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I’ve Created A Monster!

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“I’ve created a monster!”

By the end of Easter Sunday, my wife was about ready to knock out her mad scientist husband as I had ceased to stop using that line. I was so thrilled with my Easter dessert that I found every opportunity to enthusiastically exclaim the phrase to anyone within earshot.

First, a quick backstory: Last year at Easter I introduced my funfetti dip to the world. It was met with so much acclaim that I decided I would make another dessert dip this year. Sidney sent me a link with 27 different sweet dip ideas that I had too much fun scrolling through trying to find the perfect recipe for Sunday.

After much deliberation, I opted for MONSTER DIP. The idea of the recipe is to replicate a batch of homemade monster cookies in dip form. Well, I am always up for a good challenge!

Only it really wasn’t that much of a challenge at all 😊 The recipe is pretty straight forward. I started by mixing peanut butter, cream cheese, and butter. I then added powdered sugar, flour, brown sugar, and oats. After that was thoroughly mixed I dropped in chocolate chips and pastel-colored M&Ms. It took a single sample to know I had created a delicious treat that Frankenstein would love. I put the dip in the refrigerator until it was time to bring over to my parents.

This was the MONSTER DIP I made.

The refrigeration of the dip seemed to make it come alive even more as it tasted even better once we got to my mom and dad’s house. I paired the dip with vanilla wafers but to be honest they were kind of unnecessary. Although MONSTER DIP is branded as a “dip,” it is so thick and sweet that the best way to consume it is by the spoonful.

If I had to make a tweak, I would probably add more oats. I think it would improve the texture just a bit and make it resemble a monster cookie even more. With that said, I still think the dip receives a “chef’s kiss” rating.

I paired the MONSTER DIP with vanilla wafers but they really aren’t needed.

We still have MONSTER DIP left and I have made refrigerator raids on it every day since Easter. I am sure Sidney wishes I just hurry up and finish it off so I no longer have an excuse to exclaim, “I’ve created a monster!” Don’t Blink.

Easter 2023

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He is risen! After journeying through the spiritual desert of Lent, it was a glorious 2023 Easter Sunday. As is my custom, I will provide a glimpse at our day through photos and words…

It was a blessed 2023 Easter.

Sloan and Beau were up by 6 a.m. to claim their Easter baskets. I really wish the Easter Bunny would realize that they don’t need more candy…

Sloan and Beau with their Easter baskets on Easter morning.

The holiest and most significant part of our Easter came next. We attended 9 a.m. mass at St. Mary. There is nothing better than spending the holiest day of the year in a packed church with your beloved parish community. Fr. Jeff Lewis channeled C.S. Lewis by referencing his “trilemma” argument that Jesus was either a “Lunatic, Liar, or Lord,” and that all evidence—historical, spiritual, and cultural—points directly to the third option.

Easter mass at St. Mary was beautiful! We took this photo after mass.

We returned home and ate a delicious brunch of…wait for it…cookies! The four of us chomped on these giant iced bakery cookies from Rosauers that are incredible. To be honest, we were going to get breakfast from McDonald’s but by the time we arrived at the drive thru they had stopped serving. So cookies it was! Sid and I then prepared dishes for our family Easter celebration. I once again made a dessert dip but you will have to wait until my Thursday Rundown to learn about the “monster” I made this time.

Yep, we ate cookies for brunch.

The Reser “children” and their families arrived at my parents’ house around 2 p.m. After our typical but cherished banter in the living room, my brother and his wife staged their annual Easter egg hunt for the real kids in the family. Because of a back yard remodel project, the hunt moved to the front yard this year but was still a success.

The annual Aunt Carrie and Uncle Glen Easter egg hunt was once again a success.

It was then time for my mom’s cooking to shine once again. This year’s menu featured ham, macaroni and cheese, corn casserole, veggies, salad, and rolls. Adults ate in the dining room while Sloan, Beau, and their cousins ate at the kids table downstairs. Sometimes I wish the dinner table conversations were recorded so we could compare and decipher which one was more ridiculous 😊

Our Easter meal was delicious.

After dinner we converged in the living room and played the “Heads Up” game on our phones. Once our stomachs settled we ate dessert. There were many options including a seven-layer pie, peanut butter brownie dish, homemade ice cream sandwiches, and my dip. Why choose just one?

So many good Easter desserts this year that I couldn’t choose just one.

We then returned home and I spent some special time with Beau watching “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” in our bedroom. After family prayer I spent some time with Sid, read the Sunday paper, and then went to bed.

Beau and I spent some of Easter evening watching “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”

Thanks be to God for the resurrection of his Son! Although Lent is now over, the Easter season is just beginning. Let us rejoice and be glad. Don’t Blink.

Easter 2022
Easter 2021
Easter 2020
Easter 2019
Easter 2018

The 100th Day of the Year

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It is a common practice at elementary schools across the country. When the school year reaches a certain point of completion, students dress up as elderly people. Second graders will arrive to class with walkers and white hair. They will throw on old people glasses and walk with a limp. It is cuteness overload as 8-year-olds dress as centenarians to commemorate the 100th day of the school year.

Some might feel like it is a shame that we don’t follow the same practice for the 100th day of the calendar year. If we did, today your co-worker may have dyed his hair white or your barista may have been slinging coffee with a cane.

I look pretty weathered in this FaceApp photo from a few years ago. But it is appropriate for the 100th day of the year.

Yep, today is in fact the 100th day of 2023. And while we don’t dress up for the occasion like 2nd graders, I think we can still follow their lead by making a big deal out of it. I place a special emphasis on July 1, the halfway mark of our calendar year, but I think the 100th day of the calendar year also calls for reflection. When the digits extend from two to three I think it is safe to say the honeymoon phase is officially over.

How are things going for you? Did the year get off to a rough start? Have you taken your lumps? Well, here’s the good news: The first 100 days are the hardest. Re-setting after a manic holiday season and living through short days and winter weather can be tough. But you have now reached a point where it stays light out until 7:30 p.m., spring is here, and our Lord just rose from the dead. Alleluia!

The next 265 days are going to be great for you! But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Perhaps we just concentrate on the next 100 days? This will take us through July 19. By that time we will be smack in the middle of summer. From now until that point, we all have a lot to look forward to. Baseball, festivals, Mother’s/Father’s Days, road races, Memorial Day, farmer’s markets, summer beers, Independence Day, sunshine, and so much more—just to name a few.

Don’t sit back and wait for all these things to roll by, though. Make sure to set goals and personally do whatever you can to enhance all the fun stuff that is on its way.

Happy 100th Day of 2023! The honeymoon might be over but the year is just now starting to heat up. Don’t Blink.

Pre-Easter Rundown

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Good evening to all. I hope you have had a blessed Holy Week thus far. Let’s get going with tonight’s five topics…

Easter Bunny Beau – The beyond cute holiday photos keep coming from Beau’s daycare. Recently they threw some bunny ears on his head and snapped this. We are definitely cherishing the images from all the festive photo shoots that Beau’s teachers are staging.

It’s Beau the Easter Bunny!

Spring Break Tradition – Last year, I wrote about a Spring Break tradition my mom instituted that I revived with Sloan. Growing up, we didn’t go on crazy trips during our week off but my mom would take each of us kids out individually for a nice lunch with her. Sloan is currently on Spring Break and yesterday we engaged in the tradition for the second consecutive year at the exact same spot—Zips’s!

Sloan eating a hamburger at the Zip’s location on Trent in Spokane Valley.

Happy 406 Day – Today is April 6 and that means Montanans are celebrating 406 Day. Although I lived in Montana for 8 years, I never had a personal phone number with the state’s only area code. But I think that is for good reason. As I mentioned in a blog post last year, I don’t think I ever fit in while living in the Big Sky State. Although I loved my time there, I lacked the toughness and resourcefulness that is innate in so many of the people who were born and raised there. Happy 406 Day to all my Montana friends!

Montana is a beautiful place. Happy 406 Day, everyone!

Easter Egg Hunt Planning – For those parents who will be taking their children to Easter egg hunts this weekend, I offer some advice. If you are able to do research ahead of time, see if the hunt(s) you plan to attend offer eggs with candy inside OR if kids simply pick up empty plastic eggs and exchange them for a bag of candy at the end. Last year, I wrote about the problematic latter model which I coined a “participation trophy” hunt. Happy hunting!

Beau hunting for empty eggs. I would have a disappointed face too.

Throwback Feature – I came across this photo of my brother and I which caused me to spend way too much time trying to figure out why we are holding up the fingers that we are. Are we each expressing a number unique to us or are we combining the digits we are holding up (14) to express something else? I simply don’t know. But I did think showing a photo of when I was still considerably taller than my brother would be cool.

Back when we were young. I don’t understand the fingers we were holding up.

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Thanks for dropping in tonight. As we conclude Holy Thursday and venture into Good Friday, let’s prepare ourselves to truly celebrate Easter on Sunday. Don’t Blink.

What’s Up, Doc?

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As today is International Carrot Day, I thought it was appropriate to say a few words about the versatile vegetable. After all, it is my second favorite veggie of all-time so how could I snub it on its special day?

I am a big fan of carrots. In fact, I enjoy carrots so much that it is the only vegetable I will eat raw. And I just don’t merely eat them raw, I will devour an entire bag if given a chance. One of my favorite diet foods, I enjoy the crunch and mild taste of a raw baby carrot.

Carrots and corn — two of the greatest!

But just because I eat a lot of raw carrots doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the cooked variety. I have no issue eating cooked carrots tossed in butter and lightly topped with brown sugar…yum! I like carrots on my salad, hibachi, and even pizza!

However, my main reason for shining the spotlight on carrots tonight is to briefly mention carrot cake. Growing up, I never turned down a slice of it. I vividly remember the Costco carrot cake with orange frosting on each piece that resembled a carrot. Some might think that a cake and vegetable don’t mix but I give it the same exception as I do for a fruit on pizza when it comes to pineapple.

Despite my fond memories of Costco carrot cake, nothing can hold a candle to my mother-in-law’s carrot cake. To put it simply, her version is perfect—fresh, moist, flavorful, and satisfying. You want to know her secret?…

Baby food!

Yes, she uses baby food carrot puree for her carrot cake and it is a game changer. Trust me, you don’t know what you are missing until you try it. Happy International Carrot Day. Don’t Blink.

My First Car

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We all remember our first car, right? I sure do.

When I obtained my driver’s license at 16, there was a shared understanding with my parents about how it would work if also got my own car: It wouldn’t be new and I would be paying for it.

This is me (posing super awkwardly) with my first car, a 1989 Nissan Sentra. I paid $650 for it at an auction.

After looking at some cars for sale around the neighborhood, I decided to take a different approach. My uncle was an auctioneer and would regularly hold large car auctions. What if I tried my luck at one of those?

My dad and I traveled to Walla Walla for the auction. I remember feeling a little nervous when the two of us walked on my uncle’s property that morning. This was a large event with tons of cars and other items too. I didn’t really know all the ins and outs of participating in an auction, but luckily I had my dad with me.

We walked around the large lot and scouted out the cars. The two of us hopped in and out of the vehicles, trying to gauge if any of them had driving life remaining because here’s the thing: purchasing a car at an auction is a big gamble. When it comes to these cars at these types of auctions, you don’t get to test drive them, you don’t know their history, and you are oblivious to whether they will breakdown the moment you take one off the lot.

Once the auction started, we had our eyes on a few different cars. One of them happened to be a red 1989 Nissan Sentra. When my uncle arrived at this particular vehicle to auction it away, I remember he prefaced the bidding by saying that it was a “nice, clean little car.” To be honest, I don’t remember the bidding process in terms of whether we were in deep competition with anyone, but I do remember our winning bid–$650!

Knowing the risk I took, the first BIG test awaited us the next day…driving it the three hours from Walla Walla to Spokane. Would it even make it out of town, let alone all the way to our house in north Spokane? That maiden voyage proved to be a good omen. The 16-year-old car made the trek seamlessly and set the stage for the next two years.

I drove this car for more than two years and it never gave me any real problems. For my first car, I lucked out.

Not only did my little beater car drive faithfully throughout the remainder of my sophomore year, junior year, and senior year but it also lasted long enough for my brother to drive it after I went away to college. If you break down the daily price usage of the car based on how long we had it and what I paid for it, the cost equated to about 44 cents per day.

My Nissan was reliable transportation to/from school. We never had any major mechanical issues with it, snow didn’t cause it too many problems, and I always felt a sense of pride while behind the wheel. That pride was bolstered by the Best Buy stereo system I installed in it 😊.

Looking back, I never really longed for a bigger or better vehicle during those high school years. I was content with my Nissan Sentra as it provided everything that a first car should. Don’t Blink.

Reser’s Foods Thursday Rundown

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How about we send March out in glory? The Thursday Rundown is here and I once again have five topics to discuss. Here we go…

Pretzel Pizza – For a recent ministry meeting that I attended, I decided to bring some pizza. I went cheap and stopped at Little Caesars. Always in the mood to try something new, I opted for the new pretzel crust pizza with a cheese sauce base. I purchased two of them (along with a cheese pizza for the kids) and went to the church the meeting was held at. Everyone was intrigued with the concept but not so much with the state. I unequivocally said I will never order it again.

As you can tell by the fact that only one piece is missing, the Little Caesars pretzel pizza wasn’t a huge hit.

Reser’s Truck – I finally got to show my daughter firsthand that there are people much richer than us who happen to have our last name. When taking Sloan to school the other day, I pulled up right behind a Reser’s Foods truck. Sloan got a kick out of seeing her last name featured so prominently on such a large vehicle. I explained what Reser’s is and the products they serve….and that we are in no way related.

I pulled up right behind a Reser’s Food truck when taking Sloan to school the other day.

Filling Up On Bread – My friend, Lindsi, posted this meme today. It insinuates that Olive Garden strategically tries to fill up customers on bread, perhaps to cut down on multiple requests of other bottomless items such as soup, salad, and sometimes pasta (looking at you, never ending bowl of pasta). Did you know buffets use this tactic too?! They will place bread items at the beginning of front-facing, highly-trafficked areas. They will be presented in large serving dishes whereas more expensive items aren’t as accessible and presented in smaller serving dishes. Ever wonder why the guy cutting the prime rib is a bit out of the way? Golden Corral and others want to entice you to devour bread products so you don’t eat as much of the good stuff.

This is the meme that Lindsi posted that warns against filling up on bread at the Olive Garden.

We Have the Meats – Speaking of prime rib, on this date seven years ago I wrote a blog post about my favorite holiday meats. I broke down the merits of prime rib, ham, and turkey which was then followed by an official ranking. You can go to the post to see my #1 but I will offer one tidbit here about the meat many of us will be eating soon—ham. I like ham most of all because of its staying power. Out of the “Big 3,” nothing tastes better as a leftover. Whether you warm it back up or eat it cold, leftover ham is delicious!

Spoiler: Prime rib is my favorite holiday meat.

Palm Sunday – Friends, Holy Week begins this upcoming weekend with Palm Sunday. It is a great reminder of how we can embrace Christ but then be so quick to reject him. The first gospel reading on Sunday will chronicle Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem when he triumphantly rode a donkey into the city and townspeople laid out palm branches along his path. Sadly, the ensuing Gospel passage will be Christ’s Passion according to Matthew. We will see how the same people who celebrated Jesus with palms would soon demand his crucifixion. Of course, there is underlying joy. His crucifixion will ultimately result in his resurrection and our own salvation. I wrote this more in-depth Palm Sunday reflection five years ago.

We commemorate Jesus’ triumphant return to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

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That will do it for tonight. Let us pray for Pope Francis as he remains hospitalized. It is my hope that he is revitalized and healthy by Easter. Have a nice end of March and a very blessed Holy Week. Don’t Blink.

The Frustrating Thing About Trains

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Until I moved to the Spokane Valley, I had never faced something so unpredictable on the road. I am talking about something that could immediately dash your prospects of showing up to a place on time or nullifying the promise you made your wife to be home in 15 minutes. It is something that renders you powerless and frustrated. I am not talking about snow, road construction, or traffic accidents. Nah, this is something completely different…

I am talking about trains.

Since moving to the Spokane Valley three years ago, I am not exaggerating when I say I have been stopped hundreds of times by trains. Not that railroad tracks suddenly popped up when we moved west to conspire against us. Spokane is an old railroad town and tracks used to crisscross pretty much everywhere in this area, especially in the valley where we live.

Perhaps the most frequent word used in text messages between Sid and I is “train.”

With that said, it has been an adjustment as I had personally not faced the possibility of being stopped at a train crossing for well over 10 years prior to moving here. Even growing up in Spokane, it was a blue moon when a train impeded our progress. In fact, it was a novelty that gleefully attracted my attention enough to carefully count every car attached to the train. That enthusiasm has since waned.

Now, when the red flights flash and the train crossing gate goes down, I might utter a word I usually try to avoid. You might think an extra five minutes (at least) to scroll through my phone as the train passes could be a good thing but not when you have somewhere to be. Nothing is more infuriating than when you are already short of time but manage to make all the lights and avoid heavy Spokane traffic only to have a train wipe out your efforts. The simple text message comprised of just one word (train) is understood by all Spokanites that you are going to be late.

It is pretty deflating when the red flights flash and the gate goes down.

Not all train situations are equally damning. Although you are lucky if it is just your typical five-minute wait, delays can extend far beyond that. Some trains are longer. Some trains are slower. Some trains will decide to nearly pass through only to inexplicably stop…and then go in reverse. The cruelty.

Sophisticated planners will allot more time for travel or use detours but it isn’t always that simple. Our family doesn’t always have the luxury of leaving the house 10 minutes early and not all roads lead to Rome. Despite best intentions, sometimes the best we can do is to leave the house on time and cross our fingers that we won’t encounter a train on a route that is dotted with train tracks. Luck isn’t always on our side.

I hate to use a train as an excuse but sometimes I have no other choice.

Of course I know this is a first world problem. Perhaps I should emphasize more with the train. It is undoubtedly delivering goods in a society crippled by supply chain issues. But it is easier said than done. Needless to say, gliding through a train crossing just as the gate begins to close is one of the sweetest feelings in the world. Don’t Blink.

March 28 Birthdays

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(cue “Birthday” by The Beatles)…

For those that don’t have a calendar or an iPhone, today is March 28. On this particular date there are some noteworthy birthdays so I thought I would devote tonight’s blog post to recognizing a loved one, an institution, and a celebrity on their special day.

Miranda Koutecky – First and foremost, I want to wish my sister a very merry birthday. The milestone birthday comes next year as she turns 39 today. Her birthday was the first one I got to celebrate in-person after moving back to Washington state three years ago which means this is her fourth consecutive birthday that I have been in town for. Miranda is a great older sister and member of our family…may she eat cake.

Happy birthday to my sister!

Washington State University – On this date in 1890, House Bill No. 90 was signed into law, creating the State Agricultural College and School of Science located in Pullman. The rest, as they say, is history. That AG school would eventually blossom into Washington State University, a major Power-5 research institution with campuses across the state and an extension presence in every Washington county. To commemorate WSU’s birthday, I helped work on this video that we shared on some of our social media channels today.

Happy 133rd birthday to WSU!

Vince Vaughn – Last week, I watched a movie called “Dragged Across Concrete” on Netflix. It starred Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn as a cop duo that get suspended and then embark on a dangerous Robin Hood-esque quest. It was one of those films that I thought was recently released exclusively on Netflix only to find out after the fact that it was made in 2018. But I digress. I have never been a big Vince Vaughn fan but I didn’t mind him in “Dragged Across Concrete” and since today is his special day I feel obliged to give him a shout out. Happy 53rd birthday, Vince!

Happy 53rd birthday to Vince Vaughn!

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Let me extend a pleasant happy birthday wish to everyone else born on March 28. May today bring you happiness and blessings. Don’t Blink.

Sloan’s Polka Dot Pottery Party

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After a Chuck E. Cheese celebration last year, Sloan wanted to do something a bit more unique for her 6th birthday party. For a girl who begins the countdown to her birthday months and months out, you better believe she didn’t make her decision lightly. After brainstorming every possible idea under the sun, she made a decision.

Sloan wanted to celebrate with her friends at Polka Dot Pottery. For those who don’t know (like I didn’t), Polka Dot Pottery is a place where you paint pottery, not make it. You pick a pottery mold and then you paint it. After you have released your inner Van Gough on the piece, Polka Dot Pottery beautifies it via a firing process. You then return a week later to pick it up.

In addition to girls from Sloan’s kindergarten class, her cousin, Mikayla, also attended the party.

We made our Polka Dot Pottery reservation about a month prior to the party at the chain’s Spokane Valley Mall location. We chose between a few different packages and put down our deposit. The next four weeks flew by and in no time I was confirming our reservation with a PDP employee the day before the party.

Sloan invited the girls in her kindergarten class and her cousin, Mikayla, to the party. Sidney and I chaperoned the celebration and a Polka Dot Pottery employee, Brittney, was our party host. Brittney was patient and descriptive as she explained to the girls the entire process of creating this special kind of art.

Polka Dot Pottery employee and party host, Brittney, explains the creation process to the girls.

After everyone was briefed on how the experience would transpire, Brittney allowed the girls to leave their seats and follow her. Our party host showed everyone in Sloan’s party the different paints that were available and then she took them over to a corner where the different pieces rested. The girls chose what they wanted to paint as a selection of mermaids, unicorns, and cupcakes made it back to our table.

Brittney showing the girls the different paints they can use on their pottery pieces.

The girls then got to work. Sidney and I streamlined the process by retrieving the paints. As Sloan and her friends painted away, Sidney couldn’t resist the fun they were having. She went up and selected a bunny piece for her to paint.

Sidney painting away at the Polka Dot Pottery in the Spokane Valley Mall.

Our kindergarten Picassos showed no signs of timidness. After they applied the base paint layers, they were applying the glittery and bumpy paints as well. Once each of them had their piece designed exactly as they wanted it, Brittney placed the painted pieces in a box for firing.

Sloan busy at work painting her unicorn.

With the pieces in the box and the paints put away, it was time for cake and ice cream. Sloan’s friends performed an enthusiastic rendition of “Happy Birthday” and then it was time to dig in.

What an awesome afternoon it was with Sloan and her friends.

Parents came to pick up their daughters and we transported the very generous gifts they brought to the car. It was then time for the waiting game.

Sidney’s finished bunny and Sloan’s unicorn.

The seven days it took for the firing process to be completed eventually passed and on Saturday I went and picked up all the pieces. Each piece was individually wrapped with the name of the artist written on it. Back at home, Sidney put each finished piece into a gift bag along with a thank you card from Sloan. This morning, Sloan brought the gift bags to school and her kindergarten teacher placed each one in the respective cubbie of the girl who it belonged to.

We sent these gift bags to school with Sloan today. They contained the pottery pieces that the girls painted.

Overall, the Polka Dot Pottery party was a hit. There are some advantages and disadvantages to be pointed out—please feel free to ask me if you are interested. We thank Brittney for being our party host AND all of Sloan’s friends who attended and made her feel so special. Don’t Blink.