Wacky Wednesdays: Saki gives you wings…

…or mad skills when trying to catch shrimp in your mouth (at least for Mike…that is). 

Last night, Beth, Mike and I had dinner with Sam Thacker and his two band mates, Michael and Mike, before their show last night at Yianni’s in Tallahassee.  It was a blast!  Here’s a video of Sam, Mike and Mike trying to catch the shrimp in their mouth.  Enjoy!  =)

Welcome To The World…Joshua Heath McPhail

The McPhails welcomed a new addition to their family today.

Baby Joshua was born at 11:39am, weighing 8 lbs, 15 oz and measuring 21.5 inches.

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

Treasure Tuesdays: Halloween Paper Ornaments

Paper Pumpkin Ornaments

PAPER PUMPKIN ORNAMENTS

Materials:
• 1-2 pieces of orange construction paper
• 1 piece of green construction paper
• 1 piece of brown construction paper
• scissors
• paper cutter (optional)
• paper clips and/or stapler
• string

Directions:
Cut the orange pieces of construction paper into 1″ wide strips (each strip will be 1″ x 11″). Then, shorten some of the strips so that you have (1) 6″, (2) 7″, (2) 9″, and (2) 11″ long pieces.

Gather the strips of paper together (with the ends flush) and place the smallest one in the middle. Order them by size so that the largest strip is on the outside. Secure with a paper clip or staple (I prefer the paper clip so that I can keep adding more elements). Line up the opposite ends so that they are together like the top.

Cut a brown strip of paper 1/4″ by 3″ long for the stem. To make it curl, wrap the paper around a pencil and hold it in place while you count to 20 (or sing the ABC song).
Cut out two leaf shapes from the green paper (ours were sort of like pairs of bunny ears).

Add the stem, leaves, and a piece of string to the paper clip at the top.

Hang up and enjoy!

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Paper Bat Ornaments

Bat
(Wing) 1×6″
1×6.75″
1×8″
Fold the above into thirds, join and glue at each fold.
Top of wing – 1×5.5″ glue the ends together with the inside part of the wing.
Repeat for second wing.
(Head/Body) 1×7″ Roll it into two circles
(Ears) 1×0.75+a bit Fold into triangles, you’ll need two.

Manic Mondays: Jon McLaughlin

I love it when an artist I knew of a few years ago is finally making it big.  Jon McLaughlin is that musician right now.  He just released his new album “OK NOW.”  If you love good music, go get this album.  It’s wonderful.  (I just picked it up at Best Buy for $9.99 after my friend, Mike, raved about it on our trip this past weekend to St. George Island.  I’ve been listening to it all day.  It doesn’t disappoint.)

Scrumptious Sundays: Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie…

…with Chocolate-Almond Bark and Toffee Sauce.  Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?  It looks even more delicious too.

Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie with Chocolate-Almond Bark and Toffee Sauce

This whimsical pie comes topped with crunchy chocolate-almond bark. Purchased vanilla ice cream, pumpkin, and four different spices make up the delicious pie filling.

8 servings

Ingredients

- Crust

• 12 whole graham crackers (about 7 ounces)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

- Filling

• 1 cup canned pure pumpkin
• 3/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 quarts premium vanilla ice cream

- Bark, sauce, and topping

• Nonstick vegetable oil spray
• 6 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
• 1/4 cup dark corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons water
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream, divided
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Preparation

- Crust

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Finely grind graham crackers in processor. Mix in sugar. Add butter; mix to blend. Press onto bottom and up sides of 10-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Bake until light brown around edges, about 12 minutes. Cool completely.

- Filling

• Whisk first 9 ingredients in medium bowl. Slightly soften ice cream in microwave in 10-second intervals. Measure 1 cup ice cream; cover and freeze (reserve for another use). Spoon remaining ice cream into large bowl. Working quickly, add pumpkin mixture and fold just until swirled into ice cream (do not blend completely). If ice cream begins to melt, freeze until almost firm. Spoon ice cream filling into cooled crust, cover with plastic, and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.

- Bark, sauce, and topping

• Line baking sheet with parchment paper; spray with nonstick spray. Stir chocolate in bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Pour onto baking sheet. Using offset spatula, spread chocolate in even layer into 12×9-inch rectangle. Sprinkle with nuts. Place in freezer until hard, at least 30 minutes. Invert onto work surface. Peel off paper. Coarsely chop. Place bark in medium container, cover, and freeze. DO AHEAD Chocolate-almond bark can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.
• Bring brown sugar, corn syrup, 3 tablespoons water, and butter to boil in heavy medium saucepan, stirring until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and boil until dark brown, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Carefully stir in 1/2 cup cream, vanilla, and salt (mixture will bubble vigorously). Boil 1 minute longer. Cool slightly. DO AHEAD Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm before serving.
• Using electric mixer, beat 1 1/2 cups cream and 2 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl until peaks form. Spoon decoratively over pie. Sprinkle chocolate-almond bark over. Cut pie into wedges and serve, passing warm sauce alongside.

Simple Saturdays: St. George Island

St. George Island is climbing to the top of my list of all time favorite places ever.  In fact, it may already be at the top…I just may not realize it yet.

I’m really beginning to love last minute plans.  I found out that Beth and Gail were going to have a “Rock By The Sea” booth again at this year’s Oyster Spat Festival, and I wanted to help.  My friend, Mike, went down with me, and he was able to drive his awesome hybrid down and back (he rocks!). 

We arrived on the island around 10:15am or so…just in time for the parade to head down the streets.  It was lovely weather the entire day (which was completely opposite of the same event last year).  Absolute paradise.

Normally, while on the island, we’re joined by friends and musicians…whether it’s for the annual “Rock By The Sea” event or visiting the island to see one of our favorite musicians perform.  However, the Oyster Spat Festival each year is a little bit of a different scene.  Not that I’m complaining, because I’ll take a day on St. George Island over most anything, but it’s just not quite the same.  But it was nice to just sit back and relax and remember all of the awesome and priceless memories I have had on that little piece of heaven on earth.  Memories that have shaped who I am…memories that have gained me new friends…memories that will forever last a lifetime.  It just feels like home.

It was awesome to be able to hang out with Beth and Gail again.  I love those two women to death.  They inspire me constantly, and I only wish that one day, I can make as much as a difference as they have…or at least try to come close.  I am and will forever be in their debt…just such amazing people with amazing hearts.

Mike’s just an awesome guy to know and hang out with.  He always knows how to have a good time and make the best out of any situation.  Plus, his iPod gave me quite a music lesson…it was great.  (Me:  Hey…that sounds like the beginning of Ghostbusters.   Mike:  That’s cause it is.  <Insert Laughter>)

We even got to see Jill a little bit and meet her daughter.  She was out enjoying the island in its entirety from beach time to fishing.  Can’t wait to spend more time with her soon.

So, all in all, it was a perfect day.  We even managed to sell some merchandise, promote next year’s event, partake in funnel cakes, drink some lemonade, witness the oyster shucking contest, see some weird dogs (and people), watch the haunted segway rock back and forth, see a couple who were Heath Ledger/Michelle Williams look-a-likes, win a raffle vacation bag, see Mike’s facial expressions while looking at a Calendar Girls-type calendar (I don’t think he’ll look at pumpkins the same way again), visit the Harry A’s ”Rock By The Sea” shrine, get a free mug (thanks Terry!), find places to stick RBTS magnets (no…not on the ATM machine), eat some massive nachos, watch the drunk lady who was part of the band try to talk Terry into letting them play longer and getting paid for it (he offered her $20) and listen to some not-so-good music.   

 

 

 

 

Until next time, dear Island…

Fun Fridays: The Game of LIFE

Have some fun!  Play the Game of LIFE online!

 

*Here’s a tip:  Plan a Family Game Night once a week or even once a month!

Thoughtful Thursdays: Take Care

Many of you know that I tend to sign my emails and things with “Take Care.”  I do that because I really wish you well until the next time we talk.  Well, this morning while watching the morning news, something caught my eye on a commercial.  It was announcing the “Take Care Health Tour” put on by Walgreens.  

The Walgreens Take Care Health Tour is on a 300-city, 12-month nationwide health screening tour that features 10 customized traveling education and health-screening vehicles.  The program will travel more than 240,000 miles to offer six free screenings:  Total Cholesterol Levels, Blood Pressure, Bone Density, Glucose Levels, Waist Circumference and Body Mass Index.

These services (worth more than $115 in value) are FREE and no appointment is necessary.

The tour aims to bring free screening services and better health awareness to local communities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.  Many diseases can be detected through screenings long before any symptoms are noticed, making awareness the key to remaining healthy.

This year, the tour plans to provide 1.5 million screenings, valued at more than $35 million.  After receiving results, visitors are encouraged to see their doctor regarding any concerns.  Call toll-free 1-866-484-TOUR to find a bus tour stop near you or view it online here.

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Also, they have an awesome thing on their website called the Health Corner, where you can read information and view videos on certain health concerns, diseases, etc.  They also offer some ideas for healthy recipes and more.   

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Please spread the word to anyone that could use it!  Thanks!

Wacky Wednesdays: Gil

‘Nough said. 

To check out Gil in his full wackiness, visit his blog here.

Treasure Tuesdays: Handbag Planet

For all you fahionista women out there, here’s something you might like. 

Handbag Planet is a new website launching October 15th that will offer fabulous handbags at a fraction of the cost.  In honor of this launch, they are giving away a free handbag every hour for 24 hours the day of the launch.  So, why not give it a shot?  =) 

Here’s are a few of my favorite handbags they are giving away: