Random Dozen 8

I look forward to these each week. Thanks, Linda!

1. Candy corn: Your thoughts?

I love candy corn. I don't care for the little candy pumpkins. I have no idea why.

I was watching O'Reilly last night and saw an email from a viewer which said that if you eat candy corn and peanuts together it tastes just like a Snickers bar. Bill said he would just buy a Snickers bar, but I had to try it out. We just happen to have candy corn and peanuts, so I went to the pantry.

Guess what. The viewer was right. And if you really want to make it taste like a Snickers, add a few semi-sweet chocolate chips. Pop a handful of the mix in your mouth, close your eyes, and pretend.

Leave a comment if you ran to your pantry to try it.

You can thank me later.

2. Briefly, what was the first conversation you ever had with your spouse? (or best friend, if you're not married.) (Or someone significant, like your librarian.)

Hubs and I were in a class together in college. He had caught my eye for some time, but I was too shy to talk to him.

I was on the drill team/dance line in our college marching band. I saw Hubs in the stands as we were also seated in the stands before and after halftime. Week after week, Saturday after Saturday, I saw Hubs in the stands. Week after week in class I said nothing.

Finally, the week after our Halloween halftime show, I decided I'd use the football game connection to strike up a conversation after class. I got up the nerve and the conversation went something like this.

Me- I saw you at the football game last Saturday. I'm in the band, on the dance line.

Hubs- Oh, yeah? I think I remember you. You were in purple, right?

Me- No, I was in red and white.

Hubs- Oh, I don't remember you.

Me- sound of heart breaking

It still landed me an invitation to his Halloween party and the rest is history.

3. Could you ever become a vegetarian?

No. I have too much Southern running through my veins. We even put meat on our salad. Who do you think invented bacon bits?

4. Have you ever dressed up your pet in a costume?

Miss Congeniality does not do costumes.

5. Name something about childhood that you miss (like Clark Bars, Teaberry Gum, Malibu Barbie, cracking fake eggs on people's heads with your fist and "It's the Great Pumpkin" airing only once a year).

Footy pajamas, being goofy and no one cares, the Nestea Plunge commercials, Marco Polo at the community pool

Community pools that aren't scary.

6. Have you ever won a trophy? If not, what do you deserve a trophy for?

I won a trophy in the school talent show after performing a very amateur ballet routine in the second grade.

The year before I told Mama that I wanted to be in the talent show, but she encouraged me to wait another year. She thought I "wasn't really ready." The truth is that she was sparing me from embarrassment.

Maybe it was because of my talent idea. I wanted to snap my fingers to Yankee Doodle.

That's a good mama.

Other than that, I have won ribbons for nerdy things like science projects and homemade scarecrows.

Our drill team won trophies in high school but the trophy went into a case next to the cafeteria for the principal to show off to his principal friends.

I never understood why the school trophies were near the cafeteria. To inspire the lunch lady to improve her sloppy joes, I guess.

7. When do you think is the appropriate time to begin playing Christmas music each year?

After the turkey is out of the oven. Not a moment sooner.

8. What's your favorite board game?

Right now we are loving Sorry. I mostly love it because we ring a bell and say Sorrrryy like Ed and Eunice.

9. How do you feel about surprises (receiving, not giving)?

I like surprise gifts, but not events. I love trying to surprise other people.

Although, surprising Hubs is impossible. If I ever want to give him a surprise party, I'd have to hire a SWAT team to help me.

10. Is it easy for you to say, "I'm sorry?"

I am truly sorry but I have a hard time expressing it. I am also overwhelmed with guilt when I have wronged a person.

Maybe I should start ringing a bell.

11. What is your favorite candle scent?

Anything that involves apples and spices. I also like vanilla combos.

We're talking about candles, right?

12. October is traditionally "open house" time in public schools. If you had a literal open house in your home (like a reception) what light snacks would you serve visitors and what would you show them (as in art projects, graded papers) that would uniquely represent you?

Since it's in October, I would serve cider and coffee.

The rest of the menu-

spinach artichoke dip

my new Snickers bar snack mix

meatballs or lil' smokies for my daughter

cheeses, fruits

What I would show-

Now that I've written this post, I'd have to dig out my old, plastic talent show trophy and a photo of me on the college dance line in the red and white outfit (not purple.) Don't you love how Linda always ties these together?

For added entertainment, the first ten guests who arrive also get to enjoy my snapping performance of Yankee Doodle.

It goes nicely with the Faux Snickers Snack Mix.