A Bear Of A Thursday Rundown

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If you came here for marijuana jokes you came to the wrong place. Yes, this humble blogger does recognize that it is 4-20 but you won’t see me…umm…celebrating? Okay, let’s get going with my latest Thursday Rundown…

Library Crafts – Most of you know that I am a fierce advocate and loyal customer of local libraries. Not only do you have unrivaled access to books, but the social and STEM-related opportunities that are offered make the library the perfect spot for families. An aspect of the library that Sloan enjoys is the craft table they have at the Spokane Valley County Library. Each time we visit, Sloan creates whatever featured craft is offered and always manages to do it much better than her daddy would. Last weekend she made the below spring-themed flower.

Sloan and Beau create art at the Spokane Valley Library. On the right is Sloan’s final product.

Sloan > Pyloric Stenosis – In a couple days, we will mark the sixth anniversary of Sloan’s successful corrective pyloric stenosis surgery. I have documented this traumatic event in Don’t Blink before (and with this video), but as a newborn Sloan could not keep her food down. Each time she ate something, she violently threw it up. In addition to his permanent spot in our nightly prayers, we send Sloan’ surgeon a note of thanks/update each April. This year, Sloan was able to write the card to Dr. Robert Cina herself. Thanks be to God for Sloan’s health!

This photo was taken on April 22, 2017. This was moments before Sloan went in for surgery at MUSC in Charleston, SC. Both of our parents were there for support.

Other Memories – I have a couple much less significant memories from this part of April that I documented in blog form. First, 11 years ago I got to meet Dierks Bentley. What a nice guy! It has been a pleasure to follow his incredible career since our meeting. Second, 8 years ago I completed an ice cream eating challenge. I surprised myself by both deciding to attempt it on AND by actually completing it. I got the t-shirt to prove it 😊

Dierks and ice cream. Not a bad combination.

Cocaine Bear – Last Sunday, Sidney and I sat down to watch “Cocaine Bear.” As the title suggests, the film is about a bear that ingests cocaine and goes on a rampage. I really liked the music throughout the movie and the genuine 1980s vibe that was conveyed, but overall I would give “Cocaine Bear” pretty low marks. Too unbelievable and subpar special effects for me. Sidney, on the other hand, liked the film more than I did. Perhaps I just have bad judgment on what constitutes a good movie because critics actually agreed with Sid. Yep, those who review movies for a living gave “Cocaine Bear” strong marks. Although I would tell you to pass, you can catch the film on Peacock.

I wasn’t impressed with “Cocaine Bear”

National Look-Alike Day – In addition to that other holiday, today is also National Look-Alike Day. Believe it or not, I have been told before that I resemble a couple celebrities. I am actually proud of my comparison to Russell Wilson. But my comparison to Dory? Not so much.

I would like to introduce you to my double, Russell Wilson.

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That will wrap things up for this week’s rundown. Let’s pray for surgeons around the world that they might have steady hands, strong confidence, and compassionate care. Don’t Blink.

The Art of Brevity

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Recently, Sidney took a trip down memory lane by reading some of my blog posts from a long time ago. We are talking 10-11 years in the past. As she went through some of these writings, she howled at how long they were. Yes, some of my blog posts went on and on in such a manner that the only way to deal with the absurdity was to laugh.

Sometimes it is best to be brief.

I didn’t learn the art of brevity overnight. My issue wasn’t necessarily realizing that “less is more.” I think it had to do more to do with just possessing the skills to write short and succinct. On the surface, someone might think it takes more talent and hard work to write a 5,000-word piece over a 500-word piece. However, that is not always the case.

Sometimes I will listen on the radio to daily mass from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Because it airs on the Catholic Channel (SiriusXM Channel 129), the mass must be contained entirely within a 30-minute time block. Because of this, Cardinal Timothy Dolan keeps his homily to around 3 minutes. As we know, preachers can be long winded so I can only imagine that this is difficult for him—but you wouldn’t know it. I have benefitted from listening to Cardinal Dolan deliver his homilies in a bare-bones manner. Although you do have to focus and listen intently so you don’t miss anything during those short 180 seconds, I find these condensed sermons to be very impactful.

Those who can express a point without the need for fluff or diversions—whether orally are written—are effective communicators. Although I think I have made strides from some of my train wreck blog posts in the early 2010s, I still have much learning and perfecting to do. After all, this blog post is probably already too long. Don’t Blink.

Vanity Tipping

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On Sunday evening, Beau and I stopped at Papa Murphy’s to get a pizza to bring home. I ordered a family-sized pie (half pepperoni, half cheese) and before the pre-made crust was even unwrapped to go down the ingredient line, the dreaded prompt was already flashing on the payment screen: How much did I want to tip?

Full disclosure: I have never worked in the service industry before. With that said, I know I might come across as sounding ignorant, cheap, and ungrateful. However, I think the pandemic trend of adding a tip to every single food transaction needs to go away.

I am a big proponent of giving my Olive Garden server 20% for her efforts. The re-filling of soda glasses, the attention to detail, the initiative to grate cheese on everything, and the hustle to always have a basket of hot breadsticks at the table is appreciated. All these things encompass a service that goes beyond just the price of the food. I feel it should be rewarded with a gratuity.

But let’s go back to the Papa Murphy’s example. On the payment screen, a 20% gratuity option was wedged next to other gratuity percentages. Before making the final purchase, I had to navigate this tipping prompt even though I had not received any type of special service. Was I really supposed to add the same percentage of gratuity on a take-and-bake pizza that I usually reserve for someone who waits on me hand and foot? AND, even if Papa Murphy’s did wait to ring me up until after they topped the crust with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni was that 30 seconds of labor worthy of any type of tip, let alone the 10%-20% range?

Perhaps the gratuity prompt on the payment screen is just the modern day equivalent of a tip jar. After all, I didn’t let the glass container with a handwritten plea for loose change ruffle my feathers. But maybe the requirement to make a gratuity decision as part of the transaction under the watchful eye of an employee is a little more obtrusive.

In my opinion, solicitations for tips where little-to-no service is rendered equates to nothing more than a money grab. It’s not just Papa Murphy’s—everyone is doing it these days. Let’s not dilute the significance of a tip. People can spend their money how they want, but I do feel a tip should be applied for quality service rendered and not an obligatory tax levied on every sandwich, pizza, and smoothie sold at the counter. Don’t Blink.

The Ice Cream Fruit Roll Up Hack

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**Click Here To Watch Us Make Ice Cream Fruit Roll Ups**

Well, we got sucked into another TikTok hack! This time we decided to experiment with the wildly popular ice cream Fruit Roll Up recipe.

Ice cream Fruit Roll Ups require just two ingredients. Can you guess what they are? 🙂

After watching countless videos of people creating the treat on TikTok, I was drawn to the unlikely pairing of ice cream and a Fruit Roll Up. I also couldn’t get enough of the “crunch” that is produced when you bite into it.

On Saturday, Sloan, Beau, and I went to our neighborhood grocery store for the minimal ingredients—a tub of ice cream and a box of Fruit Roll Ups! We arrived home and after letting the ice cream harden a bit in our freezer, we made the treat.

For just $8, you can have a fun afternoon of making ice cream fruit roll ups.

The first step is to unwrap a Fruit Roll Up. I guess I forgot over the past 25 years (since I last ate one) that it takes some patience to unfurl the snack into a perfect square. You then drop some ice cream right in the middle of the unfurled Roll Up. It is probably better to error on the side of a small amount of ice cream as opposed to a large amount of ice cream.

Place ice cream in the middle of your Fruit Roll Up. Don’t go overboard on the ice cream.

Now comes the most challenging part of the ice cream Fruit Roll Up hack. You need to fold the treat so that the Roll Up envelopes the ice cream. This is why it is important not to overstuff the Roll Up because otherwise you will have a messy deteriorating shell. If you watch enough of the TikTok videos you will see a variety of folding techniques but I used the method of folding each side of the Fruit Roll Up square to meet in the middle.

One of the ice cream Fruit Roll Ups that I made. The folding process requires some finesse.

Once your treat is folded you have two options: either eat it or freeze it. We did both but even if you don’t freeze it, the Fruit Roll Up will already be hardened and you will get that trademark “crunch” when you bite into it.

Sloan loved the ice cream Fruit Roll Up hack!

The only thing better than the “crunch” is the taste! I was skeptical about how an ice cream-filled Fruit Roll Up would taste but the fruitiness and lightness of the Roll Up is really brought out by the ice cream. The combination actually works! We used vanilla ice cream but a lot of people on TikTok use mango ice cream. I thought I would just take a bite to say I tried it but I ate most of it (until my kids took over).

I am an adult in my 30s but I still enjoyed an ice cream Fruit Roll Up.

This is an easy, inexpensive, and tasty hack. If you have kids and are looking for something to do, an ice cream Fruit Roll Up might be your best friend! Don’t Blink.

Red Panda Thursday Rundown

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Happy Easter season, friends! I hope this blog post finds you well. What do you say we just jump right in this evening? Alright, let’s go with my latest five topics…

T-Ball Season – Earlier this week, a certain 6-year-old reported for the 2023 t-ball season. After a successful 2022 debut season, she is back on the field for another couple months of fun. This year she is on the Red Pandas, a team that five of her St. Mary classmates are on too. With two practices now in the books, I think this squad has talent!

Sloan started her second season of t-ball this week.

Stolen Youth – This week, Sidney and I watched an extremely interesting three-part documentary series on Hulu called “Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence.” The documentary tells the story of a group of close-knit college friends who live together in a campus housing dorm/apartment hybrid. One day, the dad of one of the female residents randomly moves in. The students are sketched out at first but then he starts to win them over one-by-one. From there, he maneuvers them completely under his control. It is a unique look at a non-traditional “cult” and you will be amazed at how this “dad” is able to manipulate these bright and ambitious college students.

“Stolen Youth” was a fascinating and sad documentary.

National Scrabble Day – I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to mark National Scrabble Day. Scrabble was my family’s favorite game growing up as we played many intense, competitive rounds. When we moved back to Spokane three years ago, I was delighted to dust off the board and play a game with everyone for old times’ sake. Another fond memory I have of Scrabble is from the sixth grade. My teacher, Mr. Jared Hoadley, took our class to a neighboring rival elementary school to play its sixth grade class in a Scrabble tournament. We might have mobile apps like Words With Friends and Wordle, but the ultimate word game will always be Scrabble!

A look at our Scrabble board from the “homecoming” game we played three years ago.

Mike & Mike Memory – One of my favorite career memories was when I covered the Monday After the Masters event on this date 8 years ago. A fundraising showcase for Darius Rucker, the event included the live broadcast of Mike & Mike from the golf course where the event was held. At the time I was working for CCU and our mascot and spirit squad attended/appeared on the Mike & Mike broadcast. I went along to document the moment for social media and had a blast. It was so cool to see Mike Golic up close along with countless other celebrities. It also served as a “reunion” of sorts between me and the man who allowed me to play a small part in his most recent music video at the time. This was the blog post I wrote about the awesome experience.

This was a fun day! Follow the link for many more photos.

Spa Date – On Sloan’s birthday, she received a coupon from her Aunt Carrie and Uncle Glen. It was good for a spa date followed by dinner. Last Wednesday, Sloan redeemed her coupon. Glen picked Sloan up and took her to the salon where Carrie was at. Sloan got her toes done and enjoyed the pampered life. The trio then went to Outback (Sloan’s choice) for a nice dinner. What an evening!

Aunt Carrie and Sloan at the salon receiving pedicures.

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That will wrap things up. Keep rejoicing and living with purpose…I will catch up with everyone next week. Don’t Blink.

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.