Fixin' Leaks and Leeks

When the printer erupts into flames, I know it’s Christmas. Every year, I run off many, many newsletters for my many, many relatives (mostly on Nate’s side of the family.) In addition to receiving the gift of spontaneous printer fires, which are great for roasting marshmallows, I can give the gift of a crisp, neat… Continue reading Write a Hilarious Family Newsletter

The tree is lit and so am I, thanks to some Grinch-A-Ritas. This festive margarita is Nate’s invention. What can I say? I married well. He knows just how to take the edge off the stressful holiday season. All I have to do is follow these simple instructions for my own silent night: 1)  Pour… Continue reading Grinch-A-Rita Recipe

When the cranberry sauce on my Thanksgiving plate started to ooze over toward the mashed potatoes this year, I gave thanks instead of quickly shoving the potatoes down my throat before the sauce “ruined” them. Why am I so grateful? I’m grateful for many, many things including the new blogging community I’ve finally joined. Since… Continue reading The Cranberries Runneth Over: Award Nominations!

Wind in my face—with a fork in each hand—I’m racing toward Thanksgiving. It’s almost here, so I’m ramping up the preparations and I’m going harder than I’ve ever gone before. “Oh! It is onnn,” I tell Nate as I make my grocery list. “I really hate to ask, but what are you talking about?” “Thanksgiving!… Continue reading Turkey Day Preparations and Kick Lines

Wild-winged Ginger Cherubs came to me in a vision the other night and whispered in my ear: Ginger Cherubs: You must create a snacking cake that clears the nasal passages and is low in fat. Me: Could such a thing exist? Ginger Cherubs: It could and it must. The whole world depends on spicy, sweet,… Continue reading Low-Fat, Ginger Slapping Cake

Throwing the Sip and Paint Party of the Year is an intimidating feat at best, so my strategy is to think small, make plenty of mistakes, and then invite people over for real “next time.” I am certainly thankful that my forward thinking has saved me from potential disaster, but I am pretty proud of… Continue reading Sip and Paint Party for One: Yay, Me!

Scandalous, murderous, and mysterious tales abound in Vancouver, Canada, but why pay hundreds of dollars for an authentic ghost tour, when you could make up your own, inauthentic stories for free? Of course, making up ghost stories “for free” doesn’t have to involve any fancy planning, but Nate, Alex, and I decided to drive 2… Continue reading “Haunted” DIY Ghost Stories of Vancouver, Canada

I happen to have a black cat named SeaTac, but he’d be pretty upset if I set him loose in the middle of the ocean.  For this reason, I’m accepting this award nomination on his behalf.  I’d like to thank Elizabeth Drake of There be Dragons for my first ever blog award nomination!  Yay! Apparently,… Continue reading I’m a Black Cat, Blue Sea Award Nominee!

Halloween thrills needn’t break the bank. I’m in the mood for an old-fashioned scare of the kind that arises “naturally” from places that are actually haunted. Nate, my husband, is not entirely sold on the idea, but Alex, our fifteen-year-old was invited to a haunted house experience run by one of the local businesses in… Continue reading Halloween Thrills on a Budget: The Oxford Saloon

Pumpkins are capable of bone-chilling noises—especially when they ride along in the car while Nate my husband drives. The constant banging and thumping—every time Nate makes a turn—is particularly unnerving. Playing Monster Mash loudly, in an attempt to be festive and drown out the commotion, is not helping. Example: “He did the mash . .… Continue reading Decorating with Pumpkins and Slime