{May 15, 2013} Ketchup With Us #18

Summer is coming! Summer is coming! And, for many of us, that means traveling more, chilling in flip flops with a freezy drink in hand and, most importantly, breaking from routine. For this reason, it’s the time of year that people (and by “people” you guys know I don’t mean ME) read more. They’re always looking for books they can grab to read at the beach, on the plane, by the pool or maybe just on the backyard hammock. So that’s what Mel and I are talking about this week. And we want your recommendations.

What do YOU like? … hate? … hear is the next big thing?

I was fifteen when I first discovered him. The assignment? Read three books by the same author. Back then, he had only five. (1) Garp and (2) Hotel New Hampshire. Both also movies. Done. But I needed three. I closed my eyes and pointed. (3) The Water-Method Man. The best of the three and still one of my all-time favorites.

My original copy, purchased at age 15. It’s still on my bookshelf.

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For a quick explanation of this link-up, click here. In short, Mel and I will post a picture or video with a writing prompt on the 1st and 15th of every month. You can write your entry in any form. We love creativity. And, with each prompt, we’ll feature a writer from the previous link-up. Which reminds me …

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Kiss My List

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RULES? WHO NEEDS ‘EM?!!?

The rules are … THERE ARE NO RULES! Just guidelines. And we’d love it if you posted our button and followed us on Facebook (Michele /Mel) and Twitter (Michele/Mel).

GRAB OUR BUTTON!

olddognewtits.com

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 18

In 57 words or less, tell us about a favorite book or author. We’re all looking for good summer reads, right? (I mean … except illiterate me.)

About these ads

{May 1, 2013} Ketchup With Us #17

Blah, blah, blah. Ketchup With Us. Number seventeen. Yada, yada, yada. Hosting with Mel. Blah, blah, blah. Mother’s Day edition. Blah, blah, blah. And here’s mine. About a lady who needs NO INTRODUCTION.

Because right in the middle of breakneckedly packing up THIRTY-SIX YEARS worth of clothing, kitchenware, bedding, electronics, furniture, tools, pictures, books, music and other cherished family artifacts, she stopped to make a practice test for my daughter who had an English quiz the next day.

Because she NEVER says no.

(Well, almost never.)

I love you, Mom.

Me, between the best moms in the world, future and present.

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Mod Mom Beyond IndieDom

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The Rules of Play

Submit your entry using the linky at the bottom of our KWU posts.
Follow us on Facebook (Michele /Mel).
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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 17

In 57 words or less, tell us about a special mother in your life. You can pick anyone you want. We won’t tell.

{April 15, 2013} Ketchup With Us #16

Today’s KWU preamble will be short and sweet. Mel and I are talking about celebrity encounters. Have you ever met someone famous? I’ve racked up a few big names over the years … and I have a prized stack of pictures somewhere to prove it. Some of them (such as Donny & Marie, Siskel & Ebert and Kelsey Grammar) I’ve already written about here and others (such as Katie Couric, Hugh Jackman & Renee Zellweger) I have not.

But I decided to go with someone unconventional today.

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I met this charming actress years ago in New York after seeing her in a play entitled August: Osage County. (It won the Tony that year, by the way). As soon as she walked onto the stage, I recognized her (uncultured buffoon that I am). And I was giddy to have the opportunity to take this picture.

That’s me with Kimberly Guerrero.

Don’t remember her? Perhaps the clip below will jog your memory. (Or this better but non-embeddable one. Stupid YouTube.) My family has never been more proud.

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Suburbia Interrupted

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The Rules of Play

Submit your entry using the linky at the bottom of our KWU posts.
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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt #16

In 57 words or less, tell us about a “celebrity encounter.” (We’ll let you interpret those terms however you like.) And, if you can, include a picture.

Are you still here? Fine. Here’s a bonus picture from when I shed the costume. It looks like I had to pee pretty badly, but I didn’t. What a spaz.

{April 1, 2013} Ketchup With Us #15

Happy April Fool’s Day! I’m a real holiday person. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas … my family even has an annual tradition for Groundhog Day. (We’ll discuss that next February.) But when it came to April Fool’s Day, I was stumped. Ever since Mel informed me that she is married to the grand master of pranks and practical jokes, I began scrolling through the dusty card catalog that is my brain but my stories couldn’t even come close to hers. So I turned to my old friend, Television, for help. He’s always been there for me and I knew he’d pull me through. And, after sifting through old memories of everything from Johnny Carson to Ashton Kutcher, I finally remembered these four fools. (Thanks, Vanessa & Wayne, for introducing me to their show.)

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The Impractical Jokers

They live to embarrass the snot out of each other. It’s a miracle that none of them has been flattened by one of their unsuspecting victims. From stealing food off people’s buffet plates to throwing a tantrum to get a stranger to buy them something to impersonating a blind opthamologist, there is nothing they won’t do.

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Becky

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The Rules of Play

Submit your entry using the linky at the bottom of our KWU posts.
Follow us on Facebook (Michele /Mel).
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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt #15

In 57 words or less, tell us about the best prank you ever played, saw executed or were the butt of yourself!

{March 15, 2013} Ketchup With Us #14

ME: Anyone remember a post I wrote a while back called Who’s Your Doppelgänger?

YOU: (already bored) Nope.

ME: (attempting to conceal my surprise) Oh, okay. Well, what about Will the Real ODNT Please Stand Up?

YOU: (not even looking up from the book you’re reading, just shaking your head)

ME: (stifling tears) Not that one either, huh? (thinking frantically) Ooh! Ooh! I know. Do you remember My Girlfriend’s Likeness Was Stolen by the Mattel Corporation?

YOU: (sipping your coffee nonchalantly, you’ve actually taken another call at this point and are laughing at me with the person on the other end of the phone)

ME: (hysterically) ARE YOU FREAKIN’ KIDDING ME? DO YOU EVEN READ ODNT? (pulling out hair) Why do I try? Why, oh why, do I …

MEL/According to Mags: (ahem) Michele, you seem to have gotten off track, honey. Here. (smoothing hair) Why don’t you sit down and have a sip of your milk while I do the talking, okay? (turning away from the crazy) Hey, guys. This week’s prompt is pretty simple. Who’s your doppelgänger? Your twin? Your carbon copy? We want to know. To get you started, I’ve written one here for Michele. And she wrote one for me over at According to Mags. We’re interchangeable like that. (leaves room singing a familiar tune to herself) “But they’re bloggers, identical bloggers all the way … “

Michele’s Doppelgänger by Mel

The make-up applied just so. The hair braided, beaded and bedazzled to a tee. A signature hat that screams to a culture club. Of course, she added her own flair and style, but still unmistakable. This girl will tumble for ya and is a total chameleon. She has done Boy George proud. Her doppelganger he will be.

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Deana

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The Rules of Play

Submit your entry using the linky at the bottom of our KWU posts.
Follow us on Facebook (Michele /Mel).
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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt #14

In 57 words or less, tell us about your doppelgänger.

{March 1, 2013} Ketchup With Us #13

Picture it. Two women loose in New York City. All family worries and concerns left back at home. And a whole day to soak in the culture, the museums, the live performances, the cuisine. What did they do? WHAT. DID. THEY. DO?

Remember the scene in Pretty Woman where Vivian (Julia) goes into the Rodeo Drive boutique and has her five-feet-off-the-ground butt served to her on a platter by a bunch of bitchy sales women? Yeah? Well, that’s pretty much what I expected when Mel and I walked into Prada on Fifth Avenue. Oh, wait. Did I forget to mention that Mel was wearing a giant ketchup costume?

Sure. I was a little puffed up when we walked in, waiting for them to call security as soon as they saw us. But instead … these people were AWESOME. It shocked the hell out of me. And it just goes to show that you don’t really know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes.

Which brings us to today’s prompt. Given the choice, whose shoes would you like to walk in for a day? Mine’s easy. I was going for sloth chic.

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I could sleep. All freakin’ day.

I could yell for food and get it. Immediately. No manners needed.

I could have people lined up to give me back rubs.

I could jump six times my height into the air.

If you piss me off, I could bite you. Viciously. And we’d be friends again in 15 minutes.

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Kir

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The Rules of Play

Submit your entry using the linky at the bottom of our KWU posts.
Follow us on Facebook (Michele /Mel).
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Grab our Button!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt #13

In 57 words or less, tell us about whose shoes you’d like to walk in for a day.

{February 15, 2013} Ketchup With Us #12

Ever notice how every two weeks … as we’re explaining how KWU works … Mel and I ~~blather on and on about,~~ ~~threaten to~~ mention the possibility of posting a video for the link-up? And yet, week after week, our lazy slack-asses never actually deliver on that promise, do we? DO WE?!!? Well, I’m tired of sitting on that magnificent throne of lies. So, I’m putting my ketchup where my mouth is (which ironically is where I always put it) as we give you our very first Ketchup With Us video prompt.

As you will see in the clip below, I just wanted a drink. Specifically something made with, duh, ketchup. The bartender was a great sport for putting up with our tomfoolery. I appreciate a little quirkiness in my barkeep … as well as in my drink. What about you?

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I could take it or leave it as a FOOD.

But when put in a DRINK, I’ll order it every single time.

From the Pimm’s Cup at New Orleans’ Napoleon House to the Heat Cocktail at NYC’s Buddakan.

My thanks to the cucumber and creative mixologists everywhere who first took a chance on the little gourd.

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================== Pimm’s Cup =================

1/2-in. thick English cucumber wheel
1/2-in. thick lemon wheel
2 oz. Pimm’s No. 1
4 oz. 7-Up, lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
lemon twist

==================== Heat ====================

Tequila
Cointreau
Cucumbers muddled with a chili paste

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For a quick explanation of this link-up, click here. In short, Mel and I will post a picture or video (yes, we said VIDEO!) with a writing prompt on the 1st and 15th of every month. You can write your entry in any form. We love creativity. And, with each prompt, we’ll feature a writer from the previous link-up. Which reminds me …

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Tara

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The Rules of Play

Submit your entry using the linky at the bottom of our KWU posts.
Follow us on Facebook (Michele /Mel).
Follow us on Twitter (Michele/Mel) & tweet us your entry using the hashtag #KetchupWithUs.

Grab our Button!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt #12

In 57 words or less, tell us about the best drink you ever had. Recipes and pictures are encouraged.

{February 1, 2013} Ketchup With Us #11

Superbowl Schmuperbowl. Yeah, sure. It’s this weekend. It’s even here in New Orleans. But it’s not my Saints or my friend, Mel’s Patriots. Plus, we already covered it in KWU #10. So we’re moving right on to Valentine’s Day. But you know we hardly ever do things the regular way in Ketchup Country, right? (I really wanted to type Ketchup Kountry but it seemed so … Cracker Barrel.)

That’s why instead of hearing about your sweetheart, your soulmate, the love of your life … the one you’re proud to call your own … we want to hear about someTHING or someONE that you’re embarrassed you love.

Me? Gosh, my mind just raced with possibilities. Velveeta cheese? Poison perfume? A certain Miley Cyrus song? Sigh. I wish I were joking. The mind loves what it loves. And even though I know I shouldn’t, I just can’t seem to shake this one.

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He wrote “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is there.”

He accompanied Bette Middler for years.

He himself sold over 80 million records worldwide.

But it was his 1978 release that would forever burn itself in my memory. It will always belong only to my grandmother and me.

He is music … and he writes the songs.

Still don’t believe me?

Exhibit A: My keyring. It’s a memento from my last trip to Vegas in 2010.

Exhibit B: A Facebook birthday present from a friend with crazy photoshopping skills. (Thanks, Jody!) And NO, gawkers, those aren’t my boobs. If they were real, this blog wouldn’t even exist. Duh. (ODNT Trivia: The rack in question belongs to Liz Taylor.)

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Lance

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The Rules of Play

Submit your entry using the linky at the bottom of our KWU posts.
Follow us on Facebook (Michele /Mel).
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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt #11

In 57 words or less, tell us about something (or someone) that you’re embarrassed you love.

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* * * * * Got five seconds? * * * * *

Please click that FANCY PANTS PINK BALL (above) to visit the Circle of Moms site and vote for ODNT for Top 25 Funny Moms.

I need this, people! I just outed myself as a Fanilow.

You can vote daily until February 13. Thanks!

{January 15, 2013} Ketchup With Us #10

Sunday, February 3 – Superbowl XLVII

Team-Who-Isn’t-the-Saints vs. Some-Other-Team-Who-Also-Isn’t-Them

at The Mercedez-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana

(That’s okay, Drew. We’ll see you guys next year, right?)

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The big face off is just around the corner. And it got my friend, Mel, and me thinking … about who and what we take on every day. Is there someone … or something … you’re always trying to defeat? My list is so long that I didn’t even know where to start. Until I thought about my “babies.”

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How is it that the Boynton board books, baby booties and Nuk pacifiers have all been replaced by the Hunger Games trilogy, Nike Elite socks and iTouches?

I just turned my back for a minute to grab the camera.

Damn you, passing of time. Please slow down. My kids and I are not finished enjoying today yet.

Then …

… and now.

Seriously, where does the time go?

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Lumdog

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The Rules of Play

Submit your entry using the linky at the bottom of our KWU posts.
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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt #10

In 57 words or less, tell us about WHO (or WHAT) you go head to head with every day.

{January 1, 2013} Ketchup With Us #9

HAAAAAAAAAAAPPPY NEW YEARRRRRRRR!!!!!

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What are YOUR New Year’s resolutions?

And, when Mel and I ask that, what we mean is … what are YOU giving up for only two days and then caving on to remind yourself and the world that you are a miserable failure at New Year’s Resolutions?

I make my own list every year. And, by the end of the first week, the back of it has served as a grocery list and there’s a good chance I’ve used one of its corners for an old wad of gum. We try, we fail. I think that THAT in fact is my annual tradition. And here’s one of my favorite surefire fails that I like to throw out there each January 1st.

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I say it every year. And I always try but never succeed. It’s the mark of a good mother, isn’t it? And, surely, everyone else wants to see it happen, too. Of course, maybe the fact that I can’t give it up is simply because …

NOBODY LISTENS TO ME UNLESS I AM YELLING!

Yes. Well, he does look a little more like he’s singing opera than yelling. But I thought it would make a damned funny visual.

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

Ruby Manchanda

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The Rules of Play

Submit your entry using the linky at the bottom of our KWU posts.
Follow us on Facebook (Michele /Mel).
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My original copy, purchased at age 15. It’s still on my bookshelf.

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

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RULES? WHO NEEDS ‘EM?!!?

GRAB OUR BUTTON!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 18

In 57 words or less, tell us about a favorite book or author. We’re all looking for good summer reads, right? (I mean … except illiterate me.)

Blah, blah, blah. Ketchup With Us. Number seventeen. Yada, yada, yada. Hosting with Mel. Blah, blah, blah. Mother’s Day edition. Blah, blah, blah. And here’s mine. About a lady who needs NO INTRODUCTION.

Because right in the middle of breakneckedly packing up THIRTY-SIX YEARS worth of clothing, kitchenware, bedding, electronics, furniture, tools, pictures, books, music and other cherished family artifacts, she stopped to make a practice test for my daughter who had an English quiz the next day.

Because she NEVER says no.

(Well, almost never.)

I love you, Mom.

Me, between the best moms in the world, future and present.

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

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The Rules of Play

Grab our Button!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt 17

In 57 words or less, tell us about a special mother in your life. You can pick anyone you want. We won’t tell.

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I met this charming actress years ago in New York after seeing her in a play entitled August: Osage County. (It won the Tony that year, by the way). As soon as she walked onto the stage, I recognized her (uncultured buffoon that I am). And I was giddy to have the opportunity to take this picture.

That’s me with Kimberly Guerrero.

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

* * * * * * * * * *

The Rules of Play

Grab our Button!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt #16

In 57 words or less, tell us about a “celebrity encounter.” (We’ll let you interpret those terms however you like.) And, if you can, include a picture.

Are you still here? Fine. Here’s a bonus picture from when I shed the costume. It looks like I had to pee pretty badly, but I didn’t. What a spaz.

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The Impractical Jokers

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

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The Rules of Play

Grab our Button!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt #15

In 57 words or less, tell us about the best prank you ever played, saw executed or were the butt of yourself!

Michele’s Doppelgänger by Mel

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Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

* * * * * * * * * *

The Rules of Play

Grab our Button!

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‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt #14

In 57 words or less, tell us about your doppelgänger.

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I could sleep. All freakin’ day.

I could yell for food and get it. Immediately. No manners needed.

I could have people lined up to give me back rubs.

I could jump six times my height into the air.

If you piss me off, I could bite you. Viciously. And we’d be friends again in 15 minutes.

* * * * * * * * * *

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is …

* * * * * * * * * *

The Rules of Play

Grab our Button!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

‘KETCHUP WITH US’ – Prompt #13

In 57 words or less, tell us about whose shoes you’d like to walk in for a day.

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I could take it or leave it as a FOOD.

But when put in a DRINK, I’ll order it every single time.

From the Pimm’s Cup at New Orleans’ Napoleon House to the Heat Cocktail at NYC’s Buddakan.

My thanks to the cucumber and creative mixologists everywhere who first took a chance on the little gourd.

* * * * * * * * * *

================== Pimm’s Cup =================

1/2-in. thick English cucumber wheel

1/2-in. thick lemon wheel

2 oz. Pimm’s No. 1

4 oz. 7-Up, lemon-lime soda or ginger ale

lemon twist

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