Just for Fun

It is important to celebrate the roles that women have played in improving so much for so many.   Women have played pivotal roles in history and they deserve our gratitude.   If it weren't for countless women serving in positions to enact change, women would not have gained so much.   For those women, I am grateful! There are so many outstanding women who have accomplished so much that it would be foolish to start a list for fear of eliminating even one amazing woman.  For this post Thankful Challenge, I'd like to focus on one amazing woman - Rosalynn Carter.   Rosalynn faced challenges like a lot of women growing up in the 1940's.   Women were still expected to wear dresses in public, in schools, everywhere.  Women weren't assuming leadership roles, much less being given the opportunit... 11/30/2023

A recipe from the kitchen of Will Hamm....   Soup Recipes   ·  3 pounds of onions (with 4 ounces of melted butter) in the crockpot overnight. French Onion Soup later tomorrow ETA: I am overwhelmed…I posted 11 minutes ago…and already 182 likes. I will go get a copy of the recipe to share French Onion Soup..Slow Cooker (a combination of two on-line recipes) 3 pounds onions, which is around 6 large onions ...I weigh 1/2 cup (4 oz) butter, melted 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup dry sherry wine ...I didn't have any the first time I made this...I do now 8 cups beef stock/broth 1 bay leaf 1/4 tsp dry thyme (or 3 sprigs fresh)...I don't especially like thyme, so I omitted salt and pepper to taste ...my broth is salted, so I add no salt Baguette, sliced ...I did use baguette ...but might the nex... 11/25/2023

Thinking about food may or may not lift your spirits but listening to others testimonies of JOY will certainly lift your spirits. I am talking about sincere stories of gratitude by others and not people bragging about their victories (no one can tolerate much of that).If you are new to the Active Rain blogging site you should be sure to visit Active Rain Contests as they are almost always about joyful things, ESPECIALLY during the month of November. Click on the graphic above to see this months challenge by Debe Maxwell, CRS . Many of the bloggers at Active Rain copy their posts over to other social media sites as I do so you may not have even heard of Active Rain before but you were sent here from a link in a friends post who does use the Active Rain blogging site (there are over 300,0... 11/20/2023

November 20th - National Absurdity Day:Enjoy your day!Directions: Click on the link below.  Your puzzle will open in a new window.To locate a word, please hold down the left side of your mouse while dragging your cursor over the letters of that word. Release your hold when all of the letters of the word have been selected. If your response is correct, the word will change color on the word list.Please check back for future daily puzzles.Enjoy and have a great day!Click Here To PlayIf you are looking to purchase a property or home on Long Island, New York, I hope you think of me, Linda Blumenthal. 11/20/2023

What a year or challenges! With higher interest rates, low inventory and a slower market add in negative news concerning the National Association of Realtors,  it's been a year to move forward from.As with any negative happening, their is always good and things to be thankful for.The two of us started the year with a beautiful trip to Kauai, Hawaii celebrating 21 years as Realtors. November 2023, will actually be our 13th best month ever! 2024 will be a great comeback year as rates will begin to decrease. We have our health, a supportive family, and have built a business strong enough to get through down markets. Thank you for supporting us by telling others about our experience and service.  Not all Realtors are created equal. We are thankful that we were encouraged to educate ourselve... 11/20/2023

Trivia question answers for Sunday November 19, 20231. What is Nitrous Oxide more commonly known as? Laughing gas2. On what date did the Titanic sink? April 15, 19153. Where was the candy apple invented? New Jersey4. What is a pencil's lead typically made from? GaphiteTrivia questions for Monday November 20, 20231. What farm animal mates for life?2. What does the prefix "pseudo" mean?3. What is the chemical symbol for lead?4. What classic book inspired the name of Starbucks?Enjoy your day. 11/20/2023

Hey there, social media mavens! Let’s gobble up some fun facts about Thanksgiving, a holiday that proves even the most historical events can have their quirky sides.1621: The First ‘Potluck’ (Sort of)Picture this: The Pilgrims, rocking the 17th-century version of big buckled hats, decide to throw a three-day feast to celebrate a successful harvest. They invite the Native Americans (who were crucial in helping them survive, yet awkwardly weren't mentioned in the original Evite). This first Thanksgiving was less about gratitude and more about relief that they didn’t starve to death. There was no turkey, no football, and certainly no hashtagging #Blessed. Just good ol’ venison, seafood (yes, seafood!), and maybe some berries if someone remembered to pick them.The Evolution: From Harvest to... 11/23/2023

Not So Speechless Sundays - BUSTED! Checking out the Curl in Her Tail! Each and every morning, Maddie anxiously awaits Ray (her carriage) to roll up to the bed to whisk her away for a private tour with her Daddy! Their first stop is the wall mirror near our bedroom door. Ray says, "Let's check out our hair, Maddie!" And, Maddie admires herself in the mirror, then licks herself (the mirror), saying goodbye to her mirror image for the day.  They roll through the house and return to the bedroom where the bed is made and Maddie steps off and resumes her time playing with her sister, Gabby. It's THE sweetest way to start any day of the week, let me tell you! One day, I'll bring my phone in and record it - I have to - it's the most heartwarming thing I've seen in a long time.Today, after thei... 11/19/2023

Healthy Recipe: ColeslawMany people believe that cole slaw, just by the sheer fact that it contains an uber healthy green (cabbage), that the dish is also healthy. Well, it truly depends on the fat, sugar and carb content of the mayonaise you use! I've been using non-fat yogurt to make mayo and am trying various recipes, substituting yogurt, lemon juice (or lemon pepper), olive oil, vinegar and/or mustard as a substitute for the mayo. I'm amazed with each dish I try, how you can't even tell that it's healthy and doesn't contain real mayo! SO, without further ado, here's my healthy coleslaw recipe... INGREDIENTS:6 cups shredded cabbage  1/4 C apple cider vinegar  12 oz plain non-fat Greek yogurt1-½ tsp dill seed  1 tsp lemon pepper  DIRECTIONS:Add vinegar, yogurt and seasonings to a larg... 11/19/2023

Motivational Monday…Who Says It’s Too Late? A few weeks ago I listened to a story about a relatively young man who did not let go of his dream.  Matt Ganyard is a 34-year-old kicker for the University of Virginia. No, this is not a typo, Matt is 34 years old, married with two children.                                                                              Matt played soccer when he was younger but had never played football. When he tried out for the team as a kicker in 2009, he received a rejection email despite having kicked 9 for 9.  After graduating and a short internship on Capitol Hill, Matt joined the Marines where he served as a Cobra Attack Helicopter pilot.  Even overseas, Ganyard carried his football and tee with him and honed his kicking skill. His rejection email was t... 11/20/2023

A recipe from the kitchen of Will Hamm...   Broccoli Cheese Soup for the Crock Pot!!! 1/2 cup onion, chopped 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine 1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup 1 1/2 cups milk 1 lb Velveeta cheese, cubed 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli Sauté onion and in butter. Combine all ingredients on low in crockpot for 3-4 hours.     Will Hamm, Hamm Homes LLC.Aurora, Colorado HammHomes@ymail.com Call me at: 303-358-1147 Find me at: Facebook and HammHomes.com 11/24/2023

Growing up on the idyllic island of St. John, my taste buds were well-acquainted with the tropical flavors of guava, guavaberry, coconut, and pineapple.   Growing up on the idyllic island of St. John, my taste buds were well-acquainted with the tropical flavors of guava, guavaberry, coconut, and pineapple. The holiday season was a culinary carnival, especially when it came to tarts. My grandmother, my mother Theresa, and all her sisters were artisans of these delicious treats. The aroma of freshly baked tarts wafting through the air was the unofficial herald of the holidays. But one Thanksgiving, my taste buds were in for a surprise. Our church family had organized a grand potluck, and I was salivating at the thought of devouring my favorite tarts. As I scanned the dessert table, my eye... 11/23/2023

New Orleans is a hot bed for renovation loansActually every city in America is a treasure trove for renovation lending. Peggy and I just got back from New Orleans where we had a ball. This is the French Quarter nears where we stayed. Look closely at the gutters then those two pipes, one on each side which caught my eye. They are the downspouts  and they drop the water right on top of your head if you are walking on the sidewalk below, LOL I found this interesting from a home inspector's point of view. Apparently it has been this way for over a hundred years. Wow.How about these porches, we nearly got rained on by the people watering their plants above, a few times. The streets are narrow for the most part so you can get across the street quickly when you need to.I'll bet passers by get ... 11/19/2023

Broccoli Cheese Soup for the Crock Pot!!!1/2 cup onion, chopped2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup1 1/2 cups milk 1 lb Velveeta cheese, cubed1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoliSauté onion and in butter.Combine all ingredients on low in crockpotfor 3-4 hours. 11/19/2023

November 19th - National Play Monopoly Day:Enjoy your day!Directions: Click on the link below.  Your puzzle will open in a new window.To locate a word, please hold down the left side of your mouse while dragging your cursor over the letters of that word. Release your hold when all of the letters of the word have been selected. If your response is correct, the word will change color on the word list.Please check back for future daily puzzles.Enjoy and have a great day!Click Here To PlayIf you are looking to purchase a property or home on Long Island, New York, I hope you think of me, Linda Blumenthal. 11/19/2023

Trivia question answers for Saturday November 18, 20231. What president gave the longest inaugural speech? William Henry Harrison2.  What are Bic pens named after? A version of the founder's name3. What color was originally associated with St. Patrick's Day? Blue4. What is the fastest fish in the ocean? The SailfishTrivia questions for Sunday November 19, 20231. What is Nitrous Oxide more commonly known as?2. On what date did the Titanic sink?3. Where was the candy apple invented?4. What is a pencil's lead typically made from?Enjoy your day. 11/19/2023

In a world where individual pursuits often overshadow communal welfare, helping others is a beacon of hope and solidarity. This blog post explores the profound impact of altruism on both the giver and the receiver and how helping can create positive change in our society.The Essence of HelpingHelping others is not merely a philanthropic act; it's a fundamental human experience that nurtures empathy, compassion, and understanding. It goes beyond monetary assistance and encompasses emotional support, guidance, sharing knowledge, and volunteering time and effort.Why Helping Matters     Fosters Community Bonds: Helping Build Stronger Communities When we help others, we create a network of support and kindness that strengthens societal bonds.     Promotes Mental and Emotional Well-Being: Hel... 11/18/2023

Another year closer to when the day will be the most GLORIOUS DAY when i can meet my lord and savior and see my GRANDDADDY once again! My granddaddy was the only father that I ever had in my life and I have memories of fishing with him as young as 3 in our little 14 foot Starcraft Boat with a 9.9 Johnson outboard on Lake Okeechobee. Him telling me stories about dropping the lantern overboard and hooked it weeks later and it still burning. I believed at 3. Him teaching me to cut grass when the 2nd bar of the lawn mower was taller than me, of him buying my first bike and teaching me to ride, of the stories he told and the buildings he shared that he worked on on Miami Beach like the 4 ambassadors, the first 40 story bldg in Miami.My granddaddy was a man of honor and integrity and this tim... 11/18/2023

Who doesn't enjoy playing a good board game with family and/or friends? November 19th is the official "Play Monopoly Day". One summer, my best friend Jacque Logan and I played Monopoly almost every day. We even made $1000 bills to make the game more fun. We also started out with $2000 in funds at the beginning of play. Some of my other favorite board games are Clue, Parcheesi, and Life. What are some of your favorite board games? Games are a form of culture that people must share to enjoy. Outside of solitaire, most games require at least one other player participating to experience the fun. Thanks for reading "November 19 is Play Monopoly Day". 11/18/2023

What do president Abraham Lincoln, soccer star Pelé and artist Vincent van Gogh have in common?” All three share an important newsworthy anniversary on November 19th.Read to find out about these and other interesting tales that happened on November 19th.         1493 – Christopher Columbus goes ashore on an island he first saw the day before. He names it San Juan Bautista (it is later renamed Puerto Rico, meaning “rich port”).         1863 – U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address at the dedication ceremony for the military cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.         1916 – Samuel Goldwyn and Edgar Selwyn establish Goldwyn Pictures.         1959 – The Ford Motor Company announces plans to discontinue the unpopular Edsel. The Edsel was named for Ford’s son. Side ... 11/18/2023