You guy's have been working at the Mouse house way too long!!! LOL LO LOLOLOLOLOOO j/k LOVED The adapted song.

CR

Just got back from laughing our heads off at Sideways. We enjoyed the movie. Loved the winery scenes and the Central California Scenery! I just drove thru that area the first week of January visiting Ryan in San Luis Obispo!

-Amanda from Seattle

Quote

Christmas is over. Put the snowman and holly back into the box in the closet.

Hey, now! It's still winter, so the snowman stays! ;o) It is long time to put back the holly and and dreidals, though. Maybe I'll put up the Valentine's theme a couple of days early if you'd like a change of theme, though. (I had been planing to wait at least until February before uploading those changes.)

Hmm.... It's the 30th now? Yeah, that's good enough. I'll get right on that theme change. =)

-- Ryan

Hey all!

I've updated the theme to Valentines--hope you like it since you'll have to live with it for the next couple of weeks! =)

Like previous theme updates, if you see parts of the old theme mixed in with the new one, click "Refresh" a couple of time to clear out your browser cache. Some people may have to wait longer if their ISP caches images--it may take a day or two before you see the full change over.

Happy trails!

-- Ryan

Quote

It only shows up above Amazon links suggested by the person who planted the box.

So why doesn't the link appear? There is nothing there.

Rob

Quote

I am chicken to take my kids out there.

If you want to do some armchair backpacking with your kids, check out "Scraping Heaven" by Cindy Ross. She and her husband hiked the Continental Divide Trail with their TODDLERS and a team of llamas over three years. They had some hairy experiences (not the least of which were the diapers) but I've met the kids and they are much more interesting than I was at that (or any other) age.

Rob

OK. Now that is PINK!!!

I do love the little conversation hearts.

Thanks for all your work, Ryan.

Knit Wit

ha!
I never said my fears are founded,
really.
I have crossed paths with black bears many times too,
but with other adults or myself. no problem,
just something about being a mom I guess.
As for the grizzly,
well, we didn't see it, but it's track was fresh and it was very harrowing...
nevetheless, a wonderful experience (Stein Valley)!!
I know there ain't no grizzlies near here,
anyways,
thanks
I will take a look at that book mind you
sounds great
hoping this is the yearwe get out there.!!

hey Ryan,
did you ever do the Pacific Crest Trail?
a friend down the road,
also with the name Ryan (major hiker!!!) did it last year over 4 months
from Canada to Mexico.
He's been to Peru, and other places
currently taking mountaineering guiding course
from what I hear of you , you two remind me of each other
He lives for the outdoors, and that is his goal!!!

Howdy!

I've emailed BOXDN for his advice, but figured I'd also put a post here. I'm attending a Mardi Gras party next week and we're supposed to bring an appetizer or dessert with the theme of Mardi Gras, Cajun, Creole, Lousiana, or New Orleans.

I've found a Cinnamon Apple Beignet recipe, but I've never deep fried anything and I'm afraid I'll ruin them or burn my house down. I also have a New Orleans Bread Pudding recipe which looks good, but it's supposed to be served warm and I'm not sure it'll work at a casual party.

I'm looking for more of a "pick-up" appetizer or dessert. Any suggestions??

Thanks in advance!
Amyrica

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I do love the little conversation hearts.

Me too! Good theme!

DebBee

Pilgrim -

I agree with what Don says "try them and see what you like best". I primarily use PZ Kut because it is relatively inexpensive and comes in good size sheets. Even the cheaper "B grade" is good for stamps and I have been using a bunch of it lately. I have also used the pink stuff and think it works pretty good too, but is more expensive and comes in smaller pieces. I actually put PZ Kut in the refrigerator to stiffen it up for carving and the ink stuff in the freezer. The pink stuff warms up from the freezer faster and ends up limiting my carving time more than the PZ Kut.

It is all a matter of preference. I have heard from some that swear by certain types.

BBB

Speedsquare - Please share an image of your dremel carving. I would love to take a look.

I made a quick attempt at using it this weekend and found that it was a little tough for me to control vs. an xacto blade, but thought it may be useful for clearing away a large area that I might normally carve a little too deep and weaken the stamp.

I will try again once I get same of the appropriate carving bits. PS which dremel carving bits did you find most useful?

BBB

Quote

did you ever do the Pacific Crest Trail?

Nope, though that's the next thing I'd like to try. =) I've even had dreams of me starting out on the PCT. Though in my dream, I somehow forgot to bring food and ended up having to hike into a trail town the first day to resupply. I hope when it comes to doing the real thing I don't make such a silly mistake. *smirk* =)

-- Ryan

I will put some pix up after work tonight. Yesterday was experience #2. Feeling confident I moved to the larger engraving bit, but on a smaller scrap of mastercarve. You really need to hold on to the material or use some grip clips *smiling ... almost disastrous*. I am happy with the results - I did some lettering.

You don't have to go very deep to get the stamp image - better to just break the surface. If you go too far the rubber will tangle. I used speed setting 1, but not greater than 2. My first attempt - the woodlands scene, was done with the #105 engraving (1/32?) bit and the second attempt, #107 bit (3/32?). I did cut out some of the Block R with the speedball after the edges were done with the dremel.

I checked my carving by stamping with a dark ink. The spots that did not clear out well get a second and third digging out. The stamp is not at all weak from the drill.

I'll be back later.
speedsquare

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I'm looking for more of a "pick-up" appetizer or dessert. Any suggestions??

You could always pick up some cinnamon rolls, arrange them in a ring and sprinkle green, gold and purple sugar on them to make a faux King Cake. Just don't forget to put the plastic baby in it!

Raellyn
Team Tired Feet

Sent Mister Salty down to DebBee so it can be released at the Florida Fabulous Flamingo Fiesta gathering. Hope everyone attending has fun.


-Silly ol Bear

Seems to me Mister Salty should make his way from here up to BOXDN's neck of the woods. He could hand out with Mister Peanut. I'll bet they'd have a lot to talk about!

DebBee

You can find my latest pix in the Photos File on the yahoo new_boxers group.

Speedsquare -

Very impressive. I will have to try harder now that I can see that it can be done very well. The big question is do you prefer it to using a knife?

BBB

Fabulous!! I could picture every bit of it!

Lady Buzz

Hi, Amyrica.

King Cake is good and you can't get more Mardi Gras than that. If you're in the Atlanta area (?), you might luck up on a King Cake mix--comes with the baby, sugar stuff and all. A brand I know of is Mam Papaul's. If you ask BOXDN nicely, he might mail you one. I know they're available in Louisiana.

There are also a couple bakeries in NO and Baton Rouge that you can order king cakes from and have 'em shipped. Gambino's is one in NO; my personal fave is Ambrosia Bakery in Baton Rouge. They have one called the Zulu king cake--chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. Quite expensive, though.

Both bakeries are on the web and have an online catalog.

Knit Wit

It's not too cold to hunt boxes! We went out and found a few yesterday. And I;m sure nobody would be upset if a new VA carving or two turned up. :)

Eli

I've got it! You guys can all rent a big old bus and come on down here next weekend!

DebBee

Eli and Aubrey,

Nice to see your names pop up again! I've been wondering where you've been hiding. I figure business must be going well for you! (Either that or you've already found all the boxes in the area and are taking a vacation until a few new boxes are planted that you haven't found.) :-)

Amyrica

Either that or you've already found all the boxes in the area and are taking a vacation until a few new boxes are planted that you haven't found.) :-)

I think you're on to something Amyrica!

Hmmmm...

ndn

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I've got it! You guys can all rent a big old bus and come on down here next weekend!

A great idea! Keg? Can it make it in to the Gathering and back in one weekend? If so I'm there! Any other SE folks?

Maybe just a big van????

NO, seriously,
Mark

I have heard that someone is selling a book with addresses for all of the locations in the movie. Kinda like the"Maps to the Stars" in Beverly Hills.

Don

Well for all of those in our age group, Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx both channeled Bobby & Ray. It was really spooky seeing the great portrayals.
Don

I missed the end of the trail,
just walked right past it.

No signs or directions of any kind;
the trail continued but it left my line of travel.
I felt the map was inaccurate and I plotted,
and bushwacked and traversed and plodded,
and I found a hill to watch a sunset.

The pink light soothed me,
ongoing is the calm.
There is a satisfying peace
to a lost journey
once you find a landmark.

And rest is welcome...

Can it make it in to the Gathering and back in one weekend? /quote>

Well, it's a 10 - 12 hour drive from Atlanta (depending on whether my husband's driving or I am) so it'd be pushing it. You'd have to spend Friday getting here and Sunday getting back, but we could have a heck of a time on Saturday!

DebBee