Friday, February 18, 2011

Friday Funnies ~~ Information Overload?

Kinda sad to say I relate to some of this! Have a wonderful weekend, kicked off with a little bit of techy humor...


When I bought my Blackberry, I thought about the 30 year business I ran with 1800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter.

I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, 13 grandkids and 2 great grandkids could communicate with me in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140 characters of space.

That was before one of my grandkids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree, Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and something that sends every message to my cell phone and every other program within the texting world.


My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.

The kids bought me a GPS for my last birthday because they say I get lost every now and then going over to the grocery store or library. I keep that in a box under my tool bench with the Blue tooth [it's red] phone I am supposed to use when I drive. I wore it once and was standing in line at Barnes and Noble talking to my wife and everyone in the nearest 50 yards was glaring at me. I had to take my hearing aid out to use it, and I got a little loud.


I mean the GPS looked pretty smart on my dash board, but the lady inside that gadget was the most annoying, rudest person I had run into in a long time. Every 10 minutes, she would sarcastically say,"Re-calc-u-lating." You would think that she could be nicer.It was like she could barely tolerate me. She would let go with a deep sigh and then tell me to make a U-turn at the next light. Then if I made a right turn instead, well, it was not a good relationship. When I get really lost now, I call my wife and tell her the name of the
cross streets and while she is starting to develop the same tone as Gypsy, the GPS lady, at least she loves me.


To be perfectly frank, I am still trying to learn how to use the cordless phones in our house. We have had them for 4 years, but I still haven't figured out how I can lose three phones all at once and have to run around digging under chair cushions and checking bathrooms and the dirty laundry baskets when the phone rings.


The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every time I go to the grocery store. You would think they could settle on something themselves but this sudden " Paper or Plastic ?" every time I check out just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of those cloth reusable bags to avoid looking confused, but I never remember to
take them in with me.

Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, "Paper or Plastic?" I just say, "Doesn't matter to me. I am bi-sacksual." Then it's their turn to stare at me with a blank look.

I was recently asked if I tweet. I answered, No, but I do toot a lot."


Can you relate??!? (Please lie and say yes.) :D


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Writerly Wednesday ~~ She's Number Three with a Bullet!

We all know and love the fabulous Jenni James, author and mom extraordinaire; now we have a chance to help her win a contest. Jenni is one of the most generous writerly women around, and there's pretty much nothing she won't do to encourage and advance her friends' writing goals. So let's pay it forward!

Here's the scoopage on the writing competition in JJ's own words: 


Um, backstory: It's my very first historical attempt and short story I've ever written. For anyone who has ever read Pride & Prejudice or watched the movies, then you know about the awkward sister Mary. I decided to write her own love story and have her find someone amazing. My primary reason for entering this contest because I'd love to have a chance to have a connection with Random House, mainly because of all my author friends/people I come across who have awesome stories. {Angie here -- Jenni wants to be able to help other authors, so is seeking to increase her connections to do so.}

I'm not sure if you can vote more than once, but already these women are going all out. Lol! I'm so not the 'vote for me' type, so I'm struggling with this one. However, I think I've got a real shot if I can just crack the top ten and it's worth it if I get a chance to help someone else. {Angie again -- JJ's story is at #3 with a bullet, so let's shoot her to the top of the heap! She's story #85: "Mary Bennett Falls Head Over Heels."}



You go to THIS LINK and hit **click here to vote* right above the listings.
It's simple, easy, and will get you good writerly karma...and just possibly A VERY COOL PRIZE from Jenni James!!!!! Let's do this thing!



Monday, February 14, 2011

Of Haikus and Cupids


Thanks to all who entered last week's contest. The winner of the Valentine's haiku competition is....drumroll, please....

Glynis Smy (visit her blog HERE). Congrats to you poet/author lady. Lovely work, and oh what a killer last line! Love when a poem's form mirrors the message. The end words -- promise, kiss, farce also make a secondary form, if you've got a wierd brain like mine. Here's Glynis' winning haiku:

Stiletto promise
Floral bribe, sweet chocolate kiss
February farce
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Since today is that special day we spread around the love a little bit more than the other 364 days a year, here's hoping you ALL have a wonderful Valentine's day. [That especially includes those of you who are single or between loves, divorced, widowed, or simply choose to be by yourself for now!]

I planned and executed Operation St. Valentine's and had a great time preparing little treat bags for my loved ones here in town, but I'm sending y'all who live far from me (and you KNOW who you are) thoughts of love and joy too. :)

What is Operation St. Valentine's (OSV), you ask? Just some culinary and therapeutic fun I cooked up.........

Step One -- Decoupage and personalize plain brown paper bags:



Step Two -- While the bags dry, make a big load of brownie balls to put in the freezer to harden for an hour or so (see recipe from last week):


Step Three -- Fill Ziplock bags with Dr. Teal's (Oh myyyyyyy; you just gotta try this new spin on epsom salt!!!). I used Lavender for this project, but love the spearmint and eucalyptus:


Step Four -- Decorate brownie balls with melted chocolate, Heath and Andes Mint chips, sprinkles, etc. Put in fridge for 2 or 3 hours to set:



Step Five -- Group sweets in sandwich bags and tie with a pretty ribbon. Add colorful tissue paper and you're ready to deliver your "Soak and Savor" bags.



X's & O's from me to you!!!




Friday, February 11, 2011

Friday Foibles ~~ Just Can't Fix Stoopid

Check out the fun haiku and Mardi Gras contests below. Cool prizes involved!!! Now, back to our regularly scheduled Friday fun...






I was driving when I saw the flash of a traffic camera. I figured that my picture had been taken for exceeding the limit even though I knew that I was not speeding. Just to be sure, I went around the block and passed the same spot, driving even more slowly, but again the camera flashed.


Now I began to think this was quite funny, so I drove even slower as I passed the area once more, but the traffic camera again flashed.


I tried a fourth and fifth time with the same results and was now laughing as the camera flashed while I rolled past at a snail's pace.


Two weeks later, I got five tickets in the mail for driving without a seatbelt.
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Photo image from BatonRougeToday.com

No, this wasn't really me, but it coulda been! Have you had any experience with a traffic camera, or some other driving related mishap?

Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!!





Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Writerly Wednesday ~~ Contest and Other News...

Hey writerly blog pals! Before other things, I posted the recipe to Beth's yummy Italian Cream Cake below. It's TDF!

How's it going in your corner of the world? I've been b-u-s-y lately, but with good stuff. Cooking, writing projects, some creative endeavors of the Vispo-collage-art kind, reading, researching some new ideas for our beloved Rose & Thorn Journal, (check out our winter issue -- it's fab!), collecting recipes/pics for a cookbook project, etc.
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I've also been doing some background/extras work on the set of HBO's Treme show down in New Orleans. Sooooooo much fun, and an awesome series. Check it out on Hulu if you get a chance. The second season airs starting in April. I'll let you know if I make it past the editing "machine" and actually appear in any of the episodes. haaa



Okay, enough about Gumbo Writer's world. Hope yours is twirling just as nicely as mine! :)
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It's time for a writing contest, dontcha think? This one will honor ST. VALENTINE'S day. It's simple and fun, so enter to win a fab writerly package, which naturally includes lotsa chocolate and coffee -- mainstays of the "job" description. [More on that on Friday's post.] 

All you have to do is write a Valentine's haiku and leave it in a comment. Or, hey, if you're not one of those mushy, gushy, lovey-dovey types, how about an anti-Valentine's haiku? *grin*  



Haiku is that Japanese poetic form that follows the 5 + 7 + 5 = 17 syllabic equation. They're fun, easy and can be surprisingly "deep" if crafted correctly. And the best part? ANYone can write a haiku! 

Here's a quick example~~~~~~~~

He corrected her
drink order: "Two rumand Coke." 
The break-up followed.

So get busy, have fun, and enter to win by midnight February 13! (Leave me an email address if you don't have a Blogger account profile so I can get in touch if you win!) One entry per customer.
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For another cool writerly contest of the Mardi Gras variety, check out Tere Kirkland's at her The Lesser Key of Tere writing blog. Cool prizes to be given!
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Just in case you're wondering...I've got three sticky notes left in my 100-pack Spread the Love project. It's been SOOO much fun. I'm going to do it again soon. Recipients have really enjoyed the little boost to their day and/or an unexpected "love" note.

Now.....get out there and do something nice for somebody, and for yourself too! xxo


Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Tasty Tuesday ~~ Sweets for Your Sweets?!

If you're trying to think of something to get your Valentine's this year, what about something made with love from your kitchen? Here's a few options...

BROWNIE CAKE BALLS

1 brownie mix cooked according to pkg. directions
1 16-oz can of complimentary flavored frosting (or prepared butter cream icing)
6 or 7 oz. chocolate chips, melts or almond bark

After brownies are cool enough to handle, crumble the panfull into a large mixing bowl. Add 2/3 of the can of frosting or comparapble amount of butter cream. Put bowl in fridge for at least 4 hours.

Form small balls (these are rich!) and put on wax paper-lined cookie sheet using your hands like making meatballs, or a melon baller if you have one. Flash freeze for about an hour.

Melt chips in a small glass bowl in microwave, stirring between heatings to get it smooth. (You can add a few drops of food coloring if you use the almond bark or white chips). Either dip each ball with a spoon into chocolate, or drizzle it on top, or just dunk in the top half! This recipe has lots of leeway and flavor choices! Set balls on clean wax paper. Put in refrigerator until choclate sets.

You can also use the leftover frosting with a cup of chips/melts to drizzle over brownie balls. Or just dust with powdered sugar!

BUTTER CREAM FROSTING

1/3 c. margarine or butter, softened
Flavor:  1 1/2 t. vanilla, almond extract OR 1/2 tsp. peppermint
3 T. milk

Mix all ingredients until smooth.

Your love will eat these up! Find a pretty container or tin...or even use candy sticks to make a bouquet of sweets in a styrofoam wedge.


When I get back from New Orleans this afternoon, I'll post the recipe that goes with this...........


Beth Bennett's Italian Creme Cake

1 stick butter
2c. sugar
5 eggs, separated
2 c. flour
1 c. buttermilk
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 can coconut
1 c. chopped nuts

Blend sugar, butter and egg yolks. Add flour, buttermilk, baking soda and vanilla. Fold in coconut, nuts and beaten egg whites. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Let cool.

Frosting

Blend 1 8-oz. package cream cheese, 1 stick butter and 1 tsp. vanilla. Gradually add in 1 box powdered sugar, then one cup chopped nuts. Apply to cool cake. Garnish with a sprinkle of nuts.

******This cake is amazing!!!! Twin Alaine ate so much of it she got sick. LOL



 What's your plan for the fourteenth???

Friday, February 4, 2011

Friday Foibles ~~ Phone Funniness (PG-13)


TGIF to all my friends. Hope life is treating you well. I'm juggling several fun and exciting projects (more on those later), along with taking care of Rose & Thorn Journal and editing an engrossing manuscript for someone I love. I've also blown the dust off my own ms and am tackling revisions.

Being away from home the last almost-two weeks and unplugged from the electronic world was refreshing, but I also missed it. I was a Camp Chef on a hunt in northeast Louisiana with two great Hunter's Specialties pro staff guys -- Steve Criner and Rick White. It was oodles of fun, and I've got plenty of new recipes to share with y'all from that trip.

But no matter how busy I get, I'm NEVER too busy for a few laughs; especially those of the slightly politically incorrect variety. (Might wanna censor the kidlets for this one if they're reading over your shoulder.) :D
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When old people (AKA "parents") text and use those fancy phones, bad things happen. Have you done anything like this yet?.......


Okay, don't tell me that's not funny! Surf over to DamnYouAutoCorrect if you want a few more giggles. And for even more snafus of the cellular kind, check out the popular CrazyThingsParentsText too. Oh my......I laughed til my sides hurt!!!!

Love, laughter and lotsa good stuff to each of you. xxo  Angie

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