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While it is possible to play a single game, unrelated to any other game events past or future, it is the campaign for which these rules are designed.--E. Gary Gygax,
Forward [sic] to Volume 1 of OD&D,
1 November 1973
This is a behavior to which I was particularly prone during the 1990s, which, not coincidentally also corresponds to the period during which I was most disenchanted with this hobby. Back then, I took an interest in a new game every couple of weeks or months. Unsurprisingly, I didn't actually play anything for very long, assuming I even got to play at all. I ran various one-shot adventures and several short-lived attempts at campaigns, but none of them ever had any staying power. Now, I wasn't unique in this sort of behavior. Indeed, back then it seemed to be the norm, at least amongst the gamers with whom I had any regular contact. And I sometimes get the sense that this behavior became widespread enough that it's now treated as the norm. That is, most gamers expect to play a different game every few months and the idea of years-long campaigns is viewed with either bafflement or derision, but perhaps I overstate the situation. That's why I thought of this quote by Gygax. If you read OD&D, it's pretty clear that there's an assumption that the game would be used primarily for campaign play rather than for one-shots or a bunch of disconnected adventures here and there. I think many of OD&D's supposed "shortcomings" make much more sense when viewed through this lens, but that's a topic for another day.
Dwimmermount began its life as an experiment, an attempt to wipe the slate clean and approach an old game with fresh eyes. Along the way I've learned a lot of things, but the one lesson that I keep coming back to is how difficult it is to properly understand, evaluate, and appreciate old school gaming outside of the context of a lengthy campaign. And by "lengthy," I don't mean 10 or 12 sessions but many, many more than that. Dwimmermount will have its 43rd session tomorrow and I still consider the campaign quite "young" and not wholly self-sustaining yet (though it's getting there). That's why I'm glad I didn't give in to the urge to interrupt my group's regular sessions with another game or games, even though the siren song of RPGs like RuneQuest or Stormbringer was strong (and still is to a certain extent). In my experience, very few campaigns survive hiatuses and, even those that do generally suffer as a result, their original momentum having been slowed or at least diverted.
None of this is to say that I plan to run Dwimmermount forever. More to the point, I am sure that, for one reason or another, the campaign will inevitably end, as most campaigns do, but I'm in no hurry to see that happen. My players and I are having too much fun and I'm learning a lot from the experience. I don't think that 5+ year-long campaigns with the same group of people were ever the norm, but they used to be something gamers talked about, if only as an ideal. The Dwimmermount campaign is better for my looking on that as an ideal, I can tell you; it's some of the best D&D I've ever played. That's why I plan not to give into gamer ADD when it rears its head again -- even if giving, say, Hawkmoon a whirl would pretty cool ...


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Today, men and women across the world will be making a concerted effort to get their rocks off.
Some will proffer flowers and cards, others will treat their beloved to expensive meals, shower them with jewelery or simply send a saucy email pointing out the romantic potential of the office stationary cupboard. It's a day for expressing your feelings, even if that's via an anonymous card.
Here at MusicRadar, we like to encourage this sort of thing. We're lovers, not haters. So, in order to get you in the mood we've selected 69 of the sexiest songs we could think of, from sultry soul to raunchy rock and roll and everything in between*.
Click through for our selection of some of the hottest, most seductive and downright rudest records, and prepare yourself for a Valentine's Day to remember.
*But no Barry White. Never Barry White - you'll thank us in the long run.
Bob Marley - Turn Your Lights Down Low
Probably the sexiest slice of reggae ever committed to tape, this steamy little number popped up on 1977 masterpiece Exodus following the achingly beautiful Waiting In Vain, all its "good good loving" coming on like a reward for the poor sap who didn't want to do all that waiting.
The Beatles - Why Don't We Do It In The Road
In the road Paul? Are you sure? I'm pretty sure plenty of people will see us, actually. Oh, go on then...
Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac - Need Your Love So Bad
Fleetwood Mac's earliest incarnation were always fond of a close-to-the-knuckle schoolboy gag, from Mick Fleetwood's pair of wooden balls (not a euphemism) to hilariously suggestive songs like Rattlesnake Shake.
On Need Your Love So Bad though, the jokes were replaced by desperation as Peter Green's aching guitar petitioned somebody, anybody, to get up close and personal.
Al Green - Let's Stay Together
If Al Green's voice doesn't make you want to hop on the good foot and do the bad thing, it's entirely possible that there's something quite serious wrong with you.
Let's Stay Together, quite apart from being one of the greatest soul songs of all time, is brilliant for any number of reasons, but one we particularly like is the proposition implicit in the song's title: let's stay together... and get down to it, baby. Oh yeah.
Faces - Stay With Me
It's when the break-neck intro slows down that Stay With Me turns into something altogether deeper and dirtier.
Rod Stewart's vocals have rarely sounded as charged as he lets his latest conquest - all "red lips, hair and fingernails" know that all he's after is the good stuff - and nothing else.
Otis Redding - These Arms Of Mine
A towering performance from one of the greatest singers ever to have picked up a microphone, These Arms Of Mine packs more raw heartache and intensity into two minutes and thirty five seconds than most artists can manage in an entire career.
Prince - Adore
In which a typically fruity Prince promised to be there for that special someone until the end of time. As closer to Sign 'O' The Times, arguably his greatest album, this had to be a climactic affair - in every sense.
LL Cool J - Doin It
LL Cool J sets his stall out early - "conventional methods of love kind of bore me" - but it's scant preparation for the filth-fest that follows. At 4.54 it lasts an impressively long time too...
The White Stripes - Ball And Biscuit
The slinky riff, Meg's thudding, insistent drums banging away like a headboard and Jack White's lascivious lyrics make this one of The White Stripes' filthiest blues jams.
Lewis Taylor - Damn
Pearls like this one demonstrate why Lewis Taylor is one of British music's great lost talents. With a shape-shifting chord progression, glorious harmonies and even a cheeky homage to the opening guitar lick from Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On, it's a lament to a love never wanted.
Blackstreet - No Diggity
When Bill Withers wrote a song about his grandmother's hands, little did he know that one day this seemingly asexual ode would be sampled to form part of one of '90s RnB's filthiest grooves.
Portishead - Glory Box
Fans of the euphemism can have plenty of fun with the title of this one (we'll thank you to take your minds out of the gutter), but the sultry string sample and squalling guitar indicate all kinds of pre-coital tension. Probably.
Silk - Freak Me
'Freak me baby' - whatever can he mean? This slice of Silk slickness might be awash with the classic '80s DX7 piano sound so beloved among balladeers, but the lyrics leave far less to the imagination than your typical pop smoocher.
Just to confirm: he wants to lick you up and down.
INXS - Need You Tonight
Offering an iconic chugging guitar riff, a breathy vocal, an award-winning video and - above all - Michael Hutchence at his most charismatic, Need You Tonight seems to roll more than it rocks. And that, lest you were wondering, is a good thing.
D'Angelo - Untitled (How Does It Feel)
Proving that neo soul really did have soul, this tribute to Prince bears many of the hallmarks of the Purple One's finest ballads. It is, to put it bluntly, baby-making music; in fact, the video convinced many female viewers that they'd like to be making babies with D'Angelo himself.
Air - Sexy Boy
The song that introduced the world to Air's brand of widescreen ambient electronica remains one of their finest. Full of coquettish charm, it proves that even men with synthesizers can do sexy.
Madonna - Like A Virgin
As you may be aware, Madonna has touched on the subject of sex various times during her career, but she made her name by going back to the very first time. We're still not sure what that lion's doing in the video, though.
Goldfrapp - Ooh La La
When the French use this phrase it can be used to express everything from surprise to disappointment or distress, but we reckon we know what Alison Goldfrapp is referring to here. Full marks for making the sound of '70s glam-pop not only fashionable, but also sexy.
Muddy Waters - Hoochie Coochie Man
From the opening bars, it's clear that Hoochie Coochie Man is about one thing, and it's not filling in a tax return. Lewd, rude, dangerous and, if we're being honest, a little bit scary.
Jimi Hendrix - Foxy Lady
Foxy Lady is Jimi Hendrix's appetite for the ladies given song form. The Jimi of Foxy Lady will not be stopped from getting what he wants, which in this case is a lady hot enough to make him growl like a wild animal.
Led Zeppelin - Since I've Been Loving You
Since I've Been Loving You is total Led Zep seduction. The opening licks of Jimmy Page's guitar deftly undo the flies of everyone listening as Robert Plant whispers in their ears with a voice dripping with depravity. Filth.
The Cure - Close To Me
If Robert Smith's breathy, borderline obscene vocals aren't enough to clue you in to what's going on here, then there may be no hope for you. Suffice to say, a bloke in lipstick has never made the prospect of a bit of good old fashioned rumpy-pumpy seem so close at hand.
Derek And The Dominos - Layla
We all know the story behind Layla, but the force of the song is never quite diluted, no matter how many classic rock compilations it finds its way onto. Because, at its core, Layla is a song about a man almost driven insane by a woman, and if that's not love, then we don't know what is.
Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
The judicious application of tremelo and a vocal that ebbs and flows from throaty suggestiveness all the way up to lightheaded falsetto is enough to make Wicked Game an essential addition to any making out mix. Having Helena Christensen in the video doesn't hurt its case either.
Band Of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You
Ben Bridwell may look like a homeless man, but he has the voice of a heartbroken angel, which means he can dress however he damn well pleases. No One's Gonna Love You's delay drenched balladry is pretty much guaranteed to ensure the object of your affection is in your arms by the time it's finished.
T-Rex - Get It On
Marc Bolan could sing the dictionary and make it sound dirty, and On Get It On he's let off the leash to deliver a masterclass in nudge-nudge, wink-wink filth to a hip-swinging slice of peerless glam rock.
Elvis Presley - One Night
The man with the most dangerous hips in history gets his freak on. The King rarely sounded more ready to knock boots.
Peggy Lee - Fever
The perfect evocation of things getting so steamy that you need a little sit down. So sexy it shouldn't be legal.
Boys II Men - I'll Make Love To You
As Boyz II Men prove with their 1994 classic, while it can be fun to flirtatiously skirt around the issue with delicate innuendo, few things are as genuinely sexy as directly and succinctly outlining one's proposed sexual intentions in as straightforward a manner as possible. Particularly if one happens to be wearing an immaculate white suit at the time.
Nelly Furtado - Promiscuous
pro·mis·cu·ous - adjective
1. (of a person) Having many sexual relationships, esp. transient ones.
2. (of sexual behavior or a society) Characterized by such relationships.
Donna Summer - Love To Love You Baby
With its vintage wah-heavy guitar part, sex noise backing vocals and grinding funk bassline, the single version Donna Summer's disco classic is already pretty damn sexy. By comparison, however, the original 17-minute disco version is utter filth.
Isley Brothers - Between The Sheets
The ultimate post-coital slow jam. If you need us to explain why this is sexy, then we give up.
Aaliyah - Rock The Boat
Effectively, Rock The Boat is just a rundown of sexual instructions hidden beneath the thin veil of a slightly confused nautical metaphor.
R Kelly - My Body's Calling You
For better or worse, R Kelly is pretty much the most sexually driven man in pop music. Sure, he can go a little off-piste with his romantic sentiments at times, but when he's on the money nobody can do sexy like Rob does.
Massive Attack - Teardrop
The sex appeal of Teardrop was almost ruined by Gary Barlow et al's painful charity mangling in 2011. Fortunately, the song's Dr House associations sufficiently re-ignite our fire. Read into that what you will.
Britney Spears - Slave 4 U
Slave 4 U was Britney's attempt to ditch her original teen pop image and prove she could be sexy. Needless to say, she succeeded.
Kelly Rowland - Motivation
As slow jams about sex go, Motivation would be up there with the best of recent times on the strength of Kelly Rowland's vocals alone. But it's Lil Wayne's rainforest metaphor midway through that really tips it over the indecent edge for us.
Justin Timberlake - Like I Love You
When JT instructs you, in his perfect pop falsetto, to "just be limber," you know you're probably in for a good night.
Salt N Pepa - Push It
One of the most instantly recognisable bass lines ever underpins what was, for 1986, about as dirty as it got. It's still got it, to be fair - but only for the sexy people.
Aretha Franklin - Rough Lover
It's a universal law: the ladies love a bad boy, no matter how reluctant he is to put out the bins or ignore the washing up. Just ask Aretha, she'll tell you.
Nine Inch Nails - Closer
Nine Inch Nails really hammer home the message here, just to make sure everyone is absolutely clear. We just hope they agreed on a safe word before they got down to it.
Miles Kane - The Colour Of The Trap
He's the king of the Mods, and as befitting his royal status he always requires at least one lady on either arm. The final track on his debut album no doubt makes sure the quota is always met.
Howlin' Wolf - Spoonful
Any man willing to give up diamonds and gold (although admittedly only a spoonful's worth) in the pursuit of some good lovin' deserves to be taken seriously.
John Mayer - Your Body Is A Wonderland
The soundtrack to a thousand lost virginities, Your Body Is A Wonderland is John Mayer at his smoothest. It does leave you with the overwhelming feeling that he did it in a theme park though.
Arctic Monkeys - The Only Ones Who Know
When Alex Turner stopped singing about Sheffield dance floors, he starting writing songs like this. Probably the most romantic thing South Yorkshire's finest has done yet.
Blondie - Picture This
Is there anything more thrilling than the prospect of Debbie Harry giving you her telephone number? Apart from the thought of her watching you in the shower, of course.
Bruce Springsteen - I'm On Fire
Can you imagine the size of Bruce Springsteen's sex drive? It could probably power a small nation, and you can hear it smouldering all over this.
Van Morrisson - Into The Mystic
When you've got a set of pipes like Van Morrisson, it almost doesn't even matter what you're singing.
Into The Mystic has its fair of hippy nonsense in the lyrics, but that melody will have your pants on the bedroom floor before you can light a joss stick.
Leonard Cohen - Chelsea Hotel #2
There is no more effective aphrodisiac known to science than Leonard Cohen's voice. If in doubt, deploy this song at a sensitive moment and prepare yourself, it's going to be a wild ride.
Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire
Is sex being on fire a good thing? It's a question that has plagued the great thinkers of our time, and one we may never know the answer to. Caleb Followhill certainly thinks it is, that's for sure.
Teddy Pendergrass - Close The Door
How many people are alive today as a result of this song's irresistible baby-makin' groove? We're willing to bet the number is now in the hundreds of thousands.
John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom
We're all grown ups here. We know what boom boom he's talking about, and frankly Mr Hooker, we're a little shocked. Don't stop playing...
Santana - Black Magic Woman
What happens when you take Carlos Santana, latin rhythms, and one of Peter Green's finest songs? Magic, that's what. Sexy, sexy magic.
The Doors - Touch Me
Jim Morrison wasn't the sort of chap to beat around the proverbial bush, and if he wanted you to touch him, he wasn't shy about hollering it at you as loud as he possibly could. It's a tactic we heartily endorse.
Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight
The soft rocking tribute to getting your oats in the middle of the day was given a new lease of life by Ron Burgundy, which is another reason to be grateful to San Diego's greatest anchorman.
Dusty Springfield - The Look Of Love
We all know that look. It's the same one that leads to thousands of children being conceived in cars, stationary cupboards and hedges every year. It's a good look.
Serge Gainsbourg - Je T'Aime… Moi Non Plus
We're ardent Francophiles here at MusicRadar, and as such can't get enough of Serge and Jane's classic duet. Pure aural pleasure.
Billie Holiday - Lover Man
Bursting with heartache, longing and frisky feelings all at the same time. Beautiful.
Sam Cooke - Bring It On Home
If you had one night to live, and one chance to score, and you needed one voice to facilitate that last hurried liaison, we'd suggest you get some Sam Cooke on your sound system. He won't let you down.
Bob Dylan - Lay, Lady, Lay
When Dylan turns his hand to seduction, the results are as effective as you'd expect. Somehow, even the cow bell is alluring on Lay, Lady, Lay, and that shouldn't be possible.
Etta James - I Just Want To Make Love To You
You'd have thought that over-exposure to ad campaigns would have destroyed the sexual energy that pulses through this song, but you'd be 100 per cent mistaken. Unstoppable.
The Ronettes - Be My Baby
We defy any prospective suitor who plays this song to his intended not to succeed. There's something written in the DNA of The Ronettes that is physically impossible to resist - trust us, we've tested this with science.
Billy Paul - Me And Mrs Jones
If you were Mr Jones, you'd no doubt hate Billy Paul for doing the dirty with your missis. But eventually, you'd have to concede that the affair was more than worth it, for this song if nothing else.
The Divinyls - I Touch Myself
The most blatant hymn to having a bit of "quality time" to yourself ever recorded, I Touch Myself also works as a handy instruction manual for what to do should you find yourself alone on Valentines day.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps
Oh Karen O, you stole our heart in 2003, and we place a large part of the blame for that on Maps. We would never leave you like the idiot in the song though, promise.
Roxy Music - Love Is The Drug
A product of a simpler time, when sex addiction was something to be celebrated by louche ladykillers like Bryan Ferry and not a cause for concern, Love Is The Drug is so good it makes singles bars sound appealing.
Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons - Beggin'
Frankie Valli's famous falsetto might not be the obvious contender for a truly sexy vocal, but there's so much unbridled passion in Beggin' that you'd have to have the heart of stone not to react to it.
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Ooh Baby Baby
By the end of Ooh Baby Baby, we've frequently found ourselves undressed and ready for action, only to realise once again that the office is not a suitable place for this sort of thing. Such is the power of Smokey Robinson.
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
There has simply never been a sexier song written or performed than Let's Get It On. The only possible alternative, in fact, is another Marvin Gaye song (Sexual Healing, obviously), but Let's Get It On wins for the sheer majesty of the thing. Magnificent.

subset: commoncrawl


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We've all seen the scary headlines about the obesity epidemic. And there are no shortage of initiatives aimed at getting Americans — particularly kids — to eat right.
The tricky part is making eating right cool and the sort of habit that kids will want to do for a lifetime.
So what do the earnest health officials who are always talking about this do to get their message to break through? Enlist HBO and iCarly.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention kicked off a conference today here in Washington called Weight of the Nation. And HBO is debuting a multi-part documentary of the same name next week. (You can see the trailer above.) It's not a coincidence.
But HBO is also working to get 100 salad bars up and running in selected schools across the nation by September. We asked HBO's John Hoffman, Executive Producer of the documentary, why salad bars? "Well, when kids reach for it (healthy food) themselves, and opt in, then consumption levels go up." Hoffman told us. And he went on to discuss the science behind the consumption data.
Wait, isn't HBO an entertainment company? I ribbed Hoffman for sounding more like a public policy nerd than an entertainment executive.
"I'm glad you're bringing this up!" Hoffman told me. "We're filling a space that needs to be filled." Hoffman says by turning their lens to this issue of obesity and using the HBO platform for public health, he hopes to really engage audiences around the country. "These campaigns need to be conducted," he says.
Another healthy campaign being launched this week is also a vegetable-eating one.
Who better to convince kids and tweens that eating vegetables is cool than the stars of Nickelodeon's iCarly? That's the plan Birds Eye announced as part of a commitment announced by the Partnership for a Healthier America (The group formed to oversee private sector commitments to the First Lady's Let's Move campaign.) The company says it will spend at least $2 million per year for each of the next three years to market and advertise this campaign on Nickelodeon and other outlets.
"We're not into nagging," Sally Genster Robling, president of Birds Eye Frozen Division told us. "Instead of pushing things at them (kids), we've got to put them in control." And along the way , Genster-Robling says, kids will be invited to help Birds Eye create new veggie products just for kids.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Family, friends, students, faculty members and government officials will gather today at 2 p.m. ET in Virginia Tech's Cassell Coliseum to remember campus police officer Deriek Crouse.
The 39-year-old father of five was killed Thursday in what authorities believe was an attack by a lone gunman who later took his own life. The shooting prompted a lock-down that lasted several hours on a campus where the horrible memory of what happened on April 16, 2007 — when a student shot and killed 32 people before committing suicide — remains vivid.
The school plans to webcast today's service.
Meanwhile, we're learning more about the young man police have identified as the gunman. And, the family of 22-year-old Ross Truett Ashley has sent a short statement to The Associated Press, saying they "would like to offer their condolences to the family of Officer Crouse. Officer Crouse and his family are in their prayers."
Ashley was a part-time student at Radford University, about 15 miles from Virginia Tech. According to The Roanoke Times, "Radford University senior Matt Dailey said he considered Ashley his best friend. ... Dailey described Ashley as withdrawn and noted he 'was definitely off in some ways,' but not necessarily more than other people."
Dailey also told the newspaper that he and Ashley had gone two or three times to the same shooting range near Blacksburg, Va., where the student who committed the 2007 massacre had once practiced.
"He didn't keep [the gun] locked away, but all summer I don't think he had any bullets for the gun," Dailey told the Times. "He didn't buy bullets that often because bullets are expensive."
Roanoke's WDBJ-TV reports that a "student who lived next door to Ashley, Thomas Walsh, says he was a quiet guy. 'Its kind of weird to think about because he always kept to himself and seemed like a really nice guy. I guess you never know,' said Walsh."
The Associated Press writes that "the man authorities say killed a Virginia Tech police officer before committing suicide had broken up with his girlfriend over the summer and vaguely mentioned some family issues, but he was loyal and never hinted at plans for violence, friends and former classmates said Saturday."
But for some still unknown reason, he stole a car at gunpoint on Wednesday and then apparently killed Crouse on Thursday.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Pastures, Breeds, Traditions
25 Jul 2013
"Behind every cheese there is a pasture of a different green under a different sky: meadows caked with salt that the tides of Normandy deposit every evening; meadows scented with aromas in the windy sunlight of Provence…"
Italo Calvino's words perfectly describe how every cheese can be the starting point for a journey that leads to the discovery of a unique cultural heritage: breeds selected over the centuries and adapted to harsh environments, high-mountain pastures and dairies, ancient knowledge and traditional processing techniques.
During Cheese, Via Princìpi di Piemonte and Via Marconi in the heart of Bra will be filled with cheeses (and breads, honeys and preserves) from over 60 Slow Food Presidia. The stands will be manned by the small-scale producers who with their passion and commitment are resisting standardization and the homogenization of taste, each representing their own local area, traditions and ancient knowledge.
At stand after stand, visitors will be able to discover the extraordinary biodiversity of cheese production around the world: from Africa to the Balkans via the Mediterranean and the Alps and on to the pastures of Northern Europe.
Livestock herding traditions have survived across most of the mountainous areas of the Balkans. In Bulgaria, up in the Stara Planina mountains, we find sheep's cheeses made with milk from the Tetevan breed, one of the smallest in Europe, produced in summer mountain pastures and then aged in cellars in the village of Tcherni Vit. Here, the specific climactic conditions and humidity lead to the development of noble molds, producing Zeleno Sirene, green cheese (a Slow Food Presidium). Also in Bulgaria, in the Pirin mountains, lives a sheep breed at risk of extinction, the Karakachan (also a Presidium). Just 800 head remain of this small sheep, whose thick, fragrant milk makes unforgettable yogurt. The tradition of transhumance, the seasonal migration of livestock, lives on in Macedonia, near the border with Kosovo, in the Mavrovo nature park. In the summer, Sharplaninska sheep are taken to graze in mountain pastures, where the shepherd-cheesemakers produce the feta-like Belo Sirene, and incredible Kashkaval, a Slow Food Presidium. Branza, a typical sheep's cheese, is made throughout the Carpathians in Romania, but the best comes from the Bucegi mountains, where Slow Food Presidium Branza de Burduf is aged in fir bark.
In Northern Europe, meanwhile, Presidia are often established to protect breeds that have adapted well to cold climates and harsh environments, breeds that produce quality milk and represent small but interesting traditions. Here, as in the Balkans, problems are mostly legal, with strict laws governing raw-milk cheese production. Presidia present at Cheese will include Artisan Somerset Cheddar, Irish raw-milk cheeses and Geitost from Norway (the most unusual of them all, sweet and caramelized, more like a dessert than a cheese).
But it is particularly the Alps, the heart of Europe, according to the famous Czech writer Milan Kundera, that are still home to cheesemakers who still produce cheese using the techniques of a hundred, five hundred or even a thousand years ago, preserving ancient traditions, a heritage for the whole continent. Cheesemakers climb up to the mountain pastures, milk their animals the first time, make cheeses (always without artificial starter cultures), salt them and set them on wooden boards to age. Then they milk the animals again and make more cheeses. As the days pass, the first cheeses must be turned, cleaned, perhaps wiped. And so they go on for three months, sometimes more. Given this rich tradition, perhaps Kundera forgot to say that the Alps are the cheesemaking heart of Europe. Plenty of great mountain cheeses from Italy (Bitto, Macagn, Cevrin and others), France (cheeses from the Auvergne made with milk from Salers cows) and Switzerland (Emmentaler, Sbrinz, Vacherin) will be present at the event in Bra.
In other places, necessity has been the mother of invention. A huge variety of cheeses are made around the Mediterranean. Greece alone has 30 PDOs-and livestock herding has ancient origins here. In fact, only in the Middle East have people been herding animals for longer. Different climates and a fragmented social history mean that around 1,200 of the world's 2,000 cheeses are produced here.
On the other side of the Mediterranean, in Africa, the situation is different: Climate change is causing serious problems for herders, the custom of milking goats is being lost and food-safety issues are non-trivial. Nonetheless, milk and yogurt are commonly consumed throughout the continent, and many fascinating dairy products are produced in Africa. Among the Presidia stands, look out for Ethiopian Karrayu herders with their camel's milk and the Pokot of Kenya with their ash yogurt.
One more reason to visit this year: The Presidia will be presented at Cheese with the new narrative label, a system for food labeling packed with information about producers, breeds, production techniques, places of origin and animal welfare.
Find out more:
[email protected]
Photo: Producers from the Béarn High Pasture Cheese Presidium. © Kunal Chandra
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Relief, excitement when utility truck spotted in neighborhood; many still waiting
Tink Miner and Cliff Frink sat outside on the porch of 12 Morgan St. in Pawcatuck this afternoon, watching a utility crew from Illinois work to restore power to their neighborhood.
Frink's mother, Priscilla Frink, owns the home, which sustained more than just a typical power outage. When a large tree fell on the wires just a few houses down, a high voltage line snapped and hit the secondary power line, causing a backup of electricity into seven homes on Morgan Street.
"There were burn marks on my wall outlets, my electric meters had to be removed from the side of my home and an electrician has to test every outlet in my house before the power can even be turned on," Priscilla Frink said.
Once the electrician gives the "all clear" the town's building inspector must come to the house to make sure everything is safe before he contacts CL&P to restore the power.
"I'm very happy to see the truck outside, I've been out of power since Monday," she said. "It's supposed to be pretty chilly these next few days so the heat will be good."
Two doors down, Frink's neighbor Anthony Miceli said that he had been watching that same crew work since Tuesday afternoon.
"They're awesome, they were very, very good," he said. "They've been working 16 hours a day and you can't ask for more than that from anyone. I have no complaints about any of the utility company responses, they're doing the best they can."
Miceli lost power Monday evening and also had a large tree fall on the front of his home. He couldn't open the front door but spoke through the screen while his two dogs poked their noses out of the screen door, which he had to cut so he could let them out.
Earlier in the day, local and state leaders expressed frustration during a press conference at the response from Connecticut Light & Power in restoring power to the Stonington area.
"We are going on day four without power," said Sen. Andrew Maynard, D- Stonington. "What is taking so long if we have the necessary resources in place? We are just trying to get straight answers."
Stonington First Selectman Ed Haberek said he was "dissatisfied" with CL&P.
"Yesterday, we had five crews total in town and today we're back to one crew," said Haberek. "I can't understand why we are getting so little help. Our situation is critical."
According to CL&P website, 81 percent of the town is without power.
A spokesman for Connecticut Light & Power said this morning that he expects a "substantial restoration" by Monday or Tuesday across the state.
Mitch Gross said there is still a lot of work to do. According to CL&P's website 250,010 customers throughout the state are still in the dark as a result of the hurricane-force winds of Sandy. At the storm's peak more than 500,000 customers were without power.
Haberek said the crew in town consists of one tree and utility team.
"It takes up to three to five hours to clear a road," said Haberek. "We have 36 roads and one crew, it's going to be a week before we get power."
Rep. Diane Urban, R-North Stonington, said she feels there is a lack of coordination and wants to figure out what it is going to take to cut the bureaucracy.
Stonington CL&P liaison Rich Rogozinski said there are 54 line crews at the Waterford Speedbowl. He said seven work nights and the rest days. He said an additional 16 line crews are heading this way.
He deferred any comment on complaints about CL&P to the utility's headquarters.
Frank Poirot, CL&P spokesman, said he understands the frustration that towns like Stonington are feeling.
He said that Stonington doesn't have an isolated grid that serves the town. He said line crews often have to go outside of the town to make fixes, explaining why people may not see crews.
"The extent of damage in your area is not just fix fixing a pole," said Poirot. "In may case we are starting from scratch, we have to build an entire street distribution system. It's a time-consuming fix."
Ledyard Mayoral Assistant Mark Bancroft said CL&P has brought in 15 crews to work on power outages in town today.
The number of residents without power in town is down to 74 percent according to the CL&P outage map as of 3:15 p.m. That's down from a peak of 90 percent yesterday. Bancroft said crews are working on several electrical systems in town today, and the number of affected CL&P customers should go down again by nightfall.
Mayor John Rodolico, who had left on Oct. 21 for vacation in China, is back in town today. Rodolico was supposed to arrive home Sunday, but flight cancellations due to Sandy kept him there for an additional five days, during which time Town Council Chair Linda Davis served as acting mayor. He will be meeting with emergency management personnel this afternoon.
Montville Mayor Ronald K. McDaniel Jr. said as of noon there were six CL&P crews in town.
Five were dedicated to restoring power to two circuits that feed electricity to the east and west of Old Colchester Road. The other crew is roving for critical emergencies in town.
McDaniel said that restoration crews in East Lyme are working on a circuit that feeds power to Chesterfield and the northwest corner of town. As of 2:30 this afternoon, 61 percent of CL&P customers in the town were without power, according to the utility's online outage map. That left 4,927 customers affected.
The mayor said the town has yet to receive a definitive estimate on when power will be restored to those who are still without it.
East Lyme Emergency Management Director Dick Morris said the town is disappointed and said it is unfair for CL&P to make a prediction on when people will get power.
"They need to take a hard look at their predictions and what they're trying to do," he said.
Morris said the town has received an "unprecedented number" of phone calls from concerned residents about power outages.
Local towns were among those hit the hardest. East Lyme led the region with 8,446 outages, and CL&P's website shows between 70 percent and 80 percent of Stonington, North Stonington, Old Lyme and Salem in the dark this morning. More than 60 percent of Preston and Ledyard were without electricity, and outages in Groton, New London and Montville all hovered around 30 percent. Waterford came in at 51 percent dark.
A staging area at the Waterford Speedbowl was buzzing with activity this morning as CL&P workers fueled up on a catered breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, oatmeal bacon and an unlimited amount of hot coffee.
The Waterford staging area was set up almost overnight when the number of crews outgrew the Myrock Avenue staging area. Local hotels and motels are filled with line and tree crews who came to the storm-ravaged area from as far away as British Columbia and Washington state.
Among the dozens of utility trucks parked in the lot at the Speedbowl were also palettes of transformers and spools of wire sat neatly in rows.
Meanwhile, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced this morning President Obama's approval of 100 percent cost share for 10 days for power restoration and public transportation assistance in the four shoreline communities where a major disaster declaration was already made.
"As we continue with the recovery process from Hurricane Sandy, I am very appreciative of President Obama's commitment to the State of Connecticut and its residents." Malloy said. "We continue to work to get the state back to normal following this devastating storm."
In Rhode Island, power has been restored to about 80 percent of the homes that went dark in Westerly, Town Manager Steven Hartford said today. Owners of about 600 homes the Misquamicut section have been able to return to their homes, but Atlantic Avenue is closed, along with and access to about 200 homes there, Hartford said. He expected a decision would be made this afternoon about when the rest of Misquamicut would reopen.
The Rhode Island Department of Emergency Management is planning to conduct air quality tests in Misquamicut to ensure the area is safe for residents, he added.
"We have had a few people concerned," he said.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.


text:
This Is the Manicure You Should Get, Based on Your Astrological Sign
10 Best Budget Beauty TipsHow to use household items (even leftovers!) to look gorgeous on the cheap |
Older comments
Some unique, really surprising tips in here--loved this article!
by GigiSD Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 06:57PM Report as inappropriate
Baking Soda sounds like a good way to make a face scrub. Now that's very cheap!
by EricaC123 Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 07:50AM Report as inappropriate
Definitely trying the home spa! I thought you should just do it once at the end of the shower, but I'm definitely going to try switching back and forth.
by schien Monday, November 12, 2012 at 11:39AM Report as inappropriate
Interesting. Some good tips, but I think I'll stick with what I know, and what works well.
by robyne00 Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 05:55PM Report as inappropriate
Since we eat these products, shouldnt that help too?
by nicky22 Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 06:57AM Report as inappropriate
used to make an egg mask on my hair, it was way too smelly:( But it worked, especially with a good quality olive oil.
by lilas Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 01:16PM Report as inappropriate
Great tips, cant wait to try the honey conditioner and different kinds of masks.
by SarahNiikole Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 10:31AM Report as inappropriate
I've got some of these ideas saved!
by asiagirl4ever Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 11:03AM Report as inappropriate


text:
Closing Remarks
by NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow at the Chicago Young Atlanticists' Summit
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
Our Chicago Summit has just come to a close, and we have achieved a lot to improve our collective security.
I don't want to give you a dry run-down of what's been agreed. You've probably heard most of that anyway. What I want to do is to share with you my take on NATO's evolution – as a US diplomat who has been involved in NATO issues for well over two decades: where the Alliance started out; how has it changed; and what meaning the Chicago Summit will have for NATO's ongoing evolution.
I am encouraged to see that some of you look old enough to remember the Cold War. That makes me feel a bit better about my age. But if you are under 25, and it looks like quite a few of you are, then the Cold War probably has little concrete meaning for you. It might as well be the age of the dinosaurs.
I am here to tell you today that I am one of those dinosaurs. The Cold War did happen. I was there. It was an era when the threat of Mutually Assured Destruction was very real. And like the dinosaurs, humanity was one major crisis away from going extinct.
In fact, one of the first things I can remember as a child was during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. My parents started watching the Evening News with Walter Cronkite during dinner. The fear that the crisis could lead to a nuclear holocaust was very real – even to the young boy that I was at the time.
A few years later, I was in high school when the Soviet Union invaded what was then Czechoslovakia and crushed the Prague Spring. That event inspired me to learn more about global security issues. I studied the Russian language in High School and then went on to study International Relations and Russian Studies in college and graduate school. I went on trips to Eastern Europe and to the Soviet Union. And after I graduated, I joined the Foreign Service as a specialist on arms control and Soviet affairs.
I had been a diplomat for twelve years when the Berlin Wall came down in 1989. It's hard for a young generation to imagine the euphoria of those times. A whole new world of freedom and tolerance suddenly seemed possible. It even inspired some to talk about the 'end of history,' when a liberal global order would lead to a paradise of free trade, free ideas, and free peoples.
I think we were generally a bit less optimistic in the diplomatic community. But it was very clear to us that, as the geopolitical environment changed, our assumptions about the world would need to change. And our policies would need to change too – to adapt to a new strategic reality.
I came to work at NATO for the first time as a diplomat in the US Mission back in 1991, as the DCM. It was right at the start of the amazing transformation that the Alliance has gone through over the past two decades. And it has been fascinating to be part of that transformation, and to help move it forward.
During the 1990s, the Alliance turned from a static organisation aimed at keeping the Warsaw Pact at bay into a real agent of change – and a key driver behind the consolidation of an undivided Europe.
We did so by reaching out and engaging former enemies in partnership and cooperation: by opening our door to new members – and keeping it open; by rallying a unique, multinational coalition of nations to return stability to Bosnia-Herzegovina; and by taking firm action at the end of the decade to stop ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.
"9/11" marked the beginning of yet another phase in NATO's evolution. In the face of international terrorism, failing states and the spread of weapons of mass destruction, NATO's self-image as a "Eurocentric" Alliance was obsolete. We had to be prepared to tackle problems at their source – and to project stability well beyond our own borders. And that is what we have been doing over the past decade.
The Alliance's spectrum of missions and operations has broadened significantly. It now ranges from combat operations, through maritime patrolling to prevent piracy, to the training of partner security forces, and humanitarian relief. And sustaining this broad agenda has raised a number of challenges.
Our engagement in Afghanistan shows that our assignments can be extremely demanding militarily, and therefore also politically. Allies now face the specter of suffering casualties in long-term missions very far away from home, against a shadowy enemy, which is a major challenge for democratic societies.
We have also seen that today's missions and operations demand very different military capabilities than the heavy, static armies of the past -- strategic transport, precision-guided munitions, ground surveillance assets. These capabilities are all very expensive – and hard to afford at a time of economic austerity.
We have seen that the ultimate success of our missions now depends as much on political and economic factors as on military preponderance, and that, more than ever before, NATO needs to calibrate its military contribution with other, civilian actors in a comprehensive approach.
And we have seen, finally, that security has become a real team effort, requiring teamwork among the Allies, but also teamwork with other nations too, wherever they may be located on the map. This is because global challenges demand global answers – and the broadest possible international cooperation.
A year and a half ago, at our previous NATO Summit in Lisbon, we agreed a new Strategic Concept to guide us through the next decade. Our Summit here in Chicago has been a further, decisive step in the Alliance's evolution – from an organisation aimed primarily at defending our populations and territory, into a real security organisation that is capable of protecting and promoting our security in a world of "globalized insecurity".
You have all seen the headlines. Here in Chicago, we reaffirmed our commitment to the stability of Afghanistan – not only now, but beyond the end of NATO's current combat mission in 2014 – because it is crucial to the security of our own nations. And we dedicated ourselves to developing new military capabilities for the year 2020 and beyond – by setting clear priorities, by specialising, and working more closely together.
But at this biggest Summit in NATO's history, we also made clear our strong determination to continue to invest in NATO's partnerships. Our Alliance is at the heart of a network of nations that stretches from Casablanca to Canberra, and from Stockholm to Seoul – a vast network of security partnerships that will be vital in finding common solutions to common challenges, because in this new century, security very clearly has to be cooperative security.
Ladies and gentlemen,
During my career, I have often changed my assumptions about the world. Thirty years ago, I was taking trips to Moscow to voice our opposition to the Soviet Union's nuclear arms build-up and destabilizing policies from Poland to Nicaragua, Angola and Ethiopia. But just a couple of weeks ago, I took a different sort of trip to Moscow – to explain why our developing NATO missile defence system poses no threat to Russia, and should become the basis for an unprecedented security partnership between NATO and Russia. This was a different kind of mission that reflects a new geopolitical reality. Before, we dealt as adversaries. Now, we want our relationship with Russia to develop into a true, strategic partnership in meeting common threats to all of our nations.
This 21st century is your century. You are the leaders of tomorrow. Your generation will produce the politicians, the thinkers and the do-ers to meet the challenges of the future.
How you approach those challenges is up to you. I have no doubt that you will do so with an open mind, and a genuine preparedness to change your own assumptions. But I am also confident that your generation, like my own, will view NATO as a tremendous achievement, and a precious asset.
I wish you all the very best of luck in your careers. Thanks for joining us here in Chicago.


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Thursday 12 September 2024 (other days)
Thursday of week 23 in Ordinary Time
or The Most Holy Name of Mary
or The Most Holy Name of Mary
Using calendar: Wales - Cardiff. You can change this.
Come, let us adore the Lord, for he is our God.
Year: B(II). Psalm week: 3. Liturgical Colour: Green.
About the author of the Second Reading in today's Office of Readings:
Mid-morning reading (Terce) | Wisdom 19:22 © |
Lord, in every way you have made your people great and glorious. You have never disdained them, but stood by them always and everywhere.
Noon reading (Sext) | Deuteronomy 4:7 © |
What great nation is there that has its gods so near as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him?
Afternoon reading (None) | Esther 10:3 © |
The single nation, mine, is Israel, those who cried out to God and were saved. Yes, the Lord has saved his people, the Lord has delivered us from all these evils, God has worked such signs and great wonders as have never happened among the nations.
Scripture readings taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. For on-line information about other Random House, Inc. books and authors, see the Internet web site at http://www.randomhouse.com.
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Estimated read time: 8-9 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
AP Health Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Salmon that's been genetically modified to grow twice as fast as normal could soon show up on your dinner plate. That is, if the company that makes the fish can stay afloat.
After weathering concerns about everything from the safety of humans eating the salmon to their impact on the environment, Aquabounty was poised to become the world's first company to sell fish whose DNA has been altered to speed up growth.
The Food and Drug Administration in 2010 concluded that Aquabounty's salmon was as safe to eat as the traditional variety. The agency also said that there's little chance that the salmon could escape and breed with wild fish, which could disrupt the fragile relationships between plants and animals in nature. But more than two years later the FDA has not approved the fish, and Aquabounty is running out of money.
"It's threatening our very survival," says CEO Ron Stotish, chief executive of the Maynard, Mass.-based company. "We only have enough money to survive until January 2013, so we have to raise more. But the unexplained delay has made raising money very difficult."
The FDA says it's still working on the final piece of its review, a report on the potential environmental impact of the salmon that must be published for comment before an approval can be issued. That means a final decision could be months, even years away. While the delay could mean that the faster-growing salmon will never wind up on American dinner tables, there's more at stake than seafood.
Aquabounty is the only U.S. company publicly seeking approval for a genetically modified animal that's raised to be eaten by humans. And scientists worry that its experience with the FDA's lengthy review process could discourage other U.S. companies from investing in animal biotechnology, or the science of manipulating animal DNA to produce a desirable trait. That would put the U.S. at a disadvantage at a time when China, India and other foreign governments are pouring millions of dollars each year into the potentially lucrative field that could help reduce food costs and improve food safety.
Already, biotech scientists are changing their plans to avoid getting stuck in FDA-related regulatory limbo. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have transferred an experimental herd of genetically engineered goats that produce protein-enriched milk to Brazil, due to concerns about delays at the FDA. And after investors raised concerns about the slow pace of the FDA's Aquabounty review, Canadian researchers in April pulled their FDA application for a biotech pig that would produce environmentally friendly waste.
"The story of Aquabounty is disappointing because everyone was hoping the company would be a clear signal that genetic modification in animals is now acceptable in the U.S.," said Professor Helen Sang, a geneticist at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland who is working to develop genetically modified chickens that are resistant to bird flu. "Because it's gotten so bogged down _ and presumably cost AquaBounty a huge amount of money _ I think people will be put off."
The science behind genetic modification is not new. Biotech scientists say that genetic manipulation is a proven way to reduce disease and enrich plants and animals, raising productivity and increasing the global food supply. Genetically modified corn, cotton and soybeans account for more than four-fifths of those crops grown in the U.S., according to the National Academies of Sciences.
But there have always been critics who are wary of tinkering with the genes of living animals. They say the risk is too great that modified organisms can escape into the wild and breed with native species. Not that we don't already eat genetically altered animals. Researchers say the centuries-old practice of selective breeding is its own form of genetic engineering, producing the plumper cows, pigs and poultry we eat today.
"You drive a hybrid car because you want the most efficient vehicle you can have. So why wouldn't you want the most efficient agriculture you can have?" asks Alison Van Eenennaam, a professor of animal science at University of California, Davis.
Aquabounty executives say their aim is to make the U.S. fish farming industry, or aquaculture, more efficient, environmentally friendly and profitable. After all, the U.S. imports about 86 percent of its seafood, in part, because it has a relatively small aquaculture industry. Aquaculture has faced pushback in the U.S. because of concerns about pollution from large fish pens in the ocean, which generate fish waste and leftover food.
Aquabounty executives figure that the U.S. aquaculture industry can be transformed by speeding up the growth of seafood. The company picked Atlantic salmon because they are the most widely consumed salmon in the U.S. and are farmed throughout the world: In 2010, the U.S. imported more than 200,000 tons of Atlantic salmon, worth over $1.5 billion, from countries like Norway, Canada and Chile.
Using gene-manipulating technology, Aquabounty adds a growth hormone to the Atlantic salmon from another type of salmon called the Chinook. The process, company executives say, causes its salmon to reach maturity in about two years, compared with three to four years for a conventional salmon.
Aquabounty executives say if their fish are approved for commercial sale, there are several safeguards designed to prevent the fish from escaping and breeding with wild salmon. The salmon are bred as sterile females. They also are confined to pools where the potential for escape would be low: The inland pens are isolated from natural bodies of water.
And the company says that these pens would be affordable thanks to the fast-growing nature of Aquabounty's fish, which allows farmers to raise more salmon in less time. Overall, the company estimates that it would cost 30 percent less to grow its fish than traditional salmon.
But getting the fish to market hasn't been easy.
The company began discussions with the FDA in 1993. But the agency did not yet have a formal system for reviewing genetically modified food animals.
So Aquabounty spent the next decade conducting more than two dozen studies on everything from the molecular structure of the salmon's DNA to the potential allergic reactions in humans who would eat it. By the time the FDA completed its roadmap for reviewing genetically modified animals in 2009, Aquabounty was the first company to submit its data.
After reviewing the company's data, the FDA said in a public hearing in September of 2010 that Aquabounty's salmon is "as safe as food from conventional Atlantic salmon." The FDA also said the fish "are not expected to have a significant impact" on the environment.
But as the company has inched toward FDA approval it has faced increasing pushback from natural food advocates, environmentalists and politicians from salmon-producing states. In fact, following the FDA's positive review of the fish, the House of Representatives passed a budget that included language barring the FDA from spending funds to approve a genetically engineered salmon.
"Frankenfish is uncertain and unnecessary," said Rep. Don Young of Alaska, who authored the language. The Senate did not adopt the measure.
Despite such opposition, environmental groups such as the Food and Water Watch say that FDA approval seems inevitable. "We think there is a clear bias toward approving genetically modified animals within the FDA," said Patty Lovera, assistant director of Food & Water Watch, a nonprofit that promotes environmentally friendly fishing and farming practices. "This thing is trapped in a regulatory process that is predisposed toward approving it."
But the delay could cause Aquabounty to go bankrupt before its salmon reaches supermarkets.
Aquabounty, which started in 1991 focusing on proteins used to preserve human cells, changed direction after acquiring the rights to gene-manipulation technology from researchers at the University of Toronto and Memorial University of Newfoundland. Initial financing came from Boston-area investors and biotech-focused venture capital funds, but the company has burned through more than $67 million since it started.
According to its mid-year financial report, Aquabounty had less than $1.5 million in cash and stock. And it has no other products besides genetically modified salmon in development.
In February, the cash-strapped company agreed to sell its research and development arm to its largest single shareholder, Kakha Bendukidze, a former Republic of Georgia finance minister turned investor, in return for his help raising $2 million in cash to stay afloat. Aquabounty's CEO Stotish fretted that Bendukidze, who controlled nearly 48 percent of Aquabounty's public stock, would move the company overseas. But in October Bendukidze's investment fund sold its shares to Intrexon, a biotech firm headquartered in Germantown, Md.
Stotish views the sale as a positive development, but he still worries that the U.S. government is unwilling to approve the technology at the heart of his company's work.
"This is about more than Aquabounty and more than salmon," Stotish says. "And shame on us if we allow this to slip away because of partisan bickering and people who oppose new technology."
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Haunted Holidays
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
"Please, come into the firelight, won't you?"
"Our candles are made with only the most festive blood-red wax. It helps bring out the holiday spirits, you see." [wind blowing]
[water drips] "Don't mind the cobwebs; we find they give the Playhouse a homey feel."
"Now, I'm sure you're just dying to meet Santa, aren't you?" [heart beating] "Well, here he is! Ahahahaha!"
"Loook into my eeeeyes..."
[door slams] [running feet]
"Wait, where are you going, my friends? Don't you want your Polaroid? Only $12.99!!"
Beth A., Deanna T., and Bradley W., hurry baa-aaack. Hurry baa-aaack!
138 comments | Post a Comment
I think the candle is the wreckiest cake today...followed shortly by the psycho santa.
- December 10, 2008 at 9:31 AM
- The Courteous Chihuahua said...
LOLOL!! Nothing says "Happy Holidays" quite like a bleeding marshmallow, cobwebs and a demonic Santa.
- December 10, 2008 at 9:32 AM
- Rebekah said...
i still don't understand what that first one is. it's a candle, REALLY?!?! that makes my heart sad.
- December 10, 2008 at 9:32 AM
Is the second one supposed to be a Yule log frosted in white?
The Santa cake is about a month and a half late for the holiday it looks like it was intended for...
~Jeffrey - December 10, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Mommy, when I sat on Santa's lap, I started telling him what I wanted for Christmas, but then I think I told him about where we keep the emergency cash and the good silver and the code for the alarm system. Is that bad?
- December 10, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Candle my foot...that's a re-creation of the Christmas Eve my mom almost cut her finger off on a can of green beans and I had to drive her to the emergency room with a t-shirt wrapped around the wound. (true story...and I'm sorry but that flame just looks like spurting blood to me).
And as for Santa...well....you were on the NAUGHTY list this year. But Santa will still bring you presents. In exchange for your SOUL! MWAHAHAH! - December 10, 2008 at 9:40 AM
- Woof said...
Truly a Nightmare before Christmas...
- December 10, 2008 at 9:41 AM
- Boozy Tooth said...
Not only is Santa hypnotizing me - which purely on its own merit is creeping me out - but his whiskers are made of shaving cream. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Word verification (deep breath): "rhedi" as in Redi-Whip. - December 10, 2008 at 9:41 AM
- December 10, 2008 at 9:41 AM
- Nandi said...
Too funny!
- December 10, 2008 at 9:43 AM
- Cottagecheap said...
Ack! Is it just me or did Santa get his brows done at "Evil Stylz" hair salon? Sheesh! Even without his 'swirly' eyes....egad!
- December 10, 2008 at 9:43 AM
- Kelly said...
Wow, that has to be the scariest holiday spirit I've ever seen! Thanks for the frightful tour!
- December 10, 2008 at 9:43 AM
- Goofiernu said...
Oh, that is PRICELESS!!
- December 10, 2008 at 9:45 AM
- Mandi said...
Are those webs supposed to be snowflakes???
- December 10, 2008 at 9:46 AM
Oh my! Looks like someone's trying to recycle Halloween cakes! LOL.
- December 10, 2008 at 9:47 AM
- Grandma J said...
Looks a little like the NIGHTMARE before Christmas to me.
- December 10, 2008 at 9:49 AM
What a horrifying Santa! And to make it worse he's a CCC...dun dun dun.
- December 10, 2008 at 9:50 AM
- Nikki said...
OMG, what kind of stores are these coming from? You could frost 10 cakes with the amount of frosting they piled into that "candle" (is that appropriate usage of quotations?) lol
- December 10, 2008 at 9:50 AM
- Pink Sith said...
It took me so long to figure out that was a candle on the 1st cake. I must need coffee or glasses or both.
- December 10, 2008 at 9:50 AM
- Unknown said...
I want to go to the Haunted Mansion now after seeing that!
- December 10, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Are you sure that is a candle? Ah well, you're probably right: I dan't know what else it could be!
Love your blog.
Willemijn - December 10, 2008 at 9:50 AM
- Trevor said...
Ignoring that Santa is a CCC (which we really CAN'T ignore), he's not that bad. I mean, shouldn't he be a little pale? I can't imagine there's much chance to tan up in the North Pole. His eyes... his eyes... they are strangely hypnotic......
The other two, though, UGH! I don't even GET the first one. - December 10, 2008 at 9:54 AM
- Unknown said...
Clearly, someone was proud of the spiderweb skills they learned at Halloween. And before I read the first one was a candle, I was cocking my head to try to figure out what it was.
- December 10, 2008 at 9:54 AM
- Sam, The Nanti-SARRMM said...
That has to be the most evil looking Santa that I have ever seen.
- December 10, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Is the top one really supposed to be a candle??
- December 10, 2008 at 9:56 AM
- Angie McCullagh said...
"And the murder weapon was a very sharp candle!"
"I would've gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those pesky kids!"
Angie (from over at www.HalfAssedKitchen.com) - December 10, 2008 at 9:58 AM
- Arlynn said...
Ahhhhh... this one is a scary post! Especially that creepy, twirlly-eyed "Santa." Ooohhhhh
Why would any baker, in their right mind, imagine & create such a frightening scene???
And just think how the kids would feel! - December 10, 2008 at 10:03 AM
- kerry said...
i don't know whether to laugh or go hide under my bed. demonic santa may give me nightmares.
- December 10, 2008 at 10:11 AM
- sweettc said...
ok wow I so didnt see a candle. I had to look at it and then read it again and then I looked at it again. I still didnt see it. I was at the bottom of the post and reread it again. then I kind of saw a candle not really but Jen says its a candle I guess thats what it is. That is a sad candle though.
- December 10, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Oh my word...every last bit of that was terrifying...ick ick ick...WHAT are decorators thinking? I wasn't the best decorator in my time as one, but...I'd never do something that atrocious...
- December 10, 2008 at 10:25 AM
- The Tildy Spot said...
Why would a white candle have red wax dripping on it? That's just crazy. I can see the severed finger that Leslie sees.
- December 10, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I think the Santa cake is cute. He has the same eyes as Fred Flintstone while in a trance.
- December 10, 2008 at 10:27 AM
- April said...
Those are some great spiderweb skills...unfortunately no one told the decorator that spiderwebs don't belong on a Christmas cake...
That candle and Santa are hideous.... Laughing at the shaving cream comment from Alix.... I scrolled back up and it DOES look like a shaving cream beard... - December 10, 2008 at 10:30 AM
- queenb said...
That blue icing on the 'candle' makes me want to brush my teeth...
On the second day of Christmas Cake Wrecks, Jen brought to me, two (well...three really) leftover Halloween wrecks, AND...a reindeer in the shape of a floppy-eared bunny!
I've always wondered on this song if the receiver ended up with 12 partridges in a pear tree or if they just like re-listing what they got over and over again...hmmm...(goes off to do some research)...
~Bonnie B~ - December 10, 2008 at 10:32 AM
- Missy said...
Maybe the first one is supposed to be for Hanukkah? It IS the Festival of Lights. (however that cake is more of a Fugtival!)
- December 10, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Actually, I realized fairly quickly (for a wreck) that the first one is a candle, albeit a bleeding one, but I'm still scratching my head over the second. Wha?! I'm going to hope Mandi's guess of snowflakes is correct, because I can't come up with anything remotely better.
- December 10, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I must have a really dirty mind, because it was NOT a candle I saw... more like an emergency room scene, or the aftermath of Lorena Bobbitt! And the Satan, er, I mean Santa? I haven't laughed that hard since... yesterday's wreck! Thank you so, so much...
Word Ver: downp - the art of peeing DOWN INTO the toilet, an art my 2 and 7 year old still need to master. - December 10, 2008 at 10:35 AM
I'm glad you mentioned that the first one was supposed to be a candle. Otherwise, I never would have guessed.
- December 10, 2008 at 10:35 AM
- FreedomFirst said...
Are you sure the candle isn't a Hannukah cake?
Lol. I thought the Santa was rather well done until I saw the eyes.... - December 10, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Obviously, the decorator of that first one doesn't realize that only red candles produce red wax. I still don't believe it's a candle.
- December 10, 2008 at 10:37 AM
- Unknown said...
Spider webs and Christmas cheer. They always go hand-in-hand, right?
I could tell the first was a candle..but why on a blue background, and why would a white candle drip blood-red wax? Hmmm...
~Amy B - December 10, 2008 at 10:40 AM
- Queen of All Wild Things said...
I second the Yule log theory on the cobweb cake, although for the life of me I can't figure out why it's white, if that's the case.
- December 10, 2008 at 10:48 AM
- Gothic Dragon said...
Well, a lot of bakers do the spiderweb thing to represent the rings in a cut log, however, this one is waaaay over done, as well as, WTF a white Yule Log? Ug!
Also, what candle has a red flame? Much less blood dripping from it? Merry Christmas, muahahaha.
Chrissy - December 10, 2008 at 10:58 AM
- jengersnap said...
Mrs. Peacock, with the candlestick, in the kitchen, ftw!
Word Verification: fripy - The process of getting ripped off by frugal decorators - December 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM
- The Chubby One said...
Of course evil santa is a CCC...makes total sense to me :)
- December 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Oh what fun...more blue pooh!
At least if you were brave(?) enough to purchase the Santa CCC you could have a quick exocism and remove what appears to be plastic wrapped candy swirly eyeballs!
And I do beliee that is supposed to be a log. Considering how we all feel about brown icing, maybe the decorator was thinking "I'll just go for the snow covered birch log and show a little end-grain to drive the point home...plant a pointsetta in front of the imaginary fireplace...add plastic snowman cuz, hey he's sitting here..and voila! Holiday cake!"
-Becky - December 10, 2008 at 11:00 AM
- Shelly... said...
Two words...why? wow?!
- December 10, 2008 at 11:02 AM
I want to see a face-off between evil Santa and the evil clowns!
- December 10, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Santa might want to reconsider the shape that he waxed his eyebrows in! Oh my!!!
- December 10, 2008 at 11:03 AM
- Cake for Breakfast said...
Argh. That bright blue icing is my biggest nemesis! Nothing makes me crazier than when grown ups walk around with blue lips and teeth from too much food coloring in their cake.
- December 10, 2008 at 11:04 AM
'Happy Holidays' Well, we didnt specify which 'Holy Days' did we? So we'll blend Samhain and Winter Solstice, burn the yule logs as well as some turkeys or chickens ... and hope the jolly old stranger at the feast is really a nice guy.
WV of the day: damnoses -- they're running again. - December 10, 2008 at 11:09 AM
- Craig said...
I'm glad someone was able to figure out that the second one was a yule log. I can see it now that I know. (It's still awful, but I can see it.)
I love that they didn't even bother to unwrap Santa's eyes. The evil Santa reminds me of Robot Santa from Futurama who judges everyone naughty...and tries to kill them. "Your mistletoe is no match for my T.O.W. missle." - December 10, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I'm trying to think what the second cake is...I think the store had some leftover Halloween cakes and wanted to try to get rid of them...
The third cake...did they use CANDY for his eyes? And left it in the wrapper...ew - December 10, 2008 at 11:11 AM
what's the blue thing on the side of the spiderweb cake?
- December 10, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Truly terrifying!
- December 10, 2008 at 11:21 AM
The "spider webs" are meant to be the rings that you see inside of a tree trunk, since it's a yule log. Why the rings need to be connected through diagonal lines that don't exist in a real tree, I don't know...
- December 10, 2008 at 11:25 AM
- April said...
I initially thought the "candle" was a melted Santa. The white part looks a little like a wonky beard and the red (oh the red) looks like his hat melted over his face. Can you see it? No? Ok... nevermind then.
Word Ver: pagodyna
A drunken pronunciation of Patagonia. - December 10, 2008 at 11:26 AM
- Maya said...
that's a candle?!?
I genuinely thought it was a bad attempt at an Obama "O" and didn't understand what it had to do with Christmas.
But now my brain is exploding and I have to lie down.
appropriately, my word verification is "hanis" (misspelled, but still conveys the point) - December 10, 2008 at 11:29 AM
- Jess said...
oh my goodness. i was actually somewhat unnerved at this. yikes.
- December 10, 2008 at 11:29 AM
I didn't get the "candle" cake at first either. What is even more sad is that, on the second cake, I was probably far more disturbed by the really crappy, fake, plastic poinsettia stuck along the side than I was over the "spiderweb" pattern on the top of the cake.
TAC - December 10, 2008 at 11:30 AM
I could have sworn the first one was a "Hope your Hemmoroids Get Better" cake.
- December 10, 2008 at 11:30 AM
- E.A.D. said...
OMG Jen, that first cake should have been served at Halloween! It's like watching a candle burn in a horror movie and then realizing it's dripping not wax, but blood. Mondo disturbing.
And uh, who came up with the idea of giving Santa red-and-white swirly eyes that look they're going to suck out your soul and blind you if you stare too long? - December 10, 2008 at 11:30 AM
woah. THAT's a candle? i had a... um... different association... but never mind that. santa made me laugh ^^
word verification: "undas" - horribly wrong spelling of "anders", which is german for different/weird. great description of the cakes. - December 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM
- December 10, 2008 at 11:45 AM
- ksaldria said...
Are the cobwebs supposed to be snowflakes? Cause if so it's seriously not working.
- December 10, 2008 at 11:51 AM
- thisisbeth said...
I figured out the candle pretty quickly (it's not good, but I picked it out as a candle), but I didn't get the yule log for a looong time. My first thought was that it was supposed to be a lacy design on the cake.
- December 10, 2008 at 11:53 AM
- Kate said...
yeah...what kind of sickos does it take to turn a happy occasion like Christmas into a bleeding candle, spider webbed yule log, demonic santa monstrosity? Simple answer...your friendly local grocery store bakery.
- December 10, 2008 at 11:53 AM
- The Mom said...
ummmm-Santa's beard and moustache are made of the styrofoam packing peanuts. And the yule log with spider webs is even more special with the blue plastic snowflake and fake poinsettia.
Bev - December 10, 2008 at 12:10 PM
- HorribleLicensePlates said...
what exactly is that first cake?
- December 10, 2008 at 12:11 PM
- An Apron Straitjacket said...
Hold me!
- December 10, 2008 at 12:19 PM
I was wondering why you kept mentioning candles...took me forever to realize that is what THAT cake was supposed to be.
- December 10, 2008 at 12:20 PM
now we know how santa controls the elves to do his every command...
- December 10, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Yeah, I'm not really seeing the candle in the first cake. But alot of kudos to working in a line from Haunted Mansion. It made me smile.
- December 10, 2008 at 12:21 PM
- Kim said...
It looks to me like Santa's eyes are candies. Look closely and you can see the plastic wrappers. Poor choice of candy is all that I can say.
It took me several time to even see a candle on that first one.... - December 10, 2008 at 12:27 PM
- Boozy Tooth said...
Ya know, I, too, scratched my head over the first "candle" cake. To me, it looked like a heavenly choir angel that got scalped by the injuns. And I truly and wholeheartedly mean that with no malice or ill will against the Indian nation.
- December 10, 2008 at 12:28 PM
- C. Beth said...
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY, I'm a Wreckporter! My candle/exclamation point/marshmallow being burned at the stake made it! This is the proudest day of my life.
Beth (of One-Minute Writer and C. Beth Blog) - December 10, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Thank you for shedding light on number one..... I originally thought it was a toilet, but couldn't figure out why someone would do a toilet cake with an extra "add on".
- December 10, 2008 at 12:46 PM
- tim h said...
I do not know how I've managed to live without knowing about this website.
Thank you. - December 10, 2008 at 12:54 PM
- MaryO said...
All these Wrectastic Kakes suggest to me that perhaps the Wreckorators were on... controlled substances!!!!!!
These are ghastly cakes! - December 10, 2008 at 1:09 PM
The first cake could be a Hanakah cake..however Hanakah typically is symbolized by 8 candles not one... Don't you wreckorators get any ideas and make the first cake with 8 candles...not that would be worse.
Word of the day: dropugh- the process of dropping a cake wreck and saying ugh...the customer dropugh the cake. - December 10, 2008 at 1:15 PM
- Shay said...
The eyes on the Santa remind me of Saw.... disturbing!
- December 10, 2008 at 1:17 PM
A candle? Really? And what's Christmas without a spiderweb. I should have left the Halloween decorations up and stuffed candy canes in the webs.
- December 10, 2008 at 1:34 PM
- westfalenpony said...
Santa looks like the evil clown doll thing from Saw. They both have the same terrifying spiral eyes.
- December 10, 2008 at 1:36 PM
- The Lordess of Stuff said...
Eeek! I don't like that santa at all! Maybe they decorators just misread santa as satan?
And, i agree with Leslie that the candle flame look like sputring blood. As for the cobwebs. Well, that's obviously a halloween cake (halloween is a holiday too) Only why is there snowman infront. Does it snow so early in the USA? - December 10, 2008 at 1:50 PM
- Hyena Overlord said...
That's a decapitated snowman on a blue blanket.
How do I email Jen pictures? I'm not techy. - December 10, 2008 at 1:57 PM
- Hyena Overlord said...
wvotd: readhol Readhol thing for emailing instructions - December 10, 2008 at 1:58 PM
- Brianna T said...
I think the santa would be adorable with happier eyes and eyebrows. Or just the way he is, because I'm twisted like that.
- December 10, 2008 at 2:00 PM
- OBG said...
I worship Demon Santa now and forever.
- December 10, 2008 at 2:06 PM
- gnatspan said...
Will someone please eat that cobweb cake right now!! I took a look at it and it made me think about cleaning the house for the holidays. No way do I want a cake reminding me to do my housework.
- December 10, 2008 at 2:07 PM
- Chris Andersen said...
All glory to the Hypno-Santa!
- December 10, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Nothing feels like Christmas more than bloody candles, cobwebs, and hypnotic santas.
Man, and I thought my family had issues.
Word verification: fliali: the noise you utter when satanic santa comes in through your fireplace at night. - December 10, 2008 at 2:15 PM
- utaduta said...
who ever made the "candle" cake could only afford red, blue and white frosting, how could they afford a cake decorator with any skills?
- December 10, 2008 at 2:16 PM
- Debbi said...
I SAW THE CANDLE RIGHT AWAY! Yay for me! 10 points! Not that it did not still scare me, mind you, but I did recognize a candle.
And the "decorator" of cake #2 obviously is quite proud of his/her spider web-making skills. Must continue making webs. I can hardly wait for the Valentine's cake!
And Santa ... (running away screaming) I've been good! Really! I have! - December 10, 2008 at 2:35 PM
I was thinking the cobwebs might be snowflakes too. I got the candle, but was horrified by the blue icing! Yowza!
As for Santa, OK a little creepy, but my question is where do you get Santa pics for $12.99?!? Ours were more than $27 smackeroos. - December 10, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Ah, so this is the refreshment table at Satanland, David Sedaris's twisted version of Macy's Santaland.
- December 10, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Oh, I don't know if DemonSanta's eyes are all that hypnotic. More like... Shanta'sh had moo tuch eggity-nogginsss!
And the "candle"? Ummm. I gave up trying to figure out what it was supposed to be, assuming that the next photo was going to be, you know, like a side view of the same cake, whereby it was all going to make sense. Silly me. Shoulda knowed. :) - December 10, 2008 at 3:00 PM
- PerkinsClan said...
As soon as I saw the candle cake, my first thought was that it was a ruined Chicken Run cake. Maybe I should get a job as a cake decorator. It's gotta be easy to make cakes that look like these!
- December 10, 2008 at 3:08 PM
The first one looks like (as gross as it sounds) a tampon. Ew.
My varification word is "Sasesses". That's a lot of S's. - December 10, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Soooo... You get psycho Santa when a Vulcan and Hypnotoad have a baby?
- December 10, 2008 at 3:20 PM
- Unknown said...
The first cake is obviously not a candle! It is a recreation of the horrific snowman massacre of 1973. You can even see the pool of blood at the bottom of the cake.
As for the others...wow! - December 10, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Aaaaaah! Are bakers still stuck in Halloween? What's with the spiral eyes?!?
- December 10, 2008 at 4:00 PM
The first cake??
My loony cake is fine Benny Lava!!!
Actually, I just couldn't pass up the verify word:
manduc - December 10, 2008 at 5:12 PM
- Sandi said...
I am dumbfounded by the cobweb holiday cake.
- December 10, 2008 at 5:23 PM
- Sheri said...
GREAT post. That Santa gave me the shivers right up my spine. Brrrrr. Creeeeepy.
- December 10, 2008 at 5:23 PM
- Breanne said...
Brilliant. You made me lol.
- December 10, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Seriously, what is the blue thing on the side of the web cake. It looks like a blue Big Bird
- December 10, 2008 at 5:59 PM
- Laura said...
I love your sense of humor! It's always a pleasure reading your hilarious blog!:)
- December 10, 2008 at 6:15 PM
I thought the first one was a dead chicken.
- December 10, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Love all the references to Haunted Mansion. The Ghost Host lines in the beginning were the best and fit perfectly!
- December 10, 2008 at 7:22 PM
- December 10, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Dear Lord, I might have nightmares from that Santa one.
My friend and I are getting a cake made for the end of the semester. It's going to say "No more Pre-cal!" in celebration of the schedule change. I'm secretly hoping it's a cake wreck. Cross your fingers... - December 10, 2008 at 8:04 PM
My husband looked over at the "candle" cake and asked what was up with the severed limb spouting blood cake. LOL
Word verification: (Extremely appropriate I think:
SMESS! - December 10, 2008 at 9:03 PM
- Scritzy said...
That was a candle??
At first glance, I thought it was a melted Santa whose hat had static-electricity problems. - December 10, 2008 at 9:09 PM
I take it y'all don't know the Legend of the Christmas Spider? This is the German version, but there's a fair number of Nordic and Germanic variations. I'm not saying that's what the cake was, but there is a Christmas spiderweb legend.alor
- December 10, 2008 at 9:20 PM
- Neen said...
That is one scary Santa.
- December 10, 2008 at 9:25 PM
- mbpilsner said...
A candle? Seriously? I keep doing the head tilt trying to see it... yep, still not seeing it! Melanie
- December 10, 2008 at 9:55 PM
- fuzzandfuzzlet said...
santa on crack comes to mind.
- December 10, 2008 at 11:24 PM
The Santa eyes would be bad enough if they were the white cream swirly caramels, but red?!
- December 10, 2008 at 11:40 PM
- Rebecca said...
HAHAHAHAHAHAA....your blog makes me LOL for real, not that fake lol when people are all like "lol!!!" but they DIDN'T REALLY LAUGH OUT LOUD.
- December 11, 2008 at 12:23 AM
- Unknown said...
That just cannot be a Chanukah candle. I refuse to allow it! I choose to believe it is a decomposing Santa, stuck in the blue polar ice.
As for cake #2, there's a reason that the sign says "Happy Holidays." It's celebrating a combination of Halloween, a Hawaiian luau, and the winter solstice, all wrapped up in one nasty package.
word verification: "prouder"
(Ha! I got English!) I couldn't be any prouder of these bakers if I tried! True cakewreckers. - December 11, 2008 at 12:41 AM
- shoeaddict said...
That is a candle- well, if you say so. I can't tell what the heck it is.
- December 11, 2008 at 12:45 AM
I do agree Santa looks psycho. Otherwise, I can't figure out how anyone can't tell the first one is a candle. Looks like a candle to me.
- December 11, 2008 at 1:32 AM
I... er... okay. This has to be the creepiest cake combo I've ever seen.
And I'm saying this as someone who made "Armageddon by Chocolate" cake which had a chocolate Stonehenge around the cake, Cthulhu-inspired tentacled monster on top, surrounded by chocolate chicks and sacrificial chocolate bunnies with (jelly) blood splatters all around. - December 11, 2008 at 2:40 AM
- Stephanie said...
this is my favorite CW post ever! i was totally imagining paul frees' voice just like in the haunted mansion.
- December 11, 2008 at 3:38 AM
- Josh said...
Wow, you're awesome. That was a hilarious post. Great job on the creepy voice and the stage sounds in the background.
I'd hire you for a screen play :) - December 11, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Ummm ... I don't think that's red wax. I think someone stabbed Santa with a candle!!!!! RUUUUNNNNNNN!!!!
- December 11, 2008 at 10:12 AM
- Robin said...
That is some messed up... uh, stuff. Ahem.
Honestly, the first thing I thought of when I saw that "Santa" cake was the Kandyman from the Doctor Who episode 'The Happiness Patrol'. Creeped me the hell out, I tell you.
For visual confirmation, check out these:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/gallery/monsters2/happinesspatrol.shtml - December 11, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Ok, the Santa Cupcake is just downright scary. And the other ones look way out of season. It's supposed to be about Christmas, not Halloween. Obviously, the cake decorators don't know what they are doing.
- December 11, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Wait... so you're saying that that thing is a candle?
... Really? Are we sure? Is it officially a candle or is that just the best possible guess?
...I seriously had no idea what it was when I first saw it. And it still doesn't look like a candle to me. It looks like a mauled and mangled snowman. If snowmen could bleed, that is.
And why does that "Happy Holidays" cake have both a snowman AND cobwebs?? (Or whatever) I mean, I don't think one cake can cover both October and December very well, but maybe that's just me. - December 11, 2008 at 12:51 PM
- megryphon said...
OK 128 posts and nobody has mentioned that creepy little snowman in the lower left of the spiderwebbed cake. I know it's one of those plastic jobbers for people with no imagination, but with the cake behind it it just takes on Caspar overtones.
;^) Jan the Gryphon
aka Jan Combs at http://gryph-wotd.blogspot.com/ - December 11, 2008 at 1:56 PM
I'm not sure if it's okay to swear on here, so I'll just type: J**** C***** that f****ing Santa is scary!!!! Also, Jen, I love that you spoofed the Haunted Mansion in this post.
- December 11, 2008 at 5:54 PM
- Pearl said...
HAHAHAHAHA did i just walk into the christmas version of the haunted mansion @ disneyland?
- December 11, 2008 at 8:40 PM
- Scooter said...
my thoughts on this- looks like someone had leftover halloween cakes!
Also- that Santa scares the bejeebes out of me... - December 12, 2008 at 2:14 AM
- Rachel Hope said...
What the FLOCK is that top one even supposed to be??? a Candle?????
- December 12, 2008 at 2:50 PM
That santa is cracking me up!!
- December 12, 2008 at 11:54 PM
my friend recently introduced me to this site & it is hillarious!! everytime i think of that santa with the eyes, i laugh :)
- December 31, 2008 at 9:08 PM
- Annie K said...
bleeding candle = TAMPON!
- January 3, 2009 at 7:21 PM
- Sarah said...
That Candle looks more like some sort of snowman that got his head blown off and has TONS of blood gushing out. Creepy...
- December 8, 2009 at 10:11 PM
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After a busy week, my favorite treat to enjoy with my husband on a slow Saturday morning is a batch of homemade pancakes. However, we haven't had pancakes in weeks since omelets, egg sandwiches and more savory morning meals use the leftovers we need gone before our move next week!
Once we're unpacked and unwound in Texas, though, I know it won't be long before I bust out the pancake mix and make a big batch in our new home. In fact, maybe my craving will be so intense that I'll make them for every meal! Breakfast for dinner, anyone?
Unlike most store bought mixes, this pancake mix is all-natural and easy to make in your own kitchen. It also makes the lightest, fluffiest pancakes you'll ever taste! Just combine white flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda, and you're done. Store the mix in an airtight container and scoop out a cup at a time; if you make pancakes every weekend, the mix will last you about a month. I have included recipes below for vanilla pancakes and banana-blueberry pancakes, using this mix, that you're sure to love!
Here are some of my favorite pancake recipes:
Banana and Blueberry Pancakes with Cinnamon-Vanilla Butter
Strawberry Buttermilk Pancakes
Homemade Pancake Mix
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
additional ingredients for pancakes:
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
additional ingredients for banana-blueberry pancakes:
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 medium ripe banana, mashed
- 3/4 cup blueberries
- In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months. This mix makes 6-7 batches of pancakes (about 6-3/4 cups total).
- To prepare pancakes: In a small bowl, whisk egg, milk and vanilla. Whisk in 1 cup pancake mix.
- Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased pan. Set to low heat. Turn when bubbles form on top of pancakes. Cook until second side is golden brown. Makes about 6 pancakes per batch.
- To prepare blueberry banana pancakes: In a large bowl, combine the egg, milk, extract and banana. Whisk in 1 cup pancake mix. Fold in blueberries. Cook as directed above. Makes about 8 pancakes per batch.
- Enjoy!