Step Four: Chalk

Step Three -- apply artwork

Decoupage identical artwork to both sides of sealed disk, using watered-down Elmer's. Seal again with polyurethane. Preserve brush in ziploc bag.

The Ladies Who Lunch -- Northern edition

Bev Roers Korkowski writes:

Hey, Stan:

First, I've been meaning to congratulate you on your retirement. I wasn't sure it had come around already but Linda said you are definitely retired, so good luck in future endeavors! Looks like you'll be busy in the workshop according to your blog.

Attached is a picture of me and Linda from today. We went shopping over in the Rosedale area and then, of course, we did lunch. Had a wonderful lunch at the new D'Amico restaurant right next to Har Mar Mall! Food was fantastic. Most of our conversation was in regards to their recent trip to Turkey, Greece and Italy, so we compared our trips to theirs. It was like being there all over again!

Have a wonderful holiday season....and keep out of your wife's hair or you'll be looking for another job real soon! Bev

Plane crash near Watford City

Our thoughtful neighbor, Sandy Story, emails:
The plane crash I referred to happened only yesterday or the day before on the south side of Watford City, North Dakota. It was labeled as "North Dakota's worst air disaster" so I thought you might have read about it. I'll quote the short article I read:
"North Dakota's worst air disaster occurred today when a Cessna 152, a small two-seater airplane, crashed into a Norwegian Lutheran Church cemetery here early this morning.
"Ole and Sven, working as a search and rescue team, have recovered 826 bodies so far and expect the number to climb as digging continues into the evening."

Bigger than a yardstick

Emily is 38 inches tall today, but would rather play with the yardstick than be measured by it.

Anja gets a sister

The ultrasound is in! If you can't read this, check out facts on the Erik and Shana blog at left for the very latest in family multiplication.

Diabolical Plan, Step Two

Irregular, randomized pattern, faux marble, treat all surfaces with similar markings. Seal with polyurethane.

Step One in a Diabolical Plan

Successful jigsaw puzzle solvers rely on a few traditional clues to get themselves started. Turn the right sides up, find all the straight edge pieces and find the corners. Then simply fill it in.

This month Santa has teamed with his 14-year-old grandson to create a college-level jigsaw puzzle to deny these tactics and in so doing create a group activity suitable for social events where not just boys are in attendance.

There are to be no straight edges, no corners, no shortcuts. The artwork will appear on both sides of the oval puzzle. The goal is maximum frustration and shared befuddlement.

It may be apparent that since Santa retired, he has occupied himself in the workshop. This to some relief of Mrs. Claus.

Can you taste the peat?

Super-Scotsman Danny Martin discussed the virtues of a few of his collection of single-malt Scotch whiskies last night at his annual tasting. Martin will again lead a party of eight gentleman golfers to Scotland this spring and he is now taking pains that they not reach those storied shores devoid of the knowledge of local history and produce. Simply, he doesn't want us to embarrass him. To that end, the travelers will be briefed again Thursday night at Stan's on the vagaries of the classic Scottish courses and bunkers, and given eight days worth of tee times, bed assignments and receipts.

The ex-marine is a regular visitor to the old country and loves the game that originated there, even holding an active membership in a local club. A genuine character throughout, the retired Martin now manages the driving range and executive golf course at Stonebrooke. His gruff manner and no-nonsense management style has led Stan to dub his enterprise the "Danny Martin School of Charm."

This moniker notwithstanding, Martin proved a most gracious and willing host last night, offering private tours of his basement hideaway where the enthusiastic Scot has squirreled a trove of the finest in aged Scotch whisky, hundreds of monogrammed golf balls, Alaskan fish trophies, and the best in classical music.

Aye, Danny boy, yar a good lad.