What a week!

So this last week has been quite the news maker. Most of the news goes unrecognized as news and is soon forgotten. Let's start with The One, better known as Tim Tebow. It was widely reported that the Broncos lost against the Patriots. While the Broncos may have lost, we all know that Tebow won! Kim Jong Il, the leader of North Korea, died on Saturday. In an amazing feat of secrecy the world did not know of the death until Monday. With the technology available today I'm amazed North Korea could keep the death a secret for two days. It shows how reclusive North Korea is and who knows what remains ahead for that country? I think the biggest piece of news from the last week was that there was a Chinese aircraft carrier rowing about the Yellow Sea. This is definitely something to keep an eye on in 2012. While a lot of countries are worried about this naval addition, it is still not an operational carrier. It will be at least two years before they will be able to launch and recover aircraft from the carrier. So it's really freaky, and then it really isn't. Read up on the death of the North Korean leader and on the Chinese aircraft carrier, those two stories will be game changers for the world.

Trevor

Chicken Wings

It's a chicken wing lunch day here at Old Will's. We typically go to Wing Stop to get our wings. They have some very good wings but they don't have a large selection of flavors such as a Buffalo Wild Wings, but the flavors they do have please the taste buds. The main reason I like to go to Wing Stop for wings is that they have IMO the best french fries of any wings place. So if you are craving some wings and haven't tried Wing Stop I would suggest you give them a try. You shouldn't be disappointed. Just in case you were wondering I am not affiliated with Wing Stop in any way aside from being a satisfied customer.

Thanks
Dale

Christmas Dinner

Ruben and I have family from Oklahoma staying with us this Christmas and when we have people stay with us I always try to plan our meals ahead of time. I like to get all of my shopping done and prepare what I can before the guests arrive. Up until yesterday, I was planning on making a traditional Christmas meal, (which in my family is usually ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, some kind of casserole and couple other items). Last night, I thought it would be cool to have a barbecue Christmas dinner instead. Pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, maybe a brisket, homemade potato salad, baked beans, fried okra, coleslaw and fries. I can't wait to start cooking for this meal! It's not a "traditional" Christmas meal, but if people in Japan can eat KFC for Christmas, I can have my BBQ :) What's your "traditional" Christmas meal? Is it similar to my family's or something completely different?


Happy cooking!

Shala

The Tebow Craze

The entire city of Denver is stirring about the Broncos recent success and of course - Tim Tebow.  Every night on the news there has been at least one story about Tebow and his loyal fans around the globe.  I am as big of fan as anyone, but I must say the whole "Tebowing" craze is just a little much.  "Tebowing" is defined as the random act of getting down on a knee and praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different.  Check out this site solely dedicated to capturing the moments of people "Tebowing" around the world - http://tebowing.com/  At the very least there's some pretty entertaining pics....

Go Broncos,
Allison

Ice Fishing Season

Temperatures have dropped, snow has covered the ground and now the lakes are frozen over so it is time for the 1st Ice Fishing trip. Time to wake up early, gather all of our warm clothing and drive for hours just to walk on some sketchy ice, drill some holes and wet a line all while hoping the fish are hungry. Ice fishing isn't for everybody but those who brave the elements are rewarded with some great times with friends and an adventure to boot. So who is coming with us?

Dale

Jury Duty

I had my first experience with jury duty yesterday, and it wasn't pretty.  My civic duty apparently entailed sitting in a room full of really angry people because they all felt their daily lives were being severely interrupted and burdened by this task, while listening to the only other noise in the room - the History Channel (boring!), and starving...starving for any kind of nourishment, but of course the courthouse apparently only takes change and all they have is a vending machine and some 3 day old breakfast burritos.  My experience began with calling the number listed on my summons to find out if I indeed had to report, and if so the logistics of my required duty.    The information was very vague and I don't believe it prepared me for what I was walking into at all.  So, to help all of you who may find yourself in similar shoes ones day here is a list of things I wish I would have known about jury duty:

*Be sure you park in a "public parking" area.  They will ticket you if you are in the wrong spot, even though you have to be there and there may not be any open spots.  With all the power hungry deputies walking around, you're only making it easy for them to slap a ticket on your windshield on the way to their morning coffee and doughnut. 
*Make sure your pockets are empty and have your car keys in hand.  There are going to be lots of people trying to go through security (just like the airport) and the guards are crazy with the metal detectors.  Apparently, they have to SEE your car keys. If you're a girl, they can't just be in your purse that is going to get scanned anyway, I guess that is "unacceptable behavior." 
*Have your summons questionnaire filled out BEFORE you get there.  Otherwise, you will get screamed at by a lady who desperately hates her job.
* Bring Snacks. Any beverages have to be clear and have a cap.  There were no regulations in regards to having Vodka in a water bottle - just sayin'.
* Bring your own magazines, book, or games.  The only ones available in your "juror room" are old (and I mean like two years old) National Geographic and Better Homes and Gardens.   
* Don't forget your cell phone.  You're situation can drastically change at any moment. 
*There is no dress code.  I saw people in suits, dirty smelly sweatpants, and grossly inappropriate t-shirts. Of course some prejudice clothing may help your chances with not being selected, but be mindful of others.   Seriously...nobody wants to smell you all day, or read the shirt you probably made yourself in your basement.  *Attitude check - You WILL have to answer the same question several times.
*If you're into cancer-causing activities, there is a smoking area.
* You can't get out of jury duty.  They mail everyone who doesn't show a warrant. In Colorado it is a $700 fine or 30-60 days in jail. 

Happy summons,
Allison

Makin' Stuff

Hello,

Well Christmas is coming up and I think I've spent enough money on gifts so I plan on getting out the wood working equipment soon and try and piece together a few gifts. First on the list, I've been asked to make some jig saw puzzles for my daughters birthday (which is a few days before Christmas). It shouldn't be too difficult since I finally have my router table set up the way I want it. I think I might also throw together some nice coat racks and another gift that I cannot mention because the receiver reads this blog. I guess I'll be going to the Home Depot this weekend. (Although I prefer Lowes on everything other than lumber).

Don't forget to watch OU battle it out against OSU tomorrow at 7PM Central time (6PM for us Mountain folk).

Have a good weekend,

Ruben

Got 4x4?

The wintery conditions are alive and well here in Colorado. To date I believe this is the 4th time it has snowed in the Denver area since the start of November and that number will increase drastically throughout December and on into January and February and beyond. This is why I am glad I have a truck with 4x4. On my way to work today I cruised around with ease but unfortunately there were far to many non 4x4 vehicles on the road that were struggling to start without wheels a spinning and causing traffic jams. I seen several cars completely spin out and into the ditch they go. The whole time I am thinking glad I have 4x4. It makes the wintery season in Colorado much more bearable.

Happy Winter
Dale

Christmas Time's a Comin'

And I still have gifts to make! If any of you have run out of gift money, want to give a more personal gift or just don't want to fight the cold or holiday shoppers, I recommend getting crafty and making some holiday cheer...It's not too late!

Christmas cookies are great and most people already have the ingredients on hand. Cutout cookies are my favorite; they're not too sweet and you can decorate them! Homemade candy is a cool gift, too, but it takes a little more time and effort. You definitely don't want to attempt candy last minute, (unless you have a backup gift or are just super awesome). If you, like me, bought way too much fruit and know it will not get eaten before it turns to mush, make fruit leather! You don't even need a dehydrator, just an oven, some fruit, a food processor (Magic Bullet!) and some time. After it's finished drying, roll each slice up in wax paper and tie it with a pretty ribbon or use decorative tape, Christmas style of course.

If you want to avoid sweets, try mittens. You can crochet them, knit them or, my favorite, cut them out of fleece and glue or stitch them together. It's super fast and you can decorate them anyway you want. If you're feeling really adventurous, you can even make a matching scarf. Necklaces and bracelets are easy to make, too, and the materials don't cost much. You can usually make three or four bracelets for the same price you would pay for one at the store. Thrifty!

Speaking of thrifty, you can find tons of cool things at your local thrift store to re purpose into new awesome gifts. T-shirts can be made into quilts, books can turn into art, old knit sweaters make great leg warmers and wrist warmers...heck, you can even turn an old tv into a fish tank.

If you're stuck, check out Etsy.com for some cool ideas...You only have 24 days, so get to it!




Happy Christmas!

Shala

Gotta Get My BPA!

If you're like me, you've spent a pretty penny over the past few years upgrading your water bottles to the BPA free bottles. I'd guess that my family has spent around a hundred dollars on BPA free bottles. And it all seems a little pointless now that researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health have found that canned foods contain a ton of BPA. Endocrine-disrupting chemical BPA is apparently used in the lining of metal food and beverage cans. And yes, this is the same BPA used in number 7 plastic bottles. The scary stat that the researchers found was that BPA levels in the body were 1,221% higher after eating canned soup versus eating fresh soup. And that number is not good considering BPA is linked to cardiovascular disease (the #1 killer in the United States), diabetes, and obesity. If you are expecting a baby soon, you really want to avoid the BPA. Exposure to BPA in the womb causes hyperactive, aggressive, anxious, and depressed behavior and poorer emotional control and inhibition in girls. Boys don't seem to be affected near as much. So if you eat a lot of canned foods or drink a lot of canned beverages I would read up on this topic a little more.

T-rev GB²