Straws That Don’t Suck

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A close friend was reminiscing about a Bloody Mary he enjoyed as a young man. It was made with Absolut Peppar Vodka and Clamato juice. I had never had a Bloody Mary, so I accepted the challenge to replicate it. I found out that “his” cocktail was called a Bloody Caesar or Canadian Bloody Mary (which makes sense since Detroit was so close to Windsor, Ontario).

On my weekly stop to The Party Source, just to the right of the Clamato juice, I spotted Benny’s Original Meat Straws! There aren’t enough emojis to express how much I loved this idea. I practically ran to the cash register with my discovery!

Here’s my version of his Bloody Caesar:

Use meat straws for Bloody Mary's.

It seems like a weird thing to fixate on, but this had me thinking about other “edible” straws, (Don’t judge. I’m shallow). Why not try a Starbucks Frappuccino® Cookie Straw with a Salted Caramel Scribble? So good, you’ll need to make a “Venti” size of this one.

Starbucks Frappuccino® Cookie Straws are perfect for Salted Caramel Scribbles

What about Twizzlers? They’re delicious and fun. Pick a candy-flavored cocktail or one that’s fruity, and slurp away! Here’s my choice and it’s as good as a double rainbow:A Twizzler can be a straw in candy-flavored or fruity cocktails

A bit more complicated, but still fun, is an Airheads Xtreme Candy Straw.

For a more savory cocktail, use lovage stalks or…wait for it…celery straws!

Straws can be simple. For savory drinks just use a celery or lovage stalk.

Finally, an ice straw works for any drink, but they’re perfect for a summery cocktail.

Molded ice straws are perfect for summery cocktail

Well, this calls for a drink!

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Bingo: Proof that Getting Old is Awesome

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My mom hated bingo. I guess because she was from Europe, didn’t have command of the English language and thought it was a difficult game to learn.

Bingo - little balls of fate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently, my friend Shirley and I went to the VFW Hall in Pentwater, Michigan to play bingo. Was it plain and simple? Hahaha. No.

On entering, women were frantically digging in a huge vat of thick, hard bingo cards. Protective gear and a helmet would have helped as cards were hurled in every direction. What were they doing? We found out they were looking for the lowest numbers under the “B” column; numbers 19 through 29 under the “I” column…and on it went. Since I couldn’t take notes and I’m not Rain Man, I let my mild OCD take over and selected the cleanest and newest cards. We each picked six cards and later realized we failed the number one rule of bingo…never play more bingo cards than you can handle,

Picking the right Bingo card determines your destiny!

Walking towards the cashier, we witnessed several good luck charms prominently displayed above the player’s cards. These “Bingo Shrines” included trolls, figurines, coins, and, quite possibly, badger teeth. I assume these lucky charms are just in reach, ready to be patted, kissed or turned away in disgrace.

Lucky Charms are a requirement of modern Bingo

The cashier asked if we needed “dabbers”. Did he mean “daubers”? We brought “dabbers”, but needed tiddlywinks. Oh! Did he mean “markers”?

Today, Bingo players use dabbers. Gone are the tiddlywinks of old!

Next stop. Find a seat. It appeared the early birds were already in their lucky seats, because if you took the chair Esther, Gertrude or Mildred has sat in for the past 10 years, you just may start a riot.

Settled in, we headed for the food counter run by the Ladies Auxiliary. We both opted for the hot dog platter, coffee, bottled water and a huge fruit bowl. We each pull out a $5 bill. The tab comes to $5.75. We start digging for the 75 cents, when the lunch lady says “that’s all together”. Yippee! Shirley and I both ate for $5.75.

Wheel chairs were locked and ready for the games to begin!

Ready to roll and play Bingo!

We quickly learned we were not playing the bingo we learned as kids. This was designer, speed bingo. First game was the pattern “X”. Shirley and I  scrambled to keep up and giggles were bubbling up into full fits of laughter. We had no idea that once the game starts, it’s eyes down and all talking stops.

Bingo today has new patterns.

We witnessed the crowd heckle the caller when he called an “N” number during the “X” game. We heard bellows of “No Ns!!” or “Change the caller!” or “Everybody hates you!”

These players are all business. They can eat a ground bologna sandwich and double-fist their dabbers at the same time. They’re so serious it seems they’re playing for their crack money.

Maybe to stop our laughter, frenetic cries or panicky, hysterical arm movements, a kind lady handed us notes—four pages! We thanked her and decided we’d study them later then tried to get a grip.

Someone waved their arms and called “BINGO!” with gusto. I now know where the term “bingo wings” comes from.

An understanding of the term "Bingo Wings"

A murmur starts and the floor workers start walking faster. The win is confirmed and the losers clear their cards. (We must find those colorful markers rimmed in metal and the magic, magnetic wand that collects them with a quick swipe).

It was then my turn. My heart raced. I needed just one more number to win. I look at the monitor displaying the winning bingo ball and with a huge amount of satisfaction, I yell “BINGO!” The room instantly became a Frankenstein mob with pitchforks and torches. Apparently, I broke rule number two: “Jumping the Gun”. Monitors are not official. A bingo is not valid until the number is called.

Bingo Disgrace - Calling Bingo before the number is called

The game continued as if nothing happened and my winning number was called. So I screamed “BINGO!” (again). There were loud groans, black looks and possibly a public shunning as the floor worker confirmed my dabbed numbers. I won $20 but was given $19 as a dollar is always passed to the player on my left (Shirley) for good luck.

Four hours later, Shirley called BINGO! on the last coverall game and shared the $75 winnings with two other winners. Our winnings paid for our cards and dinner. Fist Pump.

Will we do it again? Maybe. Even if it feels like “BINGO!” is always called right before you’re going to win.

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COLLECTING POSTCARDS (and what to do with them)

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Collecting Postcards – or Deltiology – is the 3rd largest hobby in the world. Even Queen Victoria had a personal collection. Why is it so popular? There’s a variety of reasons. Postcards are:

  • AFFORDABLE – you can purchase them for as little as 10 cents each (in bulk, estate sales, flea markets, thrift stores) and the average cost is $1-$3.
  • VERSATILE – Age, subject matter, publisher or artist, location, item, holiday and theme are just a few of the collections you can focus on.
  • NOSTALGIC – Easily capture memories of trips, occasions, people, buildings, activities, events, etc.

Everywhere we go, I try to pick up a postcard (or 2 or 5 or more) as an inexpensive memory. On trips, I actually write out a postcard and send it home to us. It’s wonderful when days after coming home, we receive a little reminder of the fun we just had.

DISPLAYING POSTCARDS

So, you have some postcards, now what? You can easily just set them in a box, bowl or basket on a table. It makes a wonderful decoration and people (including you) can shuffle through them.

Put postcards in a box and set them out to be viewed. Postcards placed in a bowl make a lovely display. Postcards in a strawberry box has a rustic charm.

Be a little creative and make a paper bouquet or unique display.

Create a postcard bouquet. Be creative! Postcards at different heights held by wire on stones. Keep your eyes open for unusual items to display your postcards. A glass jug, some sand, shells and postcards can capture a vacation in a jar!

You can easily put them in an album or scrapbook, or create a travel ring binder or book.

Postcard albums are perfect for your treasures!

This postcard album was purchased in Ireland - filled with Irish postcards!

Create a travel ring binder for postcards and other memorabilia A hole punch and metal rings can transform your postcards into a travel book. Create a travel book with postcards and other memorabilia

A tiny bit of effort, and some frames or old windows can make wonderful displays!

(You can use the right arrow on the pictures below to forward through some creative ways to display your favourites. Feel free to click on a picture for more information.)

 

With some imagination and a little Modge-Podge, you can make a more permanent display. My friend, Regina, collected postcards on every trip out West and used them to create a border around her wall (in lieu of wallpaper).

Who needs wallpaper? Postcards from travels out West make a great border.

She also had a collection that complemented the outdoor theme in another room.

Forget wallpaper! Postcards depicting a specific theme adds a personal touch as a border in any room.

Need more inspiration? Take a look at these…

(You can use the right arrow on the pictures below to forward through some creative ways to display your favourites. Feel free to click on a picture for more information.)

 

Put a map on your wall and instead of push-pins to mark the places you’ve visited, add a postcard.

Add postcards to your travel maps.A map, some pushpins and postcards can capture all of your travels in one place.

Don’t want to put them on a wall? No problem. You can use Modge-Podge to add them to a trunk, tray, suitcase, furniture or anything that you desire!

Modge podge a desk, trunk or other furniture for a permanent postcard display.  Postcards can be adhered to a tray for a daily reminder of past vacations. Gather postcards with the same subject, mood or event and create a fabulous screen.

They have super graphics, so can easily be repurposed, too. Recreate them by making gift tags, greeting cards, gift wrap or jewelry.

There are postcards for every occasion! Turn some into heirloom ornaments.Postcards can turn plain brown paper into elegant gift wrap.Use postcards to create unique, memorable jewelry.Make one-of-a-kind gift tags using postcards.Gift tags made from postcards can be used for more than gifts!

I love postcards! But not as much as some people who created permanent memories by turning them into tattoos!

Have your favourite postcard tattooed for a truly permanent reminder of great days!

Now THAT’S a display!

Feel like a Fancy French Lady or Gentleman

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Micellar Water makes you feel like a fancy French woman!

My friend Denianne, offered me a peek into her monthly Birchbox to see if anything was interesting. I was curious about the Micellar water and snagged it.

What a wonderful surprise! For me it was the unicorn of skin cleansing. It’s a facial wash, makeup remover and toner all in one. You don’t have to tug at your eyes to remove (even waterproof) mascara. It’s fast, (I’m always in a rush), and easy (because I’m, well, lazy). Just moisten a cotton pad and, gently sweep over your face, neck and eyes until the pad comes clean. There’s no need to rinse and it’s suitable for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers.

Micellar Water is a miracle! There's no need to rinse and it's suitable for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers.

What kind of sorcery is this?

Micellar water was created in France as a face-washing alternative to its harsh tap water. It feels like water but contains tiny oil molecules (micelles) suspended in soft water that draw out dirt, makeup and sebum.

Not that I workout or go on hikes, but it’s good to know Micellar Water Towelettes are available as well.

Micellar Water Towelettes are available as well.

If you don’t require rose petals, green tea or water from the Japanese Alps in your Miceller Water, try Garnier. It’s seriously affordable at only $6.99 for a huge bottle. Plus, you won’t have to go to a French pharmacy to purchase. Your local drugstore, Amazon, Ulta and Target all carry Micellar Water.

Without soap, alcohol, or other harsh chemicals and detergents to dry out the skin, micellar water conveniently leaves your face feeling hydrated with a glowy, dewy finish. It’s the minimalist’s skin cure-all, so why don’t you get on board?

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