Fun Stuff

Happy Halloween and All That Jazzz

I was sitting here a while ago when it dawned on me that this, the 31st day of October, 2011, is the 20th anniversary of me living with my guy, my Fabgrandpa. Yes, he moved in with me on Halloween night in 1991. We were struggling with trying to get a full sized dresser up the front steps of my house when a little kid came running up and yelled “Trick or Treat!” I about lost it laughing, when the Fab Hot Boyfriend (ok, we weren’t married yet back then) said “Do you want a pair of socks?” It has been a laugh a minute ever since.

You have to agree, he WAS hot back then. Look at all that dark hair. That mustache. Those dreamy green eyes. Who wouldn’t have fallen in love with a guy like that. My treat for the last 20 years!

fabgrandpa in 1991 — Yeah, he WAS hot back then.

So was I. This is me back then:

Fabgrandma 1991 — And this was me, Dark hair, Still cute.

Weren’t we just made for each other? Look at that happy couple:

1992 Me and Fabgrandpa — Me and Fabgrandpa

And us today, still happy, and still cute:

I am looking forward to 20 more. Happy Halloween, y’all. Hope yours is as fun as mine.

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Ghost Tours Around The Country. Would You Go On A Ghost Tour?

Karen · 7 Comments

When we worked in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania a few years back, we went on a tour of haunted places around town one night. While I didn’t experience any of the ghosts firsthand that night, it was a pretty interesting tour. I learned a little bit about the history of the town and saw some places I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

Here are some famous haunted places around the country where you can take a tour and look for spirits and Ghosts:

1. Ghosts of Atlanta Walking Tour Starting at $14.95 and up, you can take this tour of haunted schools, theaters, and the scene of a deadly hotel fire. The 90 minute tour starts at 8:30 p.m. nightly from March through mid-December, so it’s not too late to go this year.

2. Chicago Ghost Tours Chicago has plenty of ghost stories, from the Great Chicago Fire, to Gangsters, and present day. The tours cover a lot of information and many stories of real life ghost sightings ranging from truly chilling to light hearted. Take the tour and find out for yourself if there are ghosts to be found around the windy city. Get in on the 7 Hour Ghost Hunt for $70 per person, and hear some of the most chilling tales Chicago has to offer.

3. Visit the Most Haunted Places in New York

Take the NYC Ghosts tour and see some of the most haunted places in New York City. With every step you take in this concrete jungle, you unearth new histories that your authoritative guides will shepherd you through. Around every corner, you’ll encounter a story you’ve never heard before

4. The Original Ghost Tours of Key West Going to Florida? This tour company takes you to the haunts around Key West. Tours depart nightly at 8 and 9 pm from the Crown Plaza La Concha Hotel. Each tour lasts about 90 minutes, and walking distance is about a half mile. Wheelchair friendly. Adult tickets $15.

5. San Francisco Vampire Tour From their website ” The Vampire Tour is not dark and gory. The script contains about 85% true San Francisco history with fun vampire lore and humor mixed in. It is suitable for all ages and is a fun way to learn about the history of San Francisco.” Tours available year round, on Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. $15-20.

Where do you live? Are there any ghost tours available in your area? Would you go on one of them? Do you believe in ghosts?

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Five Good Movies For The Chicken Hearted For Halloween

Karen · 8 Comments

Yes, I confess, I am a chicken. Let me rephrase that: I am a CHICKEN when it comes to scarey movies. I can’t stand to watch the movies with blood, guts, and gore going on. With that said, there are some movies that I think are fun to watch for a Halloween Movie Night.

1. Ghostbusters

Three unemployed parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.

The trio of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroid, and Rick Moranis makes me laugh every time I watch Ghostbusters . More info and watch trailer

2. BeetleJuice

I love Wynona Ryder in any movie she is in. In Beetlejuice a couple of recently deceased ghosts contract the services of a “bio-exorcist” in order to remove the obnoxious new owners of their house. More info and watch trailer

3. Shaun of the Dead

I watch this movie every time it is on, not just at Halloween. Yes, it is about Zombies, but it is actually a comedy.In Shaun of the Dead, a man decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living. More info and watch trailer.

4. The Ghost and Mr. Chicken

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken from 1966 is still funny to me! Don Knots plays a reporter who is given the assignment of spending the night in a mansion that was the site of a murder suicide and is considered to be haunted. Knots is hilarious as usual! More infor and watch trailer

5. Young Frankenstein

Even though Young Frankenstein is last on this list, it is one of my all time favorite movies. The combination of Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, and Marty Feldman equals a really good movie in which Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson, after years of living down the family reputation, inherits granddad’s castle and repeats the experiments. More info and trailer.

What movies do you and your family watch every year at Halloween? Are they usually scarey, or do you prefer the non-scarey?

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Halloween CostumesThrough The Years

Karen · 10 Comments

I used to get dressed up in costume to take my kids trick or treating, but haven’t done that in many many years. And back then I didn’t have a lot of money to spend on taking pictures. You know, back in the olden days when we still had to buy film, and then take it to the store to get it developed. Because of that, I don’t have many photos of my kids, and fewer still of them at Halloween. They had home made costumes most of the time, and I think they were always cuter than the bought kind. But here is a collection of pics I was able to find, of me, my kids and my grandchildren dressed up for Halloween over the years:

This is the earliest one I could find–it was about 1976 or 1977. That’s me, the clown, Becca the Witch, Emily the Raggedy Ann, and Seth the Pirate.

halloween costumes home made — OOOoooo, scarey!

A few years later, they were a Vampire, a Rock Star, and a Fat Old Lady. I don’t remember who that is in between Becca and Emily, but it wasn’t me. I am not that short.

home made halloween costumes — Vampire, Rock Star, and Old Lady

In 1984, Seth dressed wacky in this costume for a school dance. Don’t know what he was supposed to be, but still, a home made costume.

home made costumes — Seth in 1984, dressed for a Halloween dance at middle school

I think this was 1989–a Girl Scout Father Daughter Dance in a 60’s theme, and Becca, Emily, and their cousin Bonna dressed like hippies. Ok, so not Halloween, but I found it when I was looking for costume photos:

Even though I think the home made halloween costumes are the best, I still love seeing the pics of my grandkids dressed up in their bought costumes. Yes, I am a little tiny bit disappointed that they don’t get the fun of making their costumes, but cute enough for me! This is Michael, my oldest grandson, I think in 1999.

Michael, in a ready made costume — Michael, can't remember the year. Maybe 1999?

Michael and his sister, Sarah. I have no clue as to the year.

halloween costumes — Michael and Sarah in costume

Spencer in 2003? I think that is what the date on the photo says. A cute green dragon!

Spencer in 2008? He was a really scarey, hairy werewolf!

Sarah dressed as a fairy last year. So cute!

Owen is going to be dressing in this Spongebob Squarepants costume this year:

And Amelia is a cutie cute Butterfly. How cute is this?

So, what was your favorite costume for you, or one of your children or grandchildren? Do you miss making your own costumes out of what you had on hand? I do, I always loved making home made costumes!

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Sometimes Facebook Has A Life Of Its Own: The Ill Fated Squash Casserole Recipe

Karen ·

When I woke up this morning, there was a whole thread going on that threatened my reputation! I mean, really! My own daughter was on there accusing me publicly of giving her a recipe 20 years ago and leaving out a crucial ingredient, destining her to squash casserole failure forever. How could she say that? I mean, I would NEVER EVER do that! (snicker!) (and this may or may not have happened back when she went off to college. Here is the cast of characters, then the facebook thread:

Becca Parson It may have taken me 20 years, Karen Stroud Eidson, but I am ON TO YOU!!!

Becky Eidson Singer What?! Tell me!!!

Becca Parson Two words…. Squash. Casserole.

Becca Parson This trickery shall NOT STAND!!

Becca Parson She knows what she did!

Linda Stroud Sewell it’s the cheese isn’t it

Becca Parson No, there’s no cheese in hers.

Linda Stroud Sewell oh sorry, that’s my recipe so is hers no crackers?

Becca Parson It’s a very basic ingredient, one that changes the flavor only a little, but it’s super important.

Becca Parson I feel so betrayed!

Becca Parson Butter.

Becca Parson It’s not in the recipe and she always smiles and laughs when I say she left something out, but I KNEW she did!

Linda Stroud Sewell oh yes, I can’t have that anymore….LOVE butter, but it doesn’t love me

Becca Parson I have been making it according to her recipe for YEARS and it never tasted right. Tonight, I had a memory of watching her stir the squash and I was so surprised because it was so simple. I added a little butter and it finally tasted right.

Linda Stroud Sewell I haven’t made one in a long time. Mama doesn’t like mine because I put a little cheese in it, but my family likes it and that’s all that matters

Becca Parson I just wanted it to taste like it did when I was a kid. I always wanted seconds or thirds of squash casserole, but it was always disappointing when I have made it for myself. But now I will make it…ALL. THE. TIME!

Becky Eidson Singer Lol! I made it last year for Christmas… I don’t remember if I used butter???? It was good though… I will definitely make a note of this! Thanks for sharing Becca!

Emily Rascoe Ok, now I need you to message me the whole recipe please! I am in need of a squash casserole fix.

Cheryl Harding I’m with Emily – even sounds good for breakfast this morning,lol!!! That was rotten of her and I notice she has been quiet throughout this whole thread. Probably laughing so hard she can’t type!!

Karen Stroud Eidson ahemphf Cheryl Harding–she has been quiet because she has been sleeping.

Karen Stroud Eidson I will have to see proof of this alleged miscarriage of justice here. Do you have a scan of the recipe where I allegedly led you astray in the makence of squash casserole?

Karen Stroud Eidson I have always used butter in my squash casserole, and club crackers. Now that I can not eat wheat, I still use butter, but I used crushed up gluten free pretzels instead of the crackers.

Karen Stroud Eidson oh, and Linda Stroud Sewell, Mama is right–there is no such thing as cheese in squash casserole. What a horrible thing to do.

Karen Stroud Eidson Oh, Becca Parson, how could you accuse me of being so cruel?

Sarah Parson Always gotta use butter 🙂 Thats whats Grannies recipe says in her book 🙂

Karen Stroud Eidson Thank you Sarah Parson, at last, some loyalty

Cheryl Harding I love you Karen – you and your family are so fun!!!

Sarah Parson ‎Karen Stroud Eidson Ive seen Seth and yourself make it on front of me so its easy for me to say lol..Plus I have grannies recipe book lol

Sarah Parson Plus I wouldnt eat it if it had cheese in it. Dont like cheese 🙂

Becca Parson it says butter on the top, but nowhere does it say anything about butter in the squash. I have followed that recipe religiously for YEARS thinking that one day it would taste right and it never did. You trickster!

Sarah Parson mine says use the other 1/2 of butter in the squash. You got the old recipe book of grannies the written one?

Karen Stroud Eidson I have to see that recipe Becca. I wouldn’t have done that to you on porpoise! Snicker…

Gaelyn Olmsted OK, I’ve eaten Karen’s squash casserole and would Really like the whole recipe.

Becca Parson I’ll scan it for you. It says nothing about butter except on the top.

Linda Stroud Sewell WELL, Karen Stroud Eidson…. all I have to say is don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. It’s not so horrible….to each his own!

Becca Parson Sarah, I have the recipe my MOTHER wrote for me.

Karen Stroud Eidson I have tried it–I don’t like it. .o cheeses squashes for me.

Karen Stroud Eidson That should be “no” cheesey squashes for me.

Becca Parson I’m not a fan of cheesy casseroles usually, either. Depends on what it is, though.

Linda Stroud Sewell well then y’alll probably don’t like Mac & Cheese or Broccoli Casserole either…I put cheese in both of those as well. Actually, I don’t make ANY of these casseroles anymore because they have WAY too many calories in them for me to eat.

Becca Parson I like mac and cheese, but that has cheese in the name. But no, I don’t much care for broccoli casserole either. Just a personal preference though. Has nothing to do with your cooking at all. I don’t like green bean casseroles, either. Pretty much no matter who makes it. I’ll eat it to be polite, but don’t really care for it.

Karen Stroud Eidson Well duh mac & cheese gotta have cheese or it wouldn’t be mac & cheese now would it?

Linda Stroud Sewell ewwwww yuk, DISLIKE Green bean casserole too

Linda Stroud Sewell and no offense taken….you haven’t eaten my cooking in a long time…..heck, I don’t even cook like that anymore 🙂

Karen Stroud Eidson I’m going to post the recipe on my blog, both the orignal version and the gluten free version. And I WILL include ALL the ingredients!

The recipe that started all this was one that I got about 40 or so years ago from my mother. My children loved it. They loved it so much, in fact, because I used to tell them it was pie and they couldn’t have any of it until they ate their dinner. They would clean their little plates so they could have that delicious squash pie. When they grew older, and knew it wasn’t pie, they still loved it. Whenever I am around them now, and cooking for them, it one of the things they always ask me to make for them. And I can not imagine that I would give the recipe to anyone and purposefully leave out an ingredient. So, here is the famous (or infamous) squash casserole recipe:

Squash Casserole, The Full Unadulterated Recipe:

5-6 medium yellow squash, scraped and diced

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 or 4 slices bread, crumbled

3 eggs, beaten

Salt & pepper to taste

Club crackers, 1 sleeve, crushed

1 stick of butter

Put the squash and onion in a sauce pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook for about 25 minutes, until the squash is soft. Add salt and pepper to taste and 1/2 of the stick of butter. Mix in crumbled bread and beaten eggs. Pour into greased or sprayed baking dish. Cover with cracker crumbs & dot with the remaining 1/2 stick of butter. Bake at 425° for 20-25 minutes or until set and browned on top.

To make this casserole gluten free, prepare just as above, but use your favorite gluten free bread instead of regular bread. I use Udi’s, but any brand will work. Replace the Club cracker crumbs with crushed gluten free pretzels. I use Glutino Gluten Free Pretzels. Put them in a zip lock bag, and pound on them with a wooden rolling pin. You’ll need about 1 cup of pretzel crumbs for the top of a 9″ X 13″ casserole dish.

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Monday Mingle Vlog Hop

Karen · 10 Comments

sunset mississippi river — Sunset over the MIssissippi River

Here I am again, with a vlog playing along with Jennifer from Eighty MPH Mom in her Monday Mingle. She asked these three questions:

1. Have your kids brought home any colds/flus from school yet to share with the family? If you don’t have kids, have you been sick recently?
2. What is something that you are obsessive about at home (cleaning, order, etc.)?
3. What is the best Halloween costume YOU have ever worn?

I tried to stay on target with my answers this week, even writing down the questions before I started. I really hope you enjoy this week’s hop, and join in if you want! If you have never done a vlog before, it is not that hard! I only had to start over six times!

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Tripping Again II

Karen · 9 Comments

Hooking up the travel trailer — Getting ready to leave the KOA in Flagstaff this morning

We woke up in Flagstaff when one of Fabgrandpa’s many weather devices started beeping at 4:00 a.m. It apparently didn’t get packed away before we pulled out yesterday morning, and fell off the shelf during travel. It has an alarm clock on it that somehow set itself to go off at Oh. Dear. God. thirty. After scrambling around looking for it to turn off the annoying beep beep beep beeeeeeeep, we decided to just get up.

We had a cup of coffee and read emails and facebook stuff, then went out to breakfast at Miz Zips, our favorite breakfast place on Route 66 in Flagstaff. That didn’t take long, and we went straight back to the KOA to hook up the truck and get on our way.

We didn’t get very far down the road, just to Holbrook, Arizona before our first stop of the day. The Painted Desert Indian Center there had some of the most gorgeous Native American crafts. I told Fabgrandpa before we left yesterday that I wanted to buy a piece of pottery for our new house. You know, the one we don’t have yet.

When we lived in the house that we sold in 2000, we collected pottery. As a matter of fact, we collected pottery individually before we met. So, just the fact that we both collected pottery was one of the things that brought us together. When we sold the house and all of our stuff, we sold most of the pottery. But we still have about six of the best pieces in the RV, but there is no place to display it.

We looked at some at Jacob Lake, and then again at Cameron Trading Post but nothing just jumped out at me. Then today, there it was! This one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever owned! I love kokopeli, too.

navajo indian pottery — Me and my new pottery piece. I love this!

Kokopeli is a fertility god, and seducer of women. But he also plays the flute and brings joy to the home. I know this pottery piece will certainly bring me joy!

Here are some more pictures from Painted Desert Indian Center:

This Storyteller Doll, about 2 feet high, was sooo impressive. It had two faces, Grandma on one side, and Grandpa on the other side, and dozens of babies on each side. Storytellers are basically a figure of a storyteller, usually a man or a woman and its mouth is always open. It is surrounded by figures of children and other things, who represent those who are listening to the storyteller. This one was made by Caroline Santos and was priced at $7,000! wow!

Last but not least, here is Fabgrandpa’s new ring–as my friend Geogypsy said, ” It’s an Effie” Silver and coral with a serpent motif.

If you are ever in the area of Holbrook, Arizona on I-40, you need to stop in there and look around. I bet you won’t be able to leave empty handed either. And if you go in there, tell Lita and Freddie, the owners, I said hello!

We got on our way again and got to our destination, Lavaland RV Park in Grants, New Mexico, about 3:30 p.m. Here is today’s RV Minute, a look at the diverse landscape along I-40 between Gallup and Grants, New Mexico. (OH< and don’t forget to turn the sound down a bit because this is loud)

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One Last Party

Karen · 3 Comments

My friend Gaelyn, from Geogypsy, had a “end of season and open house to show off her new RV” party the other day. I didn’t get many pictures there. In fact, I didn’t get any pictures of the inside of her digs. I do have to say, however, that there was the best bunch of people there! We had good food, again, and good drink, and good company. Those folks from interp party like no others!

Here’s a couple of the pics I did get, from outside around the fire:

tequila and beer — My drink(s) of choice Tequila and Beer

There were lots of people indo0rs, including me, but there was also lots of food and lots of good conversation. I’m going to miss all these people!

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