
"School's In"
By Maceo Parker
To say my musical tastes run all over the place would be an understatement. Last month Charlie Parker and this month Maceo Parker, Jazz to Funk!
Being a drummer I've always liked the funky beats that Maceo and his band put together. This CD is no exception, the beat plays on. This CD just came out in September and it's already getting lots of recognition. If you haven't added it to your collection yet now would be a great time. Just click on the album below to place your order.
CLICK!
Be sure and visit the
RunnerDuck Music Store for great savings on just about anything.
JOKE OF THE MONTH
This was a good month for jokes. The following two topped the list!
STREAKER
Two little old ladies were sitting on a park bench outside the local town hall where a flower show was in progress. The thin one
leaned over and said, "Life is so darned boring. We never have any fun any more. For $5.00 I'd take my clothes off and streak through that stupid flower show!"
"You're on!" said the other old lady, holding up $5.00 bill.
The first little old lady slowly fumbled her way out of her clothes and, completely naked, streaked (as fast as an old lady can) through the front door of the flower show.
Waiting outside, her friend soon heard a huge commotion inside the hall, followed by loud applause and shrill whistling. The smiling and naked old lady came through the exit door surrounded by a cheering crowd.
"What happened?" asked her waiting friend.
"I won 1st prize as Best Dried Arrangement."
TOTALLY MENTAL
Ralph and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day, while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end. He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there. Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled Ralph out.
When the Director became aware of Edna's heroic act, she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered her to be mentally stable. When she went to tell Edna the news she said, "Edna, I have good news and bad news.
The good news is you're being discharged since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of another patient. I have concluded that your act displays soundness of mind. [silent pause] The bad news is that Ralph, the patient you saved, hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he's dead."
Edna replied, "He didn't hang himself; I put him there to dry. How soon can I go home?"
We love jokes so don't hesitate to send us your good ones. We're not prudes and we laugh at most everything :-)
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 Deal when you sign up.
CONSERVATION TIP
I've got a bad habit of wasting hot water and not even using it. How's that you say? I catch myself many times going to the kitchen sink to wash my hands. Our kitchen sink is a long way away from the hot water tank and takes a long time to warm up. I turn the water on hot, soap up my hands, wash and rinse them, all the while in cold water.
About the time I shut the water off it is just starting to get warm but I'm done. All I've done is fill up the pipes with hot water that will sit there and get cold again.
I suppose what we really need is a point of use hot water heater but until that happens I need to just pay attention and turn the cold water on to wash my hands. Of course if they are greasy or really dirty then I wait for the hot water but more often than not I don't.
Pay attention how you use your hot water and you might just save a buck or two.
If you have a conservation tip please send it to kennyb at runnerduck.com and we'll post it in our newsletter.
RSS News Feeder
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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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A good free news reader is Awasu and you can download it at www.awasu.com.
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THIS WEEK'S FREE RECIPE
Blue Berry Dessert
This is a very old recipe that was found in Ken's mothers recipe box. The recipe came from Iva Jenks who has long since left the bonds of this earth.
This dessert would make an absolute fitting end to your Thanksgiving feast or any feast as far as that goes.
Ingredients:
- 14 Graham Crackers, crushed
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Butter
- 2 Eggs, well beaten
- 6 ounce package Cream Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 1/2 Cans Blue Berries
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 Tablespoons Corn Starch
Mix the Graham Crackers with 1/2 Cup Sugar and the melted Butter.
Pat into an 8" X 12" pan.
Beat the Eggs and remaining Sugar, Cream Cheese and Vanilla together until creamy.
Pour over the cracker crust and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes.
Combine the remaining ingredients and cook until thick.
Cool then pour over the baked mixture.
When cool serve with whipped cream.
Now doesn't that sound like the perfect ending to a grand meal?
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
"The All-American Dessert Book (Hardcover)"
by Nancy Baggett
(CLICK)
While our Blue Berry Dessert is a great choice for Thanksgiving it's not the only one. The All-American Dessert Book is loaded with wonderful recipes. Elizabeth Durante from Potomac, MD reviewed this cookbook and wrote; I no longer need to beg my neighbor for her secret dessert recipe. Nancy Baggett has done the work for me in this delightful dessert book. Her recipes are researched, tested and perfected.
The book is a treasure of marvelous and unique American desserts for everything from pies, tarts, and cheesecakes to trifles, cookies and candies. Instructions are comprehensive and easy for me to follow. A bonus: For the curious, each recipe is annotated with interesting or amusing background facts. Delicious!
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
Ribbon and Tape Roll Storage
This is another one of those concept projects that you will need to adjust to fit your needs. I actually made this project for my day job to hold rolls of labels that go on a printer. We found that it works great for storing rolls of ribbon and would also work good for storing rolls of tape. This roll storage is 3' long and can handle a roll from 3" up to 10" in diameter.
Here's what you'll need:
- 1" X 6" X 20" maple or your wood of choice.
- (4) 3/4" X 36" maple dowel
- (6) #6 X 1" flat head screws
- Glue
The first step is to lay out your pattern to fit the rolls that you will be using. Draw a circle the size of your largest roll. Mark a point for the back of the roll and the front of the roll as shown below.
Now place your smallest roll so the diameter of it will not fall through your rails and mark those two points. This is where your holes for the rails will go.
Draw a 2" circle at each hole center. This will give you the area that your contour will go around.
Using a French curve connect the circles along the top. Square off the back corner as shown.
Double back tape the two pieces together with your cut and drill markings facing outward.
Cut along the curves with your band saw.
Sand them together on a belt sander to remove any band saw marks. They should now look like this.
Next drill a small 1/8" pilot hole through both pieces.
To see complete details and the rest of this project go to www.runnerduck.com/roll_storage.htm
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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