Just for Fun

This Week…A Bit of This and That All Thrown In This is a dish I’d not made in years. No particular reason, just forgot about it.  However, in the interest of not boring my diners (Larry and me) with the same old dish, I started scrolling through old recipes. This recipe was shared with me by a good friend who is an amazing cook. She doesn’t use recipes but is more than happy to share them with you. So, I learned to record her as she told me how she made a dish. There are no measurements because she didn’t use any.  My experience has been that children love this, and you will too because it’s easy to make.  BRANDI’S CASSEROLELayer starting with:1. Cut up pieces of bread- great for using leftover bread2. Cooked diced chicken-use leftover chicken if you have it3. Can sliced jalapeños4. Sli... 02/07/2026

Southern Utahhh Rocks! Am a lucky, early morning participant when the sun presents in a most spectacular way here in the sunny side of the state. You could say it's a welcome wake up call for a new day born.  A quiet dawn paints the sky, as crimson cliffs and red rocks catch firelight, the high desert alights in vibrant glow as the moon descends below.~ Wanda Kubat-NerdinSouthern Utah rocks y'all! 02/06/2026

This will be my second entry to the February challenge, if accepted, hosted by Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran. When the challenge was posted my mind went wild with possible choices and what they have meant to me and my participation here in the Rain. The list was long and kept growing of those here in the Rain and those who have moved on for whatever reason. In order to declutter my mind and make more submissions in the future I have to mention many here and cut my list back to manageable size. That said the people I mention here are not likely to be everyone that had come to mind.I begin with Steve Hoffacker who invited me to join the Rain and introduced me to Lou Ludwig. Moving along with those who I have met personally over the years Kathy Streib, Elyse Berman, Donald Urschalitz, C... 02/06/2026

Trivia question answers for Thursday February 5, 20261. Who did Abraham Lincoln face in a series of debates in 1858? Stephen Douglas2. Who wrote the "Pink Panther" theme music? Henry Mancini3. In baseball, a "gopher pitch" is referred to as what? A pitch hit for a home run4. Which classic artist was a preacher before he was a painter? Vincent Van GoghTrivia questions for Friday February 6, 20261. A bar that appears over a Roman numeral indicates what?2. A pluot is a hybrid of what two fruits?3. Do sea gulls drink sea water?4. What do spelunkers explore?Enjoy your day. 02/06/2026

Every year on the 1st Thursday in February, and this year on Thursday February 5, 2026, we celebrate unofficial Happy National Optimist Day.Every year, Optimist organizations around the world volunteer their time help the youth in their communities. Optimist organizations provide leadership, scholarship, wellness and safety, arts and sports programs.We can observe the Optimist Day encourage, mentor, and help youth in the community for better future to everyone.I want to wish everyone on ActiveRain community a Happy National Optimist Day. 02/05/2026

After nearly 25 years of silence in the spring skies, Basant is officially returning to Punjab in 2026, and the excitement is impossible to miss. For a whole generation, Basant was something they had only heard about in stories: rooftops packed with families, music drifting through narrow streets, and thousands of colorful kites turning the sky into a living painting. Now, the Punjab government is announcing a safe, regulated return of Basant in Lahore by February 2026. That magic is finally coming back.What Makes Basant So Special?Basant is more than just kite flying; it’s Punjab’s celebration of spring.Traditionally held in late winter or early spring, the festival brings people onto their rooftops from sunrise through the night. Children, parents, and grandparents all join in, shouti... 02/05/2026

Book Recommendation: Hot Wings and Homicide by Carmela DutraHot Wings and Homicide (Scheduled publication date: May 12, 2026, Crooked Lane Books) is the second novel of The Food Truck Mysteries by author Carmela Dutra. I enjoyed this book and recommend it for your reading pleasure. Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and her books.Twins Beth and Seth Lloyd are on the chopping block in the follow-up to A Murder Most Fowl, where a perfect recipe for murder is stirred up.Business at Kluckin’ Good is smoking hot. To keep momentum going, Beth and her twin brother, Seth, just scored a prime spot at the Flavors of the Bay Food Festival. For three and a half days, food lovers will flock to the Bay Area’s biggest culinary event to enjoy gourmet food trucks, cook... 02/07/2026

Random thought…Back in the day, when we had regular phones, if someone made you mad on a phone call, you could just slam the receiver down. And I swear it was SO satisfying. Like you could actually end the conversation with some attitude 😂Now with cell phones, you just… tap a button.Like. A tiny little tap.NOTHING is satisfying about that. It feels like you’re politely ending the call, even when you’re not polite inside lol.And yes, I have thrown my phone before (don’t judge me). But that’s stupid because then I’m just mad, and I broke my smartphone.So I’m curious… what do people do now when they’re upset and need that “slam the phone down” feeling??Am I the only one who misses that?? 😂What do you do know when a phone call makes you mad?   02/07/2026

Trivia question answers for Wednesday February 4, 20261. Where in your body is your patella? The knee2. What does NATO stand for? North Atlantic Treaty Organization3. Which fairy tale characters were originally goats? Three Little Pigs4. The dragonfly has six legs but seldom does what? WalkTrivia questions for Thursday February 5, 20261. Who did Abraham Lincoln face in a series of debates in 1858?2. Who wrote the "Pink Panther" theme music?3. In baseball, a "gopher pitch" is referred to as what?4. Which classic artist was a preacher before he was a painter?Enjoy your day. 02/05/2026

Every time I think of the word SPAm, I think of the hilarious Monty Python SPAM skit Today, spam has an entitly different meaing although the tasty yet ungodly unhealthy meat product of the same name is still available!!Every day there seems to be more regulation that limits what is otherwise spam. Yet, we all still receive copious amounts of it depsite blockers, filters and behavior to prevent it.  When will it end?Recent developments in state anti-spam litigation are creating heightened exposure for retailers that use potentially misleading email subject lines. The Washington State Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Commercial Electronic Mail Act (“CEMA”) in Brown v. Old Navy LLC has broadened the scope of prohibited content, prompting a surge in putative class actions.CEMA prohibi... 02/04/2026

In general I like things that have a unique taste, like biting into a jalapeno pepper. That being said I can not stand anything that has been pickled. Everything pickled tastes pickled.One thing I liked about being an active Real Estate professional was that every transaction was unique. Thankfully most were sweet and not pickled. 😊Every Real Estate professional is going to be involved in both sweet and sour transactions. It's good to experience both. The sweet ones you come away thinking that was fun and easy. The sour ones you go away thinking "what did I learn from this?  02/05/2026

While my participation in monthly challenges is infrequent this month I feel the need to participate. Thanks to Patricia Feager and Lew Corcoran for once again cohosting a challenge. As I was pondering the list of people that I should write about and it was becoming longer and longer I took a pause. Then it hit me who should be my first entry with our hesitation, our own Kathy Streib who not only convinced me to use feature photos on my blogs but created the first and second series for me to use.And, when I get the time she has volunteered to help me dip my toe into AI. It will be a test of her patience since I am a self confessed person of poor and non existent techie knowledge. She knows it and wants to try anyway. I just have to make the time.Now you know why I started using feature ... 02/04/2026

Good post by Sandra today, and worthy of our daily Re-Blog.BillGILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / HelpingArizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026Market, Chandler Every year, Super Bowl Sunday brings friends, food, and football fans together for one of the most anticipated sporting events of the season. This year, Super Bowl LX kicks off on Sunday, February 8th, 2026, at 5:30 PM CT, and if you’re in Montgomery, Alabama, there’s no shortage of great spots to soak up the excitement beyond your living room. Whether you’re craving ice-cold beers and plenty of big screens at a classic sports bar, a lively crowd cheering every play, or delicious food specials paired with the best game-day atmosphere in town, Montgomery has something for ever... 02/04/2026

Appreciating the Quiet Leaders of ActiveRainActiveRain has always been more than a blogging platform. It is a professional community where experience, integrity, and consistency still matter. Over the years, I have watched many members come and go, but a core group continues to show up with purpose and generosity.One of the people I appreciate most is Patricia Feager. Her presence on ActiveRain reflects steady leadership rather than noise. She encourages participation, supports challenges that bring members together, and reminds us that relationships still matter in an industry that often moves too fast.Patricia understands that appreciation is not about recognition alone. It is about acknowledgment. By creating this AR Member Appreciation Month challenge alongside Lew Corcoran, she has... 02/04/2026

Yarn has always been in my life from the time I was little. I learned many crafts at an early age and I fondly remember my mother and her mother crocheting for hours on end, making blankets for family members and friends. Crocheting is something I keep going back to over the years, and in recent years I have picked it up again and have combined my efforts of making things, with my wanting to help people in need by creating items others can use to keep themselves warm.  Yarn has always been in my life from the time I was little. I learned many crafts at an early age and I fondly remember my mother and her mother crocheting for hours on end, making blankets for family members and friends. Crocheting is something I keep going back to over the years, and in recent years I have picked it up ... 02/07/2026

Journal Entry for 2/24/2026 Comedian Steve Martin, is very entertaining. He was born on August 14, 1945, and is now in the Octogenarian Group. He is very intelligent. For this week, my imagination reminded me of how important humor and education matter when it's done appropriately. In this image, I asked for a likeness of Steve Martin teaching his first class in continuing education for a group of real estate agents who have been in the business much longer than it took for him to teach the class. Since many of you like Q&A, this blog post is set up for that purpose. Q. What was the new real estate instructor thinking on the first day teaching continuing education to agents who knew more about real estate than he did.A. "I thought yesterday was the first day of the rest of my life, but ... 02/04/2026

Trivia question answers for Tuesday February 3, 20261. Why do Italians eat lentils on New Year's Eve? To bring good fortune2. Who introduced potatoes into Ireland? Sir Walter Raleigh 3. What status did astronomers downgrade Pluto in 2006? Dwarf planet4. What candy company makes Goobers and Raisinets? NestleTrivia questions for Wednesday February 4, 20261. Where in your body is your patella?2. What does NATO stand for?3. Which fairy tale characters were originally goats?4. The dragonfly has six legs but seldom does what? Enjoy your day. 02/04/2026

Yarn has always been in my life from the time I was little. I learned many crafts at an early age and I fondly remember my mother and her mother crocheting for hours on end, making blankets for family members and friends. Crocheting is something I keep going back to over the years, and in recent years I have picked it up again and have combined my efforts of making things, with my wanting to help people in need by creating items others can use to keep themselves warm. For a few years I was making scarves for the homeless in the Kensington section of Philadelphia which were distributed around the Christmas holiday. Now I am crocheting caps for preemie and newborn babies in a hospital in Trenton NJ, and making caps for adults in Delaware who are chemo patients.The caps for the babies is s... 02/03/2026

You all know who I'm referring to for this month's challenge - Membership Appreciation Month!  This month we are challenged, thanks to Patricia Feager  and Lew Corcoran with writing about an ActiveRain member who has been inspirational, supportive, helpful, positive, generous, courteous,  referral-giver, feedback giver, and/or done something extraordinary.  The first member that came to mind (among others), is Anna "Banana" Kruchten! Anna and I met so long ago that I had to look back at the numerous years of Meet ups, birthday celebrations and holiday celebrations to figure out how long we've known each other!  Through research, I discovered our Meet ups go back 14 years!   In April, 2012, Julie Vosmik reached out to me about hosting a Phoenix Meetup.  In the Summer of 2022, Anna reache... 02/09/2026

Hey locals are you tired of these temperatures?  I know I am but there is sunshine and warm temperatures in our future!  The warmup is happening at just the right time.  This Friday at Lake Sumter Landing is the Electric Light Party, temps will be a high of 61º and 45º for a low.  Next is the Super Bowl Party at our house Sunday with high of 73º and low of 44º.Top three for the week and wow what a week, we hit a record for the most views with this week number one.  Remember I have posted over 1,300 articles and videos since I started!  Number three food of course “Gator’s Dockside Brownwood Paddock Square.”  Number two was “More Golf Coming South of The Turnpike,” anything about golf is always popular.  Number one last week and now number one all time is “Neighbor Just Called,” for thos... 02/04/2026