Friday Funny December 26, 2014 Fruit Cake

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This Friday Funny greets the day after Christmas.  The presents have all been opened and a lot of goodies have been eaten.  All that remains are the leftovers, the returns, the bills, and, for some, the fruit cake.  Perhaps you are a fan of fruit cake, this Friday Funny is not for you.  If you are in the 99.98% that are not fans of fruit cake, read on and enjoy!

Did you know that fruitcake has been around since the time of ancient Rome, some even think that the fruit cakes passed around to today were originally re-gifted in the mid-first century.  Perhaps it is an urban legend, but some people have been rumored to have actually eaten fruitcake, most likely after all of the figgie pudding and mincemeat pies were gone.

We you hear the words “fruit cake,” perhaps it brings to mind an image of fruits and nuts with just enough batter to hold them together. Why eat something that might be healthy like fruits and nuts by themselves when you can take away the nutritional and the taste by adding a little cake batter?

Did you know that if wrapped properly and sealed tightly, a fruitcake may be kept for months or even years?   However, if your fruitcake is older than you are, it is probably time to pass it along or consider burying it at the nearest site that accepts hazardous material.

But, if by chance you want to live on the wild side and get the urge to make your own fruitcake, here are a few basic Fruitcake-Making Tips:

  To prevent over-browning (we wouldn’t want the appearance of our fruitcake to be less appealing than it already is would we?), line the bottom and sides of the pan with foil. If you leave extra foil overlapping the sides, it will make a little carrier that will help you transport it to the trashcan.

  When baking, set the fruitcake pan in a baking pan (13×9-inch) half-filled with water to prevent burning around the edges.  Set the pan in the garbage can and place at the curb.  You might need to check local laws regarding hazardous waste.

  Let fruitcake cool in the pan for about 10 days, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.

  For long-term storage, bury the fruitcake at night at a safe distance at an unmarked location.

If, on the other hand, you find yourself on the receiving end of a fruitcake, here are a few suggestions for what to do with it.

1) Put it in a safe place for ten years, then re-gift.

2) Use ti as a weight to hold down your portable basketball goal, this will help to keep the goal from tipping over during periods of high winds.

3)  If you get two, tie at each end of a study pole and use as a free weight.

4)  If you have pickup truck, you can place fruitcake in the truck bed to add weight for traction in the snow.

5)  Fruitcakes make excellent boundary markers for your driveway or yard during snowy months and the hold their shape no matter how many times you or the snow plow run over them.

6)  If you cannot use it during the winter months, just hang onto it until spring and use as a boat anchor.

Thought for the Week
When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time.  Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs? ~G.K. Chesterton

http://www.quotegarden.com

 

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

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At this time of the year, we are bombarded by holiday music.  Some stations have had Christmas music nonstop since the end of November.  Perhaps, like me, you find yourself singing along once in a while with one of your favorites.  Perhaps certain songs bring back a special Christmas memory.  Perhaps, by now, you have just become numb as all the songs have just blended into white noise in the background.

Yet, even though we cannot get away from the Holiday songs, do we really “hear” them?  Even though we might sing along with the lyrics, do we really “know” them?  One song comes to my mind today.  It is a song that you hear occasionally this time of year, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”  

This lyrics were written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas Day 1863.  He wrote at a time that this country was torn by Civil War and just several weeks after his son had been severely wounded in the war.  He wrote it not too long after he had lost his wife in an accidental fire.  Mr. Wadsworth’s world was not full of candy canes and gum drops, it was full of hurt and pain just like the world that we live in.  Yet, he did not let his gloom get the best of him, he struggled on until he could hear those “bells peal more loud and deep.”  This Christmas Eve my wish to you is that you might hear “a voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

 

 

Friday Funny December 19, 2014 What Not to Buy Women

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Earlier this week, I shared some good tips I found on the Internet for buying gifts for men.   So, on this Friday before Christmas, I thought it only proper, to deal with gifts for women.  While men are extremely easy to shop for, women are extremely difficult to shop for.  Given this, I thought it might be easier to offer some general suggestions on what not to buy.

Enjoy!

Appliances are to be avoided like the plague.  Well pretty much any gift that translates into work (i.e. blender, toaster, vacuum, anything for the house “as seen on TV.”  I have been told that the general rule of thumb is that if it has a plug, don’t buy it.

Cleaning supplies are to avoided like the flu.  If the thought ever crosses your mind to buy a women Tide, Windex, Tidy Bowl just fight it or prepare to spend the rest of your life alone in a house you will have cleaned with those supplies..

Avoid sharp objects like a 24 hour stomach virus.  Ginsu knives may sound really neat and you may look forward to the opportunity to cut a pop can and a tomato with the same knife, but believe me, she will not share your enthusiasm.  Plus she will have a sharp object in her hand while she is upset with you,

Just avoid any gift for yourself that you intend to pass off as a gift for her.  This applies to power tools, sporting event tickets and DVD’s of the Three Stooges.  If you really want it for yourself, but it for yourself, just make sure you buy her something nicer.

Don’t even think of no name perfume like a $3.99 pint of Eu de Paris, which will not remind anyone of France unless it might be the local waste water plant.  If you are going to buy her perfume, at least purchase a brand that both of you have  heard of.

Please, please, please do not give her any type of cubic zirconia jewelry you saw on some shopping network and never, never, never try to pass this off as a real diamond.  The day will come when she will be embarrassed and you will be lucky to have all your teeth.

You will be tempted to buy clothes.  You have gone shopping together, you know think you know what she likes, you know her size.  So, no problem, right?  Wrong! This is a trap!!  Please do not fall for it.  There are three possible outcomes when you but her clothes: a) they do not fit, b) it is the wrong color, c) she just does not like it.

If you want the relationship to last past Christmas Day do not give her a gift certificate to Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem,  or Weight Watchers. Please tell me you already knew this one. 

Never buy a woman anti-wrinkle cream, or anything that is supposed to help her look “younger.”  These gifts may result in serous bodily harm to your person.

If this has eliminated all your gift ideas, just go with a nice pair of earrings.  Happy Shopping!

Thought for the Week

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

http://www.quotegarden.com

 

SIMPLE RULES – BUYING GIFTS FOR MEN

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This is the time of year when men fret over buying gifts for women and women fret over buying gifts for men. While buying the “perfect” gift for a woman is next to impossible, but gifts for men is a piece of cake, literally if not always figuratively, but cake will often work.  Fret not, just follow these simple rules.

When in doubt – buy cordless power tools. Cordless drills, cordless saws.  If he has a complete set of cordless power tools, you can always buy him an extra battery pack.

If cordless power tools are too much for your budget, just buy anything with the word ratchet or socket in it. Men love saying those two words. If he has all the ratchet and sockets that he needs, there is always a socket extender that will widen the world where he can use all those sockets and ratchets that he already has.

If you are really, really cheap (or broke) broke, buy him anything for his car. You should be able to find a gallon of windshield fluid for under $2.50.  Wrap it up, it is bug, heavy and useful.  He will appreciate it.

Another very safe guy gift is a remote control to replace the ones they have worn out or broken or lost. You could go all out and get a universal remote, but beware you may not see him for a few days as he programs everything in the neighborhood to work with this power wielding instrument. As an added bonus give him an extra pack of batteries for the remote.

Label makers. Almost as good as cordless power tools. Within a couple of weeks there will be labels absolutely everywhere.

Many men do not cook, but they will barbecue. So buy him the largest grill you can find with the largest propane tank that is legal. He will be offering you burnt sacrifices in no time.

Baseball, Football, Hockey Tickets are always a smart gift. However, he may not appreciate tickets to “Mama Mia” of “Riverdance.”

Every man needs a really good wheelbarrow and an aluminum extension ladder. Never buy a real man a stepladder. It must be an extension ladder, at least 12 feet in height.

Men love rope. Whether it be a hundred feet of 3/8” manila rope or a nice bar of “soap on a rope” the message that you really care will be received.

Friday Funny December 12, 2014 Christmas Mondegreens

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Happy Friday!  Christmas is fast approaching and the airwaves are filled with holiday songs.  Perhaps you enjoy singing along with your favorite tunes and carols.  But are you sure you are singing the correct words?  If have found yourself mishearing words to songs, you just might have found a mondegreen.  Here are some amusing Christmas song mondegreens to kick off your weekend.

Enjoy!

Dashing through the snow, on one horse soap and hay…

Round John Virgin, margarine child…

Later on, we’ll perspire, as we drink by the fire…

O tiny bomb, O tiny bomb…

See the grazing mule before us, fa la la la la la la la la…

Good King Wences’ car backed out, on the feet of Steven…

Olive, the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names…

Rudolph, the red-nosed stranger…

He’s makin’ a list, of chicken and rice…

Get dressed, ye married gentlemen…

Chipmunks roasting on an open fire…

Hark, the hairy angels sing…

We three kings, of porridge and tar…

We three kings from Oregon are,  Bearing gifts, we’ve traveled so far …

On the first day of Christmas my tulip gave to me…

Sleep in heavenly peas…

The cattle are lonely….

Thought for the Week

Christmas is a time when you get homesick — even when you’re home. ~Carol Nelson

http://www.quotegarden.com

 

 

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Perhaps It Is Not What You Thought It Was

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Every year since 1964, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer airs on television this time of the year.  It is one of four Christmas specials from the 1960’s that continue to make an annual yuletide appearance.  The others are How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas (two of my favorites) and  Frosty the Snowman (one of my least favorites). 

I would imagine that you have seen Rudolph, probably many, many times.  But have you ever stopped to think much about this seemingly innocent story?  For instance have you ever noticed how mean and unSanta-like Santa is?  Have you noticed that Santa is portrayed as a self-centered, mean, impatient, old man.  He is certainly not a right jolly old elf by any means in this story.  Remember how all the Elves work long and hard on a song especially for Santa in their spare time?  The joyful elves present their song to an obviously disinterested Santa who responds at the end with “it needs work, I have to go.”  Perhaps Santa was preparing for a career as a judge on American Idol?  Later as Mrs. Claus is trying to fatten him up for the big day he whines, “How can I eat? That silly Elf song is driving me crazy!” 

Plus, if you think about it, Santa’s attitude toward Rudolph throughout the entire show is quite self-serving.  While Santa is initially impressed with Rudolph’s performance during the reindeer games, once Rudolph’s fake nose falls off Santa quickly changes his tune and scolds Rudolf’s father while the other reindeer children mock Rudolph.  Perhaps Santa needs #stopbullying.  It is only at the end when Santa realizes that completing his job is dependent on exploiting Rudolf’s unique abilities that he sees any real value in Rudolph.

After all these years, I still do not understand the Island of Misfit Toys.  Charlie in the Box is there because of his name?  Currently on ebay  you can buy a Sox Monkey in the Box, a Curious George in the Box, Flipper in a Box, Magic Dragon in the Box and Sponge Bob Square Pants in the Box.  There are even 174 listings for Charlie in a Box! So what is the issue here?  I think it is his attitude and not his name. 

What about the train with square wheels on the caboose.  Wasn’t Hermey a trained Elf?  Don’t you think a trained Elf could have made some round wheels for the caboose?  He probably could have helped the boat that sunk to float as well.  Why didn’t Hermey help the misfit toys?  Seems like if Hermey cared about the misfit toys, he could have helped a few of them out.  And by the way, at the end, was it really a good idea to let Hermey begin to practice dentistry in his spare time without any formal training?  I wonder if he had any malpractice insurance? 

Then there was the Dolly for Sue.  What exactly was her problem?  Apparently Arthur Rankin of Rankin-Bass has stated that Dolly had psychological issues caused by being abandoned by Sue.  Well what kid wants a toy with psychological issues? Maybe they could market her as a doll that comes with her very own “baggage.” She reminds me of the “Talking Tina” episode on The Twilight Zone.

Then there is Yukon Cornelius.  What exactly is he teaching impressionable little ones?  He throws his pick-axe into the snow, picks it up and licks it in hopes of finding silver or gold? That has got to be quite unsanitary and who would want to risk getting metal splinters on their tongue?

Yet perhaps the cruelest moment in the show is saved for the end.  It is supposed to be a feel good moment as Santa delivers the long forgotten misfit toys.  Remember how an Elf comes out of Santa’s bag and starts giving each misfit toy a little umbrella as a parachute as he sends it to gently drift down to its new home?  Next time you watch Rudolph pay close attention to the misfit bird.  Remember the bird is a misfit because it can swim BUT IT CANNOT FLY.  The Elf holds the umbrella in one hand and the bird in the other, then he pauses and lets go of the swimming bird>  He waves “bye-bye” as the “bird” no doubt plunges quite rapidly toward the earth.

And all these years, you though Rudolph was a nice, innocent, little story.

 

Friday Funny December 5, 2014 Santa Jokes

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Happy Friday!  Now that it is December, I thought it was time to break out the Santa Claus jokes.

Enjoy!

What do they call Santa’s helpers? ————————————-Subordinate clauses!

What kind of music do elves like best? —————————————“Wrap” music!

Who sings “Blue Christmas,” and makes Christmas toys? ——- Santa’s little Elvis!

What do you call Santa Clause after he’s fallen into a fireplace?——Krisp Kringle!

What did the Gingerbread Man put on his bed?————————-A cookie sheet!

Where do Santa’s reindeer like to stop for lunch?———————–Deery Queen!

What reindeer has the cleanest antlers?———————————————Comet!

Which of Santa’s reindeer needs to mind his manners the most?——“Rude”olph!

What is the cow’s holiday greeting?———————————-Mooooory Christmas!

What does Santa like to eat?———————————————————–A jolly roll!

What do you call a cat on the beach at Christmas time?——————–Sandy Claus!

What do you call the fear of getting stuck while sliding down a chimney?——————Santa Claus-trophbia!

What does Santa say when he is sick?————————————————–OH OH NO!

Who says Oh! Oh! Oh!—————————————————–Santa walking backwards.

What do you call someone who doesn’t believe in Father Christmas?————————-
A rebel without a Claus.

How much did Santa pay for his sleigh?————————–Nothing, it was on the house.

Did you hear about the dyslexic devil worshiper?—————–He sold his soul to Santa!

The 3 stages of man:

  1. He believes in Santa Claus.
  2. He doesn’t believe in Santa Claus.
  3. He is Santa Claus.

 Thought for the Week

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith

http://www.quotegarden.com

 

 

Holiday Eating Tips

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We are now in the midst of the Holiday Season which means time spent with loved ones, time spent shopping and exchanging gifts and, of course, time spent eating.  I would not want you to go at this unprepared, so here are ten eating tips I came across I would like to share with you.  Eat wisely!

1. Avoid vegetable trays. Nothing dampens one’s holiday appetite quite like healthy, sensible food.  The person who brings a vegetable tray on a holiday buffet table knows as much about the Christmas spirit as Scrooge did before he met his three visitors (or he/she just can’t cook).   There is an exception, a vegetable tray might be acceptable if it is accompanied with high calorie, artery-clogging dip. 

2.  Perhaps you are not the greatest cook or have just found something on your plate that was prepared by the world’s worst cook.  Just remember that this is the time of year when just about anything dish can be enhanced by covering it with gravy or chocolate sauce.  (I would suggest that you avoid using both on the same food item except in extreme emergencies) 

3.  If something comes with gravy, especially giblet gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill your mini volcano with gravy. Eat the volcano. Get more mashed potatoes and create a gravy moat surrounding your island of mashed potatoes.  Go ahead and play with your food, you know you want to.  (Sit a safe distance away from anyone who makes models of the “Devil’s Tower” out of mashed potatoes.)

4. Nutritionists tell us that a healthy diet includes color on the plate, especially reds, yellows and greens.  So, just to be safe, I always add a handful of M&M’s to each plate of food during the holidays.

5. Nutritionists also tells us that fruit and nuts are an important part of your diet.  The holidays are no time to skimp on these, so go ahead and have a second helping of apple pie, cherry pie or pecan pie.

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s Day. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like those cookies with Hershey Kisses in the middle or those little hot dogs in sauce, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention.

8. Don’t forget the oatmeal.  It is high in fiber and can help reduce cholesterol.  I prefer oatmeal in the form of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

9. Remember there are limits on how much you can eat.  So do not waste any of your calorie capacity on fruitcake or mincemeat pie.  (You would be better off hanging around that vegetable tray.)

10. One final tip: If you can comfortably get up from the table, you’re not trying hard enough.  You have trained all year for this, don’t give up now!

Friday Funny November 28, 2014 Thanksgiving Movies

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Happy Friday!  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!  Perhaps you have some extra time on your hands this weekend, you might consider a Thanksgiving-themed movie.  Here are the top ten sure to be at a theater near you.

Enjoy!

10. To Kill A Walking Bird 

9. My Best Friend’s Dressing 

 8. Life of Pumpkin Pi 

7. Casserolablanca

6. The No-Hunger Games 

5. Silence of the Yams

4. The Leftover Parts I, II and III 

3. The Matrix Reheated 

2. Indiana Jones and the Last Casserole 

and the Number 1 Upcoming Thanksgiving-Themed Movie…

1. Harry Potter and the Giblets of Fire

Thought for the Week

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. ~Theodore Roosevelt

http://www.quotegarden.com

 

 

Thanksgiving 2014

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Happy Thanksgiving! Today we are reminded of  the Pilgrims and their three-day feast which was observed in the midst of hardship as those who survived their first year in the new world took time to be thankful for what they had.   

I imagine at least once you have watched “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.”  You can probably recite the story where Peppermint Patty calls and invites herself and Marcie and Franklin over to “Chuck’s” house for a holiday dinner.  With the help of Linus and Snoopy quick preparations are made.  The guests arrive and they all make their way to the ping-pong table in the backyard for the feast. Linus leads the group in prayer, and Snoopy serves up the food, throwing the plates to each guest Frisbee-style. Everyone receives two slices of buttered toast, pretzel sticks, a handful of popcorn, and some jelly beans.  The guests think this odd at first, but they decide in the end they are thankful for what they have.

Today we use ovens and microwaves to quickly and efficiently prepare turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, corn, vegetables, pumpkin and pecan pie.  We buy all these at the grocery at the last-minute and wonder how we will survive the few hours the grocery is closed on Thanksgiving Day.  There is a morning’s worth of parades followed by an afternoon and evening of football.  

Then comes “Black Friday” as we lose all thankfulness and all civility in an effort to wrestle those door-buster specials away from anyone who dares to get in our way. 

Saturday brings a bunch of college football rivalry games including Ohio State and some school up north.

In the midst of all this frantic activity we pause to take moment to state one thing we are thankful for?  This time, let’s take more than a moment, let’s reflect on what those Pilgrims went though, what Charlie Brown reminded us of.  Yes, there are many problems in this world, yes some days are difficult and some days are next to impossible, still there is much to be thankful for.  So, stop and ponder, be thankful for all of the good things in your life this Thanksgiving Day.

And now for your Thanksgiving weather forecast (this has been circulating for a number of years and it is amazingly accurate!)

Turkeys will be thawing overnight and into the morning, transitioning to warming in the oven to an afternoon high near 190 degrees. As the day progresses, the kitchen will become hot and humid, and if you bother the cook, be ready for a severe squall or cold shoulder.

Towards late afternoon, the cold front of a knife will quickly slice through the turkey, causing an accumulation of one to two inches on most plates with higher accumulations on some. Mashed potatoes will drift across one side gravy may lead to localized flooding and watch out for cranberry sauce to create some slippery spots. 

As we look toward the evening, a weight watch and indigestion warning have been issued for the entire area, with increased stuffiness around the beltway. As the evening comes on, the turkey will diminish and taper off to leftovers, dropping to a low of 34 degrees in the refrigerator. 

Looking ahead to Friday and Saturday, high pressure to eat sandwiches will be established. Also expect occasional flurries of leftovers both days with a 50 percent chance of scattered soup each day. We expect a warming trend where soup develops. By early next week, eating pressure will be low as the only wish left will be the bone.