Friday the 13th Vibes

I don't always buy into the Friday the 13th unlucky vibes... but now I do. I was busy enough during work today that I had no idea that flights in the U.S. were grounded. 

A friend called because she was driving to an airport to pick up her son and wanted me to look up any news and read it to her. I had no idea what she was talking about!

Now I'm concerned. I mean I have no personal connection to anyone traveling via air right now (I don't think) but it is so reminiscent of 9/11 that I'm having some flashbacks.

By the worst possible coincidences, my mom's younger sister – my Aunt Virginia – died less then 30-36 hours before the first planes struck the towers on 9/11. As a news editor, we were focused on getting extra issues of the newspaper out. But the other half of my brain and heart were wondering how I could get time off for Aunt Gena's funeral and how some of my cousins would make it home for their own mother's funeral.

Everything was so unknown.

In the end, my cousin and his wife – who were on an anniversary cruise in Alaska – could not make it back for the service. It was such a surreal time.

And now... I just don't know what it means. I hate to talk anything about current news because people take political sides. But... yesterday our work productivity was shut down in some capacity due to an outage/failure somehow of Microsoft's email Outlook program to work.

Now today there are electronic communication issues across our whole airline system.

It freaks me out only because I always ignore or downplay what the Dooms Day segment of society is saying. 

I'm not leaning one way or the other. Just saying I (we) want to be around long enough in a world where we can see our sons continue to grow – and maybe a grandchild or two.

It's kind of a scary time right now. I still don't know what news source to trust. Like I said, as a former editor at newspapers, we only printed what we trusted to be the truth. Times have changed. But our concerns to keep ourselves and our families safe have not.

Hope this is just a fluke Friday the 13th episode!

A Spoonful of Sugar and More

I was excited last year when Assumption rebooted their theatrical program after a few years' hiatus. A group of us took in the dinner and a show offering for Sister Act and enjoyed it. So tonight we did the same while we waited for Mary Poppins to drop in at 17 Cherry Tree Lane! 

I've seen the movie (old and new) and the Broadway touring production of it. Of course, I still can't spell supercalifragilisticexpialidocious without looking it up! But that makes me no less of a fan!

Dinner was delicious. Love our adopted Rudolph family. (Well actually they sort of adopted us!)

The sets were phenomenal. Can't show you everything because you'll like the surprises!

Let's just say I wouldn't mind living at the Banks household! LOL.

And now the talent... these kids are Amazing with a capital A. The singing, dancing, acting, and comedic timing were incredible. I'm used to seeing and hearing "Mary Poppins" (aka Miss Wisconsin Rapids Teen 2026) sing beautifully. But hearing "Bert" (aka one of our Royal linemen) belt out songs and have such enthusiasm for dancing was a treat!

I better not start singling people out because it took the entire stage ensemble, synchronized stage crew, and more to make this happen. They all deserve the standing ovation our full gymnasium gave them! We could tell they were having fun so WE were having fun.

And there are still more performances. If you get a chance to go, DO IT!! We all deserve a jolly holiday with Mary! ☂

Holiday Hacks :: Cookies Round 1

Sometimes it's magical when two things come together as one. For me, that is definitely mint and chocolate!

Since my family cookie exchange is just a little over 2 weeks away, I figured I better fire up the oven and get started! 

I'll share this super delicious AND SUPER EASY recipe with you. But... don't you dare tell another soul that I took Easy Street to make these.

First, full disclosure... about 15 years ago on our sister weekend I found a "cook book" that touted 101 Things You Can Do With A Cake Mix. It's a freaking godsend when you're in a pinch. Every recipe for the cookies anyway has the same 3 essential ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 dry cake mix

Then you can add whatever type of chips you want for your flavor creation. That's it. Do not do anything more to your cake mix! I've done this with spice cake mix and pumpkin flavored chips, chocolate cake mix with peanut butter chips, and so on.

For my Mint Chocolate Delights (I make up names for everything), this is what I did. I used a chocolate cake mix and – I have to endorse Pampered Chef here – used their small scoop and their mini muffin pan.

Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350.

Then, as soon as I removed the pan from the oven, I inserted one of these amazing kisses into each mini "cookie muffin" – TIP DOWN. After a few minutes, you can see the heat sort of melts the kiss a bit. That's when I used my cheese grater to grate some Andes Mints on top of each cookie. You can use the Andes Mint chips but I couldn't find them at the two stores I checked. It would definitely be easier!!

Then I added some green-themed sprinkles to get across the idea this was MINT – not peppermint.

With one cake mix, this makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies. Perfect for a last-minute plate of cookies for a potluck. And perfect for a small cookie exchange if you're making a few different types of cookies and want to give them a taste!

Follow me for more holiday hacks this season! Ha.

Sticker Shock :: The Price Is Not Right

I've learned over the years that as much as I loved Bob Barker and the Price is Right, I would be a terrible contestant. Frankly, if I need something I buy it. And if it happens to be on sale, that's a bonus.

But... last night I started Round 1 of Turkey Day shopping. Our turn to host hubby's side of the family. I was pretty astonished at the final receipt for merely a fraction of what we'd need for the meal. Like I said, I might be a bargain shopper when it comes to clothes and other things, but I don't cheap out for grocery products that taste like crap (or just sub-stellar) because they're more generic.

I realized I might have to do our GRATITUDE meal shopping in increments.

I was lucky enough to score on some legitimate deals at Pick 'n Save tonight, so I'm about 60% there. And if you didn't know, Walmart is offering this deal...

While I prefer to promote small, locally owned businesses vs. Big Box stores, this is a deal. And friends have already used this and it's legit. Here's the details...

WALMART'S THANKSGIVING MEAL BUNDLE FOR 10 PEOPLE IS JUST $25!

Walmart is offering a Thanksgiving meal bundle designed to feed 10 people for just $35, but there's a way to save even more! Use coupon code "double10" at checkout to bring the price down to just $25! (Verify coupon is valid)

The 26-item meal bundle includes Thanksgiving favorites including these items and more:

•  Butterball turkey
•  Mashed potatoes
•  Stuffing
•  Gravy
•  Cranberry sauce
•  Green bean casserole ingredients
•  Dinner rolls
•  Pumpkin pie ingredients
•  Sweet potato casserole ingredients

The offer is a great way to help families stretch their grocery budgets heading into Thanksgiving.

Shop here: (This will load all the items into your cart) https://www.walmart.com/HolidaySavingsBasket

Coupon discount and availability should be confirmed at checkout.

If this fits your typical menu, go for it. Unfortunately I am still trying to perfect my late mother-in-law's legendary dressing recipe, so I can't skimp on anything. If I finally get it "just right" it will be worth it, though!

My advice: Only take on the holiday stresses that you need to. Let the others go and work with what you have and what you can do.

The worst thing is to be so stressed about meal prep that you don't focus on being grateful for who's around your table! We got this!

Monday :: Best Served With a Side of Kringle and B-Day Cake

Most working (even retired) adults know that the Monday after a weeklong vacation can be a bit hell-ish. Digging out of emails and seeing what "essential" things you missed. How did I cope today? First meal a Kringle and last treat chocolate Birthday Cake! That helped. A lot.

A neighbor is selling Kringles for a fundraiser. (I can hook you up!) As I placed my order last night it dawned on me that we have two (Kringles, not neighbors) in our basement freezer. Apparently I don't visit it often enough. So I trotted downstairs to get my favorite flavor – the almond one! – set it out to thaw for breakfast.

Of course, I was a bit harried to get through my long commute across the hallway, so just dove into my laptop and my Christmas Spice Drops. Hubby walks by a short time later and says, "Wow, that Kringle is good!"

The Kringle!! Step aside, gum drops. Momma needs her favorite Racine pastry!

That surely helped. Though I did consume a few red and green treats during the day, as well. Jim's like "Just take the bag in your office." My response: "No, this is the only way I'll get steps."

For the record, I got 1,000 gum drop steps to the kitchen today. That counts for something, right?

After work I had a chiropractor appointment, then we met Jim's sister and her husband at their dad's. My father-in-law Johnny is 89 years old today!!

We had pizza and cake. We forgot to bring a candle so I just said, "Make a wish and pretend to blow one out!" 

That cake was super rich so I'm full. But... I wouldn't mind one more treat in the form of a purple victory tonight! Kickoff is shortly. I gotta go get my mind set!

Have a good week!

Back In The Game – Sort Of

After being out of town the weekends in October when Assumption had their BINGO, I was grateful that my BINGO buddy reminded me last night that it's a new month and BINGO was back on today!

Sometimes it's her and her daughter and her sister. Lots of times it's her grandson E who's a freshman at Assumption. 

That little stinker can wolf down endless snacks – including a full Snickers bar in like 8 seconds. And today, he walked away with one of the $70 jackpots. While Grandma and BINGO Buddy Robyn had empty pockets! 

I found out later another friend did get the coverall consolation prize – the big prize is getting coverall in a certain number of calls, so that progressive jackpot will build for next time. I'm glad she told me about her win. With over 100 players there, I never know who's winning unless they're at my table. 

Or unless they make a spectacle of themselves like I tend to do when I win anything!

We'll see if my football team fares any better on Monday night. I'd love to yell "BINGO!" or at least "Touchdown!" a few times! 

Go, game days!

Fall Fast Forward

My transition to fall has jumped a bit fast forward with days off and the Hallmark Channel just an arm's length away! In other words, nothing new to report from Stay-cation Land!

Today I did venture out for a few errands.

While waiting in line at the car wash, I realized not everyone has fully embraced autumn yet.

Meanwhile, when I was in Stevens Point this morning, I bypassed autumn AND Thanksgiving and went straight for my favorite Christmas treats! Did I buy two bags? Yes! Did I open them? Not yet! Will they even last until Thanksgiving? Heck no!

Later we were in Point again for our fall FriendsGiving with 4 of Jim's classmates and spouses. We somehow managed to spend nearly 3 hours talking (and eating) and never ran out of things to say! They're a great group!

As a bonus I have some leftover pizza to eat tomorrow... with a side of Christmas Spice Drops! 

No judging. I did buy some other ingredients to get some cookie exchange action going tomorrow. There sometimes is a method to my madness! Sometimes.