Thank God I’m creative (insert peels of laughter).

Which brings us to this week’s craft. Note that “craft” is singular because for reasons that I’m sure can only be attributed to the internet not delivering, I’ve yet to receive your emails and comments for this week’s craft, festive food or to-die-for decoration. I am sure it’s just the internet, though. Have no fear.

So, without further ado, I found this on Kaboose.com’s website and we are giving it a whirl in the a.m., so photos will have to follow. Please overcome.

Here are the recommendations for creation:

An egg carton

Clear glass ornaments

Acrylic paints in color of choice

(Pretty simple at this point.)

How to make it:

Turn egg carton upside down and use crevices to hold glass balls (hanger tops removed).  Pour acrylic paint onto a paper plate or Dixie cup, and add a little water, then stir (toothpicks are great for things like this). Paint should drip from the brush within a couple of seconds.

Using a paint brush, apply paint to the top of the ornament and allow it to drip down. If the paint doesnt drip, add more paint to the scene of the crime (or the first glob of paint). Continue this process with the same, or varying colors, around the ornament, covering the ornament with vertical stripes of color to taste.

Replace the hanger top, and lace a color-coordinated ribbon through it for the finishing touches.

Voila!

I like the idea of doing these in team colors for high schoolers and college students. This is one you can take off with and make it your own – modifying as your imagination allows.

Meanwhile, I challenge you to snap outta the turkey-induced coma and get going. We’re gonna need lots more ideas in seven short days!

UPDATE:

So we made the ornaments. Hannah’s turned out pretty good, using yellow, lime green and pink. I tried one, too. Not gonna show it. I wonder if it’s my patience that makes this one a bit difficult for me… Regardless, we had 12 glass balls (Hannah picked out the opaque ones, though – perhaps that is problematic) take away the two I ruined and that leaves nine ornaments for Hannah to paint tomorrow.

I wouldn’t shun you off this one, though. And if you try it, please send photos (and divulge your secrets).

This is one I’ve shared with all of my children (25, 17, and 8), so with the great age difference, you know it has to be a winner. When we put the tree up (traditionally the day after Thanksgiving) I will post one of my favorite all-time ornaments that my daughter made when she was about 4.

Keep in mind that most people probably use this dough by rolling it out and cutting shapes with a cookie cutter. Or perhaps they’re really good artist types (yeah, I know… kinda like me… haaaaaa). Although we have been known to make quite a few in cookie-cutter shapes, the best, most memorable – and without question, the most endearing – have been those that my kids have just made from scratch. There’s nothing like seeing them cut their own shapes and design their own miniature version of Christmas as they see it. And if you think there’s a limit to what you can do with salt dough ornaments, check out some of these images!

For me, the ones my kids have made are among my most treasured possessions, especially as they get older. So try your hand at a few of these ornaments if you haven’t already. I have a feeling you’ll treasure them too – and h0pefully find a bit of magic in them, year after year.

Salt Sculpture Dough

Combine 2 cups flour with 1 cup salt in large mixing bowl. Gradually add about 1 cup of water, stirring dry ingredients until moistened.

Form into ball and knead for 7-10 minutes, until dough is smooth and silky.

Tips: If dough is crumbly, moisten hands while kneading. if dough is sticky, work with floured hands on a floured surface.

When dough reaches desired consistency, roll out and cut into shapes or make your own creations (my preferred method). Any leftover dough can be stored in a plastic bag.

The method to “curing” these varies widely. I typically put mine in a 225-degree oven, checking every hour or so (depending on thickness of ornament). They can also be allowed to air-dry.

Finishing touches are what you make of them: think acrylic paints or varnish, clear-dry glue and sparkles. We usually just throw some sort of sealer on them and enjoy them in their natural state.

Moving right along, one of our readers has a great idea for turning a clear vase into a classy and eye-catching table-top decoration.

Metallic Walnut Display

For a beautiful display for a buffet or side table, purchase a tall, narrow, clear vase (or use one on hand), a couple bags of English walnuts in the shell, and some silver metallic and gold metallic spray paint.

Spray paint half the walnuts gold and the other half silver. Be sure to use spray paint in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. You can make your own “spray booth” by using a cardboard box turned up on it’s side to contain over-spray. Spray one side of walnuts. Let dry and turn over to spray second side.

Arrange the walnuts in the vase either in a mixed, random pattern, or in layers, whichever you prefer. You can finish the vase off with a metallic ribbon  or leave plain. Either way, it looks nice, and you can store and keep the walnuts to use again the next year!

Thanks for the great idea, Denise from Cynthiana, Ky. ! And keep the ideas coming – because Christmas is just six short weeks away!

-Liz

Witches’ Night Out

Our family picked up a new Halloween tradition a few years ago – attending the Witches’ Night Out event at Gardner Village near Salt Lake City.

Gardner Village is one of our required fall outings. It is a collection of historical buildings, a mill and some pioneer homes, which have been made into shops, a restaurant, and a petting zoo. They also have a venue for dinner theater.

We stumbled into the whole Witches’ Night Out spectacle accidentally. A few years ago we ventured there on a Friday evening in mid-October, only to discover several elaborately costumed women dressed as witches wandering around. Thinking that they were employees adding to the festive atmosphere, we shrugged it off and made our usual stops – Sweet Afton’s, for delicious homemade fudge, caramel apples, and retro candy, Down to Earth, a cool furniture store, and the aforementioned petting zoo.

However, as the evening wore on, more and more women dressed as witches arrived, until we were completely surrounded. No dull Wicked Witch of the West apparel and green face would do here – we’re talking satin, lace, tulle, feather boas, fabric of every color in the rainbow, and very glam make-up. It was Wizard of Oz meets Moulin Rouge.

Fascinated, we stayed all evening as they held a parade, prize drawings, and a dance. Witch makeovers and spa treatments were also offered.

Billed as a “ladies night,” I have violated the spirit of the event in the ensuing years by going with my husband and our young sons. It is intended to be a time for women to get out and let loose. However, the past couple of years I have noticed some warlocks trying to cut in on the action and children dressed in other traditional Halloween costumes making the scene.

But, the night still belongs to those fabulous witchy ladies of all ages and sizes who have the gumption to go public.

Maybe next year I’ll leave the boys at home and really get my witch on.

Linda Peterson is a wife, mother, public relations specialist, former newspaper reporter, and aspiring novelist. Her writer’s group blog is located at www.inkingcap.blogspot.com.

*Enter a comment at the bottom of this or any other post, and be automatically entered in this week’s giveaway!

It’s almost Halloween, and the stores are full of candy, costumes, and decorations. Of course, next to the isles of plastic pumpkins and bats, there is usually a single row of red and green, which will expand slowly until it takes over the entire store by the middle of November.

This is the part where you expect to hear me complain about the importance of keeping the holidays separate or the evils of consumerism. However, that is not where I’m going. I’m sure there are those who claim to disagree, but I can’t deny that my heart leaps when I see ornaments and snowflakes and Frosty the Snowman, no matter what time of year it is.

Christmas is absolutely and undoubtedly the best holiday. Nothing else can compare, and I really believe that anyone who says his or her favorite holiday is anything else is lying. Perhaps not on purpose, but still probably lying. Sure dressing up and watching scary movies is fun, and dying and hunting for eggs is charming, and watching fireworks is spectacular, but Christmas reigns supreme.

Halloween is a lot of fun, and it definitely deserves its own décor and festivities. And let’s not forget Thanksgiving, which is an important American family tradition. I’m not trying to devalue the holidays preceding Christmas, but for me, part of their function is to buildup excitement for the Christmas season. I’m not ashamed to enjoy an early preview of the Christmas spirit; who cares if it’s only October.

So when you see an electronic dancing Santa, go ahead and push that button and watch Santa groove to “Jingle Bell Rock.” Maybe it’s because I have a soft spot for anything stuffed that sings and dances, but I promise it will make you smile.

Ryane is an English major at SUU

and a lover of Christmas.

*Enter a comment at the bottom of this or any other post, and be automatically entered in this week’s giveaway!

Today’s rant comes to you courtesy of a reader named Jesse who got all hot and bothered when he read my article about Kanye West at MTV’s VMA Awards show. See Kate’s Escapade – Kanye West is an IDIOT!

Here is Jesse’s reply to that article…

Jesse said:  I completely disagree. What Kanye West did was unnecessary but nothing to be crucified over. This news should have gone no farther than simple water cooler talk but narrow minded people and the media continue to let it escalate. How come Kanye’s interruption is more of an un-forgivable act than Joe Wilson’s interruption of PRESIDENT Barack Obama? It’s because people, such as yourself Kate, take no interest in important matters, only simple pop culture.

The facts remain:

-Kanye West has over 12 Grammys in less than five years of releasing music

-He is also an award-winning producer

-The VMA’s are not voted on by MTV officials, it’s by the fans. Now I wonder what demographic understands quality of film? Beyonce’s key demographic or Taylor Swift’s?

-Taylor Swift isn’t a victim. Don’t cry over her. She’s a big girl. When you sign up to be an entertainer, it’s not all butterflies and cupcakes, like Swift’s songs would leave you to believe.

-Kanye West isn’t any combination of Hitler/Satan. He did not insult Swift. He didn’t hurt Swift physically. He said nothing about Swift actually, just that Beyonce’s video was amazing and should have won.

-Beyonce isn’t a hero. She should not be given saint-hood for her actions. While it is debatable which video is better (if you understand anything about film, then you probably agree with Kanye), West shouldn’t have voiced his opinion at that time.

And there you have it Kate. We shouldn’t boycott Kanye West, maybe we should appreciate him in a bittersweet way. How boring and dangerous is it if everyone is polite and conformist? At least West helps keep the process in check, unlike Swift who couldn’t voice her opinions until she was in the safe confines of The View.

I’d personally rather listen to a person who questions rather than one who sounds very similar in every song. I believe that Beyonce’s video was better, but that’s MTV for you. Has Kanye West ever exploded at the Grammys Kate? That’s what I thought, it seems that Kanye takes these phony award shows about as seriously as everyone else should. Now, America, please resume your ridiculous and ignorant rants. They all sound the same anyway.

Jesse is a reader of Coffee Break (at least this post anyway)

and a  Kanye  West supporter

If you’d like to read Kate’s Escapade – Kanye West is an IDIOT! here’s the link.

Now here are Kate’s and Jesse’s responses…and the comments of several other readers.  Add your 2 cents worth.  What’s your opinion on the matter?

Kate said: Wow, Jesse…Got yourself bit worked up there over my, as you put it, “simple pop culture” and “ridiculous and ignorant rants”. I actually also believe that Beyonce’s video was better, but that’s not the point. The point really comes down to simple human decency and courtesy, rather than inappropriate and rude drunken outbursts.
Thanks for the comment, though. Come back for more ridiculous and frivolous rants any old time. I welcome all opinions.

Jesse said: You say it only comes down to simple human decency and courtesy, rather than inappropriate and rude drunken outburst? Then why should we boycott him? Was he abusing animals like Micheal Vick? Was he violating his parole in dangerous ways like TI? No, he wasn’t. The only deference between the general public and Kanye West is that he is more confident than most. Everyone does regrettable things when they are intoxicated, the only difference is that we aren’t all on TV.

Kate said: Let’s hope that the decency of the general public has not sunken to the level of Kayne, or our society is in a heap of trouble.
I would agree though, that his antics are no comparison to Michael Vick or TI or countless others. They are way bigger idiots than Kayne, he just happened to be my topic of choice for the day. If this had been his first ridiculous outburst, I would have just let it slide, however, he has quite a history of arrogant,inappropriate and rude behavior…and it’s time for the public to say ENOUGH!

Other readers comments:

Donna said: Totally agree! He should be ousted from the media.

Jeannette said: I too found this unconscionable. The only upside to it is that Taylor responded at the time with such grace, and continues to do so. As a result I think that her star will shine just that much brighter.

Liz said: Well, my first thought is this: if these VMA awards shows are so phony, what the sam hill was he so upset about? Why would he want Beyonce to have the award if it was so phony?
I agree with Kate’s assessment that his actions lacked any sense of decorum. Drunkenness is no excuse – if you can’t control yourself when you’re drinking, don’t drink!
It’s not an issue of being able to speak your mind (which he is clearly capable of doing). It’s a matter of doing so while showing some sense of decency.
I agree with the president on almost nothing – except for his reaction to the escapade (VMA Awards, not Kate’s escapade)when he called him a “jackass.”
Kanye West has proven his character on numerous occasions. For me, it’s a simple matter of choosing not to listen to him – or his music – because he does not represent the values I hold, nor those I wish to instill in my children.
And as long as Joe Wilson has been dragged into it, he spoke his mind based on fact. He’d read the bill in question and knew exactly what he was talking about. Was his outburst ok? Nope.
Mr. West’s outburst was based on his own opinion.
Both men exercised bad timing. But in the end, Mr. West is being held to one set of rules, while Rep. Wilson is being blasted and rebuked over something that has happened on a multitude of occasions during presidential addresses. Funny how no one seemed to notice then…
If the concern is that Wilson should be run outta town on a rail, you better be willing to hold West to the same standard.
Most teenagers know exactly who Kenya West is. Wonder how many teenagers know who Rep. Wilson is?
Both, in the end, are public figures, regardless.
If you’re going to hold a set of standards for one of them, better make jolly sure you’re willing to hold that same set for the other one.

Megan said: I think that the original post was funny and fun. You, Jesse, are the one who made it a bigger deal than it should be by getting so butt hurt about it… I love Kanye’s music and will continue to love it. He is, however, a jackass…

Samantha said: Interesting dialogue going on here, and I’d like to weigh in. I think Kanye wants to be hated. It’s his thing; it’s how he stays fresh in people’s minds. Like Lady Gaga’s outrageous outfits, or Paris Hiton’s partying, for example. It’s all part of the show. It’s how he keeps himself relevant.
While I agree that there are numberless worse things that have been done by many other people, the issue is having respect for others, which he does not seem to have.
I really do think that he does it on purpose though. He’s fully aware of the reaction he will get, and he milks it for all he can.

Jesse said: Megan, I’m not “butt hurt” over anything. With the reaction that this has gotten, you’d think that Kanye raped Taylor. Why has this little event caused more controversy than say, R. Kelly and what he has physically done to underage girls?

It’s all because he somewhat wants to be hated, like Samantha said. I don’t think he expected this much unnecessary negative attention, but he knew before hand that he was going to get some.

Liz, if you can’t handle yourself drunk, don’t drink? Well, I’d agree if life were just a bowl of cherries but it’s not. You start drinking, and your judgment goes very quickly. What you are basically saying is that you disapprove of any and every person that has done anything regrettable when they were drunk. The only difference is that 99.9% of us don’t have MILLIONS of people watching us.

Kate, I would agree with you completely, but Kanye is too talented to just shun right now. The fame has gotten to his head and maybe this time he realizes it. The only question now is if he has learned anything from this. If he has, great, let’s keep him. If not, I agree that he probably should be taken less seriously. When he insulted George W. Bush after Katrina, I agreed, it was a very important issue to be angry about. The VMAs? He takes the music industry very seriously, but NO ONE should ever take MTV that seriously.

So, Coffee Break readers…what do you think?  Leave your comment and let your opinion be heard.  It’s easier than you think, so just go ahead and do it!  It hardly hurts a bit!

One day Baby’s friend from across the street, Z, started pounding on our front door. I opened it, my first mistake.

“Where’s Baby? There’s a hurt bird out here he has to see!” Z exclaimed.

I thought ‘Boys and their desire for the Horrific.’

While Baby went outside to inspect the injured bird, I put Boomer the Basset Hound in the backyard, his Kingdom, and went out to start the truck. We had errands to run. I pulled around the corner to grab that child of mine. He and Z were watching the bird flutter around only about an inch off the ground. The poor thing would fly a foot or two and fall back to the ground. While it looked ok, it definitely wasn’t. As it was fluttering around it flapped through our chain link fence into Boomer the Basset Hound’s Kingdom.

Whatever came next couldn’t have a happy ending. Those with delicate indispositions may want to stop reading now.

Boomer the Basset Hound soon noticed the disabled bird and started barking at it. Then he opened wide and scooped it up in his mouth. The bird sure didn’t like that! He fought and Boomer the Basset Hound had to let him go. The bird fluttered frantically away from the big beast. But he wasn’t fast enough in his crippled condition. Boomer the Basset Hound barked and tried to eat the bird again. The bird fought back again and got away for a moment.

At this point I decided there was only one probable outcome and the children would be devastated that Boomer the Basset Hound could be so cruel. I put Baby in the truck and instructed his friend to go home. I blatantly lied to them and said the bird would get away but needed to be left alone. I fled the scene. I didn’t even call 911.

For several days Baby talked about how the bird got away until he discovered a dead bird in our backyard! He was distressed that Boomer the Basset Hound could do something so inhuman. I tried to explain the Circle of Life but as I looked upon his blank face I realized he’s never seen Lion King. So I related it to Secondhand Lions, his favorite movie, and that seemed to placate him. I told him:

“Boomer the Basset Hound is a real African Dog.”

Donna Hansen is a recent college grad and has her dream job, part-time Accountant. She enjoys sewing, reading, cooking, camping, traveling, blogging, and whole host of other things that she never seems to be able to fit into her busy schedule. You can find her other somewhat amusing stories at www.donnandkids.blogspot.com.

In fact, I’m still there – constantly experimenting with everyday household items, finding new ways to make your life easier. Oh, it’s a thankless job, alright. But it’s the only job I have.

Oh well, I’ll save the rest of my troubles for my daily therapy session. Meanwhile, I thought you might enjoy some of these ingenious uses for Coca Cola. Sometimes I surprise myself with all this knowledge. So grab a can of Coke and let’s experiment:

• Remove grease stains, rust stains and blood stains
• Clean oil stains from a garage floor
• Loosen a rusty bolt by pouring Coke on it. Watching it fizzle is half the fun
• Kill slugs and snails by attracting them with a small bowl of Coke. Then watch them croak.
• Defrost a frozen windshield (will also remove caked-on bugs and the like from windows and rubber bumpers)
• Clean burnt pans; let the pan soak in the Coke, then rinse
• Clean the toilet to a porcelain shine
• Clean car battery terminals by pouring a small amount of Coke over each one
• Cure nausea. You may want to let the Coke go a little flat, first
• Use Mentos and a 2-liter of Coke to make an exploding fountain
• Gargle with a cold Coke to get rid of the hiccups
• Make  BBQ sauce with a can of Coke with ketchup and brush over ribs or chicken. Can also be used in your favorite Sloppy Joe recipe
• Add a can of coke to your pot roast for added flavor. May also be used to baste ham
• Make your pennies look new again by soaking them in Coke to remove cruddy stuff
• Add an antique look to ge documents and photos by applying Coke. Pat up excess and allow to dry
• Mix with packet of Italian seasoning to tenderize tough cuts of meat
• Dip hair into Coke to remove gum
• Set out a cup of Coke an hour or so before your next picnic so bees and the like will hover there and not on you
• Add some Coke to your laundry to remove fish odors and other bad smells
• Use to mop floors for a non-slip surface
• Apply to marker stains to remove them from carpet. Follow up with clean soapy water
• Use Coke instead of tanning lotion for a deep, dark tan. It’ll also leave your skin silky smooth
• I guess you could drink it straight from the can, but Dr. Fly, the experiment guy says drink at your own risk, unless you’ve got a good bourbon to mix it with.

Dr. Fly would love to hear other uses you’ve found for our carbonated beverage.  Just drop me a line via Liz or Kate.

Gotta go for now – some  fruit in the lab is calling my name…

Of course, such a meticulous temperament is accompanied by several bizarre pet peeves. Almost every time I tell someone about one of my pet peeves, they reply, “I never noticed.” But I always notice and cringe every time.

The worst of my multitude of pet peeves is exaggerating numbers. For example, how many times have you heard someone say, “On a scale from 1 to 10, it’s an 11!” Excuse me, but doesn’t the scale YOU just created only go to 10? There is no 11. In the world of your scale, 11 does not exist!

Which brings me to my next pet peeve: exaggerating percentages. In the tradition of a motivational speaker, we are always asked to “Give 110%.” Do you see the problem here? If I have 10 apples, I can only give you 10 apples, or 100% of my apples. I can only give what I have. Where is this other 10 percent coming from?

Deep breath. Here comes another one.

Why do people feel the need to misspell words on purpose to be cute? It absolutely drives me crazy when I see a sign shouting “Kars 4 Kids.” I can’t understand the need to switch the letter “c” for the letter “k” to make the two words match. Or the infamous “z” replacing an “s.”  Or the two together “Karz 4 Kidz.” I just shuddered in horror.

While on the subject of misspelling on purpose, I’d like to point out the atrocity of the number inside the word. It seems like it is all over the place. I blame texting for this. As soon as people discovered that words would be shortened by replacing letters with numbers, an epidemic was born. For example, the once-popular song “Sk8er Boi,” by Avril Lavigne. I understand the need to conserve space in a text or IM, but in a song title? Or the dance group contestants on this season of America’s Got Talent, U4RIA. Translation: Euphoria. If I were a cartoon, there would be smoke coming out of my ears right now.

Naturally, this list could go on forever, but I’ll share just one more. I was watching TV and there was a commercial for some debt consolidation company in which a man said, “I was literally drowning in a sea of debt.” Hmm. I’ll check my globe, but I’m pretty sure there is no Sea of Debt. This one is probably the most common of all my pet peeves. The next time I hear “literally” misused, my head is going to explode. Literally.

Ryane is an English Education major at SUU

~Enjoy your Coffee Break!

Want to submit your own story to be considered for the Guest Headline post to run on Fridays?  Just let us know at lizandkate@live.com.

Or not.

Until recently, I thought procrastination was bad, bad, bad.  Below are a “few” of my validating bullet points:

• A link to a non-profit organization determined to stamp out Procrastination.
• “O, The Oprah Magazine life coach Martha Beck explains how to overcome the “knowing-doing gap” and stop putting important tasks off.
• Get Info To Help You Live A Healthy Life.
• Discover the Clarity that lets you get everything done… quickly.

Webster defines procrastinate as “putting off intentionally and habitually:  to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done.”

This month I found out just how productive procrastination can be. For three months I have been cranking continuing education and procrastinating doing it every day.  See if you can identify with the path that procrastination led me down. I’m just thankful I snapped out of it!

In the beginning it was only vacuuming every other day. Then it just seemed natural to add dusting at the same time which, in fact, was going to save me more time for con ed instead of having two separate chores (yes we DO call this rationalization).  And then I was able to add the laundry and dishes with only marginal time expenditure.  I am so skilled at getting the dishes done, the laundry started, both on already vacuumed floors with every visible wood surface sparkling that I eliminated housework as a viable topic for procrastination. Dang it – time to study.

As I sat reading accounting stuff you all can’t even begin to believe exists, I realized I had to go more hard core procrastination. So, I rationalized in a couple days worth of yard work, not letting ANY of the above housework slip and still I had time.

Then one day, lolligagging and daydreaming out the kitchen window, I realized Neighbor Greg’s tangerine tree was taunting me.  Those rich orange globes were taunting me. They were screaming na na na na na, you can’t cook us ’cause you have to study, na na na na na.  Excuse me? Indignation overtakes me and I assume stealth mode to Neighbor Greg’s with a huge bowl. Now who’s talking? Huh? You want a piece of me?

And from all my bad, bad, bad procrastination, I got marmalade that is OMG good! Procrastination Marmalade anyone?

Preparing a Procrastination Cutie for Marmalade

Both batches of Procrastination Marmalade came from a bunch of fresh picked cutie tangerines. Following is what I did to get the fruit ready for cooking with the rest of the ingredients.

Cleaned the fruit   Then I peeled the tangerines because they were small and I was hoping for long continuous peels – ha. That didn’t happen.  So, take the skin off however you like, just remember that the pith can’t stay around for the party. Soaked the peels in water (at least 4 cups that you’ll use later) for about 30 – 45 minutes then scraped the pith out with a spoon. This is the most time consuming part of making procrastination marmalade. But what do we care – we’re procrastinating. Once the pith is off the peel, you’re ready to mince. Squeeze the now bald cuties for the juice.

Batch 1:

1 cup fresh tangerine juice

2 tbsp Gran Marnier

5 cups water – 1 fresh, 4 cups used to soak the peel

2 cups minced tangerine peel

2 tbsp fresh minced ginger

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup honey

1 package Sure-Jell pectin (1.75 oz)

Batch 2:

1 1/3 cups of fresh tangerine juice

2 tbsp Crown Royal

5 cups water – 1 fresh, 4 cups used to soak the peel

1 1/2 cups minced tangerine peel

3 tbsp fresh minced ginger

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup honey

1/2 tsp ground clove

1 package Sure-Jell pectin (1.75 oz)

I pretty much followed the directions sent along with the Sure-Jell. I put the tangerine rind, Sure-Jell and all other ingredients except honey and brown sugar in a pot and brought to rolling boil. Since I wanted a really tangy flavor, I didn’t add any butter for foaming. Foaming is okay with me.  At the rolling boil I added the brown sugar and honey and cooked according to the directions (about 5 minutes or so).  Skimmed off the foam and plopped into jars to wait for setup.

Notes:

• Making jam and jelly is always a little anxiety provoking to me. What if it just stays liquid? I think that stupid thought EVERY TIME I make the stuff.  OMG – I need to get over myself.
• Probably not the appropriate method to take, but if I’m not getting the consistency I want, I just start adding more Sure-Jell (emphasized with shoulder shrug).
• Neighbor Greg also has a Meyer Lemon tree.  It is naughty cousin to the Cutie Tree – it taunts AND teases!  I steal indiscriminately between the two.
• I completed ALL 80 HOURS of Con Ed.

-Marcie Coulter is a self-employed CPA, chef extraordinaire, and master gardener who lives on the coast of central California. She is well-versed in the art of procrastination and will probably keep it that way… she hasn’t decided yet…

Want to submit your own story to be considered for the Guest Headline post to run on Fridays?  Just let us know at lizandkate@live.com.

RoadTrip Soundtrack

Once the weather starts to warm up and the sky is bright blue with big fluffy, Simpson’s-like clouds… that’s when I start to think about vacations. My favorite type of vacation is going anywhere near an ocean, but to me, the most fun part of vacationing is getting there.
The thing about roadtrips is that it doesn’t matter if you’re going to another part of your state or across the country. What makes a roadtrip a roadtrip, is who you’re with and THE MUSIC. The perfect music and the long drive is what makes your vacation more than a trip, it makes it a journey.

As the day of my sure to be best roadtrip ever grows nearer and nearer, I start to research the perfect songs, to make the perfect mix CD, which makes for a perfect roadtrip. I go through each song, eyes closed, and listen to the lyrics, the melody, the percussion. What I’m listening for is that feeling… The one where you’re driving on the open road, staring out your window with the wind whipping through your hair and you think, “This moment is perfect. It could be a scene in a movie.”

Have you ever noticed that in a movie, something completely boring can be going on, like watching someone drive down a highway. But with the music they choose for that particular moment, it’s completely enthralling and you know exactly what mood the character is in, what they’re thinking about, and where they’re going. It’s the mood music. And let me tell you, the music you choose for your own roadtrip is a lot more important than three minutes of a movie.

Just a tip, the soundtrack from Elizabethtown, a movie partially about a roadtrip, is the perfect CD to start out with if you’re new to determining your own roadtrip soundtrack. By figuring out how many hours your drive is, that’s how you’ll know how many CD’s to make. Each CD can hold about 80 minutes worth of songs. Cause nobody likes to listen to the same songs over and over or the same artist 13 songs in a row. You need a little variation. And for those of you who plug in your iPod and just set it to shuffle, I implore you, at least make a special roadtrip playlist and set that to shuffle.

Here’s just a little taste of what my essential roadtrip soundtrack playlist includes:

• Band Of Horses – The Great Salt Lake
• Ingrid Michaelson – Be OK
• Jack Johnson – Hope
• PlayRadioPlay! – Decipher Reflection
• Jason Mraz – Wordplay
• Meg & Dia – What If
• Metro Station – Seventeen Forever
• The Postal Service – Such Great Heights
• Nelly Furtado – Try
• Meg & Dia – Going Away
• Radiohead – Bodysnatchers
• Cartel – Matter of Time
• Of Montreal – Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games
• PlayRadioPlay! – Compliment Each Other
• Regina Spektor – That Time
• She & Him – Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?
• Tegan & Sara – Where Does the Good Go?
• Andrew Bird – A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head to the Left

Megan currently lives in Ogden, Utah.

She is a lover of RoadTrips, Disneyland,
good books, and music.

Want to submit your own story to be considered for the Guest Headline post to run on Fridays? Just send your story to: lizandkate@live.com.

Enjoy your Coffee Break!