Recipes

Appetizers, casseroles, and delicious desserts all your guests will enjoy.

Party Themes

Looking to invite your friends over for a night of fun, these themed parties will entertain them till the party is over.

Traditions

Creative ideas for instilling your children with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Design

Looking to redecorate or need some inspiration. These are my favorite looks.

Gifts from the heart

Nothing is more personal than when you make a gift and share it with your loved ones. Here are some creative ideas.

Look for love

My thoughts on love and why you should always look for it. You never know when or where it will show up.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Tech Kids Review - Sims



This is a preview for the SIMs3 World Adventure. Read the interview of the SIMS contributed by an avid player (WC age 14)

30daysof: What is the name of the website/game/device you reviewed?
WC: The Sims 2 computer game

30daysof: How did you learn about it? Who told you?
WC: My mom and I were shopping at costco when I was a little boy, and I saw the first SIMS computer game that was sitting on the games table and my mom bought it for me. After that, I started to buy all the expansion packs. Soon I found out that the sims 2 was coming out in 2004. Now the newest release is coming in 2009, SIMS 3 World Adventure.

30daysof: What ages do you think are best suited to play this game/website/device? What abilities or devices are needed?
WC: I think ages 12 and older. A computer is needed.

30daysof: How many hours a day do you spend with the game/website/device?
WC: Wow that's a good question. I can play it for 6 to 8 hours straight if I wanted to, but I get breaks in between like snacks and bathroom breaks.

30daysof: Do your parents set rules for you such as: chores first, then games: or only 1 hour a day; or no rules, I have all the control!
WC: Yes my mom asks me to help her with the trash, groceries, or laundry, but if she doesn't than I already know that I have no chores for the day.

30daysof: What is your favorite part of the game/website/device? Which part do you play most often?
WC: My favorite part is controlling the people (sims) in the game. A person in the game is called a sim. You can create families, let them have a job, click on things in the game for them to learn new skills, and more. The best part of it is that the sims age in the game. First they are born, in the game they don't show a baby being born, they show the mother pregnant, than a baby falls from the air into her arms. You can name the baby. Then it becomes a child, into a teen, into an adult, into an elder. After that its death and the grim reaper comes to take the sim away and soon it becomes a tombstone.

30daysof: Please give a secret tip or hint that you want other friends to know about the game/website? For instance: how do you get to a certain level, find a gem, kill a bad guy, earn extra money?
WC: I have a cheat for the sims 2 that can give you an extra $50,000. First you need to press three keys on the keyboard at the same time. Control, shift, and letter c. A bar will come up at the top and you type in the cheat. The cheat is motherlode.
**If you have a facebook page you can become a fan of Sims and learn different cheats and communicate with other players. THE OFFICIAL FAN PAGE for SIMS 3.

30daysof: Why do you like this game/website/device better than the others?
WC: First of all, there's always a new expansion pack to add to the sims 2. The very first sim games were fun, but not as detailed. The new and improved sims 2 has new accessories and better quality. I have the most expansion packs for the sims 2. Each expansion pack has new accessories every time. I have 8 expansion packs. I have the sims 2 university for college, sims 2 apartment life, sims 2 freetime, sims 2 bon voyage, sims 2 nightlife, sims 2 open for business, sims 2 pets, and the sims 2 seasons.

30daysof: Write one sentence about this game/website/device that would make others buy it!
WC: If you like achitecture such as building houses, controlling people, and having fun than this is the game for you!

30daysof: How could they improve this game/website/device and make it even better!
WC: I think they should change the language of the game. In the game when the sims are having a conversation, all you hear is baby talk and words that don't make any sense. I think it would be neat if they would make sims talk in English, that way it would be more exciting.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Tech Kids - The Legendary Starfy


30daysof: What is the name of the website/game/device you reviewed?
SR: The Legendary Starfy for the Nintendo DS. Play the game online: www.starfy.com

30daysof: How did you learn about it? Who told you?
SR: I saw it in the store, and on a commercial.

30daysof: What ages do you think are best suited to play this game/website/device? What abilities or devices are needed?
SR: Anyone who likes Pokemon would probably like this too. Ages 7-13. You need a Nintendo DS.

30daysof: How many hours a day do you spend with the game/website/device?
SR: I get an hour a day with my gaming devices ( either Wii or Nintendo ). I play this a lot, since I got it recently.

30daysof: Do your parents set rules for you such as: chores first, then games: or only 1 hour a day; or no rules, I have all the control!
SR: During the summer I get one hour a day OR Saturday and Sunday unlimited. During the school year, I only get 1 hour each weekend day.

30daysof: What is your favorite part of the game/website/device? Which part do you play most often?
SR: My favorite part is the final boss battle, because it involves a lot of technique that you learn from the rest of the game.

30daysof: Please give a secret tip or hint that you want other friends to know about the game/website? For instance: how do you get to a certain level, find a gem, kill a bad guy, earn extra money?
SR: In the first boss battle, aim for the tentacles. Those are his weak points. Also, use the treasures ( maps, screen saver items, pages of diaries and notes ) to help you on your journey. They are all important.

30daysof: Why do you like this game/website/device better than the others?
SR: I like it because you get to watch cool videos as well defeat enemies.

30daysof: Write one sentence about this game/website/device that would make others buy it!
SR: This game is the best of them all, as it really action packed and you constantly have to keep moving your fingers. Gives your hands a workout.

30daysof: How could they improve this game/website/device and make it even better!
SR: It needs more mini games, and more notes.


SR is an avid game player and Tech Kid.  Read his other reviews of Pokeman and Sonic Rush.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Tech Kids Review - Pokemon


Pokemon. We have all heard of this phenomenon. To learn more about the game on the DS, Tech Kid (SR - age 9) answered the interview to this popular kids game for the DS.








30daysof: What is the name of the website/game/device you reviewed?

SR: Pokemon Platinum for the Nintendo DS.

 

30daysof: How did you learn about it?  Who told you?

SR: I have all the Pokemon games, so I was waiting for this one to come out. I had a pre-order on it in GameStop

 

30daysof:  What ages do you think are best suited to play this game/website/device?  What abilities or devices are needed?

SR: I would 7 to 13, or anyone who really likes Pokemon. The manual you can buy for this game ( it’s a huge book ) really helps you get through the game with lots of extras.

 

30daysof:  How many hours a day do you spend with the game/website/device?

SR: I get an hour a day with my gaming devices ( either Wii or Nintendo ). I play this a LOT.

 

30daysof:  Do your parents set rules for you such as: chores first, then games:  or only 1 hour a day; or no rules, I have all the control!

SR: During the summer I get one hour a day OR Saturday and Sunday unlimited. During the school year, I only get 1 hour each weekend day.

 

30daysof: What is your favorite part of the game/website/device?  Which part do you play most often?

SR: My favorite part of the game are the battles with the trainers, gym leaders, and the Pokemon elite 4 champions. I also like to catch and train the wild Pokemon.

 

30daysof: Please give a secret tip or hint that you want other friends to know about the game/website?  For instance: how do you get to a certain level, find a gem, kill a bad guy, earn extra money?

SR: When you are on route, never hide from the trainers. If you do so, your Pokemon will level up and evolve faster. Toys r’ us sometimes has events where you can go in and get free Pokemon added to your game. They advertise this in the gaming department, and it is FREE.

 

30daysof: Why do you like this game/website/device better than the others?

SR: This is the best Pokemon game as you can catch Pokemon from all different regions, and the new WiFi plaza is super cool.

 

30daysof: Write one sentence about this game/website/device that would make others buy it!  

SR: I own all the Pokemon games ever made, and this is the best one! You can catch all the legendary Pokemon in this game, no other one can do that!

 

30daysof:  How could they improve this game/website/device and make it even better!

SR: They should add a feature where you can mix Pokemon abilities, or add some new Pokemon to the regions.

Let's Make Ashton Kutchers Favorite Treat


I was watching an interview with Ashton (@aplusk) and ijustine (@ijustine) (two of favs to follow) and he mentioned a snack he can't live without. It involved a coconut, caramel, graham cracker thing...he could only find them in Mexico. I think he was talking about these MAGIC BARS. I made them an evening when 2 nine-year-olds and I played Iron Chef. (Details of this great party idea to follow)
I found the following recipe at BakingBites.com. But I added the caramel aspect to it.
Cut them up into bitesize squares and they are a great treat to bring to a party or freeze them for a sweet treat anytime.

Ashton's Magic Bars
! cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup Dark chocolate chips and 1/2 cup Rolos cut up in quarters
1 cup roasted, salted pecans, coarsely chopped
1 cup shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened
3/4 of a 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk unless you want them very sweet - use the whole can.



Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.
Roast the pecans. Then, In a medium bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, oats and melted butter. Pour into prepared pan and press into an even layer, using your fingertips,the back of a spoon or a spatula. Spread chocolate chips and rolos in a layer on the graham crackers. Spread pecans in a layer on the chocolate chips. Spread coconut in a layer on top. Pour sweetened condensed milk over everything.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until coconut is golden brown.
Cool completely before slicing.
Bars can be served at room temperature or chilled.
Cut into Bite-Sized Pieces.