D.C. Area Freelance Writer » Fun Stuff

Scrabble Cake for Word Lovers

Mindy — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:02:21 +0000

Wouldn’t this cake be perfect for the word nerds in your life? I saw it at the National Capital Area Cake Show a few weeks ago.

It was part of a judging competition, so I don’t know who made it, but I absolutely love it! I hope the creator took home a prize.

Concocting Slime

Mindy — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:53:34 +0000

I have labeled Wednesday afternoons kitchen concoction time at our house. For our first concocting adventure, my little guy and I whipped up a batch of slime. It is a quick and easy kitchen project. However, I should warn you that mixing up the slime will take a lot less time than cleaning up the resulting mess and the load of laundry that is sure to follow.

Let’s get started. There are only three ingredients: borax, white glue and food coloring.

Measure one cup of glue. In our house that equaled two partially used bottles of glue and one full bottle.

Pour glue into a large bowl. Add 1 cup of water. Stir in several drops of food coloring. If you haven’t already, you’ll want to be sure to get out a few paper towels at this point. You may also start thinking twice about not putting an apron on your kid. Just keep going. That Shout Advanced you have in the laundry room will work wonders. But if you don’t have any Shout Advanced, you should probably add it to your shopping list.

My guy went a little wild with the food coloring, which is why our hands retain a slight blue tint after playing with the final product. You may want to limit your little scientist.

In a separate bowl (or a large measuring cup) mix four teaspoons of borax with 1 cup of warm water. Guess what’s next?

Try to get your helper to pour slowly. It might be a challenge. Then, start mixing the two borax into the glue. My guy dove in with his hands.

Once it starts to take shape, pull it out of the bowl and knead it on the counter.

Now you get to play. Let your imagination run wild. Evan loved making hand prints and declared that the slime was alien goo.

Store your slime in an air tight container. Ta da:

Here is a quick recap of the recipe.

Ingredients:

Solution A:
1 cup glue
1 cup water
Food coloring

Solution B:
1 cup warm water
4 teaspoons borax

In a large bowl mix Solution A. In a small bowl mix Solution B then pour it into Solution A. Mix until it starts to take shape, then pour onto counter and knead. Have fun!

Reading: Blogs

Mindy — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:27:09 +0000

Did you know there is a handy-dandy Google blog finder tool out there? There is a full article about new features Google has added to the finder over at Read Write Web. So, read the article or just head on over to http://blogsearch.google.com and start searching away.

A Little Chuckle

Mindy — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:36:04 +0000

No matter how many times I spy this sign at the drive thru at my local Burger King, I laugh. I’m not sure what cracks me up more, the unnecessary possessive on cashiers or the unnecessary quotation marks on receipt. Either way, it is funny!

I made my hubby snap a picture of it one day and I’m pleased to say that it was featured on the "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks this week. Check it out here and then be sure to check out the Greatest Hits section on the side. It makes me laugh so hard I cry.

For a Good Laugh

Mindy — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:10:58 +0000

Have you ever had one of those days when you just need a pick me up? The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotations can get me laughing every time. It is hilarious. The concept is simple…the author posts pictures and funny commentary of signs with misplaced quotation marks. Whenever I look at it I end up with tears in my eyes because I’m laughing so hard. My hubby laughs about how funny I think it is, but I can’t help it. I think you’ll like it, too.

Send Some Love to the Journalist in Your Life

Mindy — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 10:34:01 +0000

If you’re going to be sending a Valentine to a journalist this year, check out the great options at 10,000 Words–Part I from 2009 and Part II from this year.

Stuff Journalists Like

Mindy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:55:38 +0000

A fellow Medill alum sent out a link to a fun Web site that documents all those things journalists like, such as bylines, free food, drinking and the good old days. I got a kick out of it and thought I would share: http://www.stuffjournalistslike.com/list-.html. While I love my new life as a work-from-home freelancer, the list did make me miss my newsroom days filled with desk dining and breaking news. Take a look at the list and let me know what you think.

Buy One Anyway

Mindy — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 10:45:56 +0000

Even if you don’t read the newspaper, why not buy one anyway? Journalists depend on your support. For just pennies a day, you can ensure a copy editor in Nebraska has something warm to eat tonight… This video had me laughing so hard I was crying. I know I’m a bit of a journalism geek, but I think even non-writers will find it funny. Take a look. Just because you don’t read the paper, doesn’t mean it isn’t useful.