Archive for the ‘Holidays’ Category

Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater (Tales of a Canned Pumpkin Shortage)

September 9th, 2010

I have read several articles recently and heard from several people that there is a shortage of canned pumpkin this year.  I’m not exactly sure of the details of this said pumpkin shortage, but the word on the street is that there is going to be a canned pumpkin shortage when the holiday season rolls around.   Some people have already reported this problem, while others are hoarding every can of pumpkin pie filling they can find.

When I started typing this- I really didn’t know much about the shortage, other than the fact that I heard there was one.   Since I’m of the curious sort- I decided to snoop around the information superhighway and see what I could see and low and behold- there is a pumpkin shortage.  The resason being is because there has been too much rain and not enough sunshine to sustain a proper growing season in central Illinois- which I’ve found out is where 95% of all the pumpkins come from (including canned) in the United States.

I will admit that while I am not the biggest fan of pumpkin pie (I’m more of a pecan pie kind of gal myself), I do love pumpkin in breads and muffins, so the shortage is something that is of concern.   I decided to take matters into my own hands and three days ago I bought a pumpkin that I plan to roast (hopefully tomorrow) and then cut into pieces and freeze.   This will allow me to have fresh pumpkin anytime I want it, without having to depend on the supermarket to deliver me the canned pumpkin I may need.

You may want to try it yourself- especially since it’s easy to do.   After all, what’s Thanksgiving without pumpkin?  I’ll share the pumpkin roasting adventure with y’all, but in the meantime- if you’d like to read about the shortage- check it out here

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Classic Games and Christmas Shopping

September 9th, 2010

I know some of you may be a bit surprised, but I’ve started thinking about Christmas.   In fact, I’ve already started buying a few Christmas gifts.   I know that gift cards seem to be all the rage these days- and I happen to like gift cards myself, but I’m one of those people who like to give gifts that I know the person will love.    Throughout the year I listen to what they say and if they mention wanting something- I take note.  

I happen to be a huge fan of the “O” Magazine and this month’s issue has the latest and greatest version of Monopoly.   It’s all electronic, which means no more ‘money’ at the bank, but instead little ATM cards.   It has cool sound effects and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was something I’d love to have.   I haven’t played Monopoly in years, but I love the new round board and the overall look.    Something I didn’t realize when I went to the Hasbro website that Monopoly has been around for 75 years!  

Marcel and I both grew up on Monopoly and he thought it would be fun to have the new version.   We don’t have the old version here, but I know mom and dad have the version we used to play as a family when Matt and I were growing up.     I think it will make a great Christmas gift for Marcel, so I plan to order it from the Habro website or somewhere online.    Of course, he doesn’t know it yet, but since he did show interest in having it, I think it will make a great surprise come Christmas morning.

I’m curious-  What’s you’re favorite childhood game?

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Halloweenie

August 17th, 2010

Marcel and I were talking about Halloween costumes last night and what we thought would be popular this year. I mentioned that I would like to have a Halloween party this year and invite a few friends over and thought it would be fun to wear vampire costumes. I know with True Blood, plus all the Twilight movies, they are going to be extremely popular and I bet more people than not are going to be vampires. I just like the idea of biting Marcel on the neck. haha
I haven’t had a costume in years, and none since Marcel and I have been married, so I think maybe it’s time to get some friends together and make it happen.

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Gathering Gift Ideas

August 10th, 2010

I remember growing up that we always loved it when diddy would pull out the projector and show us some old movies or slides. It was fun, and something that I remember fondly as part of our youth. I’m not sure what happened to the old projector’s over the years, but it has me thinking that maybe it would be fun to invest in one as a gift for diddy. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know about a movie projector these days, so I think the best thing I can do is to check out projector reviews and go from there. I’ve still got several months to come up with a Christmas gift, but I think that could be a great option, especially maybe a pocket projector.

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Stranded At Aloha

July 15th, 2010

This past weekend, after our traditional dinner out, we headed to none other than Aloha.   It had been a pretty warm day and we’d heard that there were some storms rolling in, but there was no way we were going to let that stop us from going to the beach.   

As you can see from the picture on the left, we were having a great time and after taking several pictures with Desere and the guys, I jumped in the middle of them and had them act like they were kissing me.    It was hilarious and the people around us were laughing.     I was trying to have this ‘holy cow’ look on my face, and I thought it was cute.

It wasn’t long after this picture was taken, that we noticed the lightning really start in the distance.  I used my ‘eye’ to look at the radar and there were storms coming.   Even knowing they were headed our way, we still stayed.   When we felt the first drop or two of rain, we made a mad dash to the inside of Aloha to scout a great seat.   It is small inside and we knew that if everyone else stayed that it will fill up fast.    That’s exactly what happened.   The people who could have left didn’t want to, and once the storm arrived, no one could leave, at least no one in their right mind.

The front of Aloha is glass, so it was fun to watch the lightning flicker across the water.  The thunder was wonderful and I commented more than once that I would love to spend the night.   The storm roared on for a while and then finally at about 11:30, after several other people had fared the weather and headed out, Marcel and Hein went to get the car.    The gate was open so we knew they could come down to the beach, so we waited five minutes and headed out.

When we walked outside, the DJ was there in his car to pick up his girlfriend.  He offered us a ride back out to the road, but we declined.   We ran through the rain and sand to get out to the street and found Marcel and Hein there waiting on us.    Our feet were soaking wet, but we had a blast and I wouldn’t change a thing.   I love storms and this was a perfect night for them.

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Funny Birthday’s

July 8th, 2010

One of my dearest friends had a birthday on the 6th. I emailed her the day before her birthday to let her know that her gift would be arriving late. It was scheduled to be delivered the day after. On the morning of her birthday, she got up and her husband told her that her gift would be a little late and she said ok. She got ready for work and her daughters told her that their gift was going to be late. Again, she thought- ok. She drove to work, and one of her colleagues said that her gift would be a little late. She didn’t mind, because she isn’t a child anticipating gifts, but she found it odd that everything was late.. I would have as well. Oh, and somewhere in there here sister also called and said that her gift would also be late.

She arrived home to find a beautiful cake and everyone singing happy birthday to her. Even her sister and their family had Skyped in to wish her a great day. It was sweet. The girls went ahead and gave her the card they’d bought for her, and she noticed a box. They said it had came that day but they weren’t sure who it was from, other than that it was from Coach. She opened it and saw on the invoice that it was from me.

She opened the box, and inside was a card that read- “Happy 30th Birthday Mary”. She had no idea what to think. She knew it was from me, and everyone thought it was a joke. I wasn’t around for her to be able to call me, so she called my mom. The following morning, I saw that she’d left a message on my Facebook and mentioned that she and Mary had a great birthday. I had NO idea what she was talking about, so I called her. That’s when she told me the story, which was hilarious.

I did call Coach to let them know that the card was mixed up and they apologized.
The day after her birthday she received a gift from her sister, which was chocolate covered strawberries from Shari’s Berries. I had those same berries in my shopping cart to order them for Samantha and changed my mind. Ironically, her sister almost ordered her a gift card from Coach like the one I did get her. She suggested we talk before Christmas, and I think she’s right.

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Impromptu Party

July 8th, 2010

I decided on a spur of the moment today that since we were having a few people over on Sunday to watch the World Cup Final (few meaning Desere, Hein and family) that I may as well make it a party. It looks like our small crowd is growing and that means I’m going to have to come up with some festive food for everyone. It should be a fun time for all, or at least I hope it will be. I’m thinking we should have rented steel buildings and then just invited the masses. Now that would have been fun. It’s going to be a busy weekend, so I’m not sure how much time I’ll have to actually cook anything, but I’m sure I’ll figure out something.

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Finally Decided

July 7th, 2010

I’m excited.  After much researching, browsing, reading menus and pondering, I finally chose a restaurant for our Saturday night ‘early’ birthday dinner for me.   We’ll be going to a city about a half hour away and it promises to be a great evening.  If weather permits, once we are finished we’ll head over to Aloha for coffee and to watch the sun sink behind the horizon.

More to come tomorrow.  I have a funny story to share about my friend Samantha’s birthday, which was yesterday.

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Dinner

July 1st, 2010

Tonight was Hein’s birthday and he invited Marcel to come along with him, Desere, his mom, and Desere’s parents for dinner.    That’s his way of celebrating and he prefers it to the traditional pop and circumstance of having droves of people in the house and calling it a party.

We went to a restaurant that I’ve never been to before, located on a huge lake in the town next to ours.   The food was great and the company even better.  It was the perfect ending to a very busy and eventful day.   Tomorrow should prove to be a little slower, although I do need to work and also need to get a little grocery shopping done for this coming weekend, which is going to be another busy one.

Next weekend, we’ll be going out to dinner again- only this time it will be Marcel and I along with Desere and Hein for my birthday.    Now if I can decide which restaurant I’d like to go to, we’ll be in business.     As for right now, I do believe I hear the sofa calling my name.

Tomorrow morning, I’ll be back to share more of my adventures from today.   I’m going to try to start writing little things more often, as I make an attempt to restructure the course of my day.

Don’t forget to take your picture tomorrow for 5 O’ Clock Friday.  Feel free to email it to me at lori in care of this website (simplywizardress.com) or let me know if you’ve added it to your blog so I can check it out and link it here.    Mark your calendars. :)

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Early Birthday

June 22nd, 2010

My birthday is still a few weeks away, but I’ve already received this gift.   I haven’t taken the adventure yet, but the gift voucher is in my possession.

A few days ago I saw this deal to take a little trip in a hot air balloon.   It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember and when I mentioned it to Marcel, he suggested that I buy the voucher.     At first, I thought he was kidding, but I found out quickly enough that he was not.   

I asked if this could be my birthday gift, and he said that it could.   I am VERY excited about this adventure to say the least.   The voucher is good for a year and is about two hours from our home.    We’ll have to keep our eyes on the weather and choose a day when it will be clear and not too windy.   

I have to say, that I think this could be my best birthday gift EVER!   Thank you Marcel.

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