Election Signs

 When you run for any office, it is imperative that you purchase and display hundreds  thousands, millions  annoying  election signs.  This gets your name out there and helps people decide to vote for you.  I mean, think about it, how many times have you been at a traffic light and you look over and see an election sign and you say to yourself, "I think I am going to vote for that person."

There are always millions of election signs at the polling place.  I guess that display is for those people that arrive at the polls, see the sign and then decide to vote for that candidate.

The signs all have the same design.  Maybe a line of color and the candidates name in black.  I'm not sure how they decide on the color.  Maybe there is a campaign designer that sits down with the candidate and they select one together.  Personally, I think they should add something more than the color rectangle on the sign to get the voters attention.  An arrow?  A star? A flag? Maybe a bulls eye?  How about the Jolly Roger?

Campaign signs litter the side of the roads for a few months out of the year.  And, if you are lucky, the candidate or their team will forget to pick one (or several) up and you will get to see their sign all year long!

I'm not sure who is with me on this one, but, I can't stand seeing the signs littering the roads.  I look forward to the post election time when all of the signs are picked up.  I think we should be able to vote after the signs are picked up.  If you are willing to clean up after yourself  all of your campaign mess, then I'm willing to vote for you. 

National Harvey Wallbanger Day

 Happy Harvey Wallbanger Day!

I wanted to make sure that everyone out there is celebrating today with me.  Of course, I'm starting early this morning, so I might be a few drinks ahead of you.

A Harvey Wallbanger is a fruity cocktail made with vodka, Galliano and orange juice.    It's basically a screw driver, but, a little fruitier.  Galliano is an Italian liqueur that contains Juniper, Anise, Mint and Vanilla.  If you are unable to locate Galliano, you can always substitute Kahlua, Triple Sec or peppermint Schnapps. 

Harvey Wallbangers originated in the sixties.  The story behind the drink goes something like this:  A bartender named Donato Antone created the drink and served it at a party.  The one person remaining after the party, Harvey, was banging his head against the wall.  There are a couple other stories floating around, but, I like that one the best.  The drink made it's debut to the rest of the world in 1968.  Galliano used Harvey in their marketing campaign in 1969 with, "Harvey Wallbanger is the name and I can be made."  The drink's name also became a metaphor to describe someone who goofs off or makes mistakes.  Harvey Wallbanger was also a frequent write in vote during elections.  We could have used that information before this last election!

How can you observe Harvey Wallbanger Day?  Meet your friends at your local hang out and order a Harvey Wallbanger and toast good ol' Harvey (just don't be the one banging your head on the wall at the end of the night).  You can use #HarveyWallbangerDay when posting on social media.

How to make the perfect Harvey Wallbanger? 
1.5 oz Vodka
4 oz Orange juice
.5oz Galliano
cherry or orange slice for garnish

Mix vodka and orange juice.  Pour Galliano on top and don't mix it in the drink (you can pour over a spoon).  Garnish with cherry or orange and serve.

Cheers!

Purse

 I just wanted to thank you for your prayers and understanding during my search for a new purse.   I am happy to announce that I have found (and purchased) a purse.   

Halloween Candy Dessert

 Wondering what to do with all of that leftover candy from Halloween?  You can make these Halloween Candy Cupcakes,  eat the extra candy (that is what RT is planning on doing),  or you could make this Halloween Candy Dessert.

I put RT in charge of Halloween candy this year.  He purchased (several) extra bags of his favorite candy this year.  We didn't have a huge Trick or Treater turn out this year, so, instead of returning the unused bags of candy or donating the unopened bags of candy, RT has squirrelled them away.  Every once in awhile I catch him snacking on candy bars.  

I found this recipe here and stole a few of RT's candy bars (don't tell him!) and decided to make this dessert in our cast iron skillet.   The cookie was very tasty.  I did make the mistake of leaving the cookie in the oven for 35 minutes which resulted in a dry cookie.  I would suggest checking your cookie at 25 minutes. 

Here's the recipe:

Halloween Candy Dessert

ingredients:

1 cup butter, room temperature

coconut oil, to grease the cast iron skillet

3 cups flour

1 TBSP baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

3 eggs at room temperature

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups chopped candy (chocolate bars, M&M's, etc.)

1 tsp sea salt

directions:

Oven 350F.  Grease cast iron skillet with coconut oil

Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in bowl.  Set aside.

In separate bowl, cream butter and sugars.  Add eggs one at a time.  Then beat in vanilla.

Add flour mixture to liquid mixture and mix until the dough comes together.  Mix in chopped candy.

Scrape the dough into the skillet and sprinkle with sea salt.  Now is the time to add extra chopped pieces of candy to the top of the cookie.

Bake for 30 minutes.  Cookie should be slightly underdone in the center.  

Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

I lowered the amounts of sugar.  If you feel you need more sugar, you can look at the original recipe.

Feel free to grease your skillet with butter (or oil of choice).

This would make a great birthday cookie/cake.  You can serve it with ice cream.

Enjoy!

Band Aid

A band aid is an adhesive covering with gauze in center to cover wounds.

Our family has an interesting history with band aids.  When Nick was little, he refused to wear band aids.  I remember purchasing Blues Clues band aids (Blues Clues was his favorite television show) thinking that would help.  He was excited about the band aids, but still refused to wear one.  I'm not sure if he was afraid of them, but, when I pulled them out, he would scream louder.

I don't recall Alex using many band aids.  I do recall the many bruises that he inflicted on others (mainly me).

Bella used band aids as a fashion accessory.  We purchased and used many colorful band aids during her childhood.  I believe there were very few that were necessary.

I always forgot to pack band aids when we went on vacation.  There were several vacations where we needed some and ended up buying a large box, even though I begged to purchase the small trial or sample size box.  RT would tell me that we will eventually use them.

Recently, I had a mole removed and had to keep it covered for over a week.  I went to get a band aid and was overwhelmed with boxes and boxes of band aids. Many were purchased and quite a few were inherited.  When I say many boxes, we had 8 or 9 boxes on hand.  I don't think one person can use that many band aids in their lifetime.

I was able to condense the band aids to 4 boxes.  I have put together a small selection for travel.  I am still looking at several lifetimes of band aids.

If you need a band aid, let me know.  I'm sure I can provide one (or three).

Voting

Election Day is almost here.   Unless you have been living under a rock, I'm sure you were aware of this information.

Advertisements and articles about voting have been placed everywhere on social media, television and in news articles.

I noticed that there is a, "plan your vote."  I did not realize that I needed to make a plan.   I can see doing a little research of the candidates that are running for office and a review of any bills or amendments that are being proposed.  Otherwise, I thought going to the poll and voting was my plan.  

I also noticed that they are showing a, "How to vote."

Hmm..  get in the car.  Drive to my polling place.  Hop into line.  Get my ballot.  Use the marker to fill out the circle (or oval) completely.  Vote for the candidates I feel can do the job.  Hand the ballot in so they can run it through the machine (and make sure that it gets counted).  Get a sticker that says, "I voted."  Put the sticker on and take a selfie and post it to Instagram or social media.  

Celebrities are now getting much more political.  They are using their stardom / fame to promote a candidate of their choice.  I guess I don't understand how someone whose career is acting or singing feels that they have more knowledge of the candidates and their agenda than the average person.  Some of these celebrities have even said that it is their first time voting!  So, this one time voting makes you an expert?  And, who are these people that listen and do what a celebrity tells them to do?

If you are not voting in this election, please don't complain about the winners of this election.

If you are voting in this election, I would urge you to do your homework prior to your vote.  

Also, make sure that you take your selfie with your, "I voted" sticker and post it to social media.  

Belly Ache Day

 Another Halloween has come and gone.  

My Dad always called the day after Halloween, "Belly Ache Day."  The belly ache came from eating too much candy the day before (Halloween).  I never suffered on Belly Ache Day.  I was allowed a few pieces of candy on Halloween, and then the rest of my candy was squirreled away by my Mom.  Never to be seen again.  

If you are looking for some way to use up that Halloween candy (besides hiding it or throwing it away), check out my recipe for Halloween cupcakes.  You can make a few batches and give them out to the neighbors.