Lose the Winter Blahs with a Game Weekend

Very Fierce Competition!

Grab your snacks, drinks, and most comfortable sweats and have a fun game weekend.  Our family favorite is "Blockhead".  A box of wooden blocks different shapes, colors and sizes, and everyone takes a turn placing a wooden piece on top of the others creating some of the most outrageous looking sculptures you can imagine.  By the end, you hold your breath in anticipation of your piece knocking the entire thing down.  It's great fun for all ages.  Even our 4 & 6 year old family members got into it, and by the way, did better than the rest of us at times. 

Blockhead by Pressman can be found on Amazon.com  (for $14.00), as well as some of our other family favorites, Operation for $15.75 (yes, it is the same fun you had as a kid),  Uno card game, and Hasbro Electronic Catch Phrase. Guaranteed hours of fun! Also try Catch Phrase for a large group.  

Don't forget the chips, dips, salsas,  nachos (did I mention I am a wiz at making 5 minute nachos?),  make up a batch of Chicago style cheese popcorn/caramel corn mix (the BEST!), wine, beer, sangria and juices for your "littles".  

What's your favorite family game?  

Happy Weekend and thanks for stopping by!

If you like coffee, try the Kalita Wave!

If you are looking for a new way to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, try the Kalita wave.  I follow PerfectDailyGrind on Instagram and couldn't wait to try it.  It's a pour over drip method whose flat bottom design allows for even flow and distribution giving you maximum flavor.  You can purchase the Kalita on their website Kalita-usa or sites like Amazon carries it too.  I purchased mine on Amazon and bought the Kalita Wave Dripper 155 for 1-2 people for $22.50 and $9.90 for a pack of 100 paper filters.  Kalita sells a kettle for heating water, but I opted to use my tea kettle and it worked great.  I placed my stainless steel "Wave" over my coffee cup, placed the filter inside, spooned my ground coffee into the filter and slowly poured the hot water over the grounds until my mug was full.  The coffee smelled delightful and I couldn't wait to take my first sip.  It didn't disappoint! A special treat when I find a few minutes to relax:)  Better yet, put it on your Holiday wish list this year?

Exciting New Book of the Summer!

Photo courtesy of DanielleLincolnHanna

 Please meet Danielle Lincoln Hanna, an author friend of mine who has just completed her new suspense mystery called  Mailboat Book One.  The story is based in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. I was privileged to have been asked to be an early reader for Mailboat Book One.  It's the first time in years I have read an entire book of over 200 pages in one night.  I couldn't put it down and I recommend it as one of the best reads of the Summer. 

The book opens with Bailey Johnson who is employed for the Summer on the historic Lake Geneva Mailboat as a mail jumper on Geneva Lake. Bailey'a job is   jumping off the boat as it is moving to deliver the mail in the mailbox at the end of each lakefront mansion pier.  One day after tumbling into the lake, Bailey discovers a dead body under the water which is only the beginning of this suspense and action packed mystery. 

Mailboat One becomes available Monday, August 1st on Amazon.  In the meantime, please check out Danielle's webpage at daniellelincolnhanna for a sneak preview of Mailboat Book One.  Click on My Books at the top of Danielle's page, and download a free sample of Mailboat Book One.  You can also check out Danielle's Twitter page @DanielleLHanna.  I plan on ordering several copies to place in and share in my Little Free Library at my home.  

Here's an exciting opportunity to meet Danielle in Lake Geneva on the actual Mailboat which also happens to be celebrating it's 100'th birthday this year.  

Saturday, August 20th at 9am meet at lakegenevariviera on the beautiful shores of Geneva Lake for an actual Mailboat cruise, have lunch with Danielle in downtown Lake Geneva, hear how Danielle was inspired to write her suspense thriller by her visit a couple of years ago to Lake Geneva.  And you will receive an autographed copy of Mailboat Book One.  There are only five tickets available so please go to http://daniellelincolnhanna.com/mailboat-cruise-with-the-author for more information.  Ticket's are $100.00 pp.  

Have a great weekend and happy reading!  

SOUP TUESDAY - DO YOU HAVE A VITAMIX?

VITAMIX TOMATO SOUP

I have had my eye on the VitaMix Professional Series 200 for over a year and I finally took the plunge and purchased it recently.  It is on the pricey side I admit , however, if you like to cook like I do and are committed to fresh foods, this is an item to put at the top of your Christmas list!  It can be used for smoothies, dips, hummus, salsas, grinding your own flour or coffee beans and fresh soups.  One of the fastest and easiest meals and an absolute favorite at our lakehome particularly in the winter months is the Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Combo.  Here's a simple recipe for your Vitamix for fresh Tomato Soup.  I made it yesterday and it is now a front runner in my weekly meal rotation!  It's a great lunch item or a weekend simple supper. The beauty of the Vitamix is the steel blades turn with such power when pureeing your soup, it actually heats the soup after 4-5 minutes.  It's done when you see the steam come out of the top!  Blends and cooks at once!  Easy clean up too.  Drop dishwashing detergent and a cup of water in your Vitamix,  put top on and turn on until its clean, rinse and you are ready for next time!

Ingredients: (this is for single serving so modify for your needs)
1 box of POMI strained tomatoes (see note on bottom)
1 or 1 1/2 roasted red pepper from jar
Dash of heavy cream
Salt, Pepper, Dried Oregano and Dried Basil to taste

Try a spoonful of plain yogurt on top when serving!  Delicious!

*I did try fresh tomatoes that I washed and quartered with this recipe too and I loved the taste just as much!


** Pomi strained tomatoes can be purchased on Amazon.com for $8.69 per carton or Soap.com for $6.25 for a 2 pack.  By the way, if you aren't familiar with Soap.com check it out for great deals from household items, groceries, school supplies, makeup, diet and fitness....ALL DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME!

*** CHECK OUT BISTM.COM THIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH WHERE I APPEAR AS A GUEST BLOGGER.  YOU WILL LOVE THE WEBSITE FOR AWESOME CLOTHES YOU CAN BUY OR SWAP!!  THEY HAVE A CHILDREN'S CLOTHING AREA IN THE WORKS AND COMING SOON!!  CHECK IT OUT!

Sleeping Arrangement Creativity

No matter the size of your cabin or weekend house, be prepared to become very creative with
the sleeping arrangements for your family and friends.  Bunk beds are always a space saver, pull-out couches, cots, futons and inflatable mattresses work well and fit in small places.  Inflatable mattresses
have improved over the years...let's face it..there was room for improvement!

Amazon sells a nice queen size inflatable mattress complete with a built in electric pump online for $54.99 (free shipping).

A whiteboard outside the guests sleeping area where you and your guests can write messages to one another is a nice touch.  Or a "Do Not Disturb" sign for guests to hang on the door.


Try sleeping in your guest room now and then to check out small details ......SUCH AS:

Is the bed comfy?
Are there enough plugs in the room?
How's the room temperature?
Is the noise level good for sleeping?
Are there enough pillows and blankets?

Who doesn't love a chocolate on their pillow?