Sparklers and bunting are brought out for this patriotic Escape Adulthood special event! In this episode, we grill up some unusual goodies to celebrate Independence Day and catch up on some viewer feedback.

Share Your Thoughts…
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever grilled? Are you childlike enough to try this week’s prescription? We’d love to hear from you — and might even feature you in an upcoming show (we’ve even been known to give out prizes as well!) Leave a comment below or in the video itself by clicking the little plus sign in the player. Got photos or videos? Send ‘em to eashow@kimandjason.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Linkety Links

• Not a fan of Kim & Jason on Facebook? Skip to it!
• Check out the Dizzy Bat Race video sent in by Melynda!
• Read about Kim’s pottery experience in Door County.
• Buy your very own BBQ Sword

Photo by Kevin Lawver

Here’s a cool game to play around the dinner table. (And if you’re not gathering with your family around the dinner table regularly, what’s wrong with you?)

I learned about this from a friendly family I met after a speaking program in Witchita, and here’s how it works: Everyone at the table says in unison: “1-2-3 Hush Puppy!” Immediately, all participants have to be completely quiet for as long as possible. You make a noise, you’re out.

Now this sounds a lot like the game harried parents like to play in order to trick their kids into some much-needed quiet time, except for this little wrinkle: Everyone is strategically trying to get the other people to make a noise (or even better, laugh) by making silly faces or goofy gestures. The champion is the one who is able to maintain their silence the longest.

Something tells me that three-year-olds rarely emerge victorious.

Wow! The big 3-0, 7 months of weekly shows – way to go! Nice work people!

Loved the Mallards baseball game footage – I was laughing hard enough to be crying when Kim took her sumo-dive! And Jason’s near crash into the tarp covered sandbox was hilarious as well!

EA Extra: Like the classic dizzy bat race there are tons of other fun promotions done at semi-pro and minor league baseball parks every night! Check out the upcoming Minor League promotions in the cities near you, updated weekly.

The fourth of July is days away and our freedom is definitely a reason to celebrate! Independence Day presents a great opportunity to have some extra fun. With summer underway, it’s often one of those holidays that sneaks up fast and is gone before it arrives. Don’t miss out this year. Here are a few ideas to get you started…

1. Sparkler Signatures
Sign the sky with your name using sparklers. The smell alone will instantly bring you back to childhood. It’s physically impossible to hold a sparkler with a straight face. In fact, you might want to pick up an extra box or two for future days when Adultitis is reeking havoc on your household. If you’re up for being even more creative, check out these photos (here and here) for some inspiration to take sparklering (yes, it’s a word) to a whole new level. Sparkle on, friends!

2. Spaghetti and Meatballs
This is what my sisters and I would yell (at the top of our lungs, mind you) during the city fireworks as kids when we would see fireworks that looked like, well… spaghetti and meatballs. You’ve heard of cloud watching? It’s the same concept, except using the fireworks. Have fun calling out what you see above you… Rain! Cousin It! Frisbees! Elbow pasta! Sometimes we’d just yell out the colors all together. Honestly, any kid will attest, it’s just fun to yell in unison. Give it a try!

3. Spit for Sport
What would you like to spit? Watermelon seeds, cherry pits, Lemonheads, olive stones, or even crickets?! (They’re dead, but does that make it any better?) You can spit at targets (Bozo bucket style), go for speed, or for the longest distance. You could even create a dart board on the ground with chalk. If you decide to go for distance, you might find these numbers inspiring: The world record for the longest cherry pit spit is 100 ft., 4 in. The longest watermelon seed spit is 68 ft. and 9 1/8 in., and the longest cricket spit is 32 ft. and 1/2 in. held by one of our fellow Madisonians, Dan Capps in 1998. Go Madison bug man!

4. U.S.A. Sundaes
Create a red, white, and blue sundae bar. Pick up some patriotic bowls and those mini flags to top ‘em off . Go all out with the red, white and blue yummies. Red: raspberry sherbet, strawberry ice cream, strawberry syrup, cherries, raspberries, strawberries. White: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, white chocolate chips, pound cake. Blue: blueberries, blackberries, blue raspberry topping, m&m’s. Feel like a patriotic piggy as you fill your bowl with goodies that would make Uncle Sam proud.

When you were little, were you ever afraid of the dark? I sure was. From horns and hair to scabs and skeletons, thinking about what lurked among the shadows was an all-you-can-eat buffet for my imagination.

In fact, I may not have made it through childhood without that humble but powerful life-saving device known as the night light. Although small in size and wattage, it did a remarkable job of keeping the creepy-crawlies at bay. Without it, I’m sure I’d have long been digested in the belly of a slimy beast from the netherworld known as “Underthebed.”

Many lives have been saved by the simple night light. Perhaps it wouldn’t have been needed if we only believed the advice from our parents: that there really aren’t any monsters under the bed; they’re only in our imagination.

But alas, parents are never very convincing.

Perhaps that is because grown-ups also deal with monsters. They just live in a different place. You see, as we get older and grow up, the monsters take up a different residence. They move out from under our beds, and move up into our…heads.

Think I’m nuts?

How many times have you laid awake at night, worried, scared, or anxious about any number of things? This stuff keeps us up, and it can wreak some terrifying results.

But our parents were on to something when they tucked us into bed and tried to calm our fears about the monsters. You know, the part where they told us that the monsters only exist within our imagination.

That’s the key word to keep in mind: imagination.

Think back to when you were five-years-old. Maybe you had a window in your bedroom. And maybe just outside that window was a tree. By day, that tree looked like an ordinary tree. Harmless. Almost friendly, even.

But at night, that tree cast some weird shadows into your room. Right before your eyes, it somehow transformed into an enormous, ravenous T-Rex, with dagger teeth and jagged claws, ever-reaching in your direction. Ominously, it eyed you, tucked into your sheets and blankets looking a lot like a ravioli-shaped midnight snack.

And yet, looking back with the advantage of years and wisdom, it’s obvious that there really wasn’t a T-Rex lurking just outside your bedroom window. It was just that tree, casting shadows that our imagination ran wild with, concocting spine-chilling possibilities that we couldn’t help but believe. It all seemed so convincing.

Our imaginations are pretty good at what they do.

Here’s the thing. As adults, no matter how creative we think we are (are aren’t), our imaginations don’t shut off. The stuff that keeps you up at night now is still largely the product of a very overactive imagination.

That’s not true, I hear you saying. The stuff I’m worried about is real-world stuff. Things like my job and my mortgage and my kids.

Ok, I hear you. But now hear this: Most of the stuff we worry about never happens.

I’ll say it again. Most of the stuff we worry about never happens.

Think back over the last year and call to mind all of the things you spent time worrying about. I’ll bet you that most of the stuff didn’t amount to anything at all. And the few things that did come to pass were nowhere near as frightening as your imagination led you to believe.

Just as it did with the ominous shadows slithering across our bedroom floors, our imagination takes kernels of doubt and the vast unknown and concocts it into a possible future outcome. An outcome that more times than not gives us the heebie-jeebies.

It is an interesting trait of human nature that when it comes to imagination and our future, we automatically go more toward the negative than the positive. Think about it. You hear rumors about possible layoffs at work. Do you naturally assume that your job will be unaffected and begin expecting a promotion? Or does your train of thought lead to a scenario that has you being the first one cut, resulting in you being unable to pay your mortgage, having your house foreclosed, and living under a bridge eating Spam out of a can?

The negative outcome tends to be where our imagination spends its time, and it’s the one that keeps us up at night. So what’s a person supposed to do about this?

Here’s what I am proposing. First, let us acknowledge the stuff that contributes to our uncertainty and anxiousness is largely attributable to our imagination. Once we can accept that, then let us put our imagination to work for us, instead of against us.

If you are wracked with fear over a particular issue, be it relatively large or small, begin by letting your imagination do what it wants to do anyway: go negative. That’s right, pull out a sheet of paper and write down the absolute worst possible outcome you can imagine. This should come quite easily, as it is the thing that’s been stealing your peace of mind for so long. Don’t leave out any gory details, including instantaneous death by embarrassment or a new career as a bum or bag lady.

Now, once you are scared senseless and ready to pee your pants, take out another sheet of paper and write down the best possible outcome you can dream up. It may take a while for your imagination to kick into high gear, but when it does, reach for the sky. We’re talking fantasy land, pie in the sky, Hollywood-couldn’t-write-it-because-it’s-too-unbelievable type of stuff. Have fun with it.

Okay, now that you’ve balanced things out a bit, take out a third (and final) sheet of paper and write down what you imagine to be the likely outcome to your particular scenario. This will probably fall somewhere in between the first two outcomes. It might be a bit uncomfortable or unpleasant, but it will be nowhere near as terrifying as you first suspected. Take comfort in the knowledge that God never gives us any more than we can handle.

This activity is a simple one, but if you give it a shot, it won’t be long before a sense of peace starts to descend upon you. Writing out the scary stuff that’s in your head is like shining a light on the situation. It clarifies the facts – that tree really is just a tree – and helps us to see just how ridiculous our initial assessment of the situation really was.

A T-Rex?! Phfffft. Those went extinct a million years ago!

The monsters that terrorized you years ago have much in common with the ones that kept you up last night. Our imagination is a powerful tool, and with a little guidance, it can serve as a helpful night light that guides us to a present peace and a future that is better than we ever expected. Sweet dreams!

Sometimes, during big family meals, my mom rocks out the butter boat. I am unsure how I feel about the device and its many dichotomies. For one, I can plainly see its usefulness, but can’t look past the fact that it is a unitasker of epic proportions. The name itself is at once hilariously absurd and accurately descriptive. I think about who designed the butter boat, and wonder if time might have been better spent elsewhere. Does the sheer existence of the butter boat point to the ingenuity of mankind or our downward spiral into a soft and overly-pampered species destined to be dominated by alien life forms?

All this is to say that if you’ve ever thought to ask a cartoonist what goes on in his mind, you might want to reconsider.

(Click comic to view larger)

Summer is in full swing! Weekend are filled with backyard barbecues, graduation parties, and family picnics of all kinds.

Let me introduce you to one of the only bugs (except maybe fireflies) you’ll love to have join in the summer food festivities – the Grasshopper Appetizer Boat!

Made of hand-painted earthenware with metal legs, this cute critter is 19″ long by 3″ wide. Use it for a wide range of foods including fruit, veggies, pasta salads, cocktail condiments, cookies, sauces, and much more! Or let him hold plasticware, straws, candles or other decorative items.

We’ve got four on hand SOLD OUT, priced 50% off at $8.48 – capture yours before they all hop out of here! Check out all the other Lemonade Stand goodies marked up to 50% off!

Take me out to the ballgame! In this episode, we share a recent visit with the Madison Mallards and chat with general manager Vern Stenman, square off in a Sumo dance competition, and compete in a backyard Dizzy Bat Race.

Share Your Thoughts…
What’s your favorite baseball memory? Are you childlike enough to try this week’s prescription? We’d love to hear from you — and might even feature you in an upcoming show (we’ve even been known to give out prizes as well!) Leave a comment below or in the video itself by clicking the little plus sign in the player. Got photos or videos? Send ‘em to eashow@kimandjason.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Linkety Links

• Learn more about the Madison Mallards
• Listen to our interview with Mallards announcer Aaron Sims
• Become a Kim & Jason Fan on Facebook

One of the best ways to spend a summer day or night is at the old ballpark. We love the crack of the bat, the smell of hot dogs, and the enthusiastic banter of the public address announcer. Did you ever wonder what it would be like to have that job, watching and talking about baseball all summer long? There’s a lot more to it than meets the eye (or ears, in this case), as we found out from Aaron Sims, the voice of two Wisconsin-based minor league franchises.

Fun stuff in this week’s show featuring top TV dads. While some would call our selection limited by era, this year’s Harris Interactive poll has a wider range of television eras represented but Cliff is still at the top.

EA Show Extras:

• Baseball themed Jell-o Pudding Pop commercial with dialogue only Cosby could pull off.
• Woman’s Day has a wide ranging Top 10 TV Dads of All Time list (also topped by Dr. Huxtable).
• Photo retrospective of some fine Cosby sweaters.
• Margo is not the only one who has indulged in Spaghetti O’s and Spam.

PS – just for fun here’s a link to about 8 minutes of classic Cosby Show scenes many showcasing why Cliff Huxtable is considered top tv dad.

It’s officially summer. (cue kids cheering) Life slows down a bit in the summer, at least it should, leaving you with more time to spit watermelon seeds, dip your toes in a swimming pool, and savor the sweet refreshing taste of freshly squeezed lemonade. Mmm! If I had to pick out a centerpiece of summer, though, it would have to be the campfire. They have a magical way of bringing people together, inviting them to laugh, sing, and tell secrets. The sparkling golden hues of the fire, the crackles of the wood popping, the bright constellations above, and the warmth of people gathered around a central focus… I love campfires. So much of our life is spent moving in different directions, but the summertime campfire grabs you by the hand and asks you to sit and relax… together. Enjoy these ten campfire games you have to play…

1. Telephone
2. Truth or dare
3. Chubby bunny
4. Two truths and a lie
5. Guess the jelly bean
6. Twenty questions
7. Name that tune
8. A What?
9. Do as I say… not as I do
10. I can tap this stick just right

P.S. This isn’t a game, so it didn’t make the list, but here’s a fun site with over 1,600 campfire songs.

P.S.S. Also, not a game, but here’s a cool site to inspire some spooky campfire stories.

Photo by lambchops

Wanna guess what the best-selling car in America was last year? Something by Honda? Or Toyota?

Nope.

At 457,000 units sold, the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe outsold every other car in the U.S. in 2008. And I hear it gets great gas mileage.

Now, I have super duper secret sources that tell me that — I shouldn’t even be telling you this — the auto industry is in trouble. You might be saying to yourself, “What? How can this be? How does he know these things?” Trust me, I’m a blogger, we have our ways.

So, yes, the auto industry is a mess (and as usual, Uncle Sam has done his part in making matter worse.) The bestseller from Little Tikes may be just a toy, but I believe that automakers can improve their fortunes by taking some cues from the Cozy Coupe.

1) Make ‘em unique. No, really.
Auto shows are cool for one main reason: the concept cars. A host of shiny, exciting prototypes are put on display, and everyone ogles the futuristic eye candy. It’s as if George and Jane Jetson decided to showcase all the cars they bought from the proceeds they earned from cashing in all their Google stock.

The problem is that the concept cars never show up. Instead, the car company introduces a boring lump of steel that looks eerily like last year’s model. Bleh. Talk about a letdown. I think in order for a car to be allowed to make it into production, it has to pass what I call the “Squint Test.” If you squint your eyes a bit, about 95% of the cars on the road today look EXACTLY the same. The Squint Test goes like this: if you squint your eyes and can’t tell the difference between your car and a Civic, it’s back to the drawing board time.

2) Make ‘em with a little personality.
Some of the Cozy Coupes actually have faces on them. While I’m not sure turning America’s highways into a scene from Pixar’s mega hit Cars will ever fly (although isn’t it kind of fun to imagine?), there’s something to be said about building in a little personality. Face it, the Toyota Camry screams, “I’m plain, practical (and a little boring.)”

Now think about the Ford Mustang GT. The ‘57 Chevy. The Mini Cooper. And yes, even the Hummer. For better or for worse, these vehicles come standard with personality. We need more of that. It’s the exact reason I love that I hate the 2004 Toyota Scion xB. I hate the look of the thing, but I love that they made it so I HAD to have an opinion about it.

3) Make ‘em fuel efficient.
The Cozy Coupe operates on pedal power. Not the most effective way to go from 0 to 60 in 6 seconds, but it’s as green as it gets. I’m not for big government stepping in and pushing mandates; innovation doesn’t work that way. But getting off of fossil fuels is a GAME CHANGER in a bajillion different ways. Be it hydrogen, nuclear, or Doc Brown’s garbage-fueled Mr. Fusion reactor, there is a huge pot of gold waiting for the company that can design a fast, ridiculously fuel efficient car that doesn’t look like a shoe.

4) Make ‘em durable.
The Cozy Coupe is made mostly of plastic. They last just shy of forever, and kids are not known for taking it easy on toys. Saturn was on to something with its dent-free body panels. Body shops might disagree, but I think it would be awesome if we could design some cars that could bounce off each other in a collision with little to no damage. I’d even settle for one that wouldn’t dent when bumped by a car door in the supermarket parking lot.

Just the act of writing this post got my playful juices bubbling, and I’m not even in the car industry (which may actually be the key.) How many more neat innovations could be generated with a little childlike creativity? Here’s a few I came up with:

• What if you could push a button to change the car’s color? Or what if it changed to reflect the driver’s mood?
• What if cars came in stripes, polka dots, camouflage or paisley?
• What if the body was translucent so you could see all the working parts underneath?
• What if every single car was one-of-a-kind? They can do it with shoes, why not cars?
• What if it was built to accommodate widgets? You could customize the dashboard controls, headlights, stereo. I know, mechanical types can pretty much do this now, but what if it was designed so the average Joe could just take the old one out and plug the new one in.

I don’t know, maybe I’m an unsophisticated rube, ignorant of how science, assembly lines, and the auto industry really works. Or maybe that’s exactly the type of thinking the auto industry needs right now.

* * * * *

Think this was a snazzy post? If so, I’d appreciate it if you’d Stumble it, post it on Digg or share it using your social media tool of choice. Just use the “ShareThis” link below.

I just missed 8-tracks. They were fading out just as I was becoming musically aware. And by aware, I mean graduating from the Happy Days record that I completely wore out. The cassette tape was my domain, and I used my art skills to decorate an abundance of mix tapes. (If you’re feeling nostalgic about mix tapes, you should check out the article “For the Love of the Mx Tape” in issue #5 of our magazine.)

Of course, cassettes gave way to CDs which have given way to MP3s and the like. I’m not sure what’s next; it seems like planting chips in our heads that allow us to listen to any song our mind asks for is the ultimate end game. It’s weird to think that someday iPods will go the way of the 8-track and become old fashioned and dated. It’s even weirder to think that the first CDs I ever bought came in long rectabgular boxes. Weirder still? The CDs I bought first were Homebase by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and the Ghost soundtrack.

What was the first album/8-track/cassette/CD you ever bought?

(Click comic to view larger)

Nah, it’s not election time again. But there is an important poll that you need to go and cast your vote.

We’ve got three new t-shirt designs and we want your input on which one to print. Based on fun games from childhood, these shirts have a cool retro look full of playground nostalgia.

Vote for your favorite today!

Bonus  – leave a note in the poll’s comments discussing what you think of the shirts and why you chose the shirt you did and be entered to win a free shirt!

Mike Brady. Charles Ingalls. Homer Simpson. Who would you rank as the best TV dad? In this episode, we reveal our Top 10 TV Dads, talk about Lucy’s first tooth, Spam and Spaghetti-O’s, and teach you how to Huxtabalize your Father’s Day.

Share Your Thoughts…
Who’s your favorite TV dad? Who did we leave off the list? Are you childlike enough to try this week’s prescription? We’d love to hear from you — and might even feature you in an upcoming show (we’ve even been known to give out prizes as well!) Leave a comment below or in the video itself by clicking the little plus sign in the player. Got photos or videos? Send ‘em to eashow@kimandjason.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Linkety Links

• Buy your very own Adultitis First Aid Kit
• Learn more about Goodwill
• Become a Kim & Jason Fan on Facebook

Nothing goes together quite like movies and popcorn — one wouldn’t be complete without the other. There’s just something that feels right about chomping down on the buttery fluffy stuff while watching a big-budget summer blockbuster. Buttered popcorn is an undeniable classic, but as they say, variety is the spice of life. So here are a few alternative popcorn recipes that can put a fresh spin on your next movie night. You might even want to choose your recipe based on the theme of the movie! [Hat tip to recipegoldmine.com for the awesome recipes.]

Bacon Cheese Popcorn

• 4 quarts popped popcorn
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/2 teaspoon hickory-smoked salt
• 1/2 cup American cheese, grated
• 1/3 cup bacon bits

Pour freshly popped corn into large bowl. Combine butter with hickory-smoked salt. Pour over popcorn; toss well to coat. Sprinkle with cheese and bacon bits. Toss again and serve while warm.

Colored Popcorn

• Popcorn
• Food paste (any color desired – from a craft or cake decorating supply store)
• Butter, melted

Add food coloring to a pan of melting butter. When the colored butter is melted, pour it over the popcorn as usual.

French Fried Popcorn

• 8 cups vegetable or peanut oil
• 1 package popcorn
• 1 teaspoon salt

Heat oil and, using a long handled spoon, lower corn into hot oil. Fry until kernels pop and rise to top. Remove and put on paper toweling to drain. Sprinkle with salt.

Simon and Garfunkel Popcorn

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried parsley flakes
• Pinch of powdered sage
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried thyme leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 quarts popped popcorn
• Salt to taste

Melt butter over low heat. Stir herbs and lemon juices into the melting butter. Drizzle over popcorn. Add salt to taste.

Garlic and Parmesan Popcorn

• 2 tablespoons corn oil
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, split
• 3/4 cup popping corn
• Salt
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Dash cayenne pepper

In a large heavy pot, heat corn oil and olive oil over high heat until the oil smokes. Add 1 kernel popping corn and heat until kernel pops. Add split garlic cloves and rest of popping corn, cover pot, and shake gently until corn starts to pop. Shake vigorously until popping subsides. Remove from heat. Remove garlic and toss popcorn with Parmesan, minced garlic, cayenne and salt. Yields 6 servings.

Jalapeno Popcorn

• 1/2 cup canned sliced jalapeno peppers with juice
• Popcorn
• Vegetable oil

Pour small amount of oil in bottom of large pan. Add peppers and juice. Heat and add popcorn kernels. Pop like regular popcorn. Salt to taste.

Lemon Popcorn

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup popping corn
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Salt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

In a large heavy pot, heat oil over high heat until the oil smokes. Add 1 kernel popping corn and heat until kernel pops. Add rest of popping corn, cover pot, and shake gently until corn starts to pop. Shake vigorously until popping subsides. Remove from heat.

Mix lemon juice with melted butter. Toss popcorn with lemon zest, salt, and butter/lemon juice.

Nacho Popcorn

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 10 cups warm popped popcorn
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In a small bowl, stir paprika, red pepper, and cumin into melted butter or margarine. Gently toss butter mixture with popcorn, coating evenly. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and toss till coated.

Amaretto Popcorn

• 3 quarts popped popcorn
• 1 cup unblanched whole almonds
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup Amaretto

Heat oven to 250 degrees F. Arrange popcorn on 2 jellyroll pans; sprinkle almonds over popcorn.

In small saucepan, melt butter over low heat; stir in the brown sugar and amaretto. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Pour over popcorn; toss until thoroughly coated. Bake at 200 degrees F for 1 hour; spread on foil or wax paper to cool. Store in loosely covered container.

Butter Crunch

• 1 1/2 cups pecan halves, toasted
• 10 cups popped unsalted popcorn
• 1 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Grease a 15 x 10 x 1-inch jellyroll pan; set aside. Grease a large bowl.

Toss together pecans and popcorn in prepared bowl. Combine sugar, butter, corn syrup and maple syrup in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until mixture reaches 225 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Pour over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat. Spread on prepared jellyroll pan. Cool completely. Break into pieces.

Chocolate Popcorn

• 12 cup air popped popcorn
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup corn syrup

Spray a large roasting pan with cooking spray. Put popped popcorn into pan. In a large saucepan, combine butter, chocolate chips and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Pour over popcorn and gently stir to coat. Bake at 300 degrees F for 45 minutes stirring frequently. Cool completely. Break into pieces and store in airtight container if you have any left. Enjoy!!!

Peanut Butter Popcorn

• 2 quarts popped popcorn
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Bring sugar and corn syrup to rolling boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract. Pour over popcorn and stir quickly to coat.

Lucy teaches me every single day that the simplest things can be fun, things that don’t cost any money at all. For example, good times were had recently on our deck by simply filling a bowl with water and splashing around in it. Like I said… simple things. Enjoying oneself doesn’t always have to be this big ordeal. Why not incorporate simple acts of fun into your day-to-day? Here are 17 simple and free ideas to get you started. Pick one today.

1. Crank up your favorite tunes.
2. Eat lunch outside.
3. Leave a note for someone.
4. Drink from a straw and blow bubbles.
5. Pose for a goofy photo and post it on Facebook.
6. Make a prank call to your best friend.
7. Learn a joke and share it with people throughout the day.
8. Bring a sweet treat to work to share.
9. Try to juggle.
10. Play “rock, paper, scissors” to determine who has to do the dreaded chore.
11. Add four extra tablespoons of dish soap to your sink for the evening dishes.
12. Serve a purple dinner.
13. Wear a hat.
14. Look at old pictures.
15. Carry an umbrella even though it’s not raining.
16. Put a piece of ice down someone’s back.
17. Wear a nametag.

Share your ideas in the comments.

And it is royally screwed up.

I just did a Google search on “How to connect with your neighbor.” I was trying to find some people who might be interested in the Escape Adulthood show episode in which we shared a fun idea for introducing yourself to a neighbor you might not know very well. I got a bunch of posts about hacking into your neighbor’s home network, and at the bottom of the search page, Google suggested these related searches:

how to make your neighbors move
find criminals your neighborhood
find predators your neighborhood
find rapist your neighborhood
find molesters your neighborhood

No, Google, not exactly what I was looking for. Call me crazy, but methinks something is seriously wrong here. Pass this video along, and maybe we can turn the tide.

I miss Mr. Rogers. Anybody else?

A couple of cocktails, a live demonstration of an informercial, and the opening scene of a long lost tv pilot from the 1970’s starring a toy, this week’s EA Show is chock-full of fun!

EA Show Extra: Kim & Jason try for “Top Neighbor” status in their new ‘hood with their ShamWow giftiness. Where do you think they’d rank among this list of top TV neighbors? Or how about this list?

As Chief Sales Servant one fun part of my job is making recommendations of gifts for birthdays, special occasions, and holidays like Father’s Day.

I’d like to point out four cool things from the Lemonade Stand that are great gifts for dads.

1. Edge Brownie Pan – If you have a dad who loves “corner” pieces, then this is the gift for him.
2. BBQ Sword – Just as Jason showed on this episode of the EA Show, this is a great item for the grillmaster in your life.
3. Dirt Candle – Whether a landscaper by trade or dirt digger for fun, lots of dads love this unique candle.
4. Garage Mahal Doormat – If your dad spends his play time with his tools this doormat will be a perfect fit.

Besides these top sellers we have a number of really cool things on clearance that make swell gifts for dads, granddads, mentors, and heroes of all kinds. Check out the selection for the great guys in your life here.