They're back! Those wonderful church bulletins! These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:
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The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
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The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
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Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
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Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community.. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
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Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
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Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
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For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
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Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
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A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
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Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
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Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
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The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done.
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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church Please use large double door at the side entrance.
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The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours
Thanks to Wes for passing these to me.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Interview with Philip Yancey by Amy Sondova
This interview was written by Amy Sondova and originally posted on her blog, Backseat Writer. Amy graciously gave me permission to re-post this.
Philip Yancey is a lot of things—a “writer’s writer” who has received awards, accolades, and praise for his books. He is also the editor-at-large for Christianity Today. His vulnerable and personal writings have touched the lives of over 15 million people. To be sure, Philip Yancey is gargantuan in the writing world.
But that’s not why I asked Philip Yancey to do a Take 5. I asked him to do a Take 5 because I am one of the 15 million whose lives have been touched. Yes, I remember the moment I first laid my eyes on a Philip Yancey book.
It was 1997 and I was a troubled 17 year-old girl struggling with depression, anxiety, cutting, and of course, issues of faith. The Jesus I Never Knew stared at me from our living room coffee table. Literally, stared at me! Intrigued by the cover (who says you can’t judge a book by its cover?), I picked up the book and began reading.
The Jesus I never knew became the Jesus I started to know in a whole new way. So I read more of Yancey’s books—Soul Survivor, What’s So Amazing About Grace?, Disappointment With God, and many more including another favorite, Reaching For the Invisible God.
Yancey managed to reach into the heart of a very confused teenage girl. His honest reflections on faith helped a young woman cling to her own faith in the midst of heartache. And the fact he answered my e-mail and agreed to do this Take 5 made my dream of interviewing Philip Yancey a reality. Thank you, Philip—for everything!
On Backseat Writer, we write a lot about music and books. So what music are you currently listening to and/or what books are you currently reading?
My music answer is always the same: old fogy that I am, I only listen to classical music. I did a three-year project of digitizing all my albums and (yes) reel-to-reel tapes, so I can order up “Symphonies” or “String Quartets” or any individual composer and then music plays all day in the background. I’m afraid that when I hear about the GRAMMY Awards I haven’t heard of two-thirds of contemporary musicians. Oh well, somebody’s got to support the classics.
My next book is a kind of memoir, so I’ve been reading almost nothing but memoirs for the last year or so. I must have read at least 100, simply to study the form and see how it’s done. Some are juicy, some are boring. I’m gradually preparing to make the transition from an essay writer to one who works with narrative and dialog–that’s my hope anyway.
On average, how long does it talk for you to write a book? How much research goes into a Philip Yancey book?
It would take about a year if I did nothing else. I travel quite a bit, and do other projects on the side, so it ends up taking 1.5 or two years. I figure the ratio breaks down like this: 40% preparation (including research, interviewing, outlining, all those writing-avoidance tactics); 20% composing (all the paranoia and psychosis occur here); 40% cleaning up what I wrote (I began my career as an editor, so I truly value this editing process.) While doing my book on Prayer, for example, I spent about six months in libraries before writing a word.
With all your success, how do you keep stay humble?
I play golf. Seriously, though, nothing that happens on the outside helps when you face that blank page or blank computer screen. Writing is the most humbling act I know. Nothing that has happened with prior books offers any guarantee that my current or next book will work, will connect with anyone, will show that I’ve lost whatever spark I may have had. Writing is a lonely, demanding craft, and the longer I do it the worse I feel, in a way, because I recognize more mistakes as I make them. My job is to produce the best book I can; the publisher and readers determine what happens to that book, and that world seems very far apart from how I spend my time.
Young writers often make foolish mistakes. What is a mistake I should avoid?
Writing should come with a label, “Do not practice this alone.” Starting out with an ideal of self-expression is suicidal. Writing is communication, connection. And when you begin, it’s best to find a supportive community, or writers’ group, who can point out what you’re doing wrong (feedback you need) while encouraging you to keep going (feedback you need more). Otherwise, you’ll likely give up.
How does your writing affect your relationship with God? (The reason I ask is this—I feel so close to God when I’m writing or taking pictures, the act itself turns into worship.)
God doesn’t seem to give me great words or great thoughts. Rather, prayer helps remove the distractions that interfere with mental focus–the most crucial ingredient in writing. “Cast all your anxieties upon him, because he cares for you,” the Bible says. That takes on stark reality in the composing process. I have anxieties bubbling up–over deadlines, creativity, finances, a million other things–and they can prove paralyzing. I bundle them up and present them to God. Then I trust God with the result. I hear later from people who have touched by my words, but in the process I simply commit them to God as an act of faith. God knows better how to use my words than I do, and I trust God with that part of the process.
For more information on Philip Yancey, visit him online at PhilipYancey.com. Also, I recommend you buy every book he’s ever written, but that’s merely my opinion.
Philip Yancey is a lot of things—a “writer’s writer” who has received awards, accolades, and praise for his books. He is also the editor-at-large for Christianity Today. His vulnerable and personal writings have touched the lives of over 15 million people. To be sure, Philip Yancey is gargantuan in the writing world.
But that’s not why I asked Philip Yancey to do a Take 5. I asked him to do a Take 5 because I am one of the 15 million whose lives have been touched. Yes, I remember the moment I first laid my eyes on a Philip Yancey book.
It was 1997 and I was a troubled 17 year-old girl struggling with depression, anxiety, cutting, and of course, issues of faith. The Jesus I Never Knew stared at me from our living room coffee table. Literally, stared at me! Intrigued by the cover (who says you can’t judge a book by its cover?), I picked up the book and began reading.
The Jesus I never knew became the Jesus I started to know in a whole new way. So I read more of Yancey’s books—Soul Survivor, What’s So Amazing About Grace?, Disappointment With God, and many more including another favorite, Reaching For the Invisible God.
Yancey managed to reach into the heart of a very confused teenage girl. His honest reflections on faith helped a young woman cling to her own faith in the midst of heartache. And the fact he answered my e-mail and agreed to do this Take 5 made my dream of interviewing Philip Yancey a reality. Thank you, Philip—for everything!
On Backseat Writer, we write a lot about music and books. So what music are you currently listening to and/or what books are you currently reading?
My music answer is always the same: old fogy that I am, I only listen to classical music. I did a three-year project of digitizing all my albums and (yes) reel-to-reel tapes, so I can order up “Symphonies” or “String Quartets” or any individual composer and then music plays all day in the background. I’m afraid that when I hear about the GRAMMY Awards I haven’t heard of two-thirds of contemporary musicians. Oh well, somebody’s got to support the classics.
My next book is a kind of memoir, so I’ve been reading almost nothing but memoirs for the last year or so. I must have read at least 100, simply to study the form and see how it’s done. Some are juicy, some are boring. I’m gradually preparing to make the transition from an essay writer to one who works with narrative and dialog–that’s my hope anyway.
On average, how long does it talk for you to write a book? How much research goes into a Philip Yancey book?
It would take about a year if I did nothing else. I travel quite a bit, and do other projects on the side, so it ends up taking 1.5 or two years. I figure the ratio breaks down like this: 40% preparation (including research, interviewing, outlining, all those writing-avoidance tactics); 20% composing (all the paranoia and psychosis occur here); 40% cleaning up what I wrote (I began my career as an editor, so I truly value this editing process.) While doing my book on Prayer, for example, I spent about six months in libraries before writing a word.
With all your success, how do you keep stay humble?
I play golf. Seriously, though, nothing that happens on the outside helps when you face that blank page or blank computer screen. Writing is the most humbling act I know. Nothing that has happened with prior books offers any guarantee that my current or next book will work, will connect with anyone, will show that I’ve lost whatever spark I may have had. Writing is a lonely, demanding craft, and the longer I do it the worse I feel, in a way, because I recognize more mistakes as I make them. My job is to produce the best book I can; the publisher and readers determine what happens to that book, and that world seems very far apart from how I spend my time.
Young writers often make foolish mistakes. What is a mistake I should avoid?
Writing should come with a label, “Do not practice this alone.” Starting out with an ideal of self-expression is suicidal. Writing is communication, connection. And when you begin, it’s best to find a supportive community, or writers’ group, who can point out what you’re doing wrong (feedback you need) while encouraging you to keep going (feedback you need more). Otherwise, you’ll likely give up.
How does your writing affect your relationship with God? (The reason I ask is this—I feel so close to God when I’m writing or taking pictures, the act itself turns into worship.)
God doesn’t seem to give me great words or great thoughts. Rather, prayer helps remove the distractions that interfere with mental focus–the most crucial ingredient in writing. “Cast all your anxieties upon him, because he cares for you,” the Bible says. That takes on stark reality in the composing process. I have anxieties bubbling up–over deadlines, creativity, finances, a million other things–and they can prove paralyzing. I bundle them up and present them to God. Then I trust God with the result. I hear later from people who have touched by my words, but in the process I simply commit them to God as an act of faith. God knows better how to use my words than I do, and I trust God with that part of the process.
For more information on Philip Yancey, visit him online at PhilipYancey.com. Also, I recommend you buy every book he’s ever written, but that’s merely my opinion.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Kitchen Chat with Margaret McSweeney
Friday morning, I'll be on the radio show "Kitchen Chat" with Margaret McSweeney. 11 am, Central Time. Tune in!
New Cover is Here: The Waiting!
It's official! Here's the new cover for The Waiting, book #2 in the "Lancaster County Secrets" series, which will release October 1st.
Covers are far more complex than you might think. I'm grateful to my publisher, Revell, for putting so much care into getting details right. The model is wearing a cap that is true to Lancaster-style prayer caps--it has a heart shape in the back. The model's hair color is important in this story, too. The main character, Jorie King, has coppery colored hair. The fence was my brilliant editor's idea--it acts as a metaphor for the reader. The reader is crossing into another world.
Titles are a challenge, too. The Waiting was chosen because when we meet Jorie (whom you'll love!), she is at a point where her life is on hold. This story is set in 1965, and Jorie is waiting for Ben Zook to return from serving as a Conscientious Objector in Vietnam. She's waiting for Ben to settle down and join the church. She's waiting to marry him.
Until the past collides with Jorie's tenuous future.
On other title news, I found out this morning that Book #3 in the "Lancaster County Secrets" series will be officially titled The Search. That book will be available in January 2011 (though it will probably start trickling into stores in December).
As for yesterday's winner for the giveaway: Congrats to Syndi! Your book is already in the mail.
Thanks to everyone who sent your heartwarming memories of raising your wonderful children. Each comment and e-mail made me smile! It's good to take time to remember.
Tomorrow's blog will be an interview with author Philip Yancey, graciously shared by Amy Sondova from her fascinating blog, Take 5. Tune in tomorrow!
Covers are far more complex than you might think. I'm grateful to my publisher, Revell, for putting so much care into getting details right. The model is wearing a cap that is true to Lancaster-style prayer caps--it has a heart shape in the back. The model's hair color is important in this story, too. The main character, Jorie King, has coppery colored hair. The fence was my brilliant editor's idea--it acts as a metaphor for the reader. The reader is crossing into another world.
Titles are a challenge, too. The Waiting was chosen because when we meet Jorie (whom you'll love!), she is at a point where her life is on hold. This story is set in 1965, and Jorie is waiting for Ben Zook to return from serving as a Conscientious Objector in Vietnam. She's waiting for Ben to settle down and join the church. She's waiting to marry him.
Until the past collides with Jorie's tenuous future.
On other title news, I found out this morning that Book #3 in the "Lancaster County Secrets" series will be officially titled The Search. That book will be available in January 2011 (though it will probably start trickling into stores in December).
As for yesterday's winner for the giveaway: Congrats to Syndi! Your book is already in the mail.
Thanks to everyone who sent your heartwarming memories of raising your wonderful children. Each comment and e-mail made me smile! It's good to take time to remember.
Tomorrow's blog will be an interview with author Philip Yancey, graciously shared by Amy Sondova from her fascinating blog, Take 5. Tune in tomorrow!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Another Giveaway!
Congrats to Wendy M. yesterday for winning a copy of Lisa Wingate's Never Say Never (Bethany).
So many Facebook comments were left for me late yesterday, hoping to be entered, that I felt a little sorry for making the cut-off at 3pm.
See, the problem was that last evening was busy. My son's basketball team was advancing into the NCS and they had the first play-off game last night. Single elimination, so it's now game by game.
And they won! 71-41.
I felt a little choked up last night...knowing that if my son's team lost, the season would be over not only for my son, but for our family, too. He's our youngest child, playing his last high school sport. After four children, I couldn't even count up the hours we have spent on cold bleachers in dimly lit gyms, or standing against the wind on a baseball field in the middle of nowhere, or beside a pool on a freezing cold day.
Always cheering, win or lose. Always there. That's what parents do.
Anyway...back to the giveaways. Let's do another today, in hopes that someone who really needs a good book will win it. I have another copy of C.J. Darlington's Thicker than Blood (Tyndale). I reviewed the book a few months ago.
Here's today's question: What's a favorite memory you have of raising your kids? Don't overthink this...just share something that pops into your mind. Something that makes you smile and feel grateful God gave you the privilege of raising a child.
Leave a comment or send me an e-mail suzanne at suzannewoodsfisher dot com by 4pm today so I can get down to the post office by the 5pm cut-off. Merci!
So many Facebook comments were left for me late yesterday, hoping to be entered, that I felt a little sorry for making the cut-off at 3pm.
See, the problem was that last evening was busy. My son's basketball team was advancing into the NCS and they had the first play-off game last night. Single elimination, so it's now game by game.
And they won! 71-41.
I felt a little choked up last night...knowing that if my son's team lost, the season would be over not only for my son, but for our family, too. He's our youngest child, playing his last high school sport. After four children, I couldn't even count up the hours we have spent on cold bleachers in dimly lit gyms, or standing against the wind on a baseball field in the middle of nowhere, or beside a pool on a freezing cold day.
Always cheering, win or lose. Always there. That's what parents do.
Anyway...back to the giveaways. Let's do another today, in hopes that someone who really needs a good book will win it. I have another copy of C.J. Darlington's Thicker than Blood (Tyndale). I reviewed the book a few months ago.
Here's today's question: What's a favorite memory you have of raising your kids? Don't overthink this...just share something that pops into your mind. Something that makes you smile and feel grateful God gave you the privilege of raising a child.
Leave a comment or send me an e-mail suzanne at suzannewoodsfisher dot com by 4pm today so I can get down to the post office by the 5pm cut-off. Merci!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Giveaway Day!
It's another gray rainy day in California (I'm not complaining! We need every drop.) and rain seems like a perfect reason to have a a giveaway.
I have one copy of Lisa Wingate's hot-off-the-press release, "Never Say Never" (Bethany).
About the book...
Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots--and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence. And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily--until she discovers he may be promised to someone else.
Daily has always been a welcoming place of refuge for those the wind blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store--especially when Aunt Donetta Bradford has cooked up a scheme.
My take...
Life's storms can sometimes bring us blessings. "Never Say Never" is a lovely story about two women--one in her 70's, the other in her 20's--who meet up during a hurricane. A fun, light read for the long, gray days of winter.
About the author...
Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books, including Tending Roses, A Month of Summer, and The Summer Kitchen. Lisa and her family live in central Texas. Visit Lisa at her website.
About today's giveaway...
I'm heading to the post office later today. I have a bunch of things to mail to the winners from my Facebook Party last week, so post a comment (or e-mail me...suzanne at suzannewoodsfisher dot com) by 3pm California time--describe your winter weather today and I'll pick a random winner! Will try to get the book in today's mail so you can have it for the weekend.
I have one copy of Lisa Wingate's hot-off-the-press release, "Never Say Never" (Bethany).
About the book...
Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots--and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence. And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily--until she discovers he may be promised to someone else.
Daily has always been a welcoming place of refuge for those the wind blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store--especially when Aunt Donetta Bradford has cooked up a scheme.
My take...
Life's storms can sometimes bring us blessings. "Never Say Never" is a lovely story about two women--one in her 70's, the other in her 20's--who meet up during a hurricane. A fun, light read for the long, gray days of winter.
About the author...
Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books, including Tending Roses, A Month of Summer, and The Summer Kitchen. Lisa and her family live in central Texas. Visit Lisa at her website.
About today's giveaway...
I'm heading to the post office later today. I have a bunch of things to mail to the winners from my Facebook Party last week, so post a comment (or e-mail me...suzanne at suzannewoodsfisher dot com) by 3pm California time--describe your winter weather today and I'll pick a random winner! Will try to get the book in today's mail so you can have it for the weekend.
Friday, February 19, 2010
A Life Lesson from American Idol about Dealing with Rejection
Are you watching American Idol? I DVD it and then zoom through it. There was something Ellen DeGeneres said that was so impressive. She was talking to the annoying girl-with-glasses who wouldn't go home.
(Just to quality that...I didn't mean girl-with-glasses was annoying because she wears glasses. I wear glasses. She was just annoying.)
It's a little long...you can click it off when you're tired of listening to her begging.
Anyway...Ellen said to her, "This is just one 'no' in your life. You will get many 'no's. It doesn't mean it's 'the' no."
Those words just resonated with me. That's a writers' life! Lots and lots of no's. I'm heading over to a writers' conference tonight and teaching a workshop tomorrow. I'm going to reference Ellen's wise lesson about getting no's. Rejection is part of the package when you are trying a creative endeavor.
By contrast, look at this young woman's attitude about rejection. AWESOME!!!
I worry about people like girl-with-glasses. She may be incredibly talented, but there's an extra quality that she is going to need if she ever wants to get anywhere with her music. It's called: perseverance.
(Just to quality that...I didn't mean girl-with-glasses was annoying because she wears glasses. I wear glasses. She was just annoying.)
It's a little long...you can click it off when you're tired of listening to her begging.
Anyway...Ellen said to her, "This is just one 'no' in your life. You will get many 'no's. It doesn't mean it's 'the' no."
Those words just resonated with me. That's a writers' life! Lots and lots of no's. I'm heading over to a writers' conference tonight and teaching a workshop tomorrow. I'm going to reference Ellen's wise lesson about getting no's. Rejection is part of the package when you are trying a creative endeavor.
By contrast, look at this young woman's attitude about rejection. AWESOME!!!
I worry about people like girl-with-glasses. She may be incredibly talented, but there's an extra quality that she is going to need if she ever wants to get anywhere with her music. It's called: perseverance.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Happy Dance!!!
Got an e-mail last night from my project editor with Revell. She had just found out "The Choice" snagged the #8 spot on the CBA March Fiction Bestseller list.
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Thank you, thank you, dear readers!
1 (11) The Shack William P. Young, Windblown Media, p, 9780964729230
2 (14) Shades of Blue Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p, 9780310266228
3 (25) Burn Ted Dekker & Erin Healy, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781595544711
4 (33) The Hidden Flame Davis Bunn & Janette Oke, Bethany House (Baker), p, 9780764207426
5 (41) Redeeming Love Francine Rivers, Multnomah (WaterBrook), p, 9781590525135
6 Silent Governess Julie Klassen, Bethany House (Baker), p, 9780764207075
7 A Lineage of Grace Francine Rivers, Tyndale, p, 9780842356329
8 Choice Suzanne Fisher, Revell (Baker), p, 9780800733858
9 The Missing Beverly Lewis, Bethany House (Baker), p, 9780764205729
10 Amish Gathering Beth Wiseman & Kathleen Fuller, Thomas Nelson, p, 9781595548221
11 Kelly’s Chance Wanda Brunstetter, Barbour, p, 9781602608900
12 Beguiled Deeanne Gist & J. Mark Bertrand, Baker, p, 9780764206283
13 Intervention Terri Blackstock, Zondervan, p, 9780310250654
14 White Christmas Pie Wanda Brunstetter, Barbour, p, 9781597899376
15 Take Two Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p, 9780310266174
16 Never Far From Home Mary Ellis, Harvest House, p, 9780736927338
17 The Screwtape Letters C. S. Lewis, Zondervan, p, 9780060652937
18 Green Ted Dekker, Thomas Nelson, c, 9781595542885
19 Lightkeepers Daughter Colleen Coble, Thomas Nelson, p, 9781595542670
20 The Centurion’s Wife Davis Bunn & Janette Oke, Bethany House (Baker), p, 9780764205149
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Amish Haystacks
A common thing I’ve noticed is that when an Amish or Mennonite family is in need, their local community will hold benefit dinners which often feature "haystacks." The ingredients differ from dinner to dinner and with the seasons.
I posted this recipe on Facebook the other night during the party...thought those who aren't FBers might enjoy seeing it, too. The recipe will feed a large group...so keep it in mind if you're having a big group over. Like, for example, your son's basketball team.
Here one variation for an Amish Haystack dinner:
Ingredients
• 2 pounds ground beef
• One 1/4-ounce package taco seasoning mix
• One 14-ounce jar (or 1 1/2 cups) Spaghetti Sauce
• Two 9-ounce bags tortilla chips, crushed
• 2 cups hot cooked rice, prepared as label directs
• 1 head lettuce, thinly sliced
• 2 cups diced tomatoes
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped green onions
• 1 cup sliced pitted ripe olives
• 1 cup diced green pepper
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup crumbled cooked bacon
• 1 cup sunflower seed kernels
• One jar salsa
Directions
1. In large skillet, brown ground beef with taco seasoning over medium-high heat. Add spaghetti sauce; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, until most of liquid evaporates.
2. Mix crushed crackers and tortilla chips in a bowl. Place ground-beef mixture, rice, and remaining ingredients in individual bowls.
3. Allow guests to serve themselves, layering as suits each individual: lettuce, chips, meat mixture, rice, tomatoes, carrots, onions, olives, pepper, celery, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and salsa.
Here's another Haystack recipe I found in The Sugarcreek Budget newspaper:
Potato Haystack Casserole
10 potatoes, cooked, peeled and shredded
2 packages Ranch Dressing Mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
4 pounds hamburger
2 packages taco seasoning
salta nd pepper to taste
1/4 cup diced onion
Add sour cream and milk to dressing mix. Fry hamburger with onion and add taco seasoning. Layer potatoes, then hamburger. Then put sour cream sauce on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and before serving, put crushed nacho chips on top.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Winners!
Just got this from Amy...these are the winners from The Choice's blog tour and Facebook Party!
From the blog tour twitter contest: Signed copies of The Choice
@gretchengeyer
@kherbrand
@frostedfingers
@dianeestrella
@cln1812
From the Book Bomb: $25 Gift Certificate from Amazon.com
Diane S.
From last night's Facebook Party: Advanced copies of The Waiting
Joan M. from Ontario, Canada
Heidi H. from Jerome, Idaho
Cindy S. from Quebec, Canada
Holly H. from Moncks Corner, South Carolina
Cinda C.
From last night's Facebook Party: $25 Gift certificate to Amazon
Sheila G.
And the Facebook Trivia contest: Amish-made gifts and cookbook
Beth P.
Congratulations to the winners! My sincere appreciation goes to Revell Books for sponsoring the generous prizes and giveaways! And a special thank you to each and every reader for helping to give a great kick-off to launch my book! Your support is something I treasure.
From the blog tour twitter contest: Signed copies of The Choice
@gretchengeyer
@kherbrand
@frostedfingers
@dianeestrella
@cln1812
From the Book Bomb: $25 Gift Certificate from Amazon.com
Diane S.
From last night's Facebook Party: Advanced copies of The Waiting
Joan M. from Ontario, Canada
Heidi H. from Jerome, Idaho
Cindy S. from Quebec, Canada
Holly H. from Moncks Corner, South Carolina
Cinda C.
From last night's Facebook Party: $25 Gift certificate to Amazon
Sheila G.
And the Facebook Trivia contest: Amish-made gifts and cookbook
Beth P.
Congratulations to the winners! My sincere appreciation goes to Revell Books for sponsoring the generous prizes and giveaways! And a special thank you to each and every reader for helping to give a great kick-off to launch my book! Your support is something I treasure.
Monday, February 15, 2010
The BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
The Facebook party was a blast! Over 500+ comments! Even with Facebook threatening to shut me down for having too much activity on my sight. Again. (Sheesh! The only way to avoid that is to have a Fan Page and the thought of that makes me shudder.)
Thanks to everyone who dropped by! And a big thank you to those who bought "The Choice."
You have until midnight tonight to get back to Amy about those trivia Q's. (Amy's e-mail is: amy@litfusegroup.com) Tomorrow, we'll announce all of the winners here and on Facebook.
So here's The Big Announcement! Starting March 11th, 4-5pm CST, I will be hosting a weekly radio program called "Amish Wisdom." It's a live show, featuring all kinds of fascinating guests who have a connection to the Amish, and free podcasts can be downloaded on Itunes.
Check out my radio program's "landing page" here!
Thanks to everyone who dropped by! And a big thank you to those who bought "The Choice."
You have until midnight tonight to get back to Amy about those trivia Q's. (Amy's e-mail is: amy@litfusegroup.com) Tomorrow, we'll announce all of the winners here and on Facebook.
So here's The Big Announcement! Starting March 11th, 4-5pm CST, I will be hosting a weekly radio program called "Amish Wisdom." It's a live show, featuring all kinds of fascinating guests who have a connection to the Amish, and free podcasts can be downloaded on Itunes.
Check out my radio program's "landing page" here!
Book Bomb Day and Facebook Party!
Today's the day! If you haven't bought a copy of The Choice, today would be a great day to do so. Buy it anywhere you shop...your favorite Christian bookstore, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Barnes & Noble, Borders. Or go on-line to Amazon or CBD.
Why today?
Because you might win a $25 Amazon gift certificate, courtesy of my wonderful publisher, Revell Books.
Just send an e-mail to amy@litfusegroup.com and we'll enter your name into the hat for a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com. (We just need the info from your purchase receipt: name of store, and receipt number, number of copies purchased.)
Btw...each additional copy you purchase gets you an extra entry. It's a snap!
And don't forget to drop by my Facebook party tonight--5pm West Coast, 8pm East Coast--for an Author's Talk. I have some very exciting news to share tonight, too, so I hope you'll tune in! Just click on the Events tab on my Facebook home page.
During the party, Revell is offering all kinds of loot! Nifty prizes, giveaways...even five advance copies of "The Waiting" as soon as it rolls off the press.
Don't forget! Today's the day to buy The Choice. Tonight's the night to celebrate with a party! Hope you'll join us!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Whoopie Pies Make a Comeback!
Didn't I tell you that everything-Amish is all the buzz right now? I was in Whole Foods the other day and found this...
There's even a cookbook dedicated to these little desserts, called "Whoopie Pies," that will be out in April by Sarah Billingsley (Chronicle Books, $16.95).
Wondering just what a Whoopie Pie is?
Sandwichy-treats that toggle the culinary line between a cookie and a cake, whoopie pies (aka "moon pies," "black-and-whites," "gobs" and "bobs" are "de rigueur" on dessert trays these days.
Whoopie Pies have been an East Coast phenomenon for generations and most likely have Amish or Mennonite roots reaching back to medieval Germany. Historians say Amish women packed the highly portable dessert in their farmer-husbands' or children's lunchboxes, prompting the recipients to exclaim "Whoopie!" when they discovered the treats. Coal miners called them "gobs" because they resembled chunks of coal.
Whatever their beginnings, the cream-filled cookies have made their way into culinary pop culture: Sur la Table and Williams-Sonoma recently rolled out whoopie-pie mixes and pans, food blogs are abuzz about them and Food Network Magazine features a recipe for a red velvet whoopie in its February edition. Central Market and Whole Foods stores make and sell whoopie pies in their bakery departments. And they're on the dessert menu at Cafe Modern.
"We started seeing whoopie pies everywhere, and that's why we wrote the book," said Billingsley, a former native of Pennsylvania who now lives in San Francisco. "... We're getting the gospel out there."
The whoopie hoopla touches on two important dessert trends these days, Billingsley says -- small desserts and nostalgic desserts. And while the most classic version is chocolate-marshmallow, the whoopie-cookies and fillings can be assembled in countless combinations -- sweet or savory. Whoopie Pies includes such creative recipes as The Happy Pilgrim (pumpkin-maple), Fat Elvis (banana-peanut butter-bacon), Rock the Casbah (cardamom-pistachio-rosewater buttercream) and jalapeño cornbread with bacon-chive-goat cheese filling.
Billingsley offered these whoopie-pie tips:
Vegetable shortening, not butter, will help the pies achieve their characteristic lightness, lift and rounded shape.
Use an ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon and push the dough out with your finger onto the baking pan. The dough should be the consistency of muffin batter.
When you're putting the cookies together to fill, match ones that have roughly the same circumference.
Use a resealable plastic/pastry bag to pipe the filling between cookies quickly and elegantly.
Jazz up your pies by filling them with Nutella, peanut butter or whipped cream, in addition to the classic filling. Roll them in sprinkles or crushed candy, or dip them in ganache.
They're best eaten within a day of making them because they can be a challenge to store. Best to store them in a single layer or wrap them individually. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days; freeze them for up to one month.
Get the kids involved! Have them help spread the filling onto the cookies and let them eat with their hands -- fun!
Classic Chocolate Whoopie Pies
Makes about 48 two-inch cakes
12/3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
11/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 tablespoons vegetable shortening
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
Classic marshmallow filling (recipe follows)
1. Position rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt onto a sheet of wax paper. In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, shortening and brown sugar on low speed until just combined. Increase the speed to medium and beat until fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat for 2 more minutes.
3. Add half of flour mixture and half of milk to batter and beat on low until just incorporated. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add remaining flour mixture and 1/2 cup milk and beat until completely combined.
4. Using a spoon, drop about 1 tablespoon of batter onto a prepared baking sheet and repeat, spacing at least 2 inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time for about 10 minutes each, or until the pies spring back when pressed gently. Remove from oven and let cakes cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.
To assemble: Spread filling onto the flat side a cake using a knife or spoon. Top it with another cake, flat-side down. Repeat with the rest of the cakes and filling. Alternatively, you can use a pastry bag with a round tip to pipe the filling onto the cakes, which will give you a neater presentation.
Classic marshmallow filling
11/2 cups Marshmallow Fluff (or other prepared marshmallow cream, which will do in a pinch)
11/4 cups vegetable shortening
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1. In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together Marshmallow Fluff and shortening, starting on low and increasing to medium speed until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
2. Reduce mixer speed to low, add confectioners' sugar and vanilla, and beat until incorporated. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes more.
There's even a cookbook dedicated to these little desserts, called "Whoopie Pies," that will be out in April by Sarah Billingsley (Chronicle Books, $16.95).
Wondering just what a Whoopie Pie is?
Sandwichy-treats that toggle the culinary line between a cookie and a cake, whoopie pies (aka "moon pies," "black-and-whites," "gobs" and "bobs" are "de rigueur" on dessert trays these days.
Whoopie Pies have been an East Coast phenomenon for generations and most likely have Amish or Mennonite roots reaching back to medieval Germany. Historians say Amish women packed the highly portable dessert in their farmer-husbands' or children's lunchboxes, prompting the recipients to exclaim "Whoopie!" when they discovered the treats. Coal miners called them "gobs" because they resembled chunks of coal.
Whatever their beginnings, the cream-filled cookies have made their way into culinary pop culture: Sur la Table and Williams-Sonoma recently rolled out whoopie-pie mixes and pans, food blogs are abuzz about them and Food Network Magazine features a recipe for a red velvet whoopie in its February edition. Central Market and Whole Foods stores make and sell whoopie pies in their bakery departments. And they're on the dessert menu at Cafe Modern.
"We started seeing whoopie pies everywhere, and that's why we wrote the book," said Billingsley, a former native of Pennsylvania who now lives in San Francisco. "... We're getting the gospel out there."
The whoopie hoopla touches on two important dessert trends these days, Billingsley says -- small desserts and nostalgic desserts. And while the most classic version is chocolate-marshmallow, the whoopie-cookies and fillings can be assembled in countless combinations -- sweet or savory. Whoopie Pies includes such creative recipes as The Happy Pilgrim (pumpkin-maple), Fat Elvis (banana-peanut butter-bacon), Rock the Casbah (cardamom-pistachio-rosewater buttercream) and jalapeño cornbread with bacon-chive-goat cheese filling.
Billingsley offered these whoopie-pie tips:
Vegetable shortening, not butter, will help the pies achieve their characteristic lightness, lift and rounded shape.
Use an ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon and push the dough out with your finger onto the baking pan. The dough should be the consistency of muffin batter.
When you're putting the cookies together to fill, match ones that have roughly the same circumference.
Use a resealable plastic/pastry bag to pipe the filling between cookies quickly and elegantly.
Jazz up your pies by filling them with Nutella, peanut butter or whipped cream, in addition to the classic filling. Roll them in sprinkles or crushed candy, or dip them in ganache.
They're best eaten within a day of making them because they can be a challenge to store. Best to store them in a single layer or wrap them individually. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days; freeze them for up to one month.
Get the kids involved! Have them help spread the filling onto the cookies and let them eat with their hands -- fun!
Classic Chocolate Whoopie Pies
Makes about 48 two-inch cakes
12/3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
11/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 tablespoons vegetable shortening
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
Classic marshmallow filling (recipe follows)
1. Position rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt onto a sheet of wax paper. In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, shortening and brown sugar on low speed until just combined. Increase the speed to medium and beat until fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat for 2 more minutes.
3. Add half of flour mixture and half of milk to batter and beat on low until just incorporated. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add remaining flour mixture and 1/2 cup milk and beat until completely combined.
4. Using a spoon, drop about 1 tablespoon of batter onto a prepared baking sheet and repeat, spacing at least 2 inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time for about 10 minutes each, or until the pies spring back when pressed gently. Remove from oven and let cakes cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.
To assemble: Spread filling onto the flat side a cake using a knife or spoon. Top it with another cake, flat-side down. Repeat with the rest of the cakes and filling. Alternatively, you can use a pastry bag with a round tip to pipe the filling onto the cakes, which will give you a neater presentation.
Classic marshmallow filling
11/2 cups Marshmallow Fluff (or other prepared marshmallow cream, which will do in a pinch)
11/4 cups vegetable shortening
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1. In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together Marshmallow Fluff and shortening, starting on low and increasing to medium speed until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
2. Reduce mixer speed to low, add confectioners' sugar and vanilla, and beat until incorporated. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes more.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Superbowl Ads
Did you watch the Superbowl? I didn't. I was at my friend Kim's and we just talked in the kitchen while the game carried on. But the commercials...those are worth watching on you tube!
There's even one with the Amish in it! (Amish actors, of course.) I couldn't find a way to embed it, but if you click here, you'll go to it.
Here's Betty White being...Betty White. I start to laugh when I just see her face!
And this one was hilarious, too. Beware if you're easily embarrassed (I am...but this is pretty tame)...not-exactly-model-type-guys in undies alert!
There's even one with the Amish in it! (Amish actors, of course.) I couldn't find a way to embed it, but if you click here, you'll go to it.
Here's Betty White being...Betty White. I start to laugh when I just see her face!
And this one was hilarious, too. Beware if you're easily embarrassed (I am...but this is pretty tame)...not-exactly-model-type-guys in undies alert!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Where in the World is "The Choice?"
Next Monday night is the Facebook Author's Chat for The Choice! Hope you can tune in...8-9 EST, 5-6 PST.
You're invited!
My awesome publisher, Revell, is giving away nifty prizes: a gift certificate to Amazon, a gift certificate to Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels, some Amish dolls made by one of my favorite Old Order Amish families, plus some quilted potholders from an Amish quilt shop, an Amish cookbook, and lots more!
During that hour, it's your chance to ask questions you've been wanting to know...say, for example, whatever happened to Steelhead and Emma? Do Amish women really hold their dresses together with straight pins? How did Yonnie keep that secret? Ask away!
Some happy news...found out that The Choice is #1 on the Crossings' Book Club Bestseller list. Yahoo!!!
So to add to the buzz about Monday night, if you see "The Choice" in a store, let me know where you spotted it. Better still, send a pix of it. We'll add your name into a special "Where in the World...?" prize!
Monday is also the Book Bomb day for The Choice. If you haven't had a chance to buy a copy yet, buy it on Monday, February 15th, and e-mail amy at litfusegroup dot com to let her know where you bought it. Your name will be added into the drawings for a hot-off-the-press copy of The Waiting, Book #2 in "Lancaster County Secrets," as soon as it arrives from the printer and before it hits the stores (it officially releases in October).
Not on Facebook? Don't worry! Just let Amy know and your name will be included in the drawings.
The new cover for The Waiting will be revealed on Monday night, too! I'll post it on my blog next Tuesday morning...so check back...and see if you've won something!
Have a good Tuesday! I better get back to work...
You're invited!
My awesome publisher, Revell, is giving away nifty prizes: a gift certificate to Amazon, a gift certificate to Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels, some Amish dolls made by one of my favorite Old Order Amish families, plus some quilted potholders from an Amish quilt shop, an Amish cookbook, and lots more!
During that hour, it's your chance to ask questions you've been wanting to know...say, for example, whatever happened to Steelhead and Emma? Do Amish women really hold their dresses together with straight pins? How did Yonnie keep that secret? Ask away!
Some happy news...found out that The Choice is #1 on the Crossings' Book Club Bestseller list. Yahoo!!!
So to add to the buzz about Monday night, if you see "The Choice" in a store, let me know where you spotted it. Better still, send a pix of it. We'll add your name into a special "Where in the World...?" prize!
Monday is also the Book Bomb day for The Choice. If you haven't had a chance to buy a copy yet, buy it on Monday, February 15th, and e-mail amy at litfusegroup dot com to let her know where you bought it. Your name will be added into the drawings for a hot-off-the-press copy of The Waiting, Book #2 in "Lancaster County Secrets," as soon as it arrives from the printer and before it hits the stores (it officially releases in October).
Not on Facebook? Don't worry! Just let Amy know and your name will be included in the drawings.
The new cover for The Waiting will be revealed on Monday night, too! I'll post it on my blog next Tuesday morning...so check back...and see if you've won something!
Have a good Tuesday! I better get back to work...
Friday, February 05, 2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Black Eyed Peas and Oprah
First, we have some business to take care of...Barbara J., you are the winner of yesterday's random drawing for the book about decision making. Congrats! Please send me your address via e-mail (suzanne at suzannewoodsfisher dot com) and I'll pop it in the mail to you this afternoon. Thanks to everyone for your comments. We'll do another giveaway next week!
Now for something kind of fun...
You might have already seen this, but it was the opening to Oprah's 2009 season. Watch carefully...it begins with one girl, whom you think might need to be carried off in a strait jacket. Then it all comes together in an amazing way!
If you want to see how this event was choreographed, check out this clip:
Now for something kind of fun...
You might have already seen this, but it was the opening to Oprah's 2009 season. Watch carefully...it begins with one girl, whom you think might need to be carried off in a strait jacket. Then it all comes together in an amazing way!
If you want to see how this event was choreographed, check out this clip:
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Giveaway Wednesday! The 10 Best Decisions a Woman Can Make
Let's chase off the mid-week slump with a giveaway today!
The 10 Best Decisions a Woman Can Make by Pam Farrel (Harvest House) is an upbeat book for women of every age.
About the book...
Are you a people pleaser? Do you have important decisions to make? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with daily choices that sap your strength? This book encourages you to tap into God's power and grace in fresh and new ways.
Pam Farrel and her husband, Bill, are co founders and co directors of Masterful Living, an organization that provides practical insights for personal relationships.
If you're in need of a boost today...leave a comment or send me an e-mail: suzanne at suzannewoodsfisher dot com. I'm going to draw a name by 9 pm tonight because my next two days are crazy-busy, so will pop the book in the mail to the winner tomorrow.
Happy Wednesday, dear bleaders!
The 10 Best Decisions a Woman Can Make by Pam Farrel (Harvest House) is an upbeat book for women of every age.
About the book...
Are you a people pleaser? Do you have important decisions to make? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with daily choices that sap your strength? This book encourages you to tap into God's power and grace in fresh and new ways.
Pam Farrel and her husband, Bill, are co founders and co directors of Masterful Living, an organization that provides practical insights for personal relationships.
If you're in need of a boost today...leave a comment or send me an e-mail: suzanne at suzannewoodsfisher dot com. I'm going to draw a name by 9 pm tonight because my next two days are crazy-busy, so will pop the book in the mail to the winner tomorrow.
Happy Wednesday, dear bleaders!
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Ten Worst Passwords on the Web
Lately, a number of my friends have been getting their e-mail hacked into. My niece, Hilary, sent me this January 23rd article in Gizmag and I thought it was worth re-posting. It's about passwords...simple things we can do to make our computers safe (safer) from hackers. Hilary said she discovered she was guilty of using nearly all of these passwords!!
The ten worst passwords on the web, and why you really should read this article.
By Ben Coxworth
You’re not fooling anyone with that “123456” password of yours. “Password” isn’t much better, and sorry ladies, but “princess” is also no good. These are among the findings in a report released by Imperva, a data security firm that analyzed 32 million passwords recently exposed in the Rockyou.com breach. Not only did they identify the most common, and thus easily-guessable passwords, but they also suggested some effective methods for creating secure ones.
Rockyou.com is a website where users can develop apps to use on social networking sites. Last December, a hacker gained access to all of Rockyou’s members’ usernames, email addresses and passwords (which had been stored in plain, unencrypted text) and posted the passwords to the Internet. Given that many people use the same username and password for all of their online dealings, such as banking, the results could have been disastrous. Fortunately, the perpetrator seemed to be mainly interested in exposing Rockyou’s insufficient security, as they didn’t post the usernames or emails.
Imperva analyzed the hacked data, and compiled their findings in the Consumer Password Worst Practices report. Of the 32 million passwords involved, the ten most common were:
# 123456
# 12345
# 123456789
# Password
# iloveyou
# princess
# rockyou
# 1234567
# 12345678
# abc123
It was found that almost half of the members used names, slang words, proper words, or trivial passwords such as consecutive digits, or adjacent keys on the keyboard.
So, what sort of password SHOULD people be using?
Imperva made the following recommendations:
# It should contain at least eight characters (30% of users had passwords that were six letters or less)
# It should contain a mix of four different types of characters (i.e: upper case, lower case, numbers, symbols)
# It should not be a name, word, or contain any part of your name or email address
The report also suggests using a different password for every website, not sharing your passwords with third parties, and using the first letters of each word in a sentence as your password (For instance, “this little piggy went to market” would be “tlpWENT2m”).
“The data provides a unique glimpse into the way that users select passwords and an opportunity to evaluate the true strength of passwords as a security mechanism,” said Imperva CTO Amichai Shulman. “Never before has there been such a high volume of real-world passwords to examine.”
Source: Gizmag
The ten worst passwords on the web, and why you really should read this article.
By Ben Coxworth
You’re not fooling anyone with that “123456” password of yours. “Password” isn’t much better, and sorry ladies, but “princess” is also no good. These are among the findings in a report released by Imperva, a data security firm that analyzed 32 million passwords recently exposed in the Rockyou.com breach. Not only did they identify the most common, and thus easily-guessable passwords, but they also suggested some effective methods for creating secure ones.
Rockyou.com is a website where users can develop apps to use on social networking sites. Last December, a hacker gained access to all of Rockyou’s members’ usernames, email addresses and passwords (which had been stored in plain, unencrypted text) and posted the passwords to the Internet. Given that many people use the same username and password for all of their online dealings, such as banking, the results could have been disastrous. Fortunately, the perpetrator seemed to be mainly interested in exposing Rockyou’s insufficient security, as they didn’t post the usernames or emails.
Imperva analyzed the hacked data, and compiled their findings in the Consumer Password Worst Practices report. Of the 32 million passwords involved, the ten most common were:
# 123456
# 12345
# 123456789
# Password
# iloveyou
# princess
# rockyou
# 1234567
# 12345678
# abc123
It was found that almost half of the members used names, slang words, proper words, or trivial passwords such as consecutive digits, or adjacent keys on the keyboard.
So, what sort of password SHOULD people be using?
Imperva made the following recommendations:
# It should contain at least eight characters (30% of users had passwords that were six letters or less)
# It should contain a mix of four different types of characters (i.e: upper case, lower case, numbers, symbols)
# It should not be a name, word, or contain any part of your name or email address
The report also suggests using a different password for every website, not sharing your passwords with third parties, and using the first letters of each word in a sentence as your password (For instance, “this little piggy went to market” would be “tlpWENT2m”).
“The data provides a unique glimpse into the way that users select passwords and an opportunity to evaluate the true strength of passwords as a security mechanism,” said Imperva CTO Amichai Shulman. “Never before has there been such a high volume of real-world passwords to examine.”
Source: Gizmag
Monday, February 01, 2010
Happy February!
Can't believe the new year is already into its second month. I'm still writing checks for 2009. Actually, now and then, I will absentmindedly write one for 1982 and that worries me.
We had a jam-packed weekend. We hosted a breakfast feed for 12 gigantic high school varsity basketball players before The Big Game. I have never felt so short in all my life as I did in my kitchen on Saturday morning, surrounded by boys who ranged from 6' to 6'8". They left their shoes piled by the front door and the sight made me laugh...it was like the Jolly Green Giant and friends had come for a visit.
Served waffles (lotsa waffles), egg casserole, sausage, hash browns, fruit and juice. It vanished! Right before our eyes.
And then came The Big Game. My son's team had beaten this team a few weeks ago...(this team shall go nameless but it is a private school with very deep pockets and a commitment to athletics that rivals college funding). Everyone knew this team was coming back with vengeance in their souls.
Oh my...did they ever! It was not pretty. My son's team lost, 49-40. So the rest of the weekend was spent licking wounds. Literally. Tad's eye was poked (sore and red) and he has a huge burn on his knee.
Hopefully, my breakfast was not the cause of the team loss.
On a lighter, much happier note...I found out this very morning that The Choice made the ECPA bestseller list for fiction! #12 spot!
That is very, very good news.
Now that's the way to start a new month and a new week!
We had a jam-packed weekend. We hosted a breakfast feed for 12 gigantic high school varsity basketball players before The Big Game. I have never felt so short in all my life as I did in my kitchen on Saturday morning, surrounded by boys who ranged from 6' to 6'8". They left their shoes piled by the front door and the sight made me laugh...it was like the Jolly Green Giant and friends had come for a visit.
Served waffles (lotsa waffles), egg casserole, sausage, hash browns, fruit and juice. It vanished! Right before our eyes.
And then came The Big Game. My son's team had beaten this team a few weeks ago...(this team shall go nameless but it is a private school with very deep pockets and a commitment to athletics that rivals college funding). Everyone knew this team was coming back with vengeance in their souls.
Oh my...did they ever! It was not pretty. My son's team lost, 49-40. So the rest of the weekend was spent licking wounds. Literally. Tad's eye was poked (sore and red) and he has a huge burn on his knee.
Hopefully, my breakfast was not the cause of the team loss.
On a lighter, much happier note...I found out this very morning that The Choice made the ECPA bestseller list for fiction! #12 spot!
That is very, very good news.
Now that's the way to start a new month and a new week!
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