Answer to Thought for Thursday

Answer: Popcorn. In 2003 popcorn was declared the official state snack.

Thought for Thursday

Snack . . . ?

What is the official state snack for Illinois?

Come back about 3:00 to see if you were even in the ballpark (hint).

Answer to Word for Wednesday

Answer: Canoodle is to kiss and cuddle affectionately. Want to read more, check it out here.

Word for Wednesday

Word: Canoodle

Take a guess - what can it be
Come back at 3:00 - so you can see

Is it a noodle taken out of a can?
Is it a paper folded into a fan?

Is it a bird with an extra long beak
Come back at 3:00 and take a peek

Tip for Tuesday - Writing Related

We all get confused by word usage some times or is that sometimes . . . ?

Here are some A to Z's of Writing Words or maybe the A to E's - beginning with "A"

Accept, except

Accept is to agree
Except is to leave out

Advice, advise

Advice is a noun and means a recommendation
Advise is a verb that means to give advice

Affect, effect

Affect is a verb that means "to cause a change in" or "influence" (however, it's a noun in psychology which means "emotional impact"
Effect as a noun means "result or conclusion" as a verb effect is to "bring about".

Hope these tips are helpful to some of you writers out there.

Providence Bridge Pedal

Sunday I woke up with a sore throat and was worried that I wouldn't be able to make the ride but, after a hot shower, I was ready for another busy day.

The Providence Bridge Pedal has a bike ride for every skill level. There is a 38, 24, and 14 mile bike ride option.

We signed up for the easiest of the three. And it helps that it's a party atmosphere here in Portland on the bridges, with live bands, balloons and families riding tandems. I always have a lot of respect for Moms and Dads but I have even more respect for the parents riding with baby buggies attached to the back of their bikes. Of course they had to be in super shape, which I'm not.


I was wishing I would have pulled my bike out earlier than the morning of the ride - if not to get in shape, then at least to check the tires, which were flat.

But 14 miles later we stopped at Starbucks and had an iced coffee - Yummy reward. Then we rode the six miles back home. It was tiring but a lot of fun.


The Providence Bridge Pedal supports the Heart and Vascular Institute at Providence Medical Center. It's a good cause and a fun ride over a lot of the bridges in the city. Plus, if you aren't a bike enthusiast, you can walk a five mile Bridge Stride for the cause.

Did you know that Portland is the number one city for biking in the country? If you're planning a trip to Portland in the next year, you should plan it around the Bridge Pedal/Bridge Stride, you'll end up getting the best views of the city and be heart healthy too.

Julie and Julia (Child) - the Move

Went and saw the movie. It was super cute. I LOVED it. A great show to go see for a girl's night out.

First, a couple girlfriends came for dinner. We had fondue - or more like fondon't. I took the recipe out of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking and I wouldn't add Nutmeg again. I love how she said add "a pinch" I guess I pinched too large a peckle of nutmeg 'cause it sure tasted a tad too sweet. Maybe it's because I use Nutmeg more for the holidays but it just didn't taste like it belonged in a cheese dip - which is what fondue is supposed to be.

Then we had artichoke's, I didn't quite make it to the Hollandaise sauce, which was supposed to be served in the center. I just used melted butter and mayonnaise -similar but not the true thing.

So we ate and had a glass of wine and we were on our way. Great night.