Gnome Ransom

Remember how two of our gnomes are living with our neighbors and they were going to send them back in a clever manner?

Well, here's how it's going down one way...

The Ransom Note:
M&J,
As you can see by the attached photograph, we have your beloved gnome. He has no idea where he is or where he's going. But I assure you, he is quite unfindable.
DO NOT involve the FBI. I know how they work and their meager efforts will not stop me. I will contact you periodically to inquire about your progress on acquiring the ransom we agree on. I will not use a telephone because they can track me. I will use high tech equipment to monitor this transaction; equipment M is sure to be familiar with. Yes, I know a lot about you. If you contact the media and try to market public support, I will know and not be pleased, no matter how good it looks on TV.
First instruction, do nothing. I will be in touch. Determine how much this gnome is worth to you and be ready to make an offer the next time I contact you.
If I see any signs of law enforcement involvement, I will return the gnome piece by piece, starting with his beard. Tread softly..
With warmest regards,
Z

So what do you think will be an acceptable ransom? Do you think another campfire will do it? Or do you think we'll have to host a Chiefs gameday?

2010 Ikea Catalog

I suggest anyone and everyone sign up to receive the free 2010 Ikea catalog. Such great ideas! Whether you buy it from them or use it for inspiration and, ahem, make something awfully close to it in your own garage.

http://info.ikea-usa.com/Signup/

Cupcake History

I've picked up decorating cupcakes as a hobby. For Christmas I got the book, Hello Cupcake. It's a great book and recommend it for inspiration. There's a mix of beginners and advanced decorating ideas. Here's a history of the cupcakes I've created previously:

Beach cupcakes

Crushed graham crackers are the sand, Swedish fish on top, and a frosted graham cracker as a shark fin. The book says to use peppermint balls (as beach balls) and cocktail umbrellas to finish it off. I found the umbrellas in time, but had to improvised and made a life preserver ring with a Lifesaver and white frosting.

Puppy Cupcakes

I try to make my cupcakes special for the recipient. For a co-worker's birthday I made her puppy dog cupcakes. She was getting a lab puppy for her birthday, so it was quite fitting.

I rolled out caramels and tootsie rolls for the ears. The eyes were chocolate M&Ms, the snout was a frosted marshmallow with a chocolate jelly belly nose. The mouth was a pink jelly belly.

I Love NYC

This co-worker lives in KC but was working in NYC part-time. I learned a lesson with these cupcakes, apparently not any baking mix will make 24 cupcakes. I used a brownie mix that was in our pantry thinking it would make 24 cupcakes. It turned out nine "cupcakes"---they were really brownies in cupcake liners.

Fishing Cupcakes

These cupcakes were for a co-worker that spends his summer days fishing. The fishing poles were pretzel sticks. I used multi-colored goldfish crackers and picked a white line for fishing line.

I will be making another round of cupcakes for another birthday coming up next week. I'll be sure to post a how-to. First, I gotta figure out what fun cupcakes to make. Any ideas?

Be good. Do good.

New Year's Resolutions in August

It's been over a week since my last post, which is forever in blog world. I'm pleased to report the "why."As part of our New Year's resolution, we're getting out there, doing new things and hanging out with neighbors. Aren't you impressed that it's August and we're still talking about New Year's resolutions? (Notice we're not talking about our other resolution about adding more veggies to our diet. There's always 2010!)

We've been busy hanging out with friends over campfires, playing interior decorator and just overall doing stuff (meaning TV & couch are not involved). I'm swallowing my perfectionism attitude and attempting to do things that I haven't done before--even if they don't turn out perfectly. Things I've checked off have been: writing a blog, making a shadowbox, decorating cupcakes, hemming pants and making furniture! (Well, that last one requires a lot of leadership from the hubby).

I was so proud of my hemming that I made sure everybody at work knew that I had done it myself. I made a pair of pants into walking shorts. Yep, my 5' tall co-worker and I, at 6' tall, officially have worn the same pair of bottoms to work.

However, my co-worker also chastised me for not posting a how-to on these things. I'll do better - even if I don't know what I'm doing. :)

Be good. Do good.

Wendy's vs. Flare

Is anybody else a bit surprised that Wendy's is directly attacking TGIFs/Applebee's? I am not a big fan of any of these restaurants, so I'm not here to support any of these contenders. I always am amazed when big companies find thecourage to make such a bold move with their advertising. (If you haven't seen it http://www.wendys.com/ads/)

Does this ad do the job though? For me, yeah. I'd say that if I was craving boneless wings and if it was between Wendy's and Friday's, I'd go Wendy's. The likelihood of this exact scenario happening: zero.

Do you think Friday's will retaliate?

Be good. Do good.

Why the Gnomes?

So, what's up the gnomes. Why gnomes? It started back in college when I moved into a single dorm my sophomore year. My folks and I where shopping at Target for various items and I stumbled upon this unpainted, solid cement gnome. It was quirky and I knew it'd be fun to have in the dorms. And that's the moment when my affinity for gnomes started.

My first gnome:

The gnome became a great conversation piece. He went through the remaining three years of college with me. When I started dating M in college, my now hubby, a girlfriend and I got on a kick that he needed his own gnome. And we though that this was a terrific gift idea for Valentine's Day. My friend Molly and I ran all over the city to find a gnome. We found two gnomes but couldn't decide between the two so M got both. Lucky him.

The gnome story continues when I had to undergo surgery in college, during finals week/graduation weekend. My friends and parents sat around the waiting room writing a story. The central character was a gnome. They each took turns and the difference in handwriting is visible in the hard copy. (The full gnome story will be a future post.)

After college, we moved away from our close network of friends but the "gnome thing" did not die down. For Christmas one of my best gal pals from college sent me a gnome --it's the gnome wearing the swimsuit. She also has painted me pictures of His and Hers gnomes. Too funny.

Later, for my birthday I got a gnome garden sprinkler. My hubby's family know of my gnome affinity and have given me gnome goodies as well. Including a great coffee table book of gnomes, gnome garden stakes and even gnome playing cards.

Gnomes have kept the conversation going and the laughter rolling. And as I've started this blog and share the story of why I'm lugging a gnome with me, the giggles continue. I mean, how can you not laugh. They're ridiculous.

With two of the gnomes at the neighbors, I brought my first gnome to a friend's house where we played volleyball for hours. It was a great match up. We had five on five and skill level was equal. There were so many good volleys - it was a great workout and tons o' fun.

After all the play, we celebrated with a DQ Thin Mint Blizzard cake. Anytime I can work in Thin Mint ice cream into my weekend, I will. I love this stuff!

Be good. Do good.

Campfire : By Gnome Only

We spent a solid two months (if not more) putting in a flagstone patio where we could enjoy our backyard. The showpiece of the patio has been the fire pit. And my pit I mean, a metal bowl that sits on legs that came from Target--it's the best we can do living in the 'burbs.

This summer particularly we have really cranked up the neighborly gatherings around the fire pit. In the early spring we were having two per weekend! I mean, the weather was gorgeous and perfect for a fire, so why not?

Previously, two campfires had been instigated by the gnomes. Our neighbors moved one of our gnomes (yeah I said gnomes, we have about five total) from his perch along our rock wall down to the stairs in front of our patio door. With the pooch's potty schedule it didn't take us long to see the gnome blocking the way for the dog. And the gnome had a note:

Dear M&J, Sometimes at night I get a little chilly. A fire every now and again would be greatly appreciated. Take tonight for example. After such a warm day, I'll probably get cold. Oh, and if you do build me a fire, don't forget the s'mores and neighbors. Sincerely, Your Yard Gnome.

Yes, I was impressed by our gnome's penmanship, grammar, and manners (Sincerely?). We laughed heartily and, as directed, built a fire and invited the neighbors. And there were plenty of s'mores - as always.

Another instance, the gnome appeared within a box of scrap wood. Again, there was a note:

M&J, I, too, am a lumberjack. To better facilitate neighborhood fire gatherings, I toiled long and hard in the heat to provide you with this wood. Please accept this gift as a sign of gratitude for the pleasure of attending the frequent gatherings. As always, invite your neighbors!! With deepest regards, Oscar

PS If you don't want the wood, you can return it to the forest.

What another classic story! We laughed and built a fire.

Well, I couldn't let the neighbors have all the fun. We found these marshmallows the size an adult fist at Hy-Vee. After finding these, we knew had our idea. We would send over the gnomes with a giant marshmallow on a stick with a note saying, "You're invited to a campfire. See you at the usual place and time." We sent out two gnomes to two neighbors that are "in" on the gnome funny business.

Here's our fist gnome-vite, a close-up and in action, on the door stoop:

Here's our second gnome-vite:

We were afraid that the invites wouldn't be seen on the front stoop, so we kept doing laps around the neighborhood with the dog. Turns out they were eye-catching enough and surprised both neighbors. (Most peeps use their garage door only to go in and out - hence our worry.)

Both neighbors came to our fire with big grins on their faces. However, they only brought the roasting sticks. They both are holding onto the gnomes and have said they will send them back in a clever manner. I'm quite looking forward to what they come up with. So, until the gnomies make it back home you'll be meeting some other gnomes in our troop.

Be good. Do good.