October 22, 2007

Grilled Cheese and Bacon Throw Down - Win a Cookbook!

A challenge was issued and has been answered. Now we shall finally know which Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwich is best, and you, dear readers will make that determination. If you don’t know the backstory you can go to my earlier post in which I challenged Jenn’s impertinent additon of Miracle Whip to the perfect Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwich. While we waited for Jenn’s reply, Charlotte chimed in with her own “version” of the masterpiece (Hah! There are no “versions.” There are only my way the correct way and inferior imitations.) I am supremely confident that when the dust has settled you will have all come to the same conclusion. You are invited to be a judge in the Throw Down.

The Rules:1. Go to each of the recipe links:

Jenn: How Do You Make a Grilled Cheese?

Charlotte: Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwich

Skeet: Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwich Illustrated

2. Make the sandwiches.

3. Write a post about your experience and name the recipe that you think is best.

4. Go to all three contest announcements and give a link to your post in the comments for each one: (I’ll link the other contest posts as soon as they’re up.)

Jenn: A Contest and a Challenge - Win a Cookbook

Charlotte: the Best Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwich - Win a Cookbook

Skeet: This post that you are currently reading.

Deadline:
You must complete the process by posting your comments to each of our blogs by midnight EST on Sunday, November 4th.

Prizes:
Charlotte, Jenn and Skeet will each draw a name from among the entrants and will reward a cookbook to that lucky winner. Bonus! Want an extra entry? When you write your post, include a picture of at least one of the sandwiches you made.

Eligibility:
The contest is open to anyone with a US or Canadian mailing address. We have nothing against the rest of you, but postage, taxes and customs requirements could turn this into a major hassle instead of a fun contest.

Are we clear? Let the cooking begin!

I’ve already selected a cookbook to award to one lucky winner. Island Cooks is a collection of the recipes for the foods we eat in Hawaii. Jenn and Charlotte will each select cookbooks related either to their regions or to the contest, so that’s three great cookbooks up for grabs. My blog uses the do-follow plug-in, so you’ll get a link from skeet’s stuff just for entering. Let’s review the benefits you’ll gain from entering the contest:

1. You’ll learn the proper way to make a Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwich.
2. You’ll have a chance to win a free cookbook (two chances if you post a photo!)
3. You’ll get a linkback from my fabulous PR4 blog.
4. You can attend this recipe roundup without having to dress up in horse riding apparel.
5. You’ll be able to win friends and influence people with your amazing Grilled Cheese and Bacon sandwiches.

Now wouldn’t you agree that it’s a winning situation all around? Well, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

Technorati Tags: challenge, Grilled Cheese and Bacon sandwich, recipe, recipe challenge, Throw Down

October 21, 2007

Self Portrait Sunday for October 21, 2007

There were things I wanted to do today, but I’ve got the sinuses from hell. There were things I hoped to do today, but I’ve got the sinuses from hell. There were things I needed to do today, but … we, you get the picture. So I’m doing this instead. I won’t be checking out any furniture stores today, or bathing the boys or vacuuming the floors or even reading a good book because … I’ve got the sinuses from hell.

I hope my friends are having a better day than I am. You can see which ones of them get the picture by popping over to Digi-Cass and checking out Self Portrait Sunday. If you’re a good sport you’ll post your own self portrait on your blog first, then post the link in Cass’s comments so we can all get a look at how your day is going.

Technorati Tags: meme, photos, self portraits

Posted by skeet @ 3:31 pm • Photos, Meme • 14 comments  

Check today’s paper for some Good Stuff!

Sunday papers are a great source for good-news stories. That means today is a good day to find inspiration for your Good Stuff post for this week. Check out the paper (or any other news source) and make a post on your blog about a local story that makes you smile. Use the contact button over there on my right sidebar to email me the link to your post. I’ll hook you up on Thursday when we Share Some Good Stuff again. Let’s all spread a little sunshine!

Technorati Tags: current events, good news, local stories, meme

October 20, 2007

Discounts on authentic Microsoft software

I was very fortunate when I bought my last computer. My dear friend is a teacher and she gifted me with the Microsoft software that I needed. Did you know that students, teachers, school staffs, libraries and research labs can get deep discounts on genuine Microsoft software? Those of you who homeschool qualify, too. Microsoft Office software retails for up to $599.99, but at www.CostCaptain.com you’ll pay as little as $129, or you can purchase a Vista Upgrade from $89. These are substantial savings and well worth checking out before you buy. You’ll just need to provide proof of academic eligibility and then you’ll be good to go. Wouldn’t you love to give 100% Authentic Microsoft products at academic discounts this year for Christmas? You can even give in the form of gift certificates so your recipients can pick out just what they need. Now aren’t you glad you stopped in to visit me today?

Technorati Tags: academic discounts, CostCaptain.com, Microsoft software

October 19, 2007

Carnival of Injustice

Volume 3 of the Carnival of Injustice, Volume 3 is live today over at kingzjewel. Suni has done a great job once more, this time focusing on injustices against children, and was kind enough to credit one of my posts with providing the inspiration. Get on over to Suni’s place, but grab a hanky and be prepared for some tugging on your heartstings and your conscience.

Technorati Tags: blog carnivals, Carnival of Injustice, children, injustice to children

The Tequila Guy

Are you a drinker? I’m old and wise now, but when I was young and foolish I could really slam them down. For a couple of years I spent most evenings sucking down drinks in such rapid succession that I rarely even tasted them. Any thinking adult can appreciate how irresponsible my behavior was, but can you also appreciate that it was a waste of perfectly good liquor? The Tequila Guy understands. He knows that a glass of tequila is an experience to be savored, a taste to explore and enjoy. There’s a tequila revolution going on, and he’s just the guy to help you sort through the dross and find the perfect taste experience. Did you know that in the last 12 months more than 60 new 100% agave tequilas have hit the US market. That’s a lot of choices, folks, and some of them are bound to be of lesser quality than others. The Tequila Guy knows good tequila when he drinks it, and he knows that tequila is not just for shots and margaritas. He’s written some definitive posts that will help you find the best tequila, whether for home consumption, in a restaurant or in a hot night spot. He’s posted a menu of diverse tequila cocktail recipes, too, so you can have your tequila just the way you like it. Check out The Tequila Guy and get yourself educated about sipping the agave. And hey - y’all drink responsibly now! (You knew I’d have to say that, right?)

Technorati Tags: cocktails, tequila, The Tequila Guy

Stray cats

I’m not a cruel person. I’m actually pretty tender-hearted and cry much too easily. I’m not a cat-hater, either. I’ve had cats before (or maybe I should say they’ve had me) and it’s certainly possible that I may have another some day. I am, however, an advocate of responsible pet ownership. My friend Tina posted an article from the London Daily Mail about a man who “relocated” his neighbor’s cats after he had his fill of them soiling his yard and destroying his garden. Tina thinks that those of us who don’t want to be annoyed by others’ pets should invest in an electronic fence. Um, yeah. Have you priced those things? I replied to Tina on a message board:

I’ve trapped cats in my yard and will continue to do so. I’m on the waiting list for cat traps from the Humane Society, who will pick up the cats after they’re trapped. Whether the owners get them back is up to them, but if they come in my yard, they will be trapped. When I was on the Association Board I also trapped dogs and cats off of the streets of our community. The House Rules are very clear in stating that any stray animals will be trapped by the Board and turned over to the Humane Society, and that owners will be fined (if they can be identified.) It’s also against City/County ordinance to allow any animals to roam free. I keep my animals confined in my own yard, where they are welcome and (should be) safe and don’t annoy the neighbors. I expect my neighbors to show the same concern for their neighbors and their pets.

The only problem I have with the catnapper is that he may have done it illegally.

I didn’t think to mention, when writing the above, that Lance wakes me (and the neighbors) at least once a week when a cat starts raising a ruckus in the crawl space under the house and he attmpts to rout it. Or that Buddy caught, mutilated and killed two kittens in the yard when he was younger and more spry.

It’s a controversial issue, to be sure. I mean Tina no ill will in posting a dissenting opinion. I merely seek to engage in some civil debate. Perhaps Tina will convince me that the agony of a child missing a pet outweighs my rights (and the boys rights, too) to enjoy full use of my own property. The floor is open. Where do you stand?

Technorati Tags: cats, cat-trapping, pets, responsible pet ownership

One more hidden object game - Hawaiian Explorer: Pearl Harbor

I’ve been going into withdrawal from lack of new hidden object games. I spent a serious chunk of time on Google yesterday trying to remedy the situation and finally found one game I’d not seen before and which doesn’t appear on most of the game sites. Friends and gamers, I give you Hawaiian Explorer: Pearl Harbor . How appropriate to finally offer you a game staged in my own back yard!

The graphics are lovely, mostly underwater. Some of the music is annoying, so I turned the volume down. With all of the beautiful Hawaiian music available, you’d think they’d have gone into their Dell Memory and picked something more appropriate, but they went with what sounds like a cheap ripoff of Kenny G (whose music I don’t much care for anyway.)

Some cautions: I selected the wrong items several times because some of the illustrations are not very clear. Ten points deducted for each wrong click, so if you’re interested in getting a higher score you’ll have to proceed with caution. I’ve read several reviews of the game and others also had problems , but, hey - free download, so no complaints from me. It feeds the need for a new (to me) hidden object game, though it’s not one that I’d buy.

The link I gave you will take you to Big Fish Games, which has a bodacious menu of games. Big Fishwhich is a safe download site that will cut you off after one hour of play. I found another site that offered the full version free for ninety days. Like a dummy, I went for it. After a rather complicated download that required me to install additional software to unzip, I openend it up to play. Uh oh! Trojan horse! My virus program took care of it, but DO NOT download the free game from the zipile forums!

If you know of other hidden object games you think I might not have found yet, give me a shout. I’m already going into withdrawal again!

Technorati Tags: Big Fish Games, games, Hawaiian Explorer: Pearl Harbor, hidden object games, online games, puzzles

The Great Grilled Cheese and Bacon Cookoff

Who knew that a post about a simple sandwich could generate so much interest and not a little controversy? It started back in March when I posted the instructions for making a proper Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwich. There were a few dissenting opinions (see the comment string) but I thought the issue had been laid to rest. I was wrong. Last week Jenn posted her recipe for a grilled cheese sandwich (no bacon.) Now, you would think, since my instructions were so clear, that she would get it right. Just follow my recipe and leave off the bacon (though why you would want to do that I can’t imagine.) Did Jenn do that? No! She added alien ingredients. I gave prompt notice that such alterations were unacceptable and submitted my own recipe (illustrated this time, for clarity) to her Recipe Challenge, wherein she is committed to executing any recipe submitted. I was convinced that once she’d tasted the real deal she’d understand, but alas, our Jenn is one hard-headed gal. Yes, she tried my recipe. A bit of fumbling can be excused - she is, after all, a fairly new cook. She followed the instructions and produced a passable replication of the masterpiece. So far, so good. Then she blew it! She once again tampered with perfection!

Enough! Would you attach prosthetics to Venus diMilo? Alter Mona Lisa’s smile? Enhance a Faberge egg with glitter? NO! Sublime art requires no editing, no “improving.” I am so sure of the superiority and correctness of the only true recipe for a Grilled Cheese and Bacon Sandwich that I’m calling out a challenge of my own. This issue must be settled once and for all. Jenn and I both have our prejudices, so I think we should let the readers decide!

What do you say, Jenn? Are you up for a Throw Down? Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is, quite literally? We’ll invite our readers to try both recipes and then vote on the one that is superior. When I win When a winner is declared, the matter will be settled, never to be revisited. We’ll set up a few simple rules and a voting system and let our reading public show you the error of your ways make the final call. I’m even willing to make it interesting by selecting a prize to be awarded to one voter. It won’t be as classy as a Bluetooth headset, but maybe a Hawaiian cookbook? What have you got? Are you sure enough of the superiority of your recipe to put yourself out there, allow the public to decide and even reward them for their service? Just say the word and we’ll do this thing!

Readers? Are you up for the task? Pop over to Jenn Cooks and urge her to to face up to the Throw Down!

Technorati Tags: challenge, Grilled Cheese and Bacon sandwich, recipe, recipe challenge, Throw Down

October 18, 2007

Tuesday Teaser photo verification

I was waiting for midnight last night so I could post this but I fell asleep, so I apologize for the delay. (Yes, I have a WP feature that would allow me to compose the post ahead of time and auto-publish while I’m sleeping, but I always forget about it!) No one recognized a blade from my coffee grinder, though seveal of you came close with your guesses of food processors and blenders. At least most of you kept it in the kitchen and no one thought it was a vaporizer this time! Since we didn’t have a winner for Tuesay Teaser this week the prize will be doubled next week. The winner will get two linky love posts and will be entered twice in the gift card drawing at the end of the month. I hope you haven’t gotten discouraged! See you here next week!

Technorati Tags: contest, photo puzzle, puzzle