After leading early on by 19, and with John Wall in the locker room for a large part of the second half, our beloved Wildcats managed to hold on against a very good, very talented, and very determined bunch of Tarheels for a 2 point win!

The second half wasn't pretty for the Cats, turnovers nearly killed us, and free throws saved us.

But, it was a win, and I'll take it!

Makes us 8 and 0 on the year. So far!

University of Kentucky 68

University of North Carolina 66

Be proud of your guys today Carolina17!!!

They played their hearts out, and could easily have won this thing!!

Now we wait for UCONN.

The first snow of the season crept in last night as I slept. It's not much, but it's kind of pretty.

It's starting to melt off already!

Has it snowed this year where you live yet?

ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT

A young man named David received a parrot as a gift.

The parrot really had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary.

Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. David tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary.



Finally though, David was fed up, and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. David shook the parrot, and the parrot got angrier and ruder!


In desperation, David threw up his hands, grabbed the bird, and put him in the freezer!
For a few minutes the parrot squawked,  kicked and screamed... then suddenly there was total quiet! Not a peep was heard for over a minute!
Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, David quickly opened the door to the freezer and the parrot calmly stepped out onto David's outstretched arms and said, "I  believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions... I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions, and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior."
David was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude and as he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"

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

GOODBYE MOM

A young man shopping in a supermarket noticed a little old lady following him around.  If he stopped, she stopped.  Furthermore she kept staring at him.

She finally overtook him at the checkout, and she turned to him and said, "I hope I haven't made you feel ill at ease; it's just that you look so much like my late son."

He answered, "That's okay."

"I know it's silly, but if you'd call out 'Good bye, Mom' as I leave the store, it would make me feel so happy."

She then went through the checkout, and as she was on her way out of the store, the man called out, "Goodbye, Mom."

The little old lady waved and smiled back at him.

Pleased that he had brought a little sunshine into someone's day, he went to pay for his groceries.

"That comes to $121.85," said the clerk.

"How come so much?  I only bought 5 items."

The clerk replied, "Yeah, but your Mother said
You'd be paying for her things, too."

Kentucky plays their last regular season game tonight at 7pm on ESPNU. I think I'll throw this in the oven to snack on during the game. That should get rid of most of the leftover turkey. YAY!

Turkey Nacho Casserole

*****

Ingredients

• 5  cups slightly crushed tortilla chips
• 4  cups cubed cooked turkey or chicken
• 2  16-ounce jars salsa
• 1  10-ounce package frozen whole kernel corn
• 1/2  cup dairy sour cream
• 2  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup jalapeno pepper slices
• 2  cups  shredded Monterey Jack cheese or mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking dish or 3-quart rectangular casserole. Place 3 cups of the tortilla chips in bottom of dish. In a large bowl combine turkey, salsa, corn, sour cream, and flour; spoon over tortilla chips. Top with jalapenos. 

2. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 cups tortilla chips and the cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. Makes 8 servings.

To Tote: Cover tightly. Transport in an insulated carrier.

*****

I hope everyone is having as good and as relaxing a long weekend as I am!

I am ready for this four day weekend!

( I don't think she has anything to worry about, tho I'm more of a leg and thigh man, myself.)

Haven't had that many days off in a row in a long, long time!

Hope everyone has a great Turkey Day tomorrow!

 I am outta here and heading for home!

This is what the flu bug really looks like.

But, this is what it really feels like!

Been down with the flu bug since Sunday evening, but I'm still on the right side of the grass, so I'm not complaining. Too much.

I'll be getting around to read and comment more when I can finally shake this thing.

It seems to be easing up today, chest isn't so sore, and the acheyness isn't near as bad.

Hopefully, by the upcoming weekend things should be much better.

Think I'll pick up a little bourbon on the way home tonight. Can't hurt!

Yeah, as if I needed an excuse!LOL

Pardon me!

Went to www.Foodwishes.com to look at the list of ingredients and it didn't seem to jibe with the video:

1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 1/2 pounds chicken wing sections
2 tbsp fresh ground black pepper
1 1/2 tbsp ground coriander
1 tbsp smoked paprika
pinch of cayenne, optional
2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
2 tsp flour
*serve with Russian dressing as a dip

So, I watched the video a couple of times and came up with this list.

2 1/2 half to 3 lbs. wings, seperated

drizzle with i tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp ground white pepper

1 tsp ground black pepper

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tbsp paprika

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground coriander

sprinkle of garlic powder

just a dash of  Liquid Smoke

2 tsps flour

I followed the oven time instructions, and I think they're a little long. I would suggest 400 degrees for 20 minutes, turn, and bake for 15 minutes more. You can leave them in a little longer if you think they need it.

I served mine with garlic cheese Ciabatta rolls and Sweet Baby Ray's Dipping Sauce !

They are absolutely delicious! A more than worthy substitute for Buffalo wings on anybody's menu!

Hey guys! Go over and check out Vanedave's Xanga Douchebag Awards contest here.

I think most, or all, of us get our share of douchbag commenters. Check it out, and feel free to submit some of mine, if you wish.

If you can find any, that is!

This could be some pretty funny stuff, and there's even a prize for first place!

Pointless post, but I'm bored.

November roses

Got mud?

Gorgeous day on the Ohio!

Cutest witch I know!

My favorite neighborhood kid, Anne Marie.  I asked her where her bag was and she said she wasn't trick or treating. I asked her why not and she said " I think I'm getting to old for that, Poppy." LOL

Her little sister Gracie, who was trick or treating, so we loaded her up with candy!

Cutest witch I know's frontyard. Ooooh, contest winner!

OK, I've wasted enough time. I need to make a beer run before the Vikings at the Packers game comes on!

2008

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

My earlier posts on the house are   HERE,   HERE,  and HERE.

Ric's 50's style soda shop is featured  HERE.

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

I think I'll drive over to Kenova each day this week and take a picture of the Pumpkin House as a work in progress. I'll post them every afternoon til Friday.

Might be interesting to see what they get done each day!

Whadayathink?

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

MONDAY

I'll post the pictures here on this entry and timestamp it when they're up.

Here's todays.

Looks like they have a long way to go!

Monday 10-26-09

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

TUESDAY

There's not a whole lot of progress being made and it's supposed to rain this evening and tomorrow. Every year it's always the big question - Are they going to be done by Halloween?

Tuesday 10-27-09

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

WEDNESDAY

It's Wednesday, and things don't look much different than Tuesday. I saw two men over here stringing lights, but no one else.

Wednesday 10-28-09

It rained yesterday evening and most of this morning, so I guess they didn't get a lot more done. They only have two and a half more days!

Here's a few bonus pics.

Piled up carved punkins waiting to be placed.

More already carved.

We'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings?

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

THURSDAY

It's Thursday and there's been a lot of progress made. I think they're going to make it after all! The weather is supposed to be nice for the few days, that will help.

Thursday 10-29-09

Channel 3's (WSAZ) film crew is here today.

There's a lot of foot traffic already, people taking pictures, buses full of kids coming by.

Looking good!

With two full days to go, the display Saturday night should be awesome!

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

FRIDAY

Only two pictures today, friends. It's Friday and they are about 99% ready!

Friday 10-30-09

Tonight and tomorrow night local TV personalities will be reading "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" at 7, 9, and 11 o'clock. With a real, live headless horseman running loose on the grounds terrifying the villagers!

3000 pumpkins carved, lighted, and arranged on display in a weeks time.

Good job, guys!