You enter to see the  Preferred Readership Seating Area has again been enlarged. Now there are 3 banks of 20 seats each, with all of the 2 front rows and most of the third row sporting name tags of donors. Lethal excuses himself for talking with a few of the Preferred Readers to head up to the podium as he sees you all enter coffees in one hand paper bags in the other from the coffee shop downstairs.

Good morning, please find a spot on the benches that fits your backside reasonably well as we’ve a few items of housekeeping to go over and I’ve another quarter test due today to finish studying for. What’s that? Your too bloody right it seems like I’m always taking a test! I had 1/2 a day off Sunday as I was all caught up and let me tell you it was glorious! It’s the longest time I have had off without a deadline looming over me since I started school back the end of August. But let’s get moving shall we?

Speaking of moving- Molly and my plans to move our residence have been canceled. We had located a place and our application had been accepted. However we elected to request our deposit be return after numerous ‘special circumstances” and additional upfront costs which were not discussed with us pre-application came to light. Instead we will remain where we have been for the last 10 years for one more lease cycle as finding another place that suited our needs, applying, being approved and moving in 30 days would be far too tight with both of us working and going to school.

This means that my forecasted hiatus from mid November to mid December is also likely as not canceled, though I may miss a week come exams.

Secondly, a certain post first family vacation delirious dragon failed to update you all on the situation with the donations drive. I spoke with him Sunday when I noticed his penchant for whipping out vacation photos was declining on the subject of where we were with our goals. As things currently stand here’s how Impish’s math works out:

447 members minus 20% (Vets, the disabled and fixed income readers)  is 357.6 so call it 358.  10% of that would be 35.8 or 36. We had exactly 39 donators making 41 donations. Not counting                       who has yet to send me his 2  promised Nickels.

Seems like there is always on person that has to slip in the door as its closing just to be the fashionably latest doesn’t it? Well my Leprechaun math says that (counting Mr. Two Promised Nickels and thereby making the count 40 donors and 43 separate donations) that the Reader participation goal of 10% was surpassed. Total readership participation comes in at 10.89 to 11.17 depending on Mr. Two P. Nickels. This means that things will continue on as they are for the foreseeable future without any monumental changes.

Howzdat? Speak up man! Uh no. No we most definitely will not be reverting to the old furnishings in here and the free breakfast. That change I’m afraid is permanent and only fair to those who actually contributed to support the blog.

Impish has promised to make a full listing of those who contributed to our annual keep our doors open and lights on drive in his next issue.

Mean time I do have that test to study for, so….

And I’d like it served by Princess Leia in the slave girl outfit please.

Of course, this is only to complete the whole Star Wars theme thing.

Seriously! I swear!

Watch this kid have the time of his life dancing to ‘Dirty Dancing’

8-year-old boy mimics Patrick Swayze in final scene

Nobody puts Charlie in a corner!

An 8-year-old recreates the final scene of ‘Dirty Dancing’ and nails it.

The video is going viral online with over 95,000 views on YouTube. He might just give Patrick Swayze a run for his money.

No weak knees or drool inducing recipes this week (at least I don’t think they are) just hearty stick to your waistline comfort foods for the chilly weather to come

Beef Taco Noodle Casserole

Egg noodle casserole recipe with seasoned ground beef, Southwest vegetables, tomatoes and cheese

Hands On: 15 | Total: 45

Makes: 6 servings (1/6th recipe each)

Ingredients:

• No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 6 ounces  Extra Wide Egg Noodles, uncooked
• 1 pound ground chuck beef (80% lean)
• 2 cups frozen Southwest mixed vegetables (corn, black beans, red peppers)
• 1 can (10 oz ) Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained
• 1 can (10 oz ) red enchilada sauce
• 1-1/4 cups water
• 1-1/4 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
• Sour cream, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 13×9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place uncooked noodles in baking dish.
2. Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until crumbled and no longer pink. Drain. Add vegetables, undrained tomatoes, enchilada sauce and water to skillet; stir. Bring to a boil. Pour mixture over noodles.
3. Cover dish tightly with foil; bake 15 minutes. Stir; sprinkle with cheese and cover with foil. Bake 10 minutes more or until noodles are tender. Sprinkle with green onions. Serve with sour cream, if desired.

Nutritional Information:

6 servings (1/6th recipe each) Calories 413; Total Fat 19 g (Saturated Fat 8 g); Cholesterol 101 mg; Sodium 598 mg; Carbohydrate 33 g; (Dietary Fiber 5 g, Sugars 5 g); Protein 26 g; Percent Daily Values*: Vitamin A 7%; Vitamin C 30%; Calcium 20%; Iron 18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and Peppers

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 4 servings

Italian sausage, potatoes, bell peppers and onions are roasted with fresh rosemary in an olive oil and parmesan cheese dressing.

INGREDIENTS:

12 ounces sausage, cut in 2-3″ long pieces
4 cups potatoes, cut in 1/2″ – 3/4″ cubes
3 cups sliced bell pepper, 1/2″ wide and 3″ long
1 large onion (sliced the same size as peppers)
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoon grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed between fingers
3/4 teaspoon coarse sea or kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
extra-virgin olive oil, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Add the sausage, potatoes, peppers, onion and rosemary to an extra large mixing bowl.
2. In a separate small bowl whisk olive oil and mustard together. Add garlic, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper, whisk until well combined.
3. Pour over sausage mixture and toss well until everything is coated.
4. Grease a large, thin cookie sheet with sides and pour out the mixture. Spread evenly over the baking sheet. Bake 30-45 minutes until sausage is cooked through and potatoes are golden and tender.
5. Serve with parmesan and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.

I like this one for brunch with a couple Sunny side eggs on top. Works well with things like bratwursts and fresh kielbasa too.

Sour Cream Rolls

Homemade Sour Cream Rolls are so simple to make! I never knew how easy it was to make homemade rolls. These delicious sour cream rolls are full of flavor and will pair perfect with any dinner recipe!

Recipe type: Bread  | Prep time:  15 mins

Cook time:  15 mins  | Total time:  30 mins

Serves: 12 rolls

Ingredients

• 2¼ cups all purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 envelope Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• ¾ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup water
• 2 Tbsp butter or margarine
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt in a large mixer bowl.
2. Heat sour cream, water and butter until very warm.
3. Add to flour mixture.
4. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally.
5. Add egg and remaining 1¼ cup flour to make a soft batter.
6. Spoon evenly into a 12 greased muffin cups.
7. Cover; let rise until doubled in size (about an hour).
8. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Remove pan and cool on wire rack.

I like to mix a little freshly snipped chives into the batter, I mean who doesn’t like sour cream and chives?

This NASA picture of a Jack-o’-Lantern sun is no Halloween trick

(CNN) — It wasn’t a trick. But for space geeks, it sure was a treat.

An image, taken by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory on October 8, captured the sun getting into the Halloween spirit.

“Active regions on the sun combined to look something like a solar jack-o’-lantern’s face,” said Joe Witte of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

There’s no cause for alarm — it’s just the center of our solar system’s spooky Halloween costume.

“The active regions in this image appear brighter because those are areas that emit more light and energy,” explained Witte.

“This image blends together two sets of extreme ultraviolet wavelengths.”

And that’s what gives the sun that freaky feel

And the people all said “Amen”

[Of course I do!  He was after all invented by the Irish though more properly called Samhain or Jack o’ the Lantern]

Little girl gets a Halloween surprise she won’t forget

He was in Afghanistan for 10 months and was dropped off at the pumpkin patch while she was in school, none the wiser.

http://thechive.com/2014/10/17/little-girl-gets-a-halloween-surprise-she-wont-forget-video/

Vatican spokesmen in elaborate, gold adorned dresses announce sweeping changes to church’s views on gay marriage.

OH SURE! He talks a good game, but the second my Ninja Kitty Clan minions arrive and start making his dog Ruby bark at all hours, he plays the senility card!

Heaven & Hell…

While walking down the street one day a Corrupt Senator was tragically hit by a car and died.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

“Welcome to heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” says the Senator.

“Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”

“Really?, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the Senator.

“I’m sorry, but we have our rules.”

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, “Now it’s time to visit heaven…”

So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

“Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.”

The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: “Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.”

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell…

Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.

“I don’t understand,” stammers the Senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?”

The devil smiles at him and says,

“Yesterday we were campaigning, Today, you voted..”

Vote wisely in November !!!!!!

You shouldn’t be so down on yourself dude! You’re a world class glutton, a prime example of a bad example, regularly invent new and innovative ways of getting into (often never heard of before) trouble and basically the underdog of anti heroes. Even Silent Bob speaks of you with hushed reverence. You didn’t accomplish all of that just sitting on your ass now DID you?

Oh! Wait! Maybe…Err…Um…never mind!