What's New? We celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving with Marilyn's family at her sister Sandy's on Whidbey Island. It's always fun to go to their house because we get a ferry ride both ways. We always figure any time on the water, even if it's on a ferry boat, is good time. The ride over was a little bumpy because of some winds we were having but uneventful just the same. The food was wonderful and the conversation fun. All in all what we would call a good day.
Now that Thanksgiving is over our Christmas plans are in full swing. Every year we have Christmas Eve at our house for Ken's family. It's a very small group but we always have a good time. We've carried on the tradition of the family white elephant party that Ken's folks did for years. Everyone brings a gift that is something that they don't use, don't want or is just plain silly.
It's wrapped in anything from newspaper and grocery bags to intriguing. We use an old Twister spinner with numbers on it. A timer is set for five minutes and then the spinning begins. Each person has a number and when the pointer lands on your number you get to select a gift from the pile. Once everyone has a gift the spinning continues and each time the pointer lands on your number you get to swap with someone else.
There always seems to be one package that creates more interest and changes hands more than any other. Sometimes it the size of it, the wrapping or the shape. Surprisingly enough it's usually the funkiest present of all. When the timer goes off each person takes turns opening their present. This is generally where all the hoots and laughs really begin. Creativity breeds humor and there is lots of both.
Since this is the last time you'll hear from us this year we want to wish you and your families the happiest of Holidays and a very Happy New Year!
From our family to yours!
DigiTalk
We wish we had some good news for you this month about the digital world but we're afraid that it's still getting worse. Have you received any offers for Spam Remove Lists? One of the most notable is UnsubscribeNow.org. These type of offers are the scum of the pond!
They offer a service, which they charge for, that says they will remove you from the spam lists that are out there. They claim it's like the National "Do Not Call List" but for Spam. Not only do they charge you for this non-service service but they more than likely sell your confirmed address to, yep you guessed it, Spammers!
Some day the Federal Government may get a handle on this but for now a Spam Remove List does not exist. One ray of hope is a trial for one of the most notorious Spammers in the world. He has been convicted and could be sentenced to nine years in prison plus a huge fine.
For more information about this "Spam Remove List" fraud we suggest you take a look at Spamhaus.com, www.spamhaus.org/removelists.html or the forums at Spamcop.net, http://forum.spamcop.net/forums/.
SITE OF THE MONTH
Since we are heading for the holidays we thought we'd bring you some of our favorite Holiday web sites.
This first site is just great to sit back and watch. It's a lovely Christmas card to enjoy. http://holidays.blastcomm.com/
This site lets you interact with "I Wish You A Merry Christmas". Click on the different reindeer or Santa and you will turn on or off different sounds. It's fun to turn off the music by clicking on Santa and then playing with the different reindeer. http://web.icq.com/shockwave/0,,4845,00.swf
Everyone loves snow globes and this one is no exception. Click on the globe and while holding the left mouse button down "shake" the globe.
http://ww12.e-tractions.com/snowglobe/globe.htm
The Merry-Christmas.com site is really special. There are lots of things for the kids to do, great stories and some really nice music. This site will really get you into the holiday spirit. www.merry-christmas.com
Do you like screen savers? This winter scene screen saver is really nice. It's a 3D view of small town America in the middle of winter. You can configure the weather, set the viewing distance and select the music. It's a very nice thing to watch while your computer is sitting idle. www.gizmozone.com
That should keep you busy and in the spirit until we return. Happy Holidays!!
MARILYN'S CORNER
I Spy Game
Do you remember 'I Spy With My Little Eye"? We use to play it while on the road driving during family vacations. This is the same game but all the items are contained in a bag.
Here's what you'll need:
- Quart size Zip-Lock bag
- Artificial snow
- Small items that reflect your theme like Christmas
We made our bag with a Christmas theme but it can be tailored to any occasion. Some different themes might be Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, 4th of July, Camping or History. You can use a different fill than snow like shredded paper or confetti.
Here are the items we used.
Make up a label that tells what all the items in the bag are and tape it to the front of the bag.
Place the artificial snow and all the items into the bag and seal it.
Now comes the fun. Give it to the kids and let them work the bag around to find each item. Don't open the bag just try to find each piece through the plastic.
Make several of them and have contests to see who can find all the items the fastest.
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
Are you having trouble deciding just what gift would be appropriate for that little tike? There are so many different things to choose from and it's really hard to tell just what gift will fit what age. Check out suggestions from everyone's favorite giraffe, broken down by age range in Geoffrey's Gift Guide.
The Tempos
News and CD of the Week
Here's another musician joke from our friend Jeff F. in Texas.
Interviewer: "What do you expect is in store for the future of jazz guitar?"
Yogi: "I'm thinkin' there'll be a group of guys who've never met talkin' about it all the time."
Interviewer: Can you explain jazz?
Yogi: I can't, but I will. 90% of all jazz is half improvisation. The other half is the part people play while others are playing something they never played with anyone who played that part. So if you play the wrong part, its right. If you play the right part, it might be right if you play it wrong enough. But if you play it too right, it's wrong.
Interviewer: I don't understand.
Yogi: Anyone who understands jazz knows that you can't understand it. It's too complicated. That's what's so simple about it.
Interviewer: Do you understand it?
Yogi: No. That's why I can explain it. If I understood it, I wouldn't know anything about it.
Interviewer: Are there any great jazz players alive today?
Yogi: No. All the great jazz player alive today are dead. Except for the ones that are still alive. But so many of them are dead, that the ones that are still alive are dying to be like the ones that are dead. Some would kill for it.
Interviewer: What is syncopation?
Yogi: That's when the note that you should hear now happens either before or after you hear it. In jazz, you don't hear notes when they happen because that would be some other type of music. Other types of music can be jazz,
but only if they're the same as something different from those other kinds.
Interviewer: Now I really don't understand.
Yogi: I haven't taught you enough for you to not understand jazz that well.
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
"Harry For The Holidays"
Harry Connick Jr.
I went to lunch with my daughter Jenni the other day and she was playing some great Christmas music. It had a wonderful sounding big band and I thought I recognized the voice. Sure enough it was Harry Connick Jr., one of my favorites. Some how I had missed this CD last Christmas because it came out in October of 2003. Oh well, I won't miss is any more, it's great! If you are looking for some good holiday music I would definitely consider adding this one to your list!
CLICK!
Be sure and visit the
RunnerDuck Music Store for great savings on just about anything.
JOKE OF THE MONTH
Remember we now have a Joke of the Month but we have posted a bunch more on our web site. To see all the jokes for December go to www.runnerduck.com/dec04_jokes.htm and have fun!
This one came from Ken's cousin Cindy but pretty much sums up the way we feel about their being two Washington's!
Once upon a time, God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael, the Archangel, found him resting on the seventh day. He inquired of God. "Where have you been?"
God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction, and proudly pointed downward through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made."
Archangel Michael looked puzzled, and said, "What is it?"
"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call it Earth, and it's going to be a great place of balance."
"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.
God explained, pointing to different parts of earth. "For example, Northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while Southern Europe is going to be poor. Over there I've placed a continent of white people, and over there is a continent of black people. Balance in all things," God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."
The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a land mass and said, "What's that one?"
"Ah,"said God "That's Washington State, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful streams, hills, and forests. The people from Washington State are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent and humorous, and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking, high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats, and carriers of peace.
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance."
God smiled, "There is another Washington...wait til you see the idiots I put there."
Do you have any good jokes, or maybe not so good jokes? Please send them to us we love to get jokes! Send them to jokes@runnerduck.com with a subject of "RunnerDuck... Jokes".
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THIS WEEK'S FREE RECIPE
Beer Cheese Dip
It's holiday entertaining time and here's a great recipe your guests will love. If you have dipping fools we'd suggest making plenty because it will go fast!
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 teaspoon Mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon Horseradish
- 3 Tablespoons Beer. If you are going to serve the dip cold use 1/4 Cup Beer. (drink the rest :-)
- 1/8 teaspoon Pepper
- Chives
Heat the Beer just to boiling.
Pour over the rest of the ingredients and mix until smooth.
Serve warm or chilled.
If chilled let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
Top with Chives
Grab your favorite chip and start dipping before all the guests arrive.
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 marilyn@runnerduck.com.
Every month we post a new recipe on our web page. Be sure and check out the New December recipe at the RunnerDuck Kitchen Store.
COOKBOOK
SUGGESTION OF THE WEEK
"How to Cook Everything: Holiday Cooking"
by Mark Bittman (Author), Alan Witschonke (Illustrator)
(CLICK)
Oh no, everyone is coming over for the holidays and I have no idea what to fix! Have you ever had that fear before? Well this month we've found a cookbook that will help a whole bunch when it comes time to entertain. Roast Turkey and Gravy. Baked Ham with Maple Glaze. Traditional Apple Pie.
Death-by-Chocolate Torte. Holidays are when you pull out all the stops, and with How to Cook Everything™: Holiday Cooking, you can make your special feast or buffet spread without stress.
Mark Bittman, the award-winning author of the bestselling kitchen classic How to Cook Everything™, shares his favorite simple, and infinitely flexible, holiday recipes. You'll be able to cook for big feasts and parties from Thanksgiving to New Years and for other holiday gatherings all year-round.
To inspire you and help you plan your meals, you'll find Bittman's straight talk on cooking and special features, including:
- Creative recipe variations and ideas
- Tips for shopping, preparing, and cooking the recipes
- Illustrations to demystify trickier techniques
- Menu suggestions for a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, a Tree-Trimming Party, an Easter Feast, and more
- At-a-glance icons highlighting recipes that can be made ahead
One person who reviewed this cookbook wrote: "The ultimate way to cook during busy holiday seasons...great recipes for the big feasts and parties - from Thanksgiving to New Year's....great for other holiday gatherings all year round. Includes 90 easy-to-follow recipes."
Order yours today by clicking on the cookbook picture above and have it in time for the holidays. It also makes a great Christmas present for that person who loves to cook.
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.
NEW!!
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!
CLICK!
PROJECTS
Garden Chair
Marilyn saw a plant stand like this at a craft fair and decided that she needed one but had her own idea of what it should look like. She sketched out what she wanted hers to look like and I designed it in my CAD program. The next day I made sawdust and came out with a rather nice looking garden chair plant stand.
The design is sturdy enough to sit on but I wouldn't suggest using it for a sitting chair. The idea is to place potted plants on it. Maybe a nice vine plant near the back to climb up the back rest would be nice.
Here's a list of materials you'll need to buy.
(5) 4" X 8' cedar fencing.
(36) 1 1/4" #8 deck screws.
(20) 1" #6 Zinc plated screws.
Glue
(10) 1 1/4" finish nails.
Cut all the pieces per the cut list on our web site, www.runnerduck.com/garden_chair.htm, except the bird house roof.
Cut 45 degree points on top of the two long back legs and the two back rests.
Drill a 1" hole 3 3/4" down from the point on the two long back legs.
Assemble the seat box using two 1 1/4" screws in each corner. I used a 90 degree corner vise to help align the corners. You can get a versatile corner clamp at Rockler. It's not quite like mine but would work great.
For the complete instructions go to our project page at, www.runnerduck.com/garden_chair.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.
CONSERVATION TIP
Do you have all your holiday lights up and your front yard looking like the Las Vegas strip? We have a few lights up and we love driving around to look at all the lights other people have put up. While the lights are beautiful and bring an air of festivity to the season they do burn a lot of electricity. There are two things you can do to help save some energy and money.
First, and most expensive, use Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights. These bright little guys burn just a fraction of what regular holidays burn. They are still pretty expensive but you might watch for after holiday sales to get some for next year.
The second and less expensive thing to do is turn the lights off late at night. There just aren't a whole lot of people out driving around looking at Christmas lights at 2:00 in the morning. We bought a cheap timer that turns the lights on when it gets dark and turns them off around 11:00PM. That's long enough!
Remember, no matter where you live electricity consumes our natural resources. Whether it's coal, natural gas or hydroelectric it all impacts the environment and your wallet.
Enjoy the holidays and on to a new year!
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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