friday fun: Friday Fun…18 Years of It
- 02/05/26 01:31 PM
Friday Fun…18 Years of It
When they say that time passes when you’re having fun, it’s true. It’s been 18 years since I joined ActiveRain. I had no idea what I was doing. I stumbled upon this site while researching various websites when I started my Home Staging business.
Members who joined February 6, 2008
Points? It took me months to realize that you could earn points for posting, commenting, logging in, etc.
No one referred me to this site, so my mentoring came from the … (17 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…What Does Yours Say?
- 01/29/26 12:43 PM
Friday Fun…What Does Yours Say?
Have you ever called someone and had an outgoing voice message that went on and on? Today we celebrate National Inane Answering Message Day.
My thought immediately turns to the outgoing messages that make a feeble attempt at humor or being “cute.”
-The ones where you’re fooled into thinking a person answered the phone, but it’s just the outgoing message.
“Hello..it’s Joe…hang on…just a minute…let me get a pen…
This goes on, and you, like an idiot, think there actually is someone there answering the phone.
~Another annoying outgoing voicemail message is the one that is like listening to a 30 second … (18 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…Is Yours Legible?
- 01/22/26 01:38 PM
Friday Fun…Is Yours Legible?
When I read that today is National Handwriting Day, I was taken back to third grade. It was in this grade that we learned cursive writing. I have no idea if they even have this in school anymore.
My classmates and I were excited to learn a big kid skill. My teacher had us write these big circles with our pencils, then these up-and-down lines, to practice the writing movement. She would ask us to hold up our papers, then she praised the ones that looked good.
Mine was never picked. To this day, I can’t even read my … (16 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…Your Go-To Cold-Weather Food
- 01/15/26 12:27 PM
Friday Fun…Your Go-To Cold-Weather Food
We’ve had weather that’s been like a roller coaster this winter. On Christmas Day, we wore shorts. Some of our days started in coats and scarves and ended in shorts and t-shirts.
So…as soon as it looks like we’re headed for super cold weather, our kitchen is fired up for chili and corn bread.
Nothing says you can’t eat chili when it’s 90 degrees out; however, when the temps drop (in Houston, that means below 50), it’s time to cook chili! In fact, when the weather reports predict colder temps, our grocery store has everything you need to make … (14 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…Whew
- 01/01/26 04:01 PM
Friday Fun…Whew
It’s 2 days into the New Year, and I’ll bet some feel as if they’re already behind!
I have a list of projects that were put on hold for the holidays, and I’m ready to tackle them. I’m beyond the age of wanting to be out partying on New Year’s Eve, but I did manage to stay up long enough to welcome in the New Year.
In the pre-digital days, I loved starting with a fresh day-by-day calendar in my Filofax. There’s nothing like starting with a clean slate to make you feel as if you’re ready to conquer anything.
The … (18 comments)
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friday fun: This Week…Brunch, Lunch, or Whenever!
- 12/26/25 02:17 PM
This Week…Brunch, Lunch, or Whenever!
We've mixed up our Christmas menu this year, and I tried a dish I hadn't made in years. I made a crab frittata. When I made it years ago, we lived in FL, and I used lobster (the original recipe). It may sound extravagant, but during the lobster season, Larry and his friends went diving specifically for FL lobster. We always had a freezer full of lobster tails.
This is an easy dish to make, and you can prep it the day before. You can substitute shrimp…just cook it before adding it to the dish.
Lobster Frittata
3 medium … (13 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…What’s On Your Day After Agenda?
- 12/25/25 06:55 PM
Friday Fun…What’s On Your Day After Agenda?
It’s the day after Christmas, and I’d like to say that I’m doing absolutely nothing. But no, we have another family dinner tonight.
In many years past, the day after Christmas meant half-price sales…wrapping paper, Christmas cards, and items you don’t need but are compelled to purchase because of the sale.
I wonder if people still shop in stores? Larry used to call Town Center Mall in Boca or the Galleria in Houston my mother ship. However, it’s been ages since I shopped in a mall. It’s not that I don’t enjoy shopping, but crime has become … (14 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…Cookies and Lights
- 12/18/25 05:37 PM
Friday Fun…Cookies and Lights
My time on ActiveRain has been limited this week while I’ve been baking up a storm. I’m not the only one, either. Larry has his specialities (biscotti and spritz cookies)
This weekend, I made 24 small carrot-raisin cakes that we will give to friends and family. I’ve been making these little cakes for 40 years, and I still love them.
So far, we’ve made the cakes, biscotti, Chocolate Krinkles, Mexican wedding cookies, spritz cookies, peanut butter blossoms, and chocolate bark.
Last night we ventured out ot view the Christmas lights in Prestonwood. Larry and I went over forty years ago … (17 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…Christmas Cards and Other Traditions
- 12/11/25 01:21 PM
Friday Fun…Christmas Cards and Other Traditions
Nina Hollander, Broker wrote a post on National Christmas Card Day. It’s interesting, and she includes a video of how the tradition of sending Christmas cards came about.
It made me think about the traditions and fun things we carry with us through the years. Some stay with us, some morph, and some disappear.
For example, I used to send out Christmas cards. But as Kat Palmiotti said in her comment, it became too much of a chore for me. That said, I do appreciate those cards I receive, especially my cousin’s. Her husband is a professional photographer, … (17 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…I Guess the Turkey Wasn’t The Only One Who Got Stuffed
- 11/27/25 05:17 PM
Friday Fun…I Guess the Turkey Wasn’t The Only One Who Got Stuffed
Are we all stuffed? I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving doing what you wanted to do with those you wanted to be with.
We had fewer for dinner this year…22, and some who stopped by for dessert. We seemed to have an abundance of yellowish casseroles in addition to the green bean casserole, turkey, and dressing. We had squash casserole, Jiffy corn mix casserole, macaroni and cheese, corn pudding, and two potato casseroles. Not sure what that was about!
And don’t forget the stars of any family gathering…desserts…Chocolate pie, … (16 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…It’s All About the Sides
- 11/20/25 04:35 PM
Friday Fun…It’s All About the Sides
When I was at the hair stylist’s this week, we both agreed…Thanksgiving is all about the sides.
We both like dressing and squash casserole (that surprised me). We discovered that our grandmothers made dressing the same way, which is exactly how we like it!
Isn’t it funny how talk of Thanksgiving always turns to the food! As for me…it really is all about the sides. The turkey is something for the gravy to be served over.
The usual sides are mashed potatoes (of course), green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and cranberries.
You can find out what the favorite side dish … (21 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…What’s In Your Fridge?
- 11/13/25 04:01 PM
Friday Fun…What’s In Your Fridge?
This is going to be fun! Tomorrow is Clean Out Your Fridge Day! Cleaning out our refrigerators is a never-ending process. Some toss old foods out at least once a week…and some, only when they have to!
Did you know?
Weekly- Toss out old or expired foods and wipe the surfaces
Every 3-4 Weeks- Deep clean! Remove everything. Clean all drawers and bins with warm, soapy water. Wipe down the interior with a cleaner and a damp cloth.
Periodically- Vacuum the condenser coils at the bottom of the fridge.
Bonus: 2-2-2 Rule for Food
Put food in fridge within 2 hours; eat … (16 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…Hug Your Bear
- 11/06/25 12:30 PM
Friday Fun…Hug Your Bear
Ok…raise your hand if you had a teddy bear when you were a child.
Today is Hug Your Bear Day.
By the way, did you know that the Teddy Bear was ‘invented” as a result of a hunting trip taken by President Theodore Roosevelt?
Eddie was my teddy bear. Two of my cousins and I were given the same bears one Christmas. Since they are older, they got first dibs on naming their bears. There was Teddy, Freddie, and my bear was stuck with Eddie.
Yes, I know I could have named him something else, such as Buddy Bear or Boo-boo Bear, … (20 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…BOO!
- 10/30/25 04:29 PM
Friday Fun…BOO!
As a kid, I spent many Halloweens trick-or-treating in light rain or drizzle. I checked the weather, and thankfully, that will not be the case this year!
Time for some Friday Fun…
*Besides Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! and Anna "Banana" Kruchten …who dresses up for Halloween?
I don’t! But if you need any ideas, revisit some of Sharon Tara's Halloween costume ideas.
*What was your favorite Halloween costume?
Larry and I went as a bricklayer and a brick.
*If you hand out candy, what do you hand out? 1 big candy bar, a handful, or do you make small bags of wrapped candy?
I buy small … (16 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…Are You Ready?
- 10/23/25 03:23 PM
Friday Fun…Are You Ready?
Since September, pumpkins, Halloween candy, packaged Halloween cookies, and Halloween decorations have been in the stores. I know from experience that some things need to be purchased early!
In years past, when we had over 125 “guests” drop by for their Treats, I would have been making 125+ bags to hand out. This may sound nice, but it was really for self-preservation.
By pre-bagging the treats, I avoided their dear little hands picking over the candy until they found what they wanted, or asking me if they could have a different piece. Yes…there are children like that!
We are lucky to … (18 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…We Thought You Wanted Some Points???
- 10/16/25 01:35 PM
Friday Fun…We Thought You Wanted Some Points???
Debe Maxwell, CRS has given members an opportunity to earn 1000 extra points per week until the end of the year!
YES!
All you have to do is attend the weekly Zoom Calls (no slipping out after a few minutes). That’s 500 points!
Want another 500 points? At the end of the call, Debe provides us with a blog topic related to the Zoom Call. All we have to do is write a post about the subject.
Yes, I understand that the 1 PM CST every Tuesday doesn’t work for everyone all of the time. But ask Bob "RealMan" … (25 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…Haunted Houses
- 10/09/25 12:17 PM
Friday Fun…Haunted Houses
Halloween means pumpkins, candy, fun decorations, and haunted houses. A neighbor in Delray had a haunted house that drew children (and adults) from not only our community but also anyone within driving distance.
But what about REAL haunted houses??? When we lived in Leesburg, VA, we went on a ghost tour and touched a ghost! And, though I can’t prove it, I believe we had ghosts who visited our home. Our area was said to have had Civil War campsites and battles, so why not?!
I haven’t had any ghosts in homes I’ve staged. But for some Friday Fun…what about you?
Have … (16 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…Soft, Hard?
- 10/02/25 01:54 PM
Friday Fun…Soft, Hard? Flour or Corn??
When I read that today is Soft Taco Day, it got me thinking about tacos. There’s the taco I grew up on here in Houston, which had a hard corn tortilla shell.
However, this day is for Soft Tacos, whether made from corn or flour. I’m partial to flour tortillas. Tacos, filled with beef or chicken, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, cheese, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.Yum!!
Did you know that Fajitas are a type of taco, as they are made with a filling that can be placed in a tortilla? When I make fajitas, I use skirt steak … (18 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…A Different Pudding
- 09/25/25 04:04 PM
Friday Fun…A Different Pudding
Let’s get the weekend started with a recipe with CHOCOLATE in it!
This dessert recipe has been in my “repertoire” for more years than I can remember. In fact, it was on a small index card (remember those?) until I digitized it several years ago. I have no idea where I found it, but most likely it was in a magazine or the newspaper, back when I still took the paper and they had more than just ads in them.
Joann Carmody-Vasquez’ Hot Fudge Pudding
¾ c cake flour
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
Pinch salt/
½ cup sugar
1 ½ T. unsweetened … (17 comments)
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friday fun: Friday Fun…Waiting and Patience
- 09/18/25 12:36 PM
Friday Fun…Waiting and Patience
As for patience, I usually have an abundance of it…until I don’t. Yesterday, while waiting for my lab work and annual test, I found it the perfect chance to practice patience and observe how others do the same.
Our devices make it easier for us when waiting for our names to be called. We can check email, read a book, check the news, play games…an endless number of ways to occupy our fidgety minds.
Yesterday, I saw a woman reading a real book…one with pages you flip! Most of us were on our devices. Two men were discussing last night’s … (14 comments)
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Friday Fun…18 Years of It
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